When You Close Your Eyes

Roxanne D. Howard

Jan 2019 · The Wild Rose Press Inc

About this ebook

Dreams are the perfect shelter for fantasies, safe havens to step inside without changing our daily lives. For Lark Braithwaite, all that is about to change. During the last six months, Lark has dreamt of a mysterious Irish lover who knows what she wants and gives her exactly what she needs. In her waking life in busy London, things aren't as ideal as her long-term relationship with her controlling fiancé Charles has hit a dry spell. When Lark is called home to Oregon for her father's funeral, she comes face to face with the demons from her past, but she never expects to meet her dream lover in the flesh. Niall O'Hagan steps straight out of her fantasies and into her life, and the powerful connection they share rocks her foundation. Although she's dealing with the bitterness of her fiancé's betrayal and his jealousy, Niall soon stirs Lark's awareness of her superficial existence and reawakens her sexuality....and her soul.

Ratings and reviews

A well written story that has suspense, drama, a nasty fiancé Charles who is really something, blackmail, assault, and romance. A story that held my interest throughout. This is Lark Braithwaite and the dreams she has of a man she has not met until she goes home for her father's funeral and meets Irishman Niall O'Hagan. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

A sexy, romantic slow burn to keep you warm on a winter night. Niall is hotter than hell, both in Lark's dreams and in-person. This book is unique and well-written. It is not a fast-paced read, but more of a slow climb to an extremely satisfying conclusion. I dislike it when authors wrap up a story too tightly and I really appreciate that this author left us with a HEA that leaves room to daydream. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Lark and Niall are two strong, convincing characters that easily draw readers into their story and readers can easily understand their motivations. Their relationship starts off with some very erotic dreams but no matter how sizzling the chemistry or undeniable the attraction, this relationship has some major obstacles including one emotionally stunted heroine and to some readers, she may seem to be a bit wishy washy. She has strong convictions which she defiantly broadcast but when it comes to herself she can’t seem to decide whether she is strong, needy or can’t seem to make up her own mind which is direct opposition of her powerful career woman persona. The story is set at a slow to steady pace and quite full of emotional turbulence throughout with the considerable complicated romance budding between Niall and Lark taking up most of the story. There are some twists in the story that adds spice and suspense, one being a bit of a paranormal element takes place in the form of the dreams as the heroine starts dreaming of her lover before she meets him, however the doesn’t really give a satisfactory explanation for these dreams. Also there is a bit of a thrilling and suspenseful twist involving Lark’s fiancée that makes this a love triangle and adds a dangerous element to the story as well. While some readers may feel as though the conclusion is a bit anticlimactic, the story is quite engaging and full of straight from the heart emotional turmoil and angst that grips readers by the heart.

About the author

Roxanne D. Howard is a U.S. Army veteran, and a Columbia College alumni. She loves to read books in every genre, and she is an avid Star Wars fan, musical theater nut, and marine biology geek. Roxanne resides in the western U.S., and when she's not writing, she enjoys spending quality time with her husband, children, and furry companions. Roxanne loves to hear from her readers, and encourages you to contact her via her website and social media.