Audible Book Review: When a Child Is Born A Chronicles of St. Mary's Short Story by Jodi Taylor

I like this series for quick, fun listening.
When a Child Is Born
A Chronicles of St. Mary's Short Story
By: Jodi Taylor
Narrated by: Zara Ramm

Series: The Chronicles of St Mary's, Book 2.5
Length: 32 mins
Unabridged
Release date: 04-07-15
Publisher: Audible Studios
Genre: Adventure, Fantasy, Time Travel
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
The time-travel series that everyone's talking about.... Jodi Taylor's The Chronicles of St. Mary's is back with a short story.
It's Christmas Day 1066, and a team from St Mary's is going to witness the coronation of William the Conqueror. Or so they think.... However, history seems to have different plans for them, and when Max finds herself delivering a child in a peasant's hut, she can't help wondering what history is up to.
Jodi Taylor is and always has been a history nut. Her disinclination to get out of bed for anything after 1485 can only be overcome by massive amounts of chocolate and sometimes, if it's raining, not even then. She wanted to write a book about time travel that was a little different and, not having a clue how difficult this would make her book to classify, went ahead and slung in elements of history, adventure, comedy, romance, tragedy, and anything else she could think of. Her advice to booksellers is to buy huge numbers of her books and just put one on every shelf.
©2013 Jodi Taylor (P)2015 Audible, Ltd

Review:
Max and a team were sent back to 1066 to witness the coronation of William the Conqueror and determine why a riot disrupted the ceremonies. The team figures it will be a straightforward assignment but of course things start off on the wrong foot when they arrive in not quite the destined spot. Before they can make their way in the cold and snow to the proper destination they come across an injured man lying bloodied in the snow. They hear a woman crying a short distance away….

What to do? Help the man and check on the woman? Or leave them there while they move on to their mission?

Well, Max rarely stays out of trouble. As she says in the first lines of the story: “I was in trouble again. No surprise there. It’s my default state.”

I truly enjoy the glimpses of history shared in these imaginative and fun stories. Yes, Max tends to steer a bit off course. And delivering a child on Christmas Eve was not the assignment. But then again, history has its own way of asserting itself even if Max doesn’t know it at the time.

I do recommend reading at least the prequel and first book in this series so you know the characters and understand their goals. That will make reading the quick short stories so much more fun. This series is fun reading for history and time travel buffs.

Audio Notes: Zara Ramm does a great job with these characters. She captures the sass and personality fitting Max and her cohorts. I enjoy listening to the series.

This was a TBR Audible from 2015. It finished off 2017 and my Audiobook Challenge and TBR Challenge.

My other reviews so far in this series:
Audible Review: Just One Da*ned Thing After Another: The Chronicles of St Mary's, Book 1 by Jodi Taylor; Rating 4.25
Audible Book Review: The Very First D*ned Thing: An Author-Read Audio Exclusive by Jodi Taylor; Rating 4.5
Goodreads Review: Christmas Present, The Chronicles of St. Mary's #4.5 by Jodi Taylor; Rating 4.0

Audible Book Review: Letters form Atlantis by Robert Silverberg

This is a creative sci fi view of Atlantis.
Letters from Atlantis
By: Robert Silverberg
Narrated by: Tom Parker

Length: 3 hrs and 1 min
Unabridged
Release date: 11-01-00
Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.
Genre: Fantasy, Sci Fi, Time Travel
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
It was a legendary island, a fantastic island. Atlantis. Or as its prince called it, Athilan. Roy had traveled through time with his partner, Lora, to find it - and now he was tantalizingly close to its shore. Time travel allowed Roy's consciousness to enter the mind of the heir to Atlantis' throne, and what he found disturbed him. Strange dreams. Impossibly futuristic inventions and machines. How could such an advanced city exist at this time? The rest of the world was, as Lora witnessed in her travels, a dark, barbaric land still thawing from the ice age.
Roy had been preparing for the odd isolation of time travel, but nothing had prepared him for his final arrival on Atlantis - a shimmering city far beyond his imagination! Roy knew this island's fate. According to legend, it would vanish into the sea. Roy also knew he had a limited amount of time to decipher the strange message in the Prince's mind - visions of cataclysmic events, mysterious rites to a faraway star. If Roy was in an Atlantis unlike anything the researchers had predicted, then what were its secrets? And when would it be destroyed?
©1990 by Agberg, Ltd.; (P)1998 by Blackstone Audiobooks

Review:
Roy and his time travel partner, Lora, have been sent from twenty-first-century to a distant past, They are not sent together but to different parts of the world in the time period. Roy is sent to observe the mysterious island of Atlantis as it existed while Lora is sent to the fringes of barbaric lands. The traveling is not in body but by ‘piggy backing’ into a mind of the time. Roy is pleasantly surprised to find himself where – or rather when -- he is supposed to be, sharing the brain of the Royal Prince of Atlantis. Roy knows that the city is barely a myth in the future, so he is awed to see the sophisticated development and technologies of the city.

Although he is not supposed to share the information of his travels, he writes letters to his love, Lora, to share his excitement and hopefully preserve the astounding wonders that he observes. Meanwhile he struggles to hide his letters and his presence from the very sensitive Prince who begins to think he has a demon in his head.

This is an imaginative story depicting a fantasy world of the mysterious Atlantis. I enjoyed the humor of the character and detail in the world building. The story is not overly exciting although there is conflict between Roy and his “host” and some drama in the visions of the cataclysmic destruction of the island. This is short and reads quickly.

This story may have be written for a younger audience. It is suitable for young teens and adults who find theories of Atlantis interesting.

Audio Notes: Tom Parker’s narration seemed a bit dry at first but once I grew accustomed to the voice, it helped give definition to the characters. I enjoyed the quick entertainment offered by the audiobook.

This was the last book I pulled out for #RRSciFiMonth. It qualifies for Mount TBR and Audiobook Challenge.

Book Review: The Invisible City (The Stolen Future Trilogy Book 1) by Brian K. Lowe

This is a fun time travel sci fi full of creatures and daring adventures.
The Invisible City (The Stolen Future Trilogy Book 1)
by Brian K. Lowe

File Size: 2316 KB
Print Length: 399 pages
Publication Date: December 13, 2013
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services LLC
ASIN: B00D69LF9C
Genre: Science Fiction, Time Travel
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Tracking German soldiers through the muddy trenches of France, Captain Charles Clee stumbles onto something amazing--a secret archeological expedition from the far future. Discovered and trapped, he flees through their time machine and finds himself stranded nearly one million years in the future. Clee falls in love with a beautiful woman whose family has befriended him, but when she is taken from him by one of Earth's alien overlords, he finds himself the enemy of the one of most powerful men in the world. In his quest to rescue her, he is startled to learn that a working time machine may still exist somewhere. With that machine, he could return to his own time and save his men from certain annihilation, but to do so would mean abandoning his quest. Torn between love and his duty to the men who served under him a million years past, pursued by the merciless assassins of the Time Police, Clee faces war, slavery, and fantastic beasts in a race against time itself--knowing that whatever the outcome, he must lose.
Brian K. Lowe is a member of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America.

Review:
Captain Charles Clee is an American who choose to face war in France. One morning he was preceding his men into a dangerous situation tracking German soldiers in the rainy, muddy trenches. He follows a man into a cave and inadvertently stumbles into another world… or at least another time! He learns that he has stepped through a time machine and discovers himself far in the future. Clee finds a people whom he initially can’t understand. But he is befriended by a family and falls in love with a young woman. The family helps him create a cover so he can search for the time machine while trying to avoid ‘time cops’.

Clee has to maneuver among a tyrannical alien race, the Nuum, and his troubles increase when his new love is taken by one of the powerful Nuum overlords. Although Clee wants to find a way to return to his own time, he is intent on saving his kidnapped love. His friends provide him with a powerful tool in the form of a holographic library he can carry with him – as long as he isn’t caught with it since possession is illegal. Before he can set off on his adventure he gets caught up in a rebellion and gets shanghaied.

Clee has to escape one perilous situation after another. Along the way he picks up a speaking gorilla, Timash, as a friend and companion. After escaping from a T-Rex they make another friend, Maire, who appears to be a fierce female warrior but turns out to be something else as well.

I must admit that at one point the travels (airships and hovercrafts) and dangers (giant spiders, dinosaurs, and more) made me think of the old tales of Sinbad. Further along I was reminded of spy tricks akin to Mission Impossible escape magic. I appreciated Clee’s friends who help save him when things looked bad. There is plenty of action and several twists that made it a fun adventure to the end.

The story is well written in first person voice of the hero Clee. He is an affable fellow with a strong, optimistic view and logical, if sometimes impulsive, nature. I also liked the literary references to Jules Verne and Shakespeare which would be works known to Clee. This is the first novel I have read by Mr. Lowe and I would be interested in more adventures for Clee and his friends. I recommend this to readers who enjoy engaging science fiction adventure.

I received this in 2016 through NetGalley. It qualifies for my NetGalley Challenge and Mount TBR.

I was drawn to the cover from the NetGalley version. Apparently the cover has changed as it now appears on Amazon with this cover:

What do you think? Do you prefer one cover more than the other?

Book Review: Extracted (The Lost Imperials Series Book 1) by Sherry D. Ficklin and Tyler H. Jolley

This is a suspenseful and engaging time travel sci fi story with steampunk elements.

Extracted (The Lost Imperials Series Book 1)
by Sherry D. Ficklin and Tyler H. Jolley

File Size: 8963 KB
Print Length: 323 pages
Publisher: Clean Teen Publishing; 2 edition (August 15, 2016)
ASIN: B01H9CXU08
Genre: Sci Fi, Steampunk, Time Travel
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Two opposing factions of time travelers vie for control of the future in this thrilling steampunk series opener dubbed "Interesting" and "Unexpected" by Kirkus Reviews.
Lex and Ember—two time travelers with no memories of their lives before being recruited into the time war—are torn between the factions. When Lex accepts a mission that lands him deep within the heart of the Tesla Institute, he meets Ember, and the past that was stolen from them comes flooding back. Now armed with the truth of who they were, Lex and Ember must work together to save the future before the battle for time destroys them once again.
*This special edition contains expanded content and bonus material not found in the first release.

Review:
Ember and Ethan are time travelers with the Tesla Institute. Supposedly they have been trained to ‘protect’ the time line, particularly by stopping the opposition time travel group known as the Hollows. The Hollow travelers are made up of the cast offs from Tesla who have been patched up as best as possible, sometimes with brass or other non-human parts. Each side has different modes of travel although Tesla has more advanced tech. The leaders each claim that their group is protecting the true timeline.

Lex and Stein are two of the Hollow travelers. Stein is lost in a mission and Lex is intent on going back in time to save her. The only way he can do that is to steal some tech from Tesla’s base. Lex and friends sneak into the center of Tesla. All time travelers lose their memories with their first trip in the time stream. When Lex and Ember come face to face they recognize each other and their memories return revealing secrets and lies.

The story is told in the alternating views of Ember and Lex. This provides insight to other characters as well as showing the differences in the team’s methods and motives. I was a little confused on the sides at first but once I identified everyone it became easier to follow. There are numerous interesting secondary characters and there are also Tesla journal entries that add some backstory details. The author blends in an interesting historical mystery. This included a beautiful prayer that I never knew about.

The authors deftly use the steampunk elements to enhance the story. The writing is crisp and moves well. I appreciated the 'clean teen' aspect. I also liked the clothing and dwelling details. The story is engaging with lots of action, suspense and some young romance angst. Although this story has an appropriate ending, the author leaves a last chapter teaser for another installment. I enjoyed the story and recommend it to those who enjoy steampunk, time travel and action.

I received this title through NetGalley. It qualifies for my NetGalley Challenge.

Book Review: Indiana Belle (American Journey Book 3) by John A. Heldt

This is an engaging time-travel with romance and mystery.
Indiana Belle (American Journey Book 3)
by John A. Heldt

File Size: 743 KB
Print Length: 295 pages
Publisher: John A. Heldt (April 14, 2016)
ASIN: B01E9UB7Z8
Genre: Time Travel, Mystery, Romance
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Providence, Rhode Island, 2017. When doctoral student Cameron Coelho, 28, opens a package from Indiana, he finds more than private papers that will help him with his dissertation. He finds a photograph of a beautiful society editor murdered in 1925 and clues to a century-old mystery. Within days, he meets Geoffrey Bell, the "time-travel professor," and begins an unlikely journey through the Roaring Twenties. Filled with history, romance, and intrigue, INDIANA BELLE follows a lonely soul on the adventure of a lifetime as he searches for love and answers in the age of Prohibition, flappers, and jazz.

Review:
Cameron Coelho is researching to prepare a doctoral dissertation on the roaring twenties. He receives a package including a diary and a photograph of a beautiful and smart society editor, Candice Louise Bell, who was murdered in 1925. The clues in the diary and papers imply that Candice’s father and uncle found a means of time travel. Cameron quickly becomes obsessed with the picture of Candice and the idea of time travel.

Cameron contacts Geoffrey Bell who is a descendant of Candice’s uncle. Geoffrey is a bit standoffish but his charming wife, Jeanette, is encouraging. After discussions Cameron barters with Geoffrey for a chance to go back in time! Cameron has no family and no real friends or connections so it isn’t so difficult for him to move into a new setting. Still he wasn’t completely prepared for all circumstances or emotions.

Cameron befriends Candice and secretly begins to try to unravel the events that will result in her death. Candice is an eager reporter who has been sniffing out crime in her community. There are several powerful men in her sphere including her dedicated and sometimes progressive news boss, a rich lawyer who was her ex-fiance, and ‘hidden’ members of the local KKK. Cameron also meets the man who was found guilty of the murder. Now Cameron just has to figure out how to keep her save and not destroy the future.

Mr. Heldt has a wonderful ability to write an engaging time travel with lovely, sweet romance and a mystery added in. I enjoy the settings and the difficulties that Candice faces in an age that is just on the verge of women moving into more visible and important positions. There is also interesting history of prohibition and KKK. The expected murder and the mystery surrounding the event add a feeling of suspense as the romance grows. There are several little ironies and historical nuggets woven into the story that made me smile. And of course is there is always the question of time-travel paradox.

I did read an earlier time travel by Mr. Heldt although not in this series. This one can be read as a stand alone but it might be even more enjoyable if the series is read in order. The writing is smooth and moves at a good, easy pace. I recommend this for the engaging read, the lovely romance and the mystery.

I received this title from the author, having enjoyed another of his "time-travel" novels.

Book Review: The Girl in the Time Machine by Debra Chapoton

This is an engaging time travel twist with some creepy elements.
The Girl in the Time Machine
by Debra Chapoton

File Size: 502 KB
Print Length: 158 pages
Publication Date: March 8, 2016
ASIN: B01CADY2SK
Genre: Sci Fi, Time Travel, YA
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

A NEW TWIST TO TIME TRAVEL
A desperate girl
A faulty time machine
A paradox waiting to happen ...
Seventeen year old Laken may want to get revenge on the girls who have bullied her, but she also wants to help them. Honest. Secretly using the time machine in her father's science lab, she sends them one by one into the last century. Poof, problems solved.
Except they're not.
Now the disappearances are being linked to unmarked graves. Parents are lying about their missing kids' whereabouts. The police want to search the lab. And Laken is running out of time to retrieve the last girl she sent to 1994.

Review:
Laken is a seventeen-year-old who has struggled through her school years as an ‘odd girl’. She has been laughed at and scorned by the other girls in her classes. She has no friends and spends most of her non-school hours at her parent’s laboratory. Her parents are two eccentric scientists who have hidden a time machine in their unusual, secluded laboratory.

One night Laken finds one of her classmates stumbling in the park. Laken realizes the girl has been abused and decides to help by sending her back in time. Over the next number of months Laken decides to “help” a few other girls from school. Then she meets a new girl at school, Sky. Finally Laken has found a friend and she is willing to share her secrets and seek her help in a rather scary mission.

Many of the missing girls from the community have had no one who really cared to try to find out what happened. But Laken has learned new facts about one of the latest girls, Megan, who she sent through time. Laken decides that she must go back and retrieve Megan and she talks Sky into helping. Sadly, when they return with Megan she doesn’t survive. Now Laken is alarmed and trying to think if going back earlier would make a difference. But in the process they have to be careful to avoid triggering a paradox.

This is not a usual time travel story. Oh what trouble a rejected young teen can create. This is a twisted journey that soon travels into a rather “creepy” tone. Not quite enough to be horrified, but enough to cause cringing. I sensed the ironic overlap fairly early into the read and found it fascinating to see where Ms. Chapoton would take Laken’s character to get to the reveal part of the mystery.

The read moves smoothly and quickly. The story is very engaging even as it is a bit circular with time travel paradox issues. I think young adults –okay, older adults too-- who like the idea of time travel, might find this story unique and intriguing.

I received this from the author for an honest review.

Audible Book Review: The Very First D**ned Thing: An Author-Read Audio Exclusive by Jodi Taylor

This was a quick fun listen that introduces the sometimes zany series.
The Very First D**ned Thing: An Author-Read Audio Exclusive
Written by: Jodi Taylor
Narrated by: Jodi Taylor

Length: 2 hrs and 31 mins
Series: The Chronicles of St Mary's, Book 0.5
Unabridged Audiobook
Release Date:10-19-15
Publisher: Audible Studios
Genre: Fantasy, Time Travel
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
Audible is delighted to bring you an exclusive, author-read production of The Very First Damned Thing. Hear it here first, months ahead of the EBook publication.
Jodi Taylor reads the long-awaited prequel in her Chronicles of St Mary’s series, as Dr Bairstow struggles to set up St Mary’s as we know it in a world still scarred by the ravages of civil war.
Ever wondered how it all began? It’s two years since the final victory at the Battersea Barricades. The fighting might be finished, but for Dr Bairstow, just now setting up St Mary's, the struggle is only beginning.
How will he assemble his team? From where will his funding come? How can he overcome the massed ranks of the Society for the Protection of Historical Buildings? How do stolen furniture, a practical demonstration at the Stirrup Charge at Waterloo, students’ alcohol-ridden urine, a widowed urban guerrilla, a young man wearing exciting knitwear and four naked security guards all combine to become the St Mary’s of the future?
©2015 Jodi Taylor (P)2015 Audible Ltd.

Review:
This is the prequel to the Chronicles of St Mary’s series. It is a quick introduction to the primary characters and how the time traveling troupe of St Mary’s began. Dr. Bairstow, the founder and head of the Institute of Historical Research, first has to convince his benefactors to provide the funding… such as it is. Perhaps giving them a demonstration in time travel observation is the best method to win them over? Next Dr. Bairstow has to recruit his staff, from security to cook to crazy scientists.

Once he is awarded the old campus of St Mary’s to house the organization, he has to manage to work around the Society for the Protection of Historical Buildings so that he can remodel the buildings for labs and travel base with all the necessary security and precautions. Since funds are scarce, the staff find an interesting source for furniture to help make the place a home.

I enjoyed the humor especially as Bairstow found just the right team and brought them together one by one. If you have read (or listened) to any of the series, you will get to find out how the Institute came to exist and how the staff came to join St Mary’s. If you have not yet experienced the fun of meeting the characters then this is a quick, enjoyable way to do it. I also enjoyed the bit of history that comes along with the story.

I recommend this as a quick, fun way to get a feel for the series. It is lovely that this is a free audiobook.

Audio Notes: I enjoyed the audio presentation by the author, Jodi Taylor. Her voice suited the tale and it was interesting to get her personal inflection on the characters as they were rounded together. Although I imagine the reading would be good too, I was glad to get to listen to this short beginning.

This was a free audiobook from my own library. It qualifies for my Audiobook Challenge and TBR Triple Dog Dare.

Audible Review: Just One Da**ed Thing After Another: The Chronicles of St Mary's, Book 1 by Jodi Taylor

This is a zany fun story and a good audio listen.
Just One Da**ed Thing After Another: The Chronicles of St Mary's, Book 1
Written by: Jodi Taylor
Narrated by: Zara Ramm

Length: 9 hrs and 30 mins

Series: The Chronicles of St Mary's, Book 1

Unabridged Audiobook

Release Date:04-01-14

Publisher: Audible Studios

Genre: Adventure, Fantasy, Time Travel

My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
"History is just one damned thing after another."
Behind the seemingly innocuous façade of St Mary's, a different kind of historical research is taking place. They don't do 'time-travel' - they 'investigate major historical events in contemporary time'. Maintaining the appearance of harmless eccentrics is not always within their power - especially given their propensity for causing loud explosions when things get too quiet.
Meet the disaster-magnets of St Mary's Institute of Historical Research as they ricochet around History. Their aim is to observe and document - to try and find the answers to many of History's unanswered questions...and not to die in the process. But one wrong move and History will fight back - to the death. And, as they soon discover - it's not just History they're fighting.
Follow the catastrophe curve from 11th-century London to World War I, and from the Cretaceous Period to the destruction of the Great Library at Alexandria. For wherever Historians go, chaos is sure to follow in their wake....
©2013 Jodi Taylor (P)2014 Audible Studios

Review:
St. Mary’s is an institute for historical research, pursuing their goal in an unusual fashion. They investigate historical events by observing and documenting through ‘contemporary’ time travel. They must be scrupulously careful not to interfere and not to leave anything behind or try to bring anything back. Really, that doesn’t even sound easy --- and it isn’t for this mad cap group of historians and scientists.

The St. Mary’s team consists of several divisions working closely together (it is hoped) to manage safe expeditions. There are the security team, the IT team, technical, medical, R&D, costuming, and of course administration and house staff. But the lynch pins are the historians who travel in the pods to far away, long gone destinations and face the inherent dangers in places like the Cretaceous Period or the destruction of the Great Library at Alexandria.

Madeleine Maxwell, better known as Max, is a young woman who earned her doctorate at St. Mary’s ‘sister’ school, Thirsk. A wonderful teacher, Ms. DeWinter, who changed Max’ school life years before, changes it again when she recruits Max to interview for a historian position at St. Mary’s. The candidates go through rigorous training to prove themselves. They work in teams, but some are more compatible than others. Max would just as soon work alone but instead she is paired with an arrogant fellow no one else wants to work with.

Max is a great heroine in this story. She is hard working as well as naturally bright and determined. Many find her impressive and likable, but others are jealous and contemptuous, especially since trouble and death seem to follow her even in (mostly) successful adventures. Max finds a romance interest for the first time in her life but may lose that due to separation and secrets.

This book contains great characters, wonderful action with danger, and creative interaction in historical settings. There is a bit of language, although it is limited. The overall impact of the story is fun entertainment. I recommend this to readers looking for a fun read/listen and especially those who like history provided with a flair.

Audio Notes: Zara Ramm does a fine job of narrating this. She captures the voices and nuances of personalities of the characters. The pacing is good and the narration added to my enjoyment. I will be getting more of this series in Audible to entertain me.

This is from my Audible Library, purchased in November 2014, so it is from my TBR shelves and adds to my Audio Challenge.

Book Review: Awaken His Eyes: The Awakened Book One by Jason Tesar

I found this story engaging but was disappointed with the ending.

Awaken His Eyes: The Awakened Book One
by Jason Tesar

File Size: 2321 KB
Print Length: 288 pages
Publisher: 4shadow, LLC; 2 edition (January 19, 2014)
ASIN: B0051BBHGE
Genre: Fantasy
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

Mankind's greatest hero will be awakened!
Book 1 of 9 in the bestselling Awakened series
The History: Thousands of years ago, a renegade faction of angels abandoned the spiritual realm and began their inhabitation of earth. Worshiped as gods for their wisdom and power, they corrupted our realm and altered the course of human civilization. Amidst the chaos of a dying world, a prophet foretold the awakening of a human who would bring an end to this evil. But the cataclysmic destruction of our planet forced a rebirth of humanity. The prophecy faded from the memory of our kind and went unfulfilled—until now!

The Awakened: The physical dimension is fractured. What remain are numerous worlds moving simultaneously through time, sharing a common history, connected by a guarded portal.

On a parallel Earth, in the city of Bastul, Colonel Adair Lorus disappears while investigating the death of an informant, triggering a series of events which will tear his family apart and set in motion the resolution of an ancient conflict. His son, Kael, sentenced to death after rising up against the cruel leadership of his new stepfather, is rescued from prison and trained in the arts of war by a mystical order of clerics. Excelling in every aspect of his training, Kael inwardly struggles to give himself fully to the methods of his new family, or the god they worship. Maeryn, bitter over the disappearance of her husband and supposed execution of her son, fears for her life at the hands of her newly-appointed spouse. Finding comfort and purpose in her unborn child, she determines to undermine his authority by reaching out to an underground social movement known as the Resistance. After being forced from his home, Kael’s former mentor, Saba, uncovers a clue to Adair’s disappearance. Sensing a connection to his own forgotten past, Saba begins an investigation that leads to the discovery of a secret military organization operating within the Orudan Empire.

In Book One of his Amazon bestselling debut series, Jason Tesar launches an epic saga that journeys from earth’s mythological past to its post-apocalyptic future, blending the genres of fantasy, science fiction, action adventure, and military thriller.

Review:
As I was marshaling my thoughts for this review I happened to read (or re-read) the blurb. Although the blurb gives a “history” for background, that same history is not clearly portrayed by the book. There are several characters to follow and I found each thread interesting. They all start at one family setting but I was curious how, if or when, they would come back together.

The local Governor of the city of Bastul, Colonel Adair Lorus, sets off to investigate the murder of a resourceful friend. He steps into a situation that he never expected and was unprepared for. As he tries to escape he disappears only to reappear at the very end of the book when he tumbles into an even stranger world.

Adair’s wife, Maeryn, and young son, Kael, are left at the fortress which is commandeered by an unknown, arrogant and cruel new governor. Kael is sentenced to death after he attacks the governor for beating a young slave boy. Before being killed Kael is spirited away to a dismal mass prison where he and others are rescued and taken to a monastery. There they are given training and education, preparing them to be warriors for the ‘one god’. Kael excels in his lessons through the years but he can’t commit his full loyalty as he senses deception.

Meanwhile Maeryn suffers through the loss of her husband and son. When she finds she is pregnant she is determined to protect the child. As the years pass she begins to secretly help the Resistance movement against the empirical and governor leaders.

Kael’s aged but wise tutor, Saba, is banished from the City. He tries to find the origin of the arrowhead that Adair left behind. After a number of years he is kidnapped and brought to a hidden compound. He meets an old friend, who is now his enemy. Apparently Saba has lost years of memory and his enemy is intent on digging out secrets of Saba’s old betrayal.

The story is written with simplicity so it read reasonably quickly. I enjoyed the interesting characters and the movement and activity in the story. Although it is engaging I was troubled that it doesn’t tie together so that I could understand what was happening and where the author was taking the story. This made for a disappointingly loose ending. It seems as though the reader has to read on in the series to find the connections. There is a time travel element that is just touched on at the end of this book. Although I enjoyed the story I am not so invested that I would soon get the next book. I would recommend the story to those who enjoy fantasy with the expectation of continuing in the series.

This is part of my 2015 TBR Pile Challenge; it was a free Kindle pick from 2011.

Audible Review: Come Home to Me: Second Chances Time Travel Romance Series, Book 1 by Peggy L. Henderson

This is a lovely romance with a time travel, adventurous historical setting of a wagon train.

Come Home to Me: Second Chances Time Travel Romance Series, Book 1
Written by: Peggy L Henderson
Narrated by: Cody Roberts

Length: 8 hrs and 41 mins
Series: Second Chances Time Travel Romance Series, Book 1
Unabridged Audiobook
Release Date:11-19-13
Publisher: Peggy L Henderson
Genre: Historical Romance, Time Travel
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
Jake Owens is tired of life on his parents' Montana ranch, catering to city folk who want a taste of old-fashioned country living. He enjoys life in the fast lane, with fast cars and even faster women. When he falls in with the wrong crowd and is accused of murder, a stranger's bizarre offer at a second chance might be his only hope to clear his name.
Rachel Parker is highly devoted to her family. A tragedy prompts a daring move to the Oregon Territory for a fresh start in a new land. After meeting the wagon train's scout, the meaning of a fresh start may be more than she ever imagined.
Jake can't believe he's been sent back in time to act as scout for a wagon train headed for Oregon, and given the added burden of keeping one emigrant woman safe during the journey. He and Rachel are confused by their attraction to each other. Jake's ill-mannered, unconventional ways are overshadowed only by his notorious reputation. Rachel's traditional values and quiet, responsible character are the complete opposite of what attracts Jake to a woman. When their forbidden attraction turns to love, what will happen at the end of the trail?
©2012 Peggy L Henderson (P)2013 Peggy L Henderson

Review:
Jake Owens broke free of his mundane life on his parents’ Montana ranch to join a slick woman and the fast life in Los Angeles. The woman and her friends are the wrong people and set Jake up to be accused of murder. A strange man visits him in prison and offers him a second chance. The charges will be dropped against Jake if he agrees to scout for a wagon train traveling over the plains to Oregon. Jake is alarmed when he awakens in 1841 to begin his assignment which includes watching over Rachel Parker specifically.

Rachel is a young, beautiful woman devoted to her family. A tragedy has her traveling west with Tom, her drunken husband, and three young boys. When Tom stays drunk and fails to help with the trail duties, Jake steps in to help. Rachel is a woman of quiet, traditional morals who finds herself uncharacteristically attracted to the devilishly handsome, but rough, brash and supposedly womanizing, scout.

Jake tries to control his feelings for Rachel but he uncovers a secret that makes it even harder to stay away. Their relationship becomes more difficult as the people on the wagon train face the arduous dangers of the trail.

The adventure and danger of the wagon train is the backdrop for the strong love story. I really enjoyed the history as well as the growing attraction and sensual edge to the relationship. There is heartbreak on the trail and at the end of the trail that had my heart clinching. Is there any way that Rachel can “come back” to Jake?

This is the second story I read by Ms. Henderson and I enjoy her style. (See review of Audible Book Review: A Yellowstone Christmas: Yellowstone Romance Series by Peggy L. Henderson.) It is a nice break from some of the darker books I have been reading/listening to. I recommend this to readers who enjoy historical western and strong love elements.

Audio Notes: I was at first surprised that a male was narrating this. However since the story is told primarily from Jake’s situation this worked out well. Cody Roberts portrayed Jake in a strong, sexy voice and managed a soft, gentle voice for Rachel. He gives appropriate voices to other characters and does a good job with the entire narration program. I enjoyed the easy listening and recommend the audio for those who like to listen to their ‘read’.

This is from my Audible Library (2015) and part of my Audio Challenge.

Audio Book Review: All Our Yesterdays by Cristin Terril

This is an engaging and fascinating time paradox tale.

All Our Yesterdays
by Cristin Terril
Narrated by Meredith Mitchell

Length: 9 hrs and 25 mins 
Unabridged Audiobook
Release Date:03-18-14
Publisher: Tantor Audio
Genre: Listed as Suspense but could be considered Sci FI
My Rating 4.0 of 5.0

Book Description
Publication Date: September 3, 2013
| Age Level: 12 - 18 | Grade Level: 7 - 12
"You have to kill him." 
Imprisoned in the heart of a secret military base, Em has nothing except the voice of the boy in the cell next door and the list of instructions she finds taped inside the drain. Only Em can complete the final instruction. She's tried everything to prevent the creation of a time machine that will tear the world apart. She holds the proof: a list she has never seen before, written in her own hand. Each failed attempt in the past has led her to the same terrible present—imprisoned and tortured by a sadistic man called the doctor while war rages outside. Marina has loved her best friend James since the day he moved next door when they were children. A gorgeous, introverted science prodigy from one of America's most famous families, James finally seems to be seeing Marina in a new way, too. But on one disastrous night, James's life crumbles apart, and with it, Marina's hopes for their future. Now someone is trying to kill him. Marina will protect James, no matter what. Even if it means opening her eyes to a truth so terrible that she may not survive it. At least not as the girl she once was. All Our Yesterdays is a wrenching, brilliantly plotted story of fierce love, unthinkable sacrifice, and the infinite implications of our every choice.

Review:
Marina is a young teen who loves the wealthy, genius boy next door, James. As a prodigy James has few friends. Marina has always stuck with him even as he struggled through his growing phases and through the death of his parents. He also has a best friend, Finn, who has hung with him at their private school. James has been raised by his older brother who is a U.S. Senator being prepared as a possible future president. James goal is to help the world be a better place.

James was mocked by many classmates as a social misfit far above his years in brilliance. As he matures he finally grows into his body and all the girls are after him even though they are still in high school and he has moved onto college levels and private mentoring. Marina has loved James for so long she can’t imagine not being with him. She puts up with Finn because he is James friend and she will do whatever it takes to support James. She is excited when it appears that James is finally seeing her as more than the “kid-sister’ neighbor girl except the night ends in tragedy.

In the future, Em and Finn are adjacent cells n a military prison where they resist against ‘the Doctor’ and ‘the Director’. They are subjected to repeated deprivations and tortures because they refuse to give up Em's hiding place for highly important scientific notes regarding a time machine. The creation of the machine has created a totalitarian government with restricted freedoms resulting in rebellion.

Em uncovers a cryptic message that says “You have to kill him”. Apparently she has gone back in time before as this is the fourteenth message on the paper with all the other alternatives having been crossed off. Em and Finn escape with help from a surprising source. Now they must plan how and when to end the nightmare that they have lived for the past four years. And Em has to determine if she can kill to protect those she loves the most.

This is a very engaging and fascinating time paradox tale. The author changes time and viewpoints from Em in the future/present and Marina in the past. This makes for a very interesting blend and kept me engaged as I learned the characters and their histories. The time travel created opportunities to ponder the consequences and options. There were a few details that some might say violate the paradox rules of time travel. But since it is fiction the author gets to make the rules, right? There were times when I didn’t like Marina’s insecure and clingy character (not to mention teenage angst) and I was glad she matured into a stronger person. I suspected the twist before it was revealed but I still thought it was really well plotted. I recommend this to readers who like the twists created by time travel dilemmas.

Audio Notes: Meredith Mitchell did a good job with the narration. The characters were distinguishable and the emotions, danger and intensity are carried through the narration. I enjoyed the story through the audio presentation.

I received this title through Audio Sync 2014. It was paired with the classic JULIUS CAESAR by William Shakespeare, which I may have to listen to just to clarify the pairing. This qualifies for Audio Challenge, TBR Double Dare and TBR.

Audio Book Review: The Keeper's Calling: The Keeper's Saga, Book 1 by Kelly Nelson

This is an engaging time travel/YA romance.

The Keeper's Calling: The Keeper's Saga, Book 1
Written by: Kelly Nelson
Narrated by: James Simenc

• Length: 9 hrs and 8 mins 
• • Series: The Keeper's Saga, Book 1


Release Date:09-23-14
Publisher: Kelly Nelson

Genre: Fantasy, Time Travel, YA Romance
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
They come from two different worlds. One fateful discovery will bring them together. Neither of their lives will ever be the same.
Chase Harper's to-do list for senior year never included fall in love and fight for your life, but things rarely go as planned. Tarnished gold and resembling a pocket watch, the counter he finds in a cave during the summer of 2011 will forever change the course of his life, leading him to the beautiful Ellie Williams and unlocking a power beyond his wildest imagination.
In 1863, Ellie Williams completes school in Boston and returns to the Utah Territory only to discover that her grandfather and his counter, a treasured family heirloom, are missing. When Ellie is abducted and told she must produce the counter or die, an unexpected rescuer comes to her aid.
©2012 Walnut Springs Press (P)2014 Kelly Nelson

Review:
Chase Harper is in his senior year trying to figure out how best to prepare for college. He is on a camping adventure with family when he discovers a box containing an old, odd item that resembles a pocket watch. He touches the dials and a soft light glows. He stumbles and awakens in a landscape that is strange although similar. He tries to find his way back to the campsite but nothing is quite right. Then he sees two Mexican cowboys riding off with a woman. He follows and rescues Ellie in 1863.

Ellie is charmed by the young man who rescues her but she is more concerned with finding her grandfather and his secret treasure. She is distressed to discover that Chase has the time tracker but she explains that it is his now since it responded to him. She chooses to travel with him to 2011 so she can explain more of what is happening.

A strong attraction develops between Chase and Ellie although they try to pretend they are just friends to ward off any difficulties with Chase’s family. Chase has to learn the use and meaning of the gadget and decide if he wants to accept the responsibilities of using it. He and Ellie will face danger as they try to find a way to protect each other.

I felt the story started a bit slowly but after a short while I was pulled in by the mystery, travel and suspense. I enjoyed the main characters and really liked the gentle, sweet level of the teenage romance. There are some underlying faith comments that also warmed my heart. The travel plot has interesting twists that build background for the series and make this more than a YA romance. I recommend this as an entertaining listen for those who enjoy YA romance and time travel adventure.

Audio Notes: James Simenc does a fine job with the narration. His voice suits Chase as the primary character and he does a good job with distinguishable voices for the female characters as well as other male voices. I enjoyed this as an audio listen.

I received this title through Audiobook Jukebox. This qualifies for my Audiobook Challenge

Book Review: Just in Time for a Highlander (Sirens of the Scottish Borderlands) by Gwyn Cready

I found this story fun, active and entertaining.

Just in Time for a Highlander (Sirens of the Scottish Borderlands)
by Gwyn Cready

• File Size: 1119 KB
• Print Length: 384 pages
• Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca (February 3, 2015)
• ASIN: B00NH1UK40

Genre: Time Travel, Highlander
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

Book Description
Publication Date: February 3, 2015
From RITA winner Gwyn Cready comes a Scottish borderlands time travel romance perfect for fans of Outlander

For Duncan MacHarg, things just got real...
Battle reenactor and financier Duncan MacHarg thinks he has it made-until he lands in the middle of a real Clan Kerr battle and comes face to face with their beautiful, spirited leader. Out of time and out of place, Duncan must use every skill he can muster to earn his position among the clansmen and in the heart of the devastatingly intriguing woman to whom he must pledge his oath.

Abby needs a hero and she needs him now
When Abigail Ailich Kerr sees a handsome, mysterious stranger materialize in the midst of her clan's skirmish with the English, she's stunned to discover he's the strong arm she's been praying for. Instead of a tested fighter, the fierce young chieftess has been given a man with no measurable battle skills and a damnably distracting smile. And the only way to get rid of him is to turn him into a Scots warrior herself-one demanding and intimate lesson at a time.

Review:
Duncan is a handsome, modern day financier, He is accustomed to being successful in the boardroom and the bedroom. As he is participating in a SScottishbattle reenactment he suddenly finds himself in the middle of a real-life battle between Scottish Highlanders and the British. Duncan is trying to help a young boy under attack when he is hit by an arrow shot by a fierce young woman who is apparently the Scottish leader.

Abigail Kerr has her hands full as a reluctantly accepted chieftess of her clan. She has reached a rocky peace with the British and wants to get a loan to build a canal on the clan property, even while they struggle to pay the annual taxes. The favored solution is for her to marry her childhood friend, cousin and leader of a neighbor clan, Rosston Kerr. He is more than ready to bring his wealth and rule the clan as only a true Scotsman can. Abby is convinced that she doesn’t need to marry but she does need a strong arm to stand by her side as she leads. She is shocked to discover a strange foreigner who barely knows how to fight is to be that strong arm.

In only a matter of days (or was it more like hours) Abigail is kissing Duncan and tempting him. He’s not one to resist long and soon they are entangled in intimacies as well as the other material problems. He is convinced he can help her but he has a lot to learn of the times and ways. Undine, Abby’s potion brewing friend, is the one responsible for the magic that brought Duncan back in time. She explains that he must fulfill his purpose before he can return to his own time. He doesn’t have a choice even if he wanted to stay and even if the fulfillment of his mission results in Abby marrying his rival, Rosston.

I can appreciate the difficulties Abby faced as a female in a time when women were possessions, not leaders. She has to walk a fine line between independence and duty to her clan. I liked Duncan’s willingness to be what Abby needed and, even more, his willingness to accept her strengths. They both had flaws that contributed to conflicts. There was a goodly amount of sensual tension and involvement in a very short time.

I especially enjoyed the bit of mystery that simmered behind the clan difficulties. I also liked the interesting modern references and double entendres that were humorously blended with the past circumstances. I wanted to learn the solution to Serafina’s problem but that was a thread that was left loose for another story apparently. I definitely liked the time travel element which gave more interest beyond the highlander romance. All in all I found the story fun, active and entertaining.

I received this through Sourcebooks at NetGalley for an honest review.
I am counting it towards my NetGalley Challenge, TBR Double Dare, Winter COYER, and Alphabet Soup.

Audio Book Review: WARP Book 1: The Reluctant Assassin (W.A.R.P.) by Eoin Colfer

This is a fun, active time-travel sci fi with a dark villain.

WARP Book 1: The Reluctant Assassin (W.A.R.P.)
by Eoin Colfer

Narrated by: Maxwell Caulfield
Length: 9 hrs and 29 mins
Series: WARP, Book 1
Unabridged Audiobook
Release Date:05-07-13
Publisher: Listening Library

Genre: Sci Fi, Time Travel
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
Riley, a teen orphan boy living in Victorian London, has had the misfortune of being apprenticed to Albert Garrick, an illusionist who has fallen on difficult times and now uses his unique conjuring skills to gain access to victims' dwellings. On one such escapade, Garrick brings his reluctant apprentice along and urges him to commit his first killing. Riley is saved from having to commit the grisly act when the intended victim turns out to be a scientist from the future, part of the FBI's Witness Anonymous Relocation Program (WARP). Riley is unwittingly transported via wormhole to modern-day London, followed closely by Garrick.
In modern London, Riley is helped by Chevron Savano, a 19-year-old FBI agent sent to London as punishment after a disastrous undercover, anti-terrorist operation in Los Angeles. Together Riley and Chevie must evade Garrick, who has been fundamentally altered by his trip through the wormhole. Garrick is now not only evil, but he also possesses all of the scientist's knowledge. He is determined to track Riley down and use the timekey in Chevie's possession to make his way back to Victorian London where he can literally change the world.
©2013 Eoin Colfer (P)2013 Listening Library Audio

Review:
Riley is a young boy in Victorian London struggling to survive. He has been supposedly “rescued” and apprenticed by Albert Garrick, an illusionist who slipped and killed his former apprentice during a performance. Now Garrick uses his excellent skills in a new profession - as an assassin. Garrick is grisley and evil. He has set Riley up to make his first kill and prove his worth as an assassin’s apprentice. Riley has managed to learn many illusionist secrets and crawl in tight spaces to help Garrick but he is really reluctant to kill a man, any man, but especially this old man sleeping in bed.

When Riley hesitates, Garrick forces the strike. But not before the man awakens and sends Riley tumbling through a time portal to the future. Riley emerges only to be jailed on the suspision of murder. He tries to explain what happened but they won’t believe that someone else pushed him and that the ‘demon man’ will follow him.

Chevron (Chevie to her friends) was brought into a prototype teen FBI program. She longs to be a true FBI agent but has been sent to London as a form of demotion. Her gruff, Scottish boss, Agent Orange, has instructed her to guard a completely secret pod without any explanation until a young urchin boy pops out.

Orange suspects that the owner of the portal must be dead to allow anyone through. He takes a clean up team back in time to fix any damage. If only he had listened to Riley Orange would have realized that Garrick would be there to ambush the team and steal the secrets. Garrick attacks the team and manages to tangle with Orange, sending them both back to the future. Orange doesn’t survive the trip except as thought patterns merged into Garricks brain!

Garrick is obsessed with power and intent on eliminating Riley and Chevie. Riley and Chevie must go on the run, trying to stay one step ahead of Garrick until they can bring him down. Riley and Chevie run into other thugs and trouble before they pool their skills together to find away to stop Garrick.

There is plenty of action and some irony in subtle lines and in twists in the story. I enjoyed the fast pace and determination of the teens even though I also felt the book had a dark atmosphere due to Garrick seeming to have such success and control in his evil actions.

This is the first book I have read by Eoin Colfer and I was surprised to realize he is the author of the Artemis Fowl series which I had thought to read but never got to. This story would be good for older youth and adults who appreciate a bit of satire with their adventure.

Audio Notes: Maxwell Caulfield does a very good job presenting the different voices in culture and time period accents. He captured the darkness of the villain and made the listening a lot of fun.

I received this audiobook through SYNC 2014 Summer audios. It was paired with The Time Machine which I haven't read in years. I will listen to that classic soon to note the comparison.

Book Review: Thunder Mountain by Dean Wesley Smith

This was a surprising, easy time travel with some great western history.

Thunder Mountain
by Dean Wesley Smith

• File Size: 367 KB
• Print Length: 195 pages
• Publisher: WMG Publishing, Inc. (January 16, 2014)
• ASIN: B00HWMCTW6

Genre: Time Travel
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

Offered a free trip into a remote Idaho wilderness that she loves and studies, Professor Dawn Edwards can’t refuse. On the trip she meets Professor Madison Rogers, and they fall for each other before they even reach their destination.

But living in the Old West proves to be a brutal task. Somehow, Dawn must survive to rescue herself, her friends, and the man she loves.

A science fiction novel of the old west and true love.

Review:
Professor Dawn Edwards is beautiful and smart but her time is dedicated to her love of studying people as they lived in history. She made a summer visit hiking into a remote location in Thunder Mountain, Idaho, where she was fascinated by the ghost town cemetery. She is working on her next book about the area in the early 1900s. Two fellow historians, Bonnie and Duster, invite her to join them on another trip to Silver City and then to Thunder Mountain. She is thrilled to have the opportunity to return for another look. She is surprised to learn that another history professor, Professor Madison Rogers, is joining them.

Madison is as handsome as they come, but he has spent his time studying mining history. He is beginning to think there might be more but he hasn’t taken time to find more. He is glad to join his friends on a trip to study two historic mining towns.

Dawn and Madison are immediately smitten with each other. Not only do they have the joy of going on an historical expedition but they are pleased to be together. They are in for another wonderful surprise when Bonnie and Duster show them to a cave that serves as a station to time travel. The four travel back to the early 1900s so they get to study history up front and personal. As exciting as it is they discover that living in the past is much harder than they had imagined.

The romance between Dawn and Madison is warm and primarily private. The time travel is creative and the history detail is rich and engaging. This story and reading pace moves along quickly. This is an entertaining story and I recommend it to readers who enjoy a fun time travel to the old west with romantic element.

I received this title for review through StoryBundle.

Audio Book Review: Forever His: Stolen Brides, Book 1 by Shelly Thacker

This is an intensely romantic time travel, medieval tale.

Forever His: Stolen Brides, Book 1
by Shelly Thacker
 Narrated by Julia Motyka

 Length: 15 hrs and 5 mins
    Series: Stolen Brides, Book 1
Format: Unabridged
 Release Date:09-26-13
Publisher: Summit Avenue Books
Genre: Time Travel Romance
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
On New Year's Eve, she tumbles 700 years back in time - and into the bed of a darkly handsome knight.

Sir Gaston de Varennes wanted a docile bride who would fit into his plans for vengeance and justice, but a trick of time finds him married to a thoroughly modern American lady who turns his castle, his life, and his heart upside down. Will her desperate secret tear them apart after only a few bittersweet weeks of stolen passion - or will they conquer mistrust, treachery, and time itself to discover a love that spans the centuries?

Winner of the National Readers Choice Award: Best Historical Romance of the Year

The Stolen Brides Series: One falls through time and finds herself married to a dark stranger...one may never reach her royal wedding if she can't resist her rugged protector...one is abducted by a mysterious swordsman and swept away to a secret island paradise. Three regal brides are about to discover that falling in love with a warrior is the most dangerous adventure of all.
©1993 Shelly Thacker Meinhardt (P)2013 Shelly Thacker Meinhardt

Review:
Celine Fontaine is a twenty-three year old woman of wealth and sophistication. She had been engaged to a charismatic man until some hoodlums tried to steal his car and she suffered a bullet wound in the back. Her ambitious family doesn’t understand her panic attacks nor do they know that she must soon go through another operation to remove a fragment of the bullet that could otherwise end her life. She is struggling with her fears as she stares at the moon through the window of the family ancestral chateau in France. Suddenly she is struck by the light of a lunar eclipse. When she stumbles from the flash of light she finds herself in an oddly familiar room that looks totally different. She is dismayed when she learns that she has been whisked 700 years to the past.

Everyone thinks Celine is Lady Christiane Fontaine, the convent raised cousin of Sir Gaston’s vicious enemy, Duc Alain de la Tourelle. Gaston is convinced that Tourelle murdered his father and elder brother. The battle between Gaston and Tourelle has angered the King to the point that he ordered Gaston to marry Lady Christiane. Gaston could not refuse to marry as ordered but he could refuse to consummate the marriage. He is sure it is just a matter of time to uncover proof of Tourelle’s treacherous lies to reveal to the King so he can seek an annulment.

Gaston is a fierce, handsome warrior who earned the title of the Black Knight. Gaston tries to humiliate Lady Chrisitane by treating her no better than a house servant. But she soon makes friends in the household as she treats everyone with kindness and makes changes around the fortress to help make things easier and improve conditions.

Gaston doesn’t believe Celine’s claims to be from a future time even if there are oddities. And he is adamant that their union will not be consummated no matter how fierce their attraction. He can’t decide if he should keep her close so he knows what threat she poses or stay away from the overpowering temptation. Meanwhile Celine desperately tries to find a way to return to her time for the surgery she needs to save her life.

This story has wonderful chemical attraction and frustrating tension. The medieval settings are believable and beautiful. The time travel dilemma is also believable and well done. There were a few too many vivid sexual encounters for my tastes but they were nicely handled and could be skimmed over without losing the intimacy and emotional depths growing between the pair. If you like medieval and/or time travel romance and strong minded characters who struggle against the pull of true love this is a story you should check out.

Audio Notes: Initially I struggled with the rather breathy narration. Julia Motyka does a good job with the French and accents but has to work to portray the deep, manly voice of the warrior knight. Still, this is a story that I think was easier for me to listen to than if I had picked it to read in print.

I received this audible download to review for the publisher through Audiobook Jukebox.

Note: the Kindle version appears to be free at the time of this posting.

Book Review, Publisher Feature and Giveaway: Christmas Past by Susanna Fraser

Today I'm happy to be featuring Ever After's November release!

Check below the review for more information about this special line of stories 

and for Gift Card Giveaway.

This is a quick, enjoyable romance.
Christmas Past (Entangled Ever After)
by Susanna Fraser

• File Size: 1009 KB
• Print Length: 39 pages
• Publisher: Entangled: Ever After (November 25, 2013)
• Sold by: Macmillan
• ASIN: B00GET8RV0

Genre: Time Travel, Historical Romance Novella
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Book Description
Publication Date: November 25, 2013
Time-traveling PhD student Sydney Dahlquist’s first mission sounded simple enough—spend two weeks in December 1810 collecting blood samples from the sick and wounded of Wellington’s army, then go home to modern-day Seattle and Christmas with her family. But when her time machine breaks, stranding her in the past, she must decide whether to sacrifice herself to protect the timeline or to build a new life—and embrace a new love—two centuries before her time.

Rifle captain Miles Griffin has been fascinated by the tall, beautiful "Mrs. Sydney" from the day he met her caring for wounded soldiers. When he stumbles upon her time travel secret on Christmas Eve, he vows to do whatever it takes to seduce her into making her home in his present—by his side.

Review:
Sydney has made her first time travel trip going to December 1810 for medical, scientific and historical research. Her machine is equipped with a bounce-back feature that would return her to the current time if her arrival looks like it would cause a change in the timeline. She hasn’t bounced back but her machine isn’t working to allow her to manually return either.

The travel protocols have strict rules and she knows what is expected of her but it is a hard decision to make. Especially when a handsome rifle captain is doing his best to persuade her to stay.  He has already discovered her secret. Now he just needs to convince her to share time – and hopefully a future – with him.

This is a really fast read, taking less than an hour, yet it is a complete story. There is sufficient development of the characters to make them believable and likeable. I enjoyed the time travel twist but wondered a bit at Sydney’s convenient scientific conclusions. Still, the romance is sweet with a zing of sexual interaction. The writing flows well and the package makes lovely, quick entertainment.

I received this short novella as part of a publisher event to promote their Ever After line.

Find Your Ever After in Under An Hour

Ever After features paranormal, sci-fi, and horror novellas, all with the romance you've come to love from Entangled--just in a shorter format. Make sure to like their new Facebook Page and follow them on Twitter.

Christmas Past by Susanna Fraser

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Book Review: Somewhere in Time, Book 1 of The Crosse Harbor Time Travel Trilogy, by Brabara Bretton

I enjoyed the American Revolutionary history in this time travel romance.

Somewhere in Time (The Crosse Harbor Time Travel Trilogy) 

by Barbara Bretton

• File Size: 497 KB
• Print Length: 352 pages
• Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
• Publisher: Barbara Bretton (June 24, 2012)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B008ELA6VK

Genre: Time Travel Romance
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Book Description

Publication Date: June 24, 2012

The CROSSE HARBOR TIME TRAVEL TRILOGY

Book 1 - SOMEWHERE IN TIME

Book 2 - TOMORROW & ALWAYS

Book 3 - DESTINY'S CHILD

Reviewers Choice Award - Best Historical Time Travel

--Romantic Times

Historian Emilie Crosse dreamed of a love that would last forever

Who knew she'd have to sail across two centuries to find it?

When her ex-husband Zane Grey Rutledge showed up at her door with a Revolutionary War uniform that was part of his grandmother's estate, neither one suspected that their lives were about to change in ways they couldn't possibly imagine.

Swept back in time to 1776 where a nation is struggling to be born, Emilie finds herself torn between two men: Zane, her ex who still holds the key to her heart, and Andrew McVie, the Patriot hero of her long-ago dreams . . . .

Review:
Emilie is a historian and although independent and strong minded she seeks security and safety in life and love. There was great passion with her ex-husband, Zane, but he was too impulsive and mercurial for her to believe he could be a “forever” love.

Zane loves his rich toys, fast-paced and jet-travel lifestyle. He loved Emilie and impulsively married her but their divergent goals caused her to walk out on the marriage. When his grandmother dies he is left with the Rutledge mansion as an unwanted responsibility. He decides to donate it for a museum but before he walks out the museum director makes sure that he takes ‘the package’ that his grandmother insisted he have. Inside the package is a Captain’s uniform supposedly passed down in the family since the American Revolution.

Before he leaves for Tahiti, Zane takes the uniform to Emilie for an expert opinion regarding it’s authenticity. The chemistry between them is as combustible as ever and Zane thinks he can convince her to go traveling with him. But the next morning she sneaks out to take a balloon ride to the town festival. The event includes celebrating the brave actions of Andrew McVie who saved George Washington from an assassination attempt in 1776. Zane commandeers the balloon and a freak wind dumps them out in 1776.

Imagine yourself sent back over two hundred years with none of the technology, or even household facilities-bathrooms, refrigerators-that you are accustomed to! Emilie is rather thrilled but Zane is convinced they will return to their own time. Things become emotionally confused and complicated when they meet Emilie’s patriotic hero, Andrew McVie. Would Emilie prefer steady, strong, family oriented Andrew over the passion and joy she has with Zane?

I really liked Emilie’s character and Zane and Andrew are good contrasting, likeable, strong, men. I love the time travel elements and enjoyed reading and thinking about the difficulties Emilie and Zane face in the past, trying to fit in not only with action but in speech too. The way the author weaves in changes in the hearts and dreams of Emilie and Zane is very engaging. The combination of emotional conflict and historical interest makes for a very satisfying romance read.

I received this title, for an honest review, from the author through Bewitching Book Tours.

Somewhere in Time is currently free for download from iTunes, Amazon, Smashwords. It can be downloaded in all formats from this Smashwords link.

Please see the next post for an interesting Author Interview and Giveaway to win an audio copy of Somewhere in Time.