Caffeinated Reviewer

I enjoy a good time-traveling romance and was delighted to receive a copy of Taken by E.C. Roderick. This is the first in the Taken series and tells the story of Sylvina and what happens when she steps into a time slip. While not without flaws, it was a solid start to the series.

They say time heals all wounds, but it has bound me instead.

Matt was my husband. I was supposed to be with him for the rest of my life when the accident happened and took him away from me. I wouldn’t love anyone else. I believed.

Until, I meet Leif. He tells me to trust him and to take my chance with him.

Except, I’m his hostage. Not only am I his hostage, but time is holding me captive too, and I’m suddenly trapped in a world that is not mine. The year is 1756, and I am strangely in Massachusetts Bay Colony. War between Great Britain and France explodes across New England, and terrorizes the territory.

I don’t know how I got here, and all I want to do is find a way home. But, the more time I’m stranded here, the more I spend time with Leif, and I am compelled toward him.

Our lives are becoming inextricably entwined, and I’m afraid of losing everything that I once knew and loved.

I begin questioning where I truly belong as I think of the life I left behind.

I wonder if I’m going to withstand this, because all I know for certain is he is bound to my survival... and to the truth of why I’m here

The story started a little rough for me from the endless designer name dropping to the clunky descriptive writing, but the characters were interesting and once we fell through the time-warp, I slipped into the story.

Sylvie is a young widow and pediatrician still mourning her losses. She is fluent in Spanish and French. When her car goes off road in a snowstorm, she finds herself in 1756 in the Massachusetts Bay Colony. There is a war between the British, France and the native indians. Dressed for a holiday party, she is questioned by a group of soldiers and almost captured by Indians before she is rescued/kidnapped by a Scottish Duke and his brother. She soon finds herself traveling with their group.

I loved the landscape and historical mentions, Leif (the Duke) and his family were interesting, as was the life they have carved out in the Americas. The author takes you into the military forts and rural homesteads and their communities, offering a rich and detailed look at colonial life.

I struggled with Sylvie a little. Obviously she is a little out of sorts given the circumstances, but I would have thought such an educated woman would have heeded Leif’s warnings or at least understood the danger she was in once she realized she was really in 1756. Her conversation and behavior regarding their romantic relations did not reflect those of a previously married woman. In fact, she acted like an inexperienced virgin.

I liked Leif, his brother the Earl and their families. I could hear his accent and feel the way he cared for Sylvie. Sylvie on the other hand didn’t say much verbally making her conversations awkward and filled with, “Oh” “Okay” and, “Sure.” I could feel Leif’s frustration in figuring her out but perhaps she struggled to understand his subtle courtings. It was hard enough with the differences in language.

The story brought suspense, trouble with British generals who believe Sylvia to be a spy for the French and Indian attacks. Sylvia learns how 1756 women live and struggles with wanting to return to her own life and carving our a new one with Leif.

The romance built slowly with passion, miscommunication and character growth. While the romance is in a good place when the book ends, you’ll need to continue the series to find out if Sylvia remains trapped in the 1700s.

I am looking forward to seeing what happens next despite some of my issues.

Amazon

About Kimberly

Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram

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