Review of Time Between Us by Tamara Ireland Stone

Title: Time Between Us (Time Between Us, #1)
Author: Tamara Ireland Stone
Published by: Hyperion
Pages: 384
Source: Library
Format: Hardcover
Rating: 3.5 stars

Summary From Goodreads:  Anna and Bennett were never supposed to meet: she lives in 1995 Chicago and he lives in 2012 San Francisco. But Bennett has the unique ability to travel through time and space, which brings him into Anna’s life, and with him a new world of adventure and possibility.

As their relationship deepens, the two face the reality that time may knock Bennett back to where he belongs, even as a devastating crisis throws everything they believe into question. Against a ticking clock, Anna and Bennett are forced to ask themselves how far they can push the bounds of fate, what consequences they can bear in order to stay together, and whether their love can stand the test of time.

A sweet romance that defies time and space.  Time Between Us mixes romance and time travel in a way that will touch your heart and make you smile. 

Anna and Bennett are the type of characters you adore in a novel.  They are both sweet, good kids who like a little adventure, but ultimately are kind and good hearted.  The one problem I had with them was the insta-love thing.  I felt that Anna fell for Bennett extremely fast and that overshadowed some of her decision.  She seemed a bit naive and I had a problem with her not being more cautious with Bennett and his unique ability.  I was also quite upset with her when she put Bennett in a horrible situation and didn't realizing the agony she was causing him.  I'm sure if I was in the same situation I would have gone beyond begging him, but being an outsider I thought it was a bit selfish and unfair of her to ask such a thing. 

The story line was cute and a bit predictable, but I don't think that took away from the novel.  I knew it was going to be a sweet love story and that is what I received.  I also like that Tamara Ireland Stone bought up some interesting questions about how one incident can change the entire course of a person's future.  It's crazy to think about having such an amazing ability, but more crazy about how careful you have to be not to change history or one's life.  That is a lot of pressure for one kid to handle. 

After reading this novel I have a craving to read The Time Traveler's Wife.  I'm sad to say that I have never read that novel and with a story line that mirrors Time Between Us I think I will finally get around to reading it. 

Have you read both of these novels?  How similar are they?

Review of Cascade by Lisa Tawn Bergren

Title: Cascade (River of Time #2)
Author: Lisa Tawn Bergren
Published by: David C. Cook
Pages: 295
Source: Bought
Format: ebook
Rating: 3.5 stars

Summary from Goodreads: Gabi knows she’s left her heart in the fourteenth century and she persuades Lia to help her to return, even though they know doing so will risk their very lives. When they arrive, weeks have passed and all of Siena longs to celebrate the heroines who turned the tide in the battle against Florence—while the Florentines will go to great lengths to see them dead.

But Marcello patiently awaits, and Gabi must decide if she’s willing to leave her family behind for good in order to give her heart to him forever.

Who doesn't love time travel, especially when it involves manly knights and epic battles?

Gabi and Lia are at it again.  Once more they return to Siena, but this time they bring along their mother as well.  I loved how their mom fit in so well.  At first she was a little thrown by traveling back in time, she soon fit in seamlessly.  The characters in this series are always a joy to be around.  They are hopeful and daring.  Well most people from the 21st century would complain about hot water and indoor plumbing these ladies not only suffer in silence but also join in the deathly battles.

Florence and Siena are still battling.  The battles sounds dangerous and deadly, but at the same time them seemed more like a story to me instead of actually being in the middle of battle.  For some reason I had a harder time connecting to this book than I did to Waterfall.  There was lots of action and Gabi and Lia were always in the middle of it, but I never really feared something was going to happen.  There was a definitely separation at times in the book where I felt I was reading a great story instead of actually living in it.    

However, there was a new plot point in this novel that I loved.  There is a new character, Lord Greco, completely caught my attention and I want to know more.  There were some definitely twists in this story that keep you on your toes and your nose glued to the pages.  I look forward to seeing where Gabi and Lia's adventures take them next. 

Review of Shadow of Night by Deborah Harkness & Giveaway

Title: Shadow of Night (All Souls Trilogy #2)
Author: Deborah Harkness
Published by: Viking Adult
Pages: 584
Source: Viking/Publisher
Format: Finished Review Copy-Hardcover
Available: July 10, 2012
Rating: 5 stars

Summary from Goodreads: Now, picking up from A Discovery of Witches’ cliffhanger ending, Shadow of Night plunges Diana and Matthew into Elizabethan London, a world of spies, subterfuge, and a coterie of Matthew’s old friends, the mysterious School of Night that includes Christopher Marlowe and Walter Raleigh. Here, Diana must locate a witch to tutor her in magic, Matthew is forced to confront a past he thought he had put to rest, and the mystery of Ashmole 782 deepens.

Shadow of Night was phenomenal, enticing, completely unforgettable. 

Deborah Harkness outdid herself with Shadow of Night.  Not only do we continue the compelling story of Matthew, Diana, and all their paranormal friends, we now add the components of time travel and historical fiction.  Deborah Harkness makes this transition flawlessly. 

Matthew and Diana have often had a complex relationship and their trip back in time tested their love for one another.  While neither of these characters are perfect, they still make a formiddable team along with their new circle of friends and allies.  With all of the obstacles the characters have to overcome, the reader gets to see all sides of their personalities.  There was deep character development as each chapter revealed more about Diana, Matthew and everyone else in the story.  Even the supporting characters grew and found a place in your heart.  It is impossible to read Shadow of Night and not become attached to these characters. 

One of the most fascinating aspects of Shadow of Night was that with the time travel aspect many new people were introduced.  These characters will sound quite familiar to everyone who has read a history book, but Deborah Harkness introduces new attributes about them you never would have thought possible. 

I adored the time I spent in 1590 as each description of clothing, food, and entertainment were luscious and detailed.  The story was so gripping and interwoven with love, deceit, scandal, and heartbreak; it was impossible to put down.      



And thanks to the amazing people at Viking I have a Finished copy of Shadow of Night and swag to offer my readers as a giveaway. 

Giveaway Rules:

The contest runs until Monday, July 16, 2012 at 11:59pm (CST)

You must be 13 years of age or older to enter

Leave a comment with your name and email address to enter.

This contest is open to participants both from the US and internationally

Once the email is sent to the winner they will have three days to respond or a new winner will be chosen

**I am not responsible for any lost or damaged items. (I haven't had any lost or damaged and I really hope that none will be)