Catherine Anne Collins Reviews

Added September 6, 2004

Sword Across Time

Author: Catherine Anne Collins
Publisher: Treble Heart Books
Available At: www.trebleheartbooks.com
Publishing Date: Available Now
Genre: Romance: Paranormal/Fantasy
Format: Trade Paperback and Ebook download in PDF/HTML
Price: $14.99 paperback, $5.50 ebook
ISBN: 1-931742-87-1
Author Email/Website: http://www.catherineannecollins.com/
Reviewer: Cyndi Witkus

Nimue battles Merlin as she battles to save Avalon from fading away which was to happen naturally, while Merlin weeps that an evil has overcome her and right thinking. In order to defeat the great Merlin, Nimue pulls out a Crystal of Light. It holds immense power. When they confront each other magickally, Nimue scurries to the stone on Glastonbury Tor that would help her tap into more power, yet Merlin must do what is necessary to prevent her from changing the future. As Nimue's power ebbs, she curses Merlin and his descendants from ever touching the Sword Excalibur and that she will come back when the stars are aligned exactly as they were that night. Then she disappeared into another dimension.

Tamara is cleaning and organizing, enjoying her time off from her New York magazine when she literally stumbles onto a book. The floorboard breaks in half, revealing the long hidden book. When she goes to show her mom, whose home she's staying in, her mother is very upset and begins to speak on their lineage. They are descended from Nimue, the Lady of the Lake. Diane tells the tale, but at first Tamara tries to dismiss it all as a story. Everyone knows the legends of Arthur, Merlin, and Nimue. When Tamara denies this, Diane thrusts Tamara into reality. She was never raised as a priestess of Avalon and disconnected from nature. Now, now the time is almost upon them all and she must listen. But she refuses.

Then her editor calls and wants to send her to Glastonbury in England. There is an alignment that only happens rarely and a small group of people will be gathering on the Tor. Included are some famous people and important people and her editor, Rod, wants her to look into it. Though Tamara tries to dismiss this and get out of it, he's determined and explains that she needs to wake up and grow up, to look beyond the kid's view she has of her mother and her mother's beliefs. That not everything is so easily dismissed. Other events happen and cause Tam to have to really think beyond what she thinks she knows. Yet, she's not quite ready for the next step.

Gavin Calder was at Glastonbury and was reveling in the smell of the air. His friend, a local bookseller, affirms that the old book his dad found in the attic is ancient. When he mentions casually that he could be a descendant of Merlin, Mac the bookshop seller, gets a look on his face and tells him to read the book while he works on something niggling at him. Gavin tries to laugh it off, but Mac warns him that anything can be, because there's no evidence against it either. So, he goes home and questions his lovebird parents. They tell him what they know and that they've read the book. That yes, they are supposedly the descendants of Merlin. His life shifts and he knows he needs to read the book and find out what's going on. Mac calls and asks him to come visit the next day. Gavin agrees and that night, takes the time to read the book.

The story Merlin tells is one that touches the heart. You feel for him, a young boy, lost when he finds out his mother is only his foster mother and when he first meets Nimue. This is a richly woven story, one the author can take great pride in as she captures the essence of Merlin through many different venues and times in this recounting of his memoirs. Merlin discusses his time on Avalon and when he meets Uther Pendragon, to move forward and go be part of the world of men. Then comes the Sword Excalibur, an ancient holy relic of Avalon and how it will help wrought the future of Britain and history.

Nimue's story comes next when Tamara reaches Glastonbury and the Bed and Breakfast she's to stay at. The woman recommends to take the book to Mac, the bookseller to see about assessing the age. Then Tamara reads the story from Nimue's point of view. The story is one of heartbreak, deep emotion, and a need to preserve Avalon, the last standing legacy of Atlantis, forever. She recalls Merlin bringing both Arthur and Morganna to Avalon to learn as their mother had once learned in Avalon.

Tamara goes the next day to see Mac and sees......Gavin. Something happens between them that is magical and wonderful. Yet at the same time, there is the history of their ancestors. Mac doesn't have time to speak to Gavin, but asks to spend time with Tam's book to assure authenticity. Then Tamara and Mac speak about the Ceremony of the Stars. When Tamara leaves, Gavin comes back. What's revealed to Gