Caroline lives two lives. In 1727, Caroline Reed lives in South Carolina with her grandfather, her only relative, who wants to marry her off to the governor’s son. In 1927, Caroline Baldwin is the youngest child and only daughter of preacher and prohibitionist Rev. Daniel Baldwin.
Caroline has no idea why she has two lives.
What Caroline doesn’t know—but the series reader does know—is that she is going to have to choose one of her lives on her twenty-first birthday. That knowledge provides an additional degree of tension, particularly in the second half of the novel.
Her 1727 self finds a letter from her long-lost mother, and discovers she left South Carolina and headed to Nassau, Bahamas. She runs away and finds herself in the company of a handsome pirate. In 1927, she is being pursued by her brothers friend, a policeman, and trying to ensure her brothers don’t destroy her father’s ministry with their lies and crimes.
I loved Across the Ages.
(I loved it so much I actually read it twice in three days.)
Caroline was a great heroine. She’s intelligent, driven, and remarkably well-adjusted considering her strange life. She also has a strong Christian faith in both timelines, and trusts that God knows what he’s doing.
I loved the romance side of the plot. I’ve always had a soft spot for pirate stories, so enjoyed that side of the plot. I also had a lot of admiration for Caroline’s 1927 beau, who seems to be the only honest cop in Minneapolis/St. Paul.
Across the Ages is the fourth book in Gabrielle Meyer’s Timeless series, and it’s my favourite so far. If you haven’t read any of the Timeless series yet, this would be a good place to start because this is more of a standalone than the last two books (and because Caroline doesn’t her strange life, so it won’t matter if the reader doesn’t).
If you have read the previous stories, you will want to read this one. You’ll also want to read the series in order, because Across the Ages does have a few references to the characters from For a Lifetime. I’m hoping those references might be a hint as to who the next book in the series will follow …
If you haven’t read the earlier stories and you’re looking for a Christian historical romance with a dual timeline twist, checkout Across the Ages. Recommended.
Thanks to Bethany House and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review.
About Gabrielle Meyer
Gabrielle lives on the banks of the Upper Mississippi River with her husband and four children. As an employee of the Minnesota Historical Society, she fell in love with the rich history of her state and enjoys writing historical and contemporary novels inspired by real people, places, and events. The river is a constant source of inspiration for Gabrielle, and if you look closely, you will find a river in each of her stories.
When Gabrielle is not writing, you might find her homeschooling her children, cheering them on at sporting and theatrical events, or hosting a gathering at her home with family and friends.
Find Gabrielle Meyer online at:
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About Across the Ages
Caroline holds a deep secret. Existing in 1727 and 1927 simultaneously, each night she goes to sleep in one life and wakes up in the other. Searching for answers to her unique existence, Caroline stumbles upon a letter from her mother that hints at her own experiences as a time-crosser, sending Caroline on a quest to uncover the truth. In 1727, chasing the mysteries of her mother’s past, Caroline disguises herself as a cabin boy and joins a ship sailing for the Bahamas, her mother’s last known location. Amid treacherous waters, she crosses paths with Marcus Zale, a ruthless but handsome pirate, and finds herself caught in a web of secrets, deception, and unexpected alliances.
Meanwhile, in 1927 St. Paul, Minnesota, Caroline grapples with her other life as the daughter of a renowned preacher. Her two older brothers have strayed from their upbringing into the corruption rampant during Prohibition, and Caroline struggles to protect her parents from the truth that could shatter her father’s career. As her search for answers about her time-crossing leads her to the dangerous speakeasies of St. Paul, Caroline enlists the help of police officer Lewis Cager, a childhood friend. But when her family’s future is put at risk and loyalties are tested, Caroline is faced with a life-altering decision that could reshape her destiny.
Find Across the Ages online at:
Amazon | BookBub | ChristianBook | Goodreads
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