A Portrait in Time

Rating:
Summary: Time Travel falls short on many levels
Review: Alexandra "Alex" Tibideaux receives a message that her grandmother: "I need you." Unable to get a hold of Grams, Alex rushes from California to New Orleans. Grams is fine; she only wants to attend the re-opening of the Dalton Plantation with her granddaughter. Alex agrees-since Grams is her only living relative and is 93 years old. Later that evening, Grams shows Alex a picture of Trey Dalton and how he fell in love with a woman in their family; one who had the same name as Alex... and had disappeared and was never found.

While at the plantation, Alex sees a painting of herself wearing period clothing. Curiosity causes her to touch the portrait... which transports her back to 1878. She awakens in the same house... but Trey Dalton, his aunt, and their servants are very much alive.

Trey Dalton doesn't have time for a woman who mysteriously shows up at his plantation; talking nonsense about how she's from the future. And he doesn't need his Aunt Rose to interfere by going around telling everyone that Trey and Alex are getting married. Both Trey and Alex have to go along with the idea to keep people from gossiping.

But there's someone who wants to ruin Trey and will stop at nothing to do so. Trey believes he knows who is responsible... or does he? Only after a series of potentially disastrous events does he learn the truth.


Stephanie's Review:

Other reviews talk about how Bradley weaved "an engrossing tale of time travel, romance, and suspense."

The time travel was typical: Woman from the present goes back in time where she has to adjust to her new life while wondering if she'll ever return to the present.

The romance was unbelievable - and not in a good way: Trey and Alex spent more time bickering and arguing than anything else. I'm still wondering how the two fell in love. It just "happened."

The suspense was predictable: It's easy to tell who did what when.

Bradley also has a habit of not going deep enough into the story. There are lots of instances where things are just glossed over. Two examples: (1) Alex arrived in 1878, and basically just accepted everything that happened to her - except when she wanted to return to Trey. (2) Alex kept a journal of her time spent in 1878. When she returns to 1997, Grams gives her the journal. She starts reading... only to find a new entry on the last page from Trey. This could've been a very emotional moment, but Trey's entry was cut short.

There's also a lot of typos in this book. I understand that no book is edited perfectly, but the typos here are beyond the norm. After awhile, they started sticking out like a sore thumb. Usually, with traditional publishers, the fingers can be pointed to the copyeditors. But it's questionable with e-publishers. I know of some e-publishers who do more editing beyond what an author does. And then there's some e-publishers who expect their authors to do all of the editing. I'm not sure where Hard Shell lies as this is my first Hard Shell read.

Rating:
Summary: A Portrait in Time isn't just another time travel . . .
Review: Astrophysicist Alexandra Tibideaux is quietly working in California when she receives a message from her grandmother in New Orleans. She quickly heads for New Orleans only to discover her grandmother is fine, but wanted her home to tour a newly refurbished plantation that has just opened to the public. There, Alex sees a unique portrait of someone who looks exactly like her. Upon reaching out to touch the likeness, her fingers begin to tingle and she is transported back in time.

Plantation owner Trey Dalton is trying to discover who is out to destroy his plantation, his most prized horse, and his life. On top of all that, he has unexpected visitors; his aunt and a strangely dressed woman who has just appeared out of nowhere. He has many problems to solve while protecting his new visitor until he can learn her secrets.

A Portrait in Time isn't just another time travel. This is a strong love story that brings two souls together who have belonged to each other throughout time.

The two main characters play against each other successfully and the deepening feelings they demonstrate throughout the book are very believable. Each successive scene draws them deeper and deeper into each other's love. The hero and heroine meld together as two halves form a complete whole.

Anyone who likes a good story, a bit of an adventure, a gentle clash of characters, and a happy ending will enjoy reading A Portrait in Time. It will make you laugh, sniffle, and rejoice in the strength of love over time.

Rating:
Summary: Good reading, but not the best story
Review: I was disappointed in this book, first by all the typo's in the book, then by the story itself. I loved the character of Alex. I would have liked to have read more about her history and seen her question her transport to the past more. She just seemed to accept everything that happened as 'oh well'. Except for wanting to return back to Trey. I was happy with the ending but this book was not the best time travel romance book I've read.

Rating:
Summary: Good reading, but not the best story
Review: I was disappointed in this book, first by all the typo's in the book, then by the story itself. I loved the character of Alex. I would have liked to have read more about her history and seen her question her transport to the past more. She just seemed to accept everything that happened as 'oh well'. Except for wanting to return back to Trey. I was happy with the ending but this book was not the best time travel romance book I've read.