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It's About Time #1
Not Long Ago
While doing research for a novel set in the Middle Ages, Erin and her employer, March, are transported to a time where chivalry and religion exist alongside brutality and superstition. Things are not quite right at the castle, and Erin and March feel sure mysterious Lady Isobeil is involved. Erin must cope with crop circles, ghosts, a kidnapping and death before the truth of her journey is revealed.
Forced to pose as March’s nephew, Erin finds employment as handsome Sir Griffin’s squire. She’s immediately attracted to him and grows to admire his courage, quiet nobility and devotion to duty. Yet, she must deny her feelings. Her world is centuries away, and she wants to go home. Despite that, Erin can’t stop thinking about her knight in shining armour.
Forced to pose as March’s nephew, Erin finds employment as handsome Sir Griffin’s squire. She’s immediately attracted to him and grows to admire his courage, quiet nobility and devotion to duty. Yet, she must deny her feelings. Her world is centuries away, and she wants to go home. Despite that, Erin can’t stop thinking about her knight in shining armour.
252 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 22, 2012
About the author
Susan A. Royal
7 books60 followersSusan A. Royal takes her readers on adventures to other worlds where anything can happen and frequently does. She once lived in a 100 year old house with a ghost who harmonized with her son when he played guitar and pulled up to blankets on cold winter nights. Susan writes SciFi/Fantasy with action, adventure and liberal doses of romance and is currently working on the third in her time travel series, It’s About Time. Look for her books at Amazon. Want to know more? Visit susanaroyal.com for a peek inside this writer’s mind. You never know what you’ll find.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
August 23, 2016
I didn't so much abandon this one as close it and then forget to go back to it. I do still remember bits, based on my notes; it was an awkward tale of time travel, of a pair of researchers finding themselves whisked back to Medieval Times. If my phrasing makes you think of the dinner show jousting spectacular, that's about right, since the medieval setting in this book is about as accurate as what you'll find in New Jersey or Texas.
It all begins with a mysterious metal box. They don't know how old it is; one asks "Has the box been carbon dated?" Except unless metal contains carbon 14, it cannot be carbon dated. As I've often said, once the rot sets in it spreads quickly; once I've been made to question the authenticity or intelligence of a book I will trust nothing it tries to tell me.
Naturally, when one of our marvelous time travelers needs to find out something, a couple of people "…stopped in front of my hiding place, and continued their argument". Convenient. Typical. Weak.
It didn't help that "laid" was used where "lay" should have been. "Afterward, I laid on a bed of straw" – laid an egg? Laid a dinner setting? *sigh*
It also doesn't help that the man and woman who make the trip back in time are as inept as the worst I've seen in a time travel novel, despite the fact that they're each some kind of expert on the period, as I recall. The woman complains inwardly that while the she, naturally disguised as a boy, is outside in the hot sun, the man is inside. To which I could only say "yeah, in the sweltering kitchen". I was a little acerbic about "the stables where the horses were kept" (as opposed the stables where the unicorns were kept?). The cook (or the time traveler guy, not sure which) says "Lord John expects me to feed everyone the same as he eats." Which is utter and complete nonsense. And the man remarks to a fostered boy, "'Didn't you find it hard to be separated from your family?' I could not imagine a child willingly leaving his home, with all its security and familiarity, to begin his journey to adulthood at such an early age." However, in the period nearly every well-born boy did exactly that, leaving his home and growing up in someone else's keep. It was expected, and if the man were who he was pretending to be he would know that. (If he was the expert the author tells us he is, he would know that. Hell, if he's read a handful of books he ought to know that.)
And of course the native medieval folk are no more authentic than these so-called experts. Their dialogue differs from the future folks' only in that they occasionally say something like "ye" instead of "you". Unfortunately, the occasional ye does not medieval make. I'm looking at all the five star reviews, and, baffled, all I can say is not good enough. Not good at all.
It all begins with a mysterious metal box. They don't know how old it is; one asks "Has the box been carbon dated?" Except unless metal contains carbon 14, it cannot be carbon dated. As I've often said, once the rot sets in it spreads quickly; once I've been made to question the authenticity or intelligence of a book I will trust nothing it tries to tell me.
Naturally, when one of our marvelous time travelers needs to find out something, a couple of people "…stopped in front of my hiding place, and continued their argument". Convenient. Typical. Weak.
It didn't help that "laid" was used where "lay" should have been. "Afterward, I laid on a bed of straw" – laid an egg? Laid a dinner setting? *sigh*
It also doesn't help that the man and woman who make the trip back in time are as inept as the worst I've seen in a time travel novel, despite the fact that they're each some kind of expert on the period, as I recall. The woman complains inwardly that while the she, naturally disguised as a boy, is outside in the hot sun, the man is inside. To which I could only say "yeah, in the sweltering kitchen". I was a little acerbic about "the stables where the horses were kept" (as opposed the stables where the unicorns were kept?). The cook (or the time traveler guy, not sure which) says "Lord John expects me to feed everyone the same as he eats." Which is utter and complete nonsense. And the man remarks to a fostered boy, "'Didn't you find it hard to be separated from your family?' I could not imagine a child willingly leaving his home, with all its security and familiarity, to begin his journey to adulthood at such an early age." However, in the period nearly every well-born boy did exactly that, leaving his home and growing up in someone else's keep. It was expected, and if the man were who he was pretending to be he would know that. (If he was the expert the author tells us he is, he would know that. Hell, if he's read a handful of books he ought to know that.)
And of course the native medieval folk are no more authentic than these so-called experts. Their dialogue differs from the future folks' only in that they occasionally say something like "ye" instead of "you". Unfortunately, the occasional ye does not medieval make. I'm looking at all the five star reviews, and, baffled, all I can say is not good enough. Not good at all.
December 9, 2014
A handsome stranger's gaze across a cup of coffee catches the heroine's attention and she knows things about him even though they'd never met...or have they? Susan Royal's engaging tale captures the reader's interest from the first page making it difficult to put the book down and go to bed. Not Long Ago weaves two enduring human themes, those of time travel and finding true love, into a tale that satisfies on numerous levels. Where did Erin and Griffin first meet...or is the question when did they meet? Will Erin remember? Perhaps she is imaging things and they are they only two attractive people who share a moment. For those who loved the premise in "Somewhere In Time," I recommend this entertaining tale for a cold winter's night reading. You won't be disappointed. Just remember...you have to put it down and get some sleep!
June 24, 2013
What a shock to travel back in time. But then to figure out how to get back home. Erin and her employer, March travel back in time. Erin poses as a boy, but is a secret that is hard to keep. Erin faces hard times, but the people in this time become her friends. She cares about them and so do I. I love the simple romance in this book.
July 23, 2012
A touching exploration of making one's way when nothing around you is familiar and the people you are closest to can't quite be trusted.
January 17, 2017
I liked this book. I thought it was a little cheesy at first (think Midieval Times dinner theatre), but I found myself intrigued with the characters. Then, I was caught up in their story. I look forward to reading the 2nd novel in this series.
April 25, 2016
Set in the swashbuckling era of the Middle Ages, Ms Royal weaves a story of romance, mystery and intrigue.
Finding themselves plunked in the real life version of their novel research, Erin and March find temporary employment at the castle until they can figure out a way to return home. The elder March secures work as a butler while Erin disguises herself as a boy to work as a knight’s squire. But there’s mystery afoot at the castle as March discovers the daunting and manipulating Lady Isabeil may be hiding their key to return home.
Life as a squire for Aaron (Erin’s male alter ago) is one of labor and service. Aside from being at Sir Griffin’s beck and call, he’s also required to care for his horse and train with the other squires in swordsmanship—not something a city woman of her time is used to. But the Erin inside the ruse finds herself smitten with the handsome, loyal, brave knight who employs her. This complication has her wrestling with her growing feelings and the need to return to her own time.
I found this story both heart warming and fast paced. Though Erin’s plight is dire, her tireless commitment to maintain the deception of her identity and her lust for the Arthurian Sir Griffin, had me rooting for her at every turn. I would highly recommend this book to lovers of clean escapist romance.
December 31, 2013
Erin was used to her independence, as she was born late in life and her brother was years older so that they had nothing in common. When he graduated college, she was just in high school and with their parents both dead, he reared her through miles and countries apart. Now that she finished college, she begged the agency for a job. She was told an famous author, both crass and set in his ways, needed a live assistant to be available at all times she was needed. She was warned that he scared three others away with his abruptness but Erin needed a job badly and hoped the agent was fibbing................
Stars! What an AWESOME story about Erin and March traveling to medieval times where March got first hand experience for his latest novel! Since Erin had short hair, March convinced her to blend in 1400 Britain by playing a boy! Sir Griffin, senechal to Lord John's castle took Erin for his squire while March was the butler's assistant. Susan Royal pens a heart warming story as Erin falls in love with Sir Griffin while trying to deny her feelings and play to part of a boy!!!
Stars! What an AWESOME story about Erin and March traveling to medieval times where March got first hand experience for his latest novel! Since Erin had short hair, March convinced her to blend in 1400 Britain by playing a boy! Sir Griffin, senechal to Lord John's castle took Erin for his squire while March was the butler's assistant. Susan Royal pens a heart warming story as Erin falls in love with Sir Griffin while trying to deny her feelings and play to part of a boy!!!
October 13, 2015
Not Long Ago by Susan A. Royal is the first time travel romance that I read, and I was not disappointed. From the start, I loved Erin's first person account. Her telling is natural, almost as if she were talking directly to me.
I loved seeing the Middle Ages from a modern perspective, especially from Erin's eyes. Dressed as a boy, she becomes squire to Sir Griffin, the knight she falls in love with. How long can she deceive him and everyone else into thinking that she is a lad?
From the first, she and March, her employer and fellow time traveler, try to find a way back to their time. In their search, they realize there are strange goings-on in the castle, and that Lady Isobeil is involved. Is she as evil as they seem to think?
There are some twist in the plot, and Erin faces difficult ordeals. Can she adjust to this time? Will she and Sir Griffin fall in love?
After reading the book I bought the sequel to see what happens to the couple and to find out what Lady Isobeil is really up to. Though Not Long Ago by Susan A. Royal stands alone, the story continues.
I loved seeing the Middle Ages from a modern perspective, especially from Erin's eyes. Dressed as a boy, she becomes squire to Sir Griffin, the knight she falls in love with. How long can she deceive him and everyone else into thinking that she is a lad?
From the first, she and March, her employer and fellow time traveler, try to find a way back to their time. In their search, they realize there are strange goings-on in the castle, and that Lady Isobeil is involved. Is she as evil as they seem to think?
There are some twist in the plot, and Erin faces difficult ordeals. Can she adjust to this time? Will she and Sir Griffin fall in love?
After reading the book I bought the sequel to see what happens to the couple and to find out what Lady Isobeil is really up to. Though Not Long Ago by Susan A. Royal stands alone, the story continues.
August 23, 2016
i recived this book for free in exchange for honest review.
the begining is so misterious, that it make reader to think: omg why? I want to know more ;)
in this book we have a lot of action and plot twists. There are happy and sad moments to share with characters.
I Was afraid to find Erin little and well not being able to deal with it on her own. but she Was great!!
and time thing was very sirprising to me. you will find more when you read ;)
I recommend book especially to wemen wto like romances in medieval ;)
and when femele character isn't helpless ;)
very good pice of work ;)
the begining is so misterious, that it make reader to think: omg why? I want to know more ;)
in this book we have a lot of action and plot twists. There are happy and sad moments to share with characters.
I Was afraid to find Erin little and well not being able to deal with it on her own. but she Was great!!
and time thing was very sirprising to me. you will find more when you read ;)
I recommend book especially to wemen wto like romances in medieval ;)
and when femele character isn't helpless ;)
very good pice of work ;)
August 29, 2016
4.5 stars. Review to follow.
June 1, 2014
Loved the medieval stuff, ending needs work.
December 31, 2014
"Not Long Ago" is full of great historic details, romance, and humor. The characters are well-defined and engaging, and the plot is interesting and well-paced.
April 17, 2017
"Not Long Ago" was an interesting tale that reminded me of a mix between "A Yankee in King Arthur's Court" and "Yentl".
When Erin gets a temporary job with an eccentric author working on a Medieval novel, she and Marsh are somehow transported into a land of jousting and castles and one hot Knight by the name of Sir Griffin. Trying to hide her identity, Erin becomes Aaron and somehow manages to acquire the position of Squire to the handsome knight. This threw me off for a bit because I thought it was much more difficult to become a squire, but the reader can overlook that bit of info because the story was so dang intriguing. Once I stated reading this, I read it straight through, not putting it down at all.
This was a fun read, and hit on a lot of those romantic tingles I love in a romance novel. There were some interesting twists and turns that I didn't expect.
I got a bit caught up in the lack of editing with missing words and a couple of misspelled words, but the author created an interesting plot with great characters. Hopefully a bit more editing can be done before this goes to print.
*Disclosure: A complimentary copy was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts, opinions and ratings are my own.
When Erin gets a temporary job with an eccentric author working on a Medieval novel, she and Marsh are somehow transported into a land of jousting and castles and one hot Knight by the name of Sir Griffin. Trying to hide her identity, Erin becomes Aaron and somehow manages to acquire the position of Squire to the handsome knight. This threw me off for a bit because I thought it was much more difficult to become a squire, but the reader can overlook that bit of info because the story was so dang intriguing. Once I stated reading this, I read it straight through, not putting it down at all.
This was a fun read, and hit on a lot of those romantic tingles I love in a romance novel. There were some interesting twists and turns that I didn't expect.
I got a bit caught up in the lack of editing with missing words and a couple of misspelled words, but the author created an interesting plot with great characters. Hopefully a bit more editing can be done before this goes to print.
*Disclosure: A complimentary copy was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts, opinions and ratings are my own.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews