Book Review: Time Plains Drifter

 
Time Plains Drifter
Cheryl Pierson

ISBN  978-1-935048-35-0
Class Act Books
December 2009

Jenni Dalton, reluctant teacher of a few obnoxious high school students, gets roped into a star-gazing field trip and ends up being swept into the past, specifically Oklahoma Indian Territory in 1895, with her students. As they are figuring out what happened and why everything has suddenly changed, marshal Rafe D’Angelico happens to find them wandering aimlessly and rather stunned.

Rafe is not your average, ordinary 1895 U.S. Marshal, however. He’s an angel of sorts, having been dead for 16 years and brought back on special assignment. When he finds Jenni and the students, he’s barely returned to life and trying to figure out why and how, with help from an experienced angel, Becket Jansen. Still enraged at the man who killed him and his brother, Rafe’s only interest is in taking revenge.

I have to first say that I don’t tend to read Time Travels. My brain doesn’t want to accept that it’s possible and so stories using this theme have to work hard to get me to buy into a concept I don’t buy into enough to keep me in the story. A difficult task, as I can be stubborn when I put my mind to it.

So, when Time Plains Drifter yanked me right in and kept me in the story despite my reluctance, I had to give it pretty high marks just for that.

Already familiar with Cheryl Pierson’s work, having read Fire Eyes not long ago, I was not at all surprised her characters were very life-like and very enjoyable. They are drawn well, with enough detail but not too much, and the hero and heroine are attracted to each other from the start but don’t jump the gun into “love and forever” with no more than appearance. They study each other, allowing time to determine their interest and whether a relationship could work. They are both flawed, both struggling with their own issues, and both equally capable human beings. Becket Jansen is a fun secondary character and reminded me a bit of Clarence from It’s A Wonderful Life. Josiah Kemp is a truly evil villain, but not totally evil – very realistic. Jenni is relatable, necessary for a romance heroine. Rafe’s brother Cris is nice to get to know. But Rafe is the real star of the show. He’s a complex character you can’t help but root for and sometimes wish to hug.

I say Rafe’s the start of the ‘show’ instead of the ‘book’ because it feels like a show you’re watching as you read. I could always see where they were without a bunch of extra description slowing the pace. There were sometimes repetitive spots that could have been edited out with no loss to the story, but it didn’t keep me from being pulled right into the action.

Any review of this novel has to include a look at what makes it more unique than I expected. It’s a sci fi time travel historical romance. That of itself allows plenty of unique quality, but along with that, it’s a theory of good vs. evil, a ‘what happens afterward’ story that doesn’t preach, but does make you ponder. As I read, I couldn’t help thinking that my refusal to believe in time travel could be similar to someone’s non-belief in the here-after. Maybe I shouldn’t be so quick to dismiss it. After all, I’m buying the premise of the story in general. I’m not dismissive of spirits and such. Hey, you just never know.

Since I’m a critical reviewer (and alas, a Virgo), I do have to mention that I had some trouble keeping track of the students and occasionally wondered where one of them came from. That could partly be because I was reading a few different books at the same time, though. There is also some adverb use that could have been restructured (and since this was an ARC not fully edited, maybe they were before the final version).

The mention of a ‘new’ character toward the end that affects the end of the story was slightly disconcerting. I had to wonder if I’d missed the earlier reference to her and would have been more comfortable with her insertion if she had at least been mentioned along the lines first. I think it was meant to be a surprise to the reader, though, and maybe a purposeful point to ponder. Surprises do happen. 

The end of Time Plains Drifter isn’t really an end. It feels like the author means this as a statement as well as a hint of a possible sequel. Overall, TPD keeps you guessing and actively involved in the story. It makes you think and question. And it’s fully entertaining. I’ll definitely watch for the next Cheryl Pierson novel.
 
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Legalities: This novel was provided by the author for review as an electronic ARC. No payment was made or accepted.
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Book Review: Fire Eyes by Cheryl Pierson

Fire Eyes
Cheryl Pierson

The Wild Rose Press
ISBN 1-60154-470-7
available in Ebook & print

Kaedon Turner is a federal marshal in the days just after the War Between The States. After his parents are killed by Indians, Kaed is rescued and raised by the Choctaw before setting off on his own path, first as a soldier, than as a marshal. When he is severely beaten trying to rescue two young Choctaw girls, the Indians rescue him and drop him at the door of Jessica Monroe.

Jessica is a young widow caring for a baby not her own in the wild Oklahoma Territory. While taking care of the marshal and nursing him back to health, she finds herself falling for his advances. He shows a promise of giving her the attention and devotion she never received from her husband. Still, she’s wary, especially when she learns he’s on the track of the notorious Andrew Fallon – the man who murdered her husband.

Both Kaed and Jessica enter the story with plenty of personal baggage. Fire Eyes is the story of how they face their own intimate fears while battling external dangers. Jessica is afraid of the Choctaw and of allowing herself to trust Kaed. He, in return, is haunted by his own loss and determined not to feel it again. Along with these two deep, true-to-life characters are several supporting characters we get to know well and care about. Fallon is one of the most evil villains you’ll run across, complete with background. The side story of two young girls who escaped Fallon’s clutches is endearing and adds a wider scope to the whole picture.

Along the way, we get lush detail of the landscape as well as some historical background of the times. Cheryl Pierson has a knack for creating intensity with both description and plot that refuses to let you out of the story until you’ve read the whole thing, and even then, it stays with you. There are no clichès concerning the ‘wild west’ or Native American life. I wasn’t always fully convinced that the group of marshals would be quite so open with their emotions as they were, but at least they did have emotion instead of being impervious to their pasts and present (ie John Wayne). 

Overall, Fire Eyes is a smooth, realistic read with wonderful characterization, real dialogue, and an absorbing fullness. Any reader interested in romance and westerns will enjoy this one!

A light note of caution: this is on the spicier side of non-erotic romance in places, but readers can easily move past those short scenes if bothered by them.

Author Interview: Celia Yeary

(Be sure to read my review of her book below!)

 

Celia, thank you for taking the time to be here, especially on such short notice!  First, let me give you a chance to respond to my review. Is there anything you would like to add, argue, or comment on?

CY: Loraine, I appreciate your nice comments. They somewhat mimic comments I've heard in person from friends in town and acquaintainces all over. "Fast-paced" is one I heard repeatedly. Bop Cynthia on the head? Oh, yes, she surely did need her 'comeuppance,' didn't she? I love to redeem characters, and she did need that. I wanted her to grow and my editor said this all through the edits--how Cynthia changes and grows and transforms into a lovely lady.

You mentioned the POV issue. You're the first reviewer or reader who has mentioned this. I will explain: the Mother-in-law drives the story. Without her, the story would be full of holes. I could not explain through the hero or heroine her POV. For The Wild Rose Press, an author is allowed only two POV's-H/H. At first, my editor deleted everything she said. It took away a fourth of the book and I was upset. So, I explained it to her. Yes, she saw that, so she had the head editor read it, and they agreed that if a villain is a very bad one, she can stay in. And Felicitas was a very good--bad?-villain. You don't know how many comments I've had about the mother-in-law!!

Yes, the author's needs for the story should always be supported, since no one "gets" it quite the way we do. I'm glad you stood up and were able to keep what mattered to you. The mother-in-law was indeed key and a memorable villain! 

What was your inspiration for this story?

Cynthia and Ricardo appeared in my second novel for TWRP--TEXAS BLUE. They stayed in my head until I wrote their story. Odd, though, I wanted ALL MY HOPES AND DREAMS published first.

Interesting that they demanded not only their right to a story but the first one published! Tell us a bit about your process of getting it contracted and how you celebrated.

The process took four years. I am not a life-long author. I wrote fifteen novels, long and short in four years. That's all I did--write. Then came the learning process, and my learning curve was--still is--steep. I celebrated by crying first, then my dh broke out a bottle of wine--it was two o'clock in the afternoon. He still cannot believe the things I do, now, on the computer.

Fifteen in four years is incredible. Talk about stepping up and running with it! From our personal chats, I know that racial themes are a highlight in your life from many perspectives. Did you purposely set out with this book to address that or did it just happen to develop within your characters?

Racial themes are natural, I guess. I never really thought about it. Maybe it comes from being a Native Texan. Hispanics and Spaniards--there is a difference--are a big part of our state--then and now. I never have an agenda when I create a person other than Anglo. I'm not trying to make a statement. It just seems natural. In other stories, I have Blacks (African-Americans), Hispanics, Spaniards, Apache, and Comanche. All part of our state, even in the 1880's.

What do you like to do in your play time (I won't say free time since writers don't tend to have actual free time)?

Movies, but we don't see many. Traveling, even though we slowed down in recent years. We've been to many countries, and really became tired of the hassle. We like day trips in Texas to find something historical, take a lot of photos. Friends, certainly, are a necessity for play-time.

Is there anyone you would like to mention as inspirational or supportive of your work? Authors, readers, family, groups, etc.

I had no inspiration in my life to begin writing. No one knew I wrote--it was my little secret life. It was a form of entertainment, never thinking I'd have anything published. A writer friend here in town gave me confidence to submit. She's been a wonderful support system.

Ah, I kept that secret for a long time, also. Good for your friend! So, tell us a bit about what you're working on now.

"A Life Worth Living"--a romance set in North Texas just as the first World War ended and the Spanish flu took more lives than the war did. "Reunion"--a contemporary women's fiction novel. It's complete--but something is wrong with it. My mind is cluttered with that story. Right now, I have nothing contracted and I'm finished with all edits. In September, Showdown in Southfork (a Wayback, Texas series) will be released. and Texas Blue sometime in 2010.

Celia, thank you so much for being here and best of luck with all of your current and future projects!

And thank you, Loraine. I do appreciate your support.

Find more about Celia and her work on her website: http://www.celiayeary.com

Book Review: All My Hopes And Dreams - Celia Yeary

All My Hopes And Dreams
Celia Yeary
Wild Rose Press
Western Historical Romance

http://www.celiayeary.com

Trailer:
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xYKdg0HNhAk

 

 

 

Celia and I met on a writer's list some time ago and made a connection in that we both write romance that is non-erotic and focuses on the relationship and the issues surrounding the relationship. We chat often now on a list Celia helps to moderate only for non-erotic romance writers and readers. So when her first novel came out, I had to pick it up. Since I bought it on Ebook (although it is now in print, also), it sat waiting for when I found a better way to read them than on my desktop. A Netbook was my answer.

A disclaimer: I rarely read westerns. In fact this may be my first. Oh, I grew up watching John Wayne movies since Dad is such of fan and there are a few western movies I actually enjoy, but I've never been taken to pick up a western novel.

Be that as it may, I enjoyed following the Texas-set story of Cynthia Harrington, a typical wealthy daughter of a controlling father growing up with everything done for her, and Ricardo Romero, a hard-working rancher of Mexican and Comanche descent who rescues her from an arranged marriage. Ricardo is attracted to Cynthia's stubborn spirit but also seems somewhat intimidated by her. The interplay between the two, with a lot of back and forth "will it work" confrontations, is the basis of the story.

Behind that, there is beautiful western scenery, complete with horses and inside knowledge of ranching that was interesting for this town girl to learn. There's Texas history and conflict between the Mexicans and the Whites as they both work to build their ranches and lives sharing the Texas territory. It's handled well, showing the conflict on both sides as well as understanding and willingness to get along on both sides.

I was a bit iffy about the POV jumping from one character to another, but that's largely personal preference and it was easy to follow who was in charge at each moment so it didn't throw me. There were also a few POV segments from minor characters I wasn't sure was necessary, in particular Ricardo's mother. We get right away that Mrs. Romero does NOT want her son married to a "spoiled" white girl from East Texas and is overtly hostile. It's shown very well from Cynthia's POV so having the short scenes from the mother-in-law's view, also, felt somewhat repetitious. However, they were short and didn't bother anything to be there.

At times I wanted to bop Cynthia upside the head and tell her to stop being so distrustful and stop and SEE Ricardo as he was. Ricardo is a widely appealing hero, handsome and romantic, but also flawed enough to be human. Every character was well defined and I could almost see myself there getting to know the ranch employee wives along with Cynthia.

Anyone who enjoys western historical romance will enjoy this fun, quick-paced read. And be sure to check Celia's website for her soon-to-come "Showdown in Southfork" and her free reads at The Wild Rose Press. Don't skip over the photos of her native Texas while you're there!