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Flirting with Forever
Critically acclaimed author Gwyn Cready leaves readers on the edge of their seats in a provocative time travel romance A door to the past
Ambitious art historian Campbell Stratford is about to make a name for herself with her scandalously sexy biographies of famous seventeenth-century artists. Suddenly she is catapulted back in time and comes face-to-face with one of her bad-boy painter Peter Lely, portraitist to the king. Creates chaos of classic proportions
Peter is entranced by his mysterious visitor, and Cam can't resist becoming one of the lovely ladies to pose on his modeling chaise. But Sir Peter knows a lot more than he's telling about time travel in general and art historians in particular. What he doesn't know is that Cam is the one responsible for the very project he's about to sabotage. And when Cam finds she's been tricked, she exacts her revenge on paper...
Ambitious art historian Campbell Stratford is about to make a name for herself with her scandalously sexy biographies of famous seventeenth-century artists. Suddenly she is catapulted back in time and comes face-to-face with one of her bad-boy painter Peter Lely, portraitist to the king. Creates chaos of classic proportions
Peter is entranced by his mysterious visitor, and Cam can't resist becoming one of the lovely ladies to pose on his modeling chaise. But Sir Peter knows a lot more than he's telling about time travel in general and art historians in particular. What he doesn't know is that Cam is the one responsible for the very project he's about to sabotage. And when Cam finds she's been tricked, she exacts her revenge on paper...
450 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2010
7 people are currently reading
404 people want to read
About the author
Gwyn Cready
11 books144 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 66 reviews
December 9, 2011
Divertido, sexy… uma aventura que não vai querer perder. Não teria dito melhor.
Este é um romance que recomendo vivamente, tanto pelo romance em si, como o humor vivo e inteligente presente, como a cultura aqui inserida eficazmente. Principalmente esta última, que é tão subtil mas ao mesmo tempo tão importante tanto para o desenrolar e a riqueza da história, que acabamos por nos aperceber que a temática da pintura é o que de melhor há nesta obra.
A sinopse fez que com o inicio me surgisse um pouco confuso, mas depois rapidamente nos localizamos e nos apercebemos de todo o enredo e toda a teia de acontecimentos.
A personagem principal é bastante engraçada, e todas as aventuras por que ela passa, tal como as tristezas, tornam-na não numa personagem perfeita, mas que consegue a simpatia do leitor. Gostei bastante de Peter Lely, que com o seu charme e talento conquista tanto as senhoras do livro como as leitoras deste.
Anastacia, a irmã de Campbell, mas também a sua maior rival, é um trunfo na manga de Gwyn Cready que nos faz odiá-la, mas que no final acabamos por dar o braço a torcer e confessarmos que afinal esta tornou tudo ainda mais difícil e emocionante.
Os cenários... bem os cenários imaginei-os bastante fieis à época e assim consegui saciar um pouco as minhas saudades dos romances históricos. Este livro não se enquadra, mas pelo menos podemos viajar um pouco para o século XVII e sermos apresentados tanto ao rei Charles II como à sua rainha e amante.
A escrita é tão leve, interessante e alegre como as próprias personagens, o que gere um equilíbrio e uma mistura óptima para relaxarmos e nos deixarmos envolver por personalidades e lugares tão fascinantes e, de certa forma, actuais.
Gostei bastantes por todas estas razões desta estreia nas obras da escritora Gwyn Cready, as quais vou querer acompanhar.
Este é um romance que recomendo vivamente, tanto pelo romance em si, como o humor vivo e inteligente presente, como a cultura aqui inserida eficazmente. Principalmente esta última, que é tão subtil mas ao mesmo tempo tão importante tanto para o desenrolar e a riqueza da história, que acabamos por nos aperceber que a temática da pintura é o que de melhor há nesta obra.
A sinopse fez que com o inicio me surgisse um pouco confuso, mas depois rapidamente nos localizamos e nos apercebemos de todo o enredo e toda a teia de acontecimentos.
A personagem principal é bastante engraçada, e todas as aventuras por que ela passa, tal como as tristezas, tornam-na não numa personagem perfeita, mas que consegue a simpatia do leitor. Gostei bastante de Peter Lely, que com o seu charme e talento conquista tanto as senhoras do livro como as leitoras deste.
Anastacia, a irmã de Campbell, mas também a sua maior rival, é um trunfo na manga de Gwyn Cready que nos faz odiá-la, mas que no final acabamos por dar o braço a torcer e confessarmos que afinal esta tornou tudo ainda mais difícil e emocionante.
Os cenários... bem os cenários imaginei-os bastante fieis à época e assim consegui saciar um pouco as minhas saudades dos romances históricos. Este livro não se enquadra, mas pelo menos podemos viajar um pouco para o século XVII e sermos apresentados tanto ao rei Charles II como à sua rainha e amante.
A escrita é tão leve, interessante e alegre como as próprias personagens, o que gere um equilíbrio e uma mistura óptima para relaxarmos e nos deixarmos envolver por personalidades e lugares tão fascinantes e, de certa forma, actuais.
Gostei bastantes por todas estas razões desta estreia nas obras da escritora Gwyn Cready, as quais vou querer acompanhar.
June 15, 2010
I read Cready's second book,
Seducing Mr. Darcy
, on a whim and was treated to an absolute delight of a novel - witty, intelligent, exciting, sexy. Since one of my biggest complaints with Romance novels is the weak writing - which encapsulates everything from poor character development to clichés to insufferable dialogue - I was thrilled to find a writer of Romance I could trust, relax with and enabled me to enjoy the story.
This is the second book of Cready's I've read, and her newest release, and it's just as good as Seducing Mr Darcy. The royal portraitist to King Charles II, Peter Lely, has been returned from the Afterlife to a day in his life in the year 1673 by the Guild, which manages the time portals. He's been returned in order to run interference with a person who has found a new time portal, gone back in time to discover salacious gossip about Dick van Dyck, and, in their own time, writes a scandalous "fictography" about the famous painter. Lely, van Dyck's successor at Charles' court, is on the lookout for one Campbell Stratford. In the meantime, he's tormented by his old life: the death of his lovely Ursula is still raw, and he only agreed to come back so he could get Charles to sign a posthumous marriage certificate.
Campbell Stratford - Cam - is an art director at Carnegie Museum, in line for a promotion for which she needs to sell her biography of van Dyck. But her publisher wants her to "sex it up" a bit and she's at her wits' end. Tracking down a book on Amazon that might have what she needs, she's instantly zapped back in time to end up, completely naked but for her purse, in the home of Peter Lely. Lucky for her, naked models are a dime a dozen in Lely's home.
Cam resembles Ursula so much, right down to the fire in her eyes, that Peter is instantly drawn to her. A delicious evening together ends in Peter realising who she really is and what she's after: dirt on van Dyck. Little did he know that running interference for the Guild is only the start, and that he could have begun something even worse. For when he next turns up in Cam's own contemporary world of Pittsburgh, it's to stop her writing about him and Ursula in the worst possible light. Maybe it is out of revenge for screwing her van Dyck book, but Cam's got too much on her plate to back out of the book deal now: her ex, Jacket, a famous modern artist, wants her back; and her older sister Anastasia is her competition for the promotion to run the museum. Peter's presence coincides with everything becoming much messier, but Peter could also be the only one she can turn to.
The plot sounds complicated, I know, but really it's perfectly straight-forward. I'm curious about Cready's first book, Tumbling Through Time, whether it also features this Guild and the Afterlife and explains them more, but in the meantime you learn enough to just go with it. What matters is the use the main characters get out of this premise.
[/caption:]
Peter is one of the most sympathetic and believable Romance heroes I've read in a long time. Cready deftly brings to life a historical figure, gives him flesh and feeling and a personality to call his own, and in his artistic temperament we find joy; in his depth of feeling we find sorrow; in his hope and clarity of vision we find solace. To me, he was like a warm snuggly jumper that smelt of someone close and endearing. There was just something about him that made me want to take him home and feed him soup. Okay maybe that could be taken the wrong way, for him and me, but I'll take my chances ;)
What makes these books such incredible comfort reads for me is the humour. There are some pithy lines, some witty quips, and those kind of funny situational gags that work so well and delight so much without being in the slightest bit annoying. (I always feel the need to justify and defend good Romance novels - it's a shame, but it's because there really are so many badly-written ones that I want you to understand how well this does by comparison, as well as how well it does for its own sake.)
As well as the humour, there's the chemistry. It resonates through the pages, and has a bittersweet edge to it because it's not straight-forward. Cam and Peter have a wonderful, wicked night, then in effect betray each other, so that when they meet up again in Cam's world they're far from being on the best of terms. A relationship between them isn't forced, it occurs gradually, organically, as if it can't be stopped no matter what happens. And I can't end this review without also saying how much I enjoy Cready's non-lip-nibbling heroines: Cam is neither over-the-top klutz nor too sweet and "good" - she's a modern woman, a bit incompetent at eating hotdogs and naïve when it comes to the adulterous Jacket, but she's someone you can instantly understand, sympathise with and care about.
The last thing I want to say is how refreshing it is that neither Cam nor Peter face their predicaments, as unreal as they seem, with denial, stupidity or useless questions. They're human: they adapt. They rise to the occasion. It's actually much more believable for someone to face the situation head-on than to have them wander around telling themselves they just happened to stumble on a period movie set. Which makes even less sense that what's "really" happened!!
This is the second book of Cready's I've read, and her newest release, and it's just as good as Seducing Mr Darcy. The royal portraitist to King Charles II, Peter Lely, has been returned from the Afterlife to a day in his life in the year 1673 by the Guild, which manages the time portals. He's been returned in order to run interference with a person who has found a new time portal, gone back in time to discover salacious gossip about Dick van Dyck, and, in their own time, writes a scandalous "fictography" about the famous painter. Lely, van Dyck's successor at Charles' court, is on the lookout for one Campbell Stratford. In the meantime, he's tormented by his old life: the death of his lovely Ursula is still raw, and he only agreed to come back so he could get Charles to sign a posthumous marriage certificate.
Campbell Stratford - Cam - is an art director at Carnegie Museum, in line for a promotion for which she needs to sell her biography of van Dyck. But her publisher wants her to "sex it up" a bit and she's at her wits' end. Tracking down a book on Amazon that might have what she needs, she's instantly zapped back in time to end up, completely naked but for her purse, in the home of Peter Lely. Lucky for her, naked models are a dime a dozen in Lely's home.
Cam resembles Ursula so much, right down to the fire in her eyes, that Peter is instantly drawn to her. A delicious evening together ends in Peter realising who she really is and what she's after: dirt on van Dyck. Little did he know that running interference for the Guild is only the start, and that he could have begun something even worse. For when he next turns up in Cam's own contemporary world of Pittsburgh, it's to stop her writing about him and Ursula in the worst possible light. Maybe it is out of revenge for screwing her van Dyck book, but Cam's got too much on her plate to back out of the book deal now: her ex, Jacket, a famous modern artist, wants her back; and her older sister Anastasia is her competition for the promotion to run the museum. Peter's presence coincides with everything becoming much messier, but Peter could also be the only one she can turn to.
The plot sounds complicated, I know, but really it's perfectly straight-forward. I'm curious about Cready's first book, Tumbling Through Time, whether it also features this Guild and the Afterlife and explains them more, but in the meantime you learn enough to just go with it. What matters is the use the main characters get out of this premise.
[/caption:]Peter is one of the most sympathetic and believable Romance heroes I've read in a long time. Cready deftly brings to life a historical figure, gives him flesh and feeling and a personality to call his own, and in his artistic temperament we find joy; in his depth of feeling we find sorrow; in his hope and clarity of vision we find solace. To me, he was like a warm snuggly jumper that smelt of someone close and endearing. There was just something about him that made me want to take him home and feed him soup. Okay maybe that could be taken the wrong way, for him and me, but I'll take my chances ;)
What makes these books such incredible comfort reads for me is the humour. There are some pithy lines, some witty quips, and those kind of funny situational gags that work so well and delight so much without being in the slightest bit annoying. (I always feel the need to justify and defend good Romance novels - it's a shame, but it's because there really are so many badly-written ones that I want you to understand how well this does by comparison, as well as how well it does for its own sake.)
As well as the humour, there's the chemistry. It resonates through the pages, and has a bittersweet edge to it because it's not straight-forward. Cam and Peter have a wonderful, wicked night, then in effect betray each other, so that when they meet up again in Cam's world they're far from being on the best of terms. A relationship between them isn't forced, it occurs gradually, organically, as if it can't be stopped no matter what happens. And I can't end this review without also saying how much I enjoy Cready's non-lip-nibbling heroines: Cam is neither over-the-top klutz nor too sweet and "good" - she's a modern woman, a bit incompetent at eating hotdogs and naïve when it comes to the adulterous Jacket, but she's someone you can instantly understand, sympathise with and care about.
The last thing I want to say is how refreshing it is that neither Cam nor Peter face their predicaments, as unreal as they seem, with denial, stupidity or useless questions. They're human: they adapt. They rise to the occasion. It's actually much more believable for someone to face the situation head-on than to have them wander around telling themselves they just happened to stumble on a period movie set. Which makes even less sense that what's "really" happened!!
December 23, 2011
Tenho antes de tudo que dizer que para mim esta sinopse é muito enganadora. A ideia que transmite dos acontecimentos e da viagem no tempo não tem nada a ver com o que realmente acontece no livro. Eu nunca na minha vida estaria à espera da linha de desenvolvimento que as viagens no tempo tomaram.
Em relação ao livro em si, há vários aspectos que gostava de focar. Se por um lado a história é simples e o livro é de fácil leitura, por outro lado ao início achei a escrita da autora bastante confusa. No entanto ao longo do livro este aspecto veio a melhorar e a escrita tornou-se mais limpa e fluída. Outro aspecto que também foi bastante confuso é a maneira como se processam as viagens no tempo, bem como a entidade que as rege e todas as suas regras. Acho que somos forçados a depararmo-nos com esses contextos sem qualquer preparação, o que causa grande confusão ao leitor, que só aos poucos vai conseguindo perceber o que se passa e que pode gerar alguma frustração, e não de um modo positivo. Tive pena que a certos aspectos não fossem tão desenvolvidos, como as ditas viagens no tempo e as regras. Aquilo que nos é apresentado é tudo muito superficial.
Em relação às personagens tenho a dizer que no geral não as achei assim muito aprofundadas. Tirando a "má" da história que está muito bem caracterizada! Gostei das picardias entre as duas personagens principais, se bem que achei que faltava ali qualquer coisa, e acho que a autora poderia ter colocado um pouco mais de humor em certas situações, o que traria outro brilho à história.
De um modo geral achei-o um livro algo fraquinho e que definitivamente não cumpre aquilo que promete. Quem o conseguir emprestado será uma leitura agradável para intervalar com outro tipo de leitura mais pesada, mas não penso que valerá a pena comprá-lo.
Em relação ao livro em si, há vários aspectos que gostava de focar. Se por um lado a história é simples e o livro é de fácil leitura, por outro lado ao início achei a escrita da autora bastante confusa. No entanto ao longo do livro este aspecto veio a melhorar e a escrita tornou-se mais limpa e fluída. Outro aspecto que também foi bastante confuso é a maneira como se processam as viagens no tempo, bem como a entidade que as rege e todas as suas regras. Acho que somos forçados a depararmo-nos com esses contextos sem qualquer preparação, o que causa grande confusão ao leitor, que só aos poucos vai conseguindo perceber o que se passa e que pode gerar alguma frustração, e não de um modo positivo. Tive pena que a certos aspectos não fossem tão desenvolvidos, como as ditas viagens no tempo e as regras. Aquilo que nos é apresentado é tudo muito superficial.
Em relação às personagens tenho a dizer que no geral não as achei assim muito aprofundadas. Tirando a "má" da história que está muito bem caracterizada! Gostei das picardias entre as duas personagens principais, se bem que achei que faltava ali qualquer coisa, e acho que a autora poderia ter colocado um pouco mais de humor em certas situações, o que traria outro brilho à história.
De um modo geral achei-o um livro algo fraquinho e que definitivamente não cumpre aquilo que promete. Quem o conseguir emprestado será uma leitura agradável para intervalar com outro tipo de leitura mais pesada, mas não penso que valerá a pena comprá-lo.
September 26, 2011
This was a wacky time-travel romance. I know, what a premise, you think something like that would be doomed from the start. But Cready actually pulls it off. I admit I enjoyed Seducing Mr. Darcy way more than I expected to, and I was intrigued to see just how many stories in the same vein she could pull off. I definitely enjoyed this one, though it was a little less for me than Seducing Mr. Darcy .
In this novel, art historian and curator Campbell Stratford (Cam) is in line for a promotion at the Carnegie Museum in Chicago (?). She is vying for the position with her older sister, who is an ice-cold bitch the likes of which I have rarely seen - a woman who has built her whole life around destroying all hope for Campbell. This was a startling aspect of the book for me. Frankly I was a little confused by how utterly non-humane her sister was. Anyway, Cam is researching a book on Van Dyck and has decided she needs to "sex it up" to compete with her sister's publication to get the job. She clicks "Look Inside" on the Amazon book page - and gets magically transported to 17th century England, to the studio of Peter Lely, Van Dyck's successor as the portraitist to King Charles of England.
I know, I know, it sounds nutty and confusing. What's more, Peter Lely is really Peter Lely, but he's not actually - he's Peter Lely, after he died, sent back by "the Guild" of Artists from the Afterlife, to thwart the supposed future writing of one Campbell Stratford, who is seeking to sensationalize the 17th century art world in her book. Only, she doesn't really know she's going to do that yet, and Peter thinks this Campbell (the author) is a man.
So you can see how it's actually more convoluted than maybe it seemed at first glance. However! I was only marginally confused while reading this book. Cready has a real gift for guiding the reader clearly through complicated plots and backstories. My only quibble is that sometimes the formatting of the dialogue on my KIndle version of this book (Kindle for iPhone, at that) was poor and there were not line breaks between the characters who were speaking - so it got confusing who was saying what. However, I think this was with the format and not with the author.
The book is 3 stars for me instead of 4 because I just couldn't rate it quite as highly as Seducing Mr. Darcy . Perhaps this was because Cam was kind of a pushover who was just fine keeping the wool way way over her eyes when it came to men. I find this hard to relate to! I liked Peter and thought the concept of his life was neat, but the two of them together were all blazing passion and romance and not very much reality. Hey, it's a romance novel so what's my problem, right? I don't know, but the other book had a better grounding in reality for me. I bought it a little more. Perhaps because I am a literature fan but not as much an art history fan.
I enjoyed the way the art history aspect was included in this book. It's not just a thin shell of a setting/plot to stick a romance into. Lely is a painter and Cam is a subject - this was an interesting dynamic and I enjoyed it. Details of the art history of the period were included as well. In general, this was an enjoyable and well-executed novel that stands above other "romance" novels. However, for me it was just a tad less great than Seducing Mr. Darcy , which had a similar hare-brained yet well-executed concept but a little more spark.
In this novel, art historian and curator Campbell Stratford (Cam) is in line for a promotion at the Carnegie Museum in Chicago (?). She is vying for the position with her older sister, who is an ice-cold bitch the likes of which I have rarely seen - a woman who has built her whole life around destroying all hope for Campbell. This was a startling aspect of the book for me. Frankly I was a little confused by how utterly non-humane her sister was. Anyway, Cam is researching a book on Van Dyck and has decided she needs to "sex it up" to compete with her sister's publication to get the job. She clicks "Look Inside" on the Amazon book page - and gets magically transported to 17th century England, to the studio of Peter Lely, Van Dyck's successor as the portraitist to King Charles of England.
I know, I know, it sounds nutty and confusing. What's more, Peter Lely is really Peter Lely, but he's not actually - he's Peter Lely, after he died, sent back by "the Guild" of Artists from the Afterlife, to thwart the supposed future writing of one Campbell Stratford, who is seeking to sensationalize the 17th century art world in her book. Only, she doesn't really know she's going to do that yet, and Peter thinks this Campbell (the author) is a man.
So you can see how it's actually more convoluted than maybe it seemed at first glance. However! I was only marginally confused while reading this book. Cready has a real gift for guiding the reader clearly through complicated plots and backstories. My only quibble is that sometimes the formatting of the dialogue on my KIndle version of this book (Kindle for iPhone, at that) was poor and there were not line breaks between the characters who were speaking - so it got confusing who was saying what. However, I think this was with the format and not with the author.
The book is 3 stars for me instead of 4 because I just couldn't rate it quite as highly as Seducing Mr. Darcy . Perhaps this was because Cam was kind of a pushover who was just fine keeping the wool way way over her eyes when it came to men. I find this hard to relate to! I liked Peter and thought the concept of his life was neat, but the two of them together were all blazing passion and romance and not very much reality. Hey, it's a romance novel so what's my problem, right? I don't know, but the other book had a better grounding in reality for me. I bought it a little more. Perhaps because I am a literature fan but not as much an art history fan.
I enjoyed the way the art history aspect was included in this book. It's not just a thin shell of a setting/plot to stick a romance into. Lely is a painter and Cam is a subject - this was an interesting dynamic and I enjoyed it. Details of the art history of the period were included as well. In general, this was an enjoyable and well-executed novel that stands above other "romance" novels. However, for me it was just a tad less great than Seducing Mr. Darcy , which had a similar hare-brained yet well-executed concept but a little more spark.
March 28, 2010
From my blog...[return]Flirting With Forever is an intriguing twist on time travel, romance and a healthy dose of art history. Peter Lely the successor to Van Dyck as the royal portraitist is quite trapped. The Executive Guild, which manages artist department of souls passing through the afterlife, needs Peter's assistance. Mertons, the time-jump accountant has discovered that a person by the name of Campbell Stratford is writing a book, which they view as an embarrassment to Van Dyck. The Guild Management does not know how else Campbell could have acquired the knowledge on Van Dyck's quite personal information mixed with fiction and calling the book a work of Fictography, unless through illegal use of the tube and time travel.[return]Meanwhile back in present day, Cam and her faithful assistant Jeannie are working at a feverish pace to stay head of Cam's sister Anastasia. Cam and Anastasia both work as curators for the Carnegie Museum of Art and both are vying to become the next Art Director, unfortunately Anastasia has sold her book and Cam only has a few weeks in which to finish and convince someone to publish her book on Van Dyck. While doing research she unknowingly opens a portal and is transported back in time to 1628 London. Cam does not appear to be overly distraught to find herself among other nude models; rather she acquires clothing, assumes another name and requests a sitting so she can learn first hand about Peter Lely, Van Dyck's successor, and meets King Charles II. Lely however, is not at all amused to see Cam. At first he does not realise who she is or that she has traveled through time, however she is the exact likeness of his beloved and quite deceased Ursula. Will Lely be able to prevent Campbell from publishing details best left untold about Van Dyck or will Cam learn more than she ever dared, altering the future? What unfolds next through the varying time travels of the two is a fast paced romantic drama, mystery and comedy all rolled into one along with the battle between desire and ambition. Flirting With Forever is an intriguing time travel novel with a strong and witty heroine as well as a self-assured hero. The characters make this novel a delightful read and Cready does an excellent job in describing two completely different eras without confusing the reader. Flirting With Forever does make for an afternoon of exciting and entertaining reading.
March 11, 2012
Gostei bastante da sinopse do livro, um historiadora de arte, uma pintor, uma viagem ao passado e um regresso ao presente, para mim os ingredientes perfeitos para uma bela história.
Apesar da minha apreensão inicial após ler as primeiras páginas que se revelaram um pouco confusas, o restante livro apresenta uma leitura fluída com bastante humor e peripécias pelo meio. Na viagem ao passado somos cativados pela acção decorrida no interior de um atelier de um pintor bastante atarefado com a resolução de problemas provocados pelos constantes desvaneios que um rei com muitas amantes. No presente deparamos com um noivo também pintor e talentoso mas com tendências para a traição; uma irmã que surge como rival, maquiavélica mas com consciência; uma assiste cómica; um pintor que viaja ao futuro com um objectivo final bem assente, no entanto, a realidade da situação com que ele de repente se encara é diferente e acaba por te de ajustar o seu plano para acompanhar os acontecimentos actuais.
Nunca pensei que o mundo da pintura me deixasse tão encantada, com as suas texturas e cores, gostei muito do livro e dei-me por mim, no final, a pesquisar um pouco sobre quem teria sido o pintor Peter Lely e as suas obras, entre as quais a famosa amante do rei “Nell Gwynne” .
Apesar da minha apreensão inicial após ler as primeiras páginas que se revelaram um pouco confusas, o restante livro apresenta uma leitura fluída com bastante humor e peripécias pelo meio. Na viagem ao passado somos cativados pela acção decorrida no interior de um atelier de um pintor bastante atarefado com a resolução de problemas provocados pelos constantes desvaneios que um rei com muitas amantes. No presente deparamos com um noivo também pintor e talentoso mas com tendências para a traição; uma irmã que surge como rival, maquiavélica mas com consciência; uma assiste cómica; um pintor que viaja ao futuro com um objectivo final bem assente, no entanto, a realidade da situação com que ele de repente se encara é diferente e acaba por te de ajustar o seu plano para acompanhar os acontecimentos actuais.
Nunca pensei que o mundo da pintura me deixasse tão encantada, com as suas texturas e cores, gostei muito do livro e dei-me por mim, no final, a pesquisar um pouco sobre quem teria sido o pintor Peter Lely e as suas obras, entre as quais a famosa amante do rei “Nell Gwynne” .
September 14, 2010
woman, art historian and museum curator, accidentally travel back in time to a sexy artist. sexy artist is actually a plant by some time travel policing agency, he's supposed to stop her from spilling the sexy beans about some other fancy artist.
Problematically they're both too stupid to live. She doesn't seemed to be worried by much after time travel, except if she can get cell phone reception amd if she can get in sexy artist's pants. he doesn't seem suspicious at all of this obviously out of time visitor, and despite his anguish over his dead lover who looks just like her it only takes him a couple hours to get in her pants.
I wanted to kill them both and put me out of my misery, instead I just stopped reading.
but still, she does fantasize and touch herself in the first painting scene, it made me hot, so it is better than a lot of the trash out there, sadly the first actual sex scene was flat as and pancake and as interesting as watching paint dry, but so long as he's not an abusive jerk and she makes me hot then orgasms shamelessly, I'll give it two stars.
Problematically they're both too stupid to live. She doesn't seemed to be worried by much after time travel, except if she can get cell phone reception amd if she can get in sexy artist's pants. he doesn't seem suspicious at all of this obviously out of time visitor, and despite his anguish over his dead lover who looks just like her it only takes him a couple hours to get in her pants.
I wanted to kill them both and put me out of my misery, instead I just stopped reading.
but still, she does fantasize and touch herself in the first painting scene, it made me hot, so it is better than a lot of the trash out there, sadly the first actual sex scene was flat as and pancake and as interesting as watching paint dry, but so long as he's not an abusive jerk and she makes me hot then orgasms shamelessly, I'll give it two stars.
April 12, 2010
I haven't read many time travel romances and now realize I have missed out of a really cool genre. The author creates a believable back story that switches nicely from present time to the 17th century. There must have been a lot of research that went into this story since the time of King Charles II was well done and impressive with detail. Like any decent romance, the sparks flew between Cam and Peter and concluded with great satisfaction. The only flaw in the whole book was that it was a little bit too long.
March 26, 2010
This was my first time reading Gwyn Cready and for me it was an entertaining read. Ms Cready has a very nice writing style. I loved that humor was blended in with the romance. I did think the way that Cam got to the 16th century was a bit odd, but very creative. Flirting with Forever was a light, fun read. Full of romance and mischief. I don't read too many time-travel stories but this was a good read. If you like a bit of humor and time-travel with you romance - you'll enjoy this one.
June 1, 2010
An unconventional romance that includes time travel.
April 12, 2018
Cute little time travel fantasy with a real life artist as the fantasy hero.
April 19, 2018
Not just an engaging, witty story, but one requiring flame-proof panties. Wow!
June 23, 2019
No pude con él. Una arrancada que no acaba de despegar y unos personajes con los que no acabas de empatizar, así que lo dejé por imposible. No tengo tiempo para esperar que mejore.
Read
August 7, 2024A recommendation from Janette and a delight!
February 14, 2023
While researching history on the artist she's using for her book- a book that's sure to push her into her dream job as curator for the museum she works for-the heroine unwittingly discovers a time port through Amazon of all things and finds herself in the 17th century. There, stark naked and horribly confused she realizes soon enough that not only has she traveled back in time but she's in the presence of the lesser known artist Peter Lely.
Instantly she's captive by his cool sexy attitude and his whole promiscuous artist reputation succeeds in drawing her in even though she knows she shouldn't be. She's known her far share of cheating men, her ex fiancé in prime example. But something about this man makes her hot and bothered, especially when she vows to take her time in history and have a portrait painted by a famous artist.
The hero is horribly tormented by guilt. He feels deep shame over the fact that he didn't marry the woman he loved and she died not having the dignity of his name. As such, she is reborn again and again without him. In a bid to grant her peace he accepts his mission from the time cops to return to his previous life and stop a rebel time travel from using his story as a means to disturb the time flow. He is both horrified and yet captivated by the strange woman in his studio who so resembles his dead love.
Together under the glow of candle light and under the impulse of wine, they sleep together. Then he realized who she is-the author who he's been sent back to betray. The heroine realizes that he's been lying to her the entire night and she returns to the present with a bitterness in her heart. Upon realizing the hero has ruined her chance of publishing her book she instead turns to writing his biography-painting him as the man whore she thinks he is.
The hero, upon realizing this is her intent, rebels against the time cops and travels to the present in an attempt to stop her. From there they slowly realize the truth about one another and also realize the love that's grown between the two of them. But just like Romeo and Juliet, just like Casablanca. their romance can never truly be. Not when the hero is destined to return to the afterlife.
This story was very convoluted. It jumped from one thing to another and I kept having to re-read a couple of pages thinking that I'd missed something. Like how did the heroine return to the present? One moment she was sleeping with the hero the next she's at her commuting plotting her revenge. It felt like there were a whole bunch of missing scenes and as such felt disjointed and confusing as hell. Maybe it was just me, though. I found the dialogue to be witting and very smart. In that aspect the story had flow and I found myself charmed by the heroine's humor and pop culture references (I'm not known to like that sort of personality so I was amazed to find myself quite enjoying all the witty retorts). I was also touched by the scene where the heroine finds out the truth of the hero's lost lady love and felt the consuming and soul wrenching despair as he sobbed and cried talking about how he betrayed her. This was an odd book and there were things I didn't for (i.e. the fiancé/ex fiancé and her asshole of a sister) but at the same time and in equal measure I loved other things about it(i.e. the way the heroine could make the hero laugh and he willing to do anything to right a wrong he made to the woman he loved) and found it funny, sad and well written. But at the same time, I felt the book dragged at certain places and 100 some odd pages were dedicated to just one night when the heroine went into the past and slept with the hero-the major of the book is set in the present. As such I thought it deserved a healthy 3 star rating.
Instantly she's captive by his cool sexy attitude and his whole promiscuous artist reputation succeeds in drawing her in even though she knows she shouldn't be. She's known her far share of cheating men, her ex fiancé in prime example. But something about this man makes her hot and bothered, especially when she vows to take her time in history and have a portrait painted by a famous artist.
The hero is horribly tormented by guilt. He feels deep shame over the fact that he didn't marry the woman he loved and she died not having the dignity of his name. As such, she is reborn again and again without him. In a bid to grant her peace he accepts his mission from the time cops to return to his previous life and stop a rebel time travel from using his story as a means to disturb the time flow. He is both horrified and yet captivated by the strange woman in his studio who so resembles his dead love.
Together under the glow of candle light and under the impulse of wine, they sleep together. Then he realized who she is-the author who he's been sent back to betray. The heroine realizes that he's been lying to her the entire night and she returns to the present with a bitterness in her heart. Upon realizing the hero has ruined her chance of publishing her book she instead turns to writing his biography-painting him as the man whore she thinks he is.
The hero, upon realizing this is her intent, rebels against the time cops and travels to the present in an attempt to stop her. From there they slowly realize the truth about one another and also realize the love that's grown between the two of them. But just like Romeo and Juliet, just like Casablanca. their romance can never truly be. Not when the hero is destined to return to the afterlife.
This story was very convoluted. It jumped from one thing to another and I kept having to re-read a couple of pages thinking that I'd missed something. Like how did the heroine return to the present? One moment she was sleeping with the hero the next she's at her commuting plotting her revenge. It felt like there were a whole bunch of missing scenes and as such felt disjointed and confusing as hell. Maybe it was just me, though. I found the dialogue to be witting and very smart. In that aspect the story had flow and I found myself charmed by the heroine's humor and pop culture references (I'm not known to like that sort of personality so I was amazed to find myself quite enjoying all the witty retorts). I was also touched by the scene where the heroine finds out the truth of the hero's lost lady love and felt the consuming and soul wrenching despair as he sobbed and cried talking about how he betrayed her. This was an odd book and there were things I didn't for (i.e. the fiancé/ex fiancé and her asshole of a sister) but at the same time and in equal measure I loved other things about it(i.e. the way the heroine could make the hero laugh and he willing to do anything to right a wrong he made to the woman he loved) and found it funny, sad and well written. But at the same time, I felt the book dragged at certain places and 100 some odd pages were dedicated to just one night when the heroine went into the past and slept with the hero-the major of the book is set in the present. As such I thought it deserved a healthy 3 star rating.
July 22, 2010
Cam is up to her neck in trouble. Her publisher wants her book yesterday, someone is trying to sabotage her chances to become the museum new curator, and her ex-fiance is trying to horn his way back into her life in more ways than one. And she doesn't even know everything that he has done and continues to do while trying to woo Cam into complacency. To appease her publisher, Cam decides to write a fictography, part fact, part fiction account of a subject close to her heart, painters of the 17th century, her field of expertise.
What Cam doesn't know is that when she tries to access certain information, she'll be thrown thru time, and will land on the doorstep of one of those artist, painter Peter Levy. She's curious as to how she traveled to this place and time, to the very artist that recently capture her attention, especially when she sees a painting that could be her twin.
Peter Levy has been ordered by the Guild, a body of governing artist no longer of this world, to ruin Cam Stratford, by any means possible and to stop the publication of her book, and he does. What he doesn't count on are the stirring of forgotten feelings, feelings that haven't been roused since the death of his wife. And now, Cam comes strolling in, and turns his life, otherworldly or otherwise, on it's ear. He doesn't know if he can forgive himself for what he has done or what he's about to do.
Flirting with Forever by Gwyn Cready was a fast paced sensual romance, part historical and part contemporary. I found it hard to put down. Cam Stratford has had to accommodate her life to suit her parents, her sister, her ex-fiance, and now said sister is about to push into Cam's life and steal her dream job, right from under her nose. And all Cam can really do is sit back and watch her life play out. If she tries too hard, she'll seem needy, if she pushes her sister back, she'll appear bossy and pushy (and the museum board wants none of that), and when she meets Peter Levy, her senses go wild and she could really give a damn about anything else. When she forced to tell him the truth, she's a time traveling would be author/museum curator, Peter's taken aback, but can he really say anything, after all, he's a time traveling Guild member out to put the brakes on Cam's career. And when these two come together, when they push passed all the circumstances trying to keep them apart, the romance sizzles on the pages with smoky desire.
Flirting with Forever has aspects of a paranormal romance laced between a historical and contemporary romance. Cam is shoved into Peter's reality, and he finds himself ready to take a chance with Cam, until he learns her secrets. When Peter jumps through time to find the wayward Cam, he can't seem to get over her, but he has to be very careful, to leave part of himself behind in this foreign appearing landscape would trap him in this time and place. But can he resist the abundant charms of Cam Stratford? Does he really want to? This book was plain fun to read, I don't read a heck of a lot of historical or contemporary romance, but sometimes, they just hit the spot and Flirting with Forever is one of the books that satisfied my need. If you enjoy a time traveling romance full of fun, I recommend picking up Flirting with Forever, I don't think you'll be sorry, I very much enjoyed it.
What Cam doesn't know is that when she tries to access certain information, she'll be thrown thru time, and will land on the doorstep of one of those artist, painter Peter Levy. She's curious as to how she traveled to this place and time, to the very artist that recently capture her attention, especially when she sees a painting that could be her twin.
Peter Levy has been ordered by the Guild, a body of governing artist no longer of this world, to ruin Cam Stratford, by any means possible and to stop the publication of her book, and he does. What he doesn't count on are the stirring of forgotten feelings, feelings that haven't been roused since the death of his wife. And now, Cam comes strolling in, and turns his life, otherworldly or otherwise, on it's ear. He doesn't know if he can forgive himself for what he has done or what he's about to do.
Flirting with Forever by Gwyn Cready was a fast paced sensual romance, part historical and part contemporary. I found it hard to put down. Cam Stratford has had to accommodate her life to suit her parents, her sister, her ex-fiance, and now said sister is about to push into Cam's life and steal her dream job, right from under her nose. And all Cam can really do is sit back and watch her life play out. If she tries too hard, she'll seem needy, if she pushes her sister back, she'll appear bossy and pushy (and the museum board wants none of that), and when she meets Peter Levy, her senses go wild and she could really give a damn about anything else. When she forced to tell him the truth, she's a time traveling would be author/museum curator, Peter's taken aback, but can he really say anything, after all, he's a time traveling Guild member out to put the brakes on Cam's career. And when these two come together, when they push passed all the circumstances trying to keep them apart, the romance sizzles on the pages with smoky desire.
Flirting with Forever has aspects of a paranormal romance laced between a historical and contemporary romance. Cam is shoved into Peter's reality, and he finds himself ready to take a chance with Cam, until he learns her secrets. When Peter jumps through time to find the wayward Cam, he can't seem to get over her, but he has to be very careful, to leave part of himself behind in this foreign appearing landscape would trap him in this time and place. But can he resist the abundant charms of Cam Stratford? Does he really want to? This book was plain fun to read, I don't read a heck of a lot of historical or contemporary romance, but sometimes, they just hit the spot and Flirting with Forever is one of the books that satisfied my need. If you enjoy a time traveling romance full of fun, I recommend picking up Flirting with Forever, I don't think you'll be sorry, I very much enjoyed it.
April 22, 2010
This review was originally posted on my review blog : http://fallingofftheshelf.blogspot.com
Campbell Stratford is sure to make a name for herself when she releases her sexy tell-all "fictographies" of famous seventeenth-century artists. What her readers don't know, is that she is more intimately involved with her subjects than they could ever imagine. It's all thanks to a time portal she accidentally discovered while in a frantic rush for information to make her book that much more memorable. This portal leads her straight into the arms of playboy and seventeenth-century artist, Peter Lely. It's easy to get caught up in the moment, and after posing for a portrait for a few hours on his modeling chaise, she ends up with a night of passion that one can not forget.
Peter Lely wants nothing more to do than paint, it is what makes up his world. When the Guild of the Great Beyond come to him to in a frantic effort to thwart Campbell Stratford's plans against their reputation, he agrees to help them. He sticks to the plan, and feeds her information that will surely sabotage her work. Cam on the other hand, has other plans when she learns of Peter's betrayal, and now he must travel to Cam's twenty-first century life in order to set things right.
When I first saw the cover of this novel, I was instantly intrigued. It looked magical, and like it was going to be filled with all sorts of romance. Luckily, this time I judged a book by it's cover, it was sure to deliver. In Flirting With Forever, we get not only romance, and heart pumping passion, but comedy as well. I wasn't expecting this, but this book had me giggling and unforeseen moments. I tend to get a lot of funny looks when I start giggling in the break room at my job, but I've grown accustom to this by now.
What I personally loved about this quirky novel was the fact that it was not only set in a modern setting, but a historical one as well. The first quarter of this book you get teleported back in time to seventeenth-century London, while the rest of the book is centered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. I happened to enjoy the descriptions of the historical setting far better, and itched to be relocated back to that time period. Falling through time did not put a damper on this story though, as it was always up beat and ready to entertain.
This was the first time-travel romance that I have ever read, and it has me itching to read more. Luckily, author, Gwyn Cready, has a few more up her sleeve. I've already decided that I want to read more of her work, and can't wait to get my hands on her other titles, Tumbling Through Time , and Seducing Mr. Darcy. I can only hope that they will be filled with just as much romance, and humor. She also has another title scheduled to be released September 28, 2010 by Pocket Books, and this one is going to be called Aching For Always, can't wait to see how that one will turn out!
Campbell Stratford is sure to make a name for herself when she releases her sexy tell-all "fictographies" of famous seventeenth-century artists. What her readers don't know, is that she is more intimately involved with her subjects than they could ever imagine. It's all thanks to a time portal she accidentally discovered while in a frantic rush for information to make her book that much more memorable. This portal leads her straight into the arms of playboy and seventeenth-century artist, Peter Lely. It's easy to get caught up in the moment, and after posing for a portrait for a few hours on his modeling chaise, she ends up with a night of passion that one can not forget.
Peter Lely wants nothing more to do than paint, it is what makes up his world. When the Guild of the Great Beyond come to him to in a frantic effort to thwart Campbell Stratford's plans against their reputation, he agrees to help them. He sticks to the plan, and feeds her information that will surely sabotage her work. Cam on the other hand, has other plans when she learns of Peter's betrayal, and now he must travel to Cam's twenty-first century life in order to set things right.
When I first saw the cover of this novel, I was instantly intrigued. It looked magical, and like it was going to be filled with all sorts of romance. Luckily, this time I judged a book by it's cover, it was sure to deliver. In Flirting With Forever, we get not only romance, and heart pumping passion, but comedy as well. I wasn't expecting this, but this book had me giggling and unforeseen moments. I tend to get a lot of funny looks when I start giggling in the break room at my job, but I've grown accustom to this by now.
What I personally loved about this quirky novel was the fact that it was not only set in a modern setting, but a historical one as well. The first quarter of this book you get teleported back in time to seventeenth-century London, while the rest of the book is centered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. I happened to enjoy the descriptions of the historical setting far better, and itched to be relocated back to that time period. Falling through time did not put a damper on this story though, as it was always up beat and ready to entertain.
This was the first time-travel romance that I have ever read, and it has me itching to read more. Luckily, author, Gwyn Cready, has a few more up her sleeve. I've already decided that I want to read more of her work, and can't wait to get my hands on her other titles, Tumbling Through Time , and Seducing Mr. Darcy. I can only hope that they will be filled with just as much romance, and humor. She also has another title scheduled to be released September 28, 2010 by Pocket Books, and this one is going to be called Aching For Always, can't wait to see how that one will turn out!
April 2, 2010
True confession time: I don't normally read time travel novels. I like contemporary novels and I like historical novels, but rarely do they come together in a way that works for me. Flirting with Forever cheerfully grabbed those assumptions with a tissue and threw them in the garbage, and for that I am definitely grateful.
The writing style in this book is hilarious; there's truly no other way to describe it. I was reminded of Douglas Adams and Janet Evanovich (the first nine or so Stephanie Plum books, not the recent ones) in parts- Adams when the topic of conversation was time travel and the Guilds and Evanovich when the characters are interacting with one another. The dialogue sparkled right off the page.
Added to the mix: a cast of truly diverse characters and an unusual but entertaining setting. The art world is an excellent background for this story because enjoying art is kind of like time traveling- it launches you back (or forward) into a time, place, or environment based on imagery and ideas. Add in an actual artist from centuries ago wandering around the contemporary art world and there are plenty of opportunities for laughs and wry commentary. The plot here is full of twists and turns and machinations and plotting and scheming with the ultimate lesson being that there's no such thing as a free lunch. Just when I thought the happily-ever-after was just around the corner, someone would act in a way that had me yelling NOOOOOOOOOOOO because everything was screwed up!
The tricky thing with time travel books is that, at some point, there has to be an explanation of why things that are happening are affecting (or not affecting) the past, the future, and hell, the present. Flirting with Forever takes the Back to the Future II approach, which says that messing around with future events can impact the past, but furthermore, that the past can be controlled.
Peter and Campbell are an unlikely couple, to be sure, but I was definitely rooting for them (and for Anastasia and what'shisname, the adulterous fiance, to take long walks off short piers) and their relationship. Sweet, saucy, and very rambunctious. Good stuff all the way around.
There's a lot to love in this book, and I'm thrilled to have had the opportunity to discover a new author in a genre that I haven't really explored.
Overall Grade: A
Read more reviews at What Book is That?
The writing style in this book is hilarious; there's truly no other way to describe it. I was reminded of Douglas Adams and Janet Evanovich (the first nine or so Stephanie Plum books, not the recent ones) in parts- Adams when the topic of conversation was time travel and the Guilds and Evanovich when the characters are interacting with one another. The dialogue sparkled right off the page.
Added to the mix: a cast of truly diverse characters and an unusual but entertaining setting. The art world is an excellent background for this story because enjoying art is kind of like time traveling- it launches you back (or forward) into a time, place, or environment based on imagery and ideas. Add in an actual artist from centuries ago wandering around the contemporary art world and there are plenty of opportunities for laughs and wry commentary. The plot here is full of twists and turns and machinations and plotting and scheming with the ultimate lesson being that there's no such thing as a free lunch. Just when I thought the happily-ever-after was just around the corner, someone would act in a way that had me yelling NOOOOOOOOOOOO because everything was screwed up!
The tricky thing with time travel books is that, at some point, there has to be an explanation of why things that are happening are affecting (or not affecting) the past, the future, and hell, the present. Flirting with Forever takes the Back to the Future II approach, which says that messing around with future events can impact the past, but furthermore, that the past can be controlled.
Peter and Campbell are an unlikely couple, to be sure, but I was definitely rooting for them (and for Anastasia and what'shisname, the adulterous fiance, to take long walks off short piers) and their relationship. Sweet, saucy, and very rambunctious. Good stuff all the way around.
There's a lot to love in this book, and I'm thrilled to have had the opportunity to discover a new author in a genre that I haven't really explored.
Overall Grade: A
Read more reviews at What Book is That?
April 12, 2010
I'm not really a fan of romance novels, but I was in the mood to read a cheesy one. Not a super cheesy one where the people get busy in every chapter and there's a photo of a half naked guy on the cover, but something more tasteful. Sadly, I was kind of embarrassed to be hanging out in the romance section, but whatever. I picked this one because I liked the cover and because it's a mix between present time and 1673, which at the time sounded interesting, but it confused me a little.
Cam works at an art museum and from what I can tell she is suppose to be writing a book about an artist, but isn't getting very far, so she trys to buy a book on him from Amazon, but when clicks the link for the book she is transported back to 1673 where she meets Peter Lely who is also an artist. One thing leads to another and the two of them get busy. Don't expect any graphic sex scenes. The author just likes to use the words 'breasts' 'nipple' and 'plow'. How romantic. Afterwards, Peter realizes that she is there to get info on Van Dyck so he gives her a BS story, and when she gets back to present time she writes it in her book, only to find out that it's fake. So she decides to write a book about Peter. He finds out about this and time travels to her and tries to stop her. Then it just because messy. They both like each other, but he can't stay because he's from the past and screwing up the future.
Honestly, I didn't really like this book, but it was a quick read that it made me want to stick with it. It's all about painters, which I have no interest in, so maybe if that is your thing, you'd enjoy it more. Mostly it sounds like something a single lady who lives with cats how isn't getting any lovin' would write.
Cam works at an art museum and from what I can tell she is suppose to be writing a book about an artist, but isn't getting very far, so she trys to buy a book on him from Amazon, but when clicks the link for the book she is transported back to 1673 where she meets Peter Lely who is also an artist. One thing leads to another and the two of them get busy. Don't expect any graphic sex scenes. The author just likes to use the words 'breasts' 'nipple' and 'plow'. How romantic. Afterwards, Peter realizes that she is there to get info on Van Dyck so he gives her a BS story, and when she gets back to present time she writes it in her book, only to find out that it's fake. So she decides to write a book about Peter. He finds out about this and time travels to her and tries to stop her. Then it just because messy. They both like each other, but he can't stay because he's from the past and screwing up the future.
Honestly, I didn't really like this book, but it was a quick read that it made me want to stick with it. It's all about painters, which I have no interest in, so maybe if that is your thing, you'd enjoy it more. Mostly it sounds like something a single lady who lives with cats how isn't getting any lovin' would write.
June 25, 2013
Campbell "Cam" Stratford works in an art museum and the director is about to retire. Cam wants the job badly and she her only competition is her sister. She knows she would be a shoo-in if she was published, but the deadline is drawing close and Cam is no where near ready with her book.
Peter Lely is dead. He was the portraitist to the king, and was renowned for his well-endowed paintings of many women. When artists pass, they are monitored by the Guild, who makes sure their reputations stay reputable. But when a "fictography" is published by one named Stratford, something must be done immediately!
Only someone who has access to a time portal could have known the details so blatantly of the seventeenth-century artists. The Guild convinces Peter to use a time portal and go back in time to fix things.
You would think you would get confused with the time bobbing, but it's refreshing to see a character stay true to themselves, in either century. Cam was full of vitality and fresh; with her confusion and her willingness to go with the flow. When Cam sits for Peter, the passion simply sizzles. But then when she returns to her own time and discovers his betrayal, the stakes are raised. But Peter has something else in mind for Cam, and I won't spoil it for you.
I love time-travel romance, and Flirting with Forever is fresh, romantic, and a great tumble through time. I enjoyed reading about the artists of that time and how the men and women dressed. Their antics were pure joy and the romance heart-warming and irresistible.
This is the first work I've read of Ms. Cready's, but I will definitely be picking up her books in the future! Love romance, time-travel, or both -- give Flirting with Forever a whirl! You will love it!!
Peter Lely is dead. He was the portraitist to the king, and was renowned for his well-endowed paintings of many women. When artists pass, they are monitored by the Guild, who makes sure their reputations stay reputable. But when a "fictography" is published by one named Stratford, something must be done immediately!
Only someone who has access to a time portal could have known the details so blatantly of the seventeenth-century artists. The Guild convinces Peter to use a time portal and go back in time to fix things.
You would think you would get confused with the time bobbing, but it's refreshing to see a character stay true to themselves, in either century. Cam was full of vitality and fresh; with her confusion and her willingness to go with the flow. When Cam sits for Peter, the passion simply sizzles. But then when she returns to her own time and discovers his betrayal, the stakes are raised. But Peter has something else in mind for Cam, and I won't spoil it for you.
I love time-travel romance, and Flirting with Forever is fresh, romantic, and a great tumble through time. I enjoyed reading about the artists of that time and how the men and women dressed. Their antics were pure joy and the romance heart-warming and irresistible.
This is the first work I've read of Ms. Cready's, but I will definitely be picking up her books in the future! Love romance, time-travel, or both -- give Flirting with Forever a whirl! You will love it!!
February 16, 2017
Ok
I love time travel stories. This one was somewhat entertaining. Some plot twists but too trite for me. Just my opinion.
I love time travel stories. This one was somewhat entertaining. Some plot twists but too trite for me. Just my opinion.
April 21, 2010
I've never really read a time travel romance and I think Ms. Cready has opened my eyes to a whole new genre. I really like the way the time travel bit is done in this story. I think there was good development when it came to both the 17th century and the present time. I never found myself confused or disoriented as to what time frame I was in. I'm sure there was a lot of homework done by Ms. Cready to accomplish that with such vivid details.
I have to admit that it had a slow start for me but once Cam is swept away into the 17th century and Peter is in the picture... well, needless to say, it picked up rather quickly after that. There were some very funny moments scattered throughout that not only brought a smile to my face but more than once had me laughing out loud. From Cam's zany antics trying to text message and get enough bars to make a call on her iPhone to her use of names that were definitely not recognized in the 17th century (i.e. Antonio Banderas, Katie Holmes, etc.)
This was a fast-paced romance with plenty of drama, mystery and comedy all wrapped up within that uber cute cover (love the shoes). Not to mention there was that age-old struggle in choosing happiness over ambition. All in all, it was a fun, sexy romp that I found very entertaining.
As a side note, there's this fantastic scene where Cam plays Peter's muse that was utterly steamy and toe-curl worthy. le sigh. ;)
This book was provided for review by Simon & Schuster.
I have to admit that it had a slow start for me but once Cam is swept away into the 17th century and Peter is in the picture... well, needless to say, it picked up rather quickly after that. There were some very funny moments scattered throughout that not only brought a smile to my face but more than once had me laughing out loud. From Cam's zany antics trying to text message and get enough bars to make a call on her iPhone to her use of names that were definitely not recognized in the 17th century (i.e. Antonio Banderas, Katie Holmes, etc.)
This was a fast-paced romance with plenty of drama, mystery and comedy all wrapped up within that uber cute cover (love the shoes). Not to mention there was that age-old struggle in choosing happiness over ambition. All in all, it was a fun, sexy romp that I found very entertaining.
As a side note, there's this fantastic scene where Cam plays Peter's muse that was utterly steamy and toe-curl worthy. le sigh. ;)
This book was provided for review by Simon & Schuster.
September 12, 2012
The Blog Critics Books post sums up my feelings about Flirting with Forever by Gwyn Cready perfectly: I should have read the pitch more closely. The pitch didn't have cover art, which would have made it obvious that it's a bodice ripper, so I went on the time travel description alone. Big mistake.
In the present day there's Campbell "Cam" Stratford, an art historian and author, with a scandalous "fictographies." Then in the afterlife there's Peter Lely, once famous artist, who is now tasked with stopping Cam by any means possible.
To bring the two together, a web search, opens a time portal sending Cam back to Lely's time when he was portrait painter for Charles II. Cam makes up a bunch of lies to buy herself some time but ends up being really quickly seduced by Lely.
And it goes down hill from there. Somehow Cam and Lely both gain control over this unexplained time portal. With no explanation of how it works it becomes just a convenient way of switching locations. There's similarly little in way of motivation for Cam to hook up with Lely. Sure he paints well, and sure her fiance might be more trouble than he's worth, but she goes from scared to seduced too quickly.
The parts that aren't time travel or sex are lengthy scenes of painting. This is the part of the book that one reviewer on GoodReads describes as The Girl with the Pearl Earring with severe brain damage. While I personally wouldn't go that far, it did read like a whole bunch of filler.
In the present day there's Campbell "Cam" Stratford, an art historian and author, with a scandalous "fictographies." Then in the afterlife there's Peter Lely, once famous artist, who is now tasked with stopping Cam by any means possible.
To bring the two together, a web search, opens a time portal sending Cam back to Lely's time when he was portrait painter for Charles II. Cam makes up a bunch of lies to buy herself some time but ends up being really quickly seduced by Lely.
And it goes down hill from there. Somehow Cam and Lely both gain control over this unexplained time portal. With no explanation of how it works it becomes just a convenient way of switching locations. There's similarly little in way of motivation for Cam to hook up with Lely. Sure he paints well, and sure her fiance might be more trouble than he's worth, but she goes from scared to seduced too quickly.
The parts that aren't time travel or sex are lengthy scenes of painting. This is the part of the book that one reviewer on GoodReads describes as The Girl with the Pearl Earring with severe brain damage. While I personally wouldn't go that far, it did read like a whole bunch of filler.
June 29, 2010
This was my first time reading Gwyn Cready and I really enjoyed her funny voice and interesting characters. She did an especially good job with the hero Peter Lely and I felt like we understood him much more than we did the heroine Cam.
For all of Cam's good points – and there were many – I questioned why she didn't realize her boyfriend was a scumbag or why she allowed her sister to constantly put herself in Cam's way. Somehow those two things didn't mess with the rest of Cam's personality and I wanted to scream at her about them. Cam still managed to win me over and again, had so many good points that those two “off” items didn't bother me that much.
As far fetched as this book sounds, it's such a fun ride that you will suspend your disbelief without any worries as to how the time travel happens. The set-up for the time portal and the Guild that watches over dead artists is original and feels fresh. Who cares about “can this really happen” when you've got a great hero to play with! I love books that allow me to escape the real world and this one did just that with humor and with a surprisingly emotional book.
Embedded in the story is a very emotional and moving look at a man who loved and lost and is willing to give everything up to love again. It's a moving love story with more meat to it than I expected. I will be checking out Gwyn's backlist to read her other time-travel romances since this one was a winner for me.
For all of Cam's good points – and there were many – I questioned why she didn't realize her boyfriend was a scumbag or why she allowed her sister to constantly put herself in Cam's way. Somehow those two things didn't mess with the rest of Cam's personality and I wanted to scream at her about them. Cam still managed to win me over and again, had so many good points that those two “off” items didn't bother me that much.
As far fetched as this book sounds, it's such a fun ride that you will suspend your disbelief without any worries as to how the time travel happens. The set-up for the time portal and the Guild that watches over dead artists is original and feels fresh. Who cares about “can this really happen” when you've got a great hero to play with! I love books that allow me to escape the real world and this one did just that with humor and with a surprisingly emotional book.
Embedded in the story is a very emotional and moving look at a man who loved and lost and is willing to give everything up to love again. It's a moving love story with more meat to it than I expected. I will be checking out Gwyn's backlist to read her other time-travel romances since this one was a winner for me.
March 6, 2011
I love time-travel romances, I have always had a special place in my heart for them since I read Teresa Medieros' 'A Touch of Enchantment' so when I get the opportunity to read a new one, I definitely go for it. As I started reading this book there were a few things that caught me off guard from the beginning, the cover, OMG I love the cover, it's beautiful. Next, the names of the characters, Ms. Cready definitely doesn't fall back on the old standbys...there is a guy in the book named Jacket for goodness sake. Then, that Cam is definitely not the conventional romance heroine, she is quirky, witty, hilarious, clumsy, and all around a big mess but I think that is what makes her so endearing to the reader.
The plot is excellent, always something new going on, although I would have shoved my sister in a bag and threw in a lake if she treated me that way, no doubt about it. I love Peter Lely, he is an all around romantic and makes me think of Mr. Darcy a bit. I did have to catch myself doing the skimming thing a couple of times but not too often. This is an excellent book and I adore it, now I must go find Gwyn's other books because they look intriguing as well. Titles are 'Tumbling Through Time' and 'Seducing Mr. Darcy'. Definitely read this book, it is great, you will definitely fall in love with Peter and Cam.
The plot is excellent, always something new going on, although I would have shoved my sister in a bag and threw in a lake if she treated me that way, no doubt about it. I love Peter Lely, he is an all around romantic and makes me think of Mr. Darcy a bit. I did have to catch myself doing the skimming thing a couple of times but not too often. This is an excellent book and I adore it, now I must go find Gwyn's other books because they look intriguing as well. Titles are 'Tumbling Through Time' and 'Seducing Mr. Darcy'. Definitely read this book, it is great, you will definitely fall in love with Peter and Cam.
April 19, 2010
The Executive Guild is in charge of supervising the afterlife of artist. They have learned about Campbell “Cam” Stratford. Ms. Stratford aims to release a fictography about the famous artist, Van Dyck. What Cam is saying about Van Dyck could ruin his reputation as people knew him. The Guild wants Peter Lely to stop Stratford from releasing the fictography.
Cam was working on the Van Dyck piece, when all of a sudden she felt a weird sensation. The next thing she knows, she is nude. Cam realizes that she is not alone in the room. There are many other nude women. Cam escapes in search of some clothes, only to bump into Peter. Peter is known as a bit of a playboy. When Cam becomes Peter’s newest muse... things start to heat up.
Flirting with Forever is a fun, upbeat, historical, romantic read. This book started out good but it sort of fizzed a bit in the middle for some reason. The chemistry between Cam and Peter didn’t explode for me. I expected more fireworks then I got. Though, I did laugh several times through out this book. Cam was a bit of a klutz. Peter may be a play boy but he has a heart of gold. Flirting with Forever was not a bad introduction to a new author in Gwyn Cready.
Cam was working on the Van Dyck piece, when all of a sudden she felt a weird sensation. The next thing she knows, she is nude. Cam realizes that she is not alone in the room. There are many other nude women. Cam escapes in search of some clothes, only to bump into Peter. Peter is known as a bit of a playboy. When Cam becomes Peter’s newest muse... things start to heat up.
Flirting with Forever is a fun, upbeat, historical, romantic read. This book started out good but it sort of fizzed a bit in the middle for some reason. The chemistry between Cam and Peter didn’t explode for me. I expected more fireworks then I got. Though, I did laugh several times through out this book. Cam was a bit of a klutz. Peter may be a play boy but he has a heart of gold. Flirting with Forever was not a bad introduction to a new author in Gwyn Cready.
July 13, 2010
Time travel, romance, art history and kick ass shoes, what more could I want in my summer reading. This book has it all.
Art historian Campbell Stratford wants to clinch a major promotion and determines that the best way to do it is to secure a substantial donation to the museum and to publish a tell all book about 17th century Felmish painter Anthony van Dyck. In the midst of her research she inadvertantly ends up in the studio of Peter Lely in 1673 London, England. From this point the story takes all sorts of unexpected twist and turns. I'm not telling you any more as I don't want to spoil the story line.
I found this book totally enjoyable. I was absorbed in it from the first pages and read it with hardly a break. It was fun, light but with enough depth of the main characters to keep them interesting. The ending was a surprise as I just didn't expect that it could end that way. I guess if I could suspend reality for time travel to exist, then I should have considered that the ending was also a possibility.
I will definitely be looking for further books by Gwyn Cready.
Art historian Campbell Stratford wants to clinch a major promotion and determines that the best way to do it is to secure a substantial donation to the museum and to publish a tell all book about 17th century Felmish painter Anthony van Dyck. In the midst of her research she inadvertantly ends up in the studio of Peter Lely in 1673 London, England. From this point the story takes all sorts of unexpected twist and turns. I'm not telling you any more as I don't want to spoil the story line.
I found this book totally enjoyable. I was absorbed in it from the first pages and read it with hardly a break. It was fun, light but with enough depth of the main characters to keep them interesting. The ending was a surprise as I just didn't expect that it could end that way. I guess if I could suspend reality for time travel to exist, then I should have considered that the ending was also a possibility.
I will definitely be looking for further books by Gwyn Cready.
April 6, 2010
This was the first time travel romance I've read and I was impressed. I was surprised at the the length of the book, but I came to the conclusion that this was because of having to pop back and forth in time. I assume in time travel romance that this makes attention to detail very important.
Even though it was a longer book (for a mass market) Gwyn's writing is excellent, so that wasn't a problem for me. This was a "carry around in my purse" book...I'm sure you all have those LOL! I would read it here and there, and it was always easy to get back into.
I was happy with the characters in the story, and of course delighted by the end. My ONLY complaint is that I thought Peter should have had to face a bigger hurdle. *eh* (Not that I think character's should be tortured or anything)
Overall...I thought it was a good read and I enjoyed the time travel. It was a first for me, and I look forward to reading more of this type!
Even though it was a longer book (for a mass market) Gwyn's writing is excellent, so that wasn't a problem for me. This was a "carry around in my purse" book...I'm sure you all have those LOL! I would read it here and there, and it was always easy to get back into.
I was happy with the characters in the story, and of course delighted by the end. My ONLY complaint is that I thought Peter should have had to face a bigger hurdle. *eh* (Not that I think character's should be tortured or anything)
Overall...I thought it was a good read and I enjoyed the time travel. It was a first for me, and I look forward to reading more of this type!
June 19, 2016
This is the first book I've read by Ms. Cready and it had it's flaws. As a general rule I love time travel novels but this one got on my nerves. The Executive Guild is an interesting concept but complicated and poorly explained. What are the chances that cell phone reception would be possible in 1673? None yet Cam gets text messages and is actually able to make a lengthy phone call. Unrealistic.
Cam doesn't get all bent out of shape having time traveled which again is totally unrealistic. And Peter doesn't even realize that there is something off about Cam. Peter's anguish over Ursula is quickly remedied with some sex from look-alike Cam. All in all I just kept rolling my eyes and soldering on so I could finish it. I'm hoping that Aching for Always is better put together and less convenient.
Cam doesn't get all bent out of shape having time traveled which again is totally unrealistic. And Peter doesn't even realize that there is something off about Cam. Peter's anguish over Ursula is quickly remedied with some sex from look-alike Cam. All in all I just kept rolling my eyes and soldering on so I could finish it. I'm hoping that Aching for Always is better put together and less convenient.
May 8, 2010
Suspend belief.
If you do this is a delightful time travel romance. Especially for an art history major like me. Don't worry, though if you are not. It is written in a way to bring everyone to the easel as it were - whether you know anything about Restoration art or not. It is fast paced, joyful and full of lots of great details for those of us that do love art history.
If you like time travel novels (and I do) this is a fun read. Our hero, painter Peter Lely is brought back into his life to stop our heroine, Campbell Stratford, from putting details into her biography of Van Dyck that no one had ever known. She learned these details by traveling back in time and it is important that she be stopped. Of course Campbell is a dead ringer for Lely's dead lover. Sparks fly. Intrigue flows. Love grows. Then, betrayal! Can our two lovers find happiness?
I couldn't put it down.
It was a great days reading and well worth the time.
And isn't that cover just gorgeous?
If you do this is a delightful time travel romance. Especially for an art history major like me. Don't worry, though if you are not. It is written in a way to bring everyone to the easel as it were - whether you know anything about Restoration art or not. It is fast paced, joyful and full of lots of great details for those of us that do love art history.
If you like time travel novels (and I do) this is a fun read. Our hero, painter Peter Lely is brought back into his life to stop our heroine, Campbell Stratford, from putting details into her biography of Van Dyck that no one had ever known. She learned these details by traveling back in time and it is important that she be stopped. Of course Campbell is a dead ringer for Lely's dead lover. Sparks fly. Intrigue flows. Love grows. Then, betrayal! Can our two lovers find happiness?
I couldn't put it down.
It was a great days reading and well worth the time.
And isn't that cover just gorgeous?
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