The Moonstone (Time Passages Romance Series) [Paperback]

Claire Cross (Author)

Book Description

Series: Time Passages Romance Series | Publication Date: October 1, 1999

North England 1395 – Falsely accused of witchcraft, ever-optimistic Viviane is sure the truth will set her free. But when her execution is imminent, only a wish on an unusual moonstone pendant bequeathed by her father offers any solace. Thinking it harmless, and sympathetic to her plight, the knight escorting her to the execution grants her request – and is shocked when Viviane disappears.

Salt Spring Island, British Columbia, 1999 – Suddenly Viviane finds herself in a wondrous realm she believes is the legendary Avalon. Befriended by some rather eccentric locals, she quickly finds the warmhearted island community happily compatible with her sunny disposition. But the hand of justice soon reaches across time and space to bring her back. The hand, however, belongs to the same handsome knight responsible for her freedom. And soon this powerful man, devoted to upholding the law, finds himself caught between duty and a far more powerful emotion…


Praise for The Moonstone

“Claire has such an amazing talent! Her characters are vivid, her plots exciting and her books a delight!”
Michelle Sawyer for The Literary Times

“Claire is a fabulous word weaver, threading a clever tale that continues to surprise and enchant with its humor and freshness. The Moonstone is endearingly romantic and delightfully hilarious. A thoroughly enjoyable read.”
Tina M. Novinski for WCRG on AOL

“Twists and turns abound in this bewitching story of magical love. Claire infuses her delightful tale with vivid characters, a nasty villain, exciting love scenes and wicked humor…Bravo!”
Tanzey Cutter for Old Book Barn Gazette

“Are you hungry for a marvelous book? Well, look no further than The Moonstone. Writing with wit, pathos, and charm, Claire opens the door to enchantment and invites us to sit down and partake of a feast…Delightful, delicious and delectable!”
Kathee S. Card for Under the Covers

--This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Setting: England, 1390, and contemporary British Columbia
Sensuality: 7

In 1390 England, Viviane is imprisoned for practicing witchcraft. Confident that the archbishop will believe her denial, she is stunned when she's led to the executioner without a hearing. Deeply disturbed by the young woman's fate, Sir Niall of Mallory grants Viviane's wish to hold her father's moonstone one last time. To his shock, the beautiful young woman disappears in a flash of bright light, leaving nothing but the moonstone behind.

Viviane finds herself on an island in British Columbia in 1999--but she believes that she's been transported to the legendary Avalon. Meanwhile, back in 1390, Niall swears to do his duty and recover Viviane. While retracing her actions, he triggers the moonstone and follows her across time. Unfortunately for Niall, Viviane happens to be onboard a boat and he lands in the water, his chain mail weighting him like an anchor. Rescued in the nick of time, Niall soon finds himself falling in love with Viviane, who believes that he's her knight in shining armor. The two lovers have a difficult path to happiness, however, for the evil archbishop has plans for them back in 1390 and they'll have to foil a dastardly plot and travel across time more than once in their struggle to live happily ever after. --Lois Faye Dyer

Review

Moonstone begins in North Britain in September, 1390. Sir Niall of Mallory is a twenty-eight year old wounded knight who now works for the Archbishop's court. Niall has to escort a woman accused of witchcraft to her execution, and obviously isn't too excited about it. Ever since he hurt his knee, he feels himself less a man working in the dungeons rather then fighting as a knight, but he has to support his sister Majella and her seven children. When he goes to the condemned woman's cell he finds a very pretty "witch" with auburn hair named Viviane. Surprisingly, due the circumstances, Viviane is very friendly and cheerful despite the future (possibly a short one) she has in front of her. Viviane is not a witch and plans to clarify the misunderstanding with the archbishop as soon as she can and therefore doesn't plan to die. Viviane has the confidence of knowing that her mother had the sight and sent her to the archbishop, so using Viviane's logic, no harm will come to her. Viviane also wears a blue stone pendant -"the blue of the moon", a present from her father on her birth, which is supposed to help her when she needs it. Once Viviane realizes that she will not be given an audience with the Bishop she wishes herself as far away as possible using the moonstone, and she disappears from Niall's sight, leaving the stone on the dungeon's floor. When her "travel" is done, she finds herself in what she believes to be the mystical land of Avalon based on the bounty of the apples on trees. Very quickly she comes upon a man wearing shorts, a T-shirt and a fleece vest. She thinks that he must be magical, a sorcerer, and he thinks she must be from the group of reinactors that are on the island. In truth Viviane has traveled to the Gulf Islands between Vancouver Island and the mainland of British Columbia, just over six hundred years into the future. Niall meanwhile is shamed at having allowed the "witch" to escape and he has a mission to search her out to face her fate, or die trying. Luckily he has the moonstone and he uses it to transport himself to Viviane. Suddenly there are two people trying to fathom the complexities of the 1990s, and people from the 1990's trying to fathom these two from the 1390s. And what effect has all this time travel had on the past and present? You thought dating in the nineties hard? Try dating in the 1990s with the morals and rules of the 1390s. Claire Cross has a great sense of humour and it shines in this book. (The funniest scene in the book is Viviane's nude seduction of Niall who ignores her completely in favour of the mechanics of the toilet.) The author's mindset lets her see the smallest thing that we just take for granted. Many time-travels have the traveler fitting into the new time with apparent ease, but Claire uses the changes and faux pas to strengthen her characters and make them more human. I think that Niall is the sexiest of Claire Cross' male characters. I think it's his lack of awareness-and the obvious awareness-of the women around him that make Niall so appealing. There is great sexual tension between the characters too, which entertains on a few levels. Speaking of sex, you'll never be able to see rubber boots again without thinking of this book! This is now my favourite of Claire Cross' time-travels, but I know this declaration may only last till the next one. Do yourself a favour and pick up this book, put a day aside and enjoy! The best time travel I have ever read! Claire Cross has such amazing talent! Her characters are vivid, her plots exciting and her books a delight! Moonstone is full of romance and humour. Who could ask for more? Michelle Sawyer -- Copyright © 1999 Literary Times, Inc. All rights reserved -- From Literary Times

Product Details

• Paperback: 329 pages
• Publisher: Jove; Regular Print/Single Titl edition (October 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0515126543
• ISBN-13: 978-0515126549
• Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 2.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #857,350 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Boring dialogue..., February 15, 2000

By 

M. Sullivan "Book-a-holic" (FL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Moonstone (Time Passages Romance Series) (Paperback)

This story contained some of the most boring and dumbest narration. It bored me and I skipped from the begining to the end and got the full sense of the story. Her other books were better.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Don't waste your time and money!, December 8, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Moonstone (Time Passages Romance Series) (Paperback)

As a fan of time-travel books I'm wondering why I'm even giving this one star. There was no substance to the story just lots of fluf. I'm sorry, but there is no way someone arrives in the 20th Century from the 14th Century and takes everything in stride as the two main characters did in this story. How does Viviene get a paycheck without a SS#? AND she and Niall can read modern-day English with no trouble? It wasn't very realistic. Also, I don't like stories that make sure EVERYONE in the story has found a love in the last 5 pages!

9 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Entertaining time travel romance, July 11, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Moonstone (Time Passages Romance Series) (Paperback)

In 1390 Britain, Sir Niall of Malloy loathes escorting prisoners to their death, but loathes it even more when a female requires his convoy, which is his present task. He accompanies Viviane to certain death for witchery. Viviane asks him to take her to see the Archbishop of Cantlecroft, but he cannot being a lowly dungeon guard. Finally, realizing her plight, Viviane wishes upon her father's stone to be as far away from where she is as possible. In a flash, she vanishes leaving behind the moonstone.

The Archbishop charges Niall to complete his duty. Before leaving, Niall says good-bye to his sister and her children. Meanwhile Viviane lands in 1999 where a local resident Monty Sullivan adopts her. Niall uses the moonstone and follows her into the late twentieth century. Viviane decides that Niall his her hero and savior. Soon Niall and Viviane fall in love, but he swore allegiance to a fourteenth century archbishop. Niall knows if he takes his beloved Viviane back home, she dies. If he fails to return with her, the honor he lived for would crumble and slowly kill him instead.

MOONSTONE is a fabulous time travel romance that will leave no doubt as to the standing of Claire Cross among sub-genre fans. Using magic to propel the fast-paced story line forward (and back), sub-genre fans and fantasy readers will gain much pleasure from the superb novel. Readers will embrace the intelligent characters. Their reactions to time displacement feel genuine as the Medieval travelers struggle with modern times and a twentieth century individual seems overwhelmed with the fourteenth century. The response of the cast turn MOONSTONE into a necessary read for anyone who enjoys an entertaining story.

Harriet Klausner