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When Lightning Strikes #1
When Lightning Strikes: QUICKSILVER MOON
The year is 1986 and the band InZane is on the brink of big things.
Ariana Martineau is about to marry their guitarist and lead singer, Zane Moore. Tall and tan, with a smile that could stop traffic he is every girl’s rock n’ roll fantasy...right? At least that’s what Ariana thought until her mother gives her a mysterious coin on the night before her wedding, assuring her that it is a centuries-old famlly heirloom once owned by a gypsy who’d found love across time, and if she keeps it with her all night, she will know her heart’s true desire. A brisk wind and a bolt of lightning later, Ariana awakens to find herself in Northern France in the year 1487, in the home of Lord Spencer Douglas...the son of a wealthy land baron.
In a world where women are treated as no more than chattel, and the mere mention of time travel would get you burned on a stake, Ariana is frightened out of her mind, when she realizes what has happened. Unable to utter a sound because of an injury to her throat during the lightning strike, she must rely on Lord Douglas’s care and protection until her voice heals and she can somehow try to find a way back to her own time.
Handsome, well-spoken...and engaged to be married in just a few weeks, the last thing Spencer needs or wants is a damsel in distress to look after, challenging his mind and tempting his body at every turn. He’s resigned himself to the duties of his position and the quiet predictability of the arranged union his family has chosen for him. But quiet predictability is the last thing his life will soon be, as destiny has other plans in store if the path of fate is not guided in another direction.
When Ariana and Spencer find themselves unwilling pawns in a sinister game of evil power and deception, they soon find that with the help of a mysterious Traveler, their very lives...and much more than simple matters of the heart are riding on their decisions.Will their decisions lead them to the love...and the future that awaits in that place and time beneath the Quicksilver Moon?
Ariana Martineau is about to marry their guitarist and lead singer, Zane Moore. Tall and tan, with a smile that could stop traffic he is every girl’s rock n’ roll fantasy...right? At least that’s what Ariana thought until her mother gives her a mysterious coin on the night before her wedding, assuring her that it is a centuries-old famlly heirloom once owned by a gypsy who’d found love across time, and if she keeps it with her all night, she will know her heart’s true desire. A brisk wind and a bolt of lightning later, Ariana awakens to find herself in Northern France in the year 1487, in the home of Lord Spencer Douglas...the son of a wealthy land baron.
In a world where women are treated as no more than chattel, and the mere mention of time travel would get you burned on a stake, Ariana is frightened out of her mind, when she realizes what has happened. Unable to utter a sound because of an injury to her throat during the lightning strike, she must rely on Lord Douglas’s care and protection until her voice heals and she can somehow try to find a way back to her own time.
Handsome, well-spoken...and engaged to be married in just a few weeks, the last thing Spencer needs or wants is a damsel in distress to look after, challenging his mind and tempting his body at every turn. He’s resigned himself to the duties of his position and the quiet predictability of the arranged union his family has chosen for him. But quiet predictability is the last thing his life will soon be, as destiny has other plans in store if the path of fate is not guided in another direction.
When Ariana and Spencer find themselves unwilling pawns in a sinister game of evil power and deception, they soon find that with the help of a mysterious Traveler, their very lives...and much more than simple matters of the heart are riding on their decisions.Will their decisions lead them to the love...and the future that awaits in that place and time beneath the Quicksilver Moon?
296 pages, Paperback
First published October 16, 2010
20 people are currently reading
77 people want to read
About the author
Cynthia Lucas
16 books80 followersAfter reading countless romance novels, Cynthia Lucas decided to put her love of writing and 'the desire to inspire' to good use and write her own.
Her first self-published novel, When Lightning Strikes, combines her love of exotic culture, time-travel, swashbuckling and heated romance. It has garnered excellent reviews from readers who want more of her enchanting writing style that leaves them feeling as though they've lived the story. The book has been enjoying a lengthy stay in the Top 20 of Amazon.com's Top 100 Best Sellers in Time Travel Romance and has recently reached #1, and after countless requests for a sequel, QUICKSILVER MOON was released in the fall of 2012.
An avid blogger who often writes short articles for her own and others sites, Ms. Lucas says she finds one of the greatest pleasures in life, is helping other artists and writers to ignite their creative spark, and get their 'inner glow' going so that they too, may reach for their star.
Cynthia is also an accomplished singer/songwriter in the musical act NORTH 2 SOUTH and is an international songwriting competition Song of the Year nominee and award winning vocalist and lyricist. She currently resides in Largo, FL with her husband of twenty years, their daughter and several pets, including exotic birds and wildlife that she rehabs as a hobby.
Other titles by Ms. Lucas: Blood from a Stone (2012 Amazon Breakthrough Novel Awards Second Round Pick); a modern-gothic romance sprinkled with a bit of paranormal intrigue, plenty of humor and is a touching story of redemption and the power of the human spirit. It has received glowing reviews from readers and reviewers alike.
Her first self-published novel, When Lightning Strikes, combines her love of exotic culture, time-travel, swashbuckling and heated romance. It has garnered excellent reviews from readers who want more of her enchanting writing style that leaves them feeling as though they've lived the story. The book has been enjoying a lengthy stay in the Top 20 of Amazon.com's Top 100 Best Sellers in Time Travel Romance and has recently reached #1, and after countless requests for a sequel, QUICKSILVER MOON was released in the fall of 2012.
An avid blogger who often writes short articles for her own and others sites, Ms. Lucas says she finds one of the greatest pleasures in life, is helping other artists and writers to ignite their creative spark, and get their 'inner glow' going so that they too, may reach for their star.
Cynthia is also an accomplished singer/songwriter in the musical act NORTH 2 SOUTH and is an international songwriting competition Song of the Year nominee and award winning vocalist and lyricist. She currently resides in Largo, FL with her husband of twenty years, their daughter and several pets, including exotic birds and wildlife that she rehabs as a hobby.
Other titles by Ms. Lucas: Blood from a Stone (2012 Amazon Breakthrough Novel Awards Second Round Pick); a modern-gothic romance sprinkled with a bit of paranormal intrigue, plenty of humor and is a touching story of redemption and the power of the human spirit. It has received glowing reviews from readers and reviewers alike.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
August 15, 2014
There's a lot to love about this debut novel for author Cynthia Lucas. The plot is tight and the story well-paced, with liberal helpings of action and adventure!
Read full review in the 2012 October issue of InD’tale Magazine.
Read full review in the 2012 October issue of InD’tale Magazine.
September 30, 2015
Massively disappointed. I expected more.....
October 27, 2023
wonderful surprise
I knew you were a talented singer but had my doubts about the writing, boy was I surprised! I read the entire book in one day, as I couldn’t put it down! Loved it! This would make an amazing movie!
I knew you were a talented singer but had my doubts about the writing, boy was I surprised! I read the entire book in one day, as I couldn’t put it down! Loved it! This would make an amazing movie!
September 17, 2012
Why have you not read this book yet? That is a question you will ask yourself after you read When Lightning Strikes. Cynthia approached me and asked if I would be interested in reading and reviewing one of her books. I was not sure exactly what the genre was and the cover was not that intriguing to me. But, I LOVED this book. Where the cover image lacked for me at first look the story makes up for tenfold. (After reading the book the cover made more sense.)
Sara Douglas travels through time to find a love she didn’t even know was missing from her life. Sarah has the boxes checked on how perfect her life will be. On the eve of her union to her father’s business partner’s son she receives a special gift from her mother. Apprehensively Sarah keeps the good-luck coin, galbi, with her all night as directed by her mother.
Could her mother have known that a strike of lightning would shoot her back in time to the rugged landscape of Medieval France in the fourteenth century? Burned and alone under the night sky a mysterious dark, handsome, and pompous Dominic du Barbaronne comes to her aid.
I am already missing being a part of Dominic’s band of Romani gypsies. This book is full of action, adventure, betrayal, jealousy, brotherhood, love and lust. Cynthia is able to find a great balance between romance and adventure to satisfy both male and female readers. Although Sarah is the main character it is Dominic that I really got to know. His character development through out the story is delicately woven amongst both love and action scenes alike.
There is so much I want to say about this book, but do not want to spoil the adventure for you. If you like a little romance combined with action and adventure you will love this book! I sure did. I love when I finish a book and keep wanting more.
November 2, 2014
When Lightning Strikes is a fun time-traveling romance set mostly in the 1300s in France. Sarah was given a galbi the night before her marriage to David. Her mother said it would show her what her heart’s desire was. Sarah was sure it was David, but that all changed literally overnight as she’s rescued from a lightning strike by the very handsome Romany Dominic.
I found myself intrigued from the start. Once Dominic entered the picture I really wondered how on earth the author would make him appealing, but I found myself falling for him just as quickly as Sarah did!
There were a few spots that I found myself scanning rather than reading, but it was usually because I was too anxious to find out what was going on. There were a few things that wouldn’t logistically make sense, but the story was still fun for me. I think the worst thing for me was the many editing issues – things as simple as no end marks and missing words. I kept getting tripped up. However, the story was still gripping enough to keep me turning the pages.
I found myself intrigued from the start. Once Dominic entered the picture I really wondered how on earth the author would make him appealing, but I found myself falling for him just as quickly as Sarah did!
There were a few spots that I found myself scanning rather than reading, but it was usually because I was too anxious to find out what was going on. There were a few things that wouldn’t logistically make sense, but the story was still fun for me. I think the worst thing for me was the many editing issues – things as simple as no end marks and missing words. I kept getting tripped up. However, the story was still gripping enough to keep me turning the pages.
March 1, 2015
I started to read this book twice (like, ten pages tops), then got busy doing other things and forgot about it. After reading and loving every other book by this author, I couldn't believe it didn't grab me like the others. Today, I picked it up and decided to read it straight through. I'm so glad I did! The beginning, though slightly dry, is necessary information for the rest of the story, so get through it! The plot is brilliant, and I am no fan of medieval romance. I believe I would feel just as flummoxed as Sarah did, finding herself transported to the distant past. I enjoyed this book so much that I immediately bought the sequel, and started reading it. Steamy sex and wonderful drama, make this book timeless. Loved it!
July 20, 2014
Great time traveling romance. Dominic is a gypsy from 14th century France and happens upon Sarah after she travels back in time. I enjoyed the story line involving Dominic's family, although I felt a little sad for Thomas at the end, imagining how he probably would have felt at the sudden turn of events. I thought the ending was sweet, and in particular liked the secret unveiled by Sarah's mother. When Lightning Strikes was a quick, fun read, and I look forward to reading more from this author.
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December 24, 2013Cute story
Enjoyed the characters and their journey.
Needs editing in a big way. Also some research as to facts. Blackberries are ripe in August, not early spring. And confusion about what century this story took place in bothered me. Auth said 12th,13th and 14th, going back and forth.
Still, if mistakes don't bother you, it's ok.
Everyone deserves a chance to learn how to write. This was a good try.
Enjoyed the characters and their journey.
Needs editing in a big way. Also some research as to facts. Blackberries are ripe in August, not early spring. And confusion about what century this story took place in bothered me. Auth said 12th,13th and 14th, going back and forth.
Still, if mistakes don't bother you, it's ok.
Everyone deserves a chance to learn how to write. This was a good try.
November 1, 2012
This book was okay. I love books where people go back in time, but this book failed on explaining the connection the main characters had to the particular time period they were transported to. I kept waiting for some big revelation to connect the whole story and never found it.
July 26, 2014
Usually I'm not one to read historical fiction. However, these characters were so easy to care about that I couldn't put down the book. Even with the predictability of the story, I had to continue to the end. Sarah and Dominic have a beautiful love. Definitely a fun read.
August 15, 2012
SWOON!
February 10, 2013
Great time travel romance! I loved the author characters and the story! Will be reading more books by the author.
March 24, 2013
"Palate-cleanser". Enjoyable book for it's genre. A few ends left loose, but well done for an author's first novel.
April 7, 2013
Good story, a little predictable but it needed more of the story in the epilogue.
January 18, 2015
not the best time travel book I read
February 1, 2014
3.5 stars.
May 13, 2015
Quite a disappointment. No action, very slow storyline, very predictable. Took me ages to read as i wasnt really bothered and i ended up skim reading to finish it ASAP!
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews