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The Stars of Time #1
The Year of Fallen Stars
An unsolved Victorian murder forces together the son of an English crime lord in 1881 and a Canadian woman living over a century later, in this thrilling time-travel trilogy.
In 1881, Henry Asheford—heir to a smuggling empire—is living in solitude in his country estate in Cornwall, England. A once free spirit, his life crumbled after the death of his brother and grandfather. Afflicted by anxiety and haunted by a past drug addiction, he struggles to keep his head above water, making life seem increasingly hopeless.
Over a century later, in 2018, Evaline Quinn has come to Cornwall from Canada to clean out her deceased father’s cottage. Searching for closure, she discovers evidence of an old cold case murder linked to the Asheford family, plunging her straight onto the front steps of Henry’s country estate … one hundred and thirty-seven years in the past.
Linked by a violent act, Henry and Eva must work together with a single purpose: to return Eva to her time by locating a missing time-travelling device. But their plan is put on hold by increasingly dangerous circumstances…
A forbidden desire.
A dutiful secret.
A gut-wrenching sacrifice.
Trapped in a battle between rising passion and doing the right thing, Henry and Eva will learn that to get what they most desire, self-sacrifice may be the only way forward.
Can Henry survive his father’s madness and scheme his way to help Eva return to her time?
Will Eva survive the unpredictable twists of nineteenth-century drama caused by the deadly secrets of the Asheford family and return to her world?
Whatever decisions are made will have long-lasting, far-reaching consequences…
In 1881, Henry Asheford—heir to a smuggling empire—is living in solitude in his country estate in Cornwall, England. A once free spirit, his life crumbled after the death of his brother and grandfather. Afflicted by anxiety and haunted by a past drug addiction, he struggles to keep his head above water, making life seem increasingly hopeless.
Over a century later, in 2018, Evaline Quinn has come to Cornwall from Canada to clean out her deceased father’s cottage. Searching for closure, she discovers evidence of an old cold case murder linked to the Asheford family, plunging her straight onto the front steps of Henry’s country estate … one hundred and thirty-seven years in the past.
Linked by a violent act, Henry and Eva must work together with a single purpose: to return Eva to her time by locating a missing time-travelling device. But their plan is put on hold by increasingly dangerous circumstances…
A forbidden desire.
A dutiful secret.
A gut-wrenching sacrifice.
Trapped in a battle between rising passion and doing the right thing, Henry and Eva will learn that to get what they most desire, self-sacrifice may be the only way forward.
Can Henry survive his father’s madness and scheme his way to help Eva return to her time?
Will Eva survive the unpredictable twists of nineteenth-century drama caused by the deadly secrets of the Asheford family and return to her world?
Whatever decisions are made will have long-lasting, far-reaching consequences…
385 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 1, 2024
155 people are currently reading
364 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
October 19, 2023
I'm absolutely thrilled about "The Year of the Fallen Stars," a trilogy by Ann-Elizabeth Wittke. This book truly comes alive with its fusion of time, love, and spine-tingling intrigue.
Imagine this: In 1881, we're introduced to Henry Asheford, the scion of a smuggling empire, battling heart-pounding anxiety and grappling with his own demons. Fast forward to 2018, where Evaline Quinn thrusts herself into an age-old murder mystery involving the Asheford family. But here's the kicker – she's catapulted back in time to the 19th century. What!
Henry and Eva, bound by a shared event, embark on a pulse-pounding journey through time, wrestling with an irresistible attraction that sends shockwaves across the ages. Set against the backdrop of opulent Victorian splendour, their story crackles with secrets and forbidden relationships.
Duty and desire collide in a high-octane showdown, and Henry and Eva are forced into heart-pounding decisions. Can Henry outmaneuver his cunning father to send Eva back to her own time? Will Eva survive the dark Asheford family secrets?
Wittke's storytelling sweeps you into a whirlwind of emotions and clashing eras right from page one. "The Year of the Fallen Stars" is an adventure that's impossible to resist – a blend of romance, time travel, and mystery that will have you on the edge of your seat! Trust me, you won't be able to put this thrilling book down!
Imagine this: In 1881, we're introduced to Henry Asheford, the scion of a smuggling empire, battling heart-pounding anxiety and grappling with his own demons. Fast forward to 2018, where Evaline Quinn thrusts herself into an age-old murder mystery involving the Asheford family. But here's the kicker – she's catapulted back in time to the 19th century. What!
Henry and Eva, bound by a shared event, embark on a pulse-pounding journey through time, wrestling with an irresistible attraction that sends shockwaves across the ages. Set against the backdrop of opulent Victorian splendour, their story crackles with secrets and forbidden relationships.
Duty and desire collide in a high-octane showdown, and Henry and Eva are forced into heart-pounding decisions. Can Henry outmaneuver his cunning father to send Eva back to her own time? Will Eva survive the dark Asheford family secrets?
Wittke's storytelling sweeps you into a whirlwind of emotions and clashing eras right from page one. "The Year of the Fallen Stars" is an adventure that's impossible to resist – a blend of romance, time travel, and mystery that will have you on the edge of your seat! Trust me, you won't be able to put this thrilling book down!
November 15, 2024
One of my favorite time travel book, I literally read it at least 4 times, very rich and well written, has everything romance book should have, mature writing style, third POV, likable characters, blazing chemistry, strong h, cultured H, multiple H& h interactions, emotions, obstacles, jealousy, engaging events.
This author is amazingly talented and I wish she would write more, I check her profile frequently for new books.
This author is amazingly talented and I wish she would write more, I check her profile frequently for new books.
November 4, 2023
It was such a pleasant surprise to come through this book, it had everything : well written characters, a great story (and only the beginning of it as it is the first book of a trilogy), romance and time traveling to the Victorian England!
The two main characters are Eva and Henry, their relation is at the center of the story. Although they live in two different centuries thanks to a time travel machine Eva ends up in the era of Henry who then tries to get her back to the present day world.
I also loved Eli a lot, he is a strong supportive character who gives a lot of context and is just a really pleasant gentleman. The book is well written and paced, my only difficulty was with understanding Eli's Scottish accent but I am not a native English speaker.
I strongly.recommend and can't wait for the next book!
The two main characters are Eva and Henry, their relation is at the center of the story. Although they live in two different centuries thanks to a time travel machine Eva ends up in the era of Henry who then tries to get her back to the present day world.
I also loved Eli a lot, he is a strong supportive character who gives a lot of context and is just a really pleasant gentleman. The book is well written and paced, my only difficulty was with understanding Eli's Scottish accent but I am not a native English speaker.
I strongly.recommend and can't wait for the next book!
December 8, 2024
Wonderful story! Time travel, romance, a crime syndicate! You wouldn't think it would work, but it was great! Looking forward to getting Kindle Unlimited so I can read the second, then try to wait patiently for the third to come out.
After being attacked once she starts looking into the true crime book her father was working on before he died (murked), Eva finds herself flung from the 21st century to 1881 basically onto Henry Ashford's doorstep. What follows is a nice story of romance and intrigue.
After being attacked once she starts looking into the true crime book her father was working on before he died (murked), Eva finds herself flung from the 21st century to 1881 basically onto Henry Ashford's doorstep. What follows is a nice story of romance and intrigue.
November 3, 2023
Intriguing book with a lot of moving parts (time periods, science, womens' rights). Quite imaginative, with unsettling differences between the main characters. This book reminds me a bit of the Outlander series. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
May 30, 2024
One of the best books I have read this year. The story is well crafted, the characters engaging and I am only sorry that the trilogy is not all available. I am looking forward to the next installments.
July 12, 2025
The Year of Fallen Stars
Evaline visited Asheford hall and fell off a cliff to 1881 from 2018. There she met and fell in love with Henry Asheford. His father a crime Lord. She can’t save Henry from his father.
Evaline visited Asheford hall and fell off a cliff to 1881 from 2018. There she met and fell in love with Henry Asheford. His father a crime Lord. She can’t save Henry from his father.
November 8, 2023
Loved this novel! Be warned, though, it is not a stand-alone and ends on a cliffhanger.
March 24, 2024
good
I like it a lot I cannot wait for a book to ready ready ready go. Why do they make you write so many words to write over you can’t you just say you like it so annoying
I like it a lot I cannot wait for a book to ready ready ready go. Why do they make you write so many words to write over you can’t you just say you like it so annoying
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May 30, 2024P.137. DNF
Read
June 17, 2025please see my review for this book end of August 2025,
it was good
it was good
January 27, 2026
would 100% recommend, fun, playful but equally dark and painful.
if you like outlander you'll love this.
if you like outlander you'll love this.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews