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Sage, Rosemary, and Time: A Magical Bookshop Novella
In 1967 as a gifted pianist with a scholarship awaiting her at the prestigious Curtis Institute Of Music, Rosemary Scott’s future seems bright. However, her world is shattered when her brother is drafted into the Vietnam War, and her mother receives a devastating cancer diagnosis.
Forced to abandon her aspirations and care for her ailing mother, Rosemary's world becomes a blur of responsibilities and sacrifices. While running an errand, Rosemary stumbles upon a mysterious bookshop that transports her to the year 1764. In this unfamiliar world, she narrowly escapes a carriage accident and finds refuge with the dashing Leo Abernathy.
Amidst political tensions and personal struggles, Rosemary finds herself torn between her affection for Leo and the responsibilities awaiting her in her own time. Yet, when the owner of the magical bookshop presents Rosemary with a choice, she must confront the ultimate decision.
Will she forsake everything she knows and remain in 1764, or will she summon the strength to return to her own time, prioritizing her family above all else?
Forced to abandon her aspirations and care for her ailing mother, Rosemary's world becomes a blur of responsibilities and sacrifices. While running an errand, Rosemary stumbles upon a mysterious bookshop that transports her to the year 1764. In this unfamiliar world, she narrowly escapes a carriage accident and finds refuge with the dashing Leo Abernathy.
Amidst political tensions and personal struggles, Rosemary finds herself torn between her affection for Leo and the responsibilities awaiting her in her own time. Yet, when the owner of the magical bookshop presents Rosemary with a choice, she must confront the ultimate decision.
Will she forsake everything she knows and remain in 1764, or will she summon the strength to return to her own time, prioritizing her family above all else?
134 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 7, 2023
10 people are currently reading
1 person want to read
About the author
Harmke Buursma
6 books7 followersHarmke Buursma is a writer, and author of the novel Rose Through Time. She uses her background in Journalism to help build her characters and worlds. When she isn't writing, she likes to read as many books as she can get her hands on. Originally born and raised in The Netherlands, Harmke now lives in Las Vegas with her husband and two dogs.
5* Review by K.C. Finn for Reader's Favorite
Penned by author Harmke Buursma, Rose Through Time: A Magical Bookshop Novel is a work of fiction in the fantasy, historical romance, and interpersonal drama subgenres. This enticing love story follows central protagonist Rose Hart from her modern life in the Southwest of the United States to another century. A discovery in her late grandmother’s belongings sends her on a fantastical journey to England hundreds of years in the past. Here the handsome John Easton takes her in as a guest. Thus Rose begins her wild adventure filled with colorful characters from the English countryside. Before Rose completes her journey, she must decide what is important to her.
Combining elements of contemporary romance with time travel and Regency-era drama, author Harmke Buursma has crafted a fantastic work of romantic fiction with plenty of thrills, chills, and historical touches to delight readers from cover to cover. The pacing of the story was perfect, and I admired the creation of the story world. I appreciated how the author, in true Regency fashion, ensured that intrigue infused every chapter. The well-written storyline observes the main character as she encounters the more sharp-edged rogues and discovers their motivations. Her heartfelt experiences are the core of the story. The dialogue was well-balanced between an older style of formalized English and a modern dialect, making it easy to understand from a contemporary perspective. Overall, I recommend Rose Through Time to fans of historical romance, time travel dramas, and readers of Regency fiction everywhere.
5* Review by Pikasho Deka for Readers' Favorite
William Through Time is the second book of the Magical Bookshop series by Harmke Buursma. After serving years in the harrowing Napoleonic War, William Chambers returns home to his apartment in Albany, London, brokenhearted. He receives a letter from his best friend, John Easton, who once again invites him to the Hawthorne estate in Westbridge. Warmly welcomed by the Easton family, William is a bit taken aback when John introduces him to a man named Austin Miller. To William's surprise, he learns that Austin, like John's wife Rose, also came from the future through a portal at an American bookshop. As the days go by, William and Austin become ever closer. But the entrance of a devious Captain Tremblay changes everything. Will William suffer another heartache? Can Austin and William find their happy ending?
A mesmerizing tale of forbidden love, friendship, and time travel set in the Regency era in England, William Through Time breezes past without a single hitch. Author Harmke Buursma weaves a captivating story of two star-crossed lovers who find each other in the most extraordinary circumstances. Rich in history and infused with colorful characters, the narrative doesn't have a single dull moment, and Buursma's smooth prose makes it an absolute delight. Although William's relationship with Austin is the primary focus of the narrative, the other characters also bring something of their own to the story. Apart from William and Austin, I also enjoyed the dynamic between William and John. If you love romantic dramas set in historical settings, I recommend William Through Time.
5* Review by K.C. Finn for Reader's Favorite
Penned by author Harmke Buursma, Rose Through Time: A Magical Bookshop Novel is a work of fiction in the fantasy, historical romance, and interpersonal drama subgenres. This enticing love story follows central protagonist Rose Hart from her modern life in the Southwest of the United States to another century. A discovery in her late grandmother’s belongings sends her on a fantastical journey to England hundreds of years in the past. Here the handsome John Easton takes her in as a guest. Thus Rose begins her wild adventure filled with colorful characters from the English countryside. Before Rose completes her journey, she must decide what is important to her.
Combining elements of contemporary romance with time travel and Regency-era drama, author Harmke Buursma has crafted a fantastic work of romantic fiction with plenty of thrills, chills, and historical touches to delight readers from cover to cover. The pacing of the story was perfect, and I admired the creation of the story world. I appreciated how the author, in true Regency fashion, ensured that intrigue infused every chapter. The well-written storyline observes the main character as she encounters the more sharp-edged rogues and discovers their motivations. Her heartfelt experiences are the core of the story. The dialogue was well-balanced between an older style of formalized English and a modern dialect, making it easy to understand from a contemporary perspective. Overall, I recommend Rose Through Time to fans of historical romance, time travel dramas, and readers of Regency fiction everywhere.
5* Review by Pikasho Deka for Readers' Favorite
William Through Time is the second book of the Magical Bookshop series by Harmke Buursma. After serving years in the harrowing Napoleonic War, William Chambers returns home to his apartment in Albany, London, brokenhearted. He receives a letter from his best friend, John Easton, who once again invites him to the Hawthorne estate in Westbridge. Warmly welcomed by the Easton family, William is a bit taken aback when John introduces him to a man named Austin Miller. To William's surprise, he learns that Austin, like John's wife Rose, also came from the future through a portal at an American bookshop. As the days go by, William and Austin become ever closer. But the entrance of a devious Captain Tremblay changes everything. Will William suffer another heartache? Can Austin and William find their happy ending?
A mesmerizing tale of forbidden love, friendship, and time travel set in the Regency era in England, William Through Time breezes past without a single hitch. Author Harmke Buursma weaves a captivating story of two star-crossed lovers who find each other in the most extraordinary circumstances. Rich in history and infused with colorful characters, the narrative doesn't have a single dull moment, and Buursma's smooth prose makes it an absolute delight. Although William's relationship with Austin is the primary focus of the narrative, the other characters also bring something of their own to the story. Apart from William and Austin, I also enjoyed the dynamic between William and John. If you love romantic dramas set in historical settings, I recommend William Through Time.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
December 5, 2023
Absolutely loved it. What every book or person needs is some time travel in their life. Rosemary is able to travel thru time to get to 1764 due to the bookstore. It's there she meets Leo, realizing that spending time with him she could fall in love. He falls for her also, wishing that they can be together. She is able to help him with his father and also what happened to them in their past. She also has family issues that she is dealing with . Her brother is in a war fighting and her mother is sick with cancer, not doing well. She will have to choose between her family or Leo when the main traveler shows up. Can't wait to read the next book in this series. Would strongly recommend.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 4, 2023
This was a charming historical fantasy romance novella. I found it enjoyable to read in one sitting. I would say that it sort of warmed my heart and tugged at my heartstrings at the same time, because there were some moments that I found really bittersweet. I thought the author brought the story to life beautifully, and reading it felt like a little escape, as though I had escaped to another time and place with Rosemary.
Thank you to Booksprout and the author for a free copy to review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Thank you to Booksprout and the author for a free copy to review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 26, 2024
It was a delicate dance of secrets and trust, and I couldn't afford to stumble.
A standalone prequel to Harmke Buursma’s A Magical Bookshop Novel series, Sage, Rosemary, and Time is a tale that whisks us into Rosemary Scott’s world, a talented young pianist whose life takes an unexpected turn in 1967 due to family obligations and a mysterious discovery in a magical bookshop. This historical romance with a time-travel twist pulls you in with some wonderful world-building, transporting you effortlessly between eras. Yet, while the author’s writing style is enchanting, the story’s pace is a tad uneven, and perhaps too many threads are left untied. There’s a bit of a struggle with some deductions and quick relationships that also feel slightly unrealistic. However, what sets this novella apart is its unique approach to a well-known trope; unlike typical books on time-travel, it begins in the past (1967) before introducing a secondary timeline in 1764, and despite the rushed narrative, the immersive experience of the past era is undeniable. The book’s abrupt ending leaves a lot unresolved, and while the story captivates, it falls short in delivering a satisfying closure. If you’re into historical romances with time-bending elements, this short read could appeal to you!
Website | Bookstagram | BookTok
A standalone prequel to Harmke Buursma’s A Magical Bookshop Novel series, Sage, Rosemary, and Time is a tale that whisks us into Rosemary Scott’s world, a talented young pianist whose life takes an unexpected turn in 1967 due to family obligations and a mysterious discovery in a magical bookshop. This historical romance with a time-travel twist pulls you in with some wonderful world-building, transporting you effortlessly between eras. Yet, while the author’s writing style is enchanting, the story’s pace is a tad uneven, and perhaps too many threads are left untied. There’s a bit of a struggle with some deductions and quick relationships that also feel slightly unrealistic. However, what sets this novella apart is its unique approach to a well-known trope; unlike typical books on time-travel, it begins in the past (1967) before introducing a secondary timeline in 1764, and despite the rushed narrative, the immersive experience of the past era is undeniable. The book’s abrupt ending leaves a lot unresolved, and while the story captivates, it falls short in delivering a satisfying closure. If you’re into historical romances with time-bending elements, this short read could appeal to you!
Website | Bookstagram | BookTok
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews