A perfect combination

The Rose Garden
Susanna Kearsley

There is something about time travel and romance that makes for the perfect combination.  I've read several books now that combine the two and I've loved them all.  Susanna Kearsley does a fantastic job of explaining the time travel without confusing the reader.  Nothing is worse than not understanding how the past, present and future all fit together in a time travel book.  I've ready those kind too.

The book starts in the present.  The main character Eva has lost her famous actress sister, Katrina, to cancer.  Eva has to decide where to spread Katrina's ashes and she decides to return to England to a vacation home where they spent their childhood summers.  It turns out that the Trelowarth homestead is a very magical place.  Eva soon begins to travel back to the year 1715.  She meets Daniel, his brother Jack and their friend Fergal.  Eva has to struggle with popping up at the most inconvenient times.  The only thing Eva brings with her are the clothes on her back.  This is a problem when you are wearing 2011 clothing in 1715, and vice versa up return.  Daniel is quick to believe that she is time traveling and that helps Eva cope.

There is a twist in the end that I didn't expect, which is great.  I really thought I had the whole book wrapped up and figured out about half way through.  That was not the case and it was a welcome surprise.  I would highly recommend this book.  There is one drawback and that is the language.  Given that the book is set in England, and not in the city, we are talking on the coast and in the country, there were certain language difficulties.  Add to that the fact that some of the book takes place 300 years ago.  I found that the author did a great job juggling all the aspects of language.  It wasn't hard for me to overcome those language barriers.  It just took some getting used to.