A Time of Discovery

by Mindy Lawrence

England, 1947. Twenty-three-year-old Jenny Ellison is gifted, ambitious, and a feminist before her time. Refusing to settle for a career as a secretary, she’s studying archaeology at a prestigious university and closing in on her to win the Amity Scholarship and work in Egypt.

A brilliant young professor, Dr. Daniel Carter, leads an Egyptian research team on campus. Rumors swirl about his personal life and cryptic military background, but shy, reclusive Daniel has little interest in refuting idle gossip. He devotes himself to his craft and is more surprised than anyone when a friendship with one of his new assistants (the lovely Jenny) begins to bloom.

While translating an ancient Egyptian mural, Daniel and Jenny stumble upon a shocking, 3,000-year-old something lies hidden in the desert. Though they long to travel to Egypt and find it, their mutual admiration has evolved into an intense – and forbidden – attraction that could destroy everything they hold most dear. When Daniel receives a series of anonymous threats and Jenny’s reputation is maliciously sabotaged, the couple must race against time to clear their names, unmask their enemy, and decide what lengths they will go to for love.

Genres: Romance

294 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2021

About the author

Mindy Lawrence is a frequent quoter of movies, a dark chocolate connoisseur, and a night owl. A lifelong devotee of the romance genre, she adores writing clever, fiercely independent characters who lead with their heads - until love takes over the tender reins of their hearts.

Mindy and her husband are American expats living in a quiet village in England. When not dreaming up new romances, Mindy can be found baking muffins with her three darling children or throwing impromptu dance parties in the kitchen.

Reviews

[ECD · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was late to picking up this story which I regret. I missed reading the earlier #HotProf version of this story but had multiple #SanditonSquad friends recommend it. When I saw the story was being published I had to pick up a copy for myself. The story lived up to the excitement and hype. I found the MCs Daniel and Jenny likable. I enjoyed seeing how their relationship developed out of a respect and shared interests as equals of sorts, despite the professor/student relationship. I am not always comfortable in a student/professor romance but I felt this was well done and not creepy. I also enjoyed the academic setting, archeological specialty area, and time period. It gave it a fun flavor. I definitely want to read book two in this series to see what happens to their discovery in Egypt. Cute book. Kicking myself I didn’t read it sooner.

[Lauren (thebookscript) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Every once in a while I'll take a gamble on a debut author. I feel like it's important as an avid reader to do so. When Mindy reached out to me and asked me to read and review her story it was the concept that pulled me in.

A Time of Discovery has a little bit of a few things that make it successful. An off limits romance between a professor and his student, a quaintly British collegiate setting, an archeological mystery plot, and a cast of warm side characters to top it all off.

What I liked best about this book was the romance and there is plenty of it. It is a slow burn of two people who share a love of ancient people/texts and would rather spend their weekends discovering new artifacts than partying with their colleagues. There are plenty of moments shared in them discovering one another and a few steamy (but still "clean") kissing scenes to add to it! I would have liked a little more into their backstories. I think that would have even added more depth to their relationship moving forward because some interesting points were almost glossed over.

I also thought it was incredibly cool to have an archeological subplot. I don't think i've ever read a book where the love interests were into this subject and I almost wanted to know more about this study. I want to know whats going to happen moving forward and would have liked even more expounding when it came to this theme.

This book is set in the 50's in a time where misogyny was a prominent issue especially in the field of science and archeology. Women were seen for what they could do to help men forward their careers and I liked how strong willed the main character was and knew she would have to fight for anything she wanted in order to move on in her career.

I was really impressed with Mindy and her debut indie novel. I think this is an incredibly strong start and I think she's got a great writing career ahead of her.

[Kasee Baldwin]

An immensely enjoyable and well-written story of love and discovery.

[Chloe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cannot recommend this book highly enough! 5 stars is not enough to show how much I loved it! Read it!!!

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this via Kindle. I am rating it a 4.0. This was a fun historical fiction romance. I liked the academic setting and the archaeology angle. I liked the two main characters and their relationship. I felt like the plot had some good turns in it and the story kept me engaged. I also really liked that this is a book I can recommend to any age/sensitivity group without reservations.

Content FYIs: One character is too aggressive to females, no sex, no violence.

[Rebeca Trujillo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Couldn't put it down!

In "A Time of Discovery," author Mindy Lawrence has concocted a deliciously addictive tale of romance, intrigue, action, history, friendship, and even murder (albeit not of a living being, mind you!). Such a well thought-out and developed storyline! It delivers thrills and chills, and much more. A more-than-delightful read.

Bring on part two! MiamiGal

[Judy Blakeney · Rating 5 out of 5]

#hotprof in print!

Mindy Lawrence’s fantastic novel is in print. I was thrilled to see it, then read it in a day and a half. I can’t wait to read her sequel when the journey continues in Egypt! Bravo, Mindy!!

[Jane Featherstone · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this first in its prior form as a fanfic and it’s wonderful to see it published, albeit with different character names, although I will always see in my mind the characters it started life as

[Chelsea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely wonderful. It's crazy that this author isn't more popular! Time and again, indie books become my favorites. I loved everything about this book and can't wait to read the sequel.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. The plot, setting and period are all fantastic, great details everywhere. Love that there's a focus on the actual academic side of the story. I want to listen in on Dr Carter's lectures, they sound fascinating! And the romantic pairing is just so lovely, a beautifully paced slow burn with some really authentic and tender moments. This will definitely be a book that I revisit.

[Nicola Everett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok so bear with me - the cover of this book on here does it no justice.

Such a gorgeous, classic romance in the vein of a 1950s film - giving The Mummy slash maybe Casablanca? Idk whatever it was giving I genuinely loved it. I’m a bit classics and ancient history nerd and I felt so invested in it and yeah, totally hungered through it and legitimately SQUEALED when I saw there was a sequel that followed the same couple. Obsessed, literally about to start reading it now