While I was waiting for the sequel to THE THORNLESS ROSE, the amazing writing duo of Morgan O’Neill (Deborah O’Neill Cordes and Cary Morgan Frates) have thrilled and surprised readers with a prequel – BEGUN BY TIME! I am very happy to welcome these two wonderful women to my blog to share with us their Elizabethan Time Travel Series. I have read both these books and absolutely loved them. I am now waiting for the third in the series.
The Thornless Rose
An Elizabethan Time Travel Novel
Morgan O’Neill
Publisher: Entangled/Macmillan Select Historical
Publication Date: December 29, 2014
Genre: Historical/Time Travel Fiction
About the Book:
No one ever knew what really happened to Dr. Jonathan Brandon back in 1945. He simply disappeared from a London pub, leaving behind an unsolved mystery and his fiancée—Anne Howard’s grandmother. Seventy years later, Anne herself is haunted by the strange tale, along with inexplicable hallucinations straight out of Elizabethan England. Including a scarred, handsome man whose deep blue eyes seem to touch her very soul….
Anne wonders if there isn’t something more to the story. Is it even possible that Jonathan disappeared into England’s dark past? And why does Anne keep hearing him whisper her name? Because now she too feels the inexorable pull of the past, not to mention an undeniable attraction for a man she doesn’t even know.
It’s just a matter of time before Anne will step back into history, and face a destiny―and a love―beyond imagining…
Entangled – http://www.entangledpublishing.com/the-thornless-rose/
iTunes – https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/thornless-rose-entangled-select/id949899897?mt=11&ign-mpt=uo%3D4
Begun by Time
The Prequel to The Thornless Rose
Author: Morgan O’Neill
Publisher: Entangled/Macmillan Select Historical
Publication Date: August 24, 2015
Genre: Historical/Time Travel Fiction
About the Book:
In 1945, a man disappeared into thin air… In the final days of World War II, Catherine Hastings meets the man she wants to marry. Flight surgeon Jonathan Brandon isn’t just handsome—he’s everything Catherine could hope for in her betrothed. But her dream of a happily ever after is shattered when Jonnie disappears shortly before their wedding…leaving Catherine bereft, broken-hearted, and with a lifetime of unanswered questions. Arthur Howard is smitten with the lovely Catherine the moment he sees her. He’s certain he’s found the woman he wants to marry. Yet behind Catherine’s sparkling green eyes is a haunted look—the look of a woman who has known loss. But can he love a woman who still grieves the loss of her fiancé? Now Arthur wants answers about the man Catherine intended to marry.
But the truth about Jonnie’s disappearance is far stranger than fiction…
Excerpt from Begun by Time, the Prequel to The Thornless Rose, by Morgan O’Neill:
In this scene, Catherine Hastings and Jonathan Brandon get to know one another and set up their first date…
After Catherine and Jonnie set off, she walked her bike alongside him, chatting about ordinary things like music and the cinema. She found he had quite a dry wit, which she fully enjoyed.
Handsome and funny. He’s such a dream—and so tall!
She found herself wishing the evening wouldn’t end. When they reached her street, she had the sudden urge to ask him in for a cuppa.
But she sensed watchful eyes. She glanced at a neighboring house and saw Mrs. Brown peeking out from behind a blackout curtain.
I can’t invite him in, she thought. It would cause a scandal with Mum and Dad out of town.
With a sigh, she unlocked her front door and turned to face Jonnie. “I had a lovely time. Thank you.”
“The pleasure is all mine, I assure you, Catherine. It was very kind of you to bring the gifts.”
She hesitated, but when he said nothing more, she smiled and moved to step inside. She felt his hand touch her elbow and spun around, her heart full of hope.
“I, er, might I see you again sometime?” he asked. “Actually, now that I think of it, I’ve planned a day trip out to the country for my father before my leave ends. We’ve planned a day at Hatfield House, to be precise. I’ve arranged to borrow a mate’s car for Saturday week. Would you like to come along? My father is a very competent chaperone, so you needn’t worry I’ll misbehave.”
He laughed at the absurdity of his words, and so did she, taken by how his face lit up when he did so.
“I’d love to, Jonnie. I will make sure my schedule is clear.”
“Jolly good.” He backed up a step and paused as he held her gaze. Then, as though coming to a decision, he leaned in and kissed her cheek.
The softness of his lips against her skin entranced her, and she yearned for more. He smelled wonderful, too, of Pears’ soap with its scent of thyme, and something she couldn’t quite place—a wholly masculine scent that made her knees tremble.
“I shall look forward to seeing you again, Catherine. I shall look forward to it very much indeed.”
He pivoted and left with a bounce in his step, his fine figure caught in the sunset’s golden glow.
She shut the door when he was finally out of sight, then leaned against it and let out a squeal of delight.
Entangled – http://www.entangledpublishing.com/begun-by-time/
iTunes – https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/begun-by-time-entangled-select/id1021176025?mt=11&ign-mpt=uo%3D4
About the Authors:
Two authors writing as one, Cary Morgan Frates and Deborah O’Neill Cordes specialize in recreating pivotal moments in history, epic adventure, and romance—with a time travel twist.
Author Links:
Website – http://www.morganoneill.com/
Newsletter – https://madmimi.com/signups/125219/join
Goodreads – https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6423103.Morgan_O_Neill
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/morgan.oneill.books.12
Twitter – https://twitter.com/authormoneill
Entangled – http://www.entangledpublishing.com/category/morgan-o-neill/
Joanna Lloyd 
Joanna, thank you so much for hosting us today. We are especially proud of our Elizabethan series, and giving life to Catherine, Jonathan, and Arthur in their youth in Begun by Time was a special treat. I hope your readers enjoy the read. Best to you all.
Joanna, you have been a true friend, always taking the time to work with me to improve my writing. A special thank you for your fact and language checks with this series, to make certain this American gets it right when writing about England in the present and past. I am ever in your debt. I hope your readers enjoy our time travel adventures to the 1940s and post-war London, and to the sixteenth century. Thank you, Deborah.
Because I love your writing so much, it is always an absolute pleasure to have you both on my blog and to have the privilege of reading through your manuscripts. Good luck with this wonderful series.