Customer Reviews

The Hourglass (Signet Eclipse)

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This book is definitely different to your average Regency romance. Firstly there's an element of fantasy in it - our hero, who meets the heroine at the Battle of Waterloo, is actually a Knight from the Crusades. He's been working as one of the Grim Reapers for Satan for the last 500 years but wants a chance to atone for his sins as a Knight by living on earth again as a human and doing good deeds with all the wealth that he has amassed. He bargains with Satan and wins - he gets six months as a human and if he can find the special hourglass Satan has put on earth, he can live his full life span.

Despite the theoretically rather dark and disturbing initial content (Satan, death, grim reapers) this book is actually funny. It's not laugh-out-loud but it has a lot of amusing one-liners and the characters are great. Our heroine, Genie, a pregnant widow who is shunned by good ladies since her husband's death, is wonderfully pragmatic. She meets Ardeth and knows there's something distinctly odd about him (he seems to have a few magical powers, speaks strangely and doesn't know some basic things, like how to eat with a knife and fork) but she also sees that he is genuine in his attempts to help and care for others and she throws in her lot with him.

Poor Ardeth, however, believes that to be noble and moral he has to allow Genie her full year's mourning for her dead husband, despite the fact that he marries her by chapter four of the book. Genie doesn't have any affection for her late husband and feels that she has no way of repaying Ardeth his kindness except through conjugal rights - which he won't accept. Ardeth knows he only has six months on earth and he wants to set Genie up for a happy future with her son, but equally he knows that will mean he won't get to consummate his marriage because six months isn't long enough. However this element of tension doesn't take over the story - the seduction side of this book is very much left to the reader's imagination without any detailed descriptions of love scenes.

We follow the couple's introduction into the haute ton in England, Ardeth's attempt to bring about a reconciliation between Genie and her sister Lorraine (a historical error by the author - Lorraine was not used as a name until the 1870s) and later with her family. We see attempts made on both Genie's and Ardeth's lives and their establishment of a community at Ardeth Keep. Ardeth's charitable works are an important part of the book and one of the ways in which he tries to atone for his past sins.

The love story part of the book is very gently written. There's no annoying 'Big Misunderstanding' or hatred between the characters, we just follow them as they slowly get to know one another and as Ardeth begins to learn what's important in this new life. Genie is great, with her ability to see beyond the apparent strangeness of her husband to the honourable and kind man, and the crow Olive, really a gremlin, with his intelligence and speech, is an enjoyable side character.

Those who are Regency purists won't like the fantasy element of this book. However the historical detail is well researched and the language is mostly authentic (apart from some modern American phrases that creep in) and for those who are willing to read a little outside the Regency norm this is an enjoyable book.

Originally published for Curled Up With A Good Book. Copyright Helen Hancox 2007

Barbara Metzger has become one of my favorite authors. The Hourglass is a departure from her recent series. While it is set in the Regency world, it gives barely a nod to society. (My sole complaint on this title might be that the time spent there seems out of place). The story unfolds so naturally and engagingly that it's a shame to reveal any of it at all.

Lord Coryn Ardsley died during the Crusades, a man not given to introspection or moral dilemma. As a result, he's been employed during his afterlife. Unlike those surrounding him, Coryn has managed to retain a sense of himself. Over the centuries he's prepared for his return to the world of the living and the opportunity of a second chance. His third good deed arrives in the form of recent widow Genie Macklin. Alone, expecting a child, destitute, she can't understand why a man like Lord Ardsley would offer her a marriage in name only. With her limited choices, she agrees to wed this strange man, so unlike any other she's known. He seems to truly put others above his self interest, to sincerely want to do good in the world. But can someone like that be real? Especially when the shortest distance to good can seem so harsh?

He knows he committed atrocities while fighting in the name of God during what foolish mankind called the Crusades. However, his eternal punishment is to be a Death collector, a minion of the Grim Reaper. Unlike most if not all of his peers, Ar Death remembers when he was Sir Coryn of Ardsley filled with a heart and soul. He could plead with his superior Sir Grimness to relieve him of duty as he believes he is a victim of battle fatigue, but that means ending up as a permanent resident of an even worse place, Hell. Still his only hope for salvation lies with gambling with His Eminence the Devil. The deal is simple six months on earth to find his missing humanity and freedom or more likely failure and eternity as one of the Devil's minion.

Imogene "Genie" Macklin tends to the wounded at Waterloo while pondering her future as an undesirable destitute pregnant soldier's widow though her preference is to not think at all. Also healing the cannon fodder is Coryn, claiming to be an Earl, as he rips into haughty aristocratic Major Willeford. Genie and Coryn meet over a dying soldier and he realizes she is a lady of quality who could enhance his lies. When he proposes she accepts because she must think of her baby. Though they fall in love with one another, the sands in his HOURGLASS are slipping into a future of eternal condemnation if he fails to find his humanity.

This paranormal romance grips the audience from the opening gamble until the final confrontation with Ar's former boss. The story line is fast-paced and filled with action yet most critical to this enjoyable supernatural historical is the belief in Hell, the Grim Reaper, and the soul as described by Barbara Metzger. Romance fans who appreciate a devilishly different type of Regency will want to read this delightful second chance at life tale.

Harriet Klausner

Ar, a member of the Dead Letters, aka, Grim Reapers, gambles with the devil to regain his humanity. After winning, the devil double crosses him and gives Ar six months in which to find the symbol of his office or face damnation. Before Ar can protest, he finds himself alive again, near the battlefields of Waterloo, with a newly liberated gremlin as his companion. Soon, he meets a disgraced, young, pregnant widow and marries her out of kindness. Yet, as the weeks pass, Ar finds himself growing to love Genie, his wife, and though his powers baffle her, she feels something in kind for this strange man who has defended and befriended her so well. However, will death claim its due, or will Ar find happiness is a question that hangs over them every moment.

**** This book reminded me of the classic film, Death Takes a Holiday and of the first, and best book in Piers Anthony's Incarnations of Immortality series, Bearing an Hourglass. The premise, though not wholly new, is one seldom explored and is very well executed. Ar's pet gremlin is an added bonus, providing an amusing note to balance out the necessary moodiness. ****

I have greatly enjoyed many regency romance novels by Barbara Metzger, e.g., Snowdrops and Scandalbroth,
The Bargain Bride, and the moving Father Christmas to list a few.
They are consistently of fine quality at a reasonable price. The Hourglass
is a wonderful new direction for Barbara Metzger. It is still a regency, but the hero, Coryn (Lord Ardeth), was a knight
in the distant past condemned for his bad life to act as a minion of the devil. Ardeth,
is given six months to live and by doing good and finding the hourglass, escape Hell. Ardeth finds himself
in a battlefield and marries a completely abandoned widow who is nursing dying soldiers on the field. The book is
sometimes funny (there is an imp "Olive" that adds a touch of burlesque), often moving with a thread
of sadness (Ardeth and the heroine, Genie, have serious difficulties (of which consumating the marriage is but one),
and expect Ardeth to die at the end of the six months). Of course, like all of Metzger's books, this book
has a satisfying happy conclusion.

This book totally held my interest. I became comforted knowing I had a book I looked forward to continue to read. It had that unusual touch to it that I really enjoy. A person who knows more than the regular mortal and still has a connection to the spiritual supernatural. A fine piece of writing.

Barbara Metzger better known for her lively and romantic regency historical romances, brought in a new element in penning THE HOURGLASS. While still set in the Regency era this has an original and creative twist featuring a bit of time travel with paranormal in it.

Sir Coryn of Ardsley, was a knight fighting during the Crusades. He was NOT a nice fellow and suffice it to say, didn't make it to Heaven. Centuries after he was killed he is known as "Death", a being that brings souls over to the other side; oftentimes to Satan's domain. Hoping for an opportunity to atone for his misbegotten former life, Ardsley tricked Satan into granting him a chance to regain his mortality. Furious at losing, Satan dumps him into the battle at Waterloo with the stipulation that within six months, he must find his heart and a special hourglass or spend eternity by Satan's side.

Genie Macklin has also found herself in on the Waterloo battlefield. Widowed, pregnant, penniless, and disowned by her own family Genie was caring for the wounded and shunned by all as she could d not convince anyone that she had actually been married. Learning of her plight and more than a little interested Ardsley proposes a marriage of convenience primarily to help her out, not knowing that she may just hold the key to his mortality. More than a little frightened of the mysterious and wealthy Earl who appeared out nowhere giving aid to the wounded; Genie accepts his proposal. Definitely attracted and more than a little scared of her somewhat bizarre spouse and his pet crow, Genie's distrust soon turns into love. Only adversaries from the past are not about to let either find the happiness they both deserve.

This was one of those rare books one comes across that capture you from page one and never let you go until the very last page is turned. Genie had been betrayed, cast out of home, forced into a marriage she was not looking for, to a man who wanted to keep his bachelor life and never told anyone he was married. After he was killed in the bed of his latest paramour, Genie was ostracized by the military women who followed their husbands to war. All this added up to Genie's lack of trust - especially when it came to men.

Ardsley, was an enigma. He appeared out of nowhere with a pet crow in the middle of the most horrendous battle introducing himself as an Earl where he proceeded to help, care, and save the wounded horses, in addition to saving wounded common soldiers. Having been a berserker in his previous life, Ardsley had sworn to never harm another living using his accumulated wealth for the betterment of humanity. Genie was both frightened to death at some of her enigmatic husband's more eccentric behaviors (a bit of magic he picked up in the other realm), yet couldn't help falling in love with his caring and gentle side.

Metzger must have had a ball coming up with this one and working the gremlin into the story that crossed over with Ar was a fabulous idea. The gremlin (very ugly and scary beings) was talked into becoming a crow (less obvious to scare people). The crow - called Olive - provided a lot of humorous dialogs and outrageously funny situations. But what was truly enjoyable was the way the author let the two leads take their time in letting themselves fall in like, respect, and then love. She also provides a mystery as to who is trying to kill both Ardsley and/or Genie, as well as providing a very emotional moment as Ardsley bargains with another "Death" being to save a child's life. One thing for sure, there was not a boring moment in this book complete with engaging characters, witty and inspired dialogs, and a perfect plot - I highly recommend this book!

Marilyn Rondeau, for www.ck2skwipsandkritiques.com

Barbara Metzger breaks away from her usual style and has written a uniquely beautiful sensual paranormal regency romance. Visiting hell as Ar Death, minion of the Grim Reaper, Sir Coryn recalls a time when he was the knight Sir Coryn of Ardsley, who lived a life of battles and sins during the time of the Crusades. He is sick of death. He plays a game of chance with the devil. If he wins, he can return to the world of the living and prove he can do better. He has six months to find a symbol of himself. He returns at the very end of the battle of Waterloo as Sir Coryn, Earl of Ardeth, with his side-kick gremlin friend, turned crow, Olive. Olive is to aid in his attempt to find his symbol. Thinking it is an hourglass, a symbol of the sands of time, a tool used as Ar of Death, they take off searching the battlefield for the hourglass. While searching Coryn comes across the newly widowed, pregnant Imogene Macklin. Genie is no longer welcome amongst the officer wives and a family scandal years ago has estranged her from her family. Alone, pregnant and poor, Coryn is taken in by her beauty and need. He marries her and they return with Olive to England to set up their home and take up aiding displaced people and doing good works. Genie is afraid to take a chance with Coryn at first, as so newly widowed she is stunned and suspicious of his generosity. Coryn is taken by her beauty, but more so with her inner strength. He begins to fall in love and struggles with his feelings of desire and passion. He feels he will be returning to death in six months and the thought of loving and then leaving would be too painful. Genie takes up keeping his home and life organized, logging in the many hourglasses that arrive from all over the world. The one special hourglass continues to elude them. As Coryn works to help others, he feels he must do more for Genie than marriage and accepting her child as his heir. He also helps her mend the rift in her family relationships. Little does Coryn realize that the symbol of his humanity is not the hourglass, but the love he and Genie have for each other and the goodness that is created from this deep undying love. Will Coryn discover his symbol of humanity before it is too late? The Hourglass is a delightfully fresh, beautiful story that is witty, sensual, absorbing and heartwarming, proving that true love can cross all boundaries and time.

I am not a big fan of "non-reality" but this book drew me in almost at once and I enjoyed every minute of it. So much depends upon the author's ability to persuade -- and Barbara Metzger has that ability!

Oh my gosh - where were the editors???? This book was really fun, interesting and the potential was boundless. But I agree with a prevoius reviewer that the silly and pointless times consumation was interrupted was overdone and become boring, which is never good in a romance. But my biggest complaint is that Lord Coryn Ardsley, our hero who died during the Crusades, and after serving a a devil's assistance of sorts, gets a chance at redemption and can live a human life again. Yeah! But part of his charm are his comments and thoughts such as when he had her first marriage, etc. His past is what makes him interesting so when he (SPOILER ALERT!!!) loses his memory at the end, how can it make any sense? ARe we not made up of our life's expereinces and memories? If he has none that are real, he can not be real and that is too bad. He was so neat in that his experiences made him that way. Once they were taken away, he would be an empty shell and I am clueless why that was done. It ruined the entire story.