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I Am A Dreamer
Dreams and Illusions follows a grieving boutique owner who is both guided and tormented by vivid dreams. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I wanted a main character with the gift of prophetic dreams, but I had to give her an obstacle to create conflict. Gabrielle had been told all her life that her gift came from God, so when her dreams failed to save those closest to her, God must have turned on her. This sets up conflict with her belief system and internally as she searches for someone to blame for her circumstances. Did she fail, or has God failed her?
Did you plan the tone and direction of the novel before writing, or did it come out organically as you were writing?
My main character, Gabrielle, set the tone with her personality and determination to find normalcy, which is why she needed a friend like Kate, to lighten the mood on occasion. I think they create a nice balance.
Is there anything from your own life included in your characters?
I am a dreamer, which is what gave me the idea for the series, and Gabrielle certainly shares my sarcasm. But beyond that I’ve given her many attributes that I would like to have myself, such as her boldness and courage. I think many authors do that with their characters to explore other realities and live vicariously through our characters.
Can you give us a glimpse inside the second book in the Gabrielle Dorian Mystery series? Where will it take readers?
Dreams and Deceptions, the second book in the series stays in Whitman, Washington, where Gabrielle finds she has become a local celebrity, thanks to her best friend Kate. As a result, the two are drawn into a missing person case. In the midst of that, evidence emerges suggesting that Gabrielle’s husband’s death was not an accident, but homicide, and Gabrielle quickly becomes the main suspect. She and Kate will have to decipher Gabrielle’s cryptic dreams to find a lost son and uncover her husband’s real killer.
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Gabrielle Dorian believes God has turned against her. Despite prophetic dreams, the grieving boutique owner resents that her alleged gift didn’t prevent her parents’ accidental deaths or protect her husband from a fatal worksite accident. So after receiving a panicked call from the last of her family, the distraught woman shelves her own sorrow and rushes to Seattle to rescue her estranged sister.
Discovering her sibling has been charged with murder, Gabrielle begins to fear the worst when her brother-in-law is missing and his best friend mysteriously comes up with bail money. Battling a hated former classmate in charge of the case, she fights through the murk of suspicious clues that all point to a guilty verdict.
With her last loved one’s life on the line, can she uncover the truth before it’s too late?
Dreams and Illusions is the riveting first book in the Gabrielle Dorian Mysteries Series. If you like headstrong heroines, fast-paced drama, and dark twists, you’ll love Rebecca Olmstead’s tale of doubt and redemption.
Buy Dreams and Illusions to unmask a killer today!
Dreams and Illusions: A Gabrielle Dorian Mystery
Rebecca Olmstead’s Dreams and Illusions is a gripping mystery that follows Gabrielle Dorian, a boutique owner in Washington, as she struggles with vivid, prophetic dreams that blur the line between the past and the present. When her husband, James, dies under suspicious circumstances, Gabrielle finds herself pulled into a web of secrets, grief, and danger. As she seeks answers, her dreams become both a guiding force and a torment, leading her to places she never expected. With a mix of supernatural elements, suspense, and emotional depth, the book delivers an immersive reading experience.
The writing is engaging, with Olmstead crafting a protagonist who is deeply human, flawed, emotional, and determined. Gabrielle’s grief is palpable, making her journey all the more compelling. Early in the book, when she dreams of her late father trying to tell her something, the weight of loss and desperation is so well conveyed that I felt my own chest tighten. The narrative smoothly transitions between the tangible world and the surreal nature of Gabrielle’s dreams, keeping the suspense high.
What stood out most to me was the novel’s emotional rawness. Gabrielle’s relationship with her best friend, Kate, provides warmth and comic relief amid the darkness. Their friendship feels authentic, full of teasing yet unwavering support. Kate’s lively personality and sharp wit contrast well with Gabrielle’s more reserved nature, making their interactions some of my favorite moments in the book. One particularly moving scene is when Gabrielle, overwhelmed by her grief, finds solace in Kate’s no-nonsense attitude and comforting presence. This relationship anchors the story, reminding us that even in the face of loss, we are not alone.
The mystery itself unfolds at a satisfying pace, with enough twists to keep readers engaged. The introduction of Gabrielle’s estranged sister, Tina, adds another layer of complexity to the narrative. Their fractured relationship feels realistic, filled with unresolved resentment and reluctant duty. When Gabrielle learns that Tina is in jail, charged with writing bad checks and, shockingly, first-degree murder, the story takes an even darker turn. The supernatural elements add an intriguing layer to the story, and I found myself eager to learn even more about the mechanics of Gabrielle’s gift and how it truly functioned beyond the occasional vision. While some aspects remain mysterious, this only adds to the book’s overall allure.
Dreams and Illusions is a compelling read that will appeal to fans of suspenseful mysteries with a touch of the supernatural. It’s particularly well-suited for readers who enjoy character-driven stories with emotional depth and psychological complexity. If you like books that keep you guessing while also pulling at your heartstrings, this one is worth picking up. The book’s strong character dynamics and eerie, dream-laced storytelling make it an engaging and memorable read.
Pages: 253 | ASIN : B0CJ3S3BJH
LITERARY TITAN 