Dreaming of You by Lisa Kleypas

Derek Craven and Sara Fielding's book




Dreaming of You (Gamblers book 2)

by Lisa Kleypas

Book Blurb: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.

Originally Published 1994

Dreaming of You was a hard book to track down. The Kindle version was just too expensive so I had to find a bookstore that carried it and then order it in specially. I guess since it was written in 1994 it was a little harder to get. But I had to own it and not just borrow it from the library. I need to have all my Lisa Kleypas books on my shelf! So long I wanted to read Dreaming of You and it was worth the wait. I worry that my choices for Lisa Kleypas historicals are dwindling down so I do like to pace them out. 

Dreaming of You did not disappoint. In fact I loved it. I read in an interview somewhere that Derek Craven holds a special spot in Lisa Kleypas' heart and it's no wonder. There is just something so magical in a historical romance where the hero is very alpha in appearance but truly a fracture and vulnerable soul. Derek is perfectly described in this book:
"his mood could range from cold silence to biting sarcasm, but he never shouted or lost his self control. He was a figure of mystery; arrogant, self-mocking, sociable yet intensely private." 

Also I do love the gambling storyline's that seem to lead in many of Lisa Kleypas' books. There is something very rakish and almost forbidden about the gambling of that era. 

Sara Fielding was a great heroine. I adored that she was an author and that her fictional character, Mathilda was so iconic. The public refused to see her as an imaginary character and I was always giggling when society made mention of seeing her or remark on her  current whereabouts. 
Sara was brave as she entered into dangerous territories in search of facts, authentic speech and research for her books. In fact, that is how she met and then saved Derek. Excellent beginning to the book. 

Derek refers to Sara as a mouse at first and it was interesting that she seemed to really blossom as Dreaming of You continued. Sara starts off needing spectacles to see but as the story goes on, she seems to not need them at all. I suppose that is the one inconsistency in the story. 

I skipped over book 1, Then Came You because I couldn't find it. I was not lost at all reading Dreaming of You but I very much want to go and order the book 1. With the characters carried over in this story, I'd love to read how the series began. 

There was a perfectly vicious villain and it was surprised me that she was a female. Of course, scorned females can be very scary indeed!

Teasers: cockney speak, a tiddle, chimney climbing boys, fire