"Edgy Debut, Liberally Sprinkled with Humor"
New Years Eve, Corby Hillhouse and Laura Bennett, two
lonely souls, simultaneously made a wish on the same bright
star. They were not yet aware that they were the answer to
the other's dream. Only one small thing stood between them
and their happily ever after. The wishes were made a
hundred years apart! Oklahoma Territory 1898 - Corby Hillhouse had been twice
widowed, but never truly in love. Both marriages had come
to grief. The first had given him an powerful enemy bent on
revenge, the second a daughter he was too afraid to love.
Both deaths weighed heavily on his soul; he held himself
personally responsible. Though lonely Corby was not alone.
However being in the bosom of his large, happy, family
didn't help much on occasions like this. At the stroke of
midnight with little hope for success, Corby makes a
desperate plea to the heavens for a woman his love won't
kill. New York City 1998 - Laura Bennett has had a rough time of
it as well. Her break-up with the handsome Jake Hillhouse
had set her on a downward spiral that had nearly claimed
her life. The twin brother of her best friend had been the
man of her dreams, until he had found the man of his own
dreams. The hardest part was the he still loved her, as he
always had and always will, as his closest friend. Though
she'd known that it had been an experiment for him, that
didn't stop the pain. Hollywood parties and life in the
fast lane had, for a while. Grandfather Alex had rescued
her from the hospital and helped her pull her life back
together. Now he was suddenly gone as well. Alone and
grieving, she had been flipping through the television
channels searching for something other than revelers and
happy couples. Coming across the Disney channel she
flippantly takes the advice of Jiminy Cricket and makes her
own wish on a star, hoping for a brand new life the
following morning. The first morning of the new year brings a call from Galen
Hillhouse, Jakes twin, and Laura's best friend. Galen had
recently returned to the U.S. and her Choctaw roots. She
had inherited a big old Victorian House, built by her great
grandfather, Jason, with his own hands. The caretaker had
let it run down and Galen now needs Laura's expertise to
restore the old house to its former glory. Laura is
uncertain, as Jake is bound to turn up at some point, but
when she looks at the century old photos in the Hillhouse
family album one of the twins' ancestors catches her eye.
Sheriff Corby Hillhouse, Jason's cousin, bears some
resemblance to Jake, but there is something more. There is
a sadness in his eyes that Laura recognizes as a kindred
spirit. Unable to get Corby out of her mind, Laura heads for
Warburton, Oklahoma to help Galen with the house. For some
reason she feels immediately at home there. Even Jake's
arrival doesn't ruffle her. Several months have passed when
Laura, home alone, falls through a rotted balcony, chasing
after an antique brass knob. She awakens briefly bruised
and batter and looking into the eyes of Corby Hillhouse.
Had Laura just died and gone to heaven? Though Corby doesn't know her name, she knows his, and her
kiss makes him feel as if he's known her all his life.
Where did this lovely mysterious woman come from and would
she be the answer to his prayer. What makes this romance work is the fact that the hero and
heroine are not perfect. Both have made mistakes that make
them tentative, and that they need to find forgiveness for.
Laura is able to take Corby and face value and love him
inspite of his flaws. It takes Corby a bit longer but his
heart always knows what his head has difficultly accepting.
Thrown into the mix, is a liberal sprinkling of humor as
Laura tends to be a bit accident prone. Her unexpected
appearances and disappearances have Hillhouses in two
centuries wondering if she's not quite sane, and there are
the complications of a spurned mistress and a sadistic ex-
father-in-law. But all's well that ends well, and Timeless
Wish certainly did. As Jake and Galen celebrate New Year
1999, one is left wondering what their wishes will be. As
for this reader, she would wish for a sequel. Highly
recommended. Reviewed for original release: Jove (Time Passages)/April
1, 1999 - ISBN #0515124990
Copyright © 1999
Reviewed by Leslie Tramposch
Posted August 9, 2001
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WINNER of 1999 NJRW Golden Leaf Award for Best
First Book
At the stroke of midnight on December 31, 1898, Sheriff
Corby Hillhouse makes this heartfelt wish: "Please send me
a woman my love won't kill..."
Although Corby doesn't realize it, his wish is granted in
the form of Laura Bennett, the 20th century woman who falls
back in time. Like Corby, Laura harbors many regrets, but
when she's hired as nanny to Corby's motherless daughter
she finds the happiness she'd been searching for.
However, before Laura can enjoy her new life she has to get
past Corby's suspicious nature, his spiteful ex-lover, and
the man who wants both Corby and his daughter dead. Publisher's Note: This book has been previously published under the same title. It has been edited for publication through Cerridwen Press.
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