Dream Sequence

Dream Series, Books 1-3

De: J.J. DiBenedetto

Narrado por: Heather Jane Hogan

Sara Barnes thought her life was perfectly ordinary - until the night she began stepping into other people’s dreams.

Follow Sara as she learns to cope with this extraordinary gift (or curse) in the first three books of the Dream Doctor Mysteries:

Dream Student

It’s bad enough that, thanks to her supernatural talent, Sara is learning more than she ever needed to know about her friends and classmates, watching their most secret fantasies whether she wants to or not. Much worse are the other dreams, the ones she sees nearly every night, featuring a strange, terrifying man who commits unspeakable crimes. Now Sara wonders if she’s the only witness to a serial killer - and the only one who knows when and where he’s going to strike next.

Dream Doctor

Medical school and life as a newlywed would be enough by themselves for anybody to handle. But Sara’s got another problem - her dreams have started up again. Almost everyone at the medical school is dreaming about the death of the school’s least popular teacher, Dr. Morris, and once again, Sara finds herself in the role of unwilling witness to a murder before it happens. But this time, there are too many suspects to count, and it doesn’t help matters that she hates Dr. Morris every bit as much as any of his would-be murderers do.

Dream Child

Sara thought she had made peace with her dreaming talent, but she’s got a surprise coming: her four-year-old daughter has inherited it, too.

Unraveling a mystery with lives on the line is difficult enough under the best of circumstances. But when Sara has to view all the evidence through the eyes - and dreams - of a toddler, it may be an impossible task.

Also by J.J. DiBenedetto:

• The Dream Doctor Mysteries (all 10 books!)
• Betty and Howard’s Excellent Adventure (narrated by Doctor Who star Nicola Bryant!)
• The Jane Barnaby Adventures (three books so far!)
• Finding Dori (part of the Welcome to Romance collection!)
• Mr. Smith and the Roach (coming soon!)

©2013 James J. DiBenedetto (P)2014 James J. DiBenedetto

Pretty good

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I sort of liked these books. The last one was the best. I think that the author finally gave me the suspense in that one. But let's start with the first. With the first book, Sara is just going through school (as a normal student) until she finds out she has dream powers. I thought that this book was pretty slow. I think that the action really didn't come until probably the second half (at least) of the book. I was not fond at all of how sappy all three books are. I am referring to the scenes between Sara and her boyfriend. They were pretty ridiculous in my opinion. Though to be fair, I am NOT fond of romance books. So I found those scenes to be unbelievable and unnecessary. They really did not add to the books (in my opinion). I also felt like the author made Sara out to be really weak and unable to do anything without her friends and boyfriend. I would give the first book 3 out of 5 stars.
The second book was my least favorite. I felt like there was a buildup to a very anticlimactic ending. I was actually surprised that it was actually the end. I also felt like the author was making her seem like an emotional wreck for no reason. I do enjoy seeing the emotions of characters, but the constant crying, fainting, etc., is irrelevant and did not add anything to the storyline. I could not wait for this one to be over. I would probably give this one 2 stars.
The third book was the best for me. I thought it would be the worst because it is about Sara's daughter. I was certain that it would be silly and that I would hate it. I actually really liked it! It moved along at a much faster pace than the first two. The ending was even very satisfying. I was a little confused about the age of her daughter, though. I thought she was 3 at the beginning of the book, but then at the end, I think I got the impression that she was about 6. But I did not get the impression that a lot of time had passed. So I don't know what was going on with that. Or maybe I just missed something. Anyway, I really did enjoy this one. There was still a bit of romance, but only a few scenes were really sappy enough for me to be annoyed. I think the main reason that I get annoyed with those is because the author makes it seem like she cannot live without her mate and falls apart without him. I kind of felt like the author didn't want her to seem TOO strong. Well... that's the impression I got, anyway. I get annoyed when there's a heroine, but she needs a man to be strong. And all the fainting and crying in the other books was just too much. BUT I think that all of that silliness was diminished significantly in the third book. So I would give it a solid 4.5 out of 5 stars.
I received this free in exchange for my honest review.

