The Pulse of My Heart

by E.C. Roderick

"The Pulse of My Heart is a beautiful and compelling romance novel that crosses times, eras, socio-cultural norms, boundaries, and possibly dimensions! It is the third book in the Taken series with the first book being a previous Outstanding Creator Awards winner!

While the first book focused a bit more on the action, adventure, and perils of time-traveling, this book is much more focused on the romantic and dramatic side of things, placing a heavier emphasis on the relationship between Sylvie and Leif (formerly known as Seamus) than ever before!

That's right, this is a romance novel as well as a time-travel/dimension-hopping epic!" -- Outstanding Creator Awards Review


Time is a fickle fate, never yielding to one's will, when it has a will of its own.

I find myself unexpectedly thrust back into the world from where I came in the twenty-first century, ripped apart from Leif, who remains trapped in a world three centuries ago.

Haunted, I now strive through this world, resuming my former life, as if my fateful encounter with him had never happened. I try blending into this familiar but strange environment of mine. Still, my heart aches with longing for the love I once shared with him.

Memories of us torment me, leaving me incomprehensibly lost.

Time is a cruel and mysterious force, with its own plans. As for love? He told me ours was unbreakable…

**Recipient of the Outstanding Creator Book Award
**Recipient of Readers' Favorite 5 Star Review

Genres: Time Travel

474 pages, Paperback

Published May 1, 2024

About the author

After graduating from college with a B.A., E. C. Roderick pursued a career as a classical fine artist while teaching fine art to adults and children for 10 years. She has been commissioned to do many portraits, landscapes and still life paintings that hang in private homes and public institutions throughout the United States.

After marriage and becoming a mother, she placed her painting and teaching career on hold while devoting her full time and attention to her family. While taking care of the needs of her children, she took up the pen and discovered the creative joy of writing in what little spare time she had been afforded. During this time she created the story for her award winning debut novel, Taken, as a result of her love for history and romance.

Reviews

[Book Reviewer]

The Pulse of My Heart by E.C. Roderick is a captivating sequel in the Taken series, blending historical fantasy, romance, and time travel. The story follows Sylvie, who has returned to modern-day Los Angeles after being trapped in Colonial Era New England. Although she has reunited with her twin children, Leif and Leila, her heart remains tethered to the past, where she left behind the love of her life, Leif, who is also the father of her children. As she tries to move on, destiny pulls her back when a visitor from the past reignites the possibility of a future with Leif.

Roderick sets the stage for an emotional and engaging narrative as Leif unexpectedly follows Sylvie into the present. The novel explores their efforts to rekindle their romance, despite the time that has passed and the challenges of integrating their lives. Now a mother of two, Sylvie must navigate the complexities of introducing her children to a father they have never known, while Leif faces the disorienting task of adapting to life in the modern world. Much of the story revolves around family dynamics and Leif’s bewilderment as he acclimates to a future far removed from his own time. The chemistry between Sylvie and Leif remains electric, with their intimate moments becoming even more intense than in the previous book, Taken. Roderick shines in crafting the evolving dynamics between these characters, allowing readers to dive deeper into their relationship and their role as parents. The relatively low-stakes plot lets the focus rest on the emotional connections, which brings depth to both the romance and the family storyline. A few minor proofreading errors are noticeable, and at times the dialogue feels overly formal, making certain scenes, especially the more intimate ones, feel stilted or overly technical. Additionally, Roderick’s use of Scottish words and phrases, while adding authenticity to the characters, may leave some readers confused, and a pronunciation or meaning guide could be beneficial.

The Pulse of My Heart is an enjoyable and heartfelt sequel. Roderick’s writing shines in the emotional depth she brings to Sylvie and Leif’s relationship, making this book a treat for fans of romance and historical fantasy. Readers will find themselves fully immersed in this story of love, family, and second chances.

[Jen B · Rating 4 out of 5]

It has been a good long while since I had read the first 2 from the series, just remembering the vague details that it was Outlanderish in premise. I am sure that I missed some of the finer details in this instalment but it didn't diminish my enjoyment of it.

How wrenching for Sylvia to find herself back 'home' and for Leif torn asunder. Something about Leif in the 21st century didn't feel quite right, but to be honest I am sure that is just because it is familiar; if I were from the 18th century I might say the same of Sylvia's struggles to adjust the same.

Regardless, - it is a bit of fantasy so putting that aside, which is not difficult - it is a compelling story that has brought me back to it for every addition to the series.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Patty · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story continues… unexpectedly in present day LA. This was a very interesting sort of ”bridge” story for me-connecting details from the past and giving them context as well as plausible explanation in the present. Listening to Leif and Sylvie sort out perspectives, interpretations on feelings/values/priorities while navigating friends, family and life in LA was very interesting. I think I enjoyed the heartfelt discussions and revelations this couple had as they figured out how to tackle challenges together. The cliffhanger ending I had anticipated, so now I am yearning to see what happens next and how everything will be “explained”.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily

[E.C. Roderick · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m incredibly excited to introduce this next installment following Hummingbirds Know Where to Fly. Thank you to everyone who’s given this series a chance by reading TAKEN and giving me the opportunity to introduce you to Leif and Sylvie by putting trust in me to lead you through their time travel adventure and romance. This new release to the series continues their adventure as much has changed for them and between them as the love they share for each other remains. But all is not tranquil as you will come to see and adhere to nuances while they manage quandaries found in a contemporary setting, and face new challenges leading them into the next installment I’m currently working diligently on. Until the next one, happy reading and thank you!

[Rose Seals · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written, full of love, drama, intrigue, twists and of course time travel. If only you could do this. Sylvie is back in her time while Leif is still in his. After 4 years to her but 10 years to him, he's finally able to get to the right time and place to be with her. As it was hard for her to adapt to his time, Leif will find it harder to adapt to hers. He does get to be with her and his twins. Tough choices to make, do they go back to his time or stay in hers. Will have to read the next book in this series to find out what they decide. Curl up and enjoy this book and the rest in this series. Would recommend to everyone.

I am an ARC and leave this unbiased, honest review.

[Sharon · Rating 1 out of 5]

I want my money back. Truly one of the most painful things I've read in a while. The dialogue was ridiculous. The rambling conversations went on and on and on about the most banal things.
It's almost like a different person wrote this compared to the first two books in the series. I liked the first two and preordered this.

I have buyers remorse and then some. The author needs to please stop spelling Leif's Scottish accent dialogue out phonetically. It's absurd. It's distracting. Unnecessary. There's no real plot in this book. Leif comes to 2024. The end. Just incredibly boring.

[Debra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Leif and Sylvie are separated in their own times when Leif figures out how to travel to the present. It was interesting and entertaining reading about Leif adjusting to modern times. Some things he does well with and others he does not which is comical. I look forward to the next installment to find out about their further adventures with time travel.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Cheryl Carpenter · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the third installment of the Taken series. Sylvie is stranded back in the 21st century heavily pregnant.
She has a lot of explaining to do to her family, but she's very secretive and would rather fabricate a cover story than admit the truth to her pragmatic brother and parents as she believes that they would have her committed.
Lief meanwhile in the 18th century tries for years to find his way to her.
Finally this series has branched away from its similarities to Outlander, but Liefs eventual presence in the future and people's reactions to him don't quite ring true. If someone spoke to me constantly with an 18th century vernacular I would think him a little more than eccentric. I would have expected Sylvie's brother to have more questions than he had at the very least.
I also would have expected Sylvie, once back in the future to take more of an interest in the history of that period.
Fortunately these points did not detract from the story overall and I am still invested enough to see this series to the very end.

[Jody · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow wow wow! I absolutely love this series and I can't wait for the next book! There is something about Roderick's writing that leaves a person reeling with emotions after. I am excited, sad and scared for the next book.

[Anastasia Morozova · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: 3.8 Stars!

I adored this book more than previous ones in these series.

NOTE: This review has a few spoilers ‼️

Sylvie was transported back to the century she came from, year of 2018, pregnant and ready to deliver the twins. She found herself alone and terrified with how her family would accept her back without being able to explain them what precisely has happened to her.

She managed to settle back in California with her kids, four years passed since she saw Leif, she can’t stop thinking about him, missing him with every bit of her existence until one day she receives a call from her sister-in-law from Boston stating there is a man strangely dressed, with an accent that is looking for her…

How did Leif manage to find her? How Sylvie’s brother will react when he sees Leif thinking that he left her? What about her parents? And children, will they accept their father? Will Leif be able to stay in this new century or will he insist to take children and Sylvie back to 1758?

This book was interesting! I felt that Sylvie has grown up and became more loving and caring. Those four years without the love of her life made her stronger and wiser. Their love towards each other grew day by day and Leif is definitely a very charming character.

I felt that Leif’s relationship with his children weren’t much loving, I was expecting him to be more caring but I felt that he was a little detached. And kids weren’t very drown towards their father even if the author tried to convince the reader that everything went perfectly between them.
Also, it wasn’t much of a plot in this book, more of an ordinary life and nothing extraordinary.
I hope next book in this series will bring us more action and adventure.

If you’ve read previous two books, ‘Taken’ and Hummingbirds Know Where to Fly, absolutely grab this one in the Taken Series, it’s a beautiful book with a beautiful story.

I can’t wait to read the next book and join Sylvie and Lief on their journey.

Publish Date: May 1, 2024

Thank you Goodreads Giveaways, Sandy Pier Press and of course E.C. Roderick for choosing me as a giveaway winner of this physical ARC!