The Carriage

by Jena Baxter

A teenage girl enters the carriage in Central Park and disembarks in Victorian, England. Cursed by her sister Brooke, Alexis Powell arrives in the Victorian Era where she meets Ezra; a man recently murdered by an assassin his brother Amos, hired. A supernatural creature, Ezra sees into Alexis’ mind with a touch and Intrigued by her memories, offers his help only to be rebuffed for his kindness. Alexis runs away, but Ezra can’t shake off what he saw. He follows her through the streets of London. Vulnerable after the loss of his Father, Amos’ harassment, and Alexis’ many rejections, Ezra decides to leave her alone. Alexis is unable to find work and faced with starvation. She steals a tomato and Ezra finds her facing the local magistrate and an angry mob. He fights and pays for her freedom. Finally accepting the help he offers, Alexis moves into the manor Ezra shares with his brother. A romance blossoms, but the bond between Ezra and Amos is worse than Alexis’ and Brooke’s. While Ezra and Alexis search for a way to send her home, Amos looks for a way to kill them.

240 pages, Paperback

First published February 15, 2015

About the author

Jena Baxter has always loved fantasy, history and time travel. As a child she liked to read, and often wrote poetry as a stress inhibitor while growing up, but like many other writers, she dreamed of writing a novel. So, she enrolled at the UCLA Writer's Extension, to gain the confidence and skill to move forward with that dream.

Today Jena has a middle school/YA fantasy novel, as well as a paranormal, historical romance novel, and an urban fantasy. She also has a book of short stories written by herself and Raven Williams, as well as a dragon anthology, and another to be released November 15th, 2017. Read her story, The Covens of Misty Haven, posted monthly in her newsletter, and website.

Born in Ojai, California, she now resides in Northern California with her husband, Blue-front Amazon parrot, Rain, her sassy-cat, Lissa, and a handful of Rhodesian Ridgeback puppy called Sigh.

Reviews

[Holly (Holly Hearts Books) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Siblings don't normally get along, right? Well that's the case for Alexis and Brooke. Except there relationship goes a little more extreme. While annoyingly arguing in the first 5 pages, Alexis and Brooke enter a carriage in the middle of modern day Central Park. Suddenly Brooke gets so angry at her sister that she disappears while sending the carriage and Alexis through time to Victorian England, 1870. I guess bickering leads to sending your sister through time these days..

So let me start by saying how annoying and just plain rude our main character Alexis is. She's making fun of old ladies, being very bitchy to strangers who are kindly offering help.

"May I help you with something, Miss?"

"Who are you? Some kind of freak?"

He just asked if you needed help, god damn. Thankfully, this character goes through major character development. She becomes mature and less mean and definitely much more likable.

Now our second character, Ezra, is a dream. His perspective gives life to this story. Yes, I see the irony in that statement but it's true. His whole side of the story is interesting and very satisfying to read. I always looked forward to his perspective.

I'm giving this book 3 stars because there was really nothing to the story. In fact the long, detailed synopsis gives away everything. The synopsis might as well be called a full summary wrap up because I knew exactly what was going to happen. I guess that was my fault for reading it. Also the book was mostly about Alexis and Ezra's relationship problems. They're fighting, then apologizing, fighting again, apologizing again. Not talking for two weeks, then finally talking. Over and over again but I found myself reading the last 50 pages as fast as I could to see what was going to happen. That says something, right?

I will say the writing is very beautiful and the words flow very nicely together which made it a fast read. I definitely appreciated that. I see a lot of great potential for this author.

[Kina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was given to me by paranormal romance and authors that rock in exchange of an honest review.

I give this book 5 fangs (loved loved loved it and can't wait for the next one)

The year is 2014.
Alexis is a rude, self centered young lady that is constantly mean to her sister Brooke. Alexis is meeting her sister for a carriage ride through Central Park arguing nonstop one thing leads to another and soon Brooke is uncorking a small vial and saying some weird words Alexis has no idea what's going on...
When Alexis wakes up she is in London the year is 1870.
Enter Ezra a tall dark and handsome man who swoops in to help Alexis. However things never go according to plans no matter how well intentioned.
Ezra has secrets he's protecting and Alexis soon discovers sometimes love really is the answer.
The carriage is a sweet story about growing up, friendship, secrets, family and most of all love.
I came to simply adore Alexis even though at the start I was ready to slap some manners into her! She's strong and smart and not ready to let any propriety stand in her way although it may get her in a little trouble. Hey no one said time travel was easy.
As for Ezra well that's another story he's a classic hero. Kind, generous and with a penchant for saving Alexis what's not to love I'm smitten. Although he may have secret or two, that just makes him that much more interesting.

I can't wait for the next one, and recommend this to anyone that loves any kind of romance;)

[Elle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Follow Alexis as she discovers just how unforgiving Victorian England was first hand when she is thrown back in time from a curse in Jena Baxter’s The Carriage. Shunned as an outcast and starving, Alexis tries to steal food only to be caught and thrown into an asylum. Ezra met Alexis when she first arrived in London and offered his hospitality but Alexis was to naïve and stubborn and refused until she landed in the loony bin. With Alexis safe under his roof, Ezra finds himself drawn to her straight forward manner and unfiltered honesty.

This one grabbed me and I read it in 2 days. (That’s really fast for me!) I caught myself tearing up at parts and I miss Ezra already. I think this is the closest to a book boyfriend I’ve actually come. Ezra is so reserved and intense and thoughtful that you can’t help but ache for all he’s been through. So looking forward to book 2!

[Kimberly Vanderbloom · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was impressed with this book. The story flowed effortlessly. My mind was sent to London in 1875. I could clearly picture the sounds and smells. It was incredibly written. The dual point of views was amazing. I enjoyed reading the thoughts of both Ezra and Alexis. I couldn't imagine how hard it would be to travel back in time and try to adapt and live. I thought Baxter did a great job telling the struggles one would have. It was a sweet love story as well. My favorite moment was when Ezra saved her from the asylum. I found that to be a raw and tender moment. This is the first book I have read from this author and it won't be my last. I would recommend this to anyone who likes a paranormal spin on a time travel novel. You will not be disappointed.

[Heather Peet · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great book about a teenager who is thrown back in time to 18th century England by her sister.

While stuck there she learns a lot about herself and falls for Ezra who is unusual and has problems with his sinking.

Just as she becomes happy with where she is at, things change....I loved the ending

[Kerr-Ann Dempster · Rating 3 out of 5]

I looooved Ezra.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this book. Jena Baxter brings the characters to life. This is a YA paranormal romance that has time travel too. I don't usually read this kind of romance but really enjoyed the story of Alexis and Ezra. Alexis is a spoiled rotten teen who is sent back in time to the 17th century by her sister Brooke. Once there she meets Ezra and although he wants to help, she refuses and is going to go it alone. Well that doesn't work out so well for her, there are lots of things that go wrong. Ezra ends up having to help her get out of an asylum. She finally has accepted that she is stuck when she gets suddenly sent home. Ezra isn't quite human so he can wait for her and he does. You have to read the book to see all the twist and turns that happen to both Alexis and Ezra. A love that the passage of time can't stop.

[Barbara Lieberman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was anxious to read this book, as I do enjoy a good time-travel romance. The premise is unique, where the time travel is concerned, and the main character is quite believable in her inability to easily fit in the past. It never works for me when a character is thrown into another time and just carries on without missing a beat. The love story develops naturally with believable discomfort and 'fits and starts', in an unnatural and challenging setting, and there are nice twists to their story. I would like to have seen more of time spent on developing the characters, on Alexis' challenges in the past, and on the challenges they faced together, and so I am hoping the author will one day expand this story a bit from it's current length.

[Elle Klass · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to The Carriage back to back to another time travel book but each author had a very different story to tell. This story is about a teen girl who gets into a carriage with her sister for a short ride in modern day New York. She ends up in the Victorian Era Paris. Talk about culture shock. The girl who I think was a brat has a rude eye-opening experience. She faces a lot of adversity while there and hoping to get home and meets a young man and a mutual attraction blossoms. I won't say more but I feel she was humbled a bit by her experience and glad it happened to her.

Melissa Chatwood does a great job narrating both the male and female parts.

Interesting story and enjoyable listen.

[Jenn Sut · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alexis and her sister Brooke do not get along. I don't mean in a normal sibling way. after Alexis keeps making fun of Brooke, Brooke curses her sister in a carriage. The Carriage finally arrives in London in the Victorian Era (without Brooke). Alexis knows no one, is dressed inappropriate , and has no way to blend in to this society. She meets Ezra who offers her a home and clothes. Ezra has secrets of his own. Neither of them fits in to this society. this book is a very entertaining love story. I enjoyed it a lot.

[SALLY WHITE]

Thank you Goodreads for sending me this book. An enjoyable read. This is a young adult paranormal romance which follows Alexis as she is thrown back in time ti Victorian England from the present day. It follows her relationship with Ezra. The author captures the feel of Victorian England quite well with descriptions of buildings, clothes and life in general, including a mention of Charles Dickens.

[Terri · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had a hard time getting into this book, I even started it over twice. I found this story to be confusing and difficult to follow. It is a love story with time travel. At times, I enjoyed the story, but I kept getting lost and having to replay several parts. The author, Jena Baxter has the right idea, but need to fine tune this a little bit better. The narrator, Melissa Chatwood did a decent job on the delivery.

I won this audio book in a book event party.

[Keyshla · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a good book about how sometimes love comes unexpected. I liked the Victorian Era stuff, it was very realistic.