Great Narration!

This story was very long. Very detailed. Sara starts in med school and ends up in her career. This will take you all the way through it.

Best series I have read in years!

Where does Dream Sequence rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

It has to be in the top five for listening enjoyment.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Sara, she was a caring intelligent courageous young woman that used her troubling psychic dreams to help and save others. I would want her for my friend.

What about Heather Jane Hogan’s performance did you like?

Her voice was absolutely perfect for portraying Sara, both the dream sequences and Sara's innermost thoughts. It was like being in Sara's mind with her. Plus I like a lovely voice, and Heather has a voice like satin and velvet.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No, it would have been too long since this is a three book series, but I went back to it every chance I got.

Any additional comments?

I plan to read the rest of the books in this series. It was interesting and a great experience.

Unique

Good narrator! Interesting audio book and unique take. Sarah Barnes later Alderson begins to have strange while a medical student. These dreams are like a mystery holding some truths. With the knowledge of these dreams, Sarah saves lives. In Dream child, her eldest child, Lizzie has these dreams also at age of four. I loved the descriptions of the dreams.

OMG what a great book

I was gifted this audio ARC from the author for a honest and unbiased review.
First let me say this book is 34 hours listening. Make sure you find the time to listen it's well worth it.
J.J. DiBenedetto has put together another fantastic book. The characters have a real feel to them and as they tell their stories you can really get caught up in them.
The Dream Sequence has intrigue, mystery lots of secrets. It also gets you caught up with a little romance and family.
The heroine is Sara who has the ability to see into others dreams and in doing so solves murders and other crimes
Even though it's a long listen it is truly worth the time involved.
Heather Jane Hogan has done a spectacular job in the reading of the book.
I can't wait to read more of J.J. DiBenedetto books.
Please buy this audiobook!

good, best, better

the first book is a little dry and I think it's from the narrator. there are some places I think would have given me some serious chills if the narrator had put a slightly different infliction on the tone. the second book is so much better. I laughed, cried and everything in between. the third book is pretty good too but is a different tone than the others. you really need to read them all to get it and read them in order. there is no explicit adult content but there are a few places where you know what they were doing. I would say older teen and up on age range. there is some violence but not graphic.

Great Series Beginning!

What did you like best about this story?

I felt drawn in. Really invested in Sara and her family and her gift.

What does Heather Jane Hogan bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Having the books narrated really puts a more voice into the stories. It feels more suspenseful and just overall really gets you into it all.

Great Read

Dream Sequence (Dream #1-3) was a good read by J.J. DiBenedetto. This box set consisted of; Dream Student, Dream Doctor, and Dream Child. Dream Student (Dream #1) was a good read by J.J. DiBenedetto. Sara Barnes can see other people's dreams. She can watch their hidden fantasies and uncover their darkest secrets. She sees a strange and terrifying man who's dreams can get her killed. Dream Doctor (Dream #2) was a good read by J.J. DiBenedetto. Sara is starting to adjust to life as a newlywed while also starting medical school. Unfortunately she starts seeing the dreams of everyone around her again. It seems as though the dreams could ruin her hopes of becoming a doctor, wreck her marriage, or even her life. Dream Child (Dream #3) was a good read by J.J. DiBenedetto. Sara is a resident at Children's Hospital. She is used to working ninety hour workweeks and saving her young patients from deadly diseases. But she isn't prepared when she finds out her four year old daughter inherited her ability to see others dreams. I enjoyed reading this book and can't wait to read more by the author.

Story good but narration not so good.

What did you like best about Dream Sequence? What did you like least?

The story line was good but the narrator I didn't care to much for. She was way to slow my mind doesn't work that slow so it was hard for me to enjoy it. However I did read the books and felt they were a great read.

With that said I have listen to the sample of book four with a different narrator which does seem to be wonderful and can't wait t read that.

Any additional comments?

I feel this is a wonderful series that is not totally dark and not a touchy feely writing. As the series goes on it gets better with wonderful characters what you can relate to. The author gives wonderful plots for each story which makes most of it believable. The writing style has improved with each addition to this series. Some parts are better than others but all in all it was a great read. I am looking forward to reading more of this series.

Dream Student
For me this book starts out very slow it than takes off as Sarah starts dreaming. She wakes up in a nightmare but soon comes to realize that she is seeing into other people’s dreams. When she first sees Brian and knows he is the man in her dreams she goes over to him to talk. They soon become very close as you watch their relationship grow. The author gives a very unique twist to this story which makes it very interesting. The author does but a twist in with her having nightmares about a girl getting raped and killed. She doesn’t know this girl but the face of the attacker is knows she knows him. The ending does play apart with her dreams It does end on a good note. Some will love this book others will not it will depend on what you like.

I did like Sarah she is just a great character the author told her story very well. She is just the sweeties thing. Brian was a great guy who doesn’t know how to take her at first. When he first sees her he tries to talk his self into going to talk to her but as he finally gets there she comes up missing. He dreams of her each night. When they finally get it together and talk it is a very touching story.

This isn’t a completely dark story nor is it a touchy feeling one but somewhere in between. There are areas I loved and others I did not. I had thought it would be more supernatural but I did not find it so. It was a good read the author gives you wonderful characters and a great plot. I wouldn’t say this book did it for me nor would I say it did not. I am kind of on the fence. I am glad I did read it and thought it was a different kind of read that I enjoyed. The author does give you a good base for the rest of the series.


Dream Doctor
This was a great addition to book one in the series starting off where book one ends with Sarah and Brian getting married. She starts med schools they go through the normal adjustments of newlyweds. She has had no more dreams but that is about to change when her dreams start as she tries to work out what they are about, how she can help without harming her life and the plans they have made.

The author puts humor in book 2 which I totally enjoyed, I got more a feeling of connecting with the characters. This is a great read but I would have liked to have seen Brian stand out more comforting his wife is great but it would have been nice to have him be more of his true self. It was great that he is such a wonderful husband. There is no doubt he is devoted husband and loves his wife dearly but I would have liked to see him grow more into the man he is. Sarah does have a lot on her plate for one so young. I do wonder if this was real life could one handle all this and still deal with the day to day issues as well as she did.

I loved the way the author brings the dreams into play how he interacts each character however I didn’t feel Sarah needed to go through the steps of why she is feeling things every time she wakes up from a dream. It was wonderful to see the characters all have flaws this makes them seemed more real. The author gives wonderful characters that you will enjoy hanging out with. I felt this was a wonderful plot that is very original, the authors writing style is very good just a few bumps that could have made it a better read. I have enjoyed this series and look forward to reading more from this author.


Dream Child
The series continues with Sarah and Brian having a daughter who has inherited her mother’s dream talents. As a mother myself I can relate to how Sarah feels wanting to protect your child, take away the bad and leave only the good. To have a child have to deal with these nightmares makes it a nightmare for the parents. I could relate more to the characters than I could in the first two books.

I loved Lizzie she is such a sweet, friendly, smart, cute and bubbly with a wonderful imaginative she is such a delight and a very bright child. The author does a wonderful job writing in the eyes of a 4 year old. It is just a delight to hear her stories as she tells what happens in her world. You are going to love this little girl. Your heart goes out to her and her parents. Watching how this effect the family is intriguing with such a busy life and so much going on there is more on their plate than most families have to deal with.

I felt the author did a wonderful job in pulling the reader in with a great plot and a very intriguing story. The author does a great job balancing between the adult sides to the Child's side. I felt it was a well written story that will keep you guessing as the author spins a tale of suspense. The author gives you characters that feel real which makes this a believable story. I am so looking forward to reading the rest of this series.

dream sequence

This series is hard to put down. Was a little slow at the beginning, but then it grabs a hold of you & doesn't let go.. I highly recommend listening.