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My Own Version Of The Legend

Jo Anne Barnes Author Interview

Time’s Daughter follows a modern-day schoolteacher who is taken back to 1875 and finds herself in the middle of a conflict between a handsome plantation owner and his greedy stepbrother. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?

I grew up in a small parish in northeastern Louisiana that back in the day had over 100 plantations. Stories about old plantation houses and their owners fascinated me. A true story about a man who was driven out of his mind by someone he trusted captured my attention. I quit a job I loved supervising student teachers at the University of Texas at Dallas to write my own version of the legend.

Christina Forsythe is an interesting and well-developed character. What were some driving ideals behind your character’s development?

I knew she would have to be a strong woman to survive in another century. | wanted to give her a character flaw that she would overcome by the end of my book. Christina was prejudiced against mental illness because of her father’s bipolar condition. By falling in love with a man people referred to as a madman, she was able to overcome her prejudice.

What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?

I wanted to explore a man’s love for his daughter and how far he would go to keep her safe. Other themes include good versus evil, never giving up, and Justice.

What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?

I’m currently working on Take Only My Love, but | have also published Sidestepping the Truth, a gentle romance novel, The thirteenth Apostle—a thriller, and two contemporary novels: Conveniently Married and Winds of Fate. |’ve co-authored two children’s books, A Horse for the Heart and Mystery of the Swamp Lights.

Author Links: Amazon | GoodReads

Hurled into 1875, a young schoolteacher from this century finds herself living a legend she’s heard about all her life. She lands in the middle of a conflict between handsome plantation owner, Rainer Thorpe, and his greedy stepbrother. Sparks fly as Rainer tries to help Christina Forsythe find her way home.

Time’s Daughter

Christina Forsythe is a young school teacher who is mysteriously transported from the twentieth century back to 1875 to live a legend that she has heard about her entire life. Christina finds herself in Whispering Oaks with Rainer Thorpe and his six-year-old daughter Marjorie. Adopting the identity of her ancestor and doppelganger, Christina is compelled to be Majorie’s governess as she becomes caught in the feud between Rainer and his greedy step-brother Eli. After the sudden death of Rainers’s wife and the ensuing rumors, Rainer Thorpe loses his mind. Christina falls for this eccentric man while they plan to find her a way back home. Will Christina be able to uncover the conspiracy against Rainer’s health and estate and also find her way home?

Time’s Daughter by Jo Anne Barnes is a sensuous time travel romance novel that combines elements of science fiction, mystery and history into a story that will pique readers curiosity. The time travel narrative has its own set of rules that differ from most time travel tropes which makes this both a fun and unique read.

The author explores living in alternate histories and centuries in an intriguing way. The characters navigate the past and the future, showing the clash of customs and morals that accompanies going back in time and references to technology and cultures that exist in the 20th century. The novel also explores themes of family, a father’s love, and mental illness in ways that feel thoughtful, grounded and compelling. The author also includes a budding romance that weaves its way throughout the story. Readers will surely fall in love with Christina’s character as I know I was enthralled with her character after her dramatic evolution throughout the story.

With a love that transcends centuries, the plot is interesting and the characters are fascinating. Time’s Daughter is an entertaining historical romance novel that will appeal to readers looking for their fix after finishing Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander series.

Pages: 298 | ASIN: B0BG6NR8VH

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