Nick of Time by Julianne Q Johnson
A delightful fantasy mixing reality in contemporary Indiana with the ancient legendary world of the Fae on a green Irish hillside.
Nick is your average good guy. For unknown reasons, he has had to rescue people (and animals) in dire need since the age of eighteen. He has trained himself for this unwanted part-time job by taking First-Aid, CPR and self-defence courses, since breaking up fights is also in his unofficial job description. Being an everyday unsung hero is all very well, but the stress and physical effort is making Nick exhausted and depressed. According to his grandmother, the solution to his problems lies in a sleepy town in Ireland, the land of his ancestors, where more amazing rescues and adventures await him. The charm of this story is in the character of Nick himself. He's solidly dependable, but comically reticent. Saving lives is so much a part of his life that his extended family now take it for granted. After he rescues his pretty neighbour from a crazed admirer who is stalking her, Nick gains a formidable ally and a new love interest. |
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The story is narrated in the first person and present tense, which gives it compelling immediacy. We are right there with Nick every moment of his crazy existence, and get to experience the curious time slowing that heralds each new crisis. The pace is steady but sustained as Nick moves from one rescue to the next; there are so many exciting situations, but my favourite is the airplane intervention, which I found highly dramatic. Once the action moves to Ireland, the gentle supernatural elements seep in, and I loved the depiction of the Fair Folk in all their harsh capriciousness. Strong world-building, good character depictions, and terrific dialogue. An original and intriguing tale, beautifully written and suitable for the widest audience.
The second book I’ve read by this author and, to me, even better than A Friend in Paris. An old mystery is woven into the story of an American girl who is living in Northern France, teaching English at a school in Maisons-Laffitte, near Paris.
I loved Chastity for her strength and lack of self-pity, raising her young son single-handed in a foreign country. This author creates relatable, sympathetic heroines, but she really shines at conjuring up the most wonderful male protagonists. Viscount Charles de Brase is just about the perfect leading man. Handsome, well-bred, self-assured but also capable and down-to-earth, he could easily just amuse himself with his fabulous château, racehorses and great wealth, but instead he is a practising neurosurgeon who takes an active part in the life of the town where he’s a leading social figure.
The mystery element, involving an art theft and unexplained disappearance, is tightly constructed and well thought-out. Subtle clues about the identity of the culprit are sprinkled about, but I could never have guessed all the complexities of the final, breathless crime sequence. This book has a wonderful sense of place and prompted me to research the château and its history. I love a book that can transport me into a specific location and bring to life characters that stay with me long after the last page is turned, which was the case here. An intelligent read with a welcome heart-warming quality.
I loved Chastity for her strength and lack of self-pity, raising her young son single-handed in a foreign country. This author creates relatable, sympathetic heroines, but she really shines at conjuring up the most wonderful male protagonists. Viscount Charles de Brase is just about the perfect leading man. Handsome, well-bred, self-assured but also capable and down-to-earth, he could easily just amuse himself with his fabulous château, racehorses and great wealth, but instead he is a practising neurosurgeon who takes an active part in the life of the town where he’s a leading social figure.
The mystery element, involving an art theft and unexplained disappearance, is tightly constructed and well thought-out. Subtle clues about the identity of the culprit are sprinkled about, but I could never have guessed all the complexities of the final, breathless crime sequence. This book has a wonderful sense of place and prompted me to research the château and its history. I love a book that can transport me into a specific location and bring to life characters that stay with me long after the last page is turned, which was the case here. An intelligent read with a welcome heart-warming quality.