Friday, February 13, 2015

# book # book review

Book Review: Return to Exile

A twenty-first-century doctor travels back in time to third-century Carthage to rescue her husband, but the arrival of a deadly epidemic forces her to make an impossible choice in this fast-paced second novel in The Carthage Chronicles series.
Dr. Lisbeth Hastings salvaged two things from her accidental trip to the third century: her mother's stethoscope and her child. Making a life for her daughter Maggie back in the present is difficult, but returning to ancient Carthage is impossible. However, when Lisbeth learns her husband is slated to die a martyr's death, she must find a way around the impossible to save him.
Cyprian Thascius returns from political exile a broken man. He's lost his faith, the love of his life, and his purpose. When Ruth, an old friend, proposes he marry her to restore his position and protect his estate, the disgraced nobleman accepts. But when Cyprian's true love suddenly reappears, his heart becomes as imperiled as the fledgling church.
As Lisbeth and Cyprian reunite to battle a new epidemic and save the oppressed community of Christians, the chasm between the two of them seems too wide to bridge. But when Maggie contracts typhoid, Lisbeth must choose: stay and save the man she loves, or return home and save her daughter?
Filled with gripping action and raw emotion, this incredibly compelling adventure of star-crossed lovers will keep you engrossed with every turn of the page.

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This one is a tough one for me to write. I've spent days trying to decide what to say about this book. I love the ideas in this book...time travel...love...today's medicine being attempted in ancient times...I enjoyed the writing and the historic details and imagery were wonderful. It was the story that I struggled with and in the end, put the book down and said I'll get back to finishing this eventually. I don't want to give you any sort of spoilers, so I'm just going to say that the way one character handled herself really bothered me along with the lack of dealing with the issues this caused. In fact, the author chose to "fix it" by not fixing it. I know this is vague, but I really don't want to spoil the book for anyone who wishes to read it.

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I received a copy of this book for the purpose of this review.  All thoughts, comments, and opinions are my own.

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