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Love's Labyrinth
England 1999. When best friends Olivia Lindsley and Alison O'Neill put on 16th century dresses and entered the labyrinth at Talcott Forest, they thought it would be fun to make believe they were Elizabethan ladies. But when they finally left the maze, they had traveled farther than they could have ever imagined...
England, 1586. Before them stood Geoffrey Talcott, amateur scientist and younger brother of Lord Nicholas Talcott. Though he played the part to perfection, both women knew time travel was impossible--until they met Queen Elizabeth herself! Lord Nicholas managed to pass them off as cousins from the north, but their weird ways soon raised suspicions of witchcraft. Now, with Geoffrey's help, Olivia and Alison search for a way back to their own century, lest they lose themselves to the past--and lose their hearts to the dashing brothers Talcott...
England, 1586. Before them stood Geoffrey Talcott, amateur scientist and younger brother of Lord Nicholas Talcott. Though he played the part to perfection, both women knew time travel was impossible--until they met Queen Elizabeth herself! Lord Nicholas managed to pass them off as cousins from the north, but their weird ways soon raised suspicions of witchcraft. Now, with Geoffrey's help, Olivia and Alison search for a way back to their own century, lest they lose themselves to the past--and lose their hearts to the dashing brothers Talcott...
272 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published December 1, 2000
193 people are currently reading
97 people want to read
About the author
Anne Kelleher
38 books123 followersBorn and raised at the South Jersey shore, Anne holds a BA from Johns Hopkins University in Medieval Studies and has studied English language and literature at the University of Connecticut and Storytelling and Oral Traditions at the Institute for Graduate Studies. The mother of four, Anne now resides in Connecticut and Hawaii. Find out more at www.annekelleher.net.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
February 24, 2010
To be quite honest, I had deep reservations about whether I would enjoy this book. My reading tastes have undergone some drastic changes over the years and I wasn't sure I would enjoy this time period. Fortunately, I've been proven wrong. This isn't the typical time travel I've been used to reading. Some of the surprises that await Olivia and Allison in 1586, including meeting Will Shakespeare and meeting people who aren't that different from them are just a few events that made this story quite interesting. Adding to the story some of the scientific theory of time travel and court intrigue and international espionage reinforced to me how dangerous and precarious life really can be living in that time period.
I really liked the characters and enjoyed watching how differently Olivia and Allison react to the change in their time period. I also enjoyed watching how Nicholas and Geoffrey react to their arrival and the ease of their acceptance of their visitors, though Nicholas wasn't thrilled at all. It reminded me how superstitious people of this time period were and the smallest action or perceived behavior could result in a charge of treason or witchcraft, which almost always resulted in death.
I especially enjoyed the ending as it brought a different twist to the time travel genre for me. I will definitely be on the lookout for more titles by this author.
I really liked the characters and enjoyed watching how differently Olivia and Allison react to the change in their time period. I also enjoyed watching how Nicholas and Geoffrey react to their arrival and the ease of their acceptance of their visitors, though Nicholas wasn't thrilled at all. It reminded me how superstitious people of this time period were and the smallest action or perceived behavior could result in a charge of treason or witchcraft, which almost always resulted in death.
I especially enjoyed the ending as it brought a different twist to the time travel genre for me. I will definitely be on the lookout for more titles by this author.
June 15, 2023
Olivia has made a trip to England to finish some historical research that her late father had been working on. Her best friend, Allison, accompanies her. While dressed in period costumes for an elaborate event, Olivia and Allison get lost in the maze at Talcott Forest and emerge in the 1580's, during the reign of Queen Elizabeth. There, they meet the Talcott brothers, Lord Nicholas and his younger brother Geoffrey. It was Geoffrey whose tinkering with the arcane led him to build the maze in hopes of time travel. Stuck in this era for the time being, Olivia and Allison play the part of distant Talcott cousins from the north. In spite of the circumstances, Olivia is enchanted with the situation, as she has studied this era extensively. While she accompanies Nicholas on a journey, posing as his wife, to intercept some treasonous documents, Allison stays behind and assists Geoffrey with his mathematical calculations as they attempt to send the ladies back to their own time. Unbeknownst to Nicholas and Olivia, however, an enemy has set Nicholas up to take a fall. It will take the combined wits of the others, along with an assist from William Shakespeare himself, to set things back to rights.
This was certainly an intriguing story. Very well-written and researched. The characters were portrayed marvelously, even the Queen when she put in an appearance or two. I appreciated that the author didn't paint the time period as all sunshine and romance and ball gowns. There was mention of the dangers involved, as well as streets teeming with vermin and refuse.
A wonderful example of time-travel romance. Four stars.
This was certainly an intriguing story. Very well-written and researched. The characters were portrayed marvelously, even the Queen when she put in an appearance or two. I appreciated that the author didn't paint the time period as all sunshine and romance and ball gowns. There was mention of the dangers involved, as well as streets teeming with vermin and refuse.
A wonderful example of time-travel romance. Four stars.
August 31, 2023
This started off well and I really like the original approach towards the time travel theme. It had many of the ingredients required for this genre and yet something that I can’t put my finger on was missing. Half way through I got bored and had to push myself to keep reading. I’m now about 20 pages from the end but I’ve lost all interest in finishing.
Giving it some more thought, I think perhaps for me it was missing heart. It’s like the author had great ideas but didn’t take the time to make the reader warm to the characters. As a result I didn’t feel invested and in this particular case, the plot actually got in the way of the genre. Part of the charm of time travel novels is reading the reactions of the characters as they learn of another world. There were only very small elements of this in the novel, and for the most part the characters just accepted where they were without any real wonder, disbelief, fear or excitement.
Giving it some more thought, I think perhaps for me it was missing heart. It’s like the author had great ideas but didn’t take the time to make the reader warm to the characters. As a result I didn’t feel invested and in this particular case, the plot actually got in the way of the genre. Part of the charm of time travel novels is reading the reactions of the characters as they learn of another world. There were only very small elements of this in the novel, and for the most part the characters just accepted where they were without any real wonder, disbelief, fear or excitement.
January 7, 2019
This is the third book by this author that I have read and thought this was the best for me. The others were A Once and Future Love; and The Ghost and Katie Coyle. As always, the characters were well drawn, and the locations well sketched. There was a little bit more sex than in the others but I suppose they were required for the story line. It was good to have William Shakespeare woven into the story. I enjoyed the story and will continue on with her other time travel stories.
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August 30, 2018A very enjoyable read.
Thoroughly enjoyed this time travel novel with a difference ... definitely deserved a 5 star.
e
It was also nice to read the inclusion of a young Shakespeare, who seemed completely unaware of his potential and no doubt the impact he will have on future generations for centuries to come.
Thoroughly enjoyed this time travel novel with a difference ... definitely deserved a 5 star.
e
It was also nice to read the inclusion of a young Shakespeare, who seemed completely unaware of his potential and no doubt the impact he will have on future generations for centuries to come.
August 15, 2019
Unbelievable and heartwarming
This story was very interesting and heartwarming. It’s a story of time travel but also about two love stories. I started it and finished it in a day. It was interesting with a lot of fantasy mixed
In. This is the second book I have read and have not been disappointed in her romantic time travels.
This story was very interesting and heartwarming. It’s a story of time travel but also about two love stories. I started it and finished it in a day. It was interesting with a lot of fantasy mixed
In. This is the second book I have read and have not been disappointed in her romantic time travels.
April 1, 2020
Loved the story
The book started off well enough to keep me reading and I enjoyed reading it to the end. Held my interest, and would recommend this book for anyone interested in a time traveling adventure. What's important to me too, is a good ending. Doesn't leave you hanging or wondering. Read it, you'll enjoy it to.
The book started off well enough to keep me reading and I enjoyed reading it to the end. Held my interest, and would recommend this book for anyone interested in a time traveling adventure. What's important to me too, is a good ending. Doesn't leave you hanging or wondering. Read it, you'll enjoy it to.
January 6, 2022
As much I liked her other book “A once and future love”, so much I was disappointed with this one 🙄
I found it quite boring, wasn’t attracted to main characters, didn’t like their actions. In general, something was missing.
But I have to admit I liked the end of this book better, so gave 3 stars instead 2.
I found it quite boring, wasn’t attracted to main characters, didn’t like their actions. In general, something was missing.
But I have to admit I liked the end of this book better, so gave 3 stars instead 2.
August 25, 2018
Love's Ladyrinth: a time travel romance By Anne Kelleher
Five stars, this was a good book...Rounded storyline and characters..Everyone was involved in the story..Kind of a short ending which was a little flaw.
Five stars, this was a good book...Rounded storyline and characters..Everyone was involved in the story..Kind of a short ending which was a little flaw.
June 3, 2020
I loved reading this story. It was very entertaining. I would suggest it to my friends.
The characters in the story were not gushy and uninteresting, they were fun and very real. Thank you so much for a great read.
The characters in the story were not gushy and uninteresting, they were fun and very real. Thank you so much for a great read.
June 6, 2020
Loved this story
I loved the twists and turns of this book. Well written story. Second book I've read and I am definitely going to read her next book. Loved the final message from the past. Highly recommend reading this book.
I loved the twists and turns of this book. Well written story. Second book I've read and I am definitely going to read her next book. Loved the final message from the past. Highly recommend reading this book.
February 4, 2021
An entertaining and easy read, certainly nothing too serious. It kept me turning pages even though the characters could have been better developed. I will likely pick up one of this author's other books when I want an easy read.
March 20, 2021
A very well written and researched story
What an enjoyable story. It kept me on the edge of my seat and the plot was just so authentic to the Elizabethan period
What an enjoyable story. It kept me on the edge of my seat and the plot was just so authentic to the Elizabethan period
March 24, 2021
If I could give it 10 stars I would.
March 8, 2023
happily ever after
I totally enjoyed all these book but anything that has history in it just puts 'icing on the cake'!
This was so entertaining!!! Great writing!!!
I totally enjoyed all these book but anything that has history in it just puts 'icing on the cake'!
This was so entertaining!!! Great writing!!!
September 14, 2015
A light, quick time-travel read that was just what I needed after reading two novels about debilitating diseases (Still Alice and Inside the O'Brien's). The inclusion of Queen Elizabeth I and William Shakespeare as minor but supporting characters was enjoyable. And I do not remember reading another time-travel romance with two people going back in time together. All in all a fun book and I will be looking for similar titles from the author. :)
October 19, 2014
One of my favorites!
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews