Forever, Lately

Author: Linore Rose Burkard
Genre: Time Travel Romance

1816, England
Julian St. John needs a wife. An oath to a deceased guardian must be kept. Miss Clarissa Andrews, a vexatious beauty, has dangled after him all season but he has no intention of choosing such a she-devil.

Maine, Present Day
Author Claire Channing is desperate to write a bestseller to save her failing career. She moves into her grandmotherʼs abandoned cottage to write the book, but a local resort baron wants to raze the place. Without the deed, the clock is ticking on how long she can stay. She thinks she’s writing St. Johnʼs story. But when she discovers an old prayer shawl and finds herself in his Regency world, she falls in love with him, a man she thought she invented! Miss Andrews, however, is also real—and she’d rather see Julian dead than in another womanʼs arms!

Claire must beat the clock to prevent a deadly tragedy, but can love beat the limits of time itself?

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Reviewer: Sheila Samuelson

Thank you to the author for sending a copy of this book for me to review (I plan to reread it in February as well). 

This book reminded me of a lot of other Historical Fiction books I've read, but the time travel part of it really drew me in. It was a very interesting and steady book to read. The characters were really funny at times, and the plot/setting of the book seemed perfect, especially this time of year.

This was my first time reading a book by Linore, and might I say she is one of my favorite Historical Fiction authors now.

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Reviewer: Trixi Oberembt

“That was the plan, the outline she’d labored over for this new book which she called Forever, Lately. Later, when it all fell apart, Claire would wonder how she’d stumbled upon real people to inhabit her story. If she’d known they were real, she might have known, too, that they wouldn’t ever do as she planned.”

“Note to self: If characters are going to change from what the writer envisioned, they must do so early on in the writing.”

Right off the bat, as soon as I read these lines, I KNEW this was going to be a fun read! How many times have I heard authors say this very thing, that their characters won’t cooperate? As if they completely took over the story and ripped it out of the writer’s hand! I’ve never read time travel novels, but I absolutely adore Regency fiction, so I figured the combination of the two would be delightful. This was so much more than I expected, in a good way, and all the plot twists kept me wondering where Burkard would take me next. 

I fell hard for Julian St. John at first glance and was quite jealous that Clair stole his interest. But at the same time, I loved watching from the sidelines the interactions between author and characters. It was a very interesting perspective! There were quite a few places where I couldn’t help but laugh, and quite a few that I wanted to tell Miss Clarissa Andrews off. She was no lady, at least not a respectable one the way she prowled around St John trying to manipulate his affections. The whole idea of time traveling to and live in the Regency era was intriguing. One I wished could happen for real because I’d be the first to sign up! This was a delightful adventure all around and would satisfy the heart of any Regency-era fiction fan. Linore Burkard is one to keep my eye out for. She quickly became a favorite of mine! I have since added her to my list of must-read Regency authors.

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Reviewer: Laura J. Davis
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Forever, Lately by Linore Rose Burkard is a delightful romp through time that will leave you wanting more.

I could not put this book down and read it in one day. I loved Julian St. John. He was the perfect mixture of a proper regency gentleman with a touch of a scandalous cad. Loved him! As for Claire, she was brilliant and his perfect match.

I've never read a story that so enthralled me from the get-go. The author has given all readers (and writers) the "what-if" story we all ask. What if we could really meet our characters? What if we could step into their world? What would happen? The author answers these questions well.

However, as much as I loved this story, the faith element that I love in Christian books was missing. While there was mention of Julian becoming "reformed" and a Christian, little was said as to how this reformation took place. As far as I could tell, there was no discernible theme of redemption, repentance or salvation. In such a great story, that is marketed as a Christian book, it was sad to see this lost opportunity to explore Julian's change of heart further. 
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Nevertheless, Forever, Lately, left me wanting to read more by this author and despite my four-star rating may be my top pick for 2019.

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Reviewer: Nora St. Laurent

This is a brilliantly written story with characters to cheer for, those you don’t trust, and others you were meant to dislike. Intertwined in an amazing magical, mysterious story, I couldn’t get enough of. I was thrilled at how this author takes the Regency genre to a whole new level. I was glued to the story from the start as it takes off in 1816 England.

Readers are then brought into the present day, in Dove Cottage, Maine, where Claire’s grandmother used to live until she went missing. I enjoyed that the main character is an author who came to the cottage to write a novel she hopes will hit the best sellers list. Maybe there was something to what the reporter from the Tribune said to her, “You need to live your own romance before you try writing another.” She needed to work on that.

The author gives readers a peek into Claire’s writing process, how her last book tanked, and how her characters have just taken over part of her story. I smiled when I read Claire’s “note to self,” “If characters are going to change from what the writer envisioned, they must do so early on in the writing.”

Claire can’t stop thinking about this when she’s plopped inside a beautiful home in the Regency Era, all dressed for the part she was about to play. She had to be dreaming. No, it was real. She wished she had something to write with, take a picture even of what she was seeing and experiencing. She wanted to capture everything and add it to her story.

​Claire’s “note to self,” “When St. John appears, take his picture! This time-traveling was getting out of hand. Not only couldn’t she control which time she was in, but she was also seeing St. John in her time when he apparently wasn’t really there! But Charlie (her trusted pup) had behaved as though he was. What could it mean?”

I was fascinated and enchanted by this thrilling page-turning novel, with characters I liked hanging out with. The author has some great surprises and keeps you engaged right up until the end. I wasn’t sure what was going to happen until I read the last few paragraphs. I hated to close the book. I was having so much fun, I wanted more. Grin! This would make for a great book club pick. There is so much to talk about. This novel is one you won’t want to miss and won’t soon forget.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author through Interviews & Reviews. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

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Reviewer: Paula Shreckhise

Forever, Lately by Linore Rose Burkard is an unusual time-travel romance.

“It is difficult, when faced with a situation you cannot control, to admit you can do nothing" (Lemony Snicket). "You need to be a little bit crazy. Crazy is the price you pay for having an imagination” (Ruth Ozeki)."When you are imagining, you might as well imagine something worthwhile” (Lucy Maud Montgomery).

These are some of the quotes that begin each chapter in this fantasy story. They are thought provoking and a real hoot! The chapters vary in length which makes for more enjoyable pacing. 

The cover piqued my interest with its pretty silhouette of figures in Regency garb. I have always been fascinated by time travel books and movies. 

For Maine author, Claire Channing, the characters in the book she is writing just won’t behave! Especially when she finds herself in a ballroom, in period clothes, in England, in 1816! 

This was a sometimes funny, sometimes serious but always entertaining glimpse into Regency England through the eyes of a 21st Century woman. Thrown back in time, Claire tries to cope and make sense of things when she falls in love with Julian St. John. Funnier still is when Julian tries to figure out modern day conveniences on his trip to the future. Which era will they end up in? How will they solve this conundrum?

This story had me quickly turning pages to see how the well-drawn characters would respond to the danger confronting them. Ms. Burkard has taken a unique premise and further tuned it on its head. Wonderful story that seemed perfectly logical to me! 

A few things were concerning to me:

Not much talk about God but there was a quote from psalms and a few references to Julian finding God and reforming. 

A few descriptions of low necklines and some kissing scenes that didn’t go too far. Some may find it a touch too much. I would call it clean but not overtly Christian. 

A copy of this book was provided by the author through Interviews and Reviews. I was not required to give a favorable review. All opinions are my own.

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