Once Upon A Romance's Review Of...
Time-Rift by Elena Dorothy Bowman
Reviewer: Janet Davies
Title: Time-Rift
Author: Elena Dorothy Bowman
Publisher: Write Words Inc
E-book ISBN: 1-59431-416-0
Release Date: August 2006
Genre/Sub-genre: Paranormal Romance
Year/Setting: Present day - Hawaii
Overall Rating: 3.5
Sexual Content Rating: None
Language (Profanity) Rating: None
Violent Content Rating: None
Elena's Website: elenadb.home.comcast.net
Trisha Holden likes nothing better than to swim the deep waters of the Pacific Ocean searching for lost treasure. As part of her archeology research, Trisha scours the ocean looking for indicators of Hawaii’s lost civilization. The stories that Martin, an old family friend, tells her of the lost civilization on Mu fascinate her. Twelve thousand years ago Mu disappeared under the sea. Is it just a legend or much more than that?
The other thing that interests Trisha is why normally solid airstrips are reported as moving, the water is warmer then normal and the ocean floor is suddenly stirred up. What is going on? Trisha soon finds out when she is caught up in an under water earthquake that sucks her into the lost undersea world of Mu.
As the sea floor opens up and she is thrust in the beautiful submerged world of Mu, Trisha is stunned. What she always hoped existed is actual fact. Mu is an island trapped beneath a transparent water-sky, energy field the holds the Pacific Ocean back. The other thing that surprises her is the inhabitants. They are smart, cultured, beautiful people who can read her mind.
When Trisha meets the High Priest Kan, she knows she has met him before normal land. What is he doing in the underwater world of Mu and why is he telling her she can never leave? He left why can’t she? And why is he denying otherwise? But that is not Trisha’s only problem. Myaculi, the High Priestess, is not happy the Kan her betrothed is taking such an interest in the unwelcome terrestrial. Beware the woman scorned.
It’s a fascinating concept to think of an ancient society existing unknown under the sea. Time-Rift is a what if and why not book. What if Mu existed? What could be learnt from this world? Although, in a lot of ways, the society of Mu is described in futuristic terms, there is also ancient rituals like sacrifices and cruel punishments. You can see why the character of Trisha, an archeologist is so caught up in learning what she can.
Time-Rift is full of jealousy and vengeance. It is romantic and sweet. There is also a strong historical emphasis on Hawaiian legends which I found interesting. There is also the fear of what happens to an old society when faced with an outsider coming in. Concepts like greed and disease compete with one society’s survival.
I found the romance between Trisha and Kan happened very quickly without the usual, hoped for build up of tension and awareness. I realize love happen quickly and maybe love underwater is even quicker but I was a little disappointed.
Time-Rift is interesting. I have never read anything like it before. That makes it a refreshing read.
Janet
Question or comment regarding the review or the book? Let Janet know.
Anne K. Edwards
Mystery Fiction Network
Title: Time Rift
Author: Elena Dorothy Bowman
Publisher: ebooksonthe.net
ISBN: 1594314160
Genre: Fantasy Romance
With a desire to learn as much as she could about the ancient people of Mu and if the Hawaiian Islands could be a remnant, Trisha Holden returned home to immerse herself in old legends. This takes her into the waters around the islands to explore and learn with an old friend named Martin who was native to the islands. Martin teaches her the old myths and legends connecting Hawaii to Mu. Can there really be a connection? Could any of this be true.
Going against all warnings not to dive alone, Trisha takes her boat out and dives. A seaquake traps her and she thinks she will die after running out of air. On awakening, she finds herself trapped in a bubble with descendants of Mu. There will be no escape for the Pacific Ocean rolls restlessly overhead.
She is taken under the wing of a man named Kan who is the High Priest of this remnant of Mu. Trisha vows she will return to her home as she does not intend to remain a prisoner below the ocean even though Kan tells her that this could get her killed. With this threat and the discovery that she has earned the enmity of the high priestess, Trisha explores and tries to learn how she might escape. That the bubble that has so long preserved its people shows signs of weakening is not encouraging either.
A fun read by talented author Elena Dorothy Bowman that reintroduces us to old legends of the lost continent of Mu which serves as a setting where well drawn characters work out their destinies. Excitement and menace serve to capture your attention. Recommended for any fantasy or romance fan who enjoy something different. Enjoy. I did.
Anne K. Edwards
Mystery Fiction Network
Lesley Mazey
The Eternal Night Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Fiction Web
Site
http://www.eternalnight.co.uk
Date Read
September 2002
Trisha is a student of ancient Hawaiian myths and legends. She is particularly
attracted to stories of the Menehunes and spends hours listening to stories
told by an old friend, Martin. A skilled scuba diver she also loves to
search the ocean for artefacts dating back to the time of Mukulia, a giant
continent that was believed to have vanished beneath the waters many centuries
ago.
One day, against the advice of both Martin and her father, Trish goes
diving alone. Distracted by a fascinating artefact she finds herself dangerously
low on air and is just about to swim to safety when she is trapped during
an underwater earthquake. Having lost consciousness she wakes to find herself
in the mysterious land of Mukulia.
Time in a Rift is a gentle fantasy romance, unpretentious and wonderfully
easy to read. It takes a classic "boy meets girl in impossible circumstances"
story and weaves a vivid Hawaiian tapestry around it to make an enchanting
tale.
It would have been easy for the author to make the land of Mulukia
a mysterious idyll, but this is not the case. There are political wranglings
and a devious villainess that add colour to the story.
I'm not going to say that the overall tale is totally original, but
hey, it is a romance, how original does it need to be? However the setting,
an Atlantis-like lost continent, certainly adds something extra to this
tale. Overall, it's a "feel-good" novel.
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