Crystal Dreams

Rating:
Summary: A Blend of Science Fiction and Historical Romance
Review: Connal MacArren is one of the first of his world to leave the planet and travel through space. He would never have ventured out at all if it weren't for his dratted kinsman, Garris, who left without telling anyone goodbye. All he left was a cryptic note saying that he was going to see the Dreamweaver Liandra Tavor. Liandra is an Asarian, one of a small race who can walk the dreamscape and find answers for people in dreams. She is sure that this Garris never made it to see her, though it is true that he may have been traveling to see her, but she cannot persuade Connal that she knows nothing of Garris' whereabouts. Connal quickly tires of Liandra's game of pretending not to know anything and kidnaps her to return to his home planet of Caledonia. If Liandra will not tell Connal where Garris is, perhaps a little imprisonment might change her mind...

Liandra is determined to hate Caledonia. They are so primitive there. They eat animals and plants, pick flowers, do their own cleaning and seem to not use machines hardly at all! How have they escaped the notice of the League for so long? Even though she gradually comes to care for Caledonia and its people, she is determined to escape for there is something terribly wrong in the dreamscape. Whenever she tries to search for Garris in her dreams, she feels an alien presence that is trapping other Asarians so they can never leave. She fears for her people and wants desperately to contact her father with this information, but Connal does not want anyone else to of Caledonia's existence. However, he finds himself softening as he spends more time with Liandra. Maybe aliens are not as bad as he has always thought? Still, he is positive that Liandra is nothing but a glorified prostitute who is willing to have anyone into her mind and into her bed. With Connal determined to think the worst of Liandra and Liandra trying to escape to free her people at every opportunity, will these two ever get around to admitting their feelings for one another?

This book was interesting because it is basically a historical romance set in space. Connal MacArran is a typical clan chieftain of Scotland with Liandra an outsider who finds herself falling in love with a new way of life. I love Highland romances and so was excited to read this book and I was not disappointed. The author deftly blends the traditional Highland setting with the idea of aliens and mind powers. If you enjoy either Highland or Futuristic romance, give this book a shot - I think that you will like it!

Rating:
Summary: A Blend of Science Fiction and Historical Romance
Review: Connal MacArren is one of the first of his world to leave the planet and travel through space. He would never have ventured out at all if it weren't for his dratted kinsman, Garris, who left without telling anyone goodbye. All he left was a cryptic note saying that he was going to see the Dreamweaver Liandra Tavor. Liandra is an Asarian, one of a small race who can walk the dreamscape and find answers for people in dreams. She is sure that this Garris never made it to see her, though it is true that he may have been traveling to see her, but she cannot persuade Connal that she knows nothing of Garris' whereabouts. Connal quickly tires of Liandra's game of pretending not to know anything and kidnaps her to return to his home planet of Caledonia. If Liandra will not tell Connal where Garris is, perhaps a little imprisonment might change her mind...

Liandra is determined to hate Caledonia. They are so primitive there. They eat animals and plants, pick flowers, do their own cleaning and seem to not use machines hardly at all! How have they escaped the notice of the League for so long? Even though she gradually comes to care for Caledonia and its people, she is determined to escape for there is something terribly wrong in the dreamscape. Whenever she tries to search for Garris in her dreams, she feels an alien presence that is trapping other Asarians so they can never leave. She fears for her people and wants desperately to contact her father with this information, but Connal does not want anyone else to of Caledonia's existence. However, he finds himself softening as he spends more time with Liandra. Maybe aliens are not as bad as he has always thought? Still, he is positive that Liandra is nothing but a glorified prostitute who is willing to have anyone into her mind and into her bed. With Connal determined to think the worst of Liandra and Liandra trying to escape to free her people at every opportunity, will these two ever get around to admitting their feelings for one another?

This book was interesting because it is basically a historical romance set in space. Connal MacArran is a typical clan chieftain of Scotland with Liandra an outsider who finds herself falling in love with a new way of life. I love Highland romances and so was excited to read this book and I was not disappointed. The author deftly blends the traditional Highland setting with the idea of aliens and mind powers. If you enjoy either Highland or Futuristic romance, give this book a shot - I think that you will like it!

Rating:
Summary: Crystal Dreams - Award Finalist!
Review: Crystal Dreams was a finalist in the 1998 Sapphire Award and one of five novels shortlisted for the RWA Romantic Novel of the Year 1999. A real triumph for the first fantasy romance to ever be published in Australia. This superbly crafted novel is now available in the U.S.

Rating:
Summary: AuthorZone.Com Book Review
Review: The Review:
An opponent lies disguised far in the passionless deepness of space ready to obliterate Caledonian Chieftain Connal MacArran. MacArran must protect his world. In doing so he is propelled into an affiliation with Liandra Tavor a mentor with the League of Worlds. Connal is both fascinated and repulsed by the mythical libido the foreign enchantress is said to embody. The green haired Asarian dreamweaver has never experienced anything to match the feeling she realizes as she dreamshares with Connal on her crystal bed.

On the surface MacArran's task appears quite fundamental. He will avail himself of Liandra's exceptional powers to find a missing clansman Garris then flee from her as soon as his assignment is completed. As with most simple designs little goes according to plan. Liandra's life is threatened. Connal faces the fury of his clan when he takes her with him to his world. The planet, which refuses to confederate with the League of Worlds has been kept obscured to preclude foreign adulteration. Liandra is no more pleased to be with Connal than he appears to enjoy as her captor. Once Liandra realizes where she has been brought Connal decides she must never leave. MacArran's absolute intractability toward contact with other cultures and his intolerance against aliens clouds his reason. He continues to oppose Liandra and when she attempts to escape punishes her then warns others of his clan against her as an alien. At times he is a difficult person to understand. Liandra is from a race that is very aware of their own sensuality. They do ultimately join completely with one man forever. Liandra has never felt any real attraction to a man until she finds herself head to toe with MacArran during their mind dream in their attempt to find Connal's kinsman. The pair is attacked during the dream by alien creatures leaving Liandra unconscious and MacArran facing the notion that it is either take her with him or leave her there to die. He needs her abilities; he takes her with him. Neither wants to admit the growing affinity they feel for the other.

In Crystal Dreams writer Cooper presents an unconventional science fiction type romance filled with an abundance of engaging characters and situations. Nineteenth century Scot-English relationships are present in a well-designed universe. The two principal planets are well developed by writer Cooper. This is not the usual science fiction offering. The romance emerges against a convincing backdrop of dreadful evil and other world detail. As presented in Crystal Dreams Liandra is a supposable personality filled with enough angst to keep her engaging. MacArran and his hardheaded notions become a bit ennui after a time. Even with my Scottish ancestry there were moments that I found myself wanting to 'smack him up aside the head' as he continues to oppose Liandra despite awareness that she is not 'tainting' his world.

Crystal Dreams is a well written page turner which draws readers right into the account from the opening page and carries them on a roller coaster ride of agitation through the tale and on down to the final paragraph. A nice book for a lazy summer's reading in the hammock. Not for everyone. Those who enjoy romance and/or futuristic science fiction will enjoy the tale.

Reviewed by: molly martin

Rating:
Summary: Futristic Highland
Review: When I first read the premise for this book, I thought how will this plot line ever work? But, it works very well. The story line keeps you guessing on what will happen next. The characters are fully developed and believable. Connal is the original Alpha-male and Liandra is an excellent match for him in every way. This book will definately find a spot on my "keeper" shelf.