When the legendary realm of Avalon disappears into the mist, it leaves behind a powerful and dangerous legacy. A legacy of curses invoked in the heat of anger and passion. Over the centuries the words have faded to a mere whisper, yet their power remains strong and deadly. Now, the descendants of Merlin the Magician and the Lady of the Lake must deal with the repercussions of long ago betrayals.

      The danger ensues when Gavin and Tamara discover journals written by their ancestors and embark on a search for the truth. Thrust together by Fate and caught in circumstances beyond their control, the two find themselves attracted to, yet frustrated by, each other.

      The Dark Lady, Morganna, half-sister to King Arthur, seeks to destroy Merlin and the Lady of the Lake forever by claiming Sword Excalibur's powerful forces for herself. Unaware that a blood sacrifice is needed to activate the power of the sword, Gavin and Tamara find themselves in a race against evil in order to defeat Morganna—and save themselves.

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EXCERPT

        

      Tamara was pissed at Gavin for laughing at her and re-igniting all her insecurities from her childhood. She knew she'd overreacted, but memories of being an outcast and having other kids laugh at her still ran deep. Damn, why did all the good-looking guys have to be such jerks? Just when she'd started to think there might, just maybe, be something serious happening between them, he had to go and laugh at her.

      She hated being laughed at.

      Struggling to get her hurt pride under control, a snapping sound on the footpath ahead startled Tamara.  Closer inspection revealed an overgrown path to the side of the downtrodden tourist path, and Tamara took an uncertain step on the strange path. She found herself nudging through lush growth of flower and herbs. Her nostrils quivered in reaction to the aroma of mint and thyme, while her vision was assaulted with vivid colors of pink and maroon geraniums. Her eyes drank in peach colored hibiscus, the flower of love. Wafting gently in the breeze, the hibiscus were a perfect contrast to the crimson red chrysanthemums, with their long petals reaching out in supplication.

      Tamara pushed aside tree branches that brushed her face and heard the sound again. Someone was just ahead. It sounded like they were struggling through dense brush as well. Tamara paused for a breath and took a more intent look around. She was enthralled at the lushness of the growth, but surprised at the unfamiliarity of some of the plants. There were flowers and plants growing here that she had never seen anywhere. God, it's beautiful, she thought.

     "Yes, it is beautiful."

      The voice, so close by, startled Tamara and caused her pulse to beat a rapid staccato in her veins. Peering into the underbrush, Tamara could see the shape of a woman.

     "How did you know that's what I was thinking?"

     "Just my intuition."

      Mollified, Tamara turned to look about again. "I've never seen flowers like these before." She reached out to touch the velvety soft petal of a luscious peach colored flower. "I don't remember reading anywhere that the Tor had such a display of plants."

     "The Tor does not. At least not now, but in ancient times the beauty to behold was supreme."

     "I'm sorry, I don't understand. The flowers are here now." Tamara was having trouble placing the accent, so unlike any she had ever heard.

      Amidst the rustle of leaves and with a lightness of movement, the woman stepped into the clearing. The ethereal beauty of the strange woman bewitched Tamara. She looked strange because of her unusual manner of dress. Tamara frowned at the full-length dress worn by the woman. Simple and unadorned the pale blue dress exuded richness in material and style.

      Comprehension dawned on the woman's face, and she remarked. "I am dressed different than you are used to seeing?"

      Tamara snorted, and then blushed in embarrassment. "Yes, just slightly on the eccentric side. Your dress is beautiful, though." Her gaze touched upon the flowers. "But like the flowers, it doesn't fit."

     "This place is not what you think. Few here have ever seen this plane of existence, but you are special."

      Uneasiness settled in Tamara's stomach. Was this woman just crazy—or dangerous? Deep blue eyes pierced into Tamara and cut her with their intensity. "You know who I am—think."

      Tamara squinted and fought against a growing awareness. "I must be dreaming. Are you reading my mind?"

     "Of course, I am. It's easy if you know how. Now stop foregoing the inevitable. You know who I am, say my name."

     "But…"

     "Say my name." The mysterious woman insisted in a breathless tone.

      In a breath of a whisper, terrified lest anyone hear how crazy she sounded, Tamara spoke. "Nimue."

     "See, you do possess the intelligence I credited you with. The question is—will it be enough to finally outwit my nemesis and return the sword to where it belongs?"

     "Okay, now I know I'm dreaming. I think I should leave." Tamara turned to leave, but her feet wouldn't move. Her panicked gaze flew to the woman—Nimue. "What's happening?"

     "Nothing more than a stillness spell. Relatively basic actually. Something the most average novice can master. I just need you still for a moment while I warn you about the deception of Merlin. He will be dangerous tonight, so you must be careful."

     "Tonight. You mean at the ceremony?" Tamara was busy trying to move her feet, but she was asking questions through habit more than anything.

     "Yes, the ceremony. You need to take the opportunity to find the Sword Excalibur and return it to where it belongs."

      Those words returned Tamara's full attention to the woman before her. "The Sword Excalibur? Don't be ridiculous. The sword has been missing for centuries."

     "I know that. I was there the night it disappeared. Merlin is the one responsible. Now he is also after the sword for his own purposes. He intends to use the power of the sword and the Ones Who Came Before to bring about the return of Avalon. Of course, with the sword in his hand, he will rule in absolute power. This we cannot allow to happen, because he has become ruthless and greedy. He is dangerous, so you must be careful."

      Tamara's eyes rounded in disbelief. "You were there? Come on, don't you think this joke has gone far enough?"

      Was she trying to convince herself? Tamara didn't get a chance to ask any more questions, because Nimue's form was shimmering to a dim mist in the late morning sun. Tamara's mind barely registered the haunted whisper spoken by the strange woman.

     "You must find the sword, only then will the past be put right. Trust no one." Nimue's voice drifted into the shadows of the surrounding gardens.

Sword Across Time, although starting out a little slowly, has a wonderful plot based on Arthurian legend. It was a nice twist expanding on Merlin and the Lady of the Lake. Tamara and Gavin work very well together with an underlying tension of attraction between them. As the plot around the paranormal activity thickens Tamara's need for the logical explanation of things gets in the way of her true sight. You just want to shake some sense
into her. Catherine Collins also gives some very well developed supporting
characters. The emotions and fears of each come to life as the plot plays out.

Overall rating: 3 Hearts
Sensuality rating: Sweet

Reviewer: Angie

For full review visit: http://www.theromancestudio.com/reviews/reviews/swordacrosstimecollins.htm

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This reviewer was blown away by the way the story line was told and the way the legend of Merlin was incorporated in this story. It was an interesting read and quite different from anything I have ever read. The characters come across multidimensional and are quite appealing. They interact with each other extremely well and are appealing to the reader. This reviewer found that the interplay was at times humorous and suspenseful. This reviewer found the way the author incorporated the myths and legends of Avalon into her story worked extremely well, and made the reader want more. This reviewer finds Ms. Collin's writing to be imaginative and quite enjoyable. As the story hit its peak, this reader was enthralledand captivated by the story. This reviewer highly recommends this book to anyone wanting a highly unusual twist on the love story of Merlin and Nimue and the legend of Arthur and Excalibur.

Reviewed by Dawn
March 2004

© Love Romances, 2001-2004. All Rights Reserved

In the spirit of the ancient Avalon, comes a story of mystery, adventure and undying love... Catherine Anne Collins, in her first published novel gives us a nail biting, edge-of-your-seat treat into the mystical world of Avalon...Destined to be one of the best books of the year. A page-turner that I hated to see end.

A five star read!

Katherine J. Turcotte, Reviewer

June 2004

All Rights Reserved Catherineannecollins.com 2004

Solitary Cove

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An aging movie star, Ian has a life filled with fame, fortune, and women. He loves the fame and fortune, but the constant women have worn thin. Cynicism and boredom creep into his life, and he develops a problem that chips away at his self-confidence—he can no longer perform sexually.

Coming together during the filming of Ian's latest movie in Solitary Cove, Ian and Nicole's uncertain relationship is tested by the appearance of Ian's daughter, Vanessa, who has fled her abusive marriage, as well as Nicole's stalker who appears in town renewing his death threats against Nicole.

Throw into the mix, a crusty fisherman, a flaky new age storeowner and a heroic dog, and Sweet Dreams weaves into a tale of love, self-discovery, suspense, and self-sacrifice.

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A thriving, unique town, Salem , Massachusetts caters to believers and practitioners of witchcraft. By using its wrenching history to its own advantage, Salem , for all intents and purposes, has recovered from its past. At least on the surface. Until Skye Temple comes to town to write a travel article on a local Bed and Breakfast, becomes fascinated with, and buys one of the historic homes.

 

Her action starts a chain of events that began centuries ago during the witch trials and revisited the town 30 years earlier in a secret ritual that ended in the disappearance of Jerome Phips's mother, Amanda. A local police officer, Jerome has spent 30 years seeking the truth behind his mother's disappearance. Unfortunately, when Skye moves into her new home, she stumbles across a skeleton that is identified as Amanda's.

 

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