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An Opening in Time #1
Parallel Lives
When Kaitlin Hewlett-Grace crash lands her little plane in a field, she has no idea what’s in store. She wakes to find herself in a strange land among strange people. A worm hole in time has sent her to a place similar, but most certainly different, from her own. The women-only community lives a simple life and Kaitlin, used to all the finer things in the twenty-first century, has a steep learning curve ahead of her.
Sexy and serious Tannus, Chief of the community, knows two things: her time is limited, and Kaitlin is meant for her. But Kaitlin isn’t about to love someone because of a prophecy in a world she doesn’t belong to, and Tannus must prove herself worthy of Kaitlin’s love. Berran, Tannus’ twin sister and her opposite in pretty much every way, would do just about anything for Kaitlin’s love…except betray her sister’s trust.
All three of them must come to terms with what Kaitlin’s presence among them brings to light. And when there are life and death choices to be made, they must be made with the knowledge that there is far more at stake than heartache.
Sexy and serious Tannus, Chief of the community, knows two things: her time is limited, and Kaitlin is meant for her. But Kaitlin isn’t about to love someone because of a prophecy in a world she doesn’t belong to, and Tannus must prove herself worthy of Kaitlin’s love. Berran, Tannus’ twin sister and her opposite in pretty much every way, would do just about anything for Kaitlin’s love…except betray her sister’s trust.
All three of them must come to terms with what Kaitlin’s presence among them brings to light. And when there are life and death choices to be made, they must be made with the knowledge that there is far more at stake than heartache.
369 pages, ebook
First published September 1, 2018
14 people are currently reading
56 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
May 30, 2024
**'Storytelling is very difficult but you can still try writing something, then with a lot of work, you can still make it better..'
2.5 stars!
Very good premise but terrible execution -- and way too much puzzling contradictory sentences/paragraphs.
2.5 stars!
Very good premise but terrible execution -- and way too much puzzling contradictory sentences/paragraphs.
October 30, 2018
DNF at 50%. My rating is for the first half of the book that I read. I tried really hard with this one. I kept picking it up to give it another chance but it is not working for me at all. Maybe the book gets a lot better in the second half. The reviews for this have been pretty high, but I was just getting nowhere with it. I hate to DNF a book but I have so much to read I need to be a little picky.
I thought the premise was great. A woman flies through a sort of worm hole to a parallel world. The problem was I just could not gel with the writing. I didn’t care for the main characters. I thought they were acting all over the map. I could not get a good read on who they really were. I found a lot of the dialogue to be odd and too many instances of being “told” instead of “shown”. The book also felt jumpy in places. It made it so I would have to backtrack to make sure I knew who was doing what or who was speaking.
This is the kind of book of course you have to suspend disbelief but I was finding too many inconstancies to make that happen. For instance in this new world, the town is women only. They get pregnant by eating a berry. So the character from our world has to explain how men and women get pregnant. What makes no sense about this is there are men in this world, just not in this area. And also they have male and female animals. They breed their horses, stallions and mares together; they would know what a penis is. It was just too many odd inconsistencies of what words and things this new world would know.
I also was not huge on how the whole love triangle was working out. I’m picky about love triangles and I didn’t like how this one was beginning. Maybe it had to do with not connecting with the characters, but I’m not sure. I really did try but I have to move on. This book does have good ratings so maybe the story really turned around in the second half. I would consider checking out the other reviews before you decide. This book is currently available on Kindle Unlimited.
I thought the premise was great. A woman flies through a sort of worm hole to a parallel world. The problem was I just could not gel with the writing. I didn’t care for the main characters. I thought they were acting all over the map. I could not get a good read on who they really were. I found a lot of the dialogue to be odd and too many instances of being “told” instead of “shown”. The book also felt jumpy in places. It made it so I would have to backtrack to make sure I knew who was doing what or who was speaking.
This is the kind of book of course you have to suspend disbelief but I was finding too many inconstancies to make that happen. For instance in this new world, the town is women only. They get pregnant by eating a berry. So the character from our world has to explain how men and women get pregnant. What makes no sense about this is there are men in this world, just not in this area. And also they have male and female animals. They breed their horses, stallions and mares together; they would know what a penis is. It was just too many odd inconsistencies of what words and things this new world would know.
I also was not huge on how the whole love triangle was working out. I’m picky about love triangles and I didn’t like how this one was beginning. Maybe it had to do with not connecting with the characters, but I’m not sure. I really did try but I have to move on. This book does have good ratings so maybe the story really turned around in the second half. I would consider checking out the other reviews before you decide. This book is currently available on Kindle Unlimited.
August 30, 2018
This was as brilliant debut novel!
A mix between historical and futuristic time travel, this story focuses on the arrival of ‘stranger’ Kaitlin as she finds herself in a parallel world where she is met by the community of women with curiosity and mixed emotions.
The wonderful comparisons between worlds and complexity of the building relationship between Kaitlin and Tannus, but also Tannus’ sister Berran brings an interesting mix to this story, drawing the reader in and keeping them intrigued from the very start. A lovely story that also sees Katilin combing the fragments she still has of her old life with the new, creating a magical feel to the wonder of the reaction to such revelations from the women who she now lives with.
I am very much looking forward to seeing what more this series will bring, and thoroughly enjoyed this brilliant book! Highly recommended for anyone who wants to try fantasy with a twist!
I received an ARC of this book from Global Wordsmiths in exchange for a fair and honest review.
A mix between historical and futuristic time travel, this story focuses on the arrival of ‘stranger’ Kaitlin as she finds herself in a parallel world where she is met by the community of women with curiosity and mixed emotions.
The wonderful comparisons between worlds and complexity of the building relationship between Kaitlin and Tannus, but also Tannus’ sister Berran brings an interesting mix to this story, drawing the reader in and keeping them intrigued from the very start. A lovely story that also sees Katilin combing the fragments she still has of her old life with the new, creating a magical feel to the wonder of the reaction to such revelations from the women who she now lives with.
I am very much looking forward to seeing what more this series will bring, and thoroughly enjoyed this brilliant book! Highly recommended for anyone who wants to try fantasy with a twist!
I received an ARC of this book from Global Wordsmiths in exchange for a fair and honest review.
August 6, 2018
So, what would you do if suddenly you were sucked through a wormhole and ended up in a new, vaguely similar, but altogether different world? Parallel Lives, Karen Klyne’s first book in her Opening in Time trilogy (and first book, period), addresses this topic. I always enjoy series as this means I can get extra invested in the characters, and the parallel universe aspect most definitely appealed to the geeky Whovian in me.
The book opens with a bang. Well, more of a crash. After Kaityln Hewett-Grace crashes her plane and comes to in Caysher, a strange place with marked similarities to and differences from the world she knows, she has to learn about this new place and its inhabitants. She navigates the cultural and societal differences while also providing a bit of her old world to her new friends.
While dealing with some serious culture shock, Kaitlyn also finds herself torn between Tannus, the serious and strong Chief of the community, and Berran, Tannus’ twin sister and second in command. Berran wants Kaitlyn more than anything, but is also loyal to her sister and Chief. Tannus knows without a doubt that Kaitlyn was meant to come to her and that she and Kaitlyn are meant to be together. All three, as well as the community, have to work to adapt to Kaitlyn’s appearance in this new (for her) world and decide how to handle things when Tannus admits to her potentially devastating secret.
The characters are well-developed, even the secondary characters. A little more in the way of internal dialogue than I would prefer, but that’s personal preference and not a reflection on the story itself. The story itself – the premise – and the main characters are what’s intriguing.
Kaitlyn is neither out of time nor out of place, but she’s definitely not in the world as she’s known it. She sells fancy clothes in her world and loves listening to music, but this new world is unlike anything she’s ever known. It’s both familiar and foreign. And while she misses her old world, especially her mother, she also appreciates and embraces the differences.
Tannus and Berran, twin sisters, are both very strong and confident. But where Tannus’ confidence comes partly through her position as Chief, Berran’s hides a resentment borne of being second in pretty much everything.
Though some of the secondary characters felt a bit flat, none were cutouts and everyone introduced had a definite purpose in the story line. I’m hoping to see more of some of them, such as Sostar, the doctor, and Carray, Tannus and Berran’s sister, in the next books.
Overall, the story and characters were very enjoyable. The pace was fast enough to stay interesting, but not so fast as to feel rushed at any point. I look forward to reading the rest of the series and reading more from this promising new author (really – a trilogy to start with? Impressive!).
If you like romance and wormholes, this book is for you!
I received an ARC of this book from Global Wordsmiths in exchange for a fair and honest review.
The book opens with a bang. Well, more of a crash. After Kaityln Hewett-Grace crashes her plane and comes to in Caysher, a strange place with marked similarities to and differences from the world she knows, she has to learn about this new place and its inhabitants. She navigates the cultural and societal differences while also providing a bit of her old world to her new friends.
While dealing with some serious culture shock, Kaitlyn also finds herself torn between Tannus, the serious and strong Chief of the community, and Berran, Tannus’ twin sister and second in command. Berran wants Kaitlyn more than anything, but is also loyal to her sister and Chief. Tannus knows without a doubt that Kaitlyn was meant to come to her and that she and Kaitlyn are meant to be together. All three, as well as the community, have to work to adapt to Kaitlyn’s appearance in this new (for her) world and decide how to handle things when Tannus admits to her potentially devastating secret.
The characters are well-developed, even the secondary characters. A little more in the way of internal dialogue than I would prefer, but that’s personal preference and not a reflection on the story itself. The story itself – the premise – and the main characters are what’s intriguing.
Kaitlyn is neither out of time nor out of place, but she’s definitely not in the world as she’s known it. She sells fancy clothes in her world and loves listening to music, but this new world is unlike anything she’s ever known. It’s both familiar and foreign. And while she misses her old world, especially her mother, she also appreciates and embraces the differences.
Tannus and Berran, twin sisters, are both very strong and confident. But where Tannus’ confidence comes partly through her position as Chief, Berran’s hides a resentment borne of being second in pretty much everything.
Though some of the secondary characters felt a bit flat, none were cutouts and everyone introduced had a definite purpose in the story line. I’m hoping to see more of some of them, such as Sostar, the doctor, and Carray, Tannus and Berran’s sister, in the next books.
Overall, the story and characters were very enjoyable. The pace was fast enough to stay interesting, but not so fast as to feel rushed at any point. I look forward to reading the rest of the series and reading more from this promising new author (really – a trilogy to start with? Impressive!).
If you like romance and wormholes, this book is for you!
I received an ARC of this book from Global Wordsmiths in exchange for a fair and honest review.
August 7, 2018
When Kaitlin literally falls from the skies into a parallel world, she worries her life will never be the same. All that she is used to has gone and she has been stripped of all her creature comforts. Fearing that she could never fit in here, she finds herself strangely growing to love this female only community that thrive on the very basics.
Kaitlin uses her knowledge and passions from her previous life to fit in and quickly becomes an extremely popular member of their society. She brings to their world her music and fashion which is like nothing they’ve ever heard or seen before. Kaitlin slowly realises that this life that she now lives has far more to offer her than anything she ever had before.
I was given a copy of Parallel Lives in return for an honest review. I took it on holiday and I found myself sneaking off to have a crafty read, it certainly had me hooked and I found it difficult to put down. I particularly loved Kaitlin’s wicked sense of humour and I saw a lot of myself in her!
Not being from the GLBT community, I wasn’t sure what to expect from this book. The story is captivating not only from a romantic angle but also it managed to draw me in and keep the pages turning. It has loads of good characters, a gripping storyline and is a true love story of a different kind.
I can’t wait to see what happens in the next book (which I’ll probably have to pay for this time) but I’m sure it’ll be worth every penny!
Kaitlin uses her knowledge and passions from her previous life to fit in and quickly becomes an extremely popular member of their society. She brings to their world her music and fashion which is like nothing they’ve ever heard or seen before. Kaitlin slowly realises that this life that she now lives has far more to offer her than anything she ever had before.
I was given a copy of Parallel Lives in return for an honest review. I took it on holiday and I found myself sneaking off to have a crafty read, it certainly had me hooked and I found it difficult to put down. I particularly loved Kaitlin’s wicked sense of humour and I saw a lot of myself in her!
Not being from the GLBT community, I wasn’t sure what to expect from this book. The story is captivating not only from a romantic angle but also it managed to draw me in and keep the pages turning. It has loads of good characters, a gripping storyline and is a true love story of a different kind.
I can’t wait to see what happens in the next book (which I’ll probably have to pay for this time) but I’m sure it’ll be worth every penny!
August 15, 2018
I am intrigued by the concept of parallel worlds and this excellent book, 'Parallel Lives' by Karen Klyne explores the consequences of an inhabitant of one world, Kaitlin Hewlett-Grace, being unexpectedly plunged into another. Kaitlin's impact on this new world, it's leaders and its people is profound, as is its effects on her. Although the new world, Caysher, is very different and Kaitlin experiences a degree of culture shock, she is able to find a place for herself that in many ways is more satisfying than her life in her own time and place.
However her arrival triggers a prophecy that means Kaitlin has to face some difficult choices with far reaching consequences. Karen Klyne unfolds the plot with great skill and subtlety carrying the reader along at a satisfying pace with one always wanting to know more.
It is fascinating to discover life in Caysher, an all female community, and it's people and leaders. All the characters are well drawn but Tannus, the Chief and Berran her twin sister and second in command are excellent characters who jump into life on the page from the start.
This is a fantastic book, I loved reading it and can't wait for the next one. Read it - you won't regret it.
However her arrival triggers a prophecy that means Kaitlin has to face some difficult choices with far reaching consequences. Karen Klyne unfolds the plot with great skill and subtlety carrying the reader along at a satisfying pace with one always wanting to know more.
It is fascinating to discover life in Caysher, an all female community, and it's people and leaders. All the characters are well drawn but Tannus, the Chief and Berran her twin sister and second in command are excellent characters who jump into life on the page from the start.
This is a fantastic book, I loved reading it and can't wait for the next one. Read it - you won't regret it.
August 20, 2022
BOOK BINGO: not a romance, out of your comfort zone; UNICORN: twins, period (possibly other categories.)
3 1/2 stars - do not use my review to make your decision
It had a great premise and a lot of potential, but I didn't really like the primary characters. In addition, the story had elements of adolescent and young adult parts that made me check to verify if it was supposed to be an adult story. The characters were in their mid to late twenties, but occasionally acted like teenagers. I felt that the twins were a bit brutish and cared more about their sexual conquests than their responsibilities. I thought that Kaitlin, the character from "our" Earth was often immature and used to being spoiled, and she didn't consider changing her behavior as a new person to their "world."
There were several internal conflicts that I couldn't forgive. Part of my issue could have been that I'm middle-aged, so I wasn't able to tolerate the characters' behaviors, but I think I also expected more from what was a great plot.
All of that aside, I still wanted to know what happened, based on the twins' premonitions, and if the characters would become better people. Both were enough to want to continue on to the next book
3 1/2 stars - do not use my review to make your decision
It had a great premise and a lot of potential, but I didn't really like the primary characters. In addition, the story had elements of adolescent and young adult parts that made me check to verify if it was supposed to be an adult story. The characters were in their mid to late twenties, but occasionally acted like teenagers. I felt that the twins were a bit brutish and cared more about their sexual conquests than their responsibilities. I thought that Kaitlin, the character from "our" Earth was often immature and used to being spoiled, and she didn't consider changing her behavior as a new person to their "world."
There were several internal conflicts that I couldn't forgive. Part of my issue could have been that I'm middle-aged, so I wasn't able to tolerate the characters' behaviors, but I think I also expected more from what was a great plot.
All of that aside, I still wanted to know what happened, based on the twins' premonitions, and if the characters would become better people. Both were enough to want to continue on to the next book
January 16, 2019
I really wanted to like this book. Based on the reviews, I guess I should have, but I ended up skimming the last half of it just to get to the end. The writing was pretty good and the concept is interesting, so that's where the three stars come in, but trying to wrap my head around everything was where the story lost me. I couldn't stand Kaitlin as a character, and although she "tried" to become less obnoxious and pretentious, she gave off that vibe the whole book. I don't care how attractive she was, her personality held zero appeal. I'm also all about slow-burn romance, but this was all slow and no burn. The ending was just kind of ridiculous and rushed to me too. After all the "will they, won't they, who does she pick" going on for 95% of the book, to have it end the way it did ultimately ruined it for me.
October 23, 2018
Oh my goodness. I am now eagerly and impatiently waiting for part 2. It’s wonderful!! Kaitlin has to deal with a new world, new/recurring feelings that she doesn’t know how to deal with entirely, and everything else- the literal whole world has changed. The love she’s found may or may not be forever and carray sounds like the only straight oddity in the new land (anyone thinking she may hook up with Kaitlin’s brother and change him for the good?) there’s so many questions left at the end that you’ll be pacing the floor with me.
October 29, 2018
Team Berran lol
I just love Berran! I can’t wait till they get together. I can’t wait for the next book! Everything is so exciting and I loved every word of it!
I just love Berran! I can’t wait till they get together. I can’t wait for the next book! Everything is so exciting and I loved every word of it!
May 8, 2019
Wow🌹
Wow...is all I can say. I wasn't sure what I was getting myself into when I started this book. I really enjoyed watching Kaitlin adapt to the parallel world. I couldn't stop reading about her find love and friendship there. The storyline was well written and so where all of the characters. I definitely recommend this book.
Wow...is all I can say. I wasn't sure what I was getting myself into when I started this book. I really enjoyed watching Kaitlin adapt to the parallel world. I couldn't stop reading about her find love and friendship there. The storyline was well written and so where all of the characters. I definitely recommend this book.
April 9, 2019
When Kaitlin literally falls from the skies into a parallel world, she worries her life will never be the same. All that she is used to has gone and she has been stripped of all her creature comforts. Fearing that she could never fit in here, she finds herself strangely growing to love this female only community that thrive on the very basics.
Kaitlin uses her knowledge and passions from her previous life to fit in and quickly becomes an extremely popular member of their society. She brings to their world her music and fashion which is like nothing they’ve ever heard or seen before. Kaitlin slowly realises that this life that she now lives has far more to offer her than anything she ever had before.
I was given a copy of Parallel Lives in return for an honest review. I took it on holiday and I found myself sneaking off to have a crafty read, it certainly had me hooked and I found it difficult to put down. I particularly loved Kaitlin’s wicked sense of humour and I saw a lot of myself in her!
Not being from the GLBT community, I wasn’t sure what to expect from this book. The story is captivating not only from a romantic angle but also it managed to draw me in and keep the pages turning. It has loads of good characters, a gripping storyline and is a true love story of a different kind.
I can’t wait to see what happens in the next book (which I’ll probably have to pay for this time) but I’m sure it’ll be worth every penny!
Kaitlin uses her knowledge and passions from her previous life to fit in and quickly becomes an extremely popular member of their society. She brings to their world her music and fashion which is like nothing they’ve ever heard or seen before. Kaitlin slowly realises that this life that she now lives has far more to offer her than anything she ever had before.
I was given a copy of Parallel Lives in return for an honest review. I took it on holiday and I found myself sneaking off to have a crafty read, it certainly had me hooked and I found it difficult to put down. I particularly loved Kaitlin’s wicked sense of humour and I saw a lot of myself in her!
Not being from the GLBT community, I wasn’t sure what to expect from this book. The story is captivating not only from a romantic angle but also it managed to draw me in and keep the pages turning. It has loads of good characters, a gripping storyline and is a true love story of a different kind.
I can’t wait to see what happens in the next book (which I’ll probably have to pay for this time) but I’m sure it’ll be worth every penny!
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews