Love Beyond Time by Bethany Claire Series: Morna's Legacy #1
Publisher: Self-Published on November 16, 2013
Genres: Historical Romance, Time Travel, Adult
Pages: 276
Format: eBook
Source: Purchased
Purchase: Amazon
Add to: Goodreads
Rating:
Heat:
It began nearly four hundred years ago. The Conall clan and all their people were murdered in a surprise attack, their beloved castle and all evidence of who destroyed them burned to the ground with their bodies. In the centuries following, archaeologists searched through the ruins looking for any evidence of what or who had caused the untimely demise of such a powerful Scottish clan. All efforts were fruitless, until a spell put in place by an ancient Conall ancestor finally began to work its magic...
Texas kindergarten teacher, Brielle Montgomery, finds comfort in the mundane routines of her life, but when her archaeologist mother asks her to accompany her on a dig in Scotland, she decides to step out of her comfort zone. Once in Scotland, they discover a secret spell room below the castle ruins, and Bri finds herself transported back in time and suddenly married to the castle's ill-fated Laird. Now, she must work to change the fate of his people, all while trying to find a way to return to her home and century. But with each passing day, Bri finds herself falling more deeply in love with her new husband. If she can find a spell to bring her home, will she use it? And if she stays, will it ultimately mean her own death as well?
At A Glance
Meh.
The Good
I do love a time travel story. I love reading about someone from my time, or close to it, trying to assimilate to the past, in Scotland no less. There is just something about Scotland that makes me swoon from the get-go.
We find Brielle thrust into the 1600’s, fated to stop the slaughter of the Conall Clan. If only the Conall Laird, Eoin, would stop being so stubborn! Brielle did pretty good at getting into the 17th century lifestyle. I would probably be all miserable and moody. Mommy needs an air conditioner and ice water or the JenBeast comes out! 🙂 Eoin was a very lenient and forgiving person, almost to a fault, but it did make him endearing. Gotta love a nice guy, even if he throws you into a dungeon sometimes.
Overall the story was okay. I did like how it ended. I am a little curious about the second book because it has a person from the past assimilating into present times. How fun.
The Bad
I don’t know why people compare this book to Outlander. Not even close. Sure, time travel and such, but that is the only similarity. Love Beyond Time is no where near as good as Outlander. Though it’s hard to compare a 300 page book to a 800 page book. Complete different realms.
The biggest thing that sucked about this book was that it felt hokey. So unrealistic and corny. I get we have to let reality go a bit when it comes to certain books, but this one got to me for some reason. We have maids slapping Lairds, whiney, childish men, and over-dramatic villains.
The lack of character development was pretty sucky. I think the book wasn’t long enough to really delve deep into the characters. Too much happened off-page so we were just told relationships were developing instead of seeing it for ourselves. Plus, the narration was a bit blah at times.
The Snuggly
The sex was lacking. Though I loved when Bri thought she was dreaming the whole stuck in the past thingy and was all into Eoin and his bed play. So hilarious.
Final Thoughts
I didn’t mind Love Beyond Time while reading it, but afterwards I realized there was too much wrong with it for me to recommend it. So yeah, not recommended but I can see why some people like it.
Quotes
“It didn’t really matter. Even if she still did want to return home, he knew he couldn’t bring himself to let her go. She’d captured his heart completely and he didn’t want to spend his life with any other. If she didn’t love him already, he could make her love him with time.”
“What in God’s name do ye think the two of ye are doing? Bri, get down from that bed this instant, and for God’s sake, stop throwing things! Eoin, stop ranting in Gaelic. The lass has no idea what ye are saying. It’s time we had a talk, all three of us, but I will have no part in it while the two of ye are acting like ye have gone and lost yer minds.”
kindlemom1
Ack, I think I’ll pass on this one. Thanks for the honest review!
Jennifer (Bad Bird Reads)
Yeah, good choice.
Melliane
Sorry it wasn’t up to your expectations in the end…
Jennifer (Bad Bird Reads)
It sucks.
Melissa
Eh…definitely sounds like a pass for me. If I’m in the mood for a time travel I’ll finally pick up Outlander Book 2.
Jennifer (Bad Bird Reads)
Yeah, Outlander is way better.
Melissa (Books and Things)
There might be enough there that I would like it, but there are so many good highlander books I think I’ll read those first. Brilly review. 🙂
Jennifer (Bad Bird Reads)
I know. It started out so good too.
Jaclyn Canada
Time travel books are always so interesting to me, but I’m also the most critical about them. If it ‘feels’ even a little off, it just doesn’t work. I definitely need good character development in my stories as well. Great review!
Jennifer (Bad Bird Reads)
I agree, I am very critical of them so I was harsh on this one for sure.
Anna
As a huge Outlander fan you’ve saved me some time and money. Thanks for the heads up. 🙂
Anna from elements of emaginette
Jennifer (Bad Bird Reads)
LOL, happy to help.
Christy LoveOfBooks
“We have maids slapping Lairds …”
Maybe the Lairds like it. *wags eyebrows* lol
Jennifer (Bad Bird Reads)
If it was THAT kind of book I would have loved it. hehehe
Braine
That’s why I generally stay away from books that compare itself to bestsellers. It’s either arrogant or the perfect set up for failure. Better to just sell your book as is and let it speak for itself.
Jennifer (Bad Bird Reads)
Ugh, I know, I learned my lesson.
Serenitee
The first of the series was free on my Kindle, so I thought why not? It was a lukewarm read. I didn’t get the stark difference of feel between the two time lines, and everyone just had this odd acceptance of time travel. You would have thought with the background in history that Bri had…..she would have been a wee bit more leary on who she told…..because of that whole burning of witches thing haha.
I did purchase the second book, because I need to have closure on series, but it’s taking me forever to read because it’s even less believable then the first in how everyone is handling time travel.