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Timeless Desire
For lovers of Diana Gabaldon's Outlander, a sexy Scottish time travel romance from award-winning author Gwyn Cready
Thrown back to the sizzling tensions of the Scottish borderlands
Librarian Panna Kennedy battles budget cuts, eccentric patrons, and the loneliness of early widowhood until she ventures through a long-locked door under the library's stairs and finds herself in the opulent eighteenth-century castle library of the dashing and dangerously handsome Captain Jamie Bridgewater.
Can she trust a handsome hero?
Jamie is embroiled in a risky game of high-stakes subterfuge on the Scottish/English border, where loyalty to the wrong cause can cost you your life, and Panna is instantly swept into the intrigue. Their adventure takes them across the border into perilous and passion-filled territory. But when Jamie is caught and Panna realizes she holds the key to his destiny, will she return to safety as he demands, or follow her timeless desire?
"The master of time travel romance." —Booklist
"A thrill-ride of a time travel romance, a genre Gwyn Cready has quickly come to master." —Sapphyria's Steamy Book Reviews
"A time-bending treat." — Full Moon Bites
Thrown back to the sizzling tensions of the Scottish borderlands
Librarian Panna Kennedy battles budget cuts, eccentric patrons, and the loneliness of early widowhood until she ventures through a long-locked door under the library's stairs and finds herself in the opulent eighteenth-century castle library of the dashing and dangerously handsome Captain Jamie Bridgewater.
Can she trust a handsome hero?
Jamie is embroiled in a risky game of high-stakes subterfuge on the Scottish/English border, where loyalty to the wrong cause can cost you your life, and Panna is instantly swept into the intrigue. Their adventure takes them across the border into perilous and passion-filled territory. But when Jamie is caught and Panna realizes she holds the key to his destiny, will she return to safety as he demands, or follow her timeless desire?
"The master of time travel romance." —Booklist
"A thrill-ride of a time travel romance, a genre Gwyn Cready has quickly come to master." —Sapphyria's Steamy Book Reviews
"A time-bending treat." — Full Moon Bites
386 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 18, 2012
43 people are currently reading
234 people want to read
About the author
Gwyn Cready
11 books143 followersGwyn Cready is a RITA Award-winning romance novelist. She's been called "the master of time travel romance." She lives in Pittsburgh.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews
February 6, 2015
Penna Kennedy is a widow and the head librarian in Carnegie, Pennsylvania. She's just starting to emerge from her grief and is going on her first date that evening. Faced with deep budgetary cuts, she gets the idea to look for some potentially valuable artifacts left by their benefactor and opens an obscure, pad-locked door and discovers a portal to 18th century England at the borderlands. Panna comes face to face with a handsome Englishman who she recognizes to be Colonel John Bridgewater, the historic English war hero whose larger-than-life statue loomed over her desk.
In general, I'm not crazy about time travel stories because the paradoxes end up scrambling my brain. This story doesn't bother with that kind of nonsense and freed me to just relax and enjoy the action. It's one of the best I've read, though my repertoire is pretty slim.
Panna's pretty adventuresome for a librarian and she was before she became a widow. The one time I felt I needed to stretch of my sensibilities was when she discovered the portal. Panna's reaction was more "look what I found" instead of being flattened or astounded by it. This distracted me for awhile but once I moved on, I was drawn into the intrigue.
Panna discovers Bridgewater almost immediately after entering the portal. He's leery of her, believing she may be a spy, and their relationship is a dance for awhile as they try to find common ground and trust. There's no question they're attracted to each other and Panna has a head start as she's been lusting after the marble statue that's an exact replica of him, sitting in the middle of her library back in the 21st century. Once she's proven herself to be trustworthy, Panna becomes part of the subterfuge of Bridgewater's world.
What I loved about their romance is that while their attraction was pretty immediate, the relationship was given time to build as they got to know each other against the backdrop of danger and intrigue. Bridgewater has lots of secrets and Panna is sometimes and unwitting partner of his mystery and at other times agrees to play critical and perilous roles to help him out. Each time you sense them becoming more invested in each other, admiring the persons they are and getting more emotionally connected. It's not rushed and their differences in outlook about sex and romance made it even more interesting and seductive. He is über sexy and she is attractive inside and out. You want them to work.
The book is so exciting because of all the many twists and turns to Bridgewater's story. He is constantly under scrutiny by his own regiment as they aren't convinced if he is a traitor or a loyal office in his command. The real history of the period is nicely woven into the fictional tale, never sacrificing the reality of the tension between England and Scotland for sake of the story. Sometimes it's brutal but the authenticity just added to the suspense and edginess.
There was one scene that bugged me a lot and I'm not certain I interpreted it correctly. It involves something Bridgewater did the night before his first intimacy with Panna. I'd love to get someone else's perspective on it as it was a huge turnoff.
With that scene aside, this book is a winner because of the beauty of the romance, its strong historical elements, mystery, suspense and exciting tension. It was a slow start initially because I was a bit confused as the layers of the mystery were unfolding (I didn't know to look for one!). Once I caught on, I couldn't put the book down. It's not your typical time travel or historical romance story and that's reason enough to read it.
(I was provided an Advance Review Copy by the publisher)
In general, I'm not crazy about time travel stories because the paradoxes end up scrambling my brain. This story doesn't bother with that kind of nonsense and freed me to just relax and enjoy the action. It's one of the best I've read, though my repertoire is pretty slim.
Panna's pretty adventuresome for a librarian and she was before she became a widow. The one time I felt I needed to stretch of my sensibilities was when she discovered the portal. Panna's reaction was more "look what I found" instead of being flattened or astounded by it. This distracted me for awhile but once I moved on, I was drawn into the intrigue.
Panna discovers Bridgewater almost immediately after entering the portal. He's leery of her, believing she may be a spy, and their relationship is a dance for awhile as they try to find common ground and trust. There's no question they're attracted to each other and Panna has a head start as she's been lusting after the marble statue that's an exact replica of him, sitting in the middle of her library back in the 21st century. Once she's proven herself to be trustworthy, Panna becomes part of the subterfuge of Bridgewater's world.
What I loved about their romance is that while their attraction was pretty immediate, the relationship was given time to build as they got to know each other against the backdrop of danger and intrigue. Bridgewater has lots of secrets and Panna is sometimes and unwitting partner of his mystery and at other times agrees to play critical and perilous roles to help him out. Each time you sense them becoming more invested in each other, admiring the persons they are and getting more emotionally connected. It's not rushed and their differences in outlook about sex and romance made it even more interesting and seductive. He is über sexy and she is attractive inside and out. You want them to work.
The book is so exciting because of all the many twists and turns to Bridgewater's story. He is constantly under scrutiny by his own regiment as they aren't convinced if he is a traitor or a loyal office in his command. The real history of the period is nicely woven into the fictional tale, never sacrificing the reality of the tension between England and Scotland for sake of the story. Sometimes it's brutal but the authenticity just added to the suspense and edginess.
There was one scene that bugged me a lot and I'm not certain I interpreted it correctly. It involves something Bridgewater did the night before his first intimacy with Panna. I'd love to get someone else's perspective on it as it was a huge turnoff.
With that scene aside, this book is a winner because of the beauty of the romance, its strong historical elements, mystery, suspense and exciting tension. It was a slow start initially because I was a bit confused as the layers of the mystery were unfolding (I didn't know to look for one!). Once I caught on, I couldn't put the book down. It's not your typical time travel or historical romance story and that's reason enough to read it.
(I was provided an Advance Review Copy by the publisher)
October 20, 2017
From Panna's view at her desk, she could see the Bridgewater's statue and fantasize about him. I guess the strong desire pushed her towards a time portal, and she was face to face with said man. Only that man and the statue was not the same. And from that point forward the readers were thrust into a journey that was equally suspenseful and enjoyable. Panna was there, in the past, for one day. All that happened in a span one day? Yes, that was the question I asked myself. I did not keep track of the time but, I was pretty sure Panna was there for one day.
In some theory, time travel was impossible because if you went to the past, you could cease to exist as you were not born yet and if you went to the future, well the possible answer would be you could turn into ashes as you'll probably be dead. That was the point touched in Back to the Future trilogy. In some time travel book, the writer chose to added changeling factor as to even the impact. You went time traveling and there was someone resembling you replacing you in your time. So, why did I mentioned the theories? Because for every time travelling books, I wanted to see how the writer would capture these theories and make it believable.
And that was also the reason of the lack of one star. The ending felt off. Like it should be more, but, somehow the writer decided it was enough. It left me feeling incomplete.
In some theory, time travel was impossible because if you went to the past, you could cease to exist as you were not born yet and if you went to the future, well the possible answer would be you could turn into ashes as you'll probably be dead. That was the point touched in Back to the Future trilogy. In some time travel book, the writer chose to added changeling factor as to even the impact. You went time traveling and there was someone resembling you replacing you in your time. So, why did I mentioned the theories? Because for every time travelling books, I wanted to see how the writer would capture these theories and make it believable.
And that was also the reason of the lack of one star. The ending felt off. Like it should be more, but, somehow the writer decided it was enough. It left me feeling incomplete.
August 30, 2012
This was an enjoyable read that effectively combined multiple elements. Mystery, adventure, humor, history, time travel all come out to play in this rousing romp featuring current day Panna Kennedy, head librarian of a small library in Carlisle Pennsylvania. Panna is still grieving for her dead husband who passed away two years earlier. Faced with huge budget cuts, she’s searching old storage areas of the library for items that can be turned to cash, when she discovers an odd room. Duty calls, interrupting her exploration for the present, but when she returns to the peculiar room hours later she steps through a portal, landing in the 18th century. It is at this point that the fun ensues.
I got caught up in the story and was carried along effortlessly except for a few times when I felt overwhelmed by the political intrigue transpiring along the 18th century Scottish border, near Hadrian’s Wall. I also could not help but compare this story to Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander series. I feel Diana made the political aspects of her story easier to understand. However, I absolutely delighted in all the double entendres and sly sexual innuendos that are liberally sprinkled throughout Timeless Desire. I particularly enjoyed the snap and sparkle that Panna brings to the tale. She manages to shake up John Bridgestone’s world, and that endeared her to me. This well-written story is sure to appeal to a wide range of readers. I guarantee Mrs. Brownlow’s sexual advice will cause anyone to laugh out loud.
This book was provided to me free of charge from the author’s publicist in return for my honest review. I received no other compensation.
Reviewed by Laurie-J
I got caught up in the story and was carried along effortlessly except for a few times when I felt overwhelmed by the political intrigue transpiring along the 18th century Scottish border, near Hadrian’s Wall. I also could not help but compare this story to Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander series. I feel Diana made the political aspects of her story easier to understand. However, I absolutely delighted in all the double entendres and sly sexual innuendos that are liberally sprinkled throughout Timeless Desire. I particularly enjoyed the snap and sparkle that Panna brings to the tale. She manages to shake up John Bridgestone’s world, and that endeared her to me. This well-written story is sure to appeal to a wide range of readers. I guarantee Mrs. Brownlow’s sexual advice will cause anyone to laugh out loud.
This book was provided to me free of charge from the author’s publicist in return for my honest review. I received no other compensation.
Reviewed by Laurie-J
August 15, 2012
The first impression I got from this book while reading through chapter one was that it was smooth and easy to read. I was engaged from page one and there wasn't even something extrodinary going on. She makes everyday dialouge into smoething interesting. She's that good!
So much history and mystery combined and after the first few chapters when she enters the mysterious door to another time. I was hooked.
Don't we all have a pining for the tourtured hero? ell, Captin Bridgewater is that and devine combined.
The funniest line in the book is when she's trying to prove she's from the future and she says.. "Let me tell you about iPods."
I laughed out loud. Then she starts naming many commonly known things that would be ludicris to anyone in the 18th centry. *laughs*
If only time travel were a thing possible to be enjoyed at least once in your life, right? Imagine the knowledge you'd gain within mere moments of walking into another time. The smells, the scenery, the people. It would be enchanting. Let's put aside the butterfly effect and just imagine the possibilities. I would be enthralled. And that's exactly what I was while reading this book.
The characters had fantastic emotion and dialogue. The banter between Panna and Bridgewater was fun and emotional as well. The "villian" may have been a pain in the backside, but they were a great edition to the story. They kept you on the edge of your seat.
I loved everything about this book. I highly recommend that everyone who loves historical romance or time travel romance, check this out!
So much history and mystery combined and after the first few chapters when she enters the mysterious door to another time. I was hooked.
Don't we all have a pining for the tourtured hero? ell, Captin Bridgewater is that and devine combined.
The funniest line in the book is when she's trying to prove she's from the future and she says.. "Let me tell you about iPods."
I laughed out loud. Then she starts naming many commonly known things that would be ludicris to anyone in the 18th centry. *laughs*
If only time travel were a thing possible to be enjoyed at least once in your life, right? Imagine the knowledge you'd gain within mere moments of walking into another time. The smells, the scenery, the people. It would be enchanting. Let's put aside the butterfly effect and just imagine the possibilities. I would be enthralled. And that's exactly what I was while reading this book.
The characters had fantastic emotion and dialogue. The banter between Panna and Bridgewater was fun and emotional as well. The "villian" may have been a pain in the backside, but they were a great edition to the story. They kept you on the edge of your seat.
I loved everything about this book. I highly recommend that everyone who loves historical romance or time travel romance, check this out!
August 14, 2012
Gwyn Cready has really outdone herself on this book. It's everything you could want from a deliciously warm romance with lots of action. A sit on the edge of your seat page turner that I absolutely loved and hope to see more of this type of story from our author in the future.
Panna Kennedy is ever so lonely. Still mourning the death of her husband she is not quite sure she wants to get involved again but her friend is determined to help Panna find some semblance of happiness. The problem is is that Panna would just as soon drool over a statue of the most handsome man she's seen in some time but what will happen when Pandora's Box opens drawing her in to meet the statue come to life?
Colonel John Bridgewater is everything there is to make even the most ardent of women swoon with his dashing self. Playing both sides of the fence in a war that will surely not have a winner is a dangerous game and one that the Colonel just can't help himself with being smack dab in the middle of. Then along comes a woman and all Hell be damned. Can John Bridgewater ride the fence and play a game of tit for tat? We'll see!
This is one action packed book with enough steam to melt the glue binding it together. Luscious kisses, midnight rendezvous, dangerous missions and enough intrigue to keep all of us entertained while licking our lips ardently over the drool worthy sexy scenes. Our author has a knack for giving us just what we want but this time she has delivered in spades. Now I believe Gwyn Creedy is going to have to give us Aces to top this delightfully decadent treat.
Panna Kennedy is ever so lonely. Still mourning the death of her husband she is not quite sure she wants to get involved again but her friend is determined to help Panna find some semblance of happiness. The problem is is that Panna would just as soon drool over a statue of the most handsome man she's seen in some time but what will happen when Pandora's Box opens drawing her in to meet the statue come to life?
Colonel John Bridgewater is everything there is to make even the most ardent of women swoon with his dashing self. Playing both sides of the fence in a war that will surely not have a winner is a dangerous game and one that the Colonel just can't help himself with being smack dab in the middle of. Then along comes a woman and all Hell be damned. Can John Bridgewater ride the fence and play a game of tit for tat? We'll see!
This is one action packed book with enough steam to melt the glue binding it together. Luscious kisses, midnight rendezvous, dangerous missions and enough intrigue to keep all of us entertained while licking our lips ardently over the drool worthy sexy scenes. Our author has a knack for giving us just what we want but this time she has delivered in spades. Now I believe Gwyn Creedy is going to have to give us Aces to top this delightfully decadent treat.
July 24, 2012
While not a librarian herself, Gwyn Cready hits the nail on the head for most of the librarians I know. We are a sassy bunch, and several of the quips made on the profession itself are hilarious and spot-on. From Panna's dislike for Wikipedia (even though she admits its usefulness) to the stereotypes and small details of program development and interlibrary loan, I was thoroughly impressed with Cready's research into the field.
Historically speaking, I have no idea how accurate this story is. My area of expertise (if it could be called that) is more in Asian history, not European, so I couldn't confirm any of the happenings mentioned. That said, I still thoroughly enjoyed the goings-on and while yes, it is a romance, it felt almost natural, all things considered.
At first, I was a bit confused about the characters Adderly and Bridgewater (read through halfway the book to see why, I'm not going to spoil it) but things came together well in the end. A bit too perfectly in some respects but still well done.
I'm definitely recommending this to any and all of my fellow librarians that want a little historical romance. It's fun and fast-paced and I'll definitely look into more by this author.
A sassy librarian heroine? Yes please!
Historically speaking, I have no idea how accurate this story is. My area of expertise (if it could be called that) is more in Asian history, not European, so I couldn't confirm any of the happenings mentioned. That said, I still thoroughly enjoyed the goings-on and while yes, it is a romance, it felt almost natural, all things considered.
At first, I was a bit confused about the characters Adderly and Bridgewater (read through halfway the book to see why, I'm not going to spoil it) but things came together well in the end. A bit too perfectly in some respects but still well done.
I'm definitely recommending this to any and all of my fellow librarians that want a little historical romance. It's fun and fast-paced and I'll definitely look into more by this author.
A sassy librarian heroine? Yes please!
September 28, 2014
Timeless Desire is Gwyn Creedy's newest time travel romance. In her recurring theme, it's a time travel romance, from present day back to historical Scottish border wars.
Librarian Panna walks through the storage room door into the past.Could it be real? She encounters then the real life image of the man whose statue stands in her very library. Panna has had a secret fantasy about this man for years. Can he live up to her expectations? She is drawn into the controversy and trouble of the times. Bus she has to get back to the library for a blind date. Her friends think her widowed lonely status should be changed. The date is nice, but Panna is distracted and drawn back to the past. She was entrusted with delivering a note to the rebels. What happens if she doesn't deliver it? Will the rebels all be captured or killed? Will her delivery, if she can actually get back to the past, change history?
Action, adventure, a little suspense and romance. A true time travel feel good romance.
Librarian Panna walks through the storage room door into the past.Could it be real? She encounters then the real life image of the man whose statue stands in her very library. Panna has had a secret fantasy about this man for years. Can he live up to her expectations? She is drawn into the controversy and trouble of the times. Bus she has to get back to the library for a blind date. Her friends think her widowed lonely status should be changed. The date is nice, but Panna is distracted and drawn back to the past. She was entrusted with delivering a note to the rebels. What happens if she doesn't deliver it? Will the rebels all be captured or killed? Will her delivery, if she can actually get back to the past, change history?
Action, adventure, a little suspense and romance. A true time travel feel good romance.
August 1, 2012
Originally published at Reading Reality
The Urban Dictionary defines an "outlander" as:
Any individual who does not belong in a social setting; an intruder; an interloper
But for readers of time-travel romance, using the subtitle "An Outlander Love Story" as Gwyn Cready does on the cover of Timeless Desire, and specifically setting that romance on the Scottish border in the early 1700s, is bound to invoke comparisons to Jamie Fraser and Clare Randall.
Search Google for "outlander", and Jamie Fraser's name comes up as a related search, along with Diana Gabaldon (duh), the unrelated 2007 movie, and the Mitsubishi SUV.
But the heroine of Timeless Desire is Panna Kennedy, not Clare Randall. She's a librarian and not a nurse. A time-travelling librarian who is the heroine of a romance novel. Okay, I was hooked from the description right there.
Totally incapable of an unbiased opinion, mind you, but completely hooked.
Panna thinks, acts and sounds like "one of us". Us librarians, I mean. Her budget is being slashed, her staff is under-appreciated, her library is underfunded, and as much as she loves being the head librarian in a small town, occasionally she wants to escape.
Mostly she escapes into a good book. Her husband died two years ago, and she still hasn't gotten over it. Panna's spirit of adventure seems to have died with him.
Until she goes searching through the under-basements of the library for something to sell. Something that might keep the budget axe from chopping quite so close to the bone. And she sticks her hand through a locked doorway and into blackness. Not darkness. Blackness like her hand has been cut off, except she can still feel it, she just can't see it.
She pulls it back like it was on fire. But the fire is back in her soul. She has to see what's on the other side of that formerly locked door. Was it real? Is she crazy? Why is it there?
There's a statue in front of the service desk in her library. Colonel John Bridgewater, the founder of the library, or at least the funding angel. (One gets the distinct impression that the statue, albeit fully clothed, is nearly anatomically correct--Panna has certainly fantasized about Bridgewater often enough!)
Panna goes back to the library in the evening and steps through the door into nothingness. She finds herself in the 18th century. What's more, she's in England, on the Scots border. She can see Hadrian's Wall. The library she left behind was in Carlisle, PA. In the USA.
The first person she meets is Colonel John Bridgewater. In the very warm and living flesh. And he thinks she's a whore. Not to mention a spy. It's not a very auspicious start to their relationship.
And what a relationship it turns out to be. Nothing on the Scots borders is ever simple. John Bridgewater is the son of two countries. His father is an English Earl and commander of the English forces on the Border. But John was forced to make his own way in the world, because his father neglected to marry his mother, who was the daughter of a Scots clan chief. John's loyalties are divided.
Each side is sure he must be a traitor. All he wants is peace. Or at least, less pointless bloodshed.
He sees Panna as either an angel or a temptress. John makes Panna feel alive again. But as they drag each other deeper into the tangle of secrets and lies, he discovers that she is telling the truth, and that there is more danger in the knowledge she holds than he ever imagined.
Escape Rating B: There are two ways of looking at this story. One is to attempt to consider how it works on its own merits, and the other is to look at how it deals with the long shadow cast by Diana Gabaldon's classic tale, Outlander.
Timeless Desire is a solid time-travel romance. Panna's desperation to solve the budget crisis was very real, and rang true (Been there, done that, and I've known too many library folk in that same boat). Her grief over her late husband also "felt" right. Everyone grieves in their own way and time. Going back in time, while contrived, made for a terrific adventure. It shook Panna out of her rut in every way possible. Fighting for your life will do that. And because the circumstances were extreme, falling in love happened fast and hard.
It was easy to get caught up in Panna's story.
On the other hand, the title invokes one of the truly great stories, Diana Gabaldon's Outlander, and that's a dangerous comparison to make. Jamie Fraser is positively beloved. The two romance heroes whose names I wouldn't get near with someone else's barge-pole are Jamie Fraser and Roarke. Naming another Scots hero Jamie in a time-travel romance is simply bad juju. IMHO.
There were a few too many times when I read a scene in Timeless Desire and knew what was going to happen because either the same thing had happened in Outlander, or it happened before but with an opposite twist. (Spoiler alert) For example, the wedding was in extremely similar circumstances, although Bridgewater was not (thank heavens!) a virgin. The ending worked opposite but had a lot of similar characteristics. In this case it depended on who had a home to go to in which time.
As Outlander-lite, Timeless Desire works very well.
The Urban Dictionary defines an "outlander" as:
Any individual who does not belong in a social setting; an intruder; an interloper
But for readers of time-travel romance, using the subtitle "An Outlander Love Story" as Gwyn Cready does on the cover of Timeless Desire, and specifically setting that romance on the Scottish border in the early 1700s, is bound to invoke comparisons to Jamie Fraser and Clare Randall.
Search Google for "outlander", and Jamie Fraser's name comes up as a related search, along with Diana Gabaldon (duh), the unrelated 2007 movie, and the Mitsubishi SUV.
But the heroine of Timeless Desire is Panna Kennedy, not Clare Randall. She's a librarian and not a nurse. A time-travelling librarian who is the heroine of a romance novel. Okay, I was hooked from the description right there.
Totally incapable of an unbiased opinion, mind you, but completely hooked.
Panna thinks, acts and sounds like "one of us". Us librarians, I mean. Her budget is being slashed, her staff is under-appreciated, her library is underfunded, and as much as she loves being the head librarian in a small town, occasionally she wants to escape.
Mostly she escapes into a good book. Her husband died two years ago, and she still hasn't gotten over it. Panna's spirit of adventure seems to have died with him.
Until she goes searching through the under-basements of the library for something to sell. Something that might keep the budget axe from chopping quite so close to the bone. And she sticks her hand through a locked doorway and into blackness. Not darkness. Blackness like her hand has been cut off, except she can still feel it, she just can't see it.
She pulls it back like it was on fire. But the fire is back in her soul. She has to see what's on the other side of that formerly locked door. Was it real? Is she crazy? Why is it there?
There's a statue in front of the service desk in her library. Colonel John Bridgewater, the founder of the library, or at least the funding angel. (One gets the distinct impression that the statue, albeit fully clothed, is nearly anatomically correct--Panna has certainly fantasized about Bridgewater often enough!)
Panna goes back to the library in the evening and steps through the door into nothingness. She finds herself in the 18th century. What's more, she's in England, on the Scots border. She can see Hadrian's Wall. The library she left behind was in Carlisle, PA. In the USA.
The first person she meets is Colonel John Bridgewater. In the very warm and living flesh. And he thinks she's a whore. Not to mention a spy. It's not a very auspicious start to their relationship.
And what a relationship it turns out to be. Nothing on the Scots borders is ever simple. John Bridgewater is the son of two countries. His father is an English Earl and commander of the English forces on the Border. But John was forced to make his own way in the world, because his father neglected to marry his mother, who was the daughter of a Scots clan chief. John's loyalties are divided.
Each side is sure he must be a traitor. All he wants is peace. Or at least, less pointless bloodshed.
He sees Panna as either an angel or a temptress. John makes Panna feel alive again. But as they drag each other deeper into the tangle of secrets and lies, he discovers that she is telling the truth, and that there is more danger in the knowledge she holds than he ever imagined.
Escape Rating B: There are two ways of looking at this story. One is to attempt to consider how it works on its own merits, and the other is to look at how it deals with the long shadow cast by Diana Gabaldon's classic tale, Outlander.
Timeless Desire is a solid time-travel romance. Panna's desperation to solve the budget crisis was very real, and rang true (Been there, done that, and I've known too many library folk in that same boat). Her grief over her late husband also "felt" right. Everyone grieves in their own way and time. Going back in time, while contrived, made for a terrific adventure. It shook Panna out of her rut in every way possible. Fighting for your life will do that. And because the circumstances were extreme, falling in love happened fast and hard.
It was easy to get caught up in Panna's story.
On the other hand, the title invokes one of the truly great stories, Diana Gabaldon's Outlander, and that's a dangerous comparison to make. Jamie Fraser is positively beloved. The two romance heroes whose names I wouldn't get near with someone else's barge-pole are Jamie Fraser and Roarke. Naming another Scots hero Jamie in a time-travel romance is simply bad juju. IMHO.
There were a few too many times when I read a scene in Timeless Desire and knew what was going to happen because either the same thing had happened in Outlander, or it happened before but with an opposite twist. (Spoiler alert) For example, the wedding was in extremely similar circumstances, although Bridgewater was not (thank heavens!) a virgin. The ending worked opposite but had a lot of similar characteristics. In this case it depended on who had a home to go to in which time.
As Outlander-lite, Timeless Desire works very well.
May 17, 2012
A time-travel romance. If you combine the best of contemporary and historical romance you get a Gwen Cready book.
The local Carnegie library is having funding issues (and really who today isn’t). In an attempt to find something she can sell to help; librarian Panna Kennedy finds a doorway to 1706 on the Scots English border where she gets involved with the handsome Captain Bridgewater.
If you like dashing men in uniform (even if they are red) and a romp through history with a spunky librarian trying to save the day you will adore this book.
An aside here: I loved the scene where Panna is trying to explain that sex has changed over the last 300 years. Well played Capt. Bridgewater.
The local Carnegie library is having funding issues (and really who today isn’t). In an attempt to find something she can sell to help; librarian Panna Kennedy finds a doorway to 1706 on the Scots English border where she gets involved with the handsome Captain Bridgewater.
If you like dashing men in uniform (even if they are red) and a romp through history with a spunky librarian trying to save the day you will adore this book.
An aside here: I loved the scene where Panna is trying to explain that sex has changed over the last 300 years. Well played Capt. Bridgewater.
July 23, 2013
I like to read books by this author because she is a local of my hometown, Pittsburgh. It's fun to read something and say, "Hey, I know where that is!" I am a former library clerk (never got my MLIS or MLA for the older librarians!) to technically be called a librarian, but it was pretty close! (Shut up, Carrie - it was! :-) Anyway, I love libraries! I have never been to the library Gwyn talks about in this book but plan on taking a field trip. It will be part of my "staycation" in a few weeks.
In summation: a nice quick and fun read!
In summation: a nice quick and fun read!
February 5, 2017
Cross-posted from my blog where there's more information on where I got my copy and everything.
(3.5)
Well, this was fun. I used to read a ton of romance, and it's been a while since I read one. And I do really enjoy time travel/time slip books. I definitely enjoyed this one. I especially liked how Panna was a little older than some romance heroines at thirty-four. There's also a ton of plot besides just the romance, spies and war and stuff, and that's a lot of fun so nothing drags too much. And I really liked that although it takes place over only a few days, the romance does feel earned and honest because it takes most of the book to get there.
There were a few things I wasn't so fond of. First of all, the whorephobia is kind of bad in this. Seriously, just... can we not do that? Not cool. Second, honestly, when one sex scene mentions kneading bread, and descriptions of the hero's body includes apricots and a small eggplant... I just start to wonder if the author really wanted a snack writing this. Honestly, I lost it a little at the mention of a... certain part... the size of a small eggplant.
Also, side note, mild sexual assault trigger warning. Not from the hero, and Panna isn't traumatized by it, and doesn't bring it up again, but be careful with yourself if you need to.
All in all, though, I enjoyed this. It's not outstandingly different from other books in the genre in my experience, but by no means was it bad, so if you like time travel/time slip romances, you'd probably have fun with this. If you enjoy other books with Outlander in the series name about women who time travel and meet heroes named Jamie, you'd probably enjoy this one, too, if you're into romance. (There's actually very little similarity between them. It just amused me on those little places it did.) It was a fun way to spend a Sunday afternoon, and I wish I'd read it sooner. I probably won't keep it, just because I don't tend to reread romance and I can always get it from the library if I do want to, and my mom has already read it, so I'll probably give it away or donate it so someone else can get the chance to enjoy it. And I do think they will. Three and a half roses.
Other notes:
- The fact that the cover model is wearing green shoes and a red dress does kind of bug me. Is it Christmas? She never wears red in the book, I'm pretty sure.
(3.5)
Well, this was fun. I used to read a ton of romance, and it's been a while since I read one. And I do really enjoy time travel/time slip books. I definitely enjoyed this one. I especially liked how Panna was a little older than some romance heroines at thirty-four. There's also a ton of plot besides just the romance, spies and war and stuff, and that's a lot of fun so nothing drags too much. And I really liked that although it takes place over only a few days, the romance does feel earned and honest because it takes most of the book to get there.
There were a few things I wasn't so fond of. First of all, the whorephobia is kind of bad in this. Seriously, just... can we not do that? Not cool. Second, honestly, when one sex scene mentions kneading bread, and descriptions of the hero's body includes apricots and a small eggplant... I just start to wonder if the author really wanted a snack writing this. Honestly, I lost it a little at the mention of a... certain part... the size of a small eggplant.
Also, side note, mild sexual assault trigger warning. Not from the hero, and Panna isn't traumatized by it, and doesn't bring it up again, but be careful with yourself if you need to.
All in all, though, I enjoyed this. It's not outstandingly different from other books in the genre in my experience, but by no means was it bad, so if you like time travel/time slip romances, you'd probably have fun with this. If you enjoy other books with Outlander in the series name about women who time travel and meet heroes named Jamie, you'd probably enjoy this one, too, if you're into romance. (There's actually very little similarity between them. It just amused me on those little places it did.) It was a fun way to spend a Sunday afternoon, and I wish I'd read it sooner. I probably won't keep it, just because I don't tend to reread romance and I can always get it from the library if I do want to, and my mom has already read it, so I'll probably give it away or donate it so someone else can get the chance to enjoy it. And I do think they will. Three and a half roses.
Other notes:
- The fact that the cover model is wearing green shoes and a red dress does kind of bug me. Is it Christmas? She never wears red in the book, I'm pretty sure.
July 18, 2014
3.2. This book wanted to read better. I could smell it on its lightly whiskey-infused, historical named dropped pages. I actually wasn’t wielding excessively high standards when I read this, having not read a book for pure leisure for a while. So I expected a 4 from it, just from the course it started to take.
Well, it diverted from the well-lit path that 4+ stories walk within.
I believe the main issue was that it took on more than could fill its breeks; its limbs were too narrow to quite hold the weight of such a wide and epic topic of time travel portals and romantic love that transcends 300 years of time. Specifically, a book of such heightened context should include the 5 W's and the 1 How. The ones that particularly needed filling out in the WHY and HOW categories.
Why did this library have a portal? Why was our heroine Panna able to see it and pass through where others could not? How did the thing even exist? Why did the thing exist? Another why detail that's sort of small scale but really isn’t were the clothes/transfer of items when Panna passed through. the first time her librarian clothes and pencil-in-hair look became removed; she wore nothing but a sexy dress that got her mistaken as a whore numerous times. First I figured the fates were trying to set her up with the hero of the story, but the dress became more of a hindrance seeing as the story hardly remains in the castle and she has to move about within the world more than play sexy kitten for him.
Then, when she left his time only to return she brought things with her and they passed through fine. She was also able to take stuff from the past to the future as well. I wanted to know what worked and what didn’t and why because, even if they were small things, if it makes one pause and go hmm... I wonder about that...then the detail should probably be filled in.
My next concern was Panna's character. Ah. well. I can't say she was Mary-Sue...I didn't know enough about her to know. She remained flat on the page, which didn’t flatter her. In the 3- dimensional story world of wild events and war, 2-D is not a good look for the main character. The hero, Bridgewater, had more of a filling than she did. Fine, but seeing as she was the main eyes we saw the story from, it sucked that I felt little of her presence whatsoever.
You know what else was vague, if not confusing? Setting. Especially near the beginning. I couldn’t tell the ceiling from the ground from the hearth to whatever else. Literally. I really don't know what happened there. It was like, the author was explaining it but I just didn't know what the hell she was talking about. Which never happens to me. Even if it’s been foreign settings for me (and apparently it shouldn't have been, just a storage room in the library floor and later a castle) I’ve always been able to piece together a general picture. Here, I thought I had my notions down but then an event would be like "and she ran down the hall" and I’m like hall? I thought she was in a small room! Haha, no exaggeration..Thing is, I was confused enough to set aside the book, but interested enough to pick it back up. If I'd known how it'd progress and eventually end, I would have kept it down. Something else in the progress of reading that totally threw me off was the romance between the two of them.
First off, it's been 1 1/2 days. Not. even. a full. 2 days. And there is "I’ve fallen in love with him/her!" Uh no. You haven't. And these are 30 something year old characters. They know better, no matter what time period you're from, you know better. To not even get into why Bridgewater’s claims that 'she made me feel less lonely' isn't enough to love her stably, what really set me off is Bridgewater’s supposed love and devotion when, during his short courtship of her, wait for it (teensy spoiler, since it's only treated with a wrist slap and set aside) He sees a prostitute! And then he goes into Panna's bed the same night after needing her to mend him up after being caught crawling out of the window on the woman he slept with and getting shot.
Uh, okay? And there was another mention of his maybe or maybe not frequenting a nearby brothel house. I honestly had no reason why the author felt the need to insert these details about him. It just make me want to toss this aside and I did, for a couple hours. I was just so severely irritated by that. Don’t claim he loves her so grandly and then have him being a manslut the next. And it wasn’t even added to some character flaw either, like some crazy lustful urges he has. He actually acts like a prude and blushes a whole lot in the story. But nope. Just plopped on us this closet sexual monster. How you like those Roses? The author said, well here is some shit to go with it.
The pretty descriptions couldn't save the book either. They came in pretty late or I’d only noticed much later, but it did nothing but tune in my awareness of the author. I tend to sharpen on the speaker's presence when the heroine is flat so that is what happened. And so even with artful detail, I wasn’t too impressed in the take of the story.
Overall, I felt nothing for Panna's character or her life. She had no strong interest but an implied one in reading. And all the rest of what I’ve stated contributes to this 3.2 rating. That's it. Good luck with this one. Not a bad story, since I gave it a 3. Merely because the author actually knew how to write. It was all context that sagged these breeks down. It needed to be brought back under extensive revision surgery.
Well, it diverted from the well-lit path that 4+ stories walk within.
I believe the main issue was that it took on more than could fill its breeks; its limbs were too narrow to quite hold the weight of such a wide and epic topic of time travel portals and romantic love that transcends 300 years of time. Specifically, a book of such heightened context should include the 5 W's and the 1 How. The ones that particularly needed filling out in the WHY and HOW categories.
Why did this library have a portal? Why was our heroine Panna able to see it and pass through where others could not? How did the thing even exist? Why did the thing exist? Another why detail that's sort of small scale but really isn’t were the clothes/transfer of items when Panna passed through. the first time her librarian clothes and pencil-in-hair look became removed; she wore nothing but a sexy dress that got her mistaken as a whore numerous times. First I figured the fates were trying to set her up with the hero of the story, but the dress became more of a hindrance seeing as the story hardly remains in the castle and she has to move about within the world more than play sexy kitten for him.
Then, when she left his time only to return she brought things with her and they passed through fine. She was also able to take stuff from the past to the future as well. I wanted to know what worked and what didn’t and why because, even if they were small things, if it makes one pause and go hmm... I wonder about that...then the detail should probably be filled in.
My next concern was Panna's character. Ah. well. I can't say she was Mary-Sue...I didn't know enough about her to know. She remained flat on the page, which didn’t flatter her. In the 3- dimensional story world of wild events and war, 2-D is not a good look for the main character. The hero, Bridgewater, had more of a filling than she did. Fine, but seeing as she was the main eyes we saw the story from, it sucked that I felt little of her presence whatsoever.
You know what else was vague, if not confusing? Setting. Especially near the beginning. I couldn’t tell the ceiling from the ground from the hearth to whatever else. Literally. I really don't know what happened there. It was like, the author was explaining it but I just didn't know what the hell she was talking about. Which never happens to me. Even if it’s been foreign settings for me (and apparently it shouldn't have been, just a storage room in the library floor and later a castle) I’ve always been able to piece together a general picture. Here, I thought I had my notions down but then an event would be like "and she ran down the hall" and I’m like hall? I thought she was in a small room! Haha, no exaggeration..Thing is, I was confused enough to set aside the book, but interested enough to pick it back up. If I'd known how it'd progress and eventually end, I would have kept it down. Something else in the progress of reading that totally threw me off was the romance between the two of them.
First off, it's been 1 1/2 days. Not. even. a full. 2 days. And there is "I’ve fallen in love with him/her!" Uh no. You haven't. And these are 30 something year old characters. They know better, no matter what time period you're from, you know better. To not even get into why Bridgewater’s claims that 'she made me feel less lonely' isn't enough to love her stably, what really set me off is Bridgewater’s supposed love and devotion when, during his short courtship of her, wait for it (teensy spoiler, since it's only treated with a wrist slap and set aside) He sees a prostitute! And then he goes into Panna's bed the same night after needing her to mend him up after being caught crawling out of the window on the woman he slept with and getting shot.
Uh, okay? And there was another mention of his maybe or maybe not frequenting a nearby brothel house. I honestly had no reason why the author felt the need to insert these details about him. It just make me want to toss this aside and I did, for a couple hours. I was just so severely irritated by that. Don’t claim he loves her so grandly and then have him being a manslut the next. And it wasn’t even added to some character flaw either, like some crazy lustful urges he has. He actually acts like a prude and blushes a whole lot in the story. But nope. Just plopped on us this closet sexual monster. How you like those Roses? The author said, well here is some shit to go with it.
The pretty descriptions couldn't save the book either. They came in pretty late or I’d only noticed much later, but it did nothing but tune in my awareness of the author. I tend to sharpen on the speaker's presence when the heroine is flat so that is what happened. And so even with artful detail, I wasn’t too impressed in the take of the story.
Overall, I felt nothing for Panna's character or her life. She had no strong interest but an implied one in reading. And all the rest of what I’ve stated contributes to this 3.2 rating. That's it. Good luck with this one. Not a bad story, since I gave it a 3. Merely because the author actually knew how to write. It was all context that sagged these breeks down. It needed to be brought back under extensive revision surgery.
November 29, 2018
I am going to say it was a good novel. I dont like war novels but it cought me by surprise and couldn't put it down. The story was interesting and different. Love my hea and all the little twists and turns in the story.
March 14, 2019
Sadly, this hero does not have a tattoo on his arm like the cover model.
I'm not usually a fan of the H/h ending up in the future in time travel romance, but this worked out well and I did like the ending. However Cready's writing leaves much to be desired.
I'm not usually a fan of the H/h ending up in the future in time travel romance, but this worked out well and I did like the ending. However Cready's writing leaves much to be desired.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 18, 2017
Really interesting topic. I often wondered what it would be like to time travel.
February 3, 2018
Not bad for a free book.
May 30, 2018
Rather rife with grammatical and sentence structure fumbles, but filled to the brim with wit, excitement, sizzle, and, of course love. Very enjoyable read!
July 22, 2018
I think this is the first book I gave one star on time travel genre -.- the story was really meh
March 21, 2017
(3.5 stars) I really liked Panna, she was strong and able to get through it all. I really enjoyed this book and would definitely recommend for anyone interested in historical romances! I am definitely going to read more by this author.
December 2, 2012
Originally posted at: http://www.longandshortreviews.blogsp...
This change of pace time travel story takes the reader on a delicious, exciting adventure from twenty-first century America to eighteenth century England and Scotland near Hadrian’s Wall.
Panna Kennedy says, “Old librarians don’t retire, they just turn the page”. She truly does just that. Through a little closet door under the stairs in the library, she goes to the chapel of the opulent MacIver Castle on the English side of Hadrian’s Wall at a time when hostilities threaten to erupt at the drop of a hat. Her first glimpse of the owner of the castle, Capitan James Bridgewater, is a shock. He looks so much like the statue of the long ago benefactor of the library where she works in twenty-first century Carnegie, Pennsylvania. He pulls her like a magnet.
Two years after her beloved husband’s death, she still struggles to move on with her life. Now in the eighteenth century, she has major decisions, life-changing decisions to make. The reader gets to share in her pondering and in her narrow escapes as she makes her way through a maze of “what-ifs” and “must-dos” while she tries to stay alive in a society alien to her except for what she has read about it in romance novels.
James, born of a Scottish mother and English father, is an “outlander” to some and to others an “abomination”. Yet, his skills as an officer in the English army are respected enough that he is accepted on a certain level. His entrepreneurship in water pump business has made him a very wealthy man.
When James and Panna first meet, he has been beaten by soldiers and is under house arrest in his own castle. He thinks she is a whore the English have sent to him. They do snap at each other but soon find common interests in books and astronomy. Even a bit of humor creeps in as they talk of “the Butcher’s Cleaver” and the “surveying seat” in a bay window overlooking a vast area. When his nemesis, General Bridgewater, almost sees a secret message that would get James hanged for treason, Panna saves him by the skin of his teeth. They find themselves working as a team to stay alive.
The secondary characters are a little confusing as Panna arrives in the eighteenth century, but information begins to creep in to help sort them out. The loyal followers of James are his only true “family”. Clare, a burly man; Thomas, just a lad but invaluable; The Hillers, and many others add texture to the story that allows the reader to see the commoners’ plight in the year after years struggle for power that improvised and killed so many who long to just live in peace and get on with day to day living.
The antagonists, especially Viscount Adderly, bring personal conflicts to a fever pitch, While Hector MacIver, James’ Scottish grandfather, creates an even different kind of conflict. The subtly of his manipulation is unique and rather ambiguous. He seems to blow hot and cold.
Gwyn Cready’s attention-keeping Timeless Desire is chock full of special bits and pieces that make the story rich. Subtle foreshadowing gives the reader some great ‘ah-ha’ moments as events unfold, so the she has a feeling of being on the inside track. The sneaky ways of delivering messages, the sparkling touch of humor, the love scenes that wow, and remarkable descriptions and metaphors fill the reader’s senses.
The fast pace Ms. Cready set keeps the adrenaline pumping and the heart racing much of the time. Yet, there are times it slows as Panna struggles with strong emotions and difficult decisions and when James wrestles with his deep need to be acknowledged and loved by family that denies him. The reader feels the heart aching needs of Panna and James.
The life-like characters intrigue. Historical tidbits set the time and place perfectly so the story rings true. Best of all, Ms. Cready writes with a special touch of magic that makes the reader suspend disbelief and share in a love story that transcends time and transports the hero and heroine to a happy-ever-after where they are “loyal subjects of Marie Clare”—a place where James is not and never will be an “outlander”.
Timeless Desire is a captivating story—that is spine-tingling, heart-touching, and pulls the reader in to a thrilling adventure.
This change of pace time travel story takes the reader on a delicious, exciting adventure from twenty-first century America to eighteenth century England and Scotland near Hadrian’s Wall.
Panna Kennedy says, “Old librarians don’t retire, they just turn the page”. She truly does just that. Through a little closet door under the stairs in the library, she goes to the chapel of the opulent MacIver Castle on the English side of Hadrian’s Wall at a time when hostilities threaten to erupt at the drop of a hat. Her first glimpse of the owner of the castle, Capitan James Bridgewater, is a shock. He looks so much like the statue of the long ago benefactor of the library where she works in twenty-first century Carnegie, Pennsylvania. He pulls her like a magnet.
Two years after her beloved husband’s death, she still struggles to move on with her life. Now in the eighteenth century, she has major decisions, life-changing decisions to make. The reader gets to share in her pondering and in her narrow escapes as she makes her way through a maze of “what-ifs” and “must-dos” while she tries to stay alive in a society alien to her except for what she has read about it in romance novels.
James, born of a Scottish mother and English father, is an “outlander” to some and to others an “abomination”. Yet, his skills as an officer in the English army are respected enough that he is accepted on a certain level. His entrepreneurship in water pump business has made him a very wealthy man.
When James and Panna first meet, he has been beaten by soldiers and is under house arrest in his own castle. He thinks she is a whore the English have sent to him. They do snap at each other but soon find common interests in books and astronomy. Even a bit of humor creeps in as they talk of “the Butcher’s Cleaver” and the “surveying seat” in a bay window overlooking a vast area. When his nemesis, General Bridgewater, almost sees a secret message that would get James hanged for treason, Panna saves him by the skin of his teeth. They find themselves working as a team to stay alive.
The secondary characters are a little confusing as Panna arrives in the eighteenth century, but information begins to creep in to help sort them out. The loyal followers of James are his only true “family”. Clare, a burly man; Thomas, just a lad but invaluable; The Hillers, and many others add texture to the story that allows the reader to see the commoners’ plight in the year after years struggle for power that improvised and killed so many who long to just live in peace and get on with day to day living.
The antagonists, especially Viscount Adderly, bring personal conflicts to a fever pitch, While Hector MacIver, James’ Scottish grandfather, creates an even different kind of conflict. The subtly of his manipulation is unique and rather ambiguous. He seems to blow hot and cold.
Gwyn Cready’s attention-keeping Timeless Desire is chock full of special bits and pieces that make the story rich. Subtle foreshadowing gives the reader some great ‘ah-ha’ moments as events unfold, so the she has a feeling of being on the inside track. The sneaky ways of delivering messages, the sparkling touch of humor, the love scenes that wow, and remarkable descriptions and metaphors fill the reader’s senses.
The fast pace Ms. Cready set keeps the adrenaline pumping and the heart racing much of the time. Yet, there are times it slows as Panna struggles with strong emotions and difficult decisions and when James wrestles with his deep need to be acknowledged and loved by family that denies him. The reader feels the heart aching needs of Panna and James.
The life-like characters intrigue. Historical tidbits set the time and place perfectly so the story rings true. Best of all, Ms. Cready writes with a special touch of magic that makes the reader suspend disbelief and share in a love story that transcends time and transports the hero and heroine to a happy-ever-after where they are “loyal subjects of Marie Clare”—a place where James is not and never will be an “outlander”.
Timeless Desire is a captivating story—that is spine-tingling, heart-touching, and pulls the reader in to a thrilling adventure.
August 11, 2012
ARC Review Copy Provided By: Blue Dot Literary nn exchange for an honest review!
Panna (short for Pandora) is head librarian at the Andrew Carnegie Library in Carnegie, Pennsylvania. A widow for 2 years, Panna just can't get herself to go out and date. In fact, the closest she gets to acknowledging another man involves a statue in the library of Colonel John Bridgewater, an eighteenth-century British war hero (G. Cready, 2012), that a descendant donated a hundred years earlier. When a huge budget cut comes down the pike for the library, Panna wracks her brain to find a way to stave off the looming threat to the library and its staff. In doing so, she remembers the previous librarian mentioning a storage room. Hoping to find other donated items from either Carnegie or Bridgewater descendants that she could possibly sell, Panna locates and opens the door to....another world.
What Panna finds on the other side is a different world, in a different time....The year? 1706. She finds that the statue in her library is an excellent depiction of the man she meets - John Bridgewater. His personality, however, leaves much to be desired; yet, Panna finds herself drawn to him and this world he is part of. When Bridgewater requests a favor from her, to help prove she isn't the spy he thinks she is, she hesitates and, instead, flees back to her time. Once she's there, however, she can't get the handsome Bridgewater out of her head so she goes back to the portal in the library and completes the mission that was requested of her. And gets embroiled in situations that could make or break how, and if, she gets to leave this time and get back to her own. She also learns that the man she encountered when entering the chapel door the first time isn't exactly the man from the library statue. He is Captian James (Jamie) Bridgewater and continually denies that he's any relation to the Earl Bridgewater or John Bridgewater.
Panna's character is wonderfully likeable and completely believable. She is strong and capable as a maiden in 1706. She risks everything to help assist Bridgewater, including not only her life, but her potential to go back home. She's not whiny, weak, or spineless. She's a great modern character trying to hold her own in a time period where women were not viewed as much more than property to rule over. They certainly didn't get to put their 2 cents worth into any conversation. During this adventure she realizes that the door she shut to love has curiously reopened but now she has choices to make.
Jamie Bridgewater is a fantastic hero but he comes with serious trust issues. He is of mixed heritage; English and Scottish, making him the son of 2 countries, and an outcast of both. He is denied his birthright from a man who insists that Jamie is no relation and doesn't acknowledge that John may or may not be his brother. His grandfather disinherited Jamie's mother, therefore ceasing any responsibility for her offspring. After his brief encounter with Panna, Bridgewater finds that he can't get her out of his head. She's taken hold of his heart and he fears and dreads a world without her. He's her protector and though he has a hard time grasping her tale about being from the future, he makes sure he's there for her.
"Timeless Desire" is the type of novel that won't let you put it down. It draws you in without a lot of pretense and holds on to you until you finish the book. It is a nice, easy, relaxing read and I was able to finish this novel in one day.
Humor abounds, as does double entendre jokes, so not only is it a historical romance, it also fits in the romantic comedy section, too. The twists and turns weaved throughout the solidly written plot keep you engaged and the time travel part doesn't overwhelm or confuse you. The heat level is ooh la la but not anything near erotica.
I loved reading this book and am proud to include it with the rest of the books I have on my bookshelf!
Panna (short for Pandora) is head librarian at the Andrew Carnegie Library in Carnegie, Pennsylvania. A widow for 2 years, Panna just can't get herself to go out and date. In fact, the closest she gets to acknowledging another man involves a statue in the library of Colonel John Bridgewater, an eighteenth-century British war hero (G. Cready, 2012), that a descendant donated a hundred years earlier. When a huge budget cut comes down the pike for the library, Panna wracks her brain to find a way to stave off the looming threat to the library and its staff. In doing so, she remembers the previous librarian mentioning a storage room. Hoping to find other donated items from either Carnegie or Bridgewater descendants that she could possibly sell, Panna locates and opens the door to....another world.
What Panna finds on the other side is a different world, in a different time....The year? 1706. She finds that the statue in her library is an excellent depiction of the man she meets - John Bridgewater. His personality, however, leaves much to be desired; yet, Panna finds herself drawn to him and this world he is part of. When Bridgewater requests a favor from her, to help prove she isn't the spy he thinks she is, she hesitates and, instead, flees back to her time. Once she's there, however, she can't get the handsome Bridgewater out of her head so she goes back to the portal in the library and completes the mission that was requested of her. And gets embroiled in situations that could make or break how, and if, she gets to leave this time and get back to her own. She also learns that the man she encountered when entering the chapel door the first time isn't exactly the man from the library statue. He is Captian James (Jamie) Bridgewater and continually denies that he's any relation to the Earl Bridgewater or John Bridgewater.
Panna's character is wonderfully likeable and completely believable. She is strong and capable as a maiden in 1706. She risks everything to help assist Bridgewater, including not only her life, but her potential to go back home. She's not whiny, weak, or spineless. She's a great modern character trying to hold her own in a time period where women were not viewed as much more than property to rule over. They certainly didn't get to put their 2 cents worth into any conversation. During this adventure she realizes that the door she shut to love has curiously reopened but now she has choices to make.
Jamie Bridgewater is a fantastic hero but he comes with serious trust issues. He is of mixed heritage; English and Scottish, making him the son of 2 countries, and an outcast of both. He is denied his birthright from a man who insists that Jamie is no relation and doesn't acknowledge that John may or may not be his brother. His grandfather disinherited Jamie's mother, therefore ceasing any responsibility for her offspring. After his brief encounter with Panna, Bridgewater finds that he can't get her out of his head. She's taken hold of his heart and he fears and dreads a world without her. He's her protector and though he has a hard time grasping her tale about being from the future, he makes sure he's there for her.
"Timeless Desire" is the type of novel that won't let you put it down. It draws you in without a lot of pretense and holds on to you until you finish the book. It is a nice, easy, relaxing read and I was able to finish this novel in one day.
Humor abounds, as does double entendre jokes, so not only is it a historical romance, it also fits in the romantic comedy section, too. The twists and turns weaved throughout the solidly written plot keep you engaged and the time travel part doesn't overwhelm or confuse you. The heat level is ooh la la but not anything near erotica.
I loved reading this book and am proud to include it with the rest of the books I have on my bookshelf!
August 15, 2012
May have slight spoilers.
In Timeless Desire, An Outlander Love Story by Gwyn Cready we meet Panna Kennedy, a librarian who is still dealing with the grief of her dead husband after two years. She is exploring the library when she comes across a almost hidden door that leads her into the past, but not just anywhere in the past—in the home of Colonel John Bridgewater. A man who’s statue is in the library for his heroic deeds in the war, in the 1700’s.
But not is as glories as Panna always imaged it might be as she day-dreamed about the handsome Bridgewater. He is under house arrest by the English in a time of war with Scotland for being under suspect of betraying England to the Scot’s.
When they meet the impressions from them both are quite bad—Bridgewater thinks she is a whore/spy sent by someone to make him confesses, and she thinks he is and rude-arrogant-ass. But not long after, they both begin to warm to each other, more than the lust that was already there at first sighting and Panna gets drawn into Bridgewater’s time and the war going on around them.
Bridgewater just wants peace, but it may just be more than he can make happen.
Add into all of this a man who knows where Panna really came from, and wants to use her to win the war and become a hero and you have a fast-paced time-travel romance that you will not want to put down!
This book really surprised me, in a good way! I do not know what I really was expecting just that from the description it sounded good and I wanted something historical. “Outlander” automatically made me think of the Highlanders and I was hooked! How could I resist potential Highlander goodness?
I couldn’t and I did not deny myself—but I got more than I bargained for as there are Englishmen as well. Which is what Bridgewater is, but he also has so Scottish blood in him as well. So while the book was not focused on Highlanders (which I actually knew from the description) we do get some mention of them throughout the book.
Timeless Desire was pretty fast paced, the characters were both wonderful; Panna mourns her dead husband but meeting Bridgewater is like a new start for her and she finds her old-self coming back instead of the person she became when her husband died. Bridgewater doesn’t trust anyone and it takes him a long time before he really trusts Panna, but he does learn to trust her and neither of them really fights the attraction between them. Which I admit was great.
Though there were problems. Panna of course lives in the future and wants to see her friends and family again, while Bridgewater lives in the past, and of course the bad guy who knows that Panna is really from the future and wants to use her for his own gain wants her with him.
The one thing that I did not really love about this book was the ending. The last chapter really, not the epilogue. It just felt well, I am not sure what felt so off about it to me, but maybe it has to do with the bad guy ending up not really feeling like a bad guy at all?
Also Bridgewater just shows up. Panna is waiting for him—-I will not say where or anything--and has been for a long time and then he is just there, for some reason that just felt a little off to me.
Altogether, I really enjoyed this book there was not anything I did not really like about, just the ending that kept me from giving it five stars.
I would recommend this book to anyone who likes time-travel romance, but also anyone that like historical or is just looking for a good romance novel to read—this is a book that I think most anyone could truly enjoy!
*I received a hardcover/paperback/eBook copy/ARC of this book for free to review from the author/publisher; this in no way influenced my review, all opinions are 100% honest and my own.
In Timeless Desire, An Outlander Love Story by Gwyn Cready we meet Panna Kennedy, a librarian who is still dealing with the grief of her dead husband after two years. She is exploring the library when she comes across a almost hidden door that leads her into the past, but not just anywhere in the past—in the home of Colonel John Bridgewater. A man who’s statue is in the library for his heroic deeds in the war, in the 1700’s.
But not is as glories as Panna always imaged it might be as she day-dreamed about the handsome Bridgewater. He is under house arrest by the English in a time of war with Scotland for being under suspect of betraying England to the Scot’s.
When they meet the impressions from them both are quite bad—Bridgewater thinks she is a whore/spy sent by someone to make him confesses, and she thinks he is and rude-arrogant-ass. But not long after, they both begin to warm to each other, more than the lust that was already there at first sighting and Panna gets drawn into Bridgewater’s time and the war going on around them.
Bridgewater just wants peace, but it may just be more than he can make happen.
Add into all of this a man who knows where Panna really came from, and wants to use her to win the war and become a hero and you have a fast-paced time-travel romance that you will not want to put down!
This book really surprised me, in a good way! I do not know what I really was expecting just that from the description it sounded good and I wanted something historical. “Outlander” automatically made me think of the Highlanders and I was hooked! How could I resist potential Highlander goodness?
I couldn’t and I did not deny myself—but I got more than I bargained for as there are Englishmen as well. Which is what Bridgewater is, but he also has so Scottish blood in him as well. So while the book was not focused on Highlanders (which I actually knew from the description) we do get some mention of them throughout the book.
Timeless Desire was pretty fast paced, the characters were both wonderful; Panna mourns her dead husband but meeting Bridgewater is like a new start for her and she finds her old-self coming back instead of the person she became when her husband died. Bridgewater doesn’t trust anyone and it takes him a long time before he really trusts Panna, but he does learn to trust her and neither of them really fights the attraction between them. Which I admit was great.
Though there were problems. Panna of course lives in the future and wants to see her friends and family again, while Bridgewater lives in the past, and of course the bad guy who knows that Panna is really from the future and wants to use her for his own gain wants her with him.
The one thing that I did not really love about this book was the ending. The last chapter really, not the epilogue. It just felt well, I am not sure what felt so off about it to me, but maybe it has to do with the bad guy ending up not really feeling like a bad guy at all?
Also Bridgewater just shows up. Panna is waiting for him—-I will not say where or anything--and has been for a long time and then he is just there, for some reason that just felt a little off to me.
Altogether, I really enjoyed this book there was not anything I did not really like about, just the ending that kept me from giving it five stars.
I would recommend this book to anyone who likes time-travel romance, but also anyone that like historical or is just looking for a good romance novel to read—this is a book that I think most anyone could truly enjoy!
*I received a hardcover/paperback/eBook copy/ARC of this book for free to review from the author/publisher; this in no way influenced my review, all opinions are 100% honest and my own.
September 3, 2017
I can't deny that this book wasn't completely unenjoyable for me. Without revealing anything, there were many plot twists that are completely unpredictable which was a nice surprise since romance books can come across as predictable and I thought this book might follow that disappointing road. It really made the book pick up its pace and take it beyond the romantic story between Panna and her rugged hero Jamie Bridgewater. It was also a nice surprise, especially after reading Fifty Shades of Grey, to find that the romance scenes between Panna and Jamie were well written and not overdone. The book is not packed with pages and pages of scenes documenting the relations between the two characters which was a huge relief for me. I have no problem with these kind of scenes but they can get very repetitive and a bit ridiculous after a while. I mean, there are only so many metaphors and synonyms someone could use to describe this act. Cready depicts the characters' romance in a way that should satisfy lovers of romance novels.
That being said, I ultimately couldn't get behind the main plot, which I can't even describe other than what I've described in the beginning of my review without giving away too many of the plot twists. I understand the story is fiction and about time travel which means that it's not based in reality, but some events that happen to Panna just seemed strained and I couldn't believe some of the things she agreed to do in the name of "love." Essentially the story takes place over a matter of days and even in a fictional world I can't believe that a woman would so easily fall for someone, especially with the baggage she holds from losing her husband. I also had trouble discerning what type of story the author was putting on. For me, a romance novel falls into several categories as far as the feel goes; it can be extremely erotic and sex-driven i.e. Fifty Shades of Grey, sexy historical fiction like something from Philippa Gregory, humorous chick-lit like the witty Undead series by MaryJanice Davidson, prim and proper Jane Austen type fiction, or something with more serious undertones like a Sparks novel. Cready's book jumps between all of these categories so I had a hard time figuring out what the author wanted the book to feel like. Humorous jaunt into eighteenth century England or daring time travel adventure? For some reason the book just didn't come together for me. And the fact that it takes so long to get into the action of the story because of a dull introduction that expects you to immediately connect to the main characters makes the book even harder for me to endorse.
This book had promise with its use of time travel and the eighteenth century. What's even more disappointing is that the author and I probably share a common love for similar works of literature based on her references to various books and famous characters in the novel. Even so, this could not save the story for me in the least. I wanted to recommend the story because I love time travel, romance, and the setting of eighteenth century England, but unfortunately, this story cannot stand up against other books I've read that use these same themes.
*I received a free copy of this book for this review from the author.
That being said, I ultimately couldn't get behind the main plot, which I can't even describe other than what I've described in the beginning of my review without giving away too many of the plot twists. I understand the story is fiction and about time travel which means that it's not based in reality, but some events that happen to Panna just seemed strained and I couldn't believe some of the things she agreed to do in the name of "love." Essentially the story takes place over a matter of days and even in a fictional world I can't believe that a woman would so easily fall for someone, especially with the baggage she holds from losing her husband. I also had trouble discerning what type of story the author was putting on. For me, a romance novel falls into several categories as far as the feel goes; it can be extremely erotic and sex-driven i.e. Fifty Shades of Grey, sexy historical fiction like something from Philippa Gregory, humorous chick-lit like the witty Undead series by MaryJanice Davidson, prim and proper Jane Austen type fiction, or something with more serious undertones like a Sparks novel. Cready's book jumps between all of these categories so I had a hard time figuring out what the author wanted the book to feel like. Humorous jaunt into eighteenth century England or daring time travel adventure? For some reason the book just didn't come together for me. And the fact that it takes so long to get into the action of the story because of a dull introduction that expects you to immediately connect to the main characters makes the book even harder for me to endorse.
