This box set contains 3 complete Books 4-6 of the Out of Time Series - The Devil's Due (Book #4), Thursday's Child (Book #5, and Sands of Time (Book #6).
The Devil's Due Time travelers Simon and Elizabeth return in book four of the Out of Time series.
Simon and Elizabeth's plans for their honeymoon are interrupted when they discover a list of unfinished business hidden in Simon's grandfather's journal. Picking up where Grandfather Sebastian left off, Simon and Elizabeth, along with Jack Wells, travel to glamorous 1933 Hollywood to save the life of movie star Alan Grant. But the Golden Age of Hollywood is more than parties and premieres. Behind the bright lights and bigger-than-life contracts, shadows lurk and no one is what they seem. It's a place where people will do anything for fame and fortune. And if Simon and Elizabeth fail, more than a man's life might be lost.
Thursday's Child
The Crosses -- renowned Professor of the Occult Simon and irrepressible Elizabeth -- set off on their latest time traveling adventure. Leaving Jack behind to nurse his broken heart, the couple travels to 1852 Natchez, Mississippi to help the next person on grandfather Sebastian's list, Mary Stewart. There's just one problem. Little Mary Stewart, just 8 years old, died two days ago.
Mary's spirit cannot rest until Simon and Elizabeth solve the mystery of both her life and death. But Mary cannot speak, and there are those who are willing to kill to keep the past buried
Simon and Elizabeth discover first-hand that dark secrets in the Antebellum South hide pasts murkier than the river bottom and twice as dangerous.
Sands of Time The Crosses--high-spirited Elizabeth and her brilliant Professor of the Occult husband, Simon--find themselves, along with Jack Wells, in 1920 Cairo on a special assignment for the Council for Temporal Studies. It seems like a simple enough mission---find a missing pocket watch and bring it back to the present. The only problem is, they're not the only ones looking. With danger lurking around every corner, Simon and Elizabeth race against a shadowy foe who is after far more than just a watch. The price for success this time just might be their lives.
Don't miss the rest of the Out of Time series or the spin-off series, Saving Time!
Monique was born in Houston, Texas, but her family soon moved to Southern California. She grew up on both coasts, living in Connecticut and California. She currently resides in Southern California with her naughty Siamese cat, Monkey.
Monique attended the University of Southern California's Film School where she earned a BFA from the Filmic Writing department. Monique worked in television for several years before joining the family business. She now works full-time as a freelance writer and novelist. Her novels Out of Time, When the Walls Fell, Fragments & The Devil's Due are the first three books in the Out of Time series.
She's currently working on an adaptation of one of her screenplays, her father's memoirs about his time in the Air Force's Air Rescue Service and the next book in the Out of Time series.
I just finished a "binge" of reading all 6 books in this series.
Over all, I liked the series. There are good descriptions of history, convincing characters, plots and villains and some nice inclusions of the paranormal (although it stays in the time-travel genre, without falling into the full urban-paranormal scene).
It has good plots and a decent story - but after 6 books in the series, I keep wondering when Elizabeth, the female lead, (who convinces and tempts Simon, the male lead, into the various plots) is actually going to DO something other than swoon, look lovingly at her husband or whine and badger him into doing something he doesn't want to do "because he loves her too much to let her do it alone". Yes, she often runs off and gets herself into trouble because of it... at which point, instead of doing something herself, she mostly waits, terrified, but confident that Simon will find some way to rescue her.
Elizabeth is a girl from the modern age. She was brought up by a gambler father who (it is implied) had run-ins with unsavory characters... And yet, Elizabeth is nearly the opposite sort of adult from what I would imagine such a child would grow into. I can understand the bookish nature, the desire to succeed and make something of herself... but she's WEAK physically, emotionally and mentally. In an age where self-defense lessons for women are not only accepted, but encouraged, Elizabeth still shudders at picking up a gun. She futilly tries to fight off the men who "are much stronger than she is" (variations on this line are stated, several times, throughout the books). She does figure out some of the puzzles, but it's just as often someone else who gives her the final piece.
She doesn't have to be a Xena to be strong... seriously, is this how the author actually perceives women? I am disappointed that this series is written by a woman with a female lead character who could have been much more than she is currently written. In the first book, it seemed that she might have a journey into strength throughout the series. She started off OK and could have become great. Instead, she has gotten progressively more dependent and weaker as the series moves along.
Unless something changes in the next book(s), this will probably be the last book that I read from this author.
This series of books had me gripped from start to finish. The plot lines are intricately woven across time and the writing draws you in, you can believe that you are in mid 19th century Mississippi or 1920s Egypt with ease. Through it all is the enduring love between the two main characters that cements the series and keeps pulses racing.
The Devil's Due (Out of Time #4) Time travelers Simon and Elizabeth return in book four of the Out of Time series. Simon and Elizabeth's plans for their honeymoon are interrupted when they discover a list of unfinished business hidden in Simon's grandfather's journal. Picking up where Grandfather Sebastian left off, Simon and Elizabeth, along with Jack Wells, travel to glamorous 1933 Hollywood to save the life of movie star Alan Grant. But the Golden Age of Hollywood is more than parties and premieres. Behind the bright lights and bigger-than-life contracts, shadows lurk and no one is what they seem. It's a place where people will do anything for fame and fortune. And if Simon and Elizabeth fail, more than a man's life might be lost. I read this story and was glad it was finished. I don't like the way Elizabeth is regarded as though she is on a pedestal but not capable. There are two more stories in this box set and I will eventually get to them.
Overall, a lot better than the first three books. The writing is still stellar, but there is a lot less focus on romance and more emphasis on adventure and mystery. As a result, the plots are more complex and engaging. That said, the plot "twists" are very predictable and obvious, and the characters, though likeable, are very one-dimensional. Also, Simon's expertise in the occult really does not figure in any of the stories at all. He might as well be a janitor for all that it matters to his role in these stories. Kinda of disappointing since there is a lot of potential to explore there. Finally, the dynamic between Simon and Elizabeth is somewhat annoying. Possessiveness and jealousy are not cute or romantic. In any case, it's an entertaining, light read and is quite enjoyable for what it is. Just don't expect a masterpiece.
Nothing in Elizabeth & Simon’s life is ever ordinary. Or dull. Or easy. This set of the “Out of Time Series Box Set II” (Books 4-6) definitely lives up to that. Monique Martin is a masterful storyteller describing the area with such detail it makes you feel like you are there. My only quibble is with the character Simon.
Why does Simon go, psycho jealous husband every time a man smiles at Elizabeth? It’s boring. It has been done over & over. Is he not secure in Elizabeth’s love? Does he not trust his wife? He should just laugh at their attempts because Elizabeth loves him and only him, forever & ever.
There are 3 stories in this boxed set of books and they are all of similar caliber. None stand out but all are enjoyable. Elizabeth and Simon do their thing solving mysteries helping people who need help and putting things right. The only problem is that they seem to have picked up a most dangerous enemy who also has the ability to travel through time. I imagine she will be showing up again in the next group of stories. I'm not sure how I feel about a repeat villain. But even Sherlock Holmes had his Moriarty, so I'll reserve judgment.
A fun and delightful read just like the first three books in Out Of Time series. Many of the characters seem to share the same group of personality traits, both positive and negative. In spite of that, or perhaps because of it, the central characters of each book are fun and interesting as the reader shares in their timely adventures. Entertaining and easy to follow story lines in every installment of the series. Also type and grammar errors are minimal so not much to criticize in that respect. I thoroughly enjoyed the first six book in Time.
These books helped me forget the trials of the day and relax. The plots are enough dissimilar that I didn't get bored. The places we went back in time are well researched and the descriptions excellent. As I read them I could easily picture myself there. Really entertaining with both mystery and humor.
3 more books in the series! This time Hollywood in the 30's, Natchez in the 1850's and Egypt in the 1920's. What can I say, these are just fun little books about time travel. I generally glaze over the romance pages and get back to the fun romp through history. Just easy summer reading.
I love the characters, I love her style of writing, I love the humor when it comes. Looking forward to the next book. I know it will be as good as the others are!
I have truly enjoyed this book series. Great characters, this is the main draw for me. I can handle silly plots and bad editing but I need to love the characters. Fortunately, I have found the plots very interesting. Romance, suspense, humor, time travel twist, just an easy and fun read.
I like that the author allowed those who only read this story to understand the past events, with subtle reference. The book is well written pulling you into the story. The concept of time travel is intriguing. I really thought that the traveling back to the past to solve mysteries was fascinating. The author did her homework because the reader really knows the mindset of the societies traveled to. The characters are well rounded and have a likability, even the villains seem to have reasons to be as they are, in these stories. Elizabeth is my favorite character. She is a brave woman who speaks her mind and yet seems so prim and proper. I especially love that the series is weaving suspenseful twists yet to come. I look forward to future books. The story is a bit violent, but never gory. It speaks of love, but not of the sordid deals. It seems safe for a younger reader.I like that the author allowed those who only read one story to understand the past events, with subtle reference. The book is well written pulling you into the story. The characters are well rounded and have a likability, even the villains seem to have a reason to be as they are, in the story. I especially love that the series is weaving suspenseful twists yet to come. I look forward to future books. The story is a bit violent, but never gory. It speaks on love, but not of the sordid deals. It seems safe for a younger reader. I read this for the Book Curmudgeon and gave it five stars
Just finished the second set of books - 4, 5, and 6. Were the next 3 books as good as the first three books? Sadly no.........They were better!!!! I can't wait to get started on the 7th book!! These books are absolutely fantastic!! You feel as if you were right there with Elizabeth, Simon and Jack in whatever time they are in!! Gotta go, book 7 is calling to me........