Dream Man by Linda Howard (audio)

Book Description:
Detective Dane Hollister of the Orlando police department has never met anyone quite like Marlie Keen. While he has doubts about her supposed clairvoyant powers, she sees crimes as they're being committed, there is no doubt about how much he desires her. To Marlie, Dane is all heat and hard muscle, and he makes her body come alive as it never has before. But not even she can foresee that their passion will lead them on a dangerous journey into the twisted mind of a madman who will threaten their happiness and their lives.

Quickie Review:

This was a great romantic suspense thriller - on audio it was incredible!  With Phil Gigante narrating as Dane Hollister, it was to die for.  I already know Phil from his narration of Karen Marie Moning's books - 'nuff said.  If you loved him as a Scottish Highlander or Barron's from her Fever series - you'll love him as Dane as well.

Linda Howard is a favorite of mine and Dream Man is another total winner.   Full of nail biting moments, the reader follows Detective Dane Hollister as he's on the hunt for a serial killer in Orlando, FL.  Marlie Keen had a traumatic and horrible experience six years earlier while working with the police to catch a killer.  Because of it, she lost her "powers" -  until now.  Marlie is clairvoyant and has the unique ability to see inside the killers' heads as they select their victims and kill them.  Marlie, who has worked with the police in the past, helping them solve murder mysteries, comes face to face with Dane Hollister who is the chief detective investigating a recent and very bloody brutal murder that has taken place in Orlando.

Dane is skeptical of Marlie upon their first meeting.  At first, he doesn't believe a thing she's saying about witnessing the recent murder because she's inside the killer's head while he's doing it.  They're antagonistic towards one another, exacerbated by the fact that Dane has a raging hard-on through the whole thing! As much as he dislikes Marlie at first, he's unaccountably attracted to her!  He can't seem to control it, and she's pretty much oblivious to it in the beginning.  But his partner (who I loved!) was onto it from the get go!  Poor Dane, every time he gets near her, he can't stop himself from pointing like a hunting dog - he can't help it!

Pretty soon, Marlie proves herself the real thing and Dane, reluctantly, admits she really can see into the killer's mind.  At the same time, he is nutso over her - and Marlie is overwhelmed by this incredibly macho detective that is coming on to her like gangbusters!  Let me just say right now, I simply loved Dane!  OMG!  I want.

Dane doesn't take no for an answer form Marlie.  She is no match for this raging mass of testosterone that has zeroed in on her and before we know it - he's moved in with her and they are having a torrid affair.  My one gripe is how quickly they go from strangers to lovers - to living together!  Same thing in her Mr. Perfect.  Hell, I'm not really complaining, it cuts out a lot of red tape in the relationship, although in respect to Marlie and Dane, this quickness in their relationship becomes an understandable obstacle.  I'm leaving a ton out.  Marlie becomes totally debilitated every time the killer kills his victim.  Dane is full of anguish over "using" her to catch the killer and it backfires on him (of course.)  The book was full of suspense and it was a really clever story - but graphic, not for the faint of heart.  When he kills his victims, it's not pretty.  

Do yourself a favor and get this book and read it or better yet, get the audio version - you won't regret it.  All the characters are interesting, the plot is great, the psychological aspect inside the killer's mind is fantastic.  Did I mention that the romance sizzles off the pages?  Marlie is one lucky clairvoyant (though she can't get inside Dane's head - much to his relief.)  I couldn't stop myself from listening to this audiotape every chance I got.  Empty the dishwasher?  Sure!  I don't mind - I can listen to Dream Man while doing it!

This is a winning book and Phil Gigante made it.  I am so in love with him Dane Hollister.  A contemporary Alpha - notice the capital A?


4.5/5

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