This book had promise with its use of time travel and the eighteenth century. What's even more disappointing is that the author and I probably share a common love for similar works of literature based on her references to various books and famous characters in the novel. Even so, this could not save the story for me in the least. I wanted to recommend the story because I love time travel, romance, and the setting of eighteenth century England, but unfortunately, this story cannot stand up against other books I've read that use these same themes.
*I received a free copy of this book for this review from the author.
August 9, 2012
I you ask anyone I know, whether online or in real life, they’ll tell you– I am not a romance novel reader. I just am not. It’s not that I don’t like romance, per se– it’s just that they all seem the same in plot and premise. Timeless Desire managed to break the mold, and I truly enjoyed it more than I ever thought I’d enjoy a romance novel.
You can’t really read or write a time-travel book that has to do with Scotland without being cast in the shadow of Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander series. So in that way, I give kudos to Ms. Cready– while the parallels are undeniable, she still manages to make the story her own and aside from the time-travel to Scotland romance theme (and the first name of the dashing Scotsman who sweeps our heroine off her feet), the comparisons end… and the fun really begins!
Panna is of a different sort than Outlander ‘s Claire. She’s a librarian who is struggling with budget cuts and a sense of being adrift after the loss of her husband. One day, she goes looking in the library storage for items to sell to garner funds to keep the library afloat when she stumbles across a strange door. Curious, she sticks her hand through… And it disappears! Of course, this adventure is too great to pass up, and down the rabbit hole Panna goes, landing at the 1700s England/Scotland border. Danger, excitement, and passion await.
Fans of historical fiction will appreciate the care that Ms. Cready takes with painting the scene: Panna is dropped into the stretch of land that straddles the Scottish/English border, complete with rustic, crumbling castles and sprawling hills and rivers. Cready also deftly avoids being bogged down by the details of such a time period, instead effortlessly weaving them throughout the story.
Though the romance felt rushed, and therefore didn’t ring as true to me as I would have liked, there was none of the discomfort that I held for the relationship between Outlander’s Jamie and Claire… At least Panna’s husband had been dead for two years, and she was ready to move on. I consider Claire, on the other hand, to be an adulteress, which I can’t support. Some of the dialogue in this book was a bit cheesy but other than that I quite loved Panna and Bridgewater’s banter. I really liked Panna overall as a character. She was spirited and matched wits at every turn with the handsome Bridgewater. I felt like Bridgewater fell a bit flat as a character, although the glimpses into his point of view were appreciated.
Timeless Desire is one of those books that you can’t help but be swept up in. The perfect beach companion or weekend read, this time-traveling, romance adventure is so fun you’ll fly right through it, leaving yourself wishing that you could find a secret time-traveling doorway of your own to go through.
An advance review copy was provided to me by the publisher for the purposes of review.
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For more book reviews, visit my blog The Bookshelf!
You can’t really read or write a time-travel book that has to do with Scotland without being cast in the shadow of Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander series. So in that way, I give kudos to Ms. Cready– while the parallels are undeniable, she still manages to make the story her own and aside from the time-travel to Scotland romance theme (and the first name of the dashing Scotsman who sweeps our heroine off her feet), the comparisons end… and the fun really begins!
Panna is of a different sort than Outlander ‘s Claire. She’s a librarian who is struggling with budget cuts and a sense of being adrift after the loss of her husband. One day, she goes looking in the library storage for items to sell to garner funds to keep the library afloat when she stumbles across a strange door. Curious, she sticks her hand through… And it disappears! Of course, this adventure is too great to pass up, and down the rabbit hole Panna goes, landing at the 1700s England/Scotland border. Danger, excitement, and passion await.
Fans of historical fiction will appreciate the care that Ms. Cready takes with painting the scene: Panna is dropped into the stretch of land that straddles the Scottish/English border, complete with rustic, crumbling castles and sprawling hills and rivers. Cready also deftly avoids being bogged down by the details of such a time period, instead effortlessly weaving them throughout the story.
Though the romance felt rushed, and therefore didn’t ring as true to me as I would have liked, there was none of the discomfort that I held for the relationship between Outlander’s Jamie and Claire… At least Panna’s husband had been dead for two years, and she was ready to move on. I consider Claire, on the other hand, to be an adulteress, which I can’t support. Some of the dialogue in this book was a bit cheesy but other than that I quite loved Panna and Bridgewater’s banter. I really liked Panna overall as a character. She was spirited and matched wits at every turn with the handsome Bridgewater. I felt like Bridgewater fell a bit flat as a character, although the glimpses into his point of view were appreciated.
Timeless Desire is one of those books that you can’t help but be swept up in. The perfect beach companion or weekend read, this time-traveling, romance adventure is so fun you’ll fly right through it, leaving yourself wishing that you could find a secret time-traveling doorway of your own to go through.
An advance review copy was provided to me by the publisher for the purposes of review.
____
For more book reviews, visit my blog The Bookshelf!
June 21, 2012
Rita Award winner Gwyn Cready has done it again. Her latest novel, Timeless Desire is a devilishly fun romp through time with love, romance, war and passion and all set in present-day Pittsburgh and the early 18th century borderlands of England and Scotland.
Panna Kennedy, a young widow, has just been told her library will face major funding cuts. She’s not sure she’s ready to dip her foot in the dating world and agrees to be set up with another librarian’s friend. As she’s waiting for her date to meet her at the library, she ponders how to raise money so she doesn’t have to make the cuts necessary for her budget. She sees the statue of the library’s benefactor and wonders if there’s anything left to sell from his collection. He was the handsome 18th century Viscount and Colonel John Bridgewater, officer in Her Majesty’s Militia—an odd benefactor for a library in Pittsburgh. She recalls there may be something, and as she unlocks a door under the stairs, she stumbles upon a portal and enters the chapel of a castle in 18th century England. And, praying in the chapel—it’s him, the benefactor, in the flesh. Or is it?
As it happens, he is Captain James Bridgewater, the unrecognized illegitimate, older half-brother to the Viscount. And, his bloodline is half-Scot. Grandson of a powerful clan chief whose castle sits on the Scotland side of Hadrian’s Wall. Son of an English general. He is torn between his duties to the army and the rebels who want peace and independence for Scotland. And he happens to be more handsome than his brother. Plus, he has an excellent library. Not only is he engaged in military battle, he has a battle of wills with his brother and father who deny him as family.
Panna, aptly named after Pandora, finds herself swirling in the troubles of war, family disputes, and a pending romance with one of the brothers. Uncertainty about love after the death of her husband, she goes back and forth through the portal, but learns there is a limit to how many times she can go through the portal before it is closed to her forever. She has to make a decision about a passion she thought she’d never feel again, a future in the past or present, all while knowing she can’t change the course of history by revealing too much about what is to come in history.
Which side of the portal does she choose, which brother will prevail, can she save her beloved library, and where does love reside when the desire is timeless? Can there be a happily ever after when love is separated by centuries? The story has many surprising and steamy twists as Panna finds a new life for herself.
This story will not disappoint new and familiar fans of Gwyn Cready. The reader will find herself caught up in the drama and trying to find a way for all things to work out for Panna and her love but never guessing what will be revealed in the end.
Panna Kennedy, a young widow, has just been told her library will face major funding cuts. She’s not sure she’s ready to dip her foot in the dating world and agrees to be set up with another librarian’s friend. As she’s waiting for her date to meet her at the library, she ponders how to raise money so she doesn’t have to make the cuts necessary for her budget. She sees the statue of the library’s benefactor and wonders if there’s anything left to sell from his collection. He was the handsome 18th century Viscount and Colonel John Bridgewater, officer in Her Majesty’s Militia—an odd benefactor for a library in Pittsburgh. She recalls there may be something, and as she unlocks a door under the stairs, she stumbles upon a portal and enters the chapel of a castle in 18th century England. And, praying in the chapel—it’s him, the benefactor, in the flesh. Or is it?
As it happens, he is Captain James Bridgewater, the unrecognized illegitimate, older half-brother to the Viscount. And, his bloodline is half-Scot. Grandson of a powerful clan chief whose castle sits on the Scotland side of Hadrian’s Wall. Son of an English general. He is torn between his duties to the army and the rebels who want peace and independence for Scotland. And he happens to be more handsome than his brother. Plus, he has an excellent library. Not only is he engaged in military battle, he has a battle of wills with his brother and father who deny him as family.
Panna, aptly named after Pandora, finds herself swirling in the troubles of war, family disputes, and a pending romance with one of the brothers. Uncertainty about love after the death of her husband, she goes back and forth through the portal, but learns there is a limit to how many times she can go through the portal before it is closed to her forever. She has to make a decision about a passion she thought she’d never feel again, a future in the past or present, all while knowing she can’t change the course of history by revealing too much about what is to come in history.
Which side of the portal does she choose, which brother will prevail, can she save her beloved library, and where does love reside when the desire is timeless? Can there be a happily ever after when love is separated by centuries? The story has many surprising and steamy twists as Panna finds a new life for herself.
This story will not disappoint new and familiar fans of Gwyn Cready. The reader will find herself caught up in the drama and trying to find a way for all things to work out for Panna and her love but never guessing what will be revealed in the end.
September 4, 2012
Panna is a widow who lost her husband two years ago and hasn't been able to move on with her life. She is a librarian who works in the Carnegie library and to deal with the latest budget crisis she starts searching hidden areas of the library looking for artifacts she might be able to sell. Instead of hidden treasure what she actually finds is a doorway into the past. She soon finds herself back in the eighteenth century in a castle on the English / Scottish boarder and walking straight into the arms of Colonel John Bridgewater, the man whose statue she has spent hours admiring. What she doesn't immediately realise is that it is John's illegitimate brother James that she has met. James is also a member of the English army but he has very different plans to those of his brother and is working secretly with rebels to try to prevent a war between England and Scotland.
I'm going to start this review with a confession - Timeless Desire is the first book I've read in this kind time travel / historical romance genre. I do love a good historical romance though and I was intrigued by the idea of adding time travel into the mix but I have to say I was disappointed. I felt that both main characters accepted the idea of time travel far too quickly and neither of them really questioned how it was possible. I guess I'd expected there to be some kind of explanation for how time travel worked but that wasn't the case. Now, I'm not sure if that is how it always is in this kind of story and if it is then I guess that this genre isn't going to be one for me. I do seem to be in the minority when it comes to this book so please don't let me put you off giving it a try but I always give my honest opinion in my reviews.
I decided to put my issues with the time travel aspect of the story to one side and just enjoy the story for it's romance but I'm afraid that I didn't really enjoy that part of the book very much either. I found that Panna and Bridgewater seemed to fall in love far too quickly and I was still struggling to understand what they saw in each other. I just didn't feel any kind of emotional connection between them. I also found the language used in the love making scenes was off putting. Descriptions like "Jamie was long and thick, a pale pink spear towering over compact testes and a thick carpet of golden-brown fur" just don't do it for me! It was more of a turn off than anything else, as was Jamie saying things like "I want you like a whore" to Panna. I'm all for dirty talk but you can take things too far.
All in all I'm afraid I found this a difficult book to get through and I don't think I'll be rushing out to buy more of this author's work. I am still curious about the genre though and will probably try it again at some point in the hope that I find something that I enjoy more.
I'm going to start this review with a confession - Timeless Desire is the first book I've read in this kind time travel / historical romance genre. I do love a good historical romance though and I was intrigued by the idea of adding time travel into the mix but I have to say I was disappointed. I felt that both main characters accepted the idea of time travel far too quickly and neither of them really questioned how it was possible. I guess I'd expected there to be some kind of explanation for how time travel worked but that wasn't the case. Now, I'm not sure if that is how it always is in this kind of story and if it is then I guess that this genre isn't going to be one for me. I do seem to be in the minority when it comes to this book so please don't let me put you off giving it a try but I always give my honest opinion in my reviews.
I decided to put my issues with the time travel aspect of the story to one side and just enjoy the story for it's romance but I'm afraid that I didn't really enjoy that part of the book very much either. I found that Panna and Bridgewater seemed to fall in love far too quickly and I was still struggling to understand what they saw in each other. I just didn't feel any kind of emotional connection between them. I also found the language used in the love making scenes was off putting. Descriptions like "Jamie was long and thick, a pale pink spear towering over compact testes and a thick carpet of golden-brown fur" just don't do it for me! It was more of a turn off than anything else, as was Jamie saying things like "I want you like a whore" to Panna. I'm all for dirty talk but you can take things too far.
All in all I'm afraid I found this a difficult book to get through and I don't think I'll be rushing out to buy more of this author's work. I am still curious about the genre though and will probably try it again at some point in the hope that I find something that I enjoy more.
August 13, 2012
Description:
Recently widowed Panna Kennedy has anything but love on her mind; she is still grieving for her husband, the library she works at is suffering from massive budget cuts, and everyone insists that she get back into the dating pool. But when she opens a long- forgotten door and is transported back to 18th century England, her desires are awakened by the dashing, yet verbally abrasive, Captain Bridgewater; the man who's life-size statue just so happens to stand in the middle of her library.
Bridgewater, is currently under house-arrest for suspicion of treason against England, so when an out-of-place comely woman enters his study, he can't help but accuse her of spying. But after she proves her intentions by saving his life, he must find a way for both of them to escape the looming battle.
Can Panna and Bridgewater ignore their growing passions long enough to prove their loyalties and retain their lives? Will Panna risk losing her world to join his? Or will their love crumble just like Hadrian's Wall?
Review:
The time travel theme is a favorite of mine, (thus why I am always quoting episodes of Doctor Who, Sliders, Quantum Leap, Fringe, Early Edition, Stargate, Star Trek, etc...), so although I am not a complete fan of romance novels, I jumped at the opportunity to read Timeless Desire; and I am happy that I gave it the chance! I have not read any of Gwyn Cready's other novels, but after my experience with this one, I am definitely going to seek them out. I enjoyed the novel's starting pace, it gave the reader a little bit of character background before sending them through a crack in time. The characters, mainly Panna and Bridgewater, were well-developed, packed with personality, (and history), and very life-like. Being a pseudo-librarian myself, I do know what it feels like to work in a library environment - the books, the organizing, the funding, (or lack thereof), etc - and I believe that Gwyn Cready creates a very real heroine that readers empathize with, and enjoy reading about. Plot-wise, I was almost always aware of what was coming, but it did not take away from my reading experience; on the contrary, it made me pick up the reading pace so I could get to what was coming, (No spoilers!). The dialogue and attention to detail, especially when describing the differences between two time periods, was well-written, witty, and filled with "old-world" charm. I loved Panna's answers to some of Bridgewater's questions about the future, I definitely got a few laughs out of them, and the more steamy scenes were just as entertaining! The ending was great too! Recommended for those interested in an unexpectedly quirky romance that effortlessly spans time!
Rating: On the Run (4.5/5)
*** I received this book from the author (Astor + Blue Editions) in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.
Recently widowed Panna Kennedy has anything but love on her mind; she is still grieving for her husband, the library she works at is suffering from massive budget cuts, and everyone insists that she get back into the dating pool. But when she opens a long- forgotten door and is transported back to 18th century England, her desires are awakened by the dashing, yet verbally abrasive, Captain Bridgewater; the man who's life-size statue just so happens to stand in the middle of her library.
Bridgewater, is currently under house-arrest for suspicion of treason against England, so when an out-of-place comely woman enters his study, he can't help but accuse her of spying. But after she proves her intentions by saving his life, he must find a way for both of them to escape the looming battle.
Can Panna and Bridgewater ignore their growing passions long enough to prove their loyalties and retain their lives? Will Panna risk losing her world to join his? Or will their love crumble just like Hadrian's Wall?
Review:
The time travel theme is a favorite of mine, (thus why I am always quoting episodes of Doctor Who, Sliders, Quantum Leap, Fringe, Early Edition, Stargate, Star Trek, etc...), so although I am not a complete fan of romance novels, I jumped at the opportunity to read Timeless Desire; and I am happy that I gave it the chance! I have not read any of Gwyn Cready's other novels, but after my experience with this one, I am definitely going to seek them out. I enjoyed the novel's starting pace, it gave the reader a little bit of character background before sending them through a crack in time. The characters, mainly Panna and Bridgewater, were well-developed, packed with personality, (and history), and very life-like. Being a pseudo-librarian myself, I do know what it feels like to work in a library environment - the books, the organizing, the funding, (or lack thereof), etc - and I believe that Gwyn Cready creates a very real heroine that readers empathize with, and enjoy reading about. Plot-wise, I was almost always aware of what was coming, but it did not take away from my reading experience; on the contrary, it made me pick up the reading pace so I could get to what was coming, (No spoilers!). The dialogue and attention to detail, especially when describing the differences between two time periods, was well-written, witty, and filled with "old-world" charm. I loved Panna's answers to some of Bridgewater's questions about the future, I definitely got a few laughs out of them, and the more steamy scenes were just as entertaining! The ending was great too! Recommended for those interested in an unexpectedly quirky romance that effortlessly spans time!
Rating: On the Run (4.5/5)
*** I received this book from the author (Astor + Blue Editions) in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.
February 26, 2017
Librarian Panna Kennedy accidentally finds a portal to an eighteenth century Scotland castle library. There she meets and does verbal battle with the castle's owner - Captain Jamie Bridgewater. In working to help Jamie to stop the Scots from going to battle with the English (who are just waiting for an excuse to strike) she falls in love. This is of course through danger, intrigue, family drama, and secrets.
The story was fast paced and full of twists and turns. The verbal sparing and the ending were my favorite parts.
The story was fast paced and full of twists and turns. The verbal sparing and the ending were my favorite parts.
July 19, 2016
I always look forward to a new Gwyn Cready time-travel romance. There’s just something about the idea of a dashing and well-mannered gentleman from the past falling madly in love with just-a-girl with the hard edge of “now” all over her. Let me own my bias. "Kate and Leopold" is one of my favorite feel-good movies, because honestly, I would love to wake up to a guy in old fashioned finery offering to butter my toast for breakfast. I’ve read every book Cready has put out, and in every one of them, this kind of satisfaction is achieved. And even though I know the hero will be handsome and just a little dangerous, and even though I am always fairly certain I can count on a HEA, Cready’s story-lines are always different. I have never felt like I’ve met the same hero in her books. That totally does not stop me from getting the little heart-jump when they are gushing romance. Her characters are unique. In particular, I always find her villains particularly villainous (the one in her latest is especially loathsome). The plot (obviously people are going back and forth through time, but otherwise) is always a very real and drastic change from the books before. Cready has never fallen into that trap so many other authors have, writing the same book over and over.
In particular, "A Timeless Bride", centers on widowed librarian Panna, a blonde and fortuitously endowed (aren’t they always) Pennsylvanian who finds a wormhole into the borderlands between England and Scotland during a war in 1706. The hero, Bridgewater, is instantly recognizable by the statue she has fantasized over in her library for years. I hate writing a synopsis of books, because typically the back cover does a decent enough job of that. Instead, let me just say that this is not merely a romance. This is an adventure! There is espionage, battle, and betrayal, and all this within the first five chapters. The pace, though necessarily sluggish to relate details in the first two chapters, skyrockets and does not slow until the end. I was held captivated, and even though it’s my husband’s birthday, and I had intended to clean the house as a surprise, I finished the book in one five-hour sitting, and started writing about the fun I had with this book. I should still be able to get the floors vacuumed…I think.
"Timeless Bride" is thoroughly enjoyable, and though I loved "Seducing Mr. Darcy" and "Aching for Always", and while "Flirting with Forever" was incredibly sexy, A Timeless Bride has replaced the others as my new favorite. For what my approval is worth, the book has earned it, along with my whole-hearted recommendation.
In particular, "A Timeless Bride", centers on widowed librarian Panna, a blonde and fortuitously endowed (aren’t they always) Pennsylvanian who finds a wormhole into the borderlands between England and Scotland during a war in 1706. The hero, Bridgewater, is instantly recognizable by the statue she has fantasized over in her library for years. I hate writing a synopsis of books, because typically the back cover does a decent enough job of that. Instead, let me just say that this is not merely a romance. This is an adventure! There is espionage, battle, and betrayal, and all this within the first five chapters. The pace, though necessarily sluggish to relate details in the first two chapters, skyrockets and does not slow until the end. I was held captivated, and even though it’s my husband’s birthday, and I had intended to clean the house as a surprise, I finished the book in one five-hour sitting, and started writing about the fun I had with this book. I should still be able to get the floors vacuumed…I think.
"Timeless Bride" is thoroughly enjoyable, and though I loved "Seducing Mr. Darcy" and "Aching for Always", and while "Flirting with Forever" was incredibly sexy, A Timeless Bride has replaced the others as my new favorite. For what my approval is worth, the book has earned it, along with my whole-hearted recommendation.
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