Dream or Destiny Book Review & Contest
November 10th 2008 16:00
My promised review of Lillie Ammann's novel, Dream or Destiny, follows. Be sure to leave a comment on this post sometime between now and midnight U.S. Pacific Standard Time on Thursday to enter our drawing for a free copy of the book! (The winner's copy will be shipped free-of-charge by Lillie.) Both U.S. and international readers are encouraged to enter.
Please feel free to leave a comment even if you don't want to be entered into the drawing (i.e., you already have the book or you're hosting one of the other stops on Lillie's tour). Simply mention that you prefer not to enter. We still value your comments--whether or not you enter the drawing!
A Dream of Murder Comes True
A terrifying nightmare. A gruesome murder. And an eerie resemblance between the two. So begins Marilee Anderson's battle to uncover the truth about a crime that happened just as she'd dreamed it, making her everyone's favorite suspect.
Dream or Destiny, Lillie Ammann's tale of murder, mystery, and intrigue, opens on a moonlit night when the icy hands of fear shake Marilee awake. In the novel's opening scene, Lillie skillfully sets the mood, drawing the reader irresistibly into the tale, as it gradually begins to unfold.
Marilee Anderson trembled, her nightgown drenched with cold sweat. Moving only her eyes, she studied her surroundings. Moonlight crept through the cracks between the curtains and created strange shadows that moved on the floor like a flow of dark blood….
The drapes moved…(W)as someone in the room with her?...Pure terror turned her spine to ice. What had woken her? Strange images superimposed themselves over the disturbing distortions of her bedroom. A figure in black, stealthily creeping down a hallway, bursts of flame from the muzzle of a gun held in a gloved hand, a river of blood, and the smell of death….
The drapes moved…(W)as someone in the room with her?...Pure terror turned her spine to ice. What had woken her? Strange images superimposed themselves over the disturbing distortions of her bedroom. A figure in black, stealthily creeping down a hallway, bursts of flame from the muzzle of a gun held in a gloved hand, a river of blood, and the smell of death….
Somewhere in the back of her consciousness, Marilee slowly recalls all the unsettling details of her nightmare and finally convinces herself that there's no one in the room with her, after all. A relief, yet still—
How could she have dreamed such horror?
A Pair of Suspects Turn Investigators
As Marilee ponders the horror of that nightmare, she realizes that she recognized the victim but can recall the dream murderer only as a dark, shadowy figure whose face she can't make out. And when she learns that the real-life murder has happened exactly as the murder in her dream had, she doesn't know what to think.
Lillie Ammann has turned this fascinating premise into an intriguing tale in which a highly intuitive, professionally competent, yet personally somewhat less-than secure Marilee must team up with the victim's brother, David Nichols, to uncover the truth about his sister's death. As the cop on the case, Detective Garcia, becomes more and more convinced that one or both of them are responsible for the murder, and as David's impatience to find his sister's killer grows, the two decide to do a little investigating of their own.
A Colorful Cast of Characters
Lillie Ammann has created a fascinating cast of characters in Dream or Destiny—from Marilee and David, who must learn to trust one another, despite the very real deficiencies of their own past relationships, as they work together to catch a murderer; to Tess the "crazy" lady, who somehow seems to know far more than she should about her neighbors. From Jason Tremont, Marilee's ex-boyfriend, who was dating Barbara Nichols at the time of her death; to George Welty, Barbara's rich but abusive ex-husband; and Henry Nichols, David and Barbara's religious-fanatic father, who always believed child abuse to be his God-given right—Lillie gives her readers a variety of multi-dimensional characters to either care about or despise.
A Look at Several Pressing Social Problems
Through its myriad twists and turns—of plot and phrase—Dream or Destiny offers the reader insightful glimpses into such serious social issues as child abuse, domestic violence, religious fanaticism, and other eccentric behaviors. It explores the psychological effects of grief, guilt, and regret, as it weaves its magic, steadily advancing toward its exciting climax. Along with the above issues, the novel touches on the critical importance of learning to trust—and love—after those closest to you have let you down.
A Balanced Look at Positive and Negative Religion
Along with its intriguing journey toward solving the story's mystery, Dream or Destiny is a book that provides a balanced and realistic view of the paradox that is religion, with the vastly different mindsets it can yield, contrasting the sickness of religious fanaticism with the healthy effects of genuine faith, which bears good fruit in the lives of those it touches, rather than filling them with ugliness and decay.
A Hopeful Book
And while Dream or Destiny doesn't claim to answer the question of why some of us must suffer--and sometimes even die--at the hands of our abusers, it does hold out the hope of healing for those who have survived it.
A Multi-Faceted Book
If you enjoy a good mystery that offers lots of colorful suspects, insightful commentary on some of the most pressing social issues of our day, and a realistic portrayal of the effects of true and false religion, you'll want to read Dream or Destiny.
________________________
You may read an excerpt and/or purchase Dream or Destiny at GASLight Publishing.
Visit Lillie Ammann's blog, A Writer's Words, An Editor's Eye, to learn how you can write better and get your own work published.
There are still a few more stops on Lillie's virtual book tour. So be sure to check them out!
And don't forget to comment--between now and Thursday midnight U.S. PST--for your chance to win a copy of Dream or Destiny!
Please feel free to comment even if you choose not to enter the drawing. Simply mention that you prefer not to enter. We still value your comments--whether or not you enter the drawing!
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Comment by Lillie Ammann
Thank you so much for hosting me here at Writer's Notes today and again on Friday.
And thank you for your well-though-out, in-depth review of the book. You are the first reviewer to point out the contrast between religious fanaticism and genuine faith in the book. I appreciate your insight.
I look forward to responding to comments today and to answering questions on Friday.
Comment by Jeanne Dininni
Writer's Notes
I do tend to delve rather deeply into the meat of a text, and I feel the distinction between religious fanaticism and positive, edifying religious faith is an important one to make--particularly in works where religion is presented as the motivation for a character's despicable behavior.
Thanks for your willingness to respond to Writer's Notes' readers' comments and questions!
Jeanne
Comment by Lillie Ammann
Comment by Connie Arnold
Comment by Jeanne Dininni
Writer's Notes
We're definitely in agreement on the importance of that distinction!
Comment by Jeanne Dininni
Writer's Notes
Consider yourself entered!
Whether you win the book or purchase it, though, I think you'll enjoy it!
Thanks so much for stopping by to read my review and enter the contest! Be sure to stop back Friday to find out the contest results!
Jeanne
P.S. Love your poem, "A Still, Small Voice"!
Comment by Jeanne Dininni
Writer's Notes
Thanks so much for your kind words! Glad you enjoyed the review.
Definitely appreciate your taking the time to comment--even though you already have the book!
Stop by again soon!
Jeanne
Comment by Lillie Ammann
Good luck in the drawing. Hope you enjoy the book whether you win it or buy it.
Bluestocking,
Thanks for stopping by. I'm pleased that both you and Jeanne gave excellent (and complimentary) reviews yet each of you approached the review from a different angle. Reading both reviews gives readers a broad perspective on the book.
Comment by Janet Collins
Acceptable Etiquette
The Social Critic
Janet Collins Blog
Comment by Lillie Ammann
Jeanne did write a great review, didn't she?
Good luck in the drawing. Hope you read and enjoy the book, whether you buy it or win it here or on another of my tour stops.
Comment by Jeanne Dininni
Writer's Notes
That it is! Thanks so much for your compliment on my review! Very glad you enjoyed it. Hope my description gave you a good idea of (at least some of) the book's great features.
You've just been officially entered into the drawing!
Thanks for reading and commenting!
Jeanne
Comment by Jeanne Dininni
Writer's Notes
Just as I got back from visiting The Bluestocking Guide and leaving a comment there (after realizing I'd already read the in-depth review of your book posted there by Bluestocking but hadn't had time to comment the last time I was there), I noticed your remarks.
Bluestocking's review is indeed an excellent one and does focus on different nuances of your book than those highlighted in my review, which means that readers can get a great all-around perspective by reading both reviews--as well as the other great material posted at all your virtual book tour stops.
Comment by Lillie Ammann
My tour hosts and I have tried very hard to make each stop unique. I've seen tours where every stop had pretty much the same information, and I lost interest quickly. I believe readers will find something of interest and value at every stop on my tour, thanks to you and my other great hosts.
Comment by Jeanne Dininni
Writer's Notes
Glad to see that everything is working out so well with your tour! Guess you've attracted a wide variety of hosts--which is always a good thing, since it not only helps make your material accessible to a wider audience by virtue of its dissemination through multiple channels but can also capture the interest of a broader spectrum of readers (those who represent a number of different intellectual and/or ideological persuasions or specializations).
Comment by Lillie Ammann
Comment by B J Keltz
Thanks.
Comment by Lillie Ammann
You asked the perfect question! The book is available in print, e-book, and Kindle editions from the publisher and from Amazon.com. My blog includes links to both GASLight Publishing and Amazon in the bottom right hand corner of each page.
Good luck in the drawing.
Comment by Jeanne Dininni
Writer's Notes
Thanks so much for the compliment! It's definitely appreciated! I'm very glad you enjoyed the review, and I'm sure you'll enjoy the book even more!
I've just entered you in the drawing. Thanks for participating!
Good luck!
Jeanne
Comment by Wilson Pon
Health 2 Know
Adventure Toes
boxing sound
Business Rope
Fun Places 2 Travel
I have tried to keep my eye on Jeanne's blog since yesterday, but I still didn't make it on the first spot lol
Well, although I'm not the person that first arrive in this thread, but I'm also not the last that comment here as well!
Guys, remember to support Lillie, as she is a tremendously talented novelist that have a kind-hearted as well
Cheers,
Will.
Comment by Lillie Ammann
I hope you're far from the last comment here. I'll be back on Friday for an interview so come early in the morning and maybe you'll be first then.
Thank you so much for your kind words and your constant support.
Comment by Jeanne Dininni
Writer's Notes
Sorry you weren't the first to comment! The reason it's so hard for you to keep track here at Writer's Notes is because Kuala Lumpur is, according to the World Clock, 16 hours ahead of California time (U.S. Pacific Standard Time), where I'm located! It's not at all surprising that you should be having a problem with the time difference!
Though I don't have a regular posting schedule at Writer's Notes, I will be posting Lillie's interview at 8 am, U.S. PST on Friday. According to my calculations, that should be midnight in your part of the world. I don't know how late you stay up, but if you'd like to try to get in the first comment, you'll probably need to be up around that time. (At least it's a Friday night!)
I've entered your name into the drawing for Lillie's book.
Thanks for the visit!
Jeanne
Comment by Jeanne Dininni
Writer's Notes
(During Daylight Saving Time here in certain parts of the U.S., Orble's time is only seven hours ahead of Pacific Daylight Time.)
It can certainly be difficult to keep track of what time it is in different parts of the world!
Comment by Mark Antony
Comment by Jeanne Dininni
Writer's Notes
In her opening scene, Lillie's done a fabulous job of drawing the reader in. Appreciate your insightful remarks!
Consider yourself entered into the drawing for a copy of the book!
Thanks for the visit!
Jeanne
Comment by Lillie Ammann
You are so right that anything online must capture the reader's attention immediately. As you say, it's also important in print, buit we usually have a little longer to catch attention in print than online.
Comment by Wilson Pon
Health 2 Know
Adventure Toes
boxing sound
Business Rope
Fun Places 2 Travel
By the way, Lillie. I was wondering is there any second chapter for this Dream or Destiny?
Comment by Jeanne Dininni
Writer's Notes
See you tomorrow when we announce the winner of Lillie's book!
This is exciting!
Jeanne
Comment by Lillie Ammann
The free excerpt on my Web site includes chapters 1 and 2.
There are a total of 15 chapters to Dream or Destiny. You can read them all if you win the drawing tomorrow OR if you order the book from the publisher or Amazon.com.
Comment by Jeanne Dininni
Writer's Notes
Comment by Christin Mowery
Comment by Jeanne Dininni
Writer's Notes