Mystic Memories

This was the first book of Susan Leslie Liepitz's that I have ever read and I was captivated from start to finish. Her writing is wonderful ... descriptive, sensitive and very touching. The story was so believable that by the end, I was almost in tears. Don't pick up this book unless you you have the time to finish it in one setting, it is that good.

I really enjoyed this book. Very believable explanation of time travel. The characters were wonderful. A fast and enjoyable read. I will look for more books on time travel from this author.

"Don't pick up this book unless you plan to stay up all night: Susan Leslie Liepitz draw you in deep with characters so real they might come knocking at your door. . . . [Captain Blake Masters] is a true hero-very human in spite of being handsome; compassionate yet practical; and realistically frustrating at times. . . . Ms. Liepitz chooses words exquisitely in her sensual prose. The transitions in time are plausible and the author's take on how people perceive life after death touches the heart. This is a mystical story, woven well. Everything about it strokes the senses, giving the imagination a curl-your-toes workout." 4½ stars Cyndie Dennis-Greer reviewing for Romantic Times

In 1998 a little boy disappears from a ship named The Mystic. The father, the police, and detectives has searched for months. Cara is his last hope. Cara is called a Mystic. She has the gift of second sight. Using her gift, Cara follows Andrew, the little boy, to 1833 from the portal on board The Mystic. She finds herself amidst a crew in a storm. She survives and with the help of Captain Blake begins her search for Andrew. Blake does not understand how Cara seems to "know" when danger is near. She can "see" the past and future. She "understands and pictures" anything anyone thinks by tuning in. He is convinced she is insane, but his heart will not let her go. Blake calls Keoni his brother. Keoni seems to accept all Cara says as natural. Blake is not as superstitious, however. When Cara told Blake she could make him remember his past, he declined. She helps him anyway. Soon he remembered. Along with the pain from memory of his childhood, he and Cara find even more secrets hidden in his past than expected. Worse, they both fear what will happen once Andrew is found. Cara and Andrew will have to find the way back to their own time.

I picked this book up as a "filler" for some spare time, and wasn't able to put it down until the early hours of the morning! This time-travel is well-researched, with a lot of historical detail on 19th century ships and seafaring. The characters are very believable, with a lovely romance between the two main characters. There's also a Labrador Retriever featured (you can never go wrong by making dogs part of the story--in my book, anyway!). The author handles the psychic abilities of the main character quite well. There's an interesting twist to the plot that completely surprised me! For lovers of 19th century ship romances, this will be a treat!