A Moment In Time [Paperback]

The main character, Jackie Clarke, is a hairdresser who finds herself abandoned in the woods by her boyfriend...her no-good boyfriend. Since he stole her car, she starts the trek home only to find herself caught in a freak snowstorm. Seeking shelter inside a ghost town saloon, Jackie is saved from a certain death when she is hurled back to the Old West, 1891.

Caught up in a case of mistaken identity, Jackie "Lolita" Clarke is bounced around from one saloon to another trying to find her way back to her own time. Kidnapped by a handsome Mel Gibson look-alike who must have been on the Old West equivalent of Viagra, and taken to his homestead, Jackie finds herself falling in love with Cole Morrison and his nine year old motherless son Todd.

In my opinion, the author seemed short on details concerning the environment. I would have liked to "see" more of the town and it's people. Her characterization of Jackie and Cole was satisfying, though don't look at the cover hunk as an indication of Cole's description. Also, I have to say I suspect one character was patterned after Dolly Parton!!

Despite a somewhat predictable ending, it passed the time.

A romantic mountain get-away results in Blade absconding with Jackie Clark's car, money, and credit cards. Determined to leave the cabin that lacked plumbing and electricity, Jackie begins the long trek down the mountain. Caught unprepared for a snowstorm, she takes refuge in a ghost town where she's plunged backward in time to the year 1801. In a hilarious case of mistaken identity, everyone believes she is Lolita Belle, a famous salon singer expected by Rupert P. Goodfellow of the Gold Mine Salon. As Jackie flees the salon, she plunges right into the arms of a Mel Gibson look alike by the name of Cole Morrison.

A widower, Cole is raising his son Todd alone. But mining only nets him enough to keep Todd fed and clothed. Desperate for a better life, Cole contracted to kidnap Lolita Belle in return for enough gold to buy a ranch in Oregon. But he wasn't anticipation the fierce attraction he would feel toward the woman he believes to be Lolita. When he kidnaps her, Cole quickly realizes that his raging passion for this woman is matched only by his raging guilt for having taken her against her will.

Bu Jackie's problems aren't limited by being transported back in time. Her red dyed hair convinces everyone of giving her Lolita's identity, despite lacking the heavy curves, or the voice of the salon singer. Indeed, the salon keeper believes that every "miner in this area will spend his paycheck in the establishment" to enjoy her entertainment, and will go to any length to ensure his profits.

Appropriately dressed for her own time, Jackie starts out only wearing a thin tee shirt and a pair of jeans--tee shirts are non existant and jean worn only by men in 1801. And when she leaves half her clothes at an artist's bungalow, things only go from bad to worse. Covering herself with feathers only results in a nasty rash. And when a Blade look-alike shows up, who identified himself as Rock, Jackie feels more threatened than ever.

This delightful time travel has it all: kidnapping, mistaken identity, romance. Deb's unique talent for characterization and plots keeps readers satisfied. If you love time travel and romance, A MOMENT IN TIME is a must read!