A Once and Future Love (Time Passages Series , No 18) [Paperback]

Anne Kelleher (Author)

Book Description

Series: Time Passages Series , No 18 | Publication Date: December 1, 1998

England, 1994. When Richard Lambert's beloved wife dies, he thinks he will never find love again. Until, while exploring a medieval tower, he falls from the steps--and into another time... England, 1214. When he wakes, he's in the body of his ancestor, who is near death from battle. As his wife nurses him back to health, she finds he is not the cruel man she knew. And he discovers a second chance--with his one and only love...

Editorial Reviews

Review

Richard Lambert went to England to fulfill his dead wife's wish, never knowing that he would be reunited with her, albeit 700 years in the past. Meanwhile, in 1214, Lord Richard de Lambert creates terror throughout the land with his ruthlessness. Even his wife Eleanor holds no affection for him. Wounded in battle, Lord Richard's body is sent to Eleanor. At first thought to be dead, Richard eventually begins to heal. Yet the Richard who opens his eyes is completely different. This Richard, the one from the future, took the place of his namesake. Now, he must win the love of his wife while surviving in a land fraught with turmoil. With warring factions closing in around him, modern-day Richard must come up with some innovative techniques that will disguise his true identity - while trying to breathe some life into his marriage. What a fascinating book! Ms. Kelleher has taken time travel to a new level. Packed with energy and intrigue, this is one not to miss! The time period is cleverly brought to life, and the author does a credible job of handling various historical elements. Amy Wilson -- Copyright © 1999 Literary Times, Inc. All rights reserved -- From Literary Times

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Jove (December 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0515124095
• ISBN-13: 978-0515124095
• Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 4.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #835,525 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Time Travel - the way it should be......., January 18, 1999

By 

[e-mail] (Canton, Ct.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Once and Future Love (Time Passages Series , No 18) (Paperback)

Did you ever wonder how in most time travel stories, the time-traveller always seems to fit in so seemlessly and effortlessly into their new environment? Did you ever wonder how time-travellers always seem to be able to speak the language of whatever environment they are thrust into? Did you ever wonder what it would really be like to find yourself in another time, where you didn't have a clue what anyone around you was saying?

In her latest novel, A ONCE AND FUTURE LOVE, Anne Kelleher has created a story which actually seems to take the reader into the past, with all of its uncomfortable realities, sights, sounds, smells, and customs.

Anne Kelleher's novel revolves around a middle-aged 20th century man named Richard Lambert, who after his wife passes away, travels to England only to fall to his death while exploring a medeival castle, and awakens in the body of a cruel, young ancestor in the 13th century. But unlike most time travel stories, Richard quickly realizes that he cannot speak the language, has no understanding of the customs, and has to deal with the reality of a 20th century man finding himself in a barbaric and primitve period with almost no understanding of the world around him. And to make things even worse, the body he finds himself in is severely wounded, near death, and it quickly becomes clear to him that everyone around him would rather see him dead that alive.

As in her previous three novels, Anne Kelleher demonstrates that her sense of the medeival world is detailed and acute. She forces Richard to deal with the harsh realities of the time period that he has found himself in, from the smells of the people around him and the ill tasting foods, to a 13th century wife who both fears and loathes him as a slave would feel towards its master.

The only convenience Anne Kelleher takes is to have Richard conveniently wounded in the neck long enough to slowly pick up the language and get some sense of bearings in his new world. But aside from this, her writing is extraordinary with almost poetic imagery and detail.

A ONCE AND FUTURE LOVE is clearly one of the best works of its type that has been written in modern literature. Kelleher's novel is far beyond just another time-travel romance.....rather, it is a story which truly makes the reader feel that they have visited the world that she has created, and by the end of the novel, makes the reader want to go back for even more of an absolutely unique experience.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Her best yet!, February 18, 2000

By 

Sheila Bauer (Boxborough, MA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Once and Future Love (Time Passages Series , No 18) (Paperback)

Anne Kelleher knows how to draw a reader into a story. From the opening battle scene, I was completely hooked. Indeed, I had to read that paragraph several times - it is the most gruesome, and I imagine, the most realistic description of a medieval battle that I have ever read. There is a gritty reality to the entire narrative, the author gives the impression that she has studied this period in great detail and displays an admirable ability to transport her readers there. Her writing is clear, crisp, and evocative. It is a charming story without a hint of the corniness, so often found in this genre. I highly recommend this book to my friends - even to those who are wary of reading romance or time travel!

I would like to be able to share this book with more people. Any chance that the publisher will print more?

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fabulous, Fun, and Romantic, August 27, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: A Once and Future Love (Time Passages Series , No 18) (Paperback)

I hope they'll do another print run of this book for those of you who haven't read it yet -- it's a wonderful blending of accurate history with romance. It reminded me a bit of Twain's "A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court," with the hero's modern sensibilities hitting up against a medieval environment. I adored the love story, and found it easy to suspend disbelief because the author did a great job of having the romance unfold naturally. Full of visceral detail, this book almost made me wish I could step in an English castle and vanish into the past.