Book Review: Now and Then by Jacqueline Sheehan
Posted By CarrieK on January 5, 2010
Title: Now and Then
Author: Jacqueline Sheehan
Genre: Time travel fantasy
Publisher: Avon
Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
Source: Review copy from publicist.
First line: The castle docent led the group along a roped path through a cold room.
Now and Then
The two wash up on the shore of Ireland, 70 miles apart. In a time without electronic communication, finding each other proves nearly impossible. Anna is taken in by Tom and Glennis, Irish farmers who have a sideline as smugglers. Joseph tells the people who find him that he is Canadian and he is taken in by Colonel Mitford, an Englishman who hates the Irish people. They experience two very different Irelands: Anna, one of privation and hunger and hard physical labor; Joseph, one of privilege and status. Both of them fall in love, and then must decide whether or not to go back to their own time – if they can figure out how, that is.
Jacqueline Sheehan is a talented writer, and I love the way she puts words together. The characters and plot, however, didn’t grab me until more than halfway through the book. I love time travel novels and I really wanted to love this book, but in the end, I simply liked it. It was a fun read, and the last one third had me hooked and wanting to know how it ended.
What I did love was the Irish history and the contrast between the lives Joseph and Anna led in Ireland. I didn’t care for Joseph’s character a whole lot, but by the end of the book I loved Anna and adored the love affair she embarks on in Ireland.
Other bloggers absolutely loved this book, so if you like historical fiction and time travel fantasy, you should definitely give it a try. It was an enjoyable read. Sheehan is a wonderful writer, and I will be seeking out more of her work.
Sounds like a pretty good book. I might have to check it out.
Ash – I’m glad you’re going to give it a try!
Sounds pretty great. I love time travel and Irish HF. I want to read more Fantasy and Historical Fiction this year and I haven’t read anything from Avon I think.
Pam – this was my first Avon book I think – will definitely be looking for more from them. I mailed the book to you this afternoon.
I have this book on the shelf to read. Thanks for the honest review. I just can’t resist books with dogs on the covers.
Serena (Savvy Verse & Wit)´s last blog ..2009 Challenge Wrap-Up
Serena – I do think the cover is a bit deceptive – the dog is a character, but doesn’t play as big a role as you’d think.
I think I’ll get my share of time travel finishing up Outlander! I know, some people have raved over this book, but you aren’t the only one who was in the middle of the road. Some commented that the book didn’t have much to do with a dog, and were duped by the cover!
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Sandy – I didn’t mind that, since I”m not a big dog person, but I can see how someone who was expecting a dog story would be disappointed.
I just finished this and will probably review it tomorrow. I agree with you pretty much – I liked the Irish stuff, and I loved the romance, but I definitely didn’t love it. Oh well.
Heather – doesn’t it stink when you really want to love a book and it just doesn’t quite get there?
I do like historical fiction but can’t remember any time travel books I’ve read as an adult. I think I’d still like to try this one some day. Thanks for your thoughtful review.
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Kathy – you’re welcome!
time travel can make for some good reading- this one sounds great!
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Marie – I love time travel stories, too.
I’m not sure I’d rush out to buy this one but I sure think the picture of the dog on the cover looks cute. The cover doesn’t seem to match the book though, does it?
Kathleen´s last blog ..Sunday Salon – A Great Start to 2010
Kathleen – no, I definitely would have done a different cover. I don’t think authors have much say in cover art, though.
This does sound like a fun read. But the dog on the cover throws me every time…it doesn’t go with the description of the story!
softdrink´s last blog ..The Age of Orphans
Fizzy – Irish Wolfhounds do play a part in the story, but not a major enough part to warrant the cover – plus the woman on the cover appears to be dressed in modern clothing. It’s weird.
This sounds like a fun twist on the time travel concept…two different time periods, huh? Very original!
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Michele – it was fun.
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