Review: 5 blue ribbons from Romance Junkies
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 01 23, 2009
Rebecca `Becky' Yaeger's plans for the evening did not include being attacked by a psycho who sprouts claws and fangs.  It was supposed to be a fun filled evening with friends at a masquerade party but instead she's fighting for her life and all of a sudden her life is irreversibly changed.  She certainly never suspected that her friends and Simon, the man she loves, have the ability to shift into Pumas.  Sure she wants Simon but eating cat chow and using a litter box holds absolutely no appeal so what's a girl to do?Simon already suspected that Becky is his mate before the attack but he hadn't claimed her or even let on that he had any intentions toward her.  His mate's life being threatened brings out all his protective instincts and he certainly isn't about to listen to Becky's arguments against their mating.  It's a done deal as far as he's concerned.  Before he can satisfy his inner animal and mate Becky though he has to take care of her injuries and even then she argues with him.  It's when she tells him `bite me' that he sees the perfect opportunity to get exactly what he wants - to claim her.  There's no denying that they're mated after he's marked her as his!Livia's attack on Becky was completely unprovoked and makes absolutely no sense to her - all she knows is that Livia has suddenly sprouted claws and fangs and is intent on killing her.  It isn't until Becky's best friend Emma arrives that the pieces begin to fit together.  Livia's envious of Emma's status within the pride and believes that if she can acquire the Curana's ring then she'll be queen instead of Emma.  That's not how things work though and `Senora Psychopath' is in for a rude awakening because Max, Emma and Simon aren't about to let her get away with what she's done.  Livia's sentenced to life as an outcast and Simon carries Becky off as his new mate.  If Simon thinks he's simply going to claim her and they'll live happily ever after then he'd better think again.  Sure Becky loves him but she's stubbornly refusing to say the words, her change is taking longer than it should, and she's suddenly ailing and the doctor's diagnosis isn't fully explaining the odd symptoms.Dana Marie Bell writes this story with such humor and drama that I was quickly caught up in the romance between Becky and Simon and was unable to put this book down.  SWEET DREAMS is the second book in the HALLE PUMA series and flows beautifully from the first book WALLFLOWER.  Becky's feisty comments and loving nature really kept me chuckling and Simon seems to get a real kick out of her snappy comebacks.  I loved getting to know all of the characters in this story and they each quickly began to feel like treasured friends that I'll be happy to revisit many times in the future.I'll definitely be keeping an eye out for more Dana Marie Bell's books in the future.  This story was fun, whimsical and wholly satisfying.  I'd definitely recommend picking up the other books in the HALLE PUMA series as well.  WALLFLOWER, SWEET DREAMS and CAT OF A DIFFERENT COLOR are all wonderful stories that truly capture the imagination.Chrissy Dionne (courtesy of Romance Junkies)