Twixt

by Diane J. Reed

Everyone in Ophir Creek, Idaho knows the wild legend of Corvine O'Dannan, a mysterious Irish woman with "fairy powers" who came to town during the gold rush to find her fortune, only to be betrayed by her lover and meet a tragic end.

Fast forward to the twenty-first century, and her descendent Rose doesn t have time for such nonsense! After a crash-and-burn marriage, she's returned to her hometown to renovate her father's gold-panning business and to "start over." But everything changes on her 30th birthday when her friend talks her into doing a love spell. Unbeknownst to them, they conjure the spirit of the very same man who once tormented Rose's ancestor. Why? Because Rose "was" Corvine O'Dannan in a past life--and her really bad habit of attracting Mr. Wrong "still" haunts her, and now jeopardizes her very life.

What Rose doesn't realize is that along with this dark curse comes an "extraordinary blessing"--in the form of a soul guardian named Chance Murphy who's been protecting her for centuries. But this time around, the evil spirit that plagues Rose has "stolen" Chance's body. So the only way that Chance can reach her is late at night in her dreams, when he appears as a magical raven who escorts her to an enchanted island off the coast of Ireland. There, Chance becomes a man again, and he shows Rose how to heal her past through the fairies' special brand of "magic." But will Rose finally be able to forge a new future and make the man of her dreams become real? Only if she can once again believe...

Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Fiction, Paranormal, Fae, Fantasy Romance

388 pages, Paperback

First published December 17, 2011

About the author

USA TODAY bestselling author Diane J. Reed writes happily ever afters with a touch of magic that make you believe in the power of love. Her stories feed the soul with outlaws, mavericks, and dreamers who have big hearts under big skies and dare to risk all for those they cherish. Because love is more than a feeling—it’s the magic that changes everything.

Reviews

[Dianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who says there are no more fairytale romances? Diane J. Reed will change your mind and your heart with Twixt and enchanting tale of mistakes, struggle and learning to believe in the magic of love and worlds that once were only bedtime stories for a small child. Re-learn how to dream, to visit the world of the fae and to embrace a timeless love, especially as an adult, when we live in a world that can be so cold, hard and black and white.

Diane J. Reed mixes her own magical gift of beautiful story-telling with the tale of a young woman alone in the world with only her daughter who life seems to try to beat down as she struggles to make a better life. Rose grew up hearing of the magic of the beautiful fairy world from her mother. Were they the ramblings of a woman not quite balanced or was there truth in her words that Rose failed to understand? Generous, kind-hearted and totally devoted to her young daughter who has suffered brain damage, Rose is determined that their luck will change, no matter how hard she must work. As her dreams are filled with visions of a dark and handsome stranger and a world where colors come alive and her daughter is whole again, Rose fights to believe in what she is seeing, a world caught Twixt the earthly realm and the fairy realm, and the words that tell her only she can set things right. But how?

Rose has been blinded by love before and it almost cost her her daughter, now there are two men vying for her attention, one is evil, the other is the one she needs, but how will she know? The answer is deep in her heart and her past...

A tale of love, magic and healing for a young woman and her family unfolds like a rose in the morning dew as Diane J. Reed guides us gently through each enthralling page and proves we are never too old to believe in fantasy and love.

I received this copy from Diane J. Reed in exchange for my honest review.

Series: Enchanted Outlaws - Book 1
Publication Date: December 14, 2011
Publisher: Bandits Ranch Books
ISBN-13: 2940013865549
Genre: Fantasy Romance
Print Length: 402 pages
Available from: Amazon |  Barnes & Noble
For More Reviews, Promotions and all things Books visit: http://tometender.blogspot.com

[Deborah Hughes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this story ... the entire thing: the story itself, the writing, the characters, the world as it is according to Twixt! I especially loved Amy, the sidekick best-friend, quirky as they come and oh so amusing! I loved the romance, the fairy tale come to life, the beautiful messages scattered throughout the book. The writing is superb, descriptive without overdoing it and yet painting a picture so vivid, I felt, saw and experienced the story as it unfolded. I laughed, I cried, I rejoiced and empathized. I feel guilty I got this book when it was free ... but it was that aspect that made me take a chance on a type of story I don't normally read. Well, this author, the enchanting Diane Reed (anyone who writes like she does and possesses the imagination, the open-mind to create a story like this MUST be enchanting! Right?), has ensured I won't be missing out in the future! I will read anything she writes ... I know it will come from the heart and soul and will be a story so full of wonder that I'll be transfixed from word one.

[Athena Grayson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rose's life is a mess. Thirty, widowed, and with a traumatized child, she's run back home to Ophir Creek, Idaho to try and heal--both herself and her daughter--from her abusive husband's chaotic influence on her life. But bad pennies have a way of turning up, and O'Dannan women have a way of stumbling across them, lifetime after lifetime.

Normally, when I read books, I look for realism. Never far from my mind is the question of, "Would I do that in this situation? Or would I just pack up and get out of Dodge?" But between Diane Reed's lyrical, rich writing and Rose's deeply sympathetic story, my disbelief was so fully suspended that I half-expected to step outside my door onto green Irish shores. Rose's world is a world where the spiritual, the fae, the world of belief, is right there alongside the world that most of us perceive as "reality." This story is her spirit walk, and like all spirit walks, it changes all who are on the path.

Aiding Rose in her quest are a cast of quirky, weirdly wonderful characters that fit perfectly into the Skid Row collective of this dinky little gold-rush town, yet have unique appeal because of their redemptive potential. Rose's best friend is both the somewhat-clueless instigator into trouble, and at the same time, the wise mentor with an unerring sense of direction to bring Rose right back out of trouble. Chance Murphy, the tetched-in-the-head forest ranger and Rose's "soul guardian" has a story of his own that will move anyone with a pulse. Rose's meddling sister Laurel, Ray the town paranoid, and the host of other supporting characters are full of depth and dimension. Even the villain of the piece moves with such subtle, sophisticated menace through the landscape of Rose's redemption, you won't notice how white-knuckled your grip on the Kindle has become until your fingers cramp and you realize it's after midnight on a week night. Because time has little meaning in the spirit world.

Twixt is a true love story where the motifs of love and redemption manifest in strange, wonderful, and unexpected ways. Not the least of which is Rose's connection to her traumatized little girl. Anyone with a special needs person in their lives will recognize the anguish, hope, and frustration of trying to understand someone whose understanding of the world is different from your own, and the triumph of traveling along with Rose as she shifts her hope from charts and development milestones to her trust in her connection with her daughter.

This is not a book you race through. It should be savored. If you read it fast, you'll miss the beauty, the layers, the real magic in the story. Rose's journey is one of healing, of mending fences, not just physically or in the relationship realm, but in her own acceptance of herself, her flaws, her family, and the transformative power of love.

As a reader following vicariously this journey of Rose's, I had to stop and put the story down several times as I looked around my world and realized that I was being gently led into the realization that as a "grown-up," I had forgotten a lot about how to dream. Twixt helped me to remember.

Who will love this book: Readers of magical realism, people who love emotional journeys, people who believe in fairies, and anyone who's ever twirled around in a backyard under a brilliant sun or a full moon until they fell down, laughing and dizzy and out of breath. Or who would like to do so again.

[Catherine Stine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Twixt by Diane J Reed is the first in her Enchanted Outlaws series. It's also the first novel rife with faeries I’ve read, which I was not only able to get through, but read eagerly without stopping. That was due to Reed’s strong characters and the refreshing jump from old Ireland to a modern Idaho setting, specifically a fabled Ophir Creek mountain area, once a site for gold panning. 

Rose and her new age-y friend Amy, who babbles about so-called transmigration therapy and psychic repair spruce up Rose’s father’s miners’ outpost. Calling it The Rainbow’s End, they turn it into a warm sanctuary for hardscrabble speculators. Reed sets up vivid relationships fraught with tension: between Rose and her cold, all-business sister Laurel, between Rose and bad-boy Vincent, who has just rolled into town and set up The Magpie Saloon, a tavern across the street from The Rainbow’s End. 

Rose is broke and weary. Fiercely protective of Crystal, her little daughter from a disastrous relationship, Rose worries Crystal is irrevocably damaged from a near-drowning. Crystal is mute, and seems trapped in her own distant world, where she spins and rocks. While Rose has set out exercises and learning charts for Crystal, she balks at her sister’s dogged attempt to send Crystal away to a special school. Will Crystal ever get better? If so, how? And what exactly is she suffering from anyway?

The other aspect that really deepens this story is that Reed is dealing with elements of rebirth and reincarnation. On a more philosophical level, that we all embody strong elements of those who came before us—both the upsides and downsides, the talents and so-called curses.  She also introduces the possibility of a “twixt” world between this and the world of dreams where one can spin a practical, healing magic. Whatever your views, these are intriguing concepts, which Reed weaves throughout quite deftly. 

I won’t post spoilers so I hesitate to say much more, except there’s also great romantic suspense. Vincent, the new owner of the Magpie Saloon is dashing yet sketchy in a way Rose can’t put her finger on. And Chance, another handsome, yet eccentric stranger has a very different pull on her. The question is who should she trust her heart with?

Twixt is highly recommended for those who like unusual mashups of genres (paranormal romance, myth, fairytale, dark fantasy) in their helping of speculative fiction. 

[Declarations of a Fangirl · Rating 4 out of 5]

*I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*



Twixt was a very luxurious read. Ms. Reed's writing style is exquisite. There are some books that you just can't put down and devour quickly, but Twixt wasn't one of them. It was an indulgent read. I took my time and savored each chapter. I found myself thinking about it when I wasn't reading it. It was my first truly indulgent read.

And the prose! Such pretty, pretty prose. I remember reading in bed late one night (my neighbors were being loud and obnoxious and therefore, I couldn't sleep) and coming across this line and immediately jumping out of my bed and grabbing my sticker tabs.

Between stolen kisses, he told Corvine that her liquid green eyes transfixed him, and her pale skin was a blank page upon which he could write new legends.

Oh and this one:

And with each kiss, his eyes flashed like stars, studying her face as though it were a map of a new land.



I really liked Rose's character. She was strong and self-sufficient, but also a little bit insecure and tormented over her daughter's accident. She blames herself for what happened to Crystal, but I really loved how determined she was to do everything in her power to help her rehabilitate.



And then there's Chase. Le sigh. *commences swooning* He's so sweet and loyal. He would do absolutely anything for Rose.

In that moment, he knew as sure as his own heartbeat why he had always guarded the O'Dannan woman so fiercely. It was the eldest song on the earth, the same one his soul had been singing throughout the ages. And every note called out to her.



All in all, I really enjoyed Twixt. It's so rich in detail and is not one to rush. Take your time and indulge in the magic and wonder of everlasting love!

[Melanie Adkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are many tales of how magical and lucky the Irish are. What if it weren't a tale? What if it were real? Rose's relatives carried a long line of fairy twixt women. Rose knew she had the ability to see the future in liquid for someone else, but not for herself. She kept herself distant from her life, her heart. Well, until she almost lost her daughter. Slowly but surely she started to see she needed to open her mind and heart and let the colors in. Rose knew her family was cursed. Not being able to tell their own futures. With her friend, Amy's help, they just might give the family curse a run for it's money. Rose went back to Ophir Creek to start over and that's exactly what she'd have to do. If she didn't, she might lose her daughter, her sister and her very own life. It takes some time, but Rose finally sees the colors and feels the magic.


What can I say about this book? It's fabulous! Well written! Fanciful! Romantic! Over the top, you're probably saying. NO! It doesn't begin to cover how terrific this book is. I loved that the story began with her ancestors and laid out the foundation for the rest of the book. I enjoyed the struggle Rose had with herself to finally let go and really embrace who she is. The story is absolutely amazing. This is one I'll read again and again. You'll find something new every time you read this one. Please do yourself a favor, get this book and read it. You'll be giving yourself a magical treat!!


I found the beginning a bit confusing because it spoke of her ancestors and then jumped to another ancestor. However, after you get into the real story, you completely understand why they were important.


I gave this one 5 out of 5 books because my heart is still dancing with Rose and Chance.

[Cassandra Javier · Rating 4 out of 5]

review is also posted on my blog the enigma of herself

Let's go to the Twixt place--where sea and sky meet land.

I don't know how Diane Reed found me, but thank the faeries, she did.

As a lover of anything that has something to do with faeries, fairy tales and the like, this was a book that really captured my attention. What I really liked about it is the fact that the story sucks you deep into it. You'd feel like you're a part of the story because of the genuine imagery and the great characterization. For me, a book can be considered good if it has great characterization and if the imagery is so there that you really will feel like you're part of it.

I like books that makes me imagine. The author was really able to describe the characters and the setting and so it made it feel alive. Also, reading this book reminded me of one of my favorite TV shows: Once Upon A Time!

Reading this book also made me want to try some Pansy-Walnut fritters, wish with all my heart, look for faeries and visit the Rainbow's End Cafe. In this day and age where everything is so fast-paced and modern, sometimes, we need books that will remind us of the child inside of us--the child we should always get back to; it will remind you of innocence; of good things. It's a great book to escape to and definitely one great read that you should try.

One concern I have with this book though is that the cover is not that flattering. But anyway, you guys know not to judge a book by it's cover so go ahead and try this. You won't regret it.

All together now: "I do believe in faeries! I do, I do!"

[April · Rating 5 out of 5]

Twixt is one of the most magical and spellbinding stories I've ever read! The writing is brilliant and flows so beautifully through the pages as you're carried along this mystical adventure. I love how the story mostly takes place in the present while also being heavily rooted in the past. I feel it would be very fitting to describe it as a tale of both hardship and romance that transcends time. I am in awe of how it's all intertwined so seamlessly. The story starts with a prelude that takes place in Ireland and focuses on Ailis O'Dannan and her young daughter Corvine. After a tragic event Corvine travels to Boston. She meets Rory there who sweet talks her into heading to Idaho Territory with him, convinced she would lead them to gold. Fast forward to the present and we have Rose, a descendant of Corvine, who has to battle not only with her own heart, but also with foes from the past that have come back for more. I don't want to give too much away, but Rose is seriously stronger than she knows. How much she loves her daughter is so touching and I really felt for her as she battled with what was best for Crystal. I'd also like to say that the imagery in this book was amazing. I felt like I could truly see the shop and the island and Rook Ridge. I of course can't say how much I liked this book without including something about the gripping romance. A time transcending bond full of encouragement and faith... Just beautiful! I'd recommend this book for fans of Sarah Addison Allen, Alice Hoffman, and just a beautiful romance in general.

[Nancy Segovia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fairies, ravens and Spirits - Oh My!

What impressed me immediately was the quality of the writing. It seems to flow effortlessly throughout the book. I know writers agonize over every word, sentence and paragraph, but the writing in this book is so smooth and clear that it seems effortless. There is never a place where I had to pause and think because the author intruded into the story. The writing itself makes the book worth reading. In addition, Reed makes the ordinary fascinating so that you are anxiously turning pages to see what happens next whether it is baking fairy cakes or flying in the clouds, the writing makes it extraordinary.

Next, the romance is indeed a paranormal romance, but it is has neither vampires, werewolves or your usual version of shifters. What it does have is fairies, lots and lots of fairies and ravens. In many native American cultures, the raven is seen as a trickster and this is because of its ability to change and shift shapes. In "Twixt," the raven is not a trickster. In fact, the raven turns out to be man's, well woman's and child's BFF, best forever friend, and more.

[Marilyn Dieckmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

First of all... I want to be one of the good people!
Now, you may think you know what that means... but you're wrong. Unless of course you've read TWIXT!

I'm a dreamer. I believe in dreams and the messages they bring... and Diane has opened a whole new world for us dreamers. A world that is TWIXT, where good people dwell!

The problem is... we must live in the real world with it's all too real issues. Abuse, poverty, divorce, treachery and evil to name a few. How we deal with what's thrown our way could in fact, dictate the future. Unless you're a dreamer.

Rose is blessed. It may not seem like it because she feels lost and a world of woe has been dumped on her. But "dreams are the songs our souls sing to find their way home" and it's time for her to believe.

I LOVED this book! Diane is an artist with words, and she painted images of life that touched me deeply. I wanted to shout "get your magic on girl" and watch Rose bloom! It was wonderful...

TWIXT is a marvelous combination of real life & magic. A perfect recipe.
Thank you Diane!

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an enchanting find this book is, like the fairy gifts that you will read about in TWIXT! This book is THE PERFECT BLEND of fantasy, romance, and modern themes. The magical setting of a fairy realm that spills over into the modern world is written with a captivating richness of detail. The protagonist, Rose, is given such a depth that I totally empathized with her modern struggle to break out of a negative cycle in her life and to reconnect with her daughter and sister and ultimately herself. I could feel her yearning for true love, and I rooted for her all the way! There are thrilling suspenseful moments and revelations as well. Twixt is truly one of the best fantasy books that I have read in a while, and it goes on my bookshelf with my favorite Charles DeLint books. I absolutely adore books that mix the magical and modern world, and Twixt does it in such a way that I'm looking in my garden for fairy rings! DEFINITELY A MUST-READ!

[Meg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Twixt is one of those books which takes you on a journey, with layer after layer of power and mystery unfolding with every page. It's a compelling fairy tale but fluffy it is not - it echoes with raw emotion, strength and recovery though magical elements are woven through every page.

The main protagonist is Rose, a woman with a magical heritage and also a resilient, fragile woman and fretful mother recovering from abuse that has lastest literally for centuries. American backwoods bend seamlessly with the otherworld and the past marches alongside the present, whilst an old evil threatens Rose and her family. But Rose has a guardian, a forest scientist turned enchanted raven warrior who helps her to discover her own power and break the chains of the past.

Twixt is a tale of recovery, redemption and unconditional love - sprinkled with fairy dust and magic. You don't have to love fairy stories to love this story... It will stay with you or days.

[Gary Henry · Rating 5 out of 5]

TWIXT is the work of an accomplished writer. Vivid and accessible, the author knows well how to use language to create great characters and compelling dialogue, action and scenery.

I liked most how TWIXT weaves magic and life together. Abusive spouse, damaged child, no money -- these are the dark edges of what we know as real life. The story suggests that they are underpinned by a magical reality that either victimizes Rose, the protagonist, or offers her a way out -- based on whether she can let go of her fear and despair and take a chance on love.

On one scale or another, that's a choice all of us face, every day.

I started TWIXT thinking it would be a light-hearted fairy tale romance. The author disabused me of that notion within the first few pages. Written with honesty, passion and precision, TWIXT offers a simple but profound message about life and love and the magic to be found in each. Highly recommended!

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full of magic and enchantment, Twixt is a heartwarming read for anyone who loves their romance with more than a dash of fairy dust. We follow Rose, who is on the run from her past again, back to her home in Ophir Creek, Idaho. Her junkie husband is dead and her young daughter mentally damaged from a tragic accident. With the help of her eccentric friend Amy, Rose re-opens the shop her father had run, long ago, and tries to make a clean start. But the past soon finds her again and Rose must overcome it if she wants to live in peace and love with her daughter and herself.

Twixt is not without it's problems. The pacing is slow in places and there are an abundance of italics where they weren't really necessary. Rose drove me a bit nutty at times but at the heart of it at all it was a really good read from a wonderful author. I definitely look forward to reading more work by Diane.

[C.S. S Bernhardt · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It was totally different concept of love for eternity then anything I'd read. The concept of fairy magic and a shadow world mixed with reality was quite interesting. I must say the ravens were hard for me to understand at first but I like the idea.
Diane has a great way of using words to make you see and feel exactly what she is writing about. Her discriptions are just wonderful I'd say the best of any book I've read this year.
My only negative thing I can say about the book is that about 3/4 or the way through it started to drag for me and I found myself wanting her to get on with it. The end was worth waiting for.
All in all I would highly recommend this book.

[Regina Puckett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ms. Reed created believable characters and threw them into a world filled with whimsical colors. I loved the romance between Rose and Chance (what was not to love about his name?). Every woman wants a Chance in their life. I adored the lyrical feel that swept through the entire storyline and I was completely enchanted by the romance. It just goes to show that you can still dream and live in the real world at the same time. Wonderful story. Wonderful book.

[Jen T. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so amazing! I couldn't put it down! The story line is riveting and the characters well defined.
 The kind of book that keeps you up at night because it is sooo good. Diane Reed has written an amazing
 "fairy tale"---literally---that makes a believer out of the best of us:). Thank you for taking away to a place filled
with fairy cakes, conflict, love and family. A triumph of a book! 

[Angie Brindley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a free kindle read for me. Received 4.5 star rating on Amazon, I almost always agree with the ratings on that site. This author has beautiful character development, she portrays the love between mother and child so well. I really like books that blend several genres....part mystery, romance, adventure, fantasy, western. Really liked it.

[Brie · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Dreams are the songs our souls sing to find their way home." Twixt is writing at its finest. An enchanting, magical adventure that you can't put down. A book where anything is possible and nothing (and no one) is as it seems. This is a book that works its way into your heart and there it stays.

[Heather Busby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although this book had a slow beginning, I found myself addicted by the end. I really enjoyed the lure of this story to believe in yourself and follow your dreams.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed reading this. Good vs evil. Also believing in your self.

[Doreena · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted a witchy (is that a word?) type book for October. This was a good story and I liked that the main character was very strong and a great mother to her daughter. It was a great connection.

[Gary Hays · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent story with just the right combination of reality and fantasy.

[Miriam · Rating 5 out of 5]

The magic was amazing!

[lakin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I mean, faeries? And she falls in love with a raven man? How was I not going to love it? 🖤

[Ju · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great romance with magic. Who would not love fairies.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book does get a little wordy at times; it needed a bit of editing for that. However, it's a solid romantic novel, with a particularly good understanding of traditional magic. If you are looking for something pleasant and fairy-touched, this is a great option.

[Vanessa · Rating 2 out of 5]

I got this book through free kindle books. It looked like an interesting premise, so I thought I would download it to read later. I finally got around to reading it this month.

It started out great. I really liked it. Then the story started to drag a little bit. I liked Rose even before I knew her backstory. Although her backstory was made relevant to her time in the town now, it did seem to drag the storytelling down a bit. Some parts of it were important, but others were not. There were a few things that came into play early on in the story, but took a long time in being resolved. They didn't add much to the story either.

I did finish the book, but it was hard for me. Rose seemed to be a little dense in realizing a few things. Her quirky friend was funny, but she didn't really add a whole lot to the story either other than being some comedic relief.

That being said, I wouldn't not read another book by this author. She is a good writer. This book just didn't live up to my expectations.



In the beginning you learn of Corvine O'Dannan, a young girl living in Ireland. Folks around respect her mother for they know if you are kind to her, good things will happen to you. On the other hand, if you are not kind, ills will fall upon you. Her mother is taken from her by a greedy landlord, and a neighbor takes pity on Corvine and takes her in. In doing so, she also sets a course for Corvine's life and all of her descendants. Corvine ends up as a maid in Boston, but falls for the likes of a man named Rory, who dreams of making it rich in the gold rush. They pledge their eternal loyalty to each other. But he believes that Corvine will be able to tell him exactly where to find gold, because she has some powers of her own. Yet when they reach Idaho, Rory changes. Corvine has always said she can't see into her own future, but he doesn't believe her. When he tries to force her to find gold for him, he dies in an accident. But before he does he promises that he will never leave her and she will always need him.

Fast forward to the present, and Rose, the great-great-granddaughter of Corvine, is living a life that she wants to change. She has a crappy husband, but a wonderful daughter. In the blink of an eye, a tragedy changes all of that. Her husband is gone, her daughter is rendered mute in a drowning accident. She decides to go home to Idaho to start her life fresh. Strange things start happening. An unknown man appears to her (saves her and her daughter from drowning), and ravens lead her home. A strange man, who seems familiar, appears in town. The curse that Rory left on the O'Dannans seems to be rearing its head again.

[Christina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay, whomever put this on the "Magical Realism" list: I believe our definitions of magical realism are different. Or perhaps my standards are too high. What I wanted was Eva Luna or a similar Isabel Allende masterpiece, but what this book delivered was the weirdest overuse of italics and em-dashes I've ever seen. Did it have an editor? I am unsure. A sample:

"She [the protagonist] wished she could join Crystal [her daughter] in her private sanctuary, and she imagined the two of them submerged in water, their thoughts transcending the currents like dolphin songs. Rose ached inside, wondering if they would ever communicate again, ever share the delight of sound and recognition. Maybe her daughter would only recall her father's lies, and the memory of his voice would keep them separated like smoke. Desperate, she reached over and clutched Crystal's hand—

"'Where are you, Crystal?' she pleaded, as if calling beyond a veil. 'Can you hear me? Can you hear Mommy?'

"Nothing but silence—"

(There were better passages to illustrate the weirdness, but I couldn't pass up the dolphin simile.)

Edited to add: Ew. On my Kindle I didn't see the cover or synopsis. Perhaps that would have tipped me off sooner that this was red-hat-fluff-fare and not what I so wished it were instead.

[Barbara Longley · Rating 2 out of 5]

The premise was great; the execution—not so much. Pages and pages of head time, rehashing the same points over and over and over with no real growth or dawning awareness overwhelmed what little dialogue and action there was. The author doesn't know the difference between "vice," a bad habit, and "vise." The characters were fairly shallow and one dimensional, and that was especially disappointing, because there was so much potential for depth, even with the antagonist. ALL the characters shared exactly the same mannerisms when experiencing strong emotion—they all had a fascination with their own feet, looking at them, shuffling them or toeing things, hugging their own waists and averting their gazes. I would've liked each character to have emerged as a fully developed individual, with differentiated reactions to what was going on around them. Add to that the ever present mysterious breeze lifting our heroine's hair every other page, riffling feathers, blowing ominous leaves about, etc., etc., etc. and you have a fairly good idea just how repetitive and slightly purple every page became. I almost put it down unfinished, but dang it, I bought it, so I read it.

I don't like to write bad reviews. I really don't, and I usually say nothing rather than criticize another's work. I struggled with whether or not to even post the review. Like I said the concept was so original and unusual—an intriguing thread that extended through many lifetimes—that I really, really wanted it to be better than it was.