Dream Girl Awakened: A Novel (Zane Presents)

Aruba has had it! When she said for better or worse she hadn’t counted on being married to a man who wouldn’t stay employed, who was a consummate cheater, and who had the audacity to hit her. For ten years she has supported him, made excuses for him, provided for him, only to have her efforts thrown in her face. Her wallet cannot stand another financial hit from his fiscal irresponsibility…and neither can her heart. What it is a lonely, frustrated, wounded heart supposed to do? Pushed to her limit, she comes up with the perfect plan.She who has the most complains the loudest and Victoria is the loudest complainer known to mankind! The stay-at-home wife is completely deprived of all that is good in the world living in her 7000 square foot mansion, driving a dated two year old Mercedes, scraping by on a $3000 a month allowance, and bossing around the nanny who raises her preschool age daughter. She repays her benefactor for his kindness by complaining, shopping endlessly, and withholding sex. After all, gracing his world with her beauty should be more than enough to keep her kind, sweet, loving, successful husband satisfied. She has him totally wrapped around her little finger and he should be happy to be there! Doesn’t he know who she is???James is God’s gift to womankind. His long dreadlocks, amazing smile and thick athletic body has left women swooning for decades. He has a wife any man would kill to have. She’s beautiful, sweet, successful, and supports him through thick and thin. But apparently it’s not enough. Although a gifted hair stylist, he is frequently without work. To make matters worse, he becomes an increasing financial burden on his already stressed out wife, by using her earning to support his ‘extracurricular’ activities, which come in the form of random women. Convinced she will never leave him, he continues on with life as usual.Winston is a beautiful soul. Groomed since birth to become the success that he is, he is everything his parents raised him to be. Honest, philanthropic, intelligent, successful, and loyal. Not to mention a complete heartthrob. He’s the perfect man….that is to everyone except his wife! What is an overworked, lonely, unappreciated man to do?Tawatha has four kids by four different men, and she has her eyes set on the fine man who works at her firm. She took one look at him and knew he was the one. Her long list of past mistakes has her self esteem in tatters, however something in him makes her want to be a better version of herself. That is until the lies he’s spewing come to the light, costing her everything.Stacy Campbell has written a thoroughly engaging tale of what the grass looks like on the other side. As the lives of these characters intersect, nothing is quite what it appears to be. They are each very relatable in their own way. This story really draws on a reader’s emotions. This is a story that shows quite clearly what happens when good, decent people get caught up in other folk’s madness and pushed to the limit. I can’t wait to read the sequel.

This book was awesome! I could not put it down in all honesty! One reason why I got it was because it was a Zane Presents, and I know that when Zane puts her stamp on it, I gotta check it out. The one thing that I loved about the book is that it was a STORY!!! It was a story and I can only count one sex scene. I loved that the book wasn't dominated by the sex scenes and it was genuinely a good read. I think all of the characters had an unfair hand. For one, I think Aruba had a right for leaving James, and I couldn't blame her for not wanting him back. Aruba and Winston seemed destined for each other. But I think it was a mere case of rebound affection. I don't think Aruba or Winston were in love with each other, just in love with the fact that they were receiving something that they weren't getting at home which was time and affection. Victoria...honestly, I didn't expect her to leave Winston seeing as how she was "kept". And Tawatha needs her ass whooped! Oh how it hurt my heart when she killed her babies like that. I feel bad for her daughter Onnie...her losing her siblings I'm sure was like losing a child since she was more like a mother than Tawatha was even at 12 years old. And James...I think he's a good man at heart, just twisted...come on man, how you put cancer on your wife like that? Why not just tell the girl on the side the truth? Truth is, you didn't want to be bothered with her...but MEN! They want their cake and eat it too..love their egos and something else stroked too!! Lol I started reading in the back of the book for the sequel, came on amazon to purchase it because it looks like it's gonna be sooooo juicy! And how about it's not going to be released until February 2014!!!!! I don't know if I can wait that long!! Lol Loved this Stacy Campbell...keep me entertained! (P.S. How about you release that sequel earlier than Feb. 11?!?!?!?! Just saying!)

Dream Girl Awakened.... Let me pause for a second....Ok!! Are you still with me? Good!!Dream Girl Awakened has to be one of my best reads of 2013 - Hands Down... Yes... I said it!! I know it's still early in the year, but I stand by that statement.Stacy Campbell does an exceptional job of creating unforgettable characters & a relatable storyline. How many of us have confided in their girlfriends concerning relationship issues? After reading this book you will think twice about who you confide in. How many of us had to learn the hard way about taking someone for granted? How many of us know firsthand about the grass not being greener on the other side? These are some of the dilemmas these characters face in Dream Girl Awakened.I loved that the Author gave the characters a voice to be able to convey their version of the truth to the reader. I read this book eager to get at the end, but not as eager for it to end. Does that make sense? It does to me!!I was given the Digital ARC copy of this book, but I ended up buying the Kindle version, so I would be able to keep up with the characters while I was at work. I plan on buying the paperback version for my "Shelf Candy." Yes! That's how good this book is...I highly recommend this book! Great debut from Author Stacy Campbell. She has definitely found her way on my List.