Across the Ages

BOOK DESCRIPTION

Caroline holds a deep secret. Living in 1727 and 1927 simultaneously, each night she goes to sleep in one life and wakes up in the other. In search of answers to her unique existence, Caroline stumbles upon a letter from her mother hinting at her own experiences as a time-crosser, sending Caroline on a daring quest to uncover the truth. In 1727, Caroline disguises herself as a cabin boy and joins a ship sailing for the Bahamas, her mother's last known location, where she crosses paths with a ruthless but handsome pirate and is caught in a web of secrets, deception, and unexpected alliances.

In 1927 St. Paul, Minnesota, Caroline grapples with her other life as the daughter of a renowned preacher. Her two older brothers have fallen prey to the corruption rampant during Prohibition, and Caroline struggles to keep their involvement hidden to save her father's career. As her search for answers about her time-crossing leads her to the dangerous yet exciting world of speakeasies, Caroline enlists the help of a childhood friend who is now a police officer. But with her family's future at risk and their loyalties tested, Caroline faces a life-altering decision that could reshape her destiny.

My Review:

Have you tried a time-crossing book before? If not, you should read this book, and for that matter, the whole series! Author Gabrielle Meyer has an amazing ability to create such believable stories that when I read these stories I think this actually happens. The way she weaves historical facts in with fiction is remarkable. 

Caroline lives two very different lives, one in 1727 and one in 1027. I loved that they couldn’t be more opposite from each other, but at the same time had similarities. Seeking to find answers to why she experiences a different life every other day causes her to do things that are contrary to what she would choose. Caroline’s love, selflessness,  and compassion for those in need made her such a sweet and endearing character. I loved that she chose to see the good in others, forgive, and help when she could. I found it extremely interesting what Caroline’s mother chose to do with her time-crossing ability. 

I highly recommend this book and the others in the Timeless series. Each book is well written and engaging. This is the fourth book, and while it can be read as a standalone, there are characters from past stories that are mentioned or Caroline meets. 

* adultery, miscarriage on page

I was given a complimentary copy of the book. A positive review was not required, and all opinions are my own.

AUTHOR BIO

Gabrielle Meyer (GabrielleMeyer.com) is an ECPA bestselling author. She has worked for state and local historical societies and loves writing fiction inspired by real people, places, and events. She currently resides along the banks of the Mississippi River in central Minnesota with her husband and four children. By day, she's a busy homeschool mom, and by night she pens fiction and nonfiction filled with hope.

A Gilded Age Getaway

About the Book:

Can one magical night of glamour in the past save their future?

When Fiona Robinson imagined her life with Tyler, she dreamed of a grand adventure. Together. But after a decade of marriage, suburban seclusion, and stress from his job, she’s let the strain of being a stay-at-home mom of two toddlers squeeze all the fun out of their relationship.

With pressure mounting at work and his homelife growing stale, Tyler’s fighting to recapture the joy in his marriage. But he can’t seem to do anything right, his job’s drained his energy, and his wife no longer resembles the fun-loving girl he married.

Then Fiona’s mother presents them with an anniversary weekend getaway at a seaside B&B, and they hope it can rekindle their romance. But they never could have imagined their room would transport them to the Gilded Age in New York! Now, can one night at the famed Vanderbilt ball reignite their spark, or will they be stuck in a future neither of them expected?

My Review: 

“When had her life become so stale?” Fiona Robinson had wondered. Hold on, Fiona, things are about to change! After being married for several years the pizazz has worn off and Fiona feels frazzled from taking care of little ones and overlooked by her workaholic husband. When she and Tyler have the opportunity for a short getaway, she snatches it and off they go to a unique inn where things are not what they seem. When Fiona and Tyler have a once in a lifetime experience of adventure they must depend upon God and each other to help them out of a very difficult circumstance. They have no idea if they will be able to return to their own time or to their children. I admit that I was a bit nervous about how it was all going to work out. I love that at first Fiona and Tyler were embarrassed by the their ballroom costumes, but they soon realize it doesn’t matter and they are there to enjoy what New York has to offer. Tyler’s pirate outfit was especially fun and I can see why people were curious. Wouldn’t you be too if you saw him walking down the street dressed that way? Readers of all ages will be glad they joined Fiona and Tyler in New York. This standalone book in the Back Inn Time series was a lot of fun. I highly recommend this book and the other four. I have thoroughly enjoyed each story with interesting plots, a bit of humor, romance, and well researched historical facts that make them come alive. I received a complimentary copy of this book. A positive review was not required. All opinions are my own.

Wait for Me

 

About the Book:; 

When the darkness closes all around,
Beauty is still there just waiting to be found.

Dawson Huxham blames himself for his sister’s death . . . until he briefly crosses time and discovers she’s alive in the Middle Ages. Hoping to reconnect with her, he searches for the holy water that will help him visit the past for a longer duration. But he realizes he’s not the only one looking for the miraculous water. Terrorists are threatening him and watching his every move.

As Dawson locates holy water from an unlikely source, he crosses fully into the past where he meets a beautiful noblewoman, Philippa Neville, who is desperately trying to escape her uncle’s plans for an arranged marriage. When danger closes in, Dawson agrees to wed her in an effort to thwart her uncle’s schemes. As forces in both the present and past conspire against the newlyweds, will they find a way to be together before the swiftly moving waters of time separate them forever?

My Review: 

Dawson Huxham was an angry, embittered man who was in need of a miracle, not only physically, but emotionally and spiritually. At the beginning of the story you see him as a person who only true friends could stand to be around. Acey and Chloe were saints to see him through his tough times. It wasn’t until he hit rock bottom that he realized something had to be done. I loved seeing him change and being given a second chance at life and his relationships in this story. 

Phillipa was truly the person Dawson needed. Her optimism and perspective was restorative and life giving for him. I loved how she showed him to be grateful, to enjoy what is around you, to find beauty in the moment, and to thank God for the little things. What she had experiences was not easy for her, but she chose joy and sharing with Dawson helped him to heal. 

I loved the ending of the story and I don’t think it could have been more perfect. I did have some questions about the pharmaceutical company and also the Hamin that I felt were not answered, but I think this also leaves possibilities for another book or two (please) in the series. 

This is the fourth book  in the Waters of Time series. I’d advise you to read the other three books beforehand in order. The characters from the other stories are in this book and events that have happened in the past will be better understood. 

I was given a copy of this book and was not expected to write a positive review. All opinions are my own. 

Stay With Me

About the Book:

Sacrificing and dying to oneself is costly.

But doing so brings new purpose and joy.

As a private investigator, Sybil Huxham has seen her fair share of strange occurrences. But nothing in her career has been more perplexing than the miracles she's witnessed as a result of people drinking ancient holy water. When she discovers more of the rare holy water, she experiences strange overlaps with a nobleman in the Middle Ages who is languishing in a dungeon, accused of treason and condemned to die. To save his life, she finally crosses to the past completely.

Nicholas Worth has never met a woman quite like Sybil, and as the two run for their lives into the Weald, they find refuge among a community of outlaws. With both their reputations on the line, they have little choice but to marry. As they get to know each other, an undeniable attraction develops. But danger and disease chase after them, drawing ever closer. Will they be able to escape the threats? And will Sybil choose to stay with Nicholas in the past, or will she be ripped apart from him forever?

My Review: 

This book is primarily set in the Middle Ages with private investigator Sybil Huxum traveling to the 1300’s to rescue Nicolas Worth. Sybil is one amazing lady who handles herself well in both the present and the past. In the present she kickboxes and likes to take Cross Fit classes. In the past she uses her skills to incapacitate some very nasty characters. She also learns how to ride a horse and use a long bow; I am hoping we see her in upcoming battles.

I loved the Robin Hood feeling of the village of Devil’s Bend in the Weald. The villagers are unique and lovable as they share hardships that have forced them to live in exile in order to escape the evil lord and Nicolas’s brother, Simon. The contrast between the two brothers was well done as you see Simon is cruel and consumed with making a kingdom for himself, while Nicholas has his focus on coming to the aid of others and his king. 

This is the third book in the Waters of Time series. You will need to read the other two books in order to understand this story. I loved the cliffhanger ending and the author’s notes. I always appreciate reading about the history of the time period and the research an author has given in order to make their story come alive.

I would recommend this book for mature readers because there were some scenes between Nicholas and Sybil that were more than just a chaste kiss. 

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Never Leave Me

“One thing was becoming clear: although the water could bring healing, it could also bring death.”

Ellen and Harrison have both drunk vials filled with miracle working water from the Tree of Life and are healed. This should be a good thing, right?  Who gets the limited amount of water?  What if others found out about it and wanted to use it for ill? 

This highly charged, exciting adventure was hard to put down. There were so many noble and selfless characters throughout the story that made the book come alive.  I thought the story from the 1300’s was developed more than the present day story, but it was necessary since this was an intricate part of the plot.  This is the second book in the Waters of Time series and you will need to read the first book, Come Back to Me, in order to understand the story. 

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an electronic copy of the book. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.

About the Book: 

In the last stages of a genetic disease, Ellen Creighton has decided to live out her remaining days at the estate of her longtime friend Harrison Burlington. Harrison cares deeply for Ellen, but as a wheelchair-bound paraplegic, he's never allowed himself to get serious in a relationship. However, he's desperately trying to save her by finding the holy water that is believed to heal any disease.

When he locates two flasks, Ellen refuses to drink one of them because she believes the holy water killed her sister and father. In an effort to convince her to take it, Harrison ingests the contents first, and when Ellen witnesses the effects, she can no longer deny the power of the substance in the bottles. Dangerous criminals are also seeking the holy water, and Ellen soon learns they will go to any lengths to get the powerful drug--including sending her back into the past to find it for them.

Bestselling and award-winning author Jody Hedlund plunges you into the swiftly flowing river of history in a race against the clock in this breathtaking, emotional second Waters of Time story.

Back Inn Time: A Castle for Christmas

 

Avery Stuart has been diagnosed with a fatal disease, but as Providence would have it, she finds herself a guest at the mysterious Back Inn Time.  One minute she is in the tower room at the B & B and the next she awakens, disoriented and outside a castle in the Middle Ages. Not realizing that she has traveled through time, Avery pretends that she is a princess based upon the ornate clothing she finds herself dressed in and the scads of diamond jewelry that accompanies her costume. I would have thought I was a princess too!  

Avery quickly agrees to a marriage with Baron Robert de Northwood, thinking she is dreaming. Some adjusting to each other and the circumstances they find themselves in, Avery and Robert have some funny conversations.

“So, is there a library?”

 “This is not a monastery, Lady Avery.” 

Couldn’t send me to a castle with a floor -to-ceiling library, huh? No dancing candlesticks  and clocks, either. Seemed like she’d only gotten the beast part in The Beauty and the Beast knockoff. 

The repeated theme of the Bed and Breakfast Back Inn Time from previous books in this series is creative and keeps you guessing what will be in store for the next person who comes to visit. Mrs, Easley, the innkeeper is an enigma. I thought at first she was an angel, but after reading the book, I am not so sure. I hope there will be another one to answer that question. 

With strangers to happily ever after, suspense, second chances, faith and humor all in this book, you are sure to love it. While this is a part of a series, it can be read as a standalone. 

Thank you to the publisher and author for a digital copy of the book. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own. 

About the Book

A crown meant for a princess. A medieval castle. And a one-way ticket to an unforgettable romance.

A life changing diagnosis sends Avery Stuart on a last-chance Christmas road trip. The cheery bed-and-breakfast offers a festive way to spend the holidays alone. But when she finds her name listed on an ancient family tree next to an English baron, her trip suddenly takes a startling turn—no fairy godmother included. She might have gotten the Cinderella dress, but her prince is more beast than charming.

On the verge of seeing his people starve, Sir Robert de Northwood must seek a bride with a hefty dowry in order to salvage what war has wrought. The night he must choose his wife, a strange foreign princess arrives at Northwood Castle dressed in enough jewels to feed his barony for a year—and she’s entirely alone. Sir Robert is intrigued by the fascinating woman and offers his protection by way of a sensible marriage arrangement that will benefit them both. But when the mysterious Princess Avery of Gardena claims to be from the future, how much will he risk losing in order to keep her close?

A Colonial Courtship

Abigail Martin is in trouble. Big trouble. Her only chance of escaping is to go to a time traveling Bed and Breakfast called Back Inn Time to see if she can undo the past. The funny and sometimes embarrassing predicaments that arise as she and her high school crush, Evan Blake, are transported to a completely different era make this an enjoyable read. Evan Blake’s reaction is priceless as he has no idea they have time traveled. Why are they in costumes? Where is a phone so he can call for help?

As Abigail and Evan encounter Colonial social norms and their consequences, they must trust each other. I thought using these experiences was a terrific way of helping each of them to break down the walls of past hurts they had built.

Abgail’s story of trying to fix things on her own is something that I think we can all relate to in our lives. The unexpected journey as she discovers her need for help and trusting God and others was inspirational and timeless.  As Abigail reflects upon her past mistakes and the choices she has made, I found this quote to be pivotal for her and applicable to us. “I won’t let the past have any say over what I want for the future.” 

I enjoyed reading this third time slip book in the Back Inn Time series. This can be read as a stand alone, but you will want to read the other books as well. Each book is set in a different time period that makes these books not only fun, but you learn a bit about that time period with the details that are included in the stories. If you like historical and/or Christian fiction, you will enjoy this story.

I was given a complimentary copy from the author/ publisher and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.