Two years in Afghanistan; four years working for MI-5, the British security service; and the death of both of his parents from cancer. At the age of thirty-four, Callum thought he’d experienced the worst that life could throw at him. That is, until his boss ordered him to open a buried file on his desk and to take it seriously. His new to detain and question a pregnant woman and her ailing husband—and if need be, to stop them from returning to medieval Wales. Until today, Callum believed in his job and always followed orders. Until today, he thought time travel wasn’t real …
With over a million books sold to date, Sarah Woodbury is the author of more than forty novels, all set in medieval Wales. Although an anthropologist by training, and then a full-time homeschooling mom for twenty years, she began writing fiction when the stories in her head overflowed and demanded that she let them out. While her ancestry is Welsh, she only visited Wales for the first time at university. She has been in love with the country, language, and people ever since. She even convinced her husband to give all four of their children Welsh names.
Sarah is a member of the Historical Authors Fiction Cooperative (HFAC), the Historical Novel Society, and Novelists, Inc. (NINC).
Though set in Scotland, rather than Wales, this installment was well written and the characters were heartfelt. I hope to see another book in the series, hopefully Cassie and Bronwen can get together and shock the court with their outlandish behavior. And Cullen definitely needs more time on stage to battle his demons. He is such a sweet guy, and I'm sure fatherhood would sit well with him.
Most of this book takes place in Scotland and while it gives callum a chance to shine, it also loses some of the charm. There are a lot of new characters introduced and not one but two new time travelers. Although to be fair one of them is not a surprise if you've been paying attention to how the mechanics of time travel work in this universe.
Honestly I was waiting for this. It's been a Loose end for a while.
That being said, I'm not a huge fan of Cassie. She's got some interesting points but she's a little flat and one note.
The best parts again are the politics.
I'm still enjoying but I'm starting to want to put a limit of time travelers. Medieval Wales is starting to look about as much of a temporal hotspot as pre-Culloden Scotland.
Which makes this entry almost ironic all things considered. Although I will admit the small "take that" to the typical transportation tropes was laugh out loud hilarious.
While I love this series and I'm always intrigued by the political landscape of medieval times, this was not my favorite book.
I wasn't able to connect as much with these characters. I think I just really missed David, Anna, Meg and that whole gang. I just so invested in their lives I want only want to read about this.
I will continue to read this series and looking forward to the next book in the series!
Fascinated by the idea of dealing with a different time, either forward or backward. That this excellently written book is set in Scotland makes it's a total win for me.
Woodbury manages two very believable characters from the 21st Century, and how they would handle a medieval life. Add in a mystery, political intrigue and DOING THE RIGHT THING, and the story is a total win.
Enjoyed getting to know Callum better and meeting Cassie, even though their ending was a foregone conclusion from the moment they met. Was good to see Marty, and know that he's doing well, and the move to Scotland was fun. It'll be interesting to see how the time travellers' influence works out there.
As a fellow Welshphile, particularly of the medieval period, I am enjoying this series enormously. It’s like meeting a kindred spirit after a long drought without them. Add to that that my family tree traces back to the Stewart and Bruce kings I was a happy camper as I read Exiles in Time. It was a fun read and well researched. Despite that the cornerstone of the plot made no sense to me given that it was not David but Callum and Kirby who made the trip because if David was still alive and in play the conspirators’ plan was a house of cards. The onsite puppet master manipulating the factions knew David wasn’t coming. And while my confusion began in the previous book, Callum and Cassie’s discussion of their displacement in time and a different world raised again why MI5 was so intent on stopping Meg from returning to Earth II. Given the original source of their information they would know that the past the time jumpers were going to was not their own so it was neither a threat or a weapon to be used to change their future or past. So why the urgency and resources spent to gain what could only gain them knowledge they could not use or duplicate? No one ever asks Collum (though he’s low enough on the totem pole he probably doesn’t know). These niggling questions are beginning to chafe my willing suspicion of disbelief while impressing me with the writing, research and imagination of Woodbury’s unfolding series.
This one lacked any depth for me. Both the characters and the storyline failed to inspire or intrigue. I think it was meant to be a romance, but there was little to none of that. I think the MC and his lady friend kissed twice. Maybe three times and held hands... If it was supposed to be a history makeover, I guess it sort of did that. As far as SF/F, just no. Other than taking a couple of modern people and throwing them back in time, with one of them holding a service pistol (I believe members of MI 5 don't carry guns as a general rule, so why did this Callum guy have one?) and another toting a modern recurve bow, there was nothing. Spoiler to follow. I was most disappointed with the ending. I don't know or care how things happened back in the day, but the story was building toward a final epic battle. Then, when all these hot-head nobles came together for the big clash, they all decided to sit down and have a nice brunch instead. Bleh.
This is a filler book for the series. It's not necessary to any part of the series up to this point and is written like a filler book. I do like the characters except Cassie. She's the wannabe feminist of the series and is beyond obnoxious. Callum and Cassie do not make a good pair. She degrades everyone around her and believes herself above the customs of the people. Most of what she says is unbelievable and inconsistent. She's lived there for years and knows nothing about the people or culture. She's a waste of character. Callum deserves a strong woman by his side not someone who will second guess everything he does and speak over him every chance she gets. Cassie ruins this book.
Another exciting instalment from alternative Britain! No longer confined to only Wales this time we get to know some new characters and travel to Scotland. Callum is sent to Scotland by David to help with determining the next King of Scotland, on the way he meets Cassie who arrived in the alternative Middle Ages completely by accident and has been surviving on her wits alone in the Scottish highlands. Cassie helps Callum with help after an ambush and their adventure together begins.
Yet another great read in this fantastic series, Sarah creates a marvellous world with such great characters and grips you right from the start.
I really liked the premise that this is travel to the past in an alternate reality. Without having to continually take care not to.change history the characters could move the story forward in ways that increased enjoyment.
Sarah Woodbury has crafted a wonderful place outside of history filled with honorable men and women, villians, war, death, new births, hate and love.
I recommend this work to all who enjoy a book full of drama, excitement, well developed characters and some romance too.
In this installment we venture to Scotland. Call in is sent by the king to seat a king for Scotland and hope to head off civil war among the clans. After his entourage is ambushed he meets Cassie. She turns out to have traveled when Meg flew. We also meet the pilot who survived and became a village leader. Cassie is really reluctant to continue the relationship with Callun when she learns he is an Earl.
This was like beginning a new story line with back history already in place. I loved the new relationship portrayed and believe they will be two of my favorite characters. Totally enjoyed the way political intrigue motivated the progression of the saga. Next book please.
Callum was a soldier turned MI5. He traveled through time trying to stop someone from leaving. Now he is stuck in the Middle Ages. He meets another time traveler named Cassie while on a mission to Scotland. This is an exciting adventure of war and plots, betrayal and double cross all to select a new Scottish king. Most enjoyable.
The introduction of 2 new characters, Callum and Cassie, and the shifting of the setting to Scotland enlivens the series after the earlier focus on Wales and England. While I enjoyed the previous books (and loved the first couple), this one raced a mile a minute and I hated to put it down.
Right now, my greatest regret is only saving this series for when I'm on holiday abroad. Good stories breed good stories, and this semi-offshoot from the original series and trajectory is a very good story. Great stuff.
I was wondering if a description of what had happened to call an in Scotland would come up...and I loved the book whether it was a stand alone or not. Always/p griffith