Hidden in Dreams, a review

Hidden in Dreams is a wonderful book. It is written by Davis Bunn. I have read other books by Janette Oke and Davis Bunn before and enjoyed them a lot. When I saw on Davis Bunn's Goodreads page that he was looking for blog reviewers for 2 new books of his I was totally in. This is the first review, today, and the other review will be posted on July 18th.

Here are the details about the book...
ISBN (Trade Paperback): 978-1-4165-5672-5
$14.99; 256 pp
ISBN (ebook): 978-1-4516-6381-5
Release: July 3, 2012 from Howard Books, a Division of Simon and Schuster

I give it (out of 5).

About Hidden in Dreams (from the publisher)

Just when the world’s foremost expert on dream analysis, Dr. Elena Burroughs, thinks she is getting her life back under control after losing her position at Oxford University and the man she hoped to fall in love with, she is approached by Rachel Lamprey, the product manager of an innovative new ADHD treatment about to hit the market.

Rachel asks for Elena’s help with a clinical trial participant who has had a disturbing dream foretelling a cataclysmic global financial collapse. But even more alarming is the fact that fifteen people scattered across the globe—including Elena herself—begin to experience the same repetitive, devastating dreams of economic ruin just as one bank crisis follows another, suggesting that these aren’t merely dreams.

As Elena searches for answers in her professional networks, she is forced to form an unlikely alliance with her most vehement critic and is drawn back into the spotlight as the public face of the so-called dreamers. As Elena and her collaborators attempt to discover the dreams’ source, the clock ticks down to devastation. Suddenly, it’s no longer just about the dreams. It’s about survival.

My review:
By the middle of chapter 2 I was hooked. This book has it all: gunfire, financial ruin, big corporations, lies, manipulation, romance, a fight for control of money on a global scale, doubt, fear, spirituality, prayer, and kidnapping. It was difficult reading about financial collapse in our current personal financial difficulties. We have had troubles before but the troubles we have now are more severe. My husband has been unemployed for more than 2 years and a few months ago the unemployment compensation ended. The Lord has been taking care of us but I struggle to trust him on a daily basis, some days are good, some days ok and some days are really hard. Though the financial part was difficult to take, especially the dreams about no money and food lines, the book was really good. After reading chapter 1 and 2 I had a lot to do and could not read the book for more than a week. Then one day I had nothing else to do so I picked the book back up. I read... and read... and read. I finished the book that day before bed. It was soooo good I could not put it down.

The romance in the book is of two adults, not teeny boppers, and is a mature romance. It is not overdone and was well written. The "dates" they had were chaperoned by one of the character's daughters or there was a larger group. I appreciated the romance in the book, what woman doesn't like a little romance, but it was not to much, to gushy, or overdone so I will recommend that my daughters read this book, they are 23 and 26, and don't like Christian romance books, because they are not courting or married and it usually stirs up to many emotions for them.

I appreciated the spiritual nature of the book throughout. Suggestions for getting back into church attendance, having church be a place of refuge and strong, supporting relationships, praying throughout, and realistic feelings about spiritual things like these quotes on page 94,

Elena: "If I am really here for a purpose, I shouldn't do anything until I have a clear understanding of what God wants from me... And right now, all I can tell you is, God has never felt more silent." 

"The pastor's wife reached out in both directions. "Let's pray. Elena's right. It's not enough to have dreams. There also has to be vision.""

I have felt like that way before. Wondering what God is doing in our lives, though I know he is working, it is just hard to see sometimes.

The one world bank idea, to solve all the world's money problems, is something that will happen, in real life, one day. This quote says it all,

"...One World Bank. That's uncomfortably close to a one world government... Some folks might even say in today's world a single unified finance group would be a fair match to the warnings in the Book of Revelation." pg. 163

People around the globe are having dreams. Are they real, are they prophetic, or is there some other explanation? You will have to buy the book to find out.

I recommend this book to Christian Fiction readers everywhere. I am a big fan of Davis Bunn and plan to get the first book of this series and read it as soon as I finish the review for his other book I am doing next week.

If you would like, click these links:

Read chapter 1 of Hidden in Dreams for free
Buy a reading group guide for Hidden in Dreams

Video book trailer for Hidden in Dreams (click this link or just watch the video below)

Hidden in Dreams is Book 2 in the Elena Burroughs “Dreams” series. However, Hidden in Dreams is a stand-alone novel – the main character is the same as in Book of Dreams, but nearly all the other characters are new to this book. Readers will have no trouble understanding Hidden in Dreams if they have not read Book of Dreams. I did not read Book of Dreams, though I plan to now, and I did not have any trouble understanding book 2. 

Davis Bunn is an award-winning novelist whose audience spans reading genres from high drama and action thrillers to heartwarming relationship stories, in both contemporary and historical settings. He and his wife, Isabella, make their home in Florida for some of each year, and spend the rest near Oxford, England, where they each teach and write.

A Conversation with Davis Bunn

Q: How much research did you have to conduct to write this intriguing story?

A: In a way, I suppose you could say I’ve been researching this story all my adult life. I did my studies in international economics and finance. Observing the difficulties our nation and economy has faced over the past three years, as well as what we personally have endured, has been tough. It really was great to have this chance to give voice to what we increasingly hear, that the people at fault need to be brought to justice, and the risk of another economic collapse needs to be halted.

Q: Why is it important for you to write about such timely themes?

A: Economic uncertainty defines the world we live in. I feel it is important to show how the timeless and eternal messages are applicable to every aspect of our world and our lives. And how the gift of peace and wisdom can be used in every circumstance we face.

Q: In writing a sequel it’s always a challenge to include enough back story to satisfy those who haven’t read the first book while still making sure the book stands alone. How do you approach this dilemma?

A: You’re right, it can indeed be troublesome, but this time it all fell together very easily. The structure just flowed. That sometimes happens, where the story seems to create itself. I wish it was true all the time. I can’t even say why it was such a smooth process with Hidden in Dreams. But there was a sense of impatience about the back story, as though I needed to fit in just a few paragraphs, but I couldn’t allow myself or the reader to be drawn too far from this new story’s flow.

Q: Is there another Elena Burroughs book planned?

A: I have another idea. The question is, what do the readers want, and how positive is the reaction to this story?

Q: Why do you write fiction?

A: I became a believer at age 28. Up to that time, ever since graduating, I had been working in international business. I came to faith while working as a consultant in Germany. I started writing two weeks later. Up to that point, I had never picked up a pen in my life to write anything longer than a business report. But I had always been an avid reader. And the moment I started, that very first instant, I had the sense of invitation. It was the first time I had ever experienced that incredible sense of being drawn in a new, divinely inspired direction. 

I wrote for nine years and finished seven novels before my first was accepted for publication. Simply because I had received a sense of calling did not mean I was ready to serve. First the diamond had to be polished. Hard and painful as that was.

Q: What is your goal as a novelist?

A: I want to combine a truly entertaining read with a powerful after-effect. My dream is that long after the book is set down with a satisfied sigh, there are still images that surface, lessons that can be drawn, genuine hope and healing and challenges and inspirations. I want my writing to be worthy of the gift.

Q: How can readers find you on the Internet?

My website and blog are at www.davisbunn.com

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NOTE: I received a complimentary copy of this book for review from Bethany House Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.