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Beyond the Threshold #1
There and Now
Seeking refuge, Elisabeth McCartney returns to her centuries-old family home--never dreaming escape would lie over a threshold, taking her 100 years back into the past. When she found herself unexpectedly in the bedroom of Dr. Jonathan Fortner, the handsome Victorian demanded an explanation from this t-shirt-clad stranger who had no believable one to offer.
251 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published July 1, 1992
129 people are currently reading
1007 people want to read
About the author
Linda Lael Miller
553 books3,221 followersThe daughter of a town marshal, Linda Lael Miller is a #1 New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author of more than 100 historical and contemporary novels, most of which reflect her love of the West. Raised in Northport, Washington, Linda pursued her wanderlust, living in London and Arizona and traveling the world before returning to the state of her birth to settle down on a spacious property outside Spokane.
Linda traces the birth of her writing career to the day when a Northport teacher told her that the stories she was writing were good, that she just might have a future in writing. Later, when she decided to write novels, she endured her share of rejection before she sold Fletcher’s Woman in 1983 to Pocket Books. Since then, Linda has successfully published historicals, contemporaries, paranormals, mysteries and thrillers before coming home, in a literal sense, and concentrating on novels with a Western flavor. For her devotion to her craft, the Romance Writers of America awarded her their prestigious Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award in 2007.
Long a passionate Civil War buff, Linda has studied the era avidly for almost thirty years. She has read literally hundreds of books on the subject, explored numerous battlegrounds and made many visits to her favorite, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, where she has witnessed re-enactments of the legendary clash between North and South. Linda explores that turbulent time in The Yankee Widow, a May 7, 2019 MIRA Books hardcover, also available in digital and audiobook formats.
Dedicated to helping others, “The First Lady of the West” personally financed fifteen years of her Linda Lael Miller Scholarships for Women, which she awarded to women 25 years and older who were seeking to improve their lot in life through education. She anticipates that her next charitable endeavors will benefit four-legged critters.
More information about Linda and her novels is available at www.lindalaelmiller.com, on Facebook and from Nancy Berland Public Relations, nancy@nancyberland.com, 405-206-4748.
Linda traces the birth of her writing career to the day when a Northport teacher told her that the stories she was writing were good, that she just might have a future in writing. Later, when she decided to write novels, she endured her share of rejection before she sold Fletcher’s Woman in 1983 to Pocket Books. Since then, Linda has successfully published historicals, contemporaries, paranormals, mysteries and thrillers before coming home, in a literal sense, and concentrating on novels with a Western flavor. For her devotion to her craft, the Romance Writers of America awarded her their prestigious Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award in 2007.
Long a passionate Civil War buff, Linda has studied the era avidly for almost thirty years. She has read literally hundreds of books on the subject, explored numerous battlegrounds and made many visits to her favorite, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, where she has witnessed re-enactments of the legendary clash between North and South. Linda explores that turbulent time in The Yankee Widow, a May 7, 2019 MIRA Books hardcover, also available in digital and audiobook formats.
Dedicated to helping others, “The First Lady of the West” personally financed fifteen years of her Linda Lael Miller Scholarships for Women, which she awarded to women 25 years and older who were seeking to improve their lot in life through education. She anticipates that her next charitable endeavors will benefit four-legged critters.
More information about Linda and her novels is available at www.lindalaelmiller.com, on Facebook and from Nancy Berland Public Relations, nancy@nancyberland.com, 405-206-4748.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews
May 20, 2012
Very good book - definitely different than what I am used to from Ms. Miller. When Elisabeth arrived in Pine River she had come for a new job as a teacher and to recover from her divorce. One night, while wearing a necklace from her aunt, she went through a door into the past. The man she met there, Dr Jonathan Fortner, was understandably very suspicious of her and didn't believe her story. She escaped from him and returned home. She then went back, after finding out that he and his daughter would die tragically, and tried to convince him. As a man of science, Jonathan thought that Elisabeth was imagining things, but found himself falling in love with her. I really enjoyed seeing Elisabeth as she coped with the past, tried to convince Jonathan of the danger, and adored Jonathan's daughter. The conclusion of the story was terrific, and I have ordered the second book in the series about Elisabeth's cousin Rue.
