Janelle's Time (TIME Series, Book 1): My Review

Title: Janelle's Time (TIME Series, Book 1)

Author: Dayna Leigh Cheser

Publisher: All Things That Matter Press

Length: 98,600 words

Genres: Historical Romance (ADULT with a little time travel)

Heat Level: Steamy

AVAILABLE AT:

Amazon (Paperback) | Amazon (Kindle)

BLURB:

Janelle’s Time is the story of the great love between a New Hampshire farmer’s daughter and the younger son of an English Duke.

From her father’s death to the birth of twin daughters, Janelle makes it difficult for Richard to keep her safe.

Unaware of Janelle’s maternal-line powers, the couple time-travel to 14^th century England, where they meet Richard’s ancestors - and discover some startling truths about his aristocratic family.

Logan Conor, the Scots Duke of Muileach, crashes Richard and Janelle’s wedding, bent on revenge, but finds his own true love instead.

On their wedding trip, a madman attempts to kidnap Janelle - twice.

Later, Richard unknowingly betrays Janelle who strands him in England. Richard finally arrives home, but fate separates them again – and he misses the birth of his son. Will they ever make a life together?

Filled with unexpected twists and turns, their love story spans two continents, and hundreds of years. But, can their love survive their very different backgrounds and the endless obstacles life throws at them?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Writing ‘runs in the family.’ My mother is a multi-published non-fiction author, and my two brothers make a living writing, one as a newspaperman, the other as a copywriter. My sister edits her church newsletter.

My father was a school teacher/reading specialist (later an elementary school principal) when I was little. During story-time one night when I was about four years old, I stopped him and asked how he said the same thing every time he read that story to me. That night, he started teaching me to read. It began a life-long love affair between books and me – for that, I am grateful.

In junior high, I wrote short stories to entertain classmates. In high school, one English assignment was to write my autobiography. In the teacher-specified chapter entitled ‘Future Plans,’ being a published writer topped the list.

After a college professor told me I ‘couldn’t write my way out of a paper bag,’ I stopped writing for many years. Then, in the late 1970s, I wrote an article for “World Radio News” (San Diego, CA) about our amateur radio club providing communications for a March of Dimes Walkathon. The ‘WRN’ editor used my article word-for-word.

In early 2002, between jobs and wanting to write, I sought a third-shift position and used the ‘free time’ to write what became ‘Janelle’s Time.’ When it was complete, I shelved it. In 2009, the WIP came off the shelf. By August 2011, it was ready – at last - for submission.

In 2009, I started a Twitter account, @Writers_Cafe. I feel as if I’ve earned a degree in ‘book publishing’ since then! You can learn so much from over 14,000 followers. 

I penned an article about @RileyCarney, a Colorado teen, and very prolific YA fantasy author, who heads her own non-profit literacy project. Never officially published, countless people have seen it, thanks to Twitter retweets and some carefully chosen email inboxes.

On New Year’s Day, 2010, I went ‘live’ with my blog. It has evolved into a combination of chronicling my writing journey and hopefully helpful posts on publishing industry topics.

In the fall of 2011, I added ‘DIY Interviews’ to my blog (see the left column of my blog for details on doing your own interview). Several authors have submitted ‘interviews’ to date.

Janelle’s Time is Book 1 of my TIME Series. Book 2, ‘Moria’s Time’ was my NaNoWriMo project for 2011. I reached 51,000 words on November 26! Now, I have to finish that book, and three more in the series: ‘Adelle’s Time,’ ‘Logan’s Time,’ and ‘Clarissa’s Time.’

Moving into 2012, I’m very excited about the release of ‘Janelle’s Time.’ It’s the culmination of a life-long dream – and is only the beginning of my retirement career. I’m working on “Moria’s Time,” book 2 of the Time Series.

My husband, Pete, and I have been married over forty-three years – no children. We lived in Massachusetts for thirteen years, and then moved to New Hampshire for eleven years. In 1992, we moved to Florida.

Find me on Twitter and Facebook:

@Writers_Cafe

Author Dayna Leigh Cheser

What Readers Are Saying About Janelle’s TimeThis is a book for those who love the magic of romance and the romance of
magic. Filled with wonderful description, written with historical
accuracy, and charged with sexual energy, ‘Janelle’s Time’ truly glows.-Kenneth Weene, author of Tales From the Dew Drop Inne,
Memoirs From the Asylum, & Widow’s WalkI guarantee you will not be able to put this down until it’s finished, then you’ll go back and start reading all over again! -Donna Lawrence, Book Lovers ParadiseA story to escape reality with. A chance at true love that
will sweep you off your feet. You don’t want to miss this one. -Miranda Lynn, My Eclectic BookshelfAuthor Dayna Leigh Cheser takes the reader on a magical journey back in time to the 1830’s with a story filled with intrigue, deceit, and vividly described characters in a well-crafted historical novel that will keep
the reader riveted to the printed page from start to finish. -Fran Lewis, author of Because We Care, & Faces Behind the Stones

      

Janelle’s Time is a beautifully written talk of mystical adventures set in the 1800s in New Hampshire and England – a love story of great proportions. The author has created a winning, fictional historical piece of literature using well-defined characters. The plot is unique and fast moving as well. I rather enjoyed the dialogue between the characters, as it flowed with ease and believability ….
       Upon her father’s death, the young maiden inherits a world of wealth in which she is clearly not prepared for. Fate steps in, and she meets the love of her life, Richard Grayson, youngest son of an English Duke – the beginning of a suspenseful and romantic tale ….
       This tale is more than a love story; it is a story of determination and the willingness to endure whatever obstacles ‘one’ must in order for love to prevail.
       Janelle’s Time is written to include many colorful characters – all of which undertake a dramatic role. I sincerely look forward to reading more adventures created in this series by this author. I give the author and her work five historical stars for this entertaining read!
       -Barbara Watkins, author of Hollowing Screams

DEBUT AUTHOR, DAYNA LEIGH CHESER, EXPLODES ONTO 

THE ADULT HISTORICAL ROMANCE SCENE WITH

‘JANELLE’S TIME,’

BOOK ONE OF HER EPIC

BOOK ONE OF HER EPIC ‘TIME’ SERIES, THE STORY 

OF THE GRAYSON FAMILY IN 1830s NEW HAMPSHIRE

OF THE GRAYSON FAMILY IN 1830s NEW HAMPSHIRE

“If you love the magic of romance and the romance of magic, this is a book for you.”Kenneth Weene, author of Tales From the Dew Drop Inne, Memoirs From the Asylum, & Widow's Walk Janelle’s Time is the story of the great love between a New Hampshire farmer’s daughter and the younger son of an English Duke.
From her father’s death to the birth of twin daughters, Janelle makes it difficult for Richard to keep her safe.
Unaware of Janelle’s maternal-line powers, the couple time-travel to 14^th century England, where they meet Richard’s ancestors - and discover some startling truths about his aristocratic family.
Logan Conor, the Scots Duke of Muileach, crashes Richard and Janelle’s wedding, bent on revenge, but finds his own true love instead.On their wedding trip, a madman attempts to kidnap Janelle - twice.Later, Richard unknowingly betrays Janelle who strands him in England. Richard finally arrives home, but fate separates them again – and he misses the birth of his son. Will they ever make a life together?+Filled with unexpected twists and turns, their love story spans two continents, and hundreds of years. But, can their love survive their very different backgrounds and the endless obstacles life throws at them?

Watch for Book Two: ‘Moria’s Time’ Janelle’s daughter, Moria, is the focus of a startling vision as an infant. As a teen, she meets Elizabeth Blackwell, M.D., who later introduces her to Florence Nightingale. Moria fulfills the vision in service to others but finds herself in grave danger - and in love. Will she ever see her family in New Hampshire again? Will she and her lover survive the danger to themselves and others? Will their love survive her destiny of service to others?Watch for Book Three: ‘Adelle’s Time’ Moria’s twin sister, Adelle, is an American country girl with her English father’s aristocratic blood coursing through her veins. She dreams of being English Lady, and will stop at nothing to achieve her goal. In a loveless marriage with her wealthy and powerful Duke, will Adelle find happiness as his Duchess in Victorian England? Or, will she leave him to discover her true self and find her way home to her American roots - alone?Watch for Book Four: ‘Logan’s Time’ Logan Conor, the Duke of Muileach, grows up in Scotland. His mother abandons
her two sons. His father spends his life missing his wife. Logan meets Richard
Grayson at school  in England. After school, it’s on to Paris where their friendship suddenly ends with the death of Minuet. Will Logan make peace with his
mother, Annella? Will Logan and Rachel live happily ever after? Will Seanna,
his sometime-lover, destroy Logan’s marriage?
Watch for Book Five: ‘Clarissa’s Time’Clarissa Conor, eldest daughter of the Duke of Muileach, grows up in Scotland. Born in New Hampshire, she and Damian Gerard, Richard and Janelle’s oldest son, discover they have much in common in spite of their very different backgrounds. As America inches closer to the Civil War, can Clarissa and Damian Gerard keep their love strong, or will politics and war destroy what they have? Or, will they flee to Scotland to avoid the war?  Find me on Twitter and Facebook:@Writers_CafeAuthor Dayna Leigh Cheser 

My Review: 4 Stars
 The story started at a fast pace with Gerard who died in a accident leaving his youngest daughter all alone. Her father made him promise on his death bed that she must find a husband quickly due to her exuberant inheritance upon his death. Three months later she met Richard the youngest son of an retired Duke who bought a farm near them. At first Richard was a worthy friend and later lover but then all went downhill from there. Janelle discovered that she had the gift of time traveling and Richard was normally with her. But on discovery of his true heritage the man's true colors showed.
I was extremely annoyed with the man. His immature actions caused much distress not only for Janelle but his family. So much that his father banned him from their estate. after another foolish act. then heart broken and crest fallen he got some back bone and used the time to learn a trade. But once he return not only to his father but also his estranged wife he did it again. Really!

Janelle similarly did a few things that grated me. Her willful character not knowing when to back down and reached out. causing much grief for Richard and herself. With a small baby to attend she stubbornly hold on to her willfulness causing her marriage to suffer.

Maura the old companion of Janelle and a family member -sort off- was the voice of reason bringing the two together with much wisdom. At times the story line was close to boredom not really knowing why certain things was mentioned or elaborated. But the Grayson family from the father Damian, his son Sinjin and Anthony helped things along. Their steady influence keeping Richard on track and focused. And at the end he became a grown man. Finally.

The interesting twists kept the story interesting with characters Logan a Scottish Duke, Rachel, Nick Statler, Angus, Sarah, Anges and Roger introduced periodically. There travels to the 1400 meeting the original Grayson family. The Horse Breeding keeping the families in America and England united.

The steamy scenes as warned in the beginning steamy but sometimes just to much. It seems it was the only place Janelle and Richard could come together and enjoy each other. Discovering each other.

A good read but lacked some real excitement. 

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