Review: Butterman (Time) Travel, Inc by PK Hrezo

Butterman (Time) Travel, Inc by PK Hrezo

ebook, 308 pages

Published: November 12th, 2013

Source: Author

Welcome to Butterman Travel, Incorporated; a full service agency designed to meet all your exclusive time travel needs. We’re a family owned and operated business with one hundred years of experience. A place where you can rest assured, safety and reliability always come first.

Anxious to attend some special event from the past? Or for a glimpse of what the future holds?

You’ve come to the right place. We’re a fully accredited operation, offering an array of services; including, but not limited to: customized travel plans, professionally piloted operations, and personal trip guides. *Terms and conditions do apply

Use our Web conferencing to contact our frontline reservation specialist, Bianca Butterman, who will handle all your inquiries in a professional and efficient manner, offering a tentative itinerary and free fare quote, so you can make the most of your time trip.

We look forward to serving you at Butterman Travel, Inc., where time is always in your hands.

Before I get started I want to mention that while I labeled this YA, it's actually an NA title.  But the content is pretty clean, the only thing that would make me hesitate is the drug use. I felt like it fit and that it's not condoning it or anything, it fit the story and without it it would have been less realistic. I would just say mature teens only. Maybe 16 and older? 

I was all over this book the moment I heard of it.  Time travel?!  Total WIN!  And that cover? Stunning!  But the description, while really awesome, doesn't tell you much about what happens in the story.  So let me see if I can fill you in in a non-spoilery way.

This is about Bianca and golden boy (ex boy band star) Tristan.  Bianca works at her parents time travel agency where they help people visit their dream destinations.  When Tristan shows up demanding Bianca to bring him to New York the previous year, she manages to convince her parents this can be her test.  But while in New York things just keep going wrong.  When things end up going really wrong and they have to divert to a different time and place they end up at an iconic time in history.  Without saying when or where, I'll say that fans of classic music will DIE.  It's simply FANTASTIC.  They are stuck in this particular time and place for a little while and while there Tristan tries to get Bianca to relax.  She's always been so good at sticking to rules.  And she knows that the government is NOT going to be happy.  Her parents time travel business is in big trouble.  But she knows that something wrong, that there's something going on and she's going to figure it out.

Bianca is a great character that felt very balanced to me.  She's concerned about the rules because time travel is a big deal and having a business that deals in it is pretty rare and special.  She doesn't want to ruin that.  But Tristan shows her she can have fun once in awhile and they bond.  While they are pretty much  opposites, they find they have more in common then they thought.  Bianca is described as a dark Betty; dark makeup, little star tattoos by her eye, chopped pixie cut hair and just a very strong style.  And Tristan, as Bianca describes him, is a golden boy.  He's famous and from a boy band and Bianca just doesn't take him serious for quite awhile.  Watching them both grow as characters, was fun and very satisfying. And while the romance is light, the sexual tension is there and it's clear when their attraction for each other grows.  The romance is something I expect will be a stronger theme in future books as there wasn't enough time in this one and with this plot arc.

Now with a time travel story you need some science right?  Well, all that stuff easily goes over my head, but I felt this was described pretty well and was easy to understand. Well, that's not completely true, some still went over my head, but not too bad.  I got the basic concept and I felt fully convinced that this was something that could really happen.  And it was unique!  Very, very unique.  I really loved how it was done.

Before I sign off, I have to stress how much music lovers will love this book.  Music is an important part and there are some iconic musicians that make appearances.  This aspect of the book just had me grinning ear to ear. This entire book was just so much fun and when I wasn't reading it, all I could think about was getting back to it.  I'm VERY eager for the next one!

Disclosure: I received this book for review purposes.  All opinions expressed are my own and I was not paid or influenced in any way.

Young Adult Review: Emerald Green by Kerstin Gier

Emerald Green (Ruby Red #3) by Kerstin Gier

Hardcover, 464 pages

Published: October 8th, 2013 by Henry Hold and Co.