January 21, 2008
I didn't care for it. There was too much "trying to convince" people of the time-travel incident(s) and the romance started way too fast. I thought the character of Jonathan was unemotional and flat. There was no suspense and overall it was just boring.
October 18, 2009
Maybe I'm spoiled by Lynn Kurland, but this one was just ok for me. Yes, it pulled on my emotions in places, but I felt it was a bit uneven. I also felt the ending was abrupt and I was really disappointed with the heroine and her disregard for her friend Janet and the old ladies across the way.
not-finished
September 20, 2023This story was a bit all over the place. Very insta-love.
I didn't like the traveling back and forth. I also didn't like that John got pissed off because he found out Lizzie was previously married... when he also was divorced. He had no problems hooking up with her, with no promise of marriage. But then the silent treatment when he found out she was married, so ridiculous.
Overall, I couldn't get into it and didn't like either character.
I didn't like the traveling back and forth. I also didn't like that John got pissed off because he found out Lizzie was previously married... when he also was divorced. He had no problems hooking up with her, with no promise of marriage. But then the silent treatment when he found out she was married, so ridiculous.
Overall, I couldn't get into it and didn't like either character.
August 16, 2021
It was not what I'd hoped for but it was a good story and kept you interested. Elizabeth goes to an old house she remembers from childhood but finds it changed. The townspeople all say the house is haunted. There is a door on the second floor which from the outside of the house doesn't go anywhere but to a 10 foot drop to the ground. But inside the door won't open, until one night........
July 28, 2014
Sweet read. Sometimes when the hectic world gets to me, I wish I can go back in time to a simpler world. In this book Elizabeth McCartney does just that, but she finds that every century has it's own difficulties (i.e. no electricity, no telephone, no hot running water, no antibiotics, a false murder charge), and in the case of Dr. Fortner and his little daughter Trista, it's own blessings as well.
October 24, 2018
The best books that take place in the present don't date themselves, but it is easy to guess the time period in which this was originally written based on the author's description of clothing and convenience devices, and the slightly less than "woke" way LGBTQ+ individuals are referred to in passing, but the sex is good and steamy, without being trashy, and the whirlwind romance and the growing mother daughter relationship between Trista and Elisabeth is beautiful.
May 4, 2023
I love books places in the past, and a good love story. This book had me hooked right away. A page-turner for sure. But when I was reading about it I was thinking about it, and when I wasn't thinking about it I was dreaming about it.
This book had me right where every author wants their reader. I felt every emotion with the character and could picture myself there.
The book was a bit predictable, but not enough to decrease a star.
This book had me right where every author wants their reader. I felt every emotion with the character and could picture myself there.
The book was a bit predictable, but not enough to decrease a star.
May 25, 2018
Although one of those present/past things, I enjoyed the book and the characters. There were times when I thought Elizabeth was a bit stupid, but on the whole it was a well-thought-out story line that the reader could follow and appreciate. It would be interesting to see how well Elizabeth and Jonathan make out, given Elizabeth's knowledge of future events.
June 19, 2021
3.5 stars
It was my favorite kind of trope - time travel in a historical romance novel
The characters and premise were actualy pretty good but it just was lacking in its intensity for me
But how they were drawn to once another and how it was eventualy solved was a winner
Love a HEA of course
It was my favorite kind of trope - time travel in a historical romance novel
The characters and premise were actualy pretty good but it just was lacking in its intensity for me
But how they were drawn to once another and how it was eventualy solved was a winner
Love a HEA of course
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 7, 2018
Love this story! I've read it several times over the past few years.
February 18, 2019
You can see the beginnings of Miller's signature style coming through. Not really enough to save it for me though. The story is very dated, very 90's, Back to the Future, pseudo-women's lib.
May 27, 2019
Give me all of the time travel and happy ever Afters. Although the relationship wasn't really give time to form at the beginning it was a good story overall, if a little jumpy.
May 27, 2020
I love every single bit of it. Linda is absolutely a legend!
September 16, 2020
Tragiskas vertimas
January 27, 2022
Good but not great. I usually love time travel books. Maybe you need to read #2 to really finish this.
Very “patchy”, disjointed and read like a readers digest story.
Very “patchy”, disjointed and read like a readers digest story.
February 12, 2022
I’m going to do you a favor— picture it as Richard Madden playing Johnathan and then everything is right in the world, lol.
June 29, 2023
Awesome book! What a cool storyline! Loved it!
March 6, 2024
Good summer smut!
June 6, 2024
I absolutely loved it and I can't wait to read the second book!! I really grew to love and care about the characters 💜
October 5, 2024
The best time travel book I have ever read.
Still a great read the second time.
Still a great read the second time.
July 6, 2025
Lengvas romanas, bet su netikėta pabaiga.
June 7, 2021
I liked this series.
March 1, 2017
A cute quick story.
August 6, 2013
Elizabeth baru saja bercerai dari suaminya dan pindah ke rumah bibinya di sebuah kota kecil. Rumah bibinya ini adalah sebuah rumah tua dan jaman dulu kala pernah ada sebuah kebakaran di rumah ini yang menewaskan seorang dokter dan putrinya--yang membuat rumah ini jadi angker, karena banyak tetangga melihat penampakan dan mendengar suara-suara asing dari rumah ini.
Well, suatu saat tanpa sengaja Elizabeth menemukan sebuah pintu masuk yang menghubungkan masa sekarang dengan masa lalu--tepatnya masa di saat kebakaran hebat di rumahnya belum terjadi. Di sana Elizabeth bertemu dan berinteraksi dengan dokter Jonathan dan putrinya. Seperti yang kita duga, Elizabeth pun jatuh cinta dengan Jonathan, meski dia tahu bagaimana nasib Jonathan dan putrinya nanti. Maka dari itulah Elizabeth berusaha mencegah kematian Jonathan, tapi betapa kagetnya dia begitu hasil risetnya menemukan bahwa pelaku yang menyebabkan kebakaran rumah tsb adalah Elizabeth sendiri, dan pada akhirnya Elizabeth akan digantung mati atas 'kejahatannya' ini.
Rasanya saya terlalu banyak berharap ketika membaca buku ini, dan kecewa. Sensasi time travelnya ga begitu saya dapat. Mungkin karena di cerita ini hero-heroinenya bisa bolak-balik melintasi waktu. Beda dengan novel time travel lainnya yang menceritakan si Heroine terjebak di masa lampau dan ga bisa kembali. Meski begitu, novel ini menawarkan misteri yang menarik untuk diikuti. Saya masih tetap dibuat pensaran kenapa Elizabeth bisa dituduh sebagai pelaku pembakaran, dst. Endingnya juga not bad.
Well, suatu saat tanpa sengaja Elizabeth menemukan sebuah pintu masuk yang menghubungkan masa sekarang dengan masa lalu--tepatnya masa di saat kebakaran hebat di rumahnya belum terjadi. Di sana Elizabeth bertemu dan berinteraksi dengan dokter Jonathan dan putrinya. Seperti yang kita duga, Elizabeth pun jatuh cinta dengan Jonathan, meski dia tahu bagaimana nasib Jonathan dan putrinya nanti. Maka dari itulah Elizabeth berusaha mencegah kematian Jonathan, tapi betapa kagetnya dia begitu hasil risetnya menemukan bahwa pelaku yang menyebabkan kebakaran rumah tsb adalah Elizabeth sendiri, dan pada akhirnya Elizabeth akan digantung mati atas 'kejahatannya' ini.
Rasanya saya terlalu banyak berharap ketika membaca buku ini, dan kecewa. Sensasi time travelnya ga begitu saya dapat. Mungkin karena di cerita ini hero-heroinenya bisa bolak-balik melintasi waktu. Beda dengan novel time travel lainnya yang menceritakan si Heroine terjebak di masa lampau dan ga bisa kembali. Meski begitu, novel ini menawarkan misteri yang menarik untuk diikuti. Saya masih tetap dibuat pensaran kenapa Elizabeth bisa dituduh sebagai pelaku pembakaran, dst. Endingnya juga not bad.
August 14, 2025
I will be honest with you and myself… I didn’t really read this book. I read about 180 pages out of 250 and that in of itself was torture so that the last 70 off pages, I absolutely skimmed. Very very basic time travel romance. Horribly plain and painful boring is how I will describe this book. Nothing, and I mean nothing, was remarkable about it. Characters boring as shit, falling in love after 50 pages and 2 encounters? Check. Random drugging of characters against their will which is later laughed off? Check. Love/passion/enchantment? Absolutely not.
Basic synopsis. The girl goes back in time, meets a doctor and his daughter. The girl proceeds to return to the future after realizing that very soon that doctor is going to die in a fire. Girl goes back to try to save them. That’s it.
Basic synopsis. The girl goes back in time, meets a doctor and his daughter. The girl proceeds to return to the future after realizing that very soon that doctor is going to die in a fire. Girl goes back to try to save them. That’s it.
June 8, 2012
Listening to audiobook. Also have paperback.
Elizabeth walks through a doorway and travels back in time with the help of her aunt's necklace. She meets Jonathan and Trista. Even though it's the late 1800's, it's pretty much wam-bam. She's kissing him and he's taking her upstairs at the same time he thinks she's crazy. That's where I'm stuck with this romance thing. The way they act towards each other, I just don't see the beginnings of love. I see a lot of lust but not a lot of love. Well, there's love with Trista, that I see. So, anyway, do I recommend this book? Yes, if you want a short, fluffy read.
Elizabeth walks through a doorway and travels back in time with the help of her aunt's necklace. She meets Jonathan and Trista. Even though it's the late 1800's, it's pretty much wam-bam. She's kissing him and he's taking her upstairs at the same time he thinks she's crazy. That's where I'm stuck with this romance thing. The way they act towards each other, I just don't see the beginnings of love. I see a lot of lust but not a lot of love. Well, there's love with Trista, that I see. So, anyway, do I recommend this book? Yes, if you want a short, fluffy read.
August 31, 2015
This is a time travel romance story. After her divorce Elisabeth McCartney moves into the house inherited from her aunt. Hearing music that she can't find the source of, she tries the door that is suppose to be to nowhere, and she steps over the threshold into 100 years in the past and meets Trista and her father Dr. Jonathan Fortner. Elizabeth learns of a fire that burned down their house and Trista and her father both perished, plus, she was charged with their murder and hanged. She tries to get the doctor to believe what she tells him about the fire. Hoping to save them. Kind of a far fetched story, but an easy read.
July 22, 2013
Not for the kids - one of those romance/time travel books by an author I like that was a quick and frivolous read. We all need at least one frivolous read per summer. Since I downloaded another one like it, perhaps at least two frivolous reads per summer. It is like that indulgent Ben and Jerry's ice cream - not needed, not necessary, not any meat to it or nutritional value, but a sweet treat.
January 10, 2019
Seeking refuge, Elisabeth McCartney returns to her centuries-old family home--never dreaming escape would lie over a threshold, taking her 100 years back into the past. When she found herself unexpectedly in the bedroom of Dr. Jonathan Fortner, the handsome Victorian demanded an explanation from this t-shirt-clad stranger who had no believable one to offer.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews