TIME ROGUES

Author: Kay Austin ISBN: 0505526212 2/2005 TIME TRAVEL Publisher: DORCHESTER/Love Spell
Time Period: Dallas in the present/Past and Future Pompeii

It was all about to go up in smoke. As a candidate for the directorship of the Dallas Museum of History, Mackenzie Cates was thrilled to acquire the Pompeii exhibit. But it came with a string: Rick Mason, the love of her life, the sexiest archaeologist since Indiana Jones. He'd left her with a memory of lovemaking hotter than lava, but he couldn't have returned at a worse time; her raging libido was making Mack see things—like the strange bald beauty prowling the museum and casting lascivious glances at Rick; or that moving statue. Next thing she knew, Rich would be telling her there was a conspiracy; that he was possessed; that he wanted to marry her but that first they had to travel through time to save the world and a pair of doomed lovers! Well, one thing was certain: Before Vesuvius, her composure and career all went boom, Mack needed to unravel the mystery of the...Time Rogues.

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

Despite my love of most things paranormal and time-travel, I just can't get into Kay Austin's, TIME ROGUES. Yes, there are some things to recommend it, namely the plot being like nothing I have come across before, but not enough to give it a great review.

First, let me say that I love the plot. Being possessed by someone from a distant time no doubt lurks in the pages of another book. However, never have I read about (are you ready?) a time traveler from the future being stuck in the past, then, his spirit coming into a different future than the one he left and entering someone else who has to travel back in time to save him. Try saying that several times. Better yet, understanding it! As complex and strange as it sounds, it's actually quite neat.

The not so good side: The characters. All of them, lack fire. They have a purpose and direction, a cool and unusual plot, yet maintain a wooden feel. Perhaps I need more history on them, more tension, especially when it comes to the hero and heroine. Their past is hinted at and talked about a bit, but in no way do I get the "vibe" that they just have to be together. Conflicts with the heroine and her boss don't do anything for me either. I just didn't care.

Well, read this one if you want to wrap your mind around the crazy concept I detailed above. There are some funny scenes during the "possession", and an ending that surely is setting up the start of the next book.

Shannon Johnson