Scandal by Julie Kistler

Only one piece of information stands between Jordan Albright and her doctorate. Unfortunately, no matter how hard she tried, she just can’t seem to find out what happened to Isabella Tempest and the erotic arch she created for the 1893 Chicago Fair. It’s as if she disappeared from the face of the earth and took the arch with her. Jordan even went so far as to research her brother, Nick Tempest looking for clues, but the only thing she learned was that she was strongly attracted to Nick even though he’s been dead for over 100 years. When a mysterious clue leads Jordan to a museum exhibit with Isabella’s arch, somehow Jordan winds under the arch up in 1893 staring at Nick. Jordan soon finds herself trying to adapt to the Victorian era of dress and customs, while at the same time growing closer to Nick. Jordan knows that Nick will be dying soon, but her love for Nick is so strong, that she finds herself wondering if she can change history to save Nick’s life.

This is the third book in the Perfect Timing series and the first out of the three where I completely felt comfortable with both the hero and the heroine and the setting. The ending left a few loose threads in the story, but other than that it was a very satisfying read. Now if the Blaze editors would only create a time travel story where that took place in the future. :)

Details: Blaze #268, August 2006

Bottom line: A very good book

Highland Fling Jennifer LaBrecque

Dr. Kate Wexford felt an incredible attraction to a portrait she found in the Sex through the Ages traveling museum exhibit. Kate couldn’t describe why she was drawn toward Darach MacTavish, Laird of Glenagan, but on the final night of the exhibit, went to see the painting one last time and found herself naked in Darach’s bed. Darach don’t fully understand how the naked girl ended up in his bed, but when she claimed that she was was from the future, he wondered what to do with the crazy woman. Kate knows that Darach will die soon and she needs to use all her skills to save Darach’s life, even if it meant changing history.

The second time travel Blaze left me confused as this story is completely independent from the first one, except for the museum exhibit. It didn’t deal with the open issues from the first story, which I had expected. On the other hand, if look at this story as a stand alone title, it's extremely well done. The best parts of the story are where Darach returned to the present with Kate and learned about life in the twenty-first century. All in all, I really enjoyed this story and if you’re into Scottish Lairds, I think you’ll enjoy it too.

Details: Blaze #262

Bottom line: A very good book

Hidden Obsession by Joanne Rock

LAPD Officer Graham Lawson was investigating a case of rape and abuse by a gang when he found himself in Linnet Wellbourne’s bedroom in the year 1190. Linnet is betrothed to a formidable knight, who is about to return from a crusade. Like many women of her time, the marriage was arranged and Linnet wasn’t looking forward to marriage with someone who left her locked in an iron chastity belt for the last three years. On the other hand, Graham believed he was involved with an elaborate hoax, conducted for a purpose he couldn’t fathom. But a chastity belt was too much for him to stand. Releasing Linnet from the chastity belt was only the first step in a new adventure into her sexuality for Linnet, who wanted nothing more than to spend the rest of her life with Graham. But will Graham settle for remaining in the past with Linnet or will duty force Graham to return to the present leaving Linnet behind?

Time travel books are among my most favorite types of book to read, so I was really looking forward to this novel. Unfortunately this book felt more like a historical romance than a time travel book. I prefer reading about contemporary characters no matter what the setting. So while Graham is a contemporary character, Linnet is not and I felt like something was missing from the story. I think the story line has a lot of potential and Joanne’s attention to detail is nothing sort of amazing. If you are a true fan of historical romances, I think you’ll really love this book.

Details: Blaze #256, June 2006

Bottom line: A pretty good book