Tag: The Gamblers of Cravens

Sunday Spotlight: Dreaming of You by Lisa Kleypas

Posted November 17, 2019 by Rowena in Features | 3 Comments

Sunday Spotlight is a feature we began in 2016. This year we’re spotlighting our favorite books, old and new. We’ll be raving about the books we love and being total fangirls. You’ve been warned. 🙂

This week’s spotlight is an oldie but a goodie. Dreaming of You is a book that I read in the early days of my discovering romance novels and man did I cry buckets while reading it. I adored everything about it and I completely loved both Derek and Sara. Their romance wasn’t an easy one to read but it was one of the most memorable ones that I’ve ever read. If you haven’t read their story yet, you’ll want to fix that because Lisa Kleypas has some gems in her backlist. She is still writing her ass off and making me cry but like with my other favorite authors, I love to re-read older Lisa Kleypas releases like this one. This one is such a good read. Check it out!

Sunday Spotlight: Dreaming of You by Lisa KleypasDreaming of You by Lisa Kleypas
Series: Gamblers of Cravens #2
Publisher: Harper Collins, Avon
Publication Date: June 30, 2015
Format: eBook
Source: Purchased
Point-of-View: Third
Cliffhanger: View Spoiler »
Genres: Historical Romance
Pages: 373
Add It: Goodreads
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five-stars
Series Rating: five-stars

She stood at danger's threshold—then love beckoned her in.

In the shelter of her country cottage, Sara Fielding puts pen to paper to create dreams. But curiosity has enticed the prim, well-bred gentlewoman out of her safe haven—and into Derek Craven's dangerous world.

A handsome, tough and tenacious Cockney, he rose from poverty to become lord of London's most exclusive gambling house—a struggle that has left Derek Craven fabulously wealthy, but hardened and suspicious. And now duty demands he allow Sara Fielding into his world—with her impeccable manners and her infuriating innocence. But here, in a perilous shadow-realm of ever-shifting fortunes, even a proper "mouse" can be transformed into a breathtaking enchantress—and a world-weary gambler can be shaken to his cynical core by the power of passion...and the promise of love.

Excerpt

“Derek’s breath touched Sara’s throat in unsteady urges. “Sometimes,” he whispered, “I’m so close to you … and I’m still not close enough. I want to share your breath … every beat of your heart.”

He cradled her head in both his hands, his mouth hot on her neck. “Sometimes,” he murmured, “I want to punish you a little.”

“Why?”

“For making me want you until I ache with it. For the way I wake at night just to watch you sleeping.” His face was intense and passionate above her, his green eyes sharp in their brightness. “I want you more each time I’m with you. It’s a fever that never leaves me. I can’t be alone without wondering where you are, when I can have you again.” His lips possessed hers in a kiss that was both savage and tender, and she opened to him eagerly.”

Gamblers of Cravens

Giveaway Alert

We’re giving one lucky winner their choice of one of our Sunday Spotlight books. Use the widget below to enter for one of this month’s features.

Sunday Spotlight: November 2019

Do you love this book as much as I do? Let us know in the comments and tell us what other books you’re looking forward to this year!

About Lisa Kleypas

LISA KLEYPAS is the RITA award-winning author of 21 novels. Her books are published in fourteen languages and are bestsellers all over the world. She lives in Washington State with her husband and two children.

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five-stars

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Author Spotlight Review: Dreaming of You by Lisa Kleypas

Posted October 16, 2009 by Casee in Features, Reviews | 0 Comments

Publisher: Avon, Harper Collins


Casee‘s review of Dreaming of You by Lisa Kleypas.

In the shelter of her country cottage, Sara Fielding puts pen to paper to create dreams. But curiosity has enticed the prim, well-bred gentlewoman out of her safe haven — and into Derek Craven’s dangerous world.

A handsome, tough and tenacious Cockney, he rose from poverty to become lord of London’s most exclusive gambling house — a struggle that has left Derek Craven fabulously wealthy, but hardened and suspicious. And now duty demands he allow Sara Fielding into his world — with her impeccable manners and her infuriating innocence. But here, in a perilous shadow-realm of ever-shifting fortunes, even a proper “mouse” can be transformed into a breathtaking enchantress — and a world-weary gambler can be shaken to his cynical core by the power of passion…and the promise of love.

Derek Craven. Ah, Derek. ::sigh::

Dreaming of You was the first historical that I read that was outside the norm. By that, I mean that it wasn’t about a Lord Whatshisface and Lady Livealifeofleisure. Sara Fielding was an author from the country. Derek was a self-made man that literally came from the gutter. How can you not be intrigued?

From the very beginning, it’s made clear that Derek is no gentleman. When he first sees Sara, he considers warning her that she’s in danger, but changes his mind. He can’t be bothered with a woman stupid enough to venture out alone at that hour of the night. So it’s irony that it’s Sara that comes to Derek’s rescue. It also opens the door for Sara to learn more about Derek’s club, Craven’s. Sara is painstakingly thorough when she’s researching and has no qualms about taking advantage of the situation she finds herself in. Derek reluctantly agrees to give Sara the run of the club for researching purposes.

They float into love instead of falling. It’s nothing instant. Derek is at once repelled and intrigued by Sara b/c she is so different from the type of women he is used to. Sara is drawn to Derek in a way that she has never felt for her almost-fiance. That’s distressing to her, but not something she lets herself dwell on.

This book wouldn’t have worked if it took place over the course of a few weeks. There were obvious obstacles that Derek and Sara had to face, obstacles that wouldn’t be easy to overcome. They both learn things about themselves and each other that eventually show them a way toward their new life together.

4.75 out of 5.

This book is available from Avon. You can buy it here or here in e-format.

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Dreaming of You by Lisa Kleypas

Posted March 12, 2008 by Book Binge Guest Blogger in Reviews | 11 Comments

Ok, when I recommened this book to Carolyn, I had to pull this out and do a quick reread. I love this book. Love it!

But I cheated a bit. I took my old review from Sanctuary. LOL. Not much has changed. But I love me Derek Craven!

She stood at danger’s threshold-

then love beckoned her in.

In the shelter of her country cottage, Sara Feilding puts pen to paper to create dreams. But curiosity has enticed the prim, well-bred gentlewoman out of her safe haven and into Derek Craven’s dangerous world.

A handsome, tough and tenacious Cockney, he rose from, poverty to become lord of London’s most exclusive gambling house a struggle that has left Derek Craven fabulously wealthy, but hardened and suspicious. And now duty demands he allow Sara Fielding into his world with her impeccable manners and her infuriating innocence. But here, in a perilous shadow-realm of ever-shifting fortunes, even a proper “mouse” can be transformed into a breathtaking enchantress and a world-weary gambler can be shaken to his cynical core by the power of passion. . .and the promise of love.

I love this book. Love it. I fell in love with Derek Craven when I read this.

A man who grew up not knowing love, trust or friendship. Derek meets Sara but feels unworthy of her. He sstrongstong, unfeeling,invunerablerable but really, he craves to be loved by Sara. He wants her like no other, but knows he does not deserve her.

He forces her to leave believing its for her good. While she is gone, Derek is short tempered and hostile. He runs into Sara at a mutual friends house and meet in the garden. Sara confesses her love for him.

“You can’t change the truth. You can act as if you’re blind and deaf, you can
walk away from me forever, but the truth will still be there, and you can’t make
it go away. I love you.”-Sara to Derek

She asks him to stay with her and he walks away from her. She is then later attacked and Derek asks her to marry him. They have a happy marriage. Derek adjusting to having a wife. But then his jealous ex lover (who is jupsychoyscho slut) burns the club and takes Sara hostage leaving Derek to believe she’s dead.

“I love yocouldn’tdln’t say it before. I couldn’t-“
“I love you,” he repeated hoarsely, burrowing against her. “I would have
given my life to have one more day with you, and tell you that.”-Derek finding out Sara is alive.

Derek is my favorite hero of all time. He’s my lobster. When he got scared and protective when Sara teased on how she may not marry him cause he’s so rich touched my heart. How he ached for her so much. I mean the man stole her glasses and kept them near his heart. Sigh….

I love Derek Craven. I know Holly doesn’t understand why I love him so. And that’s ok, cause I don’t get the Ben Lewis attraction. But Derek is my ultimate hero and this is one of my favorite books.

Grade: 5/5

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