Once a Cavalier

By Linda O. Johnston

Dr. Larryn Maeller follows a ghostly apparition into the London mist, only to emerge in 1666--the era of the Plague--where a handsome duke's heart harbors a tragedy only her love can heal. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0515128473
• ISBN13: 9780515128475
• Release Date: June 2000
• Publisher: Jove Books
• Length: 294 Pages
• Weight: 0.36 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 4.2" x 6.8"

Customer Reviews

ONCE UPON A MIDNIGHT DREARY...

This is a fairly well-written time travel romance with an intriguing plot. Awash in the social mores of the time and replete with historical detail, this is an entertaining time travel romance that is a cut above what one usually finds in this genre. Those who enjoy time travel romances will most certainly like this book. Dr. Larryn Mueller is staying at the ancestral home of Chloe Seldrake, an elderly friend of hers, while in modern day London to attend a medical conference. It was once the home of Thomas Northby, the Duke of Seldrake, a handsome man whose portrait holds a place of prominence in the house in which he once lived. During her first night there, a ghostly apparition makes its presence known. Realizing it to be none other than the Duke of Seldrake himself, gracing her with his ghostly presence, Larryn is intrigued by the phenomena. The next time he appears, she follows his apparition to the roof, only to be swallowed by a strange mist. When it clears, she finds herself in 1668, during the Restoration of the monarchy, when England was ruled by Charles II. She is still in the home of the Duke of Seldrake, only he is no longer an ephemeral apparition but, rather, a flesh and blood man. The Duke is initially dumb-founded by Larryn's mysterious appearance out of nowhere and by her odd clothing, but he has weightier matters on his mind. It appears that he, also, is a medical doctor and is engaged in some dangerous activities. The Great Plague is consuming London, and he is determined to save the children of its victims, despite certain edicts of the King. In this venture, Larryn seeks to help him, but first she must gain his trust, just as she has secretly gained his heart.

Entertaining time travel romance

Dr. Larryn Maeller travels from America to England to meet for the first time her mentor and Internet chat pal, elderly Chloe Seldrake. However, that night at Chloe's home, two ghosts, Dr. Thomas Northby and his dog, visit Larryn. The next day, Chloe shows Larryn a 350-year-old locket. Inside is Larryn's picture and engraved is her name. Chloe explains what she knows of the ghost and the mystery of how Larryn's likeness could be inside such an old piece of jewelry.That evening, Larryn goes to sleep only to wake up during the seventeenth century English Restoration. She immediately helps Thomas and his sister Adele with caring for healthy children not yet touched by the plague, but whose family members are ill. Their actions are illegal because the law quarantines full households. Meanwhile, Larryn and Thomas fall in love. However, Thomas mistrusts her. He fears she will give him and his helpers away to the King for their illegal activity . He mistrusts his heart after his first marriage.ONCE A CAVALIER is an entertaining time travel romance that will provide much pleasure to sub-genre fans. Larryn's adjustment seems too easy, but the audience will accept it because of Linda O. Johnson's ability to tell an exciting story that paints a vivid picture of a bygone era. The lead characters are a dynamic duo whose need to help the young during the health crisis adds to their appeal. Ms. Johnson is a natural who makes reading fun.Harriet Klausner