The Accidental Wife

by C.J. Fosdick

Self-determined Jessica Brewster is wary of any emotional relationship, after being betrayed in a bet. When the beloved grandmother who raised her dies, she inherits a mysterious teacup which when rubbed transports her back to 1886 in Old Fort Laramie, switching places with her look-alike great-great-grandmother—wife to her ancestor’s magnetic first husband and mother to his charming nine-year-old daughter.
Can she pull off the charade and find a way back, or will conscience and her twenty-first century “slips” expose her identity? As true love—and a gypsy—derail her plans, her ancestor’s brother shows up with his own dark secret. Is her future in the past? Her decision could save her life...and her legacy.

362 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 7, 2015

About the author

Cj Fosdick, born in Milwaukee, WI., flourishes now in tropical Minnesota with fiction and non-fiction published in local and national publications, anthologies & a time-travel romantic suspense series that grew out of a short story award.

She has also received a London award from the Historical Novel Society & awards from RWA and Rone. This devoted Outlander fan puts out a newsletter 4xs a year & can be followed on fb, instagram, pinterest, twitter, (Falorac13) and her website/blog at cjfosdick.com

Reviews

[Dianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

A magical family heirloom will send one woman back in time to live the life of her ancestor, while finding a love that time could not destroy.

Trapped in 1886, Jessica must pretend to be her great-great grandmother, but can she convince Jessamine’s husband and child? Armed only with knowledge of the era, how can she perform all the task required? How can she fake knowing what to do or what to say?

THE ACCIDENTAL WIFE by C.J. Fosdick was a surprisingly touching read as we see the new life Jessica must fumble through while trying to discover how to get back to her time. Driven by Jessica’s characters, we are constantly in her head, seeing things as she would and feeling every emotion she carries. Is it possible she has found her soulmate in her grandmother’s first husband? Will he believe her when she tries to tell him or think she has had “an episode?” How does she become a mother to her great-grandmother as a child?

I found that living this tale through Jessica’s eyes had moments of pure delight as well as moments that seemed to drag on, like being caught up in a tunnel, not quite getting the entire picture of what was all around her.

I do have to say, the final pages made this story for me, they were emotional gold.

I received a complimentary copy from C.J. Fosdick!

Publisher: The Wild Rose Press, Inc (March 18, 2015)
Publication Date: March 18, 2015
Genre: Historical Time Travel
Print Length: 362 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews, Giveaways, Fabulous Book News, follow: http://tometender.blogspot.com

[Lindy Hankel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being an avid reader, I found The Accident Wife to be much more than a time travel story. Rich with characters that are faced with conflicts within themselves, I found myself also conflicted by their situation. Fosdick weaves a story that makes the reader come to understand the transformative power of love. Fosdick’s development of a heroine who is mix of both a modern and pioneer woman is filled with emotion, and I grew to love this spunky woman and her journey across the generations her story lies within. The struggles the family face on their homestead are true to the era. I look forward to hearing more from C.J. Fosdick.

[Laurel Winter · Rating 5 out of 5]

About thirty pages from the end The Accidental Wife I started crying. In the course of the story, I’d laughed out loud at phrases like “Bite me, Suzy Homemaker!” and felt a catch of breath at steamy love scenes. I fell in love with the characters and ached at their dilemma. Trust me on this: C.J. Fosdick is a helluva writer and this is a helluva story. No, trust yourself. I cannot wait to read the sequel.

Laurel Winter
author of Growing Wings and a bunch of other stuff
winner of a World Fantasy Award for “Sky Eyes” and a McKnight Artist Fellowship
for Do Not Attempt This at School

[Tara Chevrestt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ending left me unsatisfied. Relationship btw heroine and her great great grandmother's husband made me uncomfortable at times. Some things felt unnecessary. Maybe if I had a stronger interest in Wyoming history? Writing was good though.

[Stacy Hanson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cj Fosdick’s The Accidental Wife has something for everyone! There is a little bit of everything hitting almost all the genres with her very easy to read writing and can’t put down story line draw. The characters Cj has created were very easy to become quickly invested in and immediately I fell in love with them. I found myself unable to put the book down, and the story line stayed on my mind when I was not reading it. The Accidental Wife had everything I look for in a good book and I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys an easy read with action, romance, drama, comedy, and a little bit of mystery. Your heart will be drawn to its characters, and you will find yourself wanting to keep reading to find out what sort adventures Jessica will find herself in as she will continues to wade her way through a time that is not her own. I cannot wait for the sequel!

[Gloria Herrera for As You Wish Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an amazing book! I am still reeling from it!

Normally, I do not read westerns, or fantasy, just stick to romance for the most part. Reading the description to this book, I was intrigued by the unique plotline, so I decided to read it. It surpassed all my expectations.

This book is well written, full of the introspection and definition of unforgettable characters. It is a love story and at the same time, it is a glimpse at what life was like for the settlers of Wyoming. There is an interracial marriage of a part Sioux Indian and our protagonist. He is the most adorable, simple and intense man I have read in a long time. He is cultured and yet in recognition of his roots, he is in tune with the Earth, willing to live off the land in peace with his family.

I recommend this book for everyone. Just know this is the first book in this duet. No cliffhangers at the end, but definitely you will be able to satisfy your need to know more about our characters.

[Jean Grant · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book and could not put it down. I read a short Candy Hearts story by the author already (Hot Stuff, a short, sweet contemporary "novelette") and I fell in love with the author's storytelling, voice, and style right away. I've become a pickier reader but I love love love her style. I knew this one would be just as great. I could really tell that the CJ Fosdick did her research (I'm a sucker for historic settings that whisk me away to another time and place). Reminiscent of Outlander (so if you love Gabaldon's books you'll love this one!), we have a modern gal transported back in time, but she becomes her ancestor! I loved Jess and Mitch. The story-line flowed naturally (as did their love). I read the blurb for the next book (though this book is a fabulous stand-alone) and I can't wait to dig into that one, too. I need to know more about Mitch and Jess!

[TXBRITGAL · Rating 5 out of 5]

An exciting love story that transcends time!

A heartwarming and heartbreaking story of love that spans two lifetimes. Jess is grieving the death of her beloved grandmother. In going through her effects she finds a family heirloom of a teacup with a strange word on the bottom. She goes to work at the local Fort where she dresses up like it was in the 1800's. The very last thing she expected was to actually end up back in time with everyone believing her to be her great grandmother Jessamine. Everyone including her great grandmothers first husband!! What's a girl to do? I for one LOVED this story and look forward to greedily reading the follow up book!

[Cindy Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this author's writing style!
Jessica went back in time--to become her great-great-grandmother. Sounds simple, doesn't it? NOT! What begins as a well-used plot shifts single Jessica into the role of chief cook and bottle washer in the 1800s! Ms. Fosdick does an amazing job introducing historical details so they seem real. And I have to say she does about the best job of adding backstory so it keeps the plot moving without the hiccups and bumps many authors produce by its addition. Nice job! Although I do have to say I seriously dislike cliff-hangers.

[Cyrene Olson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Uncaged Book Reviews:

Jessica Brewster is mourning the death of her Grandmother when she spots a teacup which transports her to a time period in 1886 where she has to play a charade of wife and mother, plus find a way back to her time. The storyline was well written and thought out. In the book we are subjected to a lot of ups and downs. This is the first book in the Accidental series. A must read for fans of Time Travel Romance. Reviewed by Jennifer

[Casi McLean · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Fascinating Time Travel Story

I love time travel stories, but writing an excellent time travel romance that escapes the pitfalls of multiple paradoxes is not an easy task. So, I tend to stick with authors I know. That said, I am so glad I picked up a copy of CJ Fosdick’s The Accidental Wife.

Ms. Fosdick seamlessly uses an antique teacup as the source of her time shift, which is quite unique. Her lyrical style, richly drawn believable characters, and fascinating storyline swept me into this book from the first page and held my interest through the last.

I loved this story. The historic details and beautiful description painted vivid pictures in my imagination, and I couldn’t wait to get back to the book each evening. I highly recommend The Accidental Wife, and I will definitely read volume two in the series. I think she left a little hook in the last chapter, and I can’t wait to find out if I’m right!

[Danette · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bookclub in a bag from Rochester library - and I was pleasantly surprised! Nothing like a little time travel and romance... good stuff!

[Barb · Rating 4 out of 5]

“The Accidental Wife” by C.J. Fosdick is a novel that goes back in time. Jessica Brewster is thirty years old and never been married. She is not interested in falling in love because she has been betrayed in love. She inherits a teacup and while rubbing the rim of the cup, finds herself back in 1886 at Old Fort Laramie, Wyoming as her great-great-grandmother. Her grandmother is married to her first husband, Mitch, and has a daughter, Tallie. Except for a few slight differences in her looks, she passes as her great-great-grandmother. Obviously, this causes some interesting moments between her and her “husband”. Her knowledge of the future sometimes makes her observations suspect to her daughter and husband. The problem is, does she really want to go back to her real life, or will she be content to stay in the past. The chemistry between her and Mitch shows Jessica that she can love and be loved. I thought the whole concept was fascinating.

I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it. I am usually not a fan of paranormal stories, but this was different for some reason. I think it was because the author was adept at making Jessica learn how to be a housewife in the 1800’s and keep her secret for so long. I received a free Kindle copy from NetGalley.com. No review positive or otherwise was required – all opinions are my own.

“The Accidental Wife” by C.J. Fosdick is a novel that goes back in time. Jessica Brewster is thirty years old and never been married. She is not interested in falling in love because she has been betrayed in love. She inherits a teacup and while rubbing the rim of the cup, finds herself back in 1886 at Old Fort Laramie, Wyoming as her great-great-grandmother. Her grandmother is married to her first husband, Mitch, and has a daughter, Tallie. Except for a few slight differences in her looks, she passes as her great-great-grandmother. Obviously, this causes some interesting moments between her and her “husband”. Her knowledge of the future sometimes makes her observations suspect to her daughter and husband. The problem is, does she really want to go back to her real life, or will she be content to stay in the past. The chemistry between her and Mitch shows Jessica that she can love and be loved. I thought the whole concept was fascinating.

I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it. I am usually not a fan of paranormal stories, but this was different for some reason. I think it was because the author was adept at making Jessica learn how to be a housewife in the 1800’s and keep her secret for so long. I received a free Kindle copy from NetGalley.com. No review positive or otherwise was required – all opinions are my own. You can find this review on my blog at http://wp.me/p2pjIt-nN, and other reviews on my blog at http://imhookedonbooks.wordpress.com.

[Michelle Whitman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Time warp redefined!!

Upon speaking with this author in an online forum today, my curiosity was piqued. How in the world could Cj Fosdick make a time warp of better than a century work? Brilliantly! Heroine Jessica Brewster, single, unattached, voluntary 'spinster' trades places with her nearly identical great-great-grandmother, who just happens to be very married,very skilled at frontier life, and a mother to boot. The pace of the story was perfect - the characters drew me in and felt like old friends within the first few chapters. I did not put this book down, from start to finish; I simply HAD to know what happened next! What really got me, though, was the inventive ending. I will not spoil it, but I was surprised and delighted. There are a few 'naughty' words or phrases that I'm not OK with letting my 14 year olds (and under) read with their mom's approval, but they are few, and nothing they don't hear at school. I will be looking for more from Ms. Fosdick and am eagerly anticipating the sequel!

[Teresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love time travel novels. CJ Fosdick's "The Accidental Wive" stands on it's own two feet. Part mystery, part romance it is written with a style all it's own. Every chapter is an incredible journey. Jessica finds herself sent back in time living her great grandmothers life. A husband and a child depend on her. She is torn about how to handle things as she begins to have feelings for her grandmother's husband, Mitch. He is not her ancestor, as her GGmother had married 3 times in her lifetime.

My only "dangit" was the cliffhanger at end. I had not realized going in that this was not a stand alone book. While I look forward to reading the sequel I can only hope it does not end in a cliffhanger as well.

"I was gifted this book in exchange for an honest review"

[Florence Osmund · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not your typical time travel story...

Cj Fosdick does an exemplary job giving us insight into how a modern-day woman may have dealt with the hardship and unexpected impediments of living in a previous era. She weaves a unique story that incorporates well-developed characters, descriptive scenes, and a nice mix of romance, drama, and mystery. The Accidental Wife is a well-written book that is both entertaining and enlightening.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this very interesting book. The writing style made this book so much fun to read. I feel as if the way that each chapter flowed made this read very intriguing. The character development was wonderful.
The only thing that I wasn't pleased with was the cliffhanger at the end. I wanted to know more than what the Author gave. Other than that I wonderful read!

[Jenny Querry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Couldn't put it down

From the first page to the last I was hooked. It helped spark my interest in Wyoming history. I can't wait to read the next book!