Romance at Heart Magazine: review of All Our Yesterdays: Egypt by Janet Lane Walters

Title: All Our Yesterdays: Egypt
Author: Janet Lane Walters

Published in January 2006 by New Concepts Publishing
Genre: Fantasy/Time Travel
ISBN: 1-58608-810-6

All Our Yesterdays: Egypt is the first of an installment of series that plunges Astrid into a mirage of journeys that captivate.

Astrid Logan worries when her assistant, Clive, calls from the gallery, Antiquities, to inform her that her father has been sent to the hospital for some tests after a stroke. Sarah Rayson, her aunt is someone that she can confide in during this time. Astrid learns that Clive and her father had words and she wonders what could have brought on the quarrel. Clive tells her the argument was over some new pieces that had arrived. It was a collection of Victorian jewelry but her father wanted to search more on the pieces before selling them. Astrid lifts the items and brushes a finger over one of the dangles when an explosion cast her into a spell of dizziness.

Astrid had intended on having a nice summer at home helping her father in his antique shop but after he is admitted into the hospital it alters her plans. Her father has even hired Paula Winters, a woman to take pictures of the new line of jewelry to go into a catalogue, as if she does not have enough on her plate. Of course it is only one day in the life of owning an antique shop. Not long after her fingers feather a necklace she finds herself on a journey into the past living the life of another woman. Now she must discover what it all means since Clive eagerly wishes to strike a sell with the beautiful merchandise before her father can research its value.

Past:
A simple necklace full of beauty soon transports Astrid back to Egypt in the live of Seshat, the youngest daughter of Nomarch Sehetep. Seshat will do anything for her loving father. Unfortuantely she has to play second in line when it comes to her selfish older sister, Nefru. After the Commander of the Army of Mermeshu visits her father, Seshat is smitten with him. He immediately feels an instant attraction for her and pledges a lasting love. Seshat discovers that love and betrayal comes in different costumes when she is confronted with a love that stands the test of time. Now Astrid/Seshat endures sorrow and dishonesty prompting a curse that travels through time for the lovers.

Present:
When Astrid begins to stir she informs Clive and the others standing around that it was probably due to skipping breakfast and lunch. She is introduced to Duncan Garret who quickly informs that her father, Lloyd, has made mention of her on occasion. There is immediate heat between them as they both try to void the other’s gaze. There is something about Duncan that puts her on edge. Her odd adventure prompts to her mind reminding her journey when she touched the necklace. In the dream, she had traveled through time as another woman betrayed by her lover. Now she wonders could it have been a warning.

Duncan Garrett is joined with Lorna, his co-sponsor, for the gala for the local Opera Company, when they enter the shop to find Astrid coming to from her dream. Lorna does not even know Astrid’s presence in the gallery until Astrid mentions who she is. Lorna is there to look at some necklace pieces, but when she goes to try them on, Duncan refuses, stating they would look better on a neck like Astrid’s. He then informs that he wishes to buy the necklace to hear Astrid say that until her dad looks at the items they are not for sale. Duncan’s piercing eyes gaze over her and his sultry voice whispers he is a man that gets what he wants always.

Duncan feels that the only reason Clive works at the gallery is to grow close to Astrid allowing him to profit from the valuables in the store. Clive has always been jealous of Duncan’s wealth. The dairy that Duncan found a long time ago in the attic proved that the woman that his great, great grandfather had loved had stolen the treasure. The journal had inscribed eight different purchases. He wondered did the set in the antique shop be the clue to the answers that he needed. It was a mystery that he intended to find the response. He resolves on getting very close to Astrid. Lorna has been trying to get him to attach to her but she was Clive’s type, and he could have her. There was only one tall dark beauty that he was interested in and what Duncan desired, he got.

All Our Yesterdays: Egypt is the start of some sizzling installments that will mesmerize with each turn of the page. The story carries the reader into the present then the past as they slowly learn what is taking place with the characters. It is like a huge mystery that weaves with fascination, joy, intrigue and a variety of emotions that captivates. Just when the reader gets hypnotized by the stunning imagery, the story ends and the reader is left with an ending that gives pause until the next installment. The way Lorna thought Clive was the owner of the Antique shop and Astrid quickly instructed her otherwise was priceless. Ms. Walters generates a brilliant array of rich history in the story that puts the reader into the mind of Astrid/Seshat feeling all the emotions that she faces.

This is a thoroughly enjoyable read as Ms. Walters instills characters and a splendid tone for the stories to follow. The curse begins with Egypt and takes Astrid into other contacts as she experiences loves lost and found, as well as betrayals. Ms. Walters has prepared a detailed foundation for incorporating a unique plot and storyline to keep the reader interested in each lifetime that Astrid encounters. With a blending of secondary characters that make a full introduction into Astrid’s life; things are bound to heat up. The past, present and the flashbacks are so remarkably penned making this a wonderful keeper to anyone’s showcase of books. If you’re looking for a book worth the read, be sure to grab: All Our Yesterdays: Egypt. This series should not be missed. You can purchase it at New Concepts Publishing.

Sincerely good reading,

Linda

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