Never Leave Me (Waters of Time #2) by Jody Hedlund

 

In the last stages of a genetic disease, Ellen Creighton has decided to live out her remaining days at the estate of her longtime friend Harrison Burlington. Harrison cares deeply for Ellen, but as a wheelchair-bound paraplegic, he's never allowed himself to get serious in a relationship. However, he's desperately trying to save her by finding the holy water that is believed to heal any disease.

When he locates two flasks, Ellen refuses to drink one of them because she believes the holy water killed her sister and father. In an effort to convince her to take it, Harrison ingests the contents first, and when Ellen witnesses the effects, she can no longer deny the power of the substance in the bottles. Dangerous criminals are also seeking the holy water, and Ellen soon learns they will go to any lengths to get the powerful drug--including sending her back into the past to find it for them.

Bestselling and award-winning author Jody Hedlund plunges you into the swiftly flowing river of history in a race against the clock in this breathtaking, emotional second Waters of Time story.

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Yay!  Book two in this series is finally here!  I've been waiting to read this one because the first book was good and left things primed for this story.  You really need to read book one before reading this book.  The story is continuing and all the characters are in both books.  The first book really sets the stage for this one with background and explanations.

Time travel books are tricky to write, I think.  You have to make some sort of logical sense out of it and the author does a pretty good job of it here.  We start in the present day and are there for a bit, then we go with Ellen for a dip into the past.  It's quite eventful to say the least!  The first part of the book was really us getting to see Ellen and Harrison together, interacting and getting to know their relationship.  The second part was them apart, in desperate times, trying to help each other.  The pacing was good, building with tension and emotion all the way through.  

I especially loved Harrison.  He was so kind, gentle, and thoughtful.  Ever the gentleman.  He adored Ellen and it was expressed in his words and his actions.  He was the hero of this book for sure.  Harrison!  😍

This book was a good change of pace in my reading.  Time travel is a lesser written genre and I'm glad this author gave it a go.  It was fun!

Content:  peril, death, mild violence, kissing

- I received a complimentary copy of this book.  All opinions expressed are my own.

Come Back to Me (Waters of Time #1) by Jody Hedlund

 

The ultimate cure that could heal any disease? Crazy.

That's exactly what research scientist Marian Creighton has always believed about her father's quest, even if it does stem from a desire to save her sister Ellen from the genetic disease that stole their mother from them. But when her father falls into a coma after drinking a vial of holy water believed to contain traces of residue from the Tree of Life, Marian must question all of her assumptions. He's left behind tantalizing clues that suggest he's crossed back in time. Insane. Until Marian tests his theories and finds herself in the Middle Ages during a dangerous peasant uprising.

William Durham, a valiant knight comes to Marian's rescue and offers her protection . . . as his wife. The longer Marian stays in the past, the more she cares about William. Can she ever find her father and make it back to the present to heal her sister? And when the time comes to leave, will she want to?

Bestselling author Jody Hedlund is your guide down the twisting waters of time to a volatile era of superstition, revolts, and chivalry in this suspenseful story.

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Time travel books are tricky, am I right?  Most of the time, you just can't think too hard or it just doesn't seem plausible but it's still fun.  This author definitely nailed the plausibility with a very in depth, detailed description of the why and how of it all.  Laying the foundation took pretty much half of the book.  We don't actually see the time travel until half way through and honestly?  I was growing impatient.  Sometimes it just felt too wordy and lengthy but I know, laying the foundation is important especially in stories like this and I actually thought the idea of the time travel was interesting.  I just really wanted more time with Will and Marian.  They are awesome together and I just didn't get enough of them.  I adored the second half of the book.  I didn't want to put it down.  Everyone should have a Will in their lives.  😍

I can see that the author set things up for future books and I'm excited to read them!  And hopefully Will and Marian will be in those too because that would make me happy.

The first half of the book gets 3.5 stars from me.  The second half, 5.

Content:  peril, mild violence, kissing (some thoughts about a husband wanting his wife physically, but nothing descriptive)

- I received a complimentary copy of this book.  All opinions expressed are my own.