THE HOURGLASS

Author: Barbara Metzger ISBN: 045122079X 3/2007 PARANORMAL/HISTORICAL Publisher: NAL/Signet Eclipse
Time Period: Regency, Waterloo & London, 1815

It seems a million years have passed since Imogene Macklin moved among society. A soldier's widow tending the wounded at Waterloo, Genie is no longer welcome among the officers' wives. She's too poor to afford rent—and too numb to mourn the husband whose death has forever disgraced her. And now she carries his child.... "Six months. I'll give you six months to find. . . the missing piece of yourself. Find it, find your humanity. If not, you will be my minion forever." With Satan's words ringing in his ears, Sir Coryn of Ardsley resolves to atone for his former life as a Crusader. When he returns to the world of the living and meets forlorn Genie, he knows what he has to do.... Were Sir Coryn and Genie to wed, it would save her reputation—even though she'd be marrying a man she barely knows, who may be mad. But with nothing to her name, Genie has nothing to lose. And with his soul on the line, Coryn has everything to gain—including love. . . .

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

THE HOURGLASS by Barbara Metzger is so clever, it defies words. I enjoyed this book for so many reasons that there hardly seems space enough here to tell them all, but I will try.

Sir Coryn of Ardsley makes a deal with Satan. He returns to the world of men, but with the stipulation that he may only stay for six months unless he finds something the Devil demands of him. The very premise, making a deal with the Devil himself, amuses me to no end. I love it that Sir Coryn is smart enough to pull the head honcho in Hell into such a scenario. When he returns to the world of men, Sir Coryn meets Genie and their attraction is instant. But he's vowed to atone for the sins of his previous life, and to do no harm to another. So how can Sir Coryn realize his desire for Genie without hurting her?

The dialogue in this book is perfectly written. Every character has his or her own voice, one that suits them completely. Even the gremlin that accompanies the knight from Hell is droll. There are passages in this book that made me cry, they were so poignant and beautiful, and others that made me laugh out loud. I loved every page of this, and my only complaint is that it had to end.

Barbara Metzger has penned a gem in THE HOURGLASS. This is the first novel I've read by this author, but I can guarantee it won't be the last. Story-telling like this is too good not to read.

Kay James