Sweet Dreams [Kindle Edition]

Rebecca `Becky' Yaeger's plans for the evening did not include being attacked by a psycho who sprouts claws and fangs. It was supposed to be a fun filled evening with friends at a masquerade party but instead she's fighting for her life and all of a sudden her life is irreversibly changed. She certainly never suspected that her friends and Simon, the man she loves, have the ability to shift into Pumas. Sure she wants Simon but eating cat chow and using a litter box holds absolutely no appeal so what's a girl to do?

Simon already suspected that Becky is his mate before the attack but he hadn't claimed her or even let on that he had any intentions toward her. His mate's life being threatened brings out all his protective instincts and he certainly isn't about to listen to Becky's arguments against their mating. It's a done deal as far as he's concerned. Before he can satisfy his inner animal and mate Becky though he has to take care of her injuries and even then she argues with him. It's when she tells him `bite me' that he sees the perfect opportunity to get exactly what he wants - to claim her. There's no denying that they're mated after he's marked her as his!

Livia's attack on Becky was completely unprovoked and makes absolutely no sense to her - all she knows is that Livia has suddenly sprouted claws and fangs and is intent on killing her. It isn't until Becky's best friend Emma arrives that the pieces begin to fit together. Livia's envious of Emma's status within the pride and believes that if she can acquire the Curana's ring then she'll be queen instead of Emma. That's not how things work though and `Senora Psychopath' is in for a rude awakening because Max, Emma and Simon aren't about to let her get away with what she's done. Livia's sentenced to life as an outcast and Simon carries Becky off as his new mate. If Simon thinks he's simply going to claim her and they'll live happily ever after then he'd better think again. Sure Becky loves him but she's stubbornly refusing to say the words, her change is taking longer than it should, and she's suddenly ailing and the doctor's diagnosis isn't fully explaining the odd symptoms.

Dana Marie Bell writes this story with such humor and drama that I was quickly caught up in the romance between Becky and Simon and was unable to put this book down. SWEET DREAMS is the second book in the HALLE PUMA series and flows beautifully from the first book WALLFLOWER. Becky's feisty comments and loving nature really kept me chuckling and Simon seems to get a real kick out of her snappy comebacks. I loved getting to know all of the characters in this story and they each quickly began to feel like treasured friends that I'll be happy to revisit many times in the future.

I'll definitely be keeping an eye out for more Dana Marie Bell's books in the future. This story was fun, whimsical and wholly satisfying. I'd definitely recommend picking up the other books in the HALLE PUMA series as well. WALLFLOWER, SWEET DREAMS and CAT OF A DIFFERENT COLOR are all wonderful stories that truly capture the imagination.

Chrissy Dionne (courtesy of Romance Junkies)

Rebecca Yaeger's world turns upside down when she learns her friend's secret after an attack by a jealous woman bent on revenge.

Simon swoops in to take care of Becky after her attack when he realizes she is his mate. He wants to mark her as his and has to control himself while Becky comes to terms with the changes that are happening so fast.

As the two work through their problems, Becky is struck with an illness that threatens her happiness.

Can Simon and Becky figure out what is happening before it is too late?

Sweet Dreams picks up right where The Wallflower leaves off and I love it! Dana Marie Bell did not disappoint in this sequel. Sweet Dreams is just as hot, sexy, and funny as The Wallflower.

Becky is funny and plays dirty, making her my kind of girl. Simon wastes no time once he knows Becky was his. I do wish Ms. Bell would have explored how Becky knew about the ringing because I would have been interested to see more and have an explanation as to why it was happening. It was a cute way to break the tension and caused for me to laugh, so it works out in the end.

I am Joyfully Recommending Sweet Dreams because it made me laugh and kept me on my toes. I can't wait for book three.

Jambrea
reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

LIGHT SPOILERS- I don't say anything that you don't get from the product description, but be warned anyway. It's hard to explain what I hated about this book without specific references to what DIDN'T happen. No plot summaries. Recommendations included.

HIGH LEVEL: Disappointing book 2 of the Halle Pumas paranormal romance series that starts with The Wallflower: A Hunting Love story, Halle Puma Series Book 1.. You HAVE to read book 1 first as this one starts during the climax of that book. While I am a fan of Ms. Bell's work, I have to tell you I am REALLY disappointed with this book. Book 1 was overly simplistic, but I could forgive that because it was book 1- this book was a step backwards entirely. I'm not even sure why this story got to be its own book. It could have been just an additional chapter or two in book 1.

CHARACTERS: It is possible for characters to be UN-DEVELOPED? Simon and Becky are both great characters- but they were developed more in Book 1 than in this book ABOUT THEM. In fact, many of their mannerisms from book 1 disappeared and they became just cardboard cut-outs of what any couple in any shifter romance story could be. The tension between them evaporated- they were dancing around each other before, afraid and uncertain. Simon was artistic and a ladies' man and Becky was the shy, well-grounded partner in her store, but none of those characteristics were apparent in this story. They actually LOST their personality.

PLOT: There was even LESS plot here than the product description implies. This was basically a continuation of book 1. There was no additional storyline. No additional conflict. No new bad guys. No new obstacles. It looked like Becky might have a long road to recovery after the attack- she needed to heal and to come to terms with what happened and finding out about the pumas... and that was all resolved in a couple paragraphs. Becky wasn't mad. She wasn't scared. She wasn't even badly injured. She didn't resist Simon. She didn't play hard to get. Simon didn't have to woo her or apologize. Simon supposedly had been a ladies' man- but even THAT didn't become an issue. No confrontation with Belinda or other exes. No discussion around why they never dated or expressed interest in each other sooner... NOTHING!!! More happened between these two in book 1 than here. It takes exactly one minute for Becky to just accept the existence of werecats, the fact that she's Simon's mate, and the fact that she has been turned into one.

Like Max with Emma, Simon changed Becky into a puma without warning and without asking permission. She didn't complain- not ONE word of protest. She wasn't concerned about what it might mean for her life. She wasn't even surprised. Seriously, that's just absurd. If for no other reason than it could have offered something more substantial for the story!!!

There was a very bizarre plot element of having Becky able to tell when the phone was going to ring before it did. What on earth was that about? It was cute, but didn't come to anything.

BOTTOM LINE: This book was infuriatingly dull. I would tell you not to bother reading it, except I expect you probably need to if you want to bother with the rest of the series. I'm not really sure I do at this point. Ms. Bell's The Grey Court series is MUCH better than this one- at least it has a plot.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

1. Vivian Arend's Wolf Signs: Granite Lake Wolves, Book 1 fun, light were-romance series
2. Vivian Arend's Tidal Wave: Forces of Nature, Book 1- with frolicking dolphins
3. Dana Marie Bell's Dare to Believe (The Gray Court) - sexy, humorous para-romance with all manner of fae: Sidhe, dragons, leprechauns, vampires and more
4. Kresley Cole's slightly more adventurous and intricate magical romance series (never mind the ridiculous title): A Hunger Like No Other (Immortals After Dark, Book 1)
5. Jacquelyn Frank's Jacob (The Nightwalkers, Book 1) - demons, were, vamps and other fae finding their better halves in races that should be the enemy
6. Marie Harte's Rachel's Totem - lighter, less developed para-erotica featuring a variety of shifters in a quirky little town
7. Moira Rogers' basic werewolf romance series: Cry Sanctuary: Book 1 of Red Rock Pass series
8. Moira Rogers' magically diverse romance series Crux: Southern Arcana, Book 1
9. Nalini Singh's Slave to Sensation (Psy-Changelings, Book 1) - romance series which features weres and psychics, but also carries plotlines with some substance
10. Sydney Somers' gargoyle spin on romance: Primal Hunger: Pendragon Gargoyles, Book 1
11. Christine Warren's somewhat inconsistent, but often awesome series Wolf at the Door (The Others, Book 1) - skip the one about werecats, it had a weak female lead