Timeless [Hardcover]

Alexandra Monir (Author)

Book Description

Release date: January 11, 2011

When tragedy strikes Michele Windsor’s world, she is forced to uproot her life and move across the country to New York City, to live with the wealthy, aristocratic grandparents she’s never met. In their old Fifth Avenue mansion filled with a century’s worth of family secrets, Michele discovers a diary that hurtles her back in time to the year 1910. There, in the midst of the glamorous Gilded Age, Michele meets the young man with striking blue eyes who has haunted her dreams all her life – a man she always wished was real, but never imagined could actually exist. And she finds herself falling for him, into an otherworldly, time-crossed romance.
 
Michele is soon leading a double life, struggling to balance her contemporary high school world with her escapes into the past. But when she stumbles upon a terrible discovery, she is propelled on a race through history to save the boy she loves – a quest that will determine the fate of both of their lives.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Amazon Best Books of the Month, January 2011: Music can draw us back into memories, moments, and places, and in Timeless, debut author and recording artist Alexandra Monir transports readers into the glamorous Gilded Age and Roaring Twenties with soulful lyrics and swooning jazz tones. Alexandra wrote two original songs for Timeless, the lyrics of which are trickled throughout the book, slowly revealing a decades-old family mystery. In Timeless, we are introduced to Michele Windsor, one of the modern bluebloods of the historic Windsor family. Struggling to find her place in a world of prestige and old-fashioned values, Michele sifts through family relics in search of answers. When she discovers her great-great-grandmother’s diary and begins poring through its pages, she finds herself whisked back in time to the Gilded Age. There, Michele meets the man whom she always wished existed, but hadn’t dared to believe in. Inextricably drawn to each other, the two fall in love. But as Michele drifts between modern life and the world of the past, she begins to piece together an alarming family mystery -- one that may doom her life and the life of the man she loves. Timeless is a captivating romance and mystery spanning three decades of high-society life and intrigue in New York City. --Jacqueline Segall

Amazon Exclusive: Alexandra Monir’s Timeless Playlist
(Click on the song name to listen to a sample)

Chapter 1
Schubert's "Serenade" by New York Philharmonic Orchestra

"Shining Down" by Lupe Fiasco feat. Matthew Santos

"Sodade" by Cesaria Evora

Chapter 7
Chopin's "Nocturne No. 19 in E Minor, Op. 72, No. 1" performed by Claudio Aurrau

Chapter 10
"Bring The Colors Back" by Alexandra Monir

Chapter 12
"Chasing Time" by Alexandra Monir

Chapter 14
"Fascinatin' Rhythm" by Fred & Adele Astaire

Chapter 16
"My Man" by Fanny Brice

"Anything Can Happen" from Mary Poppins

Chapter 18
"Over There" by The Eric Rogers Chorale and Orchestra

"Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy" by The Andrews Sisters

"The White Cliffs of Dover" by Vera Lynn

"I'll Be Seeing You" performed by Billie Holiday
--This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

From Booklist

After her mother is killed in an automobile accident, Michelle Windsor is flown from her cozy Venice Beach, California, neighborhood to the palatial New York City home of her grandparents, whom, due to strained family relationships, she has never met. In this new, wealthy environment, she is introduced to the family history through a diary that transports her back to 1910 and details a feud between the Windsors and the Walkers. In a riff on Romeo and Juliet, Michelle falls for Phillip Walker and must decide how to extricate herself from their romance so that he can live a rich and fulfilling life in his own time and space. The narrative occasionally feels overwritten, and the swings to and from the early twentieth century can be choppy, while the historical characters have a less authentic feel than those of the present day. Still, debut author Monir has crafted an intriguing time-travel fantasy that will be an easy sell to romance fans, who will hope for a sequel. Grades 7-10. --Frances Bradburn

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Age Range: 12 and up
  
• Hardcover: 304 pages
• Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers; First Edition edition (January 11, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0385738382
• ISBN-13: 978-0385738385
• Product Dimensions: 5.9 x 1 x 8.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (95 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #350,934 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

At the age of 25, author and recording artist Alexandra Monir released her debut young adult novel, TIMELESS. The book caught on quickly, with Amazon.com naming it one of the "Best Books of the Month" and Barnes & Noble featuring the title in their "Top Teen Picks." TIMELESS went on to be featured in a variety of media, from popular teen websites to The Huffington Post. Alexandra then published a companion short story eBook, SECRETS OF THE TIME SOCIETY, to set up the sequel, TIMEKEEPER. The sequel publishes on January 8, 2013.

Also a singer/songwriter, Alexandra integrated original music into the novels' pages, writing two songs for TIMELESS, which she recorded with producer Michael Bearden (musical director of Michael Jackson's last concert, This Is It). The songs were released on iTunes as a supplement to the book. A new song for TIMEKEEPER will be released on January 8, 2013, produced by Heather Holley and Rob Hoffman.

Alexandra currently resides in Los Angeles, California, where she is writing her next young adult novel for Random House.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 24 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars For the Hopeless Romantic January 14, 2011

By Keyona VINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover

Can you put a time limit on love? According to this book, no. Michele's had dreams about a young man since she was a little girl and never understood why she felt so much love for this stranger. When Michele finds the beautiful chain with the key, she is transported back in time to her ancestors. From 1910, to the roaring 20's, and through the World War Michele is there.

Monir paints such a vivid picture for the reader while describing old NYC. I live in NY so the landmarks and streets that were being named, I knew. I literally saw the horse drawn carriages, the flapper dresses, to the smoky cotton club. I'm a huge fan of historical fiction so this was right down my alley. Usually I'm upset when romances happen fairly quickly in books but this was a different case. Michele's been dreaming about Philip since she was a young girl. Well of course all she needed to do was see him for that love to awaken in her.

When I read this mostly I was on the train. I had no idea what was going on around me. I remember a few times almost missing my stop and thinking "Wait, where am I??" It felt like I was completely transported back in time myself. The author does an excellent job of drawing us in and holding us there. I was not confused by the time traveling at all. The transitions were done very smoothly. I like the way we visited all of Michele's ancestor's, each in a different era. This novel is humorous at times, heart breaking, engaging and romantic. I truly enjoyed it and it is a beautiful love story definitely for hopeless romantics.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Elegant time traveling love story... January 11, 2011

By Bookworm VINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover

Timeless reflected an elegantly written love story that transported me through a charming time travel. Michele, a bright and talented writer, was an easy character to connect with. Her relatable tone, even during tragic occurrences, carried the same level of comfort throughout. Michele, early in the novel experiences a life altering loss that causes her to move in with her rich grandparents in NYC. There, her depression elevates while being in a big house with a cold atmosphere. When she stumbles upon a magical key and her ancestor's diary, a new discovery of time travel throws her into a whirlwind world of questions. The descriptive quality during the 1900's was breathtakingly fascinating. I would have loved to physically see the busy, city lights turn into a calm, and demeanor society. I gratefully admire Monir's research and hard work in developing the scenery. It's nice to be mentally taken back one hundred years.

Michele's back and forth visits through time gained her access into the Windsor's history. Her ancestors such as Clara and Stella were tastefully done. Their personalities shined through even when Michele graced their presence for a short while. Now, the romantic aspect surrounding her travels revolved around Philip. At first sight, he was an attractive and well-mannered gentleman with moralizing values. The inevitable chemistry seemingly showcased a bond that would stand the hands of time. Another element which was easy to follow was the modern and old school, aristocratic acts between the two worlds. All in all, the ending left me yearning for the sequel. After all, I did say out loud, "son of a gun" once I finished it. I really enjoyed the whole feel and concept expressed in Michele's unforgettable love quest and I look forward to continuing it with the rest of the series.

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars Insipid Romance July 16, 2011

By Kim

Format:Hardcover

I have to admit, I was hooked on this book when I first started it. I liked Marion and Michele's Gilmore-Girls-esque mother/daughter relationship and I couldn't wait until the time travel aspect of the book would begin. I'm also a fan of well-done romance, so I was excited to see how the book would unfold once Michele met Philip, the literal man of her dreams. But in order for a good romance to work, there needs to be depth to the characters and the relationship between them. I was hoping for a realistic build-up to the romance in Timeless, maybe even a love/hate relationship to make things interesting, but there was absolutely no build-up to their relationship. Once Philip was introduced, I felt like I was reading Twilight.

Every other page of Michele and Philip's interactions was a paragraph like this: "Michele closed her eyes, as the feel of his lips against hers never failed to send sparks throughout her whole body. She loved the way his kisses were both tender and urgent, the way he traced every inch of her mouth with his lips as he cradled her in his arms. She felt safe and protected in his arms, yet she had the same excitement and butterflies that came with taking a great leap." It was repetitive and over-the-top, and the author never made me care about Philip, so I didn't care about the romance.

In short, I don't understand why this book is getting such good reviews. I can see why it's popular--fans of Twilight must be eating it up, and at the very least, this book's better--but I'm surprised I haven't seen more complaints about the vapid romance. When the romance is the main plot of the book, it needs to be at least ten times more developed than it was in Timeless.