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Out of Time #1
Out of Time
Professor Simon Cross has spent his life searching for evidence of vampires and avoiding emotional entanglements. When a mysterious accident transports Simon and his new assistant, Elizabeth West, back in time, Simon finally finds both the proof that he's been looking for, and the romance that he hasn't.
In 1920s Manhattan, there are more than mobsters vying for power in the city's speakeasies. Will Simon and Elizabeth's developing relationship survive the vampires' teeth? Will they survive to make it back? Or will they be forever out of time ?
This novel is 98,000 words (approximately 325 pages) in length.
From the Author "When the Walls Fell" continues the time traveling adventures of Simon Cross and Elizabeth West. Look for this exciting sequel to "Out of Time" coming summer 2011.
In 1920s Manhattan, there are more than mobsters vying for power in the city's speakeasies. Will Simon and Elizabeth's developing relationship survive the vampires' teeth? Will they survive to make it back? Or will they be forever out of time ?
This novel is 98,000 words (approximately 325 pages) in length.
From the Author "When the Walls Fell" continues the time traveling adventures of Simon Cross and Elizabeth West. Look for this exciting sequel to "Out of Time" coming summer 2011.
294 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 2, 2010
711 people are currently reading
5,366 people want to read
About the author
Monique Martin
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Monique was born in Houston, Texas, but her family soon moved to Southern California. She grew up on both coasts, living in Connecticut and California. She currently resides in Southern California with her naughty Siamese cat, Monkey.
Monique attended the University of Southern California's Film School where she earned a BFA from the Filmic Writing department. Monique worked in television for several years before joining the family business. She now works full-time as a freelance writer and novelist. Her novels Out of Time, When the Walls Fell, Fragments & The Devil's Due are the first three books in the Out of Time series.
She's currently working on an adaptation of one of her screenplays, her father's memoirs about his time in the Air Force's Air Rescue Service and the next book in the Out of Time series.
Monique was born in Houston, Texas, but her family soon moved to Southern California. She grew up on both coasts, living in Connecticut and California. She currently resides in Southern California with her naughty Siamese cat, Monkey.
Monique attended the University of Southern California's Film School where she earned a BFA from the Filmic Writing department. Monique worked in television for several years before joining the family business. She now works full-time as a freelance writer and novelist. Her novels Out of Time, When the Walls Fell, Fragments & The Devil's Due are the first three books in the Out of Time series.
She's currently working on an adaptation of one of her screenplays, her father's memoirs about his time in the Air Force's Air Rescue Service and the next book in the Out of Time series.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 624 reviews
December 28, 2010
Here's the thing: I turned 40 last week, and while I know that 40 is the new 30, and I'm only as old as I feel, (blah blah blah, whatever else my birthday cards told me,) I look in the mirror, and I see that my hair is turning grey at an alarming rate, I have wrinkles near the corners of my lips where they never were before, and my boobs are hanging about an inch lower than they were last year (dammit.) The worst of it is that my eyes get tired if I try to read half the night; of course, that's only if I don't fall asleep and wake up with a crick in my neck...
Life is too short to read things I don't enjoy. That's not to say I think there's anything wrong with the book, but romance is just not my speed. Most of my friends read them, and I'll cop to enjoying a little bit of a love story mixed into my novels, but as the general theme - not so much.
Anyways, for my 40th birthday, my gift to myself (besides a manicure and a {redacted},) was permission to no longer compulsively attempt to finish every single book I buy/receive/find on the bus. Right now, at this moment, I have some 300+ books that I already own, but have yet to read. Not one of them is a romance novel. Well, except for that but I borrowed that, and I'm trying to convince myself that it's more historical than romantic, and just how romantic is it when there are old wives locked in castles and rutting old men with STDs?
This book doesn't have any of that as far as I know. I only read 30% before I realized I wasn't having any fun. It flows well, I like the 3rd person omniscient perspective, (it's been awhile since I've read one of those,) but I guess I'm just too pragmatic for the machinations, confusions, misunderstandings, and tiny suspenses it takes to make a romance novel. I find myself rolling my eyes at every pained glance, moan, and glower. (I don't watch straight romance movies either, as a rule. Mainly because my friends don't like to hear me guffaw at the main characters' "pain.")
Anyways, back to that 40 thing... I'm going to die before I get to read all the books I want to read, although hopefully that will only be after 1000s more books, and I'll be an impish, cranky and exceedingly old lady. Life is too precious to spend with books you don't enjoy, even if those books are wonderful - for someone else.
No rating on this one for now. It just wouldn't be fair.
The other thing is, sometimes, (very rarely,) I do read a romance novel, especially if there's a good story behind it. From every review I've seen on this one, there IS a good story lurking. "For now." Moods change. There are probably days when a romance novel won't make my brain try to claw its way out of my parietal sutures. Today is not that day. Still, after sleeping on it, I find I'm curious about the rest of the story (not the love story,) the part about trying to make it "out of time."
Update 12/28: Okay, okay, I lied. My OCD is stronger than my Birthday Gifting Powers, I finished this last night really quick because I wanted to see what the Vampire part was going to be. The vampire didn't really make an appearance though, until the 70% mark (hints at about 50-60%,) and there was some action at that point through the end, then a neat little wrap-up. It was probably fine as far as romances go, but the subtitle "-A Paranormal Romance," definitely does NOT lie.
It's very decidedly a romance novel, with the expected formula and plot development. As clichéd as romance novels can be, the language is handled well, with little in the way of the awkwardly rhapsodic dialogue and musings I remember from the angsty romance novels I devoured in my late teens and early 20s.
I've no idea how to rate this story, so I'll have to go with my typical emotional rating. I actually did sort of like this one, once I got past certain passages - this one in particular threatened to melt my brain with its classic romance-novel effusiveness:
This was where I put the book down originally, and swore I wouldn't finish it. But I REALLY wanted to know about the gangster vampire. Heh. Aside from some tastefully done intimacy, the rest of the story started to kick in not too long after the point at which I picked it back up, so I was rewarded for my compulsion once again.
I'm totally Pavlov's reader: Seeing a book triggers an automatic read response. Hopeless, that's what I am.
So... I'm going to give it 3 stars, because... meh, not really my bag, BUT, I would totally recommend this to my romance-devouring friends.
Life is too short to read things I don't enjoy. That's not to say I think there's anything wrong with the book, but romance is just not my speed. Most of my friends read them, and I'll cop to enjoying a little bit of a love story mixed into my novels, but as the general theme - not so much.
Anyways, for my 40th birthday, my gift to myself (besides a manicure and a {redacted},) was permission to no longer compulsively attempt to finish every single book I buy/receive/find on the bus. Right now, at this moment, I have some 300+ books that I already own, but have yet to read. Not one of them is a romance novel. Well, except for that but I borrowed that, and I'm trying to convince myself that it's more historical than romantic, and just how romantic is it when there are old wives locked in castles and rutting old men with STDs?
This book doesn't have any of that as far as I know. I only read 30% before I realized I wasn't having any fun. It flows well, I like the 3rd person omniscient perspective, (it's been awhile since I've read one of those,) but I guess I'm just too pragmatic for the machinations, confusions, misunderstandings, and tiny suspenses it takes to make a romance novel. I find myself rolling my eyes at every pained glance, moan, and glower. (I don't watch straight romance movies either, as a rule. Mainly because my friends don't like to hear me guffaw at the main characters' "pain.")
Anyways, back to that 40 thing... I'm going to die before I get to read all the books I want to read, although hopefully that will only be after 1000s more books, and I'll be an impish, cranky and exceedingly old lady. Life is too precious to spend with books you don't enjoy, even if those books are wonderful - for someone else.
No rating on this one for now. It just wouldn't be fair.
The other thing is, sometimes, (very rarely,) I do read a romance novel, especially if there's a good story behind it. From every review I've seen on this one, there IS a good story lurking. "For now." Moods change. There are probably days when a romance novel won't make my brain try to claw its way out of my parietal sutures. Today is not that day. Still, after sleeping on it, I find I'm curious about the rest of the story (not the love story,) the part about trying to make it "out of time."
Update 12/28: Okay, okay, I lied. My OCD is stronger than my Birthday Gifting Powers, I finished this last night really quick because I wanted to see what the Vampire part was going to be. The vampire didn't really make an appearance though, until the 70% mark (hints at about 50-60%,) and there was some action at that point through the end, then a neat little wrap-up. It was probably fine as far as romances go, but the subtitle "-A Paranormal Romance," definitely does NOT lie.
It's very decidedly a romance novel, with the expected formula and plot development. As clichéd as romance novels can be, the language is handled well, with little in the way of the awkwardly rhapsodic dialogue and musings I remember from the angsty romance novels I devoured in my late teens and early 20s.
I've no idea how to rate this story, so I'll have to go with my typical emotional rating. I actually did sort of like this one, once I got past certain passages - this one in particular threatened to melt my brain with its classic romance-novel effusiveness:
He’d wanted other women, had been with other women, but not one of them had gotten under his skin the way she had. Even her friendship, if he could call it that, ran deeper than the trysts at Oxford or the stunted relationships he’d bungled in the years after. Intimacy was simply not part of his makeup. It required skills he’d never cultivated and he felt no inclination to do so. Until now. But it was too late for that. He was comfortable with the life he’d built.
He spent years refining the layers that buffered him from the outside world. His work had always been enough. The search for answers. Facts could be categorized, put in their proper place. Text books were conveniently black and white, but now the world was a swirling mass of murky grays. Feelings he couldn’t grasp, much less control, were getting the better of him day by day.
And now, the one thing he’d been able to cling to, the one thing that centered him, was gone. If there were no way to get home, he thought and felt for the watch in his pocket, he’d be trapped here without his work. He supposed he could start a research project here, check some texts that were lost to the future. But it would do little good. She’d become an inexorable part of that too, he realized. There wasn’t a facet of his life she hadn’t slipped inside of, even his past-the one thing that separates each of us from the other.
{snip text for length}
It was impossible. She was impossible. The way her eyes sparked with fire when she argued with him. The way her cheeks flushed. The way her pulse pounded out her fury. He wanted to strangle her with one hand and caress her with the other.
Why did the simple act of watching her sleep make him feel more content than he could remember? Why did he care so much what she was thinking? What she was feeling?
Why did he want her so very much?
This was where I put the book down originally, and swore I wouldn't finish it. But I REALLY wanted to know about the gangster vampire. Heh. Aside from some tastefully done intimacy, the rest of the story started to kick in not too long after the point at which I picked it back up, so I was rewarded for my compulsion once again.
I'm totally Pavlov's reader: Seeing a book triggers an automatic read response. Hopeless, that's what I am.
So... I'm going to give it 3 stars, because... meh, not really my bag, BUT, I would totally recommend this to my romance-devouring friends.
July 19, 2015
This is not one star, this is one half a star. And that is a generous half star. This was a Book bub bargain but I still felt duped and that the blurb set an expectation that was far from met. Caveat - I do not like romance novels. Especially those of the Harlequin variety. And I am not a fan, at all, of Fifty Shades of Grey - not because of the subject matter, but because I don't feel the subject matter was handled well. But I digress.
When I chose this title, what I was expecting was a time travel novel with a supernatural/horror element. The first chapter was fine. Introduction of Professor Simon Cross, occult studies and his teaching assistant Elizabeth. An implication that they were attracted to one another and the items that would aid the time travel. This book is 254 pages on my Nook.
For the first 200 pages, literally not figuratively, the story was nothing more than burning flashing eyes, sensuous curvature of her breasts, his hard manhood, her thighs and ass, his ass and back and the sexual tension that drove them to have endless cold showers in a seedy hotel room in the year 1929, to which they had been transported.
At some point, they finally had sex and then the story became about how much they dropped the whole idea of anything they were supposed to be investigating or doing on this time travel trip and ran back to their seedy motel/apartment and had sex. Or when they went to Coney Island for the day, wanting to have sex on the train and the roller coaster and at the movies. And in their job at the speakeasy (he as a piano player, she as a barmaid) watching each other, lusting after each other and dipping into the back room for a quickie or a make out session.
In between the sex, they went to a diner and ate breakfast every day at 1pm and then had more sex with an occasional glass of bootleg scotch or bourbon. Occasionally, one or the other would be assaulted for various reasons and they would clean each others wounds and have sex.
The last 54 pages were the story about the supernatural, crammed in amongst more sex/sexual tension and lots of loose ends, unexplained ideas and half thoughts. The book finally ends with a list of follow up books with these same characters presumably screwing their way through time.
I'm not a prude. Sex is great. Well written sex scenes within the context of a story are great. This is not that. This is Harlequin romance stuff with Fabio on the cover. If you are into that, then this a book for you and hell, maybe it's a 5 star read for those who go in knowing that and wanting that kind of novel.
But this is not a good time travel novel. Both devices (a ring and a watch) that were supposed to be so important to the story were poorly explained and in the case of the ring, barely even covered making it at most an afterthought. Characters would come in with no explanation as to the hows and whys (Simon's grandfather who incidentally had died about 38 years earlier in Chapter 1) and in the last 10 pages, a mysterious council who controlled time travel was mentioned in passing but Simon was too busy worrying that he would never have sex with Elizabeth again to stop for the explanation. I'm not kidding. Father Cavanugh, a priest who seemed to be important in the beginning, dropped in and out...I could list a lot of things but the truth is, the inconsistencies are so many that it's a book in itself.
As for the horror portion. A 1920's era bootlegger/gangster who is a cross between a vampire and demon with yellow eyes. He made himself into this incidentally with Egyptian artifacts that he acquired from King Tuts tomb. How a low level rum runner acquires Tut's treasures 5 years or less after the discovery - well, yet another poorly explained plot point. He ran around ripping the throats out of men, women and children thus controlling the Bowery. Oh yes, lest I forget, the power of love was his undoing. He also spent a lot of time ogling and leering at Elizabeth and there was of course a pissing contest about who would have her.
It has been a long time since I have read a book I would rate so low. I suppose I am a book masochist because I make myself finish any book I start to give it and the author a chance to make me a believer. This one defied all efforts to do so. One for fans of the romance genre and probably needs to be put into a more accurate category so as not to deceive readers as to what it's really about.
When I chose this title, what I was expecting was a time travel novel with a supernatural/horror element. The first chapter was fine. Introduction of Professor Simon Cross, occult studies and his teaching assistant Elizabeth. An implication that they were attracted to one another and the items that would aid the time travel. This book is 254 pages on my Nook.
For the first 200 pages, literally not figuratively, the story was nothing more than burning flashing eyes, sensuous curvature of her breasts, his hard manhood, her thighs and ass, his ass and back and the sexual tension that drove them to have endless cold showers in a seedy hotel room in the year 1929, to which they had been transported.
At some point, they finally had sex and then the story became about how much they dropped the whole idea of anything they were supposed to be investigating or doing on this time travel trip and ran back to their seedy motel/apartment and had sex. Or when they went to Coney Island for the day, wanting to have sex on the train and the roller coaster and at the movies. And in their job at the speakeasy (he as a piano player, she as a barmaid) watching each other, lusting after each other and dipping into the back room for a quickie or a make out session.
In between the sex, they went to a diner and ate breakfast every day at 1pm and then had more sex with an occasional glass of bootleg scotch or bourbon. Occasionally, one or the other would be assaulted for various reasons and they would clean each others wounds and have sex.
The last 54 pages were the story about the supernatural, crammed in amongst more sex/sexual tension and lots of loose ends, unexplained ideas and half thoughts. The book finally ends with a list of follow up books with these same characters presumably screwing their way through time.
I'm not a prude. Sex is great. Well written sex scenes within the context of a story are great. This is not that. This is Harlequin romance stuff with Fabio on the cover. If you are into that, then this a book for you and hell, maybe it's a 5 star read for those who go in knowing that and wanting that kind of novel.
But this is not a good time travel novel. Both devices (a ring and a watch) that were supposed to be so important to the story were poorly explained and in the case of the ring, barely even covered making it at most an afterthought. Characters would come in with no explanation as to the hows and whys (Simon's grandfather who incidentally had died about 38 years earlier in Chapter 1) and in the last 10 pages, a mysterious council who controlled time travel was mentioned in passing but Simon was too busy worrying that he would never have sex with Elizabeth again to stop for the explanation. I'm not kidding. Father Cavanugh, a priest who seemed to be important in the beginning, dropped in and out...I could list a lot of things but the truth is, the inconsistencies are so many that it's a book in itself.
As for the horror portion. A 1920's era bootlegger/gangster who is a cross between a vampire and demon with yellow eyes. He made himself into this incidentally with Egyptian artifacts that he acquired from King Tuts tomb. How a low level rum runner acquires Tut's treasures 5 years or less after the discovery - well, yet another poorly explained plot point. He ran around ripping the throats out of men, women and children thus controlling the Bowery. Oh yes, lest I forget, the power of love was his undoing. He also spent a lot of time ogling and leering at Elizabeth and there was of course a pissing contest about who would have her.
It has been a long time since I have read a book I would rate so low. I suppose I am a book masochist because I make myself finish any book I start to give it and the author a chance to make me a believer. This one defied all efforts to do so. One for fans of the romance genre and probably needs to be put into a more accurate category so as not to deceive readers as to what it's really about.
April 12, 2017
Based on the description, I expected to find Out of Time a combination of time travel and historical mystery with a bit of romance. It is true that these elements are present, but really what I found myself reading was a fairly generic romance that could have taken place anywhere, anytime, with some time travel and mystery thrown in, but not sufficiently developed.
The story starts out in the present, with a professor of the occult and his assistant finding themselves unexpectedly launched back to the 1920s. They have to figure out how to survive in the past, but once they do, the story completely stalls as the focus shifts almost completely to the romance. Not much else happens until close to the end, when . The conflict finally escalates just in time to bring about a cool time-travel twist to the ending - the sort of thing I'd been waiting for all along, and the reason why I gave this 3 stars instead of 2. If only there had been more of that throughout, I would have been happier.
The story starts out in the present, with a professor of the occult and his assistant finding themselves unexpectedly launched back to the 1920s. They have to figure out how to survive in the past, but once they do, the story completely stalls as the focus shifts almost completely to the romance. Not much else happens until close to the end, when . The conflict finally escalates just in time to bring about a cool time-travel twist to the ending - the sort of thing I'd been waiting for all along, and the reason why I gave this 3 stars instead of 2. If only there had been more of that throughout, I would have been happier.
September 20, 2012
Hmm, think I must have missed whatever the other reviewers on here found to enjoy about the 'romance' in this book. While it's fair to point out that I generally avoid the romance genre, I'm not averse to a bit of sexual tension to keep a good storyline bubbling along. Unfortunately, I was already getting a bit fed up with these two characters when one of them did the inevitable 'I cannot let them get close to me because I'm such a terrible person' rubbish. It feels like such a cop out of a plot device and all the sighing and inward 'ooh'ing from the other one didn't do much to help either!
Added to these rather Mills and Boonesque shenanigans, the storyline takes a further weird turn when it inexplicably takes on a supernatural element. There just seem to be far too many themes and not enough substance. I have to confess I didn't finish this book as although I hate giving up on a novel, there are times when you just have to tell yourself that life is too short.
This is ultimately chick lit with a few extra twists, so if you're looking for an intelligent novel about time travel, this will likely disappoint.
Added to these rather Mills and Boonesque shenanigans, the storyline takes a further weird turn when it inexplicably takes on a supernatural element. There just seem to be far too many themes and not enough substance. I have to confess I didn't finish this book as although I hate giving up on a novel, there are times when you just have to tell yourself that life is too short.
This is ultimately chick lit with a few extra twists, so if you're looking for an intelligent novel about time travel, this will likely disappoint.
December 14, 2010
I've never read a romance novel before 'Out of Time,' but I'm really glad I gave this one a shot. I enjoyed it from its great premise at the start to its suspenseful finish. I think the strongest element of 'Out of Time' is the writing itself, particularly the dialogue and the characterization of the two main characters (as well as, of course, the romance). Even when there were aspects of the book that I questioned, and that didn't happen often, the strength of the writing and the tension in the story always kept me going. I'm going to nitpick some minor points below, but know that I recommend this book without any reservations.
The book has an interesting structure that makes it almost like two books in one with a big turning point in the middle. I'll talk about each half separately. The first half focuses mainly on the romantic and sexual tension between Elizabeth and Simon, tension they are forced to confront when they accidentally travel back to New York City in 1929. On this element, I felt like a fish out of water because I've never read a romance genre story before, but I can say that these elements worked well for me. If you're curious, there is a vivid but tasteful sex scene or two in the novel.
There are a few points I can quibble with in the first half. At the start of the story Simon is painted as extremely cold, but once they travel through time he softens up a lot; I thought there was a slight disconnect around his character early on, but at the same time it didn't detract from my enjoyment of the story and his coldness reasserts itself later. Another issue I felt early on was that the characters didn't seem amazed enough by accidentally traveling through time, but this issue wasn't handled poorly either. The last thing is (MINOR SPOILER to follow) that the characters end up sharing a small apartment, and it was never properly explained whey they didn't request a unit with two beds or try to find another place to stay (they seemed shocked to discover just one bed); I think this was the only time I felt like the author did something convenient for the story that didn't fully make sense. True, they pretended to be married, but I felt there needed to be a stronger reason than that. I can understand Elizabeth being happy with the arrangement, but it was hard for me to believe that Simon wouldn't try to change it.
The second half of the novel turns into a suspense story involving an antagonist with a paranormal origin. The author did a fantastic job with keeping the tension building and by the end of the novel became a powerful page-turner. For me, this was a nice change of pace because it meant that the whole book wasn't focused on the central romance. I really did like the romance angle, but I still welcomed the variety and the switch to something I was more familiar with. For example, there was a great fight scene and some other violent elements that worked well. Making a romance novel suspenseful is no easy task, I would imagine, since we know something about the ending just by knowing the genre. I also felt the quality of descriptions got even stronger in the second half, and as the story went along I appreciated the writing more and more.
As for my quibbles with the second half of the story, there was only one. A supporting character enters the story very late and while certain elements of this character's introduction were very neatly done, he also ends up becoming a minor deus ex machina that saves the main two protagonists. In my opinion, this deprived the main two characters of the chance to fulfill their own story and achieve their own victory over the antagonist, though on the other hand the main two characters still struggle and make all the efforts they can against a very powerful figure. This sort of thing happens a lot in fiction, though, and it was definitely more of a minor problem than a big one. It was also set up fairly well, because the character had an established connection to someone else in the story.
I hope I haven't come across as too critical because I loved the story, the characters, and the writing. Those three elements are like a holy trinity of good fiction, so I can heartily recommend this one and give it five stars. If there's any other thing that I think could've been done better, I believe the time travel element itself could've been milked a little more; on the other hand, there's a great scene where the characters visit Coney Island and remark about how things were different in 1929 on one particular ethical matter. I thought that was a very nice addition to the novel and, though this wasn't the only good example of this sort of thing in the story, I would've loved to have seen even more about how things have changed since '29.
Because I loved this book, I'll end with some more positives. The quality of the copyediting and proofreading was excellent. The dialogue was outstanding, in my opinion. Simon Cross and Elizabeth West are vivid characters who are going to live on in my memory for many years. Pretty much everything that happened felt realistic and believable, despite the story's fantastical premises; this a mature but fun story. Overall, I think the author displays excellent storytelling skills by constructing the story as she did; it's tight and it pulls the right triggers in the reader, in ways that always felt entertaining rather than manipulative. For me, 'Out of Time' was an outstandingly good read and more than worth the price of admission.
The book has an interesting structure that makes it almost like two books in one with a big turning point in the middle. I'll talk about each half separately. The first half focuses mainly on the romantic and sexual tension between Elizabeth and Simon, tension they are forced to confront when they accidentally travel back to New York City in 1929. On this element, I felt like a fish out of water because I've never read a romance genre story before, but I can say that these elements worked well for me. If you're curious, there is a vivid but tasteful sex scene or two in the novel.
There are a few points I can quibble with in the first half. At the start of the story Simon is painted as extremely cold, but once they travel through time he softens up a lot; I thought there was a slight disconnect around his character early on, but at the same time it didn't detract from my enjoyment of the story and his coldness reasserts itself later. Another issue I felt early on was that the characters didn't seem amazed enough by accidentally traveling through time, but this issue wasn't handled poorly either. The last thing is (MINOR SPOILER to follow) that the characters end up sharing a small apartment, and it was never properly explained whey they didn't request a unit with two beds or try to find another place to stay (they seemed shocked to discover just one bed); I think this was the only time I felt like the author did something convenient for the story that didn't fully make sense. True, they pretended to be married, but I felt there needed to be a stronger reason than that. I can understand Elizabeth being happy with the arrangement, but it was hard for me to believe that Simon wouldn't try to change it.
The second half of the novel turns into a suspense story involving an antagonist with a paranormal origin. The author did a fantastic job with keeping the tension building and by the end of the novel became a powerful page-turner. For me, this was a nice change of pace because it meant that the whole book wasn't focused on the central romance. I really did like the romance angle, but I still welcomed the variety and the switch to something I was more familiar with. For example, there was a great fight scene and some other violent elements that worked well. Making a romance novel suspenseful is no easy task, I would imagine, since we know something about the ending just by knowing the genre. I also felt the quality of descriptions got even stronger in the second half, and as the story went along I appreciated the writing more and more.
As for my quibbles with the second half of the story, there was only one. A supporting character enters the story very late and while certain elements of this character's introduction were very neatly done, he also ends up becoming a minor deus ex machina that saves the main two protagonists. In my opinion, this deprived the main two characters of the chance to fulfill their own story and achieve their own victory over the antagonist, though on the other hand the main two characters still struggle and make all the efforts they can against a very powerful figure. This sort of thing happens a lot in fiction, though, and it was definitely more of a minor problem than a big one. It was also set up fairly well, because the character had an established connection to someone else in the story.
I hope I haven't come across as too critical because I loved the story, the characters, and the writing. Those three elements are like a holy trinity of good fiction, so I can heartily recommend this one and give it five stars. If there's any other thing that I think could've been done better, I believe the time travel element itself could've been milked a little more; on the other hand, there's a great scene where the characters visit Coney Island and remark about how things were different in 1929 on one particular ethical matter. I thought that was a very nice addition to the novel and, though this wasn't the only good example of this sort of thing in the story, I would've loved to have seen even more about how things have changed since '29.
Because I loved this book, I'll end with some more positives. The quality of the copyediting and proofreading was excellent. The dialogue was outstanding, in my opinion. Simon Cross and Elizabeth West are vivid characters who are going to live on in my memory for many years. Pretty much everything that happened felt realistic and believable, despite the story's fantastical premises; this a mature but fun story. Overall, I think the author displays excellent storytelling skills by constructing the story as she did; it's tight and it pulls the right triggers in the reader, in ways that always felt entertaining rather than manipulative. For me, 'Out of Time' was an outstandingly good read and more than worth the price of admission.
February 7, 2014
I was initially pleased with the premise of this book but that pleasure didn't last long.
A professor and his graduate student assistant being secretly in love with each other... ok. 20 year age gap? Whatever. Trip back through time with no way to return for 6 weeks? Excellent. And that's where this book lost me.
Monique Martin spends chapter after chapter glossing over actual action and focuses instead on how wonderful the characters find each other. Simon spends his time pushing the idea of being close to someone away, angsting and marveling about how wonderful Elizabeth is. Even though this book lays that on pretty thick for me, I can tolerate that kind of thing if the author has justified it. I don't want to be told that a character is amazing and wonderful and perfection and blah, blah, blah... show me! Prove it through the characters' actions! All those chapters and chapters of analyzing character feelings did for me was make Simon and Elizabeth seem two dimensional.
On top of that, more than half the book was spent in character moping and marveling before what appears to have been the real plot rears its head.
That's right. This was not a book about being pulled back in time, needing to survive there for six weeks working in a speakeasy when faced with gangsters. No,
This is getting two stars instead of one for two reasons. First, I did enjoy parts of the book and I think the concept was good although terribly executed. Second, I have the first three books in the series and I'm trying to convince myself that this wasn't that bad so I can get through the next two before giving up. *sighs* I still feel like this series could be a good idea. I hope in the next two there's a little more cohesive plot and a little less unnecessary introspection.
A professor and his graduate student assistant being secretly in love with each other... ok. 20 year age gap? Whatever. Trip back through time with no way to return for 6 weeks? Excellent. And that's where this book lost me.
Monique Martin spends chapter after chapter glossing over actual action and focuses instead on how wonderful the characters find each other. Simon spends his time pushing the idea of being close to someone away, angsting and marveling about how wonderful Elizabeth is. Even though this book lays that on pretty thick for me, I can tolerate that kind of thing if the author has justified it. I don't want to be told that a character is amazing and wonderful and perfection and blah, blah, blah... show me! Prove it through the characters' actions! All those chapters and chapters of analyzing character feelings did for me was make Simon and Elizabeth seem two dimensional.
On top of that, more than half the book was spent in character moping and marveling before what appears to have been the real plot rears its head.
That's right. This was not a book about being pulled back in time, needing to survive there for six weeks working in a speakeasy when faced with gangsters. No,
This is getting two stars instead of one for two reasons. First, I did enjoy parts of the book and I think the concept was good although terribly executed. Second, I have the first three books in the series and I'm trying to convince myself that this wasn't that bad so I can get through the next two before giving up. *sighs* I still feel like this series could be a good idea. I hope in the next two there's a little more cohesive plot and a little less unnecessary introspection.
January 3, 2011
Out of Time is a time travel romance that starts out introducing you to Simon Cross, a professor of Occult Studies, and his assistant Elizabeth West. One evening, while looking through Simon’s recently inherited belongings, they come across a pocket watch that belonged to his grandfather. It turns out that the pocket watch is a “vehicle� for time traveling, and they are both picked up from their safe modern day surroundings in California, and thrust back in time to the summer of 1929 in New York City. Once they figure out what's happened, they quickly come to realize that they have only each other to rely on in this brand new time and place. They must soon make peace with the fact that they're stuck for an indefinite amount of time, until they can figure out a way back home. Of course, not only do they not know a single soul, but they have no place to stay, no money, and little do they know that the very thing the professor has been researching all these years is not really a myth, but alive and well in New York City� with them.
This book was such a treat! It was a fun, fast paced read, and I really enjoyed the suspenseful storyline that ensues later in the book. However, it was the bond that Elizabeth and Simon form from being trapped in the past together, that I REALLY LOVED!! Even though they've had feelings for each other, neither of them haveÌý ever acted on them, because they worked together. Their relationship was always very professional, but once they're thrown into this impossible situation, and they have only each other to depend on, that working relationship quickly turns into a close friendship. The feelings that they've both been trying to hold back soon come to the surface and turn into a very sweet and loving romance.
I also really enjoyed the relationship/friendship that was forged between Simon, Elizabeth and Charlie. What a great character! He was such a constant in their time there, always such help for those two, I wish we were able to revisit that time and place to see what ever becomes of Charlie.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for an exciting new read with a paranormal twist. Monique Martin has woven together a fun adventure with such a sweet love story, that she made it very easy to get lost in time along with her characters! I will definitely be keeping my eye out for anything new that she may put out in the future! :)
This book was such a treat! It was a fun, fast paced read, and I really enjoyed the suspenseful storyline that ensues later in the book. However, it was the bond that Elizabeth and Simon form from being trapped in the past together, that I REALLY LOVED!! Even though they've had feelings for each other, neither of them haveÌý ever acted on them, because they worked together. Their relationship was always very professional, but once they're thrown into this impossible situation, and they have only each other to depend on, that working relationship quickly turns into a close friendship. The feelings that they've both been trying to hold back soon come to the surface and turn into a very sweet and loving romance.
I also really enjoyed the relationship/friendship that was forged between Simon, Elizabeth and Charlie. What a great character! He was such a constant in their time there, always such help for those two, I wish we were able to revisit that time and place to see what ever becomes of Charlie.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for an exciting new read with a paranormal twist. Monique Martin has woven together a fun adventure with such a sweet love story, that she made it very easy to get lost in time along with her characters! I will definitely be keeping my eye out for anything new that she may put out in the future! :)
July 27, 2011
I loved this book! I didn't know what to expect and I am so impressed with it. It was so well written and flowed beautifully that you couldn't help getting caught up in the romance between Simon and Elizabeth. It had everything you could want in a fiction novel- suspense, mystery, romance, time travel, paranormal, religion, history, gangsters, humor, action, and adventure. It had two main characters you really bonded with, endearing supporting characters, and a great sexy, bad villain.
Simon is a professor of Occult studies and Elizabeth is his graduate teaching assistant. They secretly love each other but seem to not act on their feelings because of their working relationship. They are both so charming that way. One evening, Elizabeth is at Simon's house dropping off graded papers and he shows her his dead grandfather's watch. While studying it they get transported back in time to New York 1929 before the stock market crash. It was so enchanting to read about them stuck back in time, sharing the same bed, finding jobs, trying to fit in, visiting places such as Coney Island. The author really excelled in capturing an old world feel that you felt like you were right along with them and loving the ride.
There is a lot of sexual tension between them and over protectiveness (it was 1929 after all). There are some tasteful sex scenes that fit in very well to the story. My only gripe is that you never really learn why Simon is so reluctant to be involved in a relationship. We are only told that "He was used to being on the inside looking out. It was how he lived. The loneliness had become a welcome companion, reinforcing old memories and keeping him safe from new ones." Why was he so afraid of getting into a relationship? Did he lose someone before? Did he get hurt in the past? He is so uptight and dead set against anything happening between them and we never learn the reason. But who could resist temptation especially if you are stuck back in time with this person? They complement each other well and it works.
They get jobs at the same bar- her a waitress and him the piano player. Of course it is and illegal underground night club that serves alcohol during prohibition. Their boss Charlie is terrific. He was such a well done character and so added to the timepiece. He cared about Simon and Elizabeth, who pretended they were married, even though it wasn't that hard for them to fake.
The antagonist is a gangster King who is very attractive, has ties all throughout the city, and gets whatever he wants. He is seductive, intimidating, and scary all at the same time. He ends up causing some major problems for Simon and Elizabeth and introduces an interesting aspect to the story. While trying to fend off the bad guy, there is an unexpected reunion with another character who provides some explanation, answers, and help to our time travelers. This ties up loose ends on any questions lingering about the antagonist and time travel and something that happened in the beginning of the story. It proves to be quite emotional and fulfilling.
Highly recommended! What a great read! I was so pleasantly surprised at how talented this author proved to be. To be able to wove together all those different aspects together into the same story and have it flow as beautifully as it did takes some major talent. I loved the journey and just wish I could go back in time so i can relive that same feeling I had the first time I read this. As Simon's grandfather said, "Time's odd that way, isn't it? Drags on interminably when you want it to pass, and it's gone in the blink of an eye when you want it to linger."
Simon is a professor of Occult studies and Elizabeth is his graduate teaching assistant. They secretly love each other but seem to not act on their feelings because of their working relationship. They are both so charming that way. One evening, Elizabeth is at Simon's house dropping off graded papers and he shows her his dead grandfather's watch. While studying it they get transported back in time to New York 1929 before the stock market crash. It was so enchanting to read about them stuck back in time, sharing the same bed, finding jobs, trying to fit in, visiting places such as Coney Island. The author really excelled in capturing an old world feel that you felt like you were right along with them and loving the ride.
There is a lot of sexual tension between them and over protectiveness (it was 1929 after all). There are some tasteful sex scenes that fit in very well to the story. My only gripe is that you never really learn why Simon is so reluctant to be involved in a relationship. We are only told that "He was used to being on the inside looking out. It was how he lived. The loneliness had become a welcome companion, reinforcing old memories and keeping him safe from new ones." Why was he so afraid of getting into a relationship? Did he lose someone before? Did he get hurt in the past? He is so uptight and dead set against anything happening between them and we never learn the reason. But who could resist temptation especially if you are stuck back in time with this person? They complement each other well and it works.
They get jobs at the same bar- her a waitress and him the piano player. Of course it is and illegal underground night club that serves alcohol during prohibition. Their boss Charlie is terrific. He was such a well done character and so added to the timepiece. He cared about Simon and Elizabeth, who pretended they were married, even though it wasn't that hard for them to fake.
The antagonist is a gangster King who is very attractive, has ties all throughout the city, and gets whatever he wants. He is seductive, intimidating, and scary all at the same time. He ends up causing some major problems for Simon and Elizabeth and introduces an interesting aspect to the story. While trying to fend off the bad guy, there is an unexpected reunion with another character who provides some explanation, answers, and help to our time travelers. This ties up loose ends on any questions lingering about the antagonist and time travel and something that happened in the beginning of the story. It proves to be quite emotional and fulfilling.
Highly recommended! What a great read! I was so pleasantly surprised at how talented this author proved to be. To be able to wove together all those different aspects together into the same story and have it flow as beautifully as it did takes some major talent. I loved the journey and just wish I could go back in time so i can relive that same feeling I had the first time I read this. As Simon's grandfather said, "Time's odd that way, isn't it? Drags on interminably when you want it to pass, and it's gone in the blink of an eye when you want it to linger."
October 13, 2010
Kindle is opening my horizons and Out of Time is a great example of the wonderful treasures you can find if you get lucky. Despite the 'paranormal romance' subtitle, Out of Time is really more of a time travel romance with a paranormal complication as part of the conflict, than an actual paranormal romance since neither of the leads go bump in the night. But it is a really good time travel romance.
An accidental trip to the past, lands Professor Simon Cross and his graduate Assistant Elizabeth West in New York during the summer of 1929. Being stranded out of time with only each other to rely on, allows the unacknowledged attraction between the pair to come to light and I enjoyed the way their relationship slowly -and steamily - builds into something more. (For those concerned with sensuality level, Simon and Elizabeth's relationship does become physical and the first love scene is descriptive but not as detailed as most main stream paranormal romance and nowhere near the paint-by-numbers descriptions of the more erotic stuff.)
All of the characters in Out of Time are interesting and fully fleshed with interesting back stories - even the supporting characters. But I really loved Simon and Elizabeth. The pair couldn't be more different. From a moneyed background Simon is a man who has held himself back from life and relationships and all of their messy complications and the accidental trip to the past pulls him way out of his comfort zone. Elizabeth's upbringing was almost on the opposite end of the spectrum, but she genuinely likes people and has a talent for relating to others, so she approaches their `ordeal' as an adventure and an opportunity to experience the all that the time has to offer.
Simon of course wants to be careful not to make ripples in time. But since they have to survive until they hopefully will be returned home, Elizabeth wins and they both find jobs and end up immersed in 1920's life - the trials and entertainments of the prohibition era itself add an interesting flavor to their story. But survival is going to be more than just making ends meet until it's time to go home. Simon's prescient nightmares and a more than human monster who has set his sights on Elizabeth add an element of peril to the tale and provide the means to bring about an ending that takes the whole time travel part of the story full circle, which I always enjoy - it just ties things off so neatly.
So I am happy to have stumbled on Out of Time and if it were paper and not pixels it would be going on my keeper pile - I guess I'll have to start a virtual one. But in any case, I certainly will be keeping an eye out for more from author Monique Martin.
An accidental trip to the past, lands Professor Simon Cross and his graduate Assistant Elizabeth West in New York during the summer of 1929. Being stranded out of time with only each other to rely on, allows the unacknowledged attraction between the pair to come to light and I enjoyed the way their relationship slowly -and steamily - builds into something more. (For those concerned with sensuality level, Simon and Elizabeth's relationship does become physical and the first love scene is descriptive but not as detailed as most main stream paranormal romance and nowhere near the paint-by-numbers descriptions of the more erotic stuff.)
All of the characters in Out of Time are interesting and fully fleshed with interesting back stories - even the supporting characters. But I really loved Simon and Elizabeth. The pair couldn't be more different. From a moneyed background Simon is a man who has held himself back from life and relationships and all of their messy complications and the accidental trip to the past pulls him way out of his comfort zone. Elizabeth's upbringing was almost on the opposite end of the spectrum, but she genuinely likes people and has a talent for relating to others, so she approaches their `ordeal' as an adventure and an opportunity to experience the all that the time has to offer.
Simon of course wants to be careful not to make ripples in time. But since they have to survive until they hopefully will be returned home, Elizabeth wins and they both find jobs and end up immersed in 1920's life - the trials and entertainments of the prohibition era itself add an interesting flavor to their story. But survival is going to be more than just making ends meet until it's time to go home. Simon's prescient nightmares and a more than human monster who has set his sights on Elizabeth add an element of peril to the tale and provide the means to bring about an ending that takes the whole time travel part of the story full circle, which I always enjoy - it just ties things off so neatly.
So I am happy to have stumbled on Out of Time and if it were paper and not pixels it would be going on my keeper pile - I guess I'll have to start a virtual one. But in any case, I certainly will be keeping an eye out for more from author Monique Martin.
September 7, 2011
This is such a great romantic story with a little twist. And who doesn’t love a twist! We have Professor Simon Cross who teaches a fun class on vampires, zombies and other supernatural entities. Many students take his class because they find it so interesting and fun. Then we have his student aid Elizabeth. Both have feelings for one another but have never acted on it due to many reasons…Some being OOooh Professor Cross is 40 and Elizabeth is in her twenties and he is her boss along with teacher. Professor Cross starts getting these weird dreams about Elizabeth and her dying. He starts to worry something is going to happen and he starts to loose his focus when he is trying to teach and function with every day life. Elizabeth notices something is up with him and one day meets him at his house. The two start going over some old items that were his deceased’s grandfathers and they come across this strange watch. Well this watch ends up bringing them back into time�1929 to be precise and in NY! The two are very confused but try to find out how to get home. They realize they are going to be stuck in 1929 for quite a while so they’ll need to get jobs so they’ll have money. As this story continues the two come across an actual “gangster� and he seems to have his eye on Elizabeth. We also meet a wonderful character named Charlie who pretty much takes these two under his wing. You can tell he cares a lot about Elizabeth and kind of takes her under his wing. So it seems simple…All they need to do is continue working and they’ll be back home in a few weeks right? Well there are other things out there that have plans for these two. And not everyone is as they seem. Professor Cross finally finds one of the creatures he has thought to be real and also gets an unexpected visit.
I’m so excited to know there is going to be another book! When I picked this up I thought it was a stand alone and when it ended I thought oh there has to be more. Sure enough there will be a sequel..Now it’s just a matter of when! Because I’m hooked!!
I’m so excited to know there is going to be another book! When I picked this up I thought it was a stand alone and when it ended I thought oh there has to be more. Sure enough there will be a sequel..Now it’s just a matter of when! Because I’m hooked!!
August 2, 2013
I bought this e-book on Kobo - my e-book pusher of choice.
Okay � so even if this series is SUSPICIOUSLY romantic � I’m over halfway through your first book � just hit the point where somebody shot somebody � (no spoilers, please) � and I’m enjoying it immensely.
Look � I’m reading this to keep my wife happy. She loved the first book and wants me to read it � even though there isn’t any shotguns, short-fused dynamite or semi-naked women on the cover.
I find myself deeply invested in Simon and Elizabeth. The dialogue is lively and the plot twists nicely along. The love scenes require the purchase of a pair of asbestos undies and I’m pretty sure that darned minister is up to something � but I haven’t figured out just what.
(no spoilers, no spoilers, no spoilers�)
It isn't deep. It's a popcorn read.
And if you have never seen me eat popcorn - just ask my wife. I sort of lean over the bag at the movie theater and I inhale...
I'm not saying it's pretty.
So pick this up. I enjoyed it, my wife enjoyed it - you'll most likely enjoy it too.
There's five books in the series but the first book stands alone nicely. Still, I expect any time now to find myself reading the next book in the series.
Now excuse me while I go and do something manly like maybe watch a football game while drinking a beer from a dirty broken bottle � while whittling a tattoo on my right bicep with my wrong hand�
Yes…much better…I feel manly again.
Now someone dial 9-1-1.
yours in storytelling,
Steve Vernon
Okay � so even if this series is SUSPICIOUSLY romantic � I’m over halfway through your first book � just hit the point where somebody shot somebody � (no spoilers, please) � and I’m enjoying it immensely.
Look � I’m reading this to keep my wife happy. She loved the first book and wants me to read it � even though there isn’t any shotguns, short-fused dynamite or semi-naked women on the cover.
I find myself deeply invested in Simon and Elizabeth. The dialogue is lively and the plot twists nicely along. The love scenes require the purchase of a pair of asbestos undies and I’m pretty sure that darned minister is up to something � but I haven’t figured out just what.
(no spoilers, no spoilers, no spoilers�)
It isn't deep. It's a popcorn read.
And if you have never seen me eat popcorn - just ask my wife. I sort of lean over the bag at the movie theater and I inhale...
I'm not saying it's pretty.
So pick this up. I enjoyed it, my wife enjoyed it - you'll most likely enjoy it too.
There's five books in the series but the first book stands alone nicely. Still, I expect any time now to find myself reading the next book in the series.
Now excuse me while I go and do something manly like maybe watch a football game while drinking a beer from a dirty broken bottle � while whittling a tattoo on my right bicep with my wrong hand�
Yes…much better…I feel manly again.
Now someone dial 9-1-1.
yours in storytelling,
Steve Vernon
March 8, 2015
I read this as a time travel book, not realising the amount of romance that would be involved. I can see that the romance element was necessary for the plot, but there was a bit too much cheese and not enough plot for my taste. Having said that, I have to admit that the book was very readable and the plot was interesting. Made good light reading. The time travel element fits more into fantasy than science fiction (the main character is Professor of the Occult) and isn't explained in any detail. The book is set in early 1930s New York - the descriptions were quite believable and added charm to the story. Characterisation is quite shallow, but then this is a romance after all...
April 18, 2011
A very slow book, with a very weak storyplot.
February 7, 2024
What l thought was an urban fantasy turned out to be a bad romance novel
February 16, 2011
‘Out of Time� is a time-travel paranormal romance from Monique Martin.
I bought this e-book for two reasons. It only cost me 99¢ on Amazon, and Stella from Ex Libris wrote a smashing review.
Elizabeth West is teacher’s assistant to Professor Simon Cross. Simon teaches classes on the Occult, and for as long as he’s been teaching about werewolves and vampires he’s been hunting for proof of the paranormal.
One day a package arrives for Simon. Inside of which is all the most precious artefacts belonging to Simon’s grandfather, another Occult explorer. Among them is a Scarab ring, and a mysterious pocket watch. On the night of the eclipse Elizabeth drops off some graded papers at Simon’s house, and the two study his grandfather’s prized possessions, with disastrous results . . . suddenly in a whirlwind Elizabeth and Simon wake up to New York in the 1920’s.
Elizabeth and Simon deduce that they can’t get back to the present until the next eclipse, in a month’s time. They make do and get jobs at a local speakeasy � Elizabeth as a waitress with moxie, and Simon as her piano-playing ‘husband�.
But 1920’s New York is a different and dangerous place - prohibition is stifling the city, and mob’s rule. The head-honcho of the big apple is King Kashian � a cool and calculating mobster without a soul . . . literally. For it takes Simon a trip into the past to find what he’s been searching for all his academic life � a vampire.
‘Out of Time� is a wonderful and eclectic paranormal romance. There’s a little bit of everything to whet your fantastical appetite � time-travel, vampires and spooky premonitions. It’s an absolute feast of fantasy!
Elizabeth and Simon have a very sweet and slow romance. When the book opens and the time-travel begins, Elizabeth and Simon refer to each other as “Miss West� and “Professor Cross� � he’s almost 20 years older than her, and he’s her boss. But these two have both fantasized and lusted after one another in private. Being thrown into 1920’s New York and unsure if they’ll ever get back to their own time brings these two together. I will warn that there isn’t heavy ‘smut�, but there is sexual tension and affection that grows into more.
‘Out of Time� features one of the best bad guys I've ever read, King Kashian. He’s a mobster vampire with a (small) soul. I loved him because he’s full of gray areas � yes, he’s ‘evil� but Elizabeth provokes a sort of tenderness and territoriality in him that’s almost sweet. Reading Kashian made me (absurdly) want to read more mobster paranormal romances (a tall order, I'm sure). Honestly, Martin has done such a good job with Kashian � a mobster vampire with a crush, fantastic!
“Don’t be naive. Do you really think all he wants is the pleasure of your company? At worst, he’s a vampire and you won’t live the night. Or he’s a gangster, hardly better. At best, he’s a man whose interest in you goes far beyond dinner conversation, I can assure you. How can you possibly expect me to roll on my back while this creature, this man, goes after my wife!� His expression faltered and he turned away.
I really liked ‘Out of Time�. It’s definitely an eclectic paranormal romance, a bubbling hot-pot of fantasy genres and sub-plots to please and intrigue.
I bought this e-book for two reasons. It only cost me 99¢ on Amazon, and Stella from Ex Libris wrote a smashing review.
Elizabeth West is teacher’s assistant to Professor Simon Cross. Simon teaches classes on the Occult, and for as long as he’s been teaching about werewolves and vampires he’s been hunting for proof of the paranormal.
One day a package arrives for Simon. Inside of which is all the most precious artefacts belonging to Simon’s grandfather, another Occult explorer. Among them is a Scarab ring, and a mysterious pocket watch. On the night of the eclipse Elizabeth drops off some graded papers at Simon’s house, and the two study his grandfather’s prized possessions, with disastrous results . . . suddenly in a whirlwind Elizabeth and Simon wake up to New York in the 1920’s.
Elizabeth and Simon deduce that they can’t get back to the present until the next eclipse, in a month’s time. They make do and get jobs at a local speakeasy � Elizabeth as a waitress with moxie, and Simon as her piano-playing ‘husband�.
But 1920’s New York is a different and dangerous place - prohibition is stifling the city, and mob’s rule. The head-honcho of the big apple is King Kashian � a cool and calculating mobster without a soul . . . literally. For it takes Simon a trip into the past to find what he’s been searching for all his academic life � a vampire.
‘Out of Time� is a wonderful and eclectic paranormal romance. There’s a little bit of everything to whet your fantastical appetite � time-travel, vampires and spooky premonitions. It’s an absolute feast of fantasy!
Elizabeth and Simon have a very sweet and slow romance. When the book opens and the time-travel begins, Elizabeth and Simon refer to each other as “Miss West� and “Professor Cross� � he’s almost 20 years older than her, and he’s her boss. But these two have both fantasized and lusted after one another in private. Being thrown into 1920’s New York and unsure if they’ll ever get back to their own time brings these two together. I will warn that there isn’t heavy ‘smut�, but there is sexual tension and affection that grows into more.
‘Out of Time� features one of the best bad guys I've ever read, King Kashian. He’s a mobster vampire with a (small) soul. I loved him because he’s full of gray areas � yes, he’s ‘evil� but Elizabeth provokes a sort of tenderness and territoriality in him that’s almost sweet. Reading Kashian made me (absurdly) want to read more mobster paranormal romances (a tall order, I'm sure). Honestly, Martin has done such a good job with Kashian � a mobster vampire with a crush, fantastic!
“Don’t be naive. Do you really think all he wants is the pleasure of your company? At worst, he’s a vampire and you won’t live the night. Or he’s a gangster, hardly better. At best, he’s a man whose interest in you goes far beyond dinner conversation, I can assure you. How can you possibly expect me to roll on my back while this creature, this man, goes after my wife!� His expression faltered and he turned away.
I really liked ‘Out of Time�. It’s definitely an eclectic paranormal romance, a bubbling hot-pot of fantasy genres and sub-plots to please and intrigue.
November 15, 2010
My thoughts: I have to confess I was sold at the very first sentence, when I learned this story would take place in New York in the 1920s. I mean that is such an incredibly exciting time with so many unexploited opportunities: the prohibition, the universe of gangsters, speakeasies, barmaids, gunfights just to name a few, who wouldn't be excited to read a story set then and there? So with so many ideas jumping in my head after only reading the introductory sentence of the blurb, I have to admit that my expectations of Out of Time were (very very) high: I wanted to read an exciting and original story. And Out of Time surpassed all my expectations!
Not only did I get my share of gangsters, speakeasies and barfights, Monique Martin's descriptive yet fluent writing transported me back in time to the New York of the '20s. The small streets and diners, the pawnshop and bars and all the other major or minor characters became more than mere settings and characters on paper, I felt as if I were strolling those scary yet exciting streets alongside Elizabeth and Simon. The old New York came to life while I was reading Out of Time, the setting became reality, which doesn't happen often, even with contemporary locations.
The other major high of this novel was the amazing characterization. In the characters of Simon and Elizabeth, Monique Martin gave us not simply two likable characters, but complex, layered characters, who have their own background which gives them depth and character. Even independently Simon and Elizabeth are both given history, little details that help the reader feel as if they know them personally, little quirks and faults that make them real everyday people and not larger than life unrealistic pawns of the story. But then, when Monique Martin combines their story and unfolds their attraction and feelings for each other, you just want to savour the experience of reading, to spend more time discovering their hidden thoughts and emotions. Their relationship and love are written wonderfully (I have to admit, even if Elizabeth and Simon's story came without the more than great setting, I would have been happy reading about them).
The only tiny criticism I have with the story is that I don't think introducing the paranormal element of vampires was necessary. I would have been more than happy with just the interesting time travel romance storyline, I felt it was exciting and intriguing enough.
Verdict: Out of Time could be categorized as a time travel novel, a historical/contemporary romance or a paranormal story. It is all of these and much more. Out of Time was a wonderful surprise. Not only is the story incredibly unique and original (the hero and heroine get thrown back to the New York of the '20s!) but Monique Martin's narrative is told wonderfully: the story flows freely and naturally while the reader gets enough details and descriptions to feel as if they were watching a movie unfold. An extraordinary read, one you should not miss out on!
Plot: 9/10
Characters: 10/10
Ending: 8/10
Writing: 10/10
Cover: 7/10
Not only did I get my share of gangsters, speakeasies and barfights, Monique Martin's descriptive yet fluent writing transported me back in time to the New York of the '20s. The small streets and diners, the pawnshop and bars and all the other major or minor characters became more than mere settings and characters on paper, I felt as if I were strolling those scary yet exciting streets alongside Elizabeth and Simon. The old New York came to life while I was reading Out of Time, the setting became reality, which doesn't happen often, even with contemporary locations.
The other major high of this novel was the amazing characterization. In the characters of Simon and Elizabeth, Monique Martin gave us not simply two likable characters, but complex, layered characters, who have their own background which gives them depth and character. Even independently Simon and Elizabeth are both given history, little details that help the reader feel as if they know them personally, little quirks and faults that make them real everyday people and not larger than life unrealistic pawns of the story. But then, when Monique Martin combines their story and unfolds their attraction and feelings for each other, you just want to savour the experience of reading, to spend more time discovering their hidden thoughts and emotions. Their relationship and love are written wonderfully (I have to admit, even if Elizabeth and Simon's story came without the more than great setting, I would have been happy reading about them).
The only tiny criticism I have with the story is that I don't think introducing the paranormal element of vampires was necessary. I would have been more than happy with just the interesting time travel romance storyline, I felt it was exciting and intriguing enough.
Verdict: Out of Time could be categorized as a time travel novel, a historical/contemporary romance or a paranormal story. It is all of these and much more. Out of Time was a wonderful surprise. Not only is the story incredibly unique and original (the hero and heroine get thrown back to the New York of the '20s!) but Monique Martin's narrative is told wonderfully: the story flows freely and naturally while the reader gets enough details and descriptions to feel as if they were watching a movie unfold. An extraordinary read, one you should not miss out on!
Plot: 9/10
Characters: 10/10
Ending: 8/10
Writing: 10/10
Cover: 7/10
September 19, 2018
A fairy tale where love wins. Literally.
Story: Professor Simon Cross is in love with his assistant, Elizabeth West. Miss West is in love with Professor. Both think it’s unrequited so they only have sex in the second half of the book. Which is coincidently also where the action starts. By action I mean vampire hunting or running away from vampires, whichever way you look at it. Anyways, in chapter 3 they’re transferred to the past and end up in the centre of a gangster-vampire war. You’d think that’s exciting, but almost nothing happens for the first half.
This might be one of the few books where I can’t say much about the worldbuilding. There’s not a lot needed for a picture of Manhattan in 1929 as it’s relatively familiar thanks to all the movies, yet I wasn’t drawn into the world at all and I didn’t feel like it played an important part. Other than making Elizabeth uncomfortable because she arrived wearing skinny jeans and a top.
I could rant on and on about the characters though. Elizabeth was fine. I didn’t get why she’d fallen for Simon but girl I respect your choice. I just� can’t want you two to be together if I don’t understand why you want that. Simon’s motivation was more clear, probably because the woman is brave, kind, socially mature, and fun. More or less his opposite. He’s also 20 years older than her, comes from a completely different background, so seeing what binds them is important as hell. Unfortunately, I never got a glimpse. He’s also prone to screwing his brain because he’s got commitment issues, and really that’s fine. But once or twice maybe. Further internal dialogues about how he doesn’t deserve her just didn’t contribute anything.
I hated the villain, and not in the way love-to-hate, but in a wtf way. He’s written believably at first, then does something out of place and this thing is a plot point. Worse, it’s a resolution. Worse, the author uses it to make a point of “love is a weapon�, spinning the book into a fairy tale niche. And the kind of happy-ending-by-all-means fairytale, screw the whole story that came before.
It’s lacking in the plot and characters, and I didn’t have fun, so.
Story: Professor Simon Cross is in love with his assistant, Elizabeth West. Miss West is in love with Professor. Both think it’s unrequited so they only have sex in the second half of the book. Which is coincidently also where the action starts. By action I mean vampire hunting or running away from vampires, whichever way you look at it. Anyways, in chapter 3 they’re transferred to the past and end up in the centre of a gangster-vampire war. You’d think that’s exciting, but almost nothing happens for the first half.
This might be one of the few books where I can’t say much about the worldbuilding. There’s not a lot needed for a picture of Manhattan in 1929 as it’s relatively familiar thanks to all the movies, yet I wasn’t drawn into the world at all and I didn’t feel like it played an important part. Other than making Elizabeth uncomfortable because she arrived wearing skinny jeans and a top.
I could rant on and on about the characters though. Elizabeth was fine. I didn’t get why she’d fallen for Simon but girl I respect your choice. I just� can’t want you two to be together if I don’t understand why you want that. Simon’s motivation was more clear, probably because the woman is brave, kind, socially mature, and fun. More or less his opposite. He’s also 20 years older than her, comes from a completely different background, so seeing what binds them is important as hell. Unfortunately, I never got a glimpse. He’s also prone to screwing his brain because he’s got commitment issues, and really that’s fine. But once or twice maybe. Further internal dialogues about how he doesn’t deserve her just didn’t contribute anything.
I hated the villain, and not in the way love-to-hate, but in a wtf way. He’s written believably at first, then does something out of place and this thing is a plot point. Worse, it’s a resolution. Worse, the author uses it to make a point of “love is a weapon�, spinning the book into a fairy tale niche. And the kind of happy-ending-by-all-means fairytale, screw the whole story that came before.
It’s lacking in the plot and characters, and I didn’t have fun, so.
January 23, 2016
Monique Martin’s debut offering, “Out of Time� is a delightful, sexy romp back in time to the 1920s. The story revolves around “stiff upper lip� British professor, Simon Cross, and his research assistant, Elizabeth West. I’ve worked with university professors for over twenty years and believe me, the character of Professor Cross is pretty spot on although his sarcasm with his students probably would not be tolerated at many universities today. Of course, his brilliance saves him from any rebukes because students always want to take a class with the cool, eccentric professor.
I absolutely adored Elizabeth West. She is your typical research assistant, overworked and underpaid, but the author gives her such depth and wit that you immediately want to be her friend. The banter that goes back and forth between her and Simon keeps you captivated and you just want to read more and more.
Without divulging any spoilers in my review, Simon and Elizabeth find themselves transported back to the 1920s when they inadvertently activated Simon’s grandfather’s pocket watch during a lunar eclipse. They figure out that they are stuck in this time warp for six weeks until the next lunar eclipse that will once again activate the watch. This is where the story really notches up the action with a perfect blend of these two navigating the ins and outs of daily life in 1929 and how it changes their relationship, the peek into life during prohibition and of course, the unlucky event of coming to the attention of local mob boss, King Kashian.
Everything is connected and Ms. Martin unfolds all the drama and angst in perfect style. This book won’t you let put it down until you finish so I’ll give you fair warning now to carve out enough time to read it through to its exciting conclusion. Highly recommend this delightful novel!
I absolutely adored Elizabeth West. She is your typical research assistant, overworked and underpaid, but the author gives her such depth and wit that you immediately want to be her friend. The banter that goes back and forth between her and Simon keeps you captivated and you just want to read more and more.
Without divulging any spoilers in my review, Simon and Elizabeth find themselves transported back to the 1920s when they inadvertently activated Simon’s grandfather’s pocket watch during a lunar eclipse. They figure out that they are stuck in this time warp for six weeks until the next lunar eclipse that will once again activate the watch. This is where the story really notches up the action with a perfect blend of these two navigating the ins and outs of daily life in 1929 and how it changes their relationship, the peek into life during prohibition and of course, the unlucky event of coming to the attention of local mob boss, King Kashian.
Everything is connected and Ms. Martin unfolds all the drama and angst in perfect style. This book won’t you let put it down until you finish so I’ll give you fair warning now to carve out enough time to read it through to its exciting conclusion. Highly recommend this delightful novel!
April 29, 2011
Wow! This book was so good, I'm struggling to write the review!
The premise sounds confusing, and it doesn't really seem to fit it any one genre (maybe this is why it took me so long to find it?). Is it time travel, or paranormal, or contemporary or historical? Is it suspense or mystery or romance? Is the hero alpha or beta? You'd probably be thinking "WTF? Sounds like it's all over the place!"
Well, this book just flows. The writing is excellent, the dialogue is great, the plot is fabulous. The hero, the heroine and all the secondary characters are unbelievably solid, and extremely credible, and I think that's what I really enjoyed about this one.
For all the twists and turns, time shifting, paranormal stuff going on, the hero and heroine are very real. They speak how people do, they have the insecurities and issues that people have. Likewise the secondary characters, no one is perfect, but no one is completely flawed either, with love and betrayal hand-in-hand, but at no point did any of the characters behave in a way that wasn't realistic. There were no stupid misunderstandings, people lied - badly! - and there was goodness and kindness.
But the romance.. ah! The relationship between the hero and heroine is just wonderful. I love older man-younger woman stuff, yearning after your boss/teacher is such a lovely theme.
Loved it, loved it, loved it. 5 star read, can't wait for this author to write something else, can't believe this was priced at 99c... etc. etc.
Oh, just read it!!
The premise sounds confusing, and it doesn't really seem to fit it any one genre (maybe this is why it took me so long to find it?). Is it time travel, or paranormal, or contemporary or historical? Is it suspense or mystery or romance? Is the hero alpha or beta? You'd probably be thinking "WTF? Sounds like it's all over the place!"
Well, this book just flows. The writing is excellent, the dialogue is great, the plot is fabulous. The hero, the heroine and all the secondary characters are unbelievably solid, and extremely credible, and I think that's what I really enjoyed about this one.
For all the twists and turns, time shifting, paranormal stuff going on, the hero and heroine are very real. They speak how people do, they have the insecurities and issues that people have. Likewise the secondary characters, no one is perfect, but no one is completely flawed either, with love and betrayal hand-in-hand, but at no point did any of the characters behave in a way that wasn't realistic. There were no stupid misunderstandings, people lied - badly! - and there was goodness and kindness.
But the romance.. ah! The relationship between the hero and heroine is just wonderful. I love older man-younger woman stuff, yearning after your boss/teacher is such a lovely theme.
Loved it, loved it, loved it. 5 star read, can't wait for this author to write something else, can't believe this was priced at 99c... etc. etc.
Oh, just read it!!
March 29, 2011
Simon Cross is a professor of occult studies at the University of California; Elizabeth West is his underappreciated teaching assistant. One night, after delivering graded papers to his home, to avoid leaving, Elizabeth gets Prof. Cross to go through unopened boxes and the ride begins. I don't think it would be a spoiler to say that Simon and Elizabeth are transported back in time to 1929 and their adventure begins there. They have to figure out how to get home, how to live while there and how they feel about each other. Along the way they meet up with a mob king that brings a little more to the table than just being a big bad boss.
This is a well written book with a little bit of everything for the reader to enjoy. We get the sites, sounds and smells of the time period, we get a romance, we get a bad guy, we get a bit of a mystery and we get fun characters to meet. I enjoyed reading this book and it was an easy read. There is a little sex in it, if that offends anyone be warned, but it is tastefully written and lends itself to the story. I would recommend this book to anyone that enjoys time travel and the paranormal. I look forward to more works by this author; hopefully we will meet up with Prof. Cross and Elizabeth again.
This is a well written book with a little bit of everything for the reader to enjoy. We get the sites, sounds and smells of the time period, we get a romance, we get a bad guy, we get a bit of a mystery and we get fun characters to meet. I enjoyed reading this book and it was an easy read. There is a little sex in it, if that offends anyone be warned, but it is tastefully written and lends itself to the story. I would recommend this book to anyone that enjoys time travel and the paranormal. I look forward to more works by this author; hopefully we will meet up with Prof. Cross and Elizabeth again.
August 12, 2011
Honestly this book started out very exciting and interesting with the whole time travel premise. I also liked the romance aspect of a professor being in love with his masters student but being unable to act upon it until they are both thrust into the 1920's. The 1920's is one of my favorite time periods in history to read about so you would think I would like this book with the whole prohibition aspect, and speakeasies, and gangsters. And I really did enjoy this book until I got 56 percent of the way through it. Because then the author decided to turn the head gangster into a vampire. It just seemed so out of place and random. There was nothing to make me think that it would turn into a vampire novel until it did. And honestly I was disappointed because I think time travel and a developing romance is more than enough to make the book good. And gangsters are scary enough without turning them into vampires. I honestly feel like the author started writing a good book and then halfway through decided to ruin it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 30, 2011
This is a very sweet time-travel romance, with a little paranormal twist thrown in. The hero, Simon Cross, is a professor of Occult Studies and determined to never let himself care about anyone because to care leads to being hurt. The heroine, Elizabeth West, is the professors' graduate teaching assistant. She is full of life and tenderhearted. She is also the subject of Simon's dreams, nightmares really. Initially set in modern times, the couple travels back to 1929 - a time of gangsters, prohibition and speakeasies. It is a different time to read about and very enjoyable.
I really liked this book. The couple was very likable and it was fun to watch them come together. I honestly think the whole paranormal aspect (other than the time-travel) could have been left out. I don't think it was necessary and it was a little distracting. I think the book might have been better without it. That said, I would still recommend it and gave it a very solid 4 stars.
I really liked this book. The couple was very likable and it was fun to watch them come together. I honestly think the whole paranormal aspect (other than the time-travel) could have been left out. I don't think it was necessary and it was a little distracting. I think the book might have been better without it. That said, I would still recommend it and gave it a very solid 4 stars.
October 3, 2015
I came across this book on iTunes because I believe it was free and sounded like it might be an enjoyable read. I was intrigued by the time traveling and paranormal elements of the story. There was a dash of romance, but that aspect was not heavily developed.
I thought the backdrop of 1929 that the author set her story worked well. Her main characters and story telling voice were nicely developed, so it was a pleasurable experience to read this book. There was a few places in the story that were predictable, but not to the detriment of the story as a whole.
I thought the backdrop of 1929 that the author set her story worked well. Her main characters and story telling voice were nicely developed, so it was a pleasurable experience to read this book. There was a few places in the story that were predictable, but not to the detriment of the story as a whole.
Read
August 17, 2011Although an interesting premise and setting, I couldnt connect with the characters. Set it down about halfway through and have no desire to pick it up again. ::shrug::
August 5, 2019
Recap: Professor Simon Cross and his assistant Elizabeth West get mysteriously transported back in time by his grandfathers pocket watch to 1920s New York.
Review: A well written, easy to read love story through time with vampires! What more could you possibly want? The love scenes are both steamy and tender and Simon's vulnerability when it comes to a relationship with Elizabeth is endearing. You're not entirely sure whether there will be a happy ending either which makes it a compelling read and there is plenty of scope for a great series.
Review: A well written, easy to read love story through time with vampires! What more could you possibly want? The love scenes are both steamy and tender and Simon's vulnerability when it comes to a relationship with Elizabeth is endearing. You're not entirely sure whether there will be a happy ending either which makes it a compelling read and there is plenty of scope for a great series.
April 25, 2019
This was an entertaining read just more romance than time travel. That being said I will be continuing with the series. I mean you have everything you need to enjoy. There are monsters,time travel , a cluless professor. .. I did enjoy it.
June 30, 2018
Time travel, romance & vampires - what more would you want? :)
May 11, 2020
What I expected: a fun time travel mystery.
What I got: A failed attempt at romance that was just a professor being a horrible jerk to his TA when they get stuck in the past and he thinks he has any right at all to be possessive of her. It was gross.
What I got: A failed attempt at romance that was just a professor being a horrible jerk to his TA when they get stuck in the past and he thinks he has any right at all to be possessive of her. It was gross.
June 15, 2023
Okay time travel. I liked the use of the watch to do the traveling....the vampire aspect was different.
September 19, 2013
Hmmm 2.75 stars. :)
Like a lot of the other reviews, I liked the premise but was left...wanting more. Of everything. More.
1. Not a fan of the 20 year age difference between Simon and Elizabeth. I don't mind some difference, but that's too much (sorry if you're reading this and fit in that category, to each his own, but not this one's own)
2. It made it even more noticeable that they're so far apart in age because Elizabeth acts like an idiot teenager and not an early twenty-something grad student. She's reckless and doesn't think about dangerous situations and talks like a teenager (some of my favorites: "hiddledy-piggledy," "Jiggety-jig," "bippy," and "bupkis" *insert eye roll*)
3. Cliches to the extreme...sigh.
4. Another "heroine" that doesn't know she's attractive and that men want her... (this is getting old)
5. A "hero" that can't face the fact that someone loves him and if he lets loose a bit and moves on from the past, he'll be capable of loving her too...
6. Oh, hey, you're 70% through the book so... VAMPIRE! (HUH?)
7. WEASLEY twins....
8. EGYPTIAN MYTHOLOGY thrown in with the vampire... Wait, what??
9. Convenient that the grandfather shows up just in time...
Okay, sorry... what did I like, you ask?
1. The historical setting! The author did an amazing job of recreating 1929 New York. From Coney Island, the couple working in a speakeasy, the "alcohol" of the time, Irish cops and priests, and Central Park it was enjoyable and as though you were in that time period too.
2. The supporting characters of the grandfather and Charlie (entertaining!)
3. The interpretation of the vampire and the explanation of the Egyptian myth (just not together).
4. The IDEA of time travel with the use of eclipses... needs more.
Overall, I'm glad this was free and that I read all of it (and didn't give up after chapter 2). But, I don't think I'll finish the series.
Like a lot of the other reviews, I liked the premise but was left...wanting more. Of everything. More.
1. Not a fan of the 20 year age difference between Simon and Elizabeth. I don't mind some difference, but that's too much (sorry if you're reading this and fit in that category, to each his own, but not this one's own)
2. It made it even more noticeable that they're so far apart in age because Elizabeth acts like an idiot teenager and not an early twenty-something grad student. She's reckless and doesn't think about dangerous situations and talks like a teenager (some of my favorites: "hiddledy-piggledy," "Jiggety-jig," "bippy," and "bupkis" *insert eye roll*)
3. Cliches to the extreme...sigh.
4. Another "heroine" that doesn't know she's attractive and that men want her... (this is getting old)
5. A "hero" that can't face the fact that someone loves him and if he lets loose a bit and moves on from the past, he'll be capable of loving her too...
6. Oh, hey, you're 70% through the book so... VAMPIRE! (HUH?)
7. WEASLEY twins....
8. EGYPTIAN MYTHOLOGY thrown in with the vampire... Wait, what??
9. Convenient that the grandfather shows up just in time...
Okay, sorry... what did I like, you ask?
1. The historical setting! The author did an amazing job of recreating 1929 New York. From Coney Island, the couple working in a speakeasy, the "alcohol" of the time, Irish cops and priests, and Central Park it was enjoyable and as though you were in that time period too.
2. The supporting characters of the grandfather and Charlie (entertaining!)
3. The interpretation of the vampire and the explanation of the Egyptian myth (just not together).
4. The IDEA of time travel with the use of eclipses... needs more.
Overall, I'm glad this was free and that I read all of it (and didn't give up after chapter 2). But, I don't think I'll finish the series.
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