Tag Archives: Time Travel

Ever Night by Gena Showalter

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Ever Night
Author: Gena Showalter
In: On the Hunt (Gena Showalter, Shannon K. Butcher, Jessica Andersen & Deidre Knight)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Medieval fantasy, Paranormal romance, Time travel
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novella
Year: 2011

Thoughts

At the beginning of this novella, I was a bit… disturbed by the idea that Rose was going to fall for the weird abductor guy. I mean, it was a bit Stockholm Syndrome-y and made me start this story with a feeling of total ick. But then, as I got to know the two characters, I decided that I actually loved this. There was something kind of fun and cute about this story, and, even though the beginning was uncomfortable, I settled into this and was really disappointed that it had to end.

I thought that the idea of being forced to transport oneself into an alternate world every year on your birthday was brilliant and incredibly imaginative. I ended up really loving the world building in this and seriously enjoyed this novella. I love that its two worlds built around somewhat familiar ones. Yet, fear and misunderstandings have led to murder and mayhem throughout the two groups of peoples. An thoroughly enjoyable world that left me smiling and wanting more and more after I turned that final page.

Honestly, although I knew just who Rose would end up with the end, I didn’t quite expect how they were going to end up. Neither did I expect their conflict resolution at the end. It was a really great way to tie up a romantic and lustful novella. This is the first story I’ve read by Showalter, even if I have multiples of her stories on my shelves. And, I’m glad to say that I’ve got more of her stories to continue on with. Now to dive into them and the rest of my TBR.

<- On the HuntThe Collector ->

Image source: Penguin Random House

A Stitch in Time by Kelley Armstrong

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: A Stitch in Time
Author: Kelley Armstrong
Series: A Stitch in Time #1
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Historical romance, Paranormal romance, Time travel
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2020

Thoughts

As always with a Kelley Armstrong book, I freaking loved this. The fact that it’s a new genre that I wasn’t expecting, and delved into a whole new realm of writing just made me all that much happier. I also think this may be my first ever time travel romance. Or at least, the first one novel-length one that I can think of. Everything about Bronwyn and William’s relationship and story had me smiling and feeling all the happy feelings.

Bronwyn’s past and commitment to a mental hospital were kind of sad, but I love how they shaped her into the woman that she becomes. Like all second chance romances, there is that feeling of tragedy that there are so many missed chances. But also, a kind of sense of fate in the fact that the characters needed to grow into themselves apart to truly be happy and healthy together. I really enjoyed how those past tragedies shaped both characters into a person that has so much hope and understanding for the future.

Whilst Bronwyn’s time at a mental health institute might have been tragic, I thought it was fantastic that she had a first love before William. Her first husband is a reminder that even when tragedy strikes, we can remember those that we loved with fondness and positivity. It was also nice that, even though William lived a full life too, it didn’t follow the same pattern of Bronwyn’s.

It took a little while to warm up to William. Not so much because there was anything irritating about his character, but he was incredibly withdrawn. It made the journey to getting to know how kind and sweet he is all that much more interesting. Plus, it kind of fit with my idea of the English at the time. William is definitely the kind of mysterious man of the moors that I can get behind romantically.

I mostly focused on the romance and the enjoyment of this story, but alongside this is the mystery of the murders of the moors. I spent a lot of my time wondering just who was the evil villain throughout, and I completely guessed wrong. Which I loved. And honestly, the true villain was so much more creepy and goosebump inducing. It was definitely a fantastic story that I look forward to reading again, this time finding all the hidden clues to who the big evil actually is.

<- More Kelley ArmstrongBallgowns & Butterflies ->

Image source: Amazon

Ballgowns & Butterflies by Kelley Armstrong

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview

Title: Ballgowns & Butterflies
Author: Kelley Armstrong
Series: A Stitch in Time #1.5
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Christmas, Historical romance, Paranormal romance, Time travel
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novella
Year: 2021

Thoughts

I read this novella as part of my Christmas reading. And now I just want to read the rest of the series. Particularly the first novel, A Stitch in Time to see how Bronwyn and William fell in love. And met, and how the time travel portal works. There is so much going on that I just need all of the amazing backstory to this world. And adventures. And just, general Armstrong awesomeness.

One of the many, many things I loved about this story was that it featured Christmas on either side of a time warp. I’m assuming that Armstrong has done a bit of research into the time period, because this was mostly about the differences between the two times. Both timelines still focusing on love, companionship and giving.

I also love both of the traditions have that Christmas spirit that makes me love this time of year so much. It’s so beautiful seeing how taking care of others is a big focus on the town’s traditions. And that in the case of this story, the aristocracy actually give a damn about their people.

Although I wasn’t pregnant for the Christmas that I read this, I did only have a two month old. And the Christmas 2 years prior I had been pregnant. So I loved reading about the frustrations and challenges of being heavily pregnant at this time of year. It’s also highlighting some of the challenges I’m sure Bronwyn is about to face in A Twist of Fate.

<- A Stitch in TimeA Twist of Fate ->

Image source: Goodreads

The Clockwork Scarab by Colleen Gleason

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
The Clockwork Scarab (Stoker & Holmes, #1) by Colleen Gleason

Title: The Clockwork Scarab
Author: Colleen Gleason
Series: Stoker & Holmes #1
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Historical fiction, Steampunk, Time travel
Dates read: 22nd – 23rd August 2021
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Chronicle Books
Year: 2013
5th sentence, 74th page: I couldn’t imagine what it would be like not to have any adults about, meddling in my daily life.

Synopsis

“Tonight, I ask, on behalf of Her Royal Highness, the Princess of Wales: will you do what no other young women are called to do, and place your lives and honor at the feet of your country?”

Evaline Stoker and Mina Holmes never meant to get into the family business. But when you’re the sister of Bram and the niece of Sherlock, vampire hunting and mystery solving are in your blood, so to speak. And when two young society girls disappear – one dead, one missing – there’s no one more qualified to investigate. Now fierce Evaline and logical Mina must resolve their rivalry, navigate the advances of not just one but three mysterious gentlemen, and solve a murder with only one clue: a strange Egyptian scarab. The pressure is on and the stakes are high – if Stoker and Holmes don’t figure out why London’s finest sixteen-year-old women are in danger, they’ll become the next victims.

Thoughts

This is one of those books that’s been on my wish list for ages – I finally managed to find a second-hand copy. And, from the very moment I received it… I was kind of desperate to read it. Turns out that my instincts were correct. This book is amazing. I love how it takes elements of steampunk, historical fiction and two very well-known literary figures to create an amazing storyline.

Having read both Dracula and Sherlock Holmes, I was intrigued by the idea of Stoker & Holmes as a team. What I didn’t expect was Irene Adler appearing at the very beginning of this story. That somehow, Gleason would manage to incorporate some of the best aspects of the original classics, without making it all feel like a total repeat. There was a great sense of fun and uniqueness that swept me away and left me smiling very happily as I dived further and further into this amazing world that Gleason has created.

Although this was a steampunk, this story had very much a cozy mystery feeling to it. I’m not quite sold on it sitting upon that shelf, but there is definitely that kind of feel to it. This story makes you constantly wonder who the culprit is. And you wonder how the women are going missing and why. But, you don’t really get that graphic, horror feeling that you would get from an actual mystery or thriller. You also get the fast-paced adventure feel of the Sherlock Holmes stories.

I loved this novel from beginning to end. It was fun and filled with a great setting. The mix of steampunk and historical / literary fiction worked brilliantly together. Then, there is the great characterisation of the two girls. Taking some of the character points from Holmes and Dracula, but spinning them into their own women who are capable of being strong and independent. I can’t wait to see how much further this story takes me and, ultimately, who the Big Baddy is.

<- More Colleen GleasonThe Spiritglass Charade ->

Image source: Goodreads

A Man in a Kilt by Sandy Blair

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
A Man In A Kilt (Castle Blackstone, #1) by Sandy Blair

Title: A Man in a Kilt
Author: Sandy Blair
Series: Castle Blackstone #1
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Historical romance, Scottish romance, Time travel
Dates read: 20th – 22nd May 2021
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Zebra Historical Romance
Year: 2004
5th sentence, 74th page: He knew that Angus and Douglas would insist on following him.

Synopsis

A Lonely Laird
Duncan MacDougall, the laird of Blackstone, was cursed centuries ago to wander as a ghost wihtin the echoing walls of his island castle – and only one woman can free him. Can it be the new mistress of Blackstone, just arrived from over the sea? Duncan has heard that pretty Miss Elizabeth Pudding is no more than a cook – and she haisl from a barbarous land called the Bronx. But she must learn the ways of a lady all the same – and she must stay at Blackstone for six long months to inherit. ‘Tis time enough to teach her – and time enough to woo her…

An Enchanting Lady
Beth has seen the handsome spectre from the day she crossed the threshold of Blackstone. Duncan MacDougall is a tall, translucent figure with black hair and piercing blue eyes. Yet a mist separates him from the land of the living… a mist as strong as cold steel. It is said that only love can dissolve it – and bring the man of her dreams to warm, breathing life…

Thoughts

The blurb of this book made me have certain.. expectations. And what I ended up getting was wholly unexpected. And seriously fun and enjoyable. Every twist and turn in this was a surprise and left me feeling very happy.

I thought there would be a bit more intensity in the time travelling aspect of this story. I mean, it’s been sitting on my shelves for this exact reason. It probably belongs I’m the historical romance shelf though. I mean, the ghost and time travel are both paranormal. But all of the setting and storyline… purely Scottish, historical fiction.

Almost all of the romances I read feature a strong woman who is also beautiful. I love that Beth is considered plain throughout and there are no hints of her being a particularly good looking woman. That, and the fact that one of the vipers in this story is the ridiculously good looking woman. There’s also the fact that although she is a virgin, there’s pretty much no fuss made about it. Rather, it’s a plot line to indicate her trust issues.

Duncan is dense. The combination of Beth and Rachael constantly bringing him to task honestly had me laughing loudly and for a long time. I mean… we women do have a tendency to run our men ragged at times, and I love the loving fear that they instill I their men. That, and the great combination of past and present in this incredibly cute romance.

<- More Sandy BlairA Rogue in a Kilt ->

Image source: Goodreads

(Like a) Virgin of the Spring by Susan Sizemore

Book Review, , ,
Overview
Image result for the mammoth book of hot romance book cover

Title: (Like a) Virgin of the Spring
Author: Susan Sizemore
In: The Mammoth Book of Hot Romance (Sonia Florens)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Time travel
Dates read: 31st March 2021
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2011
5th sentence, 74th page: She was looking at him with enough pride in her eyes to set his heart on fire.

Synopsis

She’s a time travelling researcher who is stuck out of her time. But, when this Priestess finds herself rescued, she manages to find a whole lot more.

Thoughts

I really loved all of the unexpected twists and turns throughout this short story. At the beginning, I had no idea that there was a time travel aspect to this story. And when I found out that there was and started putting things together… well, I just continued to fall more and more deeply in love with this story.

There is a whole heap of lust throughout this story as well. It’s a bit intense at times, but, honestly, in the best way possible. I love that you can feel the heat just slipping off the pages… it made it very fun and spine tingling to read. But, I’m coming to expect that from Susan Sizemore.

As with many short stories that I enjoy – I want more. I loved this idea of time travelling and felt like it was executed very, very well. Not something that I can always say about time travel stories. But, alas, I think that this might be a standalone. One that I’ll just have to read again.

<- The Mammoth Book of Hot RomanceCrimean Fairy Tale ->

Image source: London Borough of Bexley

Meanwhile, Far Across the Caspian Sea… by Daniel Stashower

Book Review, , ,
Overview
Image result for death's excellent vacation book cover

Title: Meanwhile, Far Across the Caspian Sea…
Author: Daniel Stashower
In: Death’s Excellent Vacation (Charlaine Harris & Toni L.P. Kelner)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal fantasy, Time travel
Dates read: 31st October 2020
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Gollancz
Year: 2010
5th sentence, 74th page: ‘I want to – ‘

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Synopsis

Jeff Clarke has a new job as a researcher at LifeSpan. But when he catches the attention of the office recluse, he finds himself in a whole heap of trouble.

Thoughts

This was an intriguing and unexpected short story. At first I was a bit “eh” about it. It was fun and interesting, but I wasn’t completely drawn in. And I was most certainly wondering what this had to do with vacations. But then, at the very end, everything began to make sense. Which made everything all that much better in hindsight.

This was just fun, entertaining and a lot, lot of fun. I liked Jeff’s work ethic and I thought that his drive to discover the truth was kind of awesome. Plus, there was that whole idea that a whole new reality was opened up to him just because he had an awesome work ethic.

A fun, enjoyable and nice way to spend a spot of afternoon time. This was most definitely a short story that I will be reading again.

<- One for the MoneyThe Innsmouth Nook ->

Image source: Amazon

Maybe Another Time by Dean Wesley Smith

Book Review, , ,
Overview
Image result for westward weird book cover

Title: Maybe Another Time
Author: Dean Wesley Smith
In: Westward Weird (Martin H. Greenberg & Kerrie Hughes)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Time travel, Weird western
Dates read: 24th October 2020
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Daw Books
Year: 2012
5th sentence, 74th page: If I weren’t so scared, I’d be stunned at the beauty of it all.

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Synopsis

Brenda and her husband are travelling through time from 2016 to the 1800s and back again. What they discover will blow your mind.

Thoughts

I absolutely loved the time travelling theme in this story. It was completely unexpected, joyful and wonderful. It also dealt with time travel in a way that I understood better than I had expected. After all, I frequently find time travel stories to be seriously difficult and convoluted.

Brenda and her husband (isn’t it weird that whilst writing this, I remember her name, but not his?), are a really kick ass couple. Physicist and mathematician. Both with a thirst for knowledge and an interest in discovering the truth. The fact that this leads to time travel, mining and numerous realities that weren’t expected… all that much better in my book.

The crystals in this story reflect the insane and complex nature of time travel. The multitude of ways in which time travel can be explained. The different paths that one decision can cause…. It will give me a headache if I think about it for too much longer…

<- Coyote, Spider, BatRenn and the Little Men ->

Image source: Amazon

Strong Medicine by Tad Williams

Book Review, , ,
Overview
Image result for dead man's hand book cover

Title: Strong Medicine
Author: Tad Williams
In: Dead Man’s Hand (John Joseph Adams)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Time travel, Weird western
Dates read: 11th October 2020
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Titan Books
Year: 2014
5th sentence, 74th page: The footprints were each more than a yard across, and the creature had also left a pile of dung as big as a wheelbarrow, now being swamped by beetles as big as dinner plates.

Buy The Book Now at The Book Depository, Free Delivery World Wide

Synopsis

Every Midsummer, the town moves through time. But, every thirty-nine years, it moves just a little bit farther than expected. Which, needless to say, can be quite dangerous.

Thoughts

I really liked the idea in this story – that a small town moves every year at Midsummer. Not in space, but in time. It made for a very interesting and imaginative story that I really didn’t want to put down. I thoroughly enjoyed it and would like to read more about this tiny, off-kilter town. A nice dream, even if it isn’t likely to happen. I guess I’ll just have to reread this short story at some point in the future…

The twist at the end of this story as to who the town’s “protector” was and his origins story… that just made everything about this so much better and more intriguing. Hitting me right in the happy place. I love that it wasn’t quite what I would have suspected, a pleasant little twist to finish off a pleasant short story.

All of the ideas throughout this story were brilliant. But what I truly loved most was the whole idea of an 1800s Wild West village… fighting dinosaurs. You honestly can’t get much better imagery than that in my book!

<- Madam Damnable’s Sewing CircleRed Dreams ->

Image source: Amazon

Unremembered by Jessica Brody

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview
Unremembered (Unremembered, #1) by Jessica Brody

Title: Unremembered
Author: Jessica Brody
Series: Unremembered #1
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Romance, Science fiction, Time travel, Young adult
Dates read: 29th June 2020
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Square Fish
Year: 2013
5th sentence, 74th page: Especially given you… well, celebrity status.

Buy The Book Now at The Book Depository, Free Delivery World Wide

Synopsis

When Freedom airlines flight 121 went down, they didn’t expect to find anyone. Alive, that is.

But there was one survivor. Which is why a sixteen-year-old girl discovered floating among the wreckage – alive – is making headlines across the globe.

Even stranger is that her body is miraculously unharmed and she has no memories of boarding the plane. She has no memories of her life before the crash. She has no memories period.

Crippled by a world she doesn’t know, plagued by abilities she doesn’t understand, and haunted by a looming threat she can’t remember, Seraphina struggles to piece together her forgotten past and discover who she really is. Her only hope is a strangely alluring boy who claims to know her from before the crash. Who claims they were in love. but can she really trust him? Can she trust anyone?

Thoughts

I’ve had this book sitting on my shelf for quite a while. Ever since I read Unstolen. It looked kind of cute and intriguing. But honestly, that was the extent of my thought process. It was always a book that I’ll get to at some point. And then I needed a book with a title starting with a U for a reading challenge… and wow. This is not just good. It is ridiculously good. I actually couldn’t believe how much this pulled me in. And just how quickly.

Alright, so this is a bit of a teeny little romance. Which is why I gave it one less star than I probably would have otherwise given it. I do tend to find that star-crossed lovers can get a bit of an overbearing trope. And for the majority of this novel, that was kind of how I felt about that main relationship. But then… but then it really started to develop. As more of Sera’s history was revealed, her relationship with Zen became less and less irritating and more and more developed. And now? Now I can’t wait to see how that will develop in the next two books in this trilogy. Started out a bit eh, but the relationship quickly built upon itself and developed into a great aspect of the storyline.

I knew that there was a time travel aspect to this novel. After all, it says so on Goodreads. But this wasn’t quite the time travel that I was expecting. There is surprise after surprise throughout this novel that makes you constantly reconfigure and question the whole time travel angle. And at the very ending? You’re still kind of questioning things. Still wondering if you have all of the information about time travel locked away into your brain. And what you’ve probably missed… it makes for a seriously intriguing and great way to tell a time travel story.

Aside from the teeny / young adult storyline and the very unique take on time travel… I absolutely adored how Brody is able to play with the idea of memories and thoughts all the way throughout this story. In each and every moment, you’re questioning what is real and what is manufactured. And how memories can be stored. How much influence memories actually have on our personalities… it’s a fascinating realm to play with and Brody did an absolutely fantastic job of making you think through each and every sentence.

<- More Jessica BrodyUnstolen ->

Image source: Goodreads