Source: Amazon Vine

Gwen has a destiny to fulfill, but no one will tell her what it is.
She’s only recently learned that she is the Ruby, the final member of the time-traveling Circle of Twelve, and since then nothing has been going right. She suspects the founder of the Circle, Count Saint-German, is up to something nefarious, but nobody will believe her. And she’s just learned that her charming time-traveling partner, Gideon, has probably been using her all along.
This stunning conclusion picks up where Sapphire Blue left off, reaching new heights of intrigue and romance as Gwen finally uncovers the secrets of the time-traveling society and learns her fate.

Oh how I love this series!  I absolutely adore so much about it I don't even know where to start!  I'll start with Gwen I suppose.  She's such a fun character.  She feels like an authentic teen in modern London. She has spunk and class.  She isn't a rebel, but isn't necessarily a rule follower either.  She's  realized a lot about herself and the Circle in her weeks as a time traveler and fortunately she's finally piecing things together in this book.  Her friend Lesley is a great load of fun as is her wonderful family with her lovely mother, her adorable siblings and her quirky aunt Maddy.  Of course then she has the awful side of her family with her aunt Glenda and cousin Charlotte, but Gwen is a force, she can handle them!  I can't not mention her wonderful gargoyle ghost who lends even more humor to this wonderful tale.  He's always there with witty and hilarious remarks, but the love he shows Gwen is absolutely lovely.  Love him!

Talking about the romance is rather spoilery for the previous books, so I'll settle on saying this- I loved it!  I felt completely satisfied, and ever so happy, with how things wrapped up with that aspect.

I love time travel books but they can be rather confusing.  This series feels less confusing, of course I've had three books to get use to it, but I feel like I can wrap my head around it all.  It makes more sense to me I suppose.  Plus they aren't traveling about willy nilly, there's very much a point to it all and they have goals each time.  I like the way the author took the time traveling theme in the end, it's twisty and I never expected things the way they ended up.  I'll just say, there are some surprises and I certainly never saw them coming!

Overall I'm very happy with this conclusion.  Except the fact that I WANT MORE!  Absolutely lovely series that I look forward to revisiting in the future.  Oh yes, this is one of those rare finds, books I will actually reread!   Highly recommend!

Disclosure: I received this book for review purposes, all opinions expressed are my own and I was not paid or influenced in any way.

Review: Sapphire Blue by Kerstin Gier

Sapphire Blue (Ruby Red #2) by Kerstin Gier

Hardcover, 368 pages

Expected publication: October 30th, 2012 by Macmillan

Source: Amazon Vine

Gwen’s life has been a rollercoaster since she discovered she was the Ruby, the final member of the secret time-traveling Circle of Twelve. In between searching through history for the other time-travelers and asking for a bit of their blood (gross!), she’s been trying to figure out what all the mysteries and prophecies surrounding the Circle really mean.

At least Gwen has plenty of help. Her best friend Lesley follows every lead diligently on the Internet. James the ghost teaches Gwen how to fit in at an eighteenth century party. And Xemerius, the gargoyle demon who has been following Gwen since he caught her kissing Gideon in a church, offers advice on everything. Oh, yes. And of course there is Gideon, the Diamond. One minute he’s very warm indeed; the next he’s freezing cold. Gwen’s not sure what’s going on there, but she’s pretty much destined to find out.

I absolutely adore this series!  It's been a long time since I read the first book (a year and half) so all the details of it really faded from my memory.  And while it was a bit of an issue it really didn't affect my overall enjoyment of this book.  

I love Gwen!  She's got such a great personality.  She doesn't let people walk all over her, yet she's pretty good at holding her tongue.  At times I really wanted her to start screaming at people to stop calling her stupid and making fun of her because it just felt so wrong and she mostly just put up with it.  But for the most part she speaks up and says exactly what she thinks.  She just avoids getting in too much trouble.  Most of the time.  

In the first book, Ruby Red, Gwen discovers that she has the time travel gene in her family, not her cousin Charlotte.  And Charlotte is the one that has been trained her whole life for time traveling and knows the history, customs, etc.  And Gwen, well she knows nothing about history and customs and for this reason everyone just treats her like some idiot girl that they have to deal with.  This is rather hard to explain if you haven't read the first book, but time travel in this series is very organized.  They all plan the trips down to every last detail and it's overseen by a whole staff of stuffy men.  There's much more to it then that, but you'll just have to read the books.

There's a bit of romance in this one as Gwen and Gideon have traveled together a few times and have started getting to know each other.  But Gideon runs hot and cold.  Normally I hate this but for some reason it worked in this book.  I really had no idea what to make of him and the whole not being able to trust anyone thing made it unpredictable as to whether she should be with him or not.  Whether she should trust him, or not.

All the other characters in the book were great as well.  Lesley, her best friend is awesome.  She's everything a person should have in a best friend.  And she's hilarious.  The family, staff and people she deals with daily all have little quirks and personalities that stand out just enough to keep them all easily separate in our heads with no confusion, without them taking over.  Except for one character, Xemerius.  Xemerius is a gargoyle.  A ghost/demon/gargoyle.  Only Gwen can see him.  But he stole the show.  He was absolutely hilarious!  I cracked up every time he was in a scene.  He said the most perfect, funniest things ever.  And he had Gwen's back, seeking out answers when she couldn't.  I absolutely loved that quirky little gargoyle.  

The book was really hard for me to put down.  I could have sat back and read it all at once if I had been able to.  Even though I didn't remember all the details from the first book and this one has no recap at all, the slight confusion somehow didn't really take away from the story for me.  I wish I could have read them back to back, but I still loved the book.  And as I read things clicked into place as I started to remember.  

I very highly recommend this book!  Of course you must read the first one first and being able to read them back to back would make it even more enjoyable, I'm sure.  Don't let the history aspect of it stop you from reading them because the time in the past is very limited.  This takes place mostly in modern day London.  Oh, and I must point out that I loved all the British aspects of it.  I adore books that feel authentically British and while it's a German that wrote the book it did feel authentic to me (though I'm American and maybe not the best judge of that!).  

LOVED!

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book for review purposes.  All opinions expressed are my own and I was not paid or influenced in any way.

Review: Mira's Diary: Lost in Paris by Marissa Moss

Mira's Diary: Lost in Paris by Marissa Moss

Hardcover, 224 pages

Published: Sept. 4th, 2012 by Sourcebooks Jabberwocky

Source: Publisher

Mira is shocked when she receives a postcard from her missing mother from Paris. Her father decides it's time for a trip to France to search for her. While visiting Notre Dame, Mira touches a gargoyle and is whirled into the past. There she meets the famous painter Degas and catches a brief, shocking glimpse of her mother. Mira begins to suspect that her mom didn't run out on them but is a prisoner of the past. Can one family on an incredible worldwide adventure stop a plot in time?

Mira's Diary: Lost in Paris is a good mix of subjects.  It's about an average, modern day girl who is easy to relate to and connect with. There's time travel in the book, which also throws in the history.  And since there are many famous artists in the books, those interested in art history may enjoy that bit.  The strongest bit of the story for me was the history. 

Mira never knew she could time travel so is quite shocked when she ends up in 1894.  Things start to be revealed through a few notes left by her mother and she discovers that they need to change something in history relating to the Dreyfus Affair.  Now if you don't know much history (like me) you may not know much about it.  In this book you learn a lot while in a fictional story.  At the end the author has a note about everything that really happened and I think she did a great job incorporating true history into a fictional story.  It's a good way to get kids to learn history without them feeling like they are 'learning'.

I really enjoyed the book a lot and feel like I really learned a lot.  I really should have known more about this, but I really knew nothing about the Dreyfus Affair so it was pretty much all new to me.  At times I felt like things moved a bit too swiftly without allowing enough time to fully explain things but that's really my only complaint.  This is middle grade, which is sometimes hard to put an age on, but the book says 9 and up (well, it might say 9-13 or something) and I think that's an accurate age.  It reads like it's nearly an young adult book, but is a bit lighter and easier reading without anything too complex.

The ending of the book is left pretty wide open.  There's obviously much more to the story, but it wasn't a huge cliffhanger either.  I am eager to continue the story and see where things go in the future books.

Disclosure: I received this book for review purposes.  All opinions expressed are my own and I was not paid or influenced in any way.

Review: Tempest by Julie Cross

Tempest by Julie Cross
Young Adult (older YA)
Hardcover, 352 pgs.
Published Jan. 17th, 2012 by St. Martins Griffin
Source: Publisher {librarything}

The year is 2009.  Nineteen-year-old Jackson Meyer is a normal guy… he’s in college, has a girlfriend… and he can travel back through time. But it’s not like the movies – nothing changes in the present after his jumps, there’s no space-time continuum issues or broken flux capacitors – it’s just harmless fun.

That is… until the day strangers burst in on Jackson and his girlfriend, Holly, and during a struggle with Jackson, Holly is fatally shot. In his panic, Jackson jumps back two years to 2007, but this is not like his previous time jumps. Now he’s stuck in 2007 and can’t get back to the future.

Desperate to somehow return to 2009 to save Holly but unable to return to his rightful year, Jackson settles into 2007 and learns what he can about his abilities.

But it’s not long before the people who shot Holly in 2009 come looking for Jackson in the past, and these “Enemies of Time” will stop at nothing to recruit this powerful young time-traveler.  Recruit… or kill him.

Piecing together the clues about his father, the Enemies of Time, and himself, Jackson must decide how far he’s willing to go to save Holly… and possibly the entire world.

I'm a huge fan of time travel books and most definitely seek them out.  They've been becoming more popular in YA in the last year or so and I've been very excited about that and eager to read them all.  So I was really excited to have the opportunity to review this book.  Now I've read quite a few time travel YA books and I've read lots and lots of adult time travel books.  This one feels like it falls in between the two, which is appropriate since it's characters are college age.  However, I feel the younger readers will feel over their head and there is more 'adult' behavior {language, sexual content, etc}.  


I loved Jackson.  I love male narrators and Jackson was no exception.  He was brave, he stood up for what he believed was right, he had a strong and good conscious, and he was so sweet and lovable that I just wanted to hug him.   He had a strong voice and character and I totally felt that connection, where I felt like I really knew him.  


While we're getting the story from Jackson's point of view Holly is a very important character in the book and I loved her as well.  Her personality popped and she was definitely someone I rooted for and really hoped Jackson would be able to be with again {it's complicated, but they are separated for a bit in the beginning then back together, etc.  But the time line makes it difficult to explain.}.  I also really liked Adam.  It was nice that Jackson had a friend to help him through it all.  And while Adam almost seems a bit too convenient {science nerd to help Jackson with the time travel stuff} he really was a good friend and a fantastic character.


This book gets a bit confusing at times.  I'm kind of use to not always 'getting' everything so it wasn't a big issue, but I found myself wondering certain things and not understanding exactly why things did or didn't work.  It's too hard to explain when you haven't read the book yet, but time travel can be complicated when there are different kinds of time travel.  I'm not sure that it affected my overall love of the book though.


This book is like a movie.  Seriously, I can see it on the big screen already.  I'm usually not a fan of books being made into movies {or I just don't care} but this one is like it's made for being a movie.  Good thing it is going to be!  And it's one I'll look forward to seeing!  


Overall this was a fantastic read.  It deals with a lot other then time travel like family {he lost his twin sister a few years earlier and his relationship with his father comes into play in the book}, love {of course!} and Jackson has to make lots of decisions that could affect the future of our world.  I definitely recommend this book to more mature YA readers and adults who enjoy this type of read.


4.5/5 stars


Disclosure: I received this book for review purposes.  All opinions expressed are my own and I was not paid or influenced in any way.

Book Review (that you won't want to miss!): River of Time (and more specifically, Torrent) by Lisa Bergren

Title: Torrent (River of Time #3)

Author: Lisa T. Bergren

Details: Paperback, 352 pgs.

Published: Sept. 1st, 2011 by David C. Cook

When Gabi and Lia finally learn to surf the river of time, they realize they must make hard choices about life and love in the third and final book in the River of Time series.

Gabi and Lia Betarrini have learned to control their time travel, and they return from medieval Italy to save their father from his tragic death in modern times. But love calls across the centuries, and the girls are determined to return forever—even though they know the Black Plague is advancing across Europe, claiming the lives of one-third of the population. In the suspenseful conclusion of the River of Time series, every decision is about life … and death.

This review is spoiler free for any of the River of Time books.

If you haven't yet started reading the River of Time series (first one is Waterfall) then you are most certainly missing out on what has quickly become a favorite of mine.  The series seems to be taking over the blogosphere and I only hope it's spreading outside of it because the entire world needs to read this series!  There's not one single thing I would change in it.

Lisa has pulled me into Gabby's world completely.  So much so I'm dreaming of Marcello (and even Luca) myself.  I can't believe how much I feel like a teenager when I read these books!  Seriously, remember that fluttery feeling when you had a crush on a boy?  Well, I'm feeling it... yep, definitely feeling the flutter.

It's not only the guys that have stolen my heart though.  It's all the characters.  Their bravery, compassion and sense of right.  It's the setting.  The gorgeous Italian country side, the villas, the castello's, the ancient cities... so gorgeous!  It's everything in these books that has stolen my heart and I will be recommending them for years to come.  

These books might be romantic and beautiful but they are packed with danger and action.  Gabby nearly dies several times (in each book!) and each time barely escapes with her life.  But yet instead of becoming more afraid she only gets braver!  She knows who she loves and cares about and she'll do anything to protect them.  Her entire family is that way!  You'd never guess that people from modern day could ever do the things they do, but they do it, they do everything they possibly can to help and to save others.  

This is a time travel series and most of it takes place in medieval Italy.  So I know a few haven't read the books because they aren't into 'historical fiction'.  Let me try to ease your fears.  First of all, these are modern day girls so you'll still hear slang and pop culture references.  They also think like modern day girls even though they slip into the medieval ways incredibly well, at least in appearances.  Some historical fiction books are weighed down with description or historical facts.  These books aren't.  We get a clear picture of everything, but yet the entire things flows very fast, and very smooth.  So somehow Lisa has slipped in enough descriptions for us to see it, but hasn't even made us aware.   I think even people who aren't fans of historical fiction will enjoy these books.  At least I hope I'm not wrong there....

More specific details on this book...

don't read this portion if you haven't yet read Waterfall and Cascade.

I was so anxious to see how things worked out for this one!  If you'll recall in Cascade they recovered her father in the future and brought him back in time. This book picks up immediately where the last one left off and is immediately packed with action.  This book may have had more action than the other two!  But it had some very unexpected twists and turns.  By now we know that things are not going to be easy, but sometimes it's hard on us, the readers, as well.  And I have to say, I did a bit of crying in this one.  So keep some kleenex near.  

The romance... I'm afraid to say to anything because I don't want to give anything away.  Lets just say that things get complicated.  Then they get amazing.  I was definitely satisfied.  And I can say there's one more hottie to add to my list of hotties.  And I really hope that Lisa writes more about that certain hottie.  He needs his own set of books, that's for sure!

I couldn't put this stinking book down!  I read it continuously until I couldn't keep my eyes open and then the second I woke up I started reading until I finished it.  It was freaking fantastic and I'm just sad it's over.

Final thoughts...

If you haven't read the books, read them!  Get everyone you know to read them!  We need Lisa to continue the series with Luca and Lia's story and then write a few more with Lord Greco's story cause I really think he needs his own as well.

Love, love, love this series!  Thank you Lisa for writing such an amazing series of books.  One I can share with my mother and sisters without blushing.  Pretty freaking awesome.

Find the author:

Website/ Blog

Disclosure: I received an advance copy of this book free of charge for review purposes.  All opinions expressed are my own and I was not paid or influenced in any way.

Book Review: Ruby Red by Kerstin Gier

Title: Ruby Red (#1)
Author: Kerstin Gier
Details: Hardcover, 324 pgs.
Published: May 10th, 2011 by Henry Holt
Reading Level: Young Adult
Source: Zietghost Media and Henry Holt *for review* 

Description:
Gwyneth Shepherd's sophisticated, beautiful cousin Charlotte has been prepared her entire life for traveling through time. But unexpectedly, it is Gwyneth, who in the middle of class takes a sudden spin to a different era! Gwyneth must now unearth the mystery of why her mother would lie about her birth date to ward off suspicion about her ability, brush up on her history, and work with Gideon, the time traveler from a similarly gifted family that passes the gene through its male line, and whose presence becomes, in time, less insufferable and more essential. Together, Gwyneth and Gideon journey through time to discover who, in the 18th century and in contemporary London, they can trust.

This book was adorable!  That may be a funny thing to say about a book that's not an actual childrens book, but it fits for this one.  It's full of characters that are just full of quirkiness and life.  Each one is memorable because of their strong personality traits but it took me a couple chapters to have them all straight.  I think that was because there were a few C names that were too similar when I wasn't yet familiar with them.  But it didn't last long.  And Gwyneth was awesome!  She had a personality I could immediately connect with.  Gideon was a bit mysterious because he was kind of a jerk in the beginning but was becoming quite different towards the end.  I like him, but I feel like I just don't quite know him yet.

The story starts out strong and stayed strong through the entire thing.  I never once had the urge to set the book down.  It thoroughly sucked me in and didn't spit me out until the end.  And even then I just wanted it to keep going!  The mystery of things was pretty intense and we'd get thrown some hints so I was busy trying to figure it out as I read as fast as I could.

The setting of the story is brilliant.  I love that it's in London and it's full of the London charm.  I think most books I've read that take place in London are historical so it was awesome to see it currently, and in the past as it IS a time travel... so some history is included.  

The time travel aspect was unique to me.  I think the author was very creative in how it all worked.  And I'm very anxious for much MORE time travel!  I loved the parts in current time (which was most of the book) and the little bits in the past as well.

Overall this was an extremely well done story.  It's like the pieces were fit together perfectly.  Characters that I loved, a setting I could visualize clearly (even though I've never been there) and a plot that is unique and done well.  I think the only issue in the whole book was that the end was a bit anti climatic.  It was brief and fairly mild.  But really, it wasn't a big deal to me.  I really cannot wait for the next one!

Disclosure: I received a copy free of charge for review and the opinions expressed are my own.  I was not paid or influenced in any way.

Book Review: Cascade (River of Time #2) by Lisa Bergren

Title: Cascade (River of Time #2)
Author: Lisa Bergren
Details: Paperback, 352 pgs.
Published: June 1st, 2011 by David C. Cook
isbn: 1434764311 (ISBN13: 9781434764317)
Reading Level: Young Adult
Source:  Author


Description:

Mom touched my underdress—a gown made six hundred years before—and her eyes widened as she rubbed the raw silk between thumb and forefinger. She turned and touched Lia’s gown. “Where did you get these clothes?”               
Gabi knows she’s left her heart in the fourteenth century and she persuades Lia to help her to return, even though they know doing so will risk their very lives. When they arrive, weeks have passed and all of Siena longs to celebrate the heroines who turned the tide in the battle against Florence—while the Florentines will go to great lengths to see them dead. But Marcello patiently awaits, and Gabi must decide if she’s willing to leave her family behind for good in order to give her heart to him forever.

I thought the first book in the series, Waterfall, was amazing!  It was romantic and intense and beautiful.  So did book two live up to the first one?  Why yes it did!   Lisa has a way of balancing everything out so perfectly.  The characters are amazing, the romance is perfect, the action keeps us on our toes, the adventure is fun, and it's such a good time reading these books!  


I really, truly love the characters that Lisa creates.  The main characters, the side characters, they all are so real, and so amazing, and so easy to picture and imagine.  


The romance is some of the best I've ever read in young adult.  I mean these men are seriously *swoony*!  This is the kind of romance that really reminds me of being a teen and that intense love I felt when I thought I was in love.  It's the kind of romance that I dream about in my dreams.  It's perfect how it all plays out.  There's realistic obstacles in their path, but it's not all back and forth about whether they deserve eachother, which is very good in my opinion.   They have very sweet moments where you can really feel the connection, and I love that.  


I love time travel and I love the time period they travel to.  I find it all fascinating.  I also have to point out that Lisa doesn't sway from the realistic aspects of the time period.  There are battles, it's dangerous everywhere they go, everything they do.  And people die.  We see all of that and it makes things more intense and kept me turning the pages even faster!  Just remember that it's young adult so it's not as heavy on the descriptions but I think that makes it even better.  I read this book in a day because I really couldn't put it down!  


I cannot WAIT for the next book in the series!  

Find the author:

Website 

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book free of charge in return for an honest review.  All opinions expressed are my own and I was not paid or influenced in any way.

Book Review: Waterfall by Lisa Bergren

Title: Waterfall (River of Time #1)
Author: Lisa Bergren
Details: ARC, 352 pgs (published in paperback)
Published: Feb. 1st, 2011 by David C. Cook

isbn: 1434764338 (ISBN13: 9781434764331)

Reading Level: Young Adult

Source: Amazon Vine
 

Lisa Tawn Bergren's new YA series, River of Time, is romantic, historical fiction in which the plucky heroine doesn't have to fear a vampire's bite but must still fight for her life.

In Waterfall, American teenager Gabi Betarrini accidently finds herself in Fourteenth-Century Italy . . . Knights. Swords. Horses. Armor. And Italian hotties. Most American teens want an Italian vacation, but the Betarrini sisters have spent every summer of their lives there with their archaeologist parents. Stuck on yet another hot, dusty dig, they are bored out of their minds... until they place their hands atop handprints in an ancient tomb and find themselves catapulted into the Fourteenth Century and in the middle of a fierce battle between knights bent on killing one another.

This book was so full of goodness I'm not sure where to start.  It was completely refreshing with an awesome take on time travel and to one of my most favorite time periods and places, medieval Italy! And it all seemed very authentic to me.  I mean, it didn't have a sci-fi feel, I completely felt like traveling back in time could be possible.  Gabi was also very realistic feeling.  From her personality to the way she reacted to things, to the things she said.  Sometimes authors can't nail that one and we tend to overlook it, I think.  But I can say I noticed that Lisa did a particularly fantastic job with that in this book. 


This book had amazing characters.  The MC, Gabi, had a great personality.  She was extremely headstrong.  She knew what she wanted, and she'd do whatever she needed to do to get it done.  She was so headstrong and brave that she'd put herself in quite dangerous situations.  But you have to remember~ she's from NOW, we don't have bandits hiding in the woods, or neighbors out to kill us (hopefully!) so she wasn't use to dealing with, or thinking about, those kinds of things.  She knew what she needed to do and she was determined to do it!  
Gabi isn't the only fantastic character in this book though.  Talk about some fabulous men!  Lisa did such a fantastic job in making men that you couldn't help but fall in love with.  They were brave, they were heroic, they were... oh dang it, they were freaking HOT!  And they had amazing personalities.  There were just a few we got to know fairly well but you can't help but fall in love with them.  
And we can't forget the bad guys.  There were some serious villains in this book and they played their role perfectly.  Each scene with them was very intense and completely believable.  Some of the villains we didn't even know were villains.  Actually, there's still some loose ends at the end of the book, but not so loose that it's a cliffhanger.  


And the romance, oh the romance... the sweltering looks, the hidden smiles, the constant need to be sure the other was safe.  All those little things added up to some tension!  It was fantastic, just waiting for them to figure it out.  It wasn't instant romance, they had the attraction, but it was more of a thing that grew as they spent time together.  Which I think is important.


This book was a fast read because it's impossible to put down.  Gabi is constantly running off into dangerous situations and you just have to know if she survives, which keeps you turning those pages.  This book was full of action and there wasn't one moment I felt bored.  Sometimes with historical fiction the history weighs it down.  But this one wasn't like that at all.  We only got background on the history from Gabi, mostly when she was wracking her brain trying to remember things from history class or her parents.  The historical details in the story felt real to me, but I'm no historian. 


This is a clean read.  There's a little tiny bit of kissing, but nothing else.  No bad language, no sex.  It's aimed at the older crowd, I would think.  Maybe 14 and up.  But it would depend on the readers maturity.  I would have LOVED this book when I was 10.  So it's hard to put an age on it.  


This is a series I'll definitely have on my preorder list.  The thing is, there's no long wait!  The next book, Cascade, comes out in June.  Then the third one,  Torrent, comes out in September.  

Find the author:

Website | Twitter 

Purchase:

Waterfall at Indiebound

Waterfall at amazon

Disclosure: I received an advance readers copy of this book from amazon as a part of their vine program.  I was not paid or influenced and all opinions expressed are my own.