A Dream Across Time

Annie Rogers' A Dream Across Time is a powerful and gripping novel that effectively depicts Caribbean reality, wherein folklore, superstition, heritage, culture, family traditions, secrets and magic are all interwoven with history. Our narrative begins in 1789 at the time of the French Revolution when Anne-Cecile Diamant together with her twin sons, Louis and Philippe, flee France to escape the terrible fate that awaits many of the French aristocracy. Anne-Cecile's husband, Jean-Clair, accompanies his family to a coach that will transfer them to a ship traveling to Sainte Lucie (St. Lucia). Jean-Clair promises his wife that he will shortly join them on board the ship, after he attends to his arranging of letters of credit. Before departing, Jean-Clair hands Anne-Cecile a small pouch containing their children's christening gifts from the King and Queen of France. The gifts, as we shall eventually learn, will play a key role in this riveting novel. Anne-Cecile and her twins reach Sainte Lucie without Jean-Clair; however, unfortunately the evil of the revolution has pursued them to the Caribbean. Furthermore, slaves armed by sympathizers of the revolution are rebelling and demanding their freedom In Sainte Lucie, Anne-Cecile and her sons find themselves under the care of her brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Charles and Yvette. However, once again they are required to run away-this time, to the neighboring island of Martinique. Charles directs his trusted servant and slave, Makus and his wife, B'til to help Anne-Cecile and her sons leave Sainte Lucie. As our story unfolds, we discover that unfortunately, Charles and Yvette along with their family never made it to Martinique, as they were all murdered. The only one that does succeed in escaping is the eldest of Anne-Cecile's twins, Philippe, while Anne-Cecile and Louis are obliged to stay behind in Sainte Lucie hidden in a cave for several years under the watchful eyes of Makus and B'Kil. As a result of saving their lives, Anne-Cecile promises Makus and B'Kil that their loyalty will not go unrewarded for all they have done for the Diamant family. This promise will likewise play a crucial role in the unfolding saga. Fast forward to 1980 to St. Lucia, West Indies, an American couple, Jamie Elliott and her husband Paul, have just moved to the island to commence a new chapter in their lives. Immediately upon arriving in St. Lucia, Jamie has this bizarre feeling that she had been here before but can't quite put her finger as to why she has this "unsettling flash of recognition." As the couple are being driven to their rented cottage, they witness an auto accident. Jamie jumps out of the car to help some of the injured and once again experiences a perplexing feeling as she meets a good-looking man, who we later find out is Andre from the old and respected Demontagne and Diamant families. These unaccountable emotions are further enhanced when Jamie meets Marcus and Bertille Deroche, who work for the D

Reviewed by Paige Lovitt for Reader Views (1/06) Mala and Roger Burt compose the writing team of Annie Rogers. In this first book of a trilogy, the authors take you back to the West Indies in the 1880's. They introduce you to characters whose lives have influenced their descendants on the island of St. Lucia in more present times. Jamie Elliott, the main character arrives on the island with her abusive, alcoholic husband. As she distances herself from him, she develops relationships with some of the island people with whom she discovers deeper connections, some going back to shared ancestry in the 1880's. Jamie also becomes entranced by a connection that she feels with the parrots on the island and kindred spirits that she encounters. The relationships that she develops, including her romance, go so much deeper than the superficial. She finds a kindred spirit in a housekeeper and a soul mate in her lover. The authors are able to capture the sight, sounds and scents of the island, so the reader actually feels like she has been transported to St. Lucia. The characters are also so well developed that the reader feels like these are her friends and family. The reader will eagerly await the story that continues in the remaining books yet to be released in the trilogy. This book is highly recommended to readers who enjoy romantic mysteries with a touch of the supernatural that comes from the island magic.

Jamie Elliott arrives on St. Lucia, an island in the Caribbean, with her husband, Paul, who has taken a job there. Adjusting to island life is not hard for Jamie, in fact, she feels connected to the island and fits right in. Becoming fast friends with Paul's co-worker's wife, she explores the culture with Barbara, and finds a confidant in her. One she will need to help her cope with what lies in store for her. Jamie deals with her cheating and violent husband, the death of her mother and dreams that keep her from peaceful sleep. Her haunting dreams are much like ones she had as a child. But now they may be the key to a 200-year-old secret, as are the child's cross necklace and a Psalter that her mother left for her. Meeting Andre Demontagne also haunts her mind. Andre is the heir of a powerful island family, but more than that, he seems somehow familiar to Jamie. Perhaps they have met somewhere, some lifetime, before. This intricately plotted story is romantic, mysterious and entrancing. Island traditions and life add colorful aspects to the tale. Synchronistic events with soul mate and kindred spirit connotations create an air of mysticism and wonder that will not soon be forgotten. I loved reading this book and did not want it to end. Thankfully, the authors, Mala and Roger Burt, writing under the pen name Annie Rogers, are working on their second novel, which will be a continuation of the book's family saga. I eagerly anticipate their work. This book is highly recommended to anyone with a hint of romance in their blood and those who believe that fate has a hand in our lives. Review by Heather Froeschl of BookReview.com.

Reading this book was like taking a mini-vacation. The authors captured the sights and sounds of this magical Caribbean island so well that I felt as though I had been transported through time AND space. The plot moves right along, but keeps you guessing until the final moment. Add some well-written dialogue, a mix of interesting (and believable) characters, and you have a "can't-put-it-down-'til-I'm-done" treat. I look forward to reading more of their work!

Lovers of romantic mysterious rejoice. I just finished A Dream Across Time by Annie Rogers. It is a superbly crafted book. The author(s) know their geography as they transport the reader to the beautiful and mysterious island of St. Lucia in the Caribbean.