Sundial
by Carrie Lofty
Published: December 2007
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
ISBN: n/a
Page Count: 74
Reviewer: Sandra Marlow





From England to Italy in the blink of an eye. From 2007 to 1958 in the same instant. Amber Schulman is whisked through time for no rhyme or reason, and she meets Mark Lacey, another American in the same circumstance. The more she learns from him the more astonished she becomes. This has happened to other people, other people who suddenly appear and are then sent away just as quickly, others who are never heard from again. She has to try to find a way home with or without Mark's help, so he leaves her to it, tired of being the one to baby-sit these time travelers who never believe.

Realizing she'll never make it on her own in this small Italian village 40 years in the past, Amber must follow instructions from Mark and live his life to survive, but it's a life she wants no part of. He's been here longer than she has and knows the ropes, but there must be a better way than being caught up in the criminal elements Mark finds himself in. And there's also their growing attraction for one another. Amber decides not to fight it, but for Mark things are moving way too fast. The fact that Mark is from 1987 doesn't help with the age difference between them either.

As time passes, they find a way to live together and make things work. Their passion grows and they relish each day they're together, never knowing when one of them may suddenly disappear. When Amber, by chance, figures out how it is they came to be in this time and place, fate once again takes over and sends them to their respective times in a way that leaves them unsure if the other made it home. Will they be able to find each other in the future? Will Mark wait for Amber so their love will survive the test of time?

I'm very torn in what to think about this book. The beginning of the book, as far as the concept of time travel is good, but it's the negative feel of Mark's actions and attitude that go on nearly half way through the book that just didn't work for me. I realize it's because he's trapped, but it was all a little too abrupt the way it's done. I also had a hard time with Mark's age and how he both talks about sex and then engages in sex. It's just a very incongruous thing and didn't ring true. Now, the ending of the book is simply terrific. In fact, starting with Mark and Amber's growing relationship is where the book picked up for me. The way they are each sent home is well done and inventive and the very end is quite romantic. I loved every bit of that part of the book. However, I'm still torn.

website problems: