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A Season Out of Time: A Christian Historical Romantasy
Not yet published
Expected 21 Jan 26When everything feels frozen, could love be the one thing that finally thaws her heart?
Rosalind Drew has always lived by logic, not longing. A brilliant botanist clinging to control, she's watched her once-vibrant family conservatory wilt under the weight of endless winter—and the even heavier silence in her soul.
Dreams deferred. Love denied. Life on pause.
Then Edmund Winterborne arrives.
Mysterious, wealthy, and burdened by secrets of his own, Edmund steps into her world like a forgotten melody—unsettling, alluring, impossible to ignore. He's everything she's impulsive, passionate, and a believer in things unseen. And yet, he sees her. The woman beneath the routine. The heart aching for more.
As the snow presses in, so does the promise of something neither expected—a love that might restore what was lost, rewrite the rules, and bloom in even the harshest season.
But when past wounds and present choices threaten to undo everything, will Rosalind have the courage to let go of control... and trust the wild, beautiful promise of winter?
Includes, as a bonus, the classic Nordic fairy tale East of the Sun, West of the Moon, reprinted from the public domain—a timeless story of sacrifice, transformation, and love that inspired this novel.
Rosalind Drew has always lived by logic, not longing. A brilliant botanist clinging to control, she's watched her once-vibrant family conservatory wilt under the weight of endless winter—and the even heavier silence in her soul.
Dreams deferred. Love denied. Life on pause.
Then Edmund Winterborne arrives.
Mysterious, wealthy, and burdened by secrets of his own, Edmund steps into her world like a forgotten melody—unsettling, alluring, impossible to ignore. He's everything she's impulsive, passionate, and a believer in things unseen. And yet, he sees her. The woman beneath the routine. The heart aching for more.
As the snow presses in, so does the promise of something neither expected—a love that might restore what was lost, rewrite the rules, and bloom in even the harshest season.
But when past wounds and present choices threaten to undo everything, will Rosalind have the courage to let go of control... and trust the wild, beautiful promise of winter?
Includes, as a bonus, the classic Nordic fairy tale East of the Sun, West of the Moon, reprinted from the public domain—a timeless story of sacrifice, transformation, and love that inspired this novel.
189 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication January 21, 2026
2 people are currently reading
5 people want to read
About the author
Josie Riviera
142 books468 followersUSA TODAY bestselling author Josie Riviera writes contemporary, inspirational, and historical sweet romances. She lives in the Charlotte, NC, area with her wonderfully supportive husband. They share their home with an adorable shih tzu, who constantly needs grooming, and live in an old house forever needing renovations.
Send her an email at: josieriviera@aol.com
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Send her an email at: josieriviera@aol.com
Visit her website and sign up for her newsletter. You'll receive a free sweet romance ebook!
josieriviera.com
Follow her on Bookbub:
https://www.bookbub.com/profile/josie...
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Pinterest:
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
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July 13, 2025What if winter didn’t end? Not just outside your window—but in your life?
That idea became the story behind A Season Out of Time. Rosalind Drew is a botanist—brilliant, controlled, and practical. She believes in growing things, but not in the kind of love that upends your life. And after years of silence, both in her family’s conservatory and in her heart, she’s not sure she believes in renewal anymore.
Then Edmund Winterborne arrives. He’s not part of her carefully ordered world. He’s unpredictable, intense, and carries secrets of his own. But somehow, he sees what even Rosalind has stopped noticing—what she’s buried under routine and self-protection.
Their paths weren’t meant to cross. And yet they do—one step at a time, in a season where nothing is supposed to bloom.
This book isn’t fast-paced or flashy. It’s a story about slow-burning connection, the cost of staying frozen, and the risk of letting someone in. If you’ve ever needed a second chance—or wanted one—this one’s for you.
Also includes the Nordic fairy tale "East of the Sun, West of the Moon," which helped shape the story.
A Season Out of Time is available here:
https://www.amazon.com/Season-Out-Tim...
If you love inspirational stories, other books in the series include
A Winter Promise
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0F...?
A Canvas of Light
FREE on Kindle Unlimited.
Happy Reading!
That idea became the story behind A Season Out of Time. Rosalind Drew is a botanist—brilliant, controlled, and practical. She believes in growing things, but not in the kind of love that upends your life. And after years of silence, both in her family’s conservatory and in her heart, she’s not sure she believes in renewal anymore.
Then Edmund Winterborne arrives. He’s not part of her carefully ordered world. He’s unpredictable, intense, and carries secrets of his own. But somehow, he sees what even Rosalind has stopped noticing—what she’s buried under routine and self-protection.
Their paths weren’t meant to cross. And yet they do—one step at a time, in a season where nothing is supposed to bloom.
This book isn’t fast-paced or flashy. It’s a story about slow-burning connection, the cost of staying frozen, and the risk of letting someone in. If you’ve ever needed a second chance—or wanted one—this one’s for you.
Also includes the Nordic fairy tale "East of the Sun, West of the Moon," which helped shape the story.
A Season Out of Time is available here:
https://www.amazon.com/Season-Out-Tim...
If you love inspirational stories, other books in the series include
A Winter Promise
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0F...?
A Canvas of Light
FREE on Kindle Unlimited.
Happy Reading!
Review of advance copy received from Author
A Season Out of Time by Josie Riviera
Love this book because it's about growing things.
Love hearing of the connection with music and other sounds and how the plants talk to one another and they thrive because of it.
1920 New England
Based on a Norwegian folktale East of the Sun, West of the Moon folk story that is also included at the end. This book is about Rosalind and she runs her family's observatory. They are on display for the neighbor children who come once a week to see what's new. She meets Edmund who has a father that knew her grandmother. When Edmund shows up it finally turns to spring for the community and things bloom. She had cured the father when he was young. Rosalind also gives potions to the neighbors to help cure their ailments, some not as important as cancer or heart issues or pregnancy pains.
Like to hear of the winter and how' the town has had it for over 3 years before spring finally comes... very descriptive and detailed.
What a great tale and there is so much inside to learn about. We still do traditional New England Saturday meals. Recipe is about the same but we use Worcestershire sauce rather than vinegar.
Can't wait to read more of this tale in other works by the author.
Love this book because it's about growing things.
Love hearing of the connection with music and other sounds and how the plants talk to one another and they thrive because of it.
1920 New England
Based on a Norwegian folktale East of the Sun, West of the Moon folk story that is also included at the end. This book is about Rosalind and she runs her family's observatory. They are on display for the neighbor children who come once a week to see what's new. She meets Edmund who has a father that knew her grandmother. When Edmund shows up it finally turns to spring for the community and things bloom. She had cured the father when he was young. Rosalind also gives potions to the neighbors to help cure their ailments, some not as important as cancer or heart issues or pregnancy pains.
Like to hear of the winter and how' the town has had it for over 3 years before spring finally comes... very descriptive and detailed.
What a great tale and there is so much inside to learn about. We still do traditional New England Saturday meals. Recipe is about the same but we use Worcestershire sauce rather than vinegar.
Can't wait to read more of this tale in other works by the author.
Review of advance copy
This is a clean and Christian historical romance. It's part of a series, but can be read as a stand alone.
Rosalind Drew has a conservatory and is well versed in botanical medicine. She is able to grow things others cannot. Where she lives, it's been winter for three years. Edmund Winterborne shows up one day. He's mysterious and asks her to plant a plant at dawn for him by her fountain. He comes back again and again. Rosalind is trying to figure it out. The college and a pharmaceutical company are trying to get the information on her plants and take over. Can Rosalind and Edmund work together to figure out the right path?
This was a very interesting book. The romance was slow, but interesting. I liked hearing about the plants and how they react to music. If you love botanicals and learning more about them, this is a good book for this. The love story seemed to take back seat to the plants.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Rosalind Drew has a conservatory and is well versed in botanical medicine. She is able to grow things others cannot. Where she lives, it's been winter for three years. Edmund Winterborne shows up one day. He's mysterious and asks her to plant a plant at dawn for him by her fountain. He comes back again and again. Rosalind is trying to figure it out. The college and a pharmaceutical company are trying to get the information on her plants and take over. Can Rosalind and Edmund work together to figure out the right path?
This was a very interesting book. The romance was slow, but interesting. I liked hearing about the plants and how they react to music. If you love botanicals and learning more about them, this is a good book for this. The love story seemed to take back seat to the plants.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Rosalind Drew is a well-respected botanist who owns a conservatory. She’s provided plants that have saved countless lives and healed many in her small town from illness and injury. She’s at risk of losing her beloved conservatory.
Edmund Winterborne is a mysterious stranger who shows up unexpectedly and has connections to her past. It wasn’t supposed to happen, but Rosalind and Edmund grow closer, and he might be the only one able to help her save the conservatory, as well as open her heart to love.
A delightful clean, Christian historical romance with a little magic thrown in.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Edmund Winterborne is a mysterious stranger who shows up unexpectedly and has connections to her past. It wasn’t supposed to happen, but Rosalind and Edmund grow closer, and he might be the only one able to help her save the conservatory, as well as open her heart to love.
A delightful clean, Christian historical romance with a little magic thrown in.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Very interesting and inspirational story. I loved how the author wove together faith, God’s wisdom and His purpose with botanical and scientific knowledge and advancement. Rosalind faces second life-changing choices, the least of which is believing in Edmund. Her grandmother’s conservatory is of vital importance in this story. Love all the interactions with both the academic and local communities. Very enjoyable read.
I received this book from the author and this is my voluntary, honest review.
I received this book from the author and this is my voluntary, honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
A beautiful story of faith, love, science and the growing of plants. Rosalind is having a hard time keeping her plants thriving during a hard, long winter. Edmund shows up like an angel and things start blooming. His science and using music to move plants combined with Rosalind's faith and water from a special well have things thriving, just like the love between Edmund and Rosalind.
Review of advance copy received from Author
An endless winter.
Mystery, intrigue, drama, and romance build depth in this gentle romance. Was it all botany and dedication, or was part of the mystery an ability to bend time? It left me wondering. I received an advance copy, but my review is honest and voluntary.
Mystery, intrigue, drama, and romance build depth in this gentle romance. Was it all botany and dedication, or was part of the mystery an ability to bend time? It left me wondering. I received an advance copy, but my review is honest and voluntary.
Review of advance copy
A Season Out of Time is Book 2 in the Stories of Love, Faith and Hope by Josie Riviera. I found this story to be inspirational and having the story set right after WW1. Rosalind and Edmund are great characters. Although the story has romance, I thought that the conservatory was almost the main character along with the plants. I received an arc for free and am leaving my review voluntarily.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews