Reflected Passion

How do I begin to tell the story of how I can not stop gushing about this book? I will do my best. First of all, when I first read the description of this book, I was less than impressed. I was so much not so that I think I read about four or five other stories before a tie-in from another book led me back to Reflected Passion. I make it a point to read descriptions of stories I may want to read. After all, it is important that one must temper one's pennies and time when picking a book to read, mustn't one? So many books: so little time, after all. Anyway, I admit I was a tad bored one specific day, so I downloaded a few sample of books to read. Reflected Passion was actually one of the last samples I read in this mix of samples. In fact, I had bought two or so other books after reading their samples before getting to it. Well, let's just say that I would not rest until I had bought this book. At this time though, I think the problem was that I did not have enough money in my account to buy it. It was night now, and I would have to wait until I could put more money into my account until I could actually purchase this gem. So I waited along with a few exterior circumstances beyond my control until I finally purchased Reflected Passion by Erica Lawson. Since reviewing a vast variety of things (this said in ironic mirth), I see that most people want to be told about a story without being told about a story. In other words, they don't like Spoiler Alerts. Actually, in a manner of speaking, this is why I read reviews. I want to know what happens more or less. I realize that I must be cut from a different cloth than most people; nevertheless, I will try my best at humoring. I will try to let out as few Spoiler Alerts as possible. Still, I will let you know of one big one. This is a very enchanting book. While reading the sample, this thing took wings and flew into a dimension I did not expect it to go. When Dale, one main character, walked through the mirror in the first part of this story, I had to reread that passage to make sure I had not misread it. It surprised me, and to be truthful, I'm very rarely surprised. I thought I was reading one type of story, and it turned out I was very much mistaken. I was actually reading something entirely different. It actually made me refocus my attention on the book. In fact, I remember precisely that I actually straightened up on my pillow on my sofa when I reread the mirror passage again. This book took such a hold on me that in the course of reading it, I purchased two or three other books that are fantasy and/or science fiction based. This was slightly significant because before this, I was not very enthused to read sci-fi and/or fantasy. I would definitely have to be in a certain mood to read one. Each author put their own spins on their stories, and whereas, Reflected Passion does have sci-fi and fantasy based qualities, it also has many more qualities than these. The other main character is French adding a delightful international flair to the story. She infuses some French words into the story that makes me want to bear down on my French lessons studies. I read that in a really good, maybe even great, story, the main character or characters show change at the end. Guess what. This one does so. It may sound like I read somewhat too much sometimes, but it is not as much as I'd really like. There are just so many hours in the day, after all. I also read in this book that the author, Erica Lawson, finished it after eight years. I found myself saying, "It shows." -- out loud to myself. It did look to me that this story was not written just off the top of her head. I also read that Ms Lawson has won a few awards for some of her books. It seems that this woman has a knack for this sort of thing. I commend you, my dear. Job well done. I will just say one last Spoiler. If you like a sci-fi fantasy type historical period pieces with two hot lesbians who can't seem to keep their hands off each other with action, adventure, sea voyages, a sword fight between a noble Frenchwoman and a nefarious Ship Captain along with a few other interesting things that are far too many to really mention without writing a slight novella on it, then buy this dang book.

This was a very original story that had almost everything a good movie would have...time travel, romance, and some historical tidbits along with adventures on the high seas. The two main characters meet through the looking glass, only to discover they can step into each others worlds through the same mirror. The characters live in 2 separate time periods, modern and pre-French Revolution. To remain together, they must face the perils of each others societies.This was so unlike most romance novels I have read, I had to check it out. It definitely didn't disappoint. It was long enough to warrant the price, yet the author never lost my interest, like some of the predictable lesbian romances do. Once the angst/sexual tension has been done away with, some romances fizzle. She made you feel like you were aristocrat in pre-French revolutionary times, and also painted a scary picture of slave ships travelling on the high seas.So, without giving too much more of the story away, if you are looking for a fun romance, with the space-bending addition of time travel, check this one out. It was way more fun to read than my European history textbooks ever were!

I thought this book was fun to read. I like reading about the different time changes and how the ladies had to adapt to each others world. I have no problem recommending this book to my peers.

I guess it was not a bad story. But I think that everything just go too fast... some may like it, but I prefer when relationships are slowly built... it is just my opinion. Beside that, it is a good book.

As a lover of European history, I found the strife inflicted by the French revolution, a riveting part of this book. The ladies journey was very interesting. Not only was love nurtured but dreams realized. Building a future together included many wonderful people, slaves, prostitutes, babies. I rank this story as one of my favorites. I would recommend this book to my friends and family.

If you are a fan of Outlander and history you will like this. Made me think a lot about how hard it would to live in earlier times.

Of course a romance set across time is an awesome idea, but there were some gentle and lovely touches that rounded out the story and made you feel for the main characters. It's a little sad, but I guessed the twist at the end not far into the book. Even with that, it was a lovely read. Well worth it.

I enjoyed the whole premise of this tale. The love story is a bit far-fetched at the beginning but it entangled nicely. I really liked the characters and would love to read about their adventures in the colonies!

Dale restauriert alte Möbel und lebt davon mehr schlecht als recht. Ursprünglich aus reichem Elternhaus stammend, hat sie sich von ihrer tyrannischen, bevormundenden Mutter ziemlich distanziert, während ihr Verhältnis zum devot wirkenden Vater noch ganz okay ist. Dale lebt sehr eigenbrötlerisch und ist auch einsam. Irgendwann entdeckt sie einen alten Spiegel, von dem sie sich auf magische Weise angezogen fühlt. Sie kauft ihn und stellt ihn in ihrem Schlafzimmer auf. Nachts beginnt der Spiegel zu leuchten und gibt den Blick frei auf ein fremdes (historisch gestaltetes) Zimmer in einer anderen Epoche. Darin sieht sie eine bildhübsche junge Frau, die sich von einer anderen sexuell verwöhnen lässt. Dale muss erkennen, dass sie selbst lesbisch ist - etwas, was sie immer vor sich verleugnet hat. Von da ab beobachtet sie die Frau im Spiegel, die jeden Tag eine andere Person vernascht, jeden Tag bei ihrem Tun, und fühlt sich immer mehr zu ihr hingezogen. Die Frau sieht auch sie.....und gibt ihr zu verstehen, dass sie unbedingt zu ihr kommen soll. Den Schritt tatsächlich zu tun, kostet Dale immense Überwindung.Die Frau im Spiegel heißt Françoise Marie Aurélie de Villerey und ist eine 28-jährige, verwitwete Gräfin. Sie lebt zur Zeit der Französischen Revolution. Der Spiegel ist also ein Zeitfenster....Als Dale ihre Angst überwindet und den Sprung durch den Spiegel macht, landet sie nicht nur in Françoises Armen und in ihrem Bett, sondern auch in deren Herzen. Als die Bastille gestürmt und Francoises Leben in Gefahr ist, rettet sie Dale, indem sie sie mit durch den Spiegel ins 21. Jahrhundert nimmt. Neugierig, aber auch ängstlich erkundet Françoises die Schrecken und Vorzüge der Moderne. Alles könnte so schön sein - doch Dales Mutter will nicht akzeptieren, dass ihre Tochter homosexuell ist, und hetzt das FBI auf die beiden Frauen. Mit einem Sprung durch den Spiegel können sie sich erneut retten....Es beginnt eine abenteuerliche Reise im 18. Jahrhundert, die von Frankreich nach Amerika führt, und in der Dale in Kontakt kommt mit Sklaven, Huren, Adeligen, Dienstboten usw. und auch so einiges über die Schrecken von Francoises Vergangenheit erfährt - und über die Wurzeln ihrer eigenen Familie....REFLECTED PASSION ist ein sehr langes Buch. Normalerweise nehme ich das gar nicht so wahr, aber da die Erzählung teilweise so schleppend war, dachte ich irgendwann, es würde nie enden....Das finde ich sehr schade, denn die Geschichte begann verheißungsvoll und bietet inhaltlich doch einiges an Potenzial. Somit lag es eindeutig an der Umsetzung. Es scheitert einfach am Spannungsaufbau. Irgendwann gibt es einfach so viel Aufregung und Abenteuer, dass es schon wie langweiliger Alltag wirkt. Wenn die Liebe der beiden Frauen zueinander nicht so rasant an Tempo gewonnen hätte, wäre auch mehr Potenzial für Entwicklung dagewesen. So war es schon im ersten Viertel des Buches klar: Dale und Francoises lieben sich unendlich, sind einander quasi verfallen, sind bereit, für die jeweils andere durch das Feuer zu gehen - und daran ändert sich bis zum Ende des Buches nichts, weil die 150 Prozent Marke eben schon erreicht ist.Insgesamt war die Idee zum Buch sehr, sehr interessant und im Sektor Lesbian Fiction mal etwas ganz anderes. Leider aber gab es in der Umsetzung diverse Längen und Makel.Françoise Marie Aurélie de Villerey is a 28-year-old Countess, born into the French aristocracy and forced to marry a count much older than herself. For ten years she was his trophy wife, forced to endure his perverted desires, until the day he finally died. He had broken her emotionally and she no longer cared for what life had to offer, slipping from one sexual partner to another as often as she changed her clothes.

Fantastic. Couldn't put the book down. Very well written, captivating, different, passionate and what a great ending. Loved reading this book.