After moving from her busy, but unrewarding, life in London to live in the country and try to write, Catherine Burns feels a bit lost and lonely, and discovers that writing does not come as easily as she thought.
However, soon she bumps into the enigmatic Will Days, who seems to know a lot more about her family - and her ancestors - than would seem normal.
Through her relationship with Will, Catherine goes on a journey to find her female ancestors - and finds a lot more than she bargained for...
Born in the Isle of Man, my family moved to England when I was 2 and I grew up in a village near Banbury in Oxfordshire. My father was an actor, and my mother an artist.
I wanted to write from a very young age. I loved magical/mystical stories, such as those written by C.S Lewis and Alan Garner. When I was 12 we moved to London where I stayed for the next 20 years, and upon leaving decided to become an actor like my Dad - but the continual struggle to find work I found too frustrating and eventually gave it up and spent several years in an assortment of jobs including secretarial work and teaching. All through these years I have written in my spare time.
I am now self employed as a professional genealogist - and the books I am writing are either fully historical, or have a family history theme, with 'time slip' chapters. I like to connect the past with the present.
This novel is different to any I’ve read before and thoroughly enjoyable. Though there is a fantastical element that flows through the story, it becomes more and more believable until the final pages when it all makes perfect sense! I will be looking for more books from this author.
I was not very well so spent the day with hot drinks and this book. I was captivated by it and couldn’t stop reading it. It was a great read on a miserable day. I was pulled in and there I stayed? Highly recommended!
Good book, took story. I enjoyed this book immensely. Very interesting story and very well written. I am looking forward to reading another of her books. I liked the way she used genealogy in the story.
I don't usually write reviews for books but I felt compelled to with this book. I could not put it down and the way the story unfolds is just incredible and unique. I love duel time stories, genealogy and mystery and this book has all three in abundance!
“Out of Time" by Rosamunde Bott I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. It was my first attempt at a novel from Rosamunde Bott, who tells here the story of Catherine Burns a young teacher in London who progressively realizes she is unsatisfied with the course of her life. Consequently, having won a small amount of money at the lottery, leads her to resign from her job, buy a cottage on the countryside, adopt a rescue dog Charlie and split with her boyfriend. The first days in her new environment, Charlie provoked a little accident with William, a cyclist, who apparently happens to be born in her newly acquired House.... When asked Maureen, her neighbour who has been living more than 40 years in the House next door does not recall of any birth.... The story is catching, with vivid historical description of England and shifts in British society through two World Wars and up to beginning of 19th century.
I have enjoyed reading it and I would advise others, including fans of Sarah Woodbury or Steve Moretti, to read it.
I chose this book as Rosamunde Both came up as an advert on Facebook to download a novella called White Lilac. While I downloading I came across this book on kindle. The feeling of familiarity in a strange new place intrigued me and once I started reading the story of different generations kept me reading well into the night. Being careful not to give any spoilers I think that anyone with an interest in how you became what you are and who would want to know who came before will love this book as much as I did.
Hello, I’m Sharon, I want to thank you for my book, it downloaded beautifully and I’m on chapter 3 and just started it this morning. Oh how I love the book. I’m so busy at the moment but I can hardly wait to get back to it. I’ll let you know when I’m finished and give my little review. Thank you so very much for sharing. It’s a beautiful gift and I’m thankful for it especially here at Thanksgiving time and I’m also thankful I found your channel, you’re very inspiring and very interesting. Happy Thanksgiving to you may God bless.
O que mais gostei foi o romance conter muito vocabulário e muitas expressões do inglês britânico que eu não conhecia.
No mais, esse livro não foi para mim. Minhas questões com ele foram: 1. Achei o enredo arrastado e 2. creio que se a parte de fantasia tivesse sido mais bem elaborada, talvez tivesse me agradado mais. Da maneira que o livro foi escrito, com toques de magia num cenário moderno e sem explicação alguma, não me cativou.
A well written novel interspersing present day with historical chapters. It is an intriguing premise to a love story. There is good transition between the past and the present-day story. Characters and well rounded with frissons of tension, wonder and ups and downs. A good read.
Completely different book, a can't put down type of book. I love family history and have often thought of weaving fact and fiction together myself. Rosalind has done just that wonderfully. A beautifully written book well done.
Loved this book so much - beautifully written and the fascinating dual timeline completely drew me in - hoped for a happy ending and wasn’t disappointed- pure escapism xxx
This novel had me hooked from the first page. I couldn't put it down. The plot was well thought out and executed. The characters were delightful. A totally engaging book - Well worth a read
I absolutely loved this book. Definately a page turner.
If you fancy a great read, combining historical fiction and a contemporay love story, this is for you! Who is the good looking Will Days and where does he come from? This is the question I so wanted answering, and while we're at it, why is he so interested in the period cottage Catherine has just bought?
From the outset there are great descriptions of characters and setting, and I was quickly involved with Catherine's life. Her modest lottery win propels her to give up work for a year to write her novel and she buries herself in the countryside to do just that, but there are distractions...mainly in the company of the mysterious Will Days who seems to know her family pretty well!
I don't want to spoil it for you by giving too much away, but there are some well researched and believable scenes about Catherine's female ancestors that create an enjoyable link between past and present.
Does Catherine finish her novel and more importantly, is the truth about the man in front of her stranger than fiction?
A cleverly constructed novel with a nicely satisfying ending. Just perfect for curling up with by the fire on a chilly autumn evening.