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Waltz in Time
MATCHMAKER'S MASQUERADE
When Stephanie Sergeant inherited a rambling old mansion in Natchez, Mississippi, she had no idea she'd have to share it with the ghost of a lovelorn Victorian spinster. Now the haunting strains of a violin disturb her sleep each night. And when she does dream, her late Great-aunt Magnolia comes to call, complaining that "someone has to deal with that man." Traveling back in time to play matchmaker, Stephanie seeks to pair up the lonely spinster with a notorious Southern rogue . . . But she soon finds herself in the arms of a devilishly charming prospective with ideas of his own.
WALTZ IN TIME
A handsome, broad-shouldered widower, Andre Goddard is thrilled to have finally found someone like Stephanie who can match his passion and fire --- and who is firm, yet loving, toward his five rambunctious children. Of course, the headstrong woman's infuriating insistence that she has come from the future to unite Andre with his shy, dowdy housekeeper is a serious obstacle to his romantic plans. And Stephanie is certain she could never give her heart to such an incorrigible rascal, even one as attractive as Andre. But the unexpected tenderness she experiences in Andre's embrace tantalizes her with the sensuous promise of a love that could make time stand still for them both.
When Stephanie Sergeant inherited a rambling old mansion in Natchez, Mississippi, she had no idea she'd have to share it with the ghost of a lovelorn Victorian spinster. Now the haunting strains of a violin disturb her sleep each night. And when she does dream, her late Great-aunt Magnolia comes to call, complaining that "someone has to deal with that man." Traveling back in time to play matchmaker, Stephanie seeks to pair up the lonely spinster with a notorious Southern rogue . . . But she soon finds herself in the arms of a devilishly charming prospective with ideas of his own.
WALTZ IN TIME
A handsome, broad-shouldered widower, Andre Goddard is thrilled to have finally found someone like Stephanie who can match his passion and fire --- and who is firm, yet loving, toward his five rambunctious children. Of course, the headstrong woman's infuriating insistence that she has come from the future to unite Andre with his shy, dowdy housekeeper is a serious obstacle to his romantic plans. And Stephanie is certain she could never give her heart to such an incorrigible rascal, even one as attractive as Andre. But the unexpected tenderness she experiences in Andre's embrace tantalizes her with the sensuous promise of a love that could make time stand still for them both.
378 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1987
153 people are currently reading
160 people want to read
About the author
Eugenia Riley
78 books100 followersEugenia Riley is the award-winning, bestselling author of dozens of historical, contemporary and time-travel romances, including A TRYST IN TIME, TEMPEST IN TIME, and TIMESWEPT BRIDE. She is a #1 Bestselling Author of Time Travel Romance at Amazon and Kindle. She has written for publishers including Avon, Bantam, Warner, Harlequin and Dorchester.
Eugenia is delighted to announce the launching of Eugenia Riley Classics, a new imprint featuring all of your favorite Eugenia Riley historical, contemporary, and time-travel romances, finally available again in Kindle, NOOK, Kobo and at iBooks! Eugenia's currently available e-book list includes: WANTED ACROSS TIME; BUSHWHACKED BRIDE; BUSHWHACKED GROOM; PHANTOM IN TIME; EMBERS OF TIME; A CHRISTMAS IN TIME; LOVERS AND OTHER LUNATICS; TIMESWEPT BRIDE; TIMESWEPT BABY; THE PHANTOM OF THE BATHTUB ; TEMPEST IN TIME; and TWO HEARTS IN TIME.
Eugenia's latest release, WANTED ACROSS TIME, is an April 2013 release in Kindle, NOOK, Kobo, and at iBooks. WANTED ACROSS TIME is a wild and sexy romp back in time to the Wild West, in the tradition of BUSHWHACKED BRIDE and BUSHWHACKED GROOM.
Eugenia is especially acclaimed for her nine time travel romance novels. Her first two, A TRYST IN TIME and TEMPEST IN TIME, were Waldenbooks romance bestsellers in mass-market paperback; both titles sold out of print three times. Three of her time-travels placed on the Ingram's romance list; and EMBERS OF TIME was a top ten bestseller in time-travel at Borders. Eight of Eugenia's time-travels have earned 5 star ratings or better at Heartland Critiques, and all have won numerous high ratings and rave reviews in publications such as Romantic Times, Rendezvous, and The Literary Times. Reviewer Harriet Klausner calls Eugenia "the empress of time-travel romance." She has received thousands of fan letters on her novels, from locations all over the world.
Eugenia is the winner of the HOLT Medallion for WALTZ IN TIME. She is a magna cum laude graduate of Texas Wesleyan University in Fort Worth, Texas, a former English teacher and editor of TOUCHSTONE Literary Quarterly. She lives in Texas with her husband; they have two grown daughters and two grandchildren.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
January 20, 2012
Geez and to think that I used to enjoy this type of book. UGH! Stephanie is one of those TSTL heroines whom you just want to smack some sense into. And Andre is a rogue who Stephanie finds charming but I just found smarmy and sleazy. If I hadn't needed this book to complete a few challenges this month, I would definitely have given up, as it was I literally had to force myself to keep reading this utter crap.
I think the problem was that I'm jaded by paranormals where ghosts are run-of-the-mill. Stephanie practically had a nervous breakdown whenever the ghost appeared which happened every few pages for about 75 pages. It just got old and irritating. This book was so bad that instead of swapping it and torturing some other poor reader, I just tossed it in the trash. Something I've rarely done and only with a book that is absolutely falling apart and unswappable.
I think the problem was that I'm jaded by paranormals where ghosts are run-of-the-mill. Stephanie practically had a nervous breakdown whenever the ghost appeared which happened every few pages for about 75 pages. It just got old and irritating. This book was so bad that instead of swapping it and torturing some other poor reader, I just tossed it in the trash. Something I've rarely done and only with a book that is absolutely falling apart and unswappable.
April 22, 2015
Waltz in Time is just that Stephanie, I young window encounters ghosts of her great aunt Magnolia, who gives her a mission to Fix the past, and end the sorrow of those who lived in the mansion 100s of years ago.
Stephanie is a strong woman who will not let a man rule her life, she accepts the fact that she has time travelled extremely well. While trying to get Andre to like Ebbie, so Stephanie can return to the present she falls in love with him.
Andre is a devoted father who let's his children rule, that's until Stephanie arrives. His list for her is obvious, he often behaves as he does to get a reaction from Stephanie. He frustrated me, he drove me crazy but he made me laugh.
This story was well written, however It did seem to drag in the middle, with very similar scenes that I did not find very important. That been said the ending was rushed and although it did not left any unanswered questions it did happen too rapidly for my liking.
I'll definitely be reading more from the author!
Stephanie is a strong woman who will not let a man rule her life, she accepts the fact that she has time travelled extremely well. While trying to get Andre to like Ebbie, so Stephanie can return to the present she falls in love with him.
Andre is a devoted father who let's his children rule, that's until Stephanie arrives. His list for her is obvious, he often behaves as he does to get a reaction from Stephanie. He frustrated me, he drove me crazy but he made me laugh.
This story was well written, however It did seem to drag in the middle, with very similar scenes that I did not find very important. That been said the ending was rushed and although it did not left any unanswered questions it did happen too rapidly for my liking.
I'll definitely be reading more from the author!
December 3, 2014
Genre: Romance/Time Travel
Author: Eugenia Riley
Book: Waltz in Time
My Star Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Will I read I read it again? Yes
Now usually I wouldn’t read a book with kids already in the picture but I didn’t mind it in this book. Also, now since my husband is in the Army and has gone to war, I don’t read books with the soldiers being killed in a war zone. In this book her first husband died in war, but it really didn’t bother me because she didn’t dwell on it.
I found that I really like all the characters in this book. Andre drove me crazy but I still loved him. I do think that the ending was a little rushed but other than that it was a great love story mixed in with time travel. I loved also the area in which the author places the setting. I love old plantation homes and the deep south!
I was given this book to read and give an honest review. This review is my honest opinion and I have fully read this book.
Author: Eugenia Riley
Book: Waltz in Time
My Star Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Will I read I read it again? Yes
Now usually I wouldn’t read a book with kids already in the picture but I didn’t mind it in this book. Also, now since my husband is in the Army and has gone to war, I don’t read books with the soldiers being killed in a war zone. In this book her first husband died in war, but it really didn’t bother me because she didn’t dwell on it.
I found that I really like all the characters in this book. Andre drove me crazy but I still loved him. I do think that the ending was a little rushed but other than that it was a great love story mixed in with time travel. I loved also the area in which the author places the setting. I love old plantation homes and the deep south!
I was given this book to read and give an honest review. This review is my honest opinion and I have fully read this book.
January 21, 2021
A pleasant read. I wasn't sure I was going to like Andre at first, but he grew on me. I liked the family aspect of the book. The best laugh-out-loud moment was when Ebbie was introduced to a suitor's hunting dogs to see if she would pass muster. Really, really enjoyed that image. LOL Nice sexual tension.
February 20, 2013
It's the first book I've read of this author. I must say that it's plot is refreshing to me. I am used to reading heavy plots of war and such that the book's lighter mood gives me a good feeling. But not as much as I like Constance O'Day-Flannery's Time After Time.
The setting's almost similar: Modern widow falls through time to meet widower, who kinda is unable to take care of his child/children due to mourning or guilt, and the heroine never wants to go back anymore and in the end they get to stay and they lived happily ever after.
The setting's almost similar: Modern widow falls through time to meet widower, who kinda is unable to take care of his child/children due to mourning or guilt, and the heroine never wants to go back anymore and in the end they get to stay and they lived happily ever after.
May 3, 2015
Delightful romance
Quick paced read with wonderful endearing cast of characters. I thoroughly enjoyed this story which made me laugh out loud. The children are a spark that makes this romance come alive. I read a lot and I never saw the ending coming. Would I recommend this novel ? You bet! I will definitely be read more from Eugenia Riley.
Quick paced read with wonderful endearing cast of characters. I thoroughly enjoyed this story which made me laugh out loud. The children are a spark that makes this romance come alive. I read a lot and I never saw the ending coming. Would I recommend this novel ? You bet! I will definitely be read more from Eugenia Riley.
August 31, 2019
A wonderful read
I love time travel Books. Well this one was a little slow it is still well worth reading. We don’t really have villains here. But we do have romance and the delicious Paul that our main characters have does watch You to shake them so they realize how much time they’re missing. When they finally do come together oh my gosh. To die for. And the history and her descriptions are so vivid that you can actually see them in your mind Eye. Such a wonderful use of the English language. Even slow it’s an enjoyable read
I love time travel Books. Well this one was a little slow it is still well worth reading. We don’t really have villains here. But we do have romance and the delicious Paul that our main characters have does watch You to shake them so they realize how much time they’re missing. When they finally do come together oh my gosh. To die for. And the history and her descriptions are so vivid that you can actually see them in your mind Eye. Such a wonderful use of the English language. Even slow it’s an enjoyable read
August 28, 2019
Travel in Time
I'm happy I didn't read the reviews before I read the Book ! That would have been a spoiler. The book was absolutely charming ! I always enjoy a well crafted plot , time warping and Southern Fried anything ! Little twists are exciting and this does not disappoint. Total enjoyment reading !
I'm happy I didn't read the reviews before I read the Book ! That would have been a spoiler. The book was absolutely charming ! I always enjoy a well crafted plot , time warping and Southern Fried anything ! Little twists are exciting and this does not disappoint. Total enjoyment reading !
January 17, 2021
Waltz in Time
Stephanie saw and heard things in the night. Her late aunt told her to go back in time to settle it all so they can rest. As she did she thought to help Ebbie to marry but Stephanie fell in love with Ebbie’s intended. All wrong because the intended was someone else. So Stephanie stayed.
Stephanie saw and heard things in the night. Her late aunt told her to go back in time to settle it all so they can rest. As she did she thought to help Ebbie to marry but Stephanie fell in love with Ebbie’s intended. All wrong because the intended was someone else. So Stephanie stayed.
February 15, 2023
I really struggled with this book. I liked the beginning with its mysterious hauntings, but then it got weird. The main character travels back in time. The middle of the book just dragged on and on. In the end, she doesn't travel back, and then the book ends. I thought it was terrible, and the storyline was not great either. This was a book with potentail but did not make the cut for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 6, 2017
I didn't expect to love this as much as I did because I've been disappointed with the last couple of historical romances I've read recently. It was surprising and refreshing to say the least. I think what I loved most was that it didn't include any over the top soap opera drama like crazy ex mistresses, jealous admirers, controlling relatives, or shady blackmail and murder plots thrown in just to keep it interesting. It started as romance and stayed focused on the romance which I loved. It didn't throw anything in that it didn't need. It centered on the attraction and growing feelings between Stephanie and Andre, the bond with his kids that changed from unwanted stranger to loving mother, the friendship with Ebbie who saw her as a sister and best friend, the turmoil with fighting feelings for someone who wasn't supposed to be yours and the agony of getting close to this family and hurting them with your abandonment should you be taken back to your own time against your will. All of that was in this book and there was a lot of it, if you like seeing the feelings of characters, the change that different types of love can bring to a person. This is the book.
Both Stephanie and Andre were two characters that I loved and respected highly. They didn't play games with each other, not in the sense that you think. They do try to manipulate the other in certain situations like Steph trying to get him to spend time with Ebbie and see her in a different light,or Andre negotiating Steph to spend time with him if he were to do the same with Ebbie, but they didn't mess with each other's feelings or set out to hurt them. It was a game where they both got caught up if anything.
Steph was one of my favorite heroines reading because she didn't come across as a blushing and bumbling idiot every time he looked at her or addressed her. She stood up to him and put him in his place when he overstepped or undermined her authority. She held her own and wasn't afraid to walk even though she had no where to go which I high-fived her for and though she had no clue how to survive in a different era. She spoke her mind to Andre and let him know that she wasn't going to fall head over heels for him as he expected her to like any other woman. She took charge of a household that desperately needed order and children who needed rules and discipline. She was firm and assertive which they needed to see. The other kids adapted right away to her but seeing the change in Gwen was beautiful to see her eventually accept Steph as a potential mother role when she was so determined to hate her at first.
Andre was someone I initially didn't think I was going to like because of his arrogance, overconfident ego, and how he allowed his children to do as they pleased and pretty much run the home. Which is why I enjoyed the first days that Steph moved in because she knocked him down off his high horse and showed him that just because he was an attractive man with money that she wasn't going to bend to his will. He eventually accepted she was different, she was her own person, and wasn't going to fall for just his looks and money like many others had. He knew he had feelings for her and didn't hide them from her. What I loved most was that in the beginning it really was just attraction at first. As the book went on, it eventually grew from wanting her as a conquest that intrigued him, to an attractive, challenging, woman he wanted as a mistress, to the one he both loved and desired and loved his children as if they were her own. When he realized he loved her, he accepted it and embraced it. It didn't scare him and he tried to convince her that what they felt was right and good for both of them.
The one character I didn't like was Sam, her real sister. She was whiney and blamed Steph for her problems. She even asked her to not speak about certain things so as to keep the peace with her potential mother in law. She took her sister's sincere inquires and twisted them into asking her if she's jealous. I'm assuming she was in her twenties but she acted more like a teenager with her behavior and words. Ebbie was so much more likable and much more compatible as a sister figure. Sam seemed like a modern day spoiled, bratty, teenager marrying up in the social ladder for money and stability. I didn't like her and found that Steph overlooked her faults and didn't see her sister for who she really was deep down. I'm glad that she was only in the beginning because she was not someone I'd enjoy reading about. Her character was shady and off and if she has to blame her sister for her boyfriend breaking up with her because he's a mama's boy, she doesn't deserve to have Steph in her life.
This book took everything that I want in books and put it all in one. No mind games between characters, no dramatic misunderstandings, no over the top drama, and the bonus, no jealous heroine who feeds the hero's ego when she denies wanting him, sees him with another girl, confronts him with snarky remarks about said girl, while completely embarrassing herself. Stephanie was one classy, respectable woman and Andre was an enjoyable, humorous man. I'm glad I bought this book and will soon check out more of this author's other works to see how the others compare.
Both Stephanie and Andre were two characters that I loved and respected highly. They didn't play games with each other, not in the sense that you think. They do try to manipulate the other in certain situations like Steph trying to get him to spend time with Ebbie and see her in a different light,or Andre negotiating Steph to spend time with him if he were to do the same with Ebbie, but they didn't mess with each other's feelings or set out to hurt them. It was a game where they both got caught up if anything.
Steph was one of my favorite heroines reading because she didn't come across as a blushing and bumbling idiot every time he looked at her or addressed her. She stood up to him and put him in his place when he overstepped or undermined her authority. She held her own and wasn't afraid to walk even though she had no where to go which I high-fived her for and though she had no clue how to survive in a different era. She spoke her mind to Andre and let him know that she wasn't going to fall head over heels for him as he expected her to like any other woman. She took charge of a household that desperately needed order and children who needed rules and discipline. She was firm and assertive which they needed to see. The other kids adapted right away to her but seeing the change in Gwen was beautiful to see her eventually accept Steph as a potential mother role when she was so determined to hate her at first.
Andre was someone I initially didn't think I was going to like because of his arrogance, overconfident ego, and how he allowed his children to do as they pleased and pretty much run the home. Which is why I enjoyed the first days that Steph moved in because she knocked him down off his high horse and showed him that just because he was an attractive man with money that she wasn't going to bend to his will. He eventually accepted she was different, she was her own person, and wasn't going to fall for just his looks and money like many others had. He knew he had feelings for her and didn't hide them from her. What I loved most was that in the beginning it really was just attraction at first. As the book went on, it eventually grew from wanting her as a conquest that intrigued him, to an attractive, challenging, woman he wanted as a mistress, to the one he both loved and desired and loved his children as if they were her own. When he realized he loved her, he accepted it and embraced it. It didn't scare him and he tried to convince her that what they felt was right and good for both of them.
The one character I didn't like was Sam, her real sister. She was whiney and blamed Steph for her problems. She even asked her to not speak about certain things so as to keep the peace with her potential mother in law. She took her sister's sincere inquires and twisted them into asking her if she's jealous. I'm assuming she was in her twenties but she acted more like a teenager with her behavior and words. Ebbie was so much more likable and much more compatible as a sister figure. Sam seemed like a modern day spoiled, bratty, teenager marrying up in the social ladder for money and stability. I didn't like her and found that Steph overlooked her faults and didn't see her sister for who she really was deep down. I'm glad that she was only in the beginning because she was not someone I'd enjoy reading about. Her character was shady and off and if she has to blame her sister for her boyfriend breaking up with her because he's a mama's boy, she doesn't deserve to have Steph in her life.
This book took everything that I want in books and put it all in one. No mind games between characters, no dramatic misunderstandings, no over the top drama, and the bonus, no jealous heroine who feeds the hero's ego when she denies wanting him, sees him with another girl, confronts him with snarky remarks about said girl, while completely embarrassing herself. Stephanie was one classy, respectable woman and Andre was an enjoyable, humorous man. I'm glad I bought this book and will soon check out more of this author's other works to see how the others compare.
January 17, 2019
Making happiness happen
What a lovely story. I love the rascal Andre and his bevy of children. Talk about tugging at one's heartstrings- Stephanie is amazing. This is courtship book to end all courtship - the perfect book to tread and dream.
What a lovely story. I love the rascal Andre and his bevy of children. Talk about tugging at one's heartstrings- Stephanie is amazing. This is courtship book to end all courtship - the perfect book to tread and dream.
Read
August 27, 2019 This story was amazing. Eugenia Riley kept me spinning. Every single character in this story is totally lovable. This is a love story like none other that I've ever read. If you read it an don't like it then you don't have a heart.
January 13, 2021
What a incredibly awesome storyline!
I really enjoyed this story,it keeps you guessing all the way to the end! A beautiful romance for two couples as well as the wonderful storyline!
I really enjoyed this story,it keeps you guessing all the way to the end! A beautiful romance for two couples as well as the wonderful storyline!
January 23, 2021
Simply Wonderful
I have read other Time travel novels by Eugenia Riley and have loved them. This was no exception. Her books are truly works of art. I recommend her novels to anyone who loves a good read where the characters jump out of the books and into your heart.
I have read other Time travel novels by Eugenia Riley and have loved them. This was no exception. Her books are truly works of art. I recommend her novels to anyone who loves a good read where the characters jump out of the books and into your heart.
August 30, 2022
Disappointing. Female lead annoying and not too bright. Male lead comes across as just sleazey, always trying to seduce the new governess, not listening to her, touching and kissing after she says no. Maybe typical read once upon a time, but a big turn off for me.
February 12, 2020
So much love and affection
I loved this story. Her modern day sassiness had him reeling. It was so full of love and dilemmas. It really is a great story.
I loved this story. Her modern day sassiness had him reeling. It was so full of love and dilemmas. It really is a great story.
May 11, 2020
Delightful Story 5+*
The author, Eugenia Riley, has a way of grabbing hold of you from the start and not letting go until the end of the story. This Time Travel Mystery Romance has Stephanie hearing and seeing ghosts in her childhood home. The ghosts require Stephanie to help them. Stephanie travels back in time to correct a wrong. The characters are fun and interesting through out the entire story.
The author, Eugenia Riley, has a way of grabbing hold of you from the start and not letting go until the end of the story. This Time Travel Mystery Romance has Stephanie hearing and seeing ghosts in her childhood home. The ghosts require Stephanie to help them. Stephanie travels back in time to correct a wrong. The characters are fun and interesting through out the entire story.
March 8, 2021
Couldn't finish.
September 20, 2022
I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
September 1, 2024
There was a lot I enjoyed about this book, including the generally lighthearted tone and endearing characters. Andre’s passel of children were cute, especially Sarah and Amy 😊.
December 13, 2010
I found the hero infuriating!
From the inside front:
Matchmaker's masquerade...
When Stephanie Sergeant inherited a rambling old mansion in Natchez, Mississippi, she had no idea she'd have to share it with the ghost of a lovelorn Victorian spinster. Now the haunting straings of a violin disturb her sleep each night. And when she does dream, her late Great-aunt Magnolia comes to call, complaining that "someone has to deal with that man." Traveling back in time to play matchmaker, Stephanie seeks to pair up the lonely spinster with a notorious Southern rogue... But she sone finds herself in the arms of a devilishly charming prospective with ideas of his own.
Waltz in time...
A handsome, broad-shouldered widower, Andre Goddard is thrilled to have finally found someone like Stephanie who can match his passion and fire--and who is firm, yet loving toward his five rambunctious children. Of course the headstrong woman's infuriating insitence that she has come from the future to unite Andre with his shy dowdy housekeeper is a serious obstacle to his romantic plans. And Stephanie is certain she would never give her heart to such an incorrigible rascal, even one as attractive as Andre. But the unexpected tenderness she experiences in Andre's embrace tantalizes her with the sensuous promise of love that could make time stand still for them both.
And my review:
Well, I kind of felt that the given synposis is a bit misleading. The hero is not happy to find a woman who is firm with his bratty children--just the opposite. He thinks that his children's every whim should be undulged, and that any punishment, even when it's deserved and necessary, is wrong. Grr. Strike one against the hero. I have absolutely zero respect for people who don't disipline their children. A person who really loves their kids will teach them boundries, or the children will grow up to by horrible, dysfunctional adults that everyone hates.
Also, the synopsis states that the heroine insists that she's from the future. Yet she doesn't do that in the story--in fact, she's smart enough to realize that saying such a thing will lead to her being locked up in a madhouse.
Okay, first of all, there were some things to like about this book: the time-travel aspect of it is quite well done. The author had a good balance between the heroine accepting her fate weighed with her disbelief over what had happened. Too many time-travel book either have the time-travelling character shrug off the fantastic experience all too easily, or have them never accept it. That didn't happen here. I felt that the author struck just the right balance. Also, her historical descriptions were vivid and well done without overtaking the story. Her words painted a clear picture in my head, until I felt like I was really there. Yet I never felt like I was reading a textbook. Also, the way the heroine travelled through time was both original and believeable.
However, the hero was so annoying! I wanted to smack him a good one on more than one occasion. First of all, there's his total overindulgence of his kids. Even when they scare the housekeeper with a snake and put a goldfish down her dress, he just shrugs it off, saying they're only kids. Yes, but that's what parents are for--to correct improper behavior, not condone it. And I really didn't like when he turned his family into a democracy. His oldest daughter wants Stephanie to leave (because she's finally setting down limits), and he has the kids take a vote. When more kids want her to stay then go, then Stephanie is "allowed" to stay. Again, who is the parent here? I'd tell the kid that Stephanie is staying, that's that, and if you don't like it, tough cheese! But the hero has no backbone when it comes to his kids. As if being motherless means they can get away with murder.
And he was sex-crazed. Every second thing out of his mouth was an innuendo. It wasn't sexy; it was just sleazy. The lame pick-up lines just made him come across as a shallow, hormonal loser. I hate to sound so harsh, but I just HATED him. And I couldn't cheer for him to get together with the heroine when I felt that she was far too good for him. She was the only one who knew how to properly care for children, and she wasn't even a parent! And she actually cared about other people. He cared only about himself.
From the inside front:
Matchmaker's masquerade...
When Stephanie Sergeant inherited a rambling old mansion in Natchez, Mississippi, she had no idea she'd have to share it with the ghost of a lovelorn Victorian spinster. Now the haunting straings of a violin disturb her sleep each night. And when she does dream, her late Great-aunt Magnolia comes to call, complaining that "someone has to deal with that man." Traveling back in time to play matchmaker, Stephanie seeks to pair up the lonely spinster with a notorious Southern rogue... But she sone finds herself in the arms of a devilishly charming prospective with ideas of his own.
Waltz in time...
A handsome, broad-shouldered widower, Andre Goddard is thrilled to have finally found someone like Stephanie who can match his passion and fire--and who is firm, yet loving toward his five rambunctious children. Of course the headstrong woman's infuriating insitence that she has come from the future to unite Andre with his shy dowdy housekeeper is a serious obstacle to his romantic plans. And Stephanie is certain she would never give her heart to such an incorrigible rascal, even one as attractive as Andre. But the unexpected tenderness she experiences in Andre's embrace tantalizes her with the sensuous promise of love that could make time stand still for them both.
And my review:
Well, I kind of felt that the given synposis is a bit misleading. The hero is not happy to find a woman who is firm with his bratty children--just the opposite. He thinks that his children's every whim should be undulged, and that any punishment, even when it's deserved and necessary, is wrong. Grr. Strike one against the hero. I have absolutely zero respect for people who don't disipline their children. A person who really loves their kids will teach them boundries, or the children will grow up to by horrible, dysfunctional adults that everyone hates.
Also, the synopsis states that the heroine insists that she's from the future. Yet she doesn't do that in the story--in fact, she's smart enough to realize that saying such a thing will lead to her being locked up in a madhouse.
Okay, first of all, there were some things to like about this book: the time-travel aspect of it is quite well done. The author had a good balance between the heroine accepting her fate weighed with her disbelief over what had happened. Too many time-travel book either have the time-travelling character shrug off the fantastic experience all too easily, or have them never accept it. That didn't happen here. I felt that the author struck just the right balance. Also, her historical descriptions were vivid and well done without overtaking the story. Her words painted a clear picture in my head, until I felt like I was really there. Yet I never felt like I was reading a textbook. Also, the way the heroine travelled through time was both original and believeable.
However, the hero was so annoying! I wanted to smack him a good one on more than one occasion. First of all, there's his total overindulgence of his kids. Even when they scare the housekeeper with a snake and put a goldfish down her dress, he just shrugs it off, saying they're only kids. Yes, but that's what parents are for--to correct improper behavior, not condone it. And I really didn't like when he turned his family into a democracy. His oldest daughter wants Stephanie to leave (because she's finally setting down limits), and he has the kids take a vote. When more kids want her to stay then go, then Stephanie is "allowed" to stay. Again, who is the parent here? I'd tell the kid that Stephanie is staying, that's that, and if you don't like it, tough cheese! But the hero has no backbone when it comes to his kids. As if being motherless means they can get away with murder.
And he was sex-crazed. Every second thing out of his mouth was an innuendo. It wasn't sexy; it was just sleazy. The lame pick-up lines just made him come across as a shallow, hormonal loser. I hate to sound so harsh, but I just HATED him. And I couldn't cheer for him to get together with the heroine when I felt that she was far too good for him. She was the only one who knew how to properly care for children, and she wasn't even a parent! And she actually cared about other people. He cared only about himself.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 1, 2015
Be careful to sip wine you didn't see poured.
This review is from: Waltz in Time (Kindle Edition)
What every Romance needs, a little mystery, a little cad you wanna slap, and most of all a steamy response after the slap, kids and love. When she thinks she can't have kids a trip back in time to make sure a ghost that is haunting her marries the cad she thinks is the problem. Well things get a little strange.. the cad isn't a total toad, in fact after a few weeks she finds she likes kissing this prince. The problem is what happens when she goes back to her time? She's been told that her journey will have start and an ending. Her heart breaks at leaving him but her fear becomes very real with a sip of wine. How can she leave him? How can she leave his family that have become as close to her as her own? Time travel has it's perks but also it's heart ache. Can she stay or can she get back if she's returned to her time? When her new love gives her a sip of wine is that going to trigger her return?
This review is from: Waltz in Time (Kindle Edition)
What every Romance needs, a little mystery, a little cad you wanna slap, and most of all a steamy response after the slap, kids and love. When she thinks she can't have kids a trip back in time to make sure a ghost that is haunting her marries the cad she thinks is the problem. Well things get a little strange.. the cad isn't a total toad, in fact after a few weeks she finds she likes kissing this prince. The problem is what happens when she goes back to her time? She's been told that her journey will have start and an ending. Her heart breaks at leaving him but her fear becomes very real with a sip of wine. How can she leave him? How can she leave his family that have become as close to her as her own? Time travel has it's perks but also it's heart ache. Can she stay or can she get back if she's returned to her time? When her new love gives her a sip of wine is that going to trigger her return?
September 5, 2010
There wasn't much to the story, so I got a little tired as it carried on for 378 pages. Also, this is the second book I've read by Eugenia Riley, and it was much too alike to the first. I even skimmed through a third, and it too was pretty much the same. Same characters with new names and a slightly different backgrounds. They even say and do the same things. I'm starting to think: Once you've read one of Eugenia Riley's books, you've read them all.
January 30, 2014
This is the first book I've read by Eugenia Riley and after reading all her glowing reviews I was disappointed. This book was slow paced which is the main reason it is over 300 pages. I found the time travel element a little confusing and I didn't feel any connection to the heroine Stephanie. I did a lot of skimming to get to the end.
The romance is this book is okay and the historical detail is enough to make me feel transported back in time to Natchez in 1878. I just wished it would have been edited for a faster more exciting read!
The romance is this book is okay and the historical detail is enough to make me feel transported back in time to Natchez in 1878. I just wished it would have been edited for a faster more exciting read!
March 13, 2014
Another great one from Ms. Riley. She brings old songs to her story and I find myself finding them on youtube and listen to them while reading.
This story had 5 little ones and 2 of them were little misfits and also adorable.
This story had 5 little ones and 2 of them were little misfits and also adorable.
March 19, 2016
Romantic
I had to give this five stars. She is a great author and this book was so cute and passionate..But it could have still touch a little in the present time...But all in all a great book
I had to give this five stars. She is a great author and this book was so cute and passionate..But it could have still touch a little in the present time...But all in all a great book
October 13, 2016
It was a joy to read
You know you really enjoy the book when you're sorry to see it end. I will definitely be reading more of your box.
You know you really enjoy the book when you're sorry to see it end. I will definitely be reading more of your box.
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