A NIGHT OWL REVIEWS BOOK REVIEW | Reviewed by: Diana Coyle
Ellie Standish boarded a train from Chicago and was on her way to Seattle for yet another boring seminar. She was a Women's Studies instructor at the Chicago Community College. While trying to read her rather dry book choice that she had chosen for her class to read, "Women's Studies, Turn of the Century," she just couldn't get into it. She began conversing with her seatmate, Edward, who appeared to be in his mid-eighties and they passed the time talking by getting to know each other. Once their conversation died and she watched the scenery pass outside for a little bit, Ellie rested her head on the glass window and faded asleep. A jolt of the train stirred Ellie awake. Hours had passed and it was now dawn. She had four more hours left on the train to her destination. As she turned to see how Edward slept, he was gone. As she looked closer to the seat and her surroundings, everything had changed while she slept. Panic rose in her because she had no explanation for what had happened. She heard some voices of some females sitting in the rear of the train and when she peeked over the bench seat, she couldn't believe her eyes. Six or seven young women were lounging on plush antique rattan furniture and their style of dress was far from current fashion. In fact, it was quite outdated by her standards. She also noticed an odd odor in the air. Trying to place the unusual smell, she realized it was the smell of burning coal. She was beside herself now and completely baffled about the change in her situation and her surroundings. What happened when she fell asleep? Where had all the familiar people and surroundings disappeared to? Where was she now? How did she get there in the first place? Who did she meet on the train that would aid her in her troubled times? Did he believe her when she explained her confusing situation to him? What did he make of it? Ms. McBride did a wonderful job of transporting me back and forth through time with Ellie. I loved the characters and the descriptions of the clothes, furniture and people from past times were superb. Ms. McBride made me feel as if I was in Ellie's shoes feeling, smelling and seeing everything through her eyes. I fell in love with Ellie because she was smart and beautiful and she deserved someone who would love her unconditionally. I also fell in love with Robert Chamberlain because he was intelligent, charismatic and handsome. He had so much to offer Ellie and they were perfect for each other. If only they could get past some major hurdles in the process. I would definitely recommend this pleasant time travel story to other readers and this is a definite keeper in my library. Don't pass this one up!
Jun 23, 2008 | 1-60154-301-8
5 = Rare - Top Pick | 4.5 = I Loved It - Top Pick | 4 = Good Solid Read
3.5 = Enjoyable | 3 Stars = OK - Needs a few changes | 2 Stars = It just didn't click / DNF
Book Blurb for A Train through Time
College teacher Ellie Standish thinks she’s on a sleek modern train heading to a conference on women’s studies in Seattle, but she awakens from a night’s doze to find herself on a bizarre historical train full of late Victorian era reenactors who refuse to come out of character. When the leader of the group—one handsome, green-eyed Robert Chamberlain—finally convinces her the date is indeed 1901, a skeptical Ellie decries any eccentric theories of time travel and presumes she is smack dab in the middle of a very interesting historical dream. She turns the directorial reins of her dream over to one smitten and willing Robert, only to realize that dreams cannot last forever. Someday, she must wake up to reality, though Ellie no longer has any idea what reality is. She only knows that Robert must play an important part in her future. But how can he...if he’s only a figment of her imagination or worse yet...a man who belongs to an era long past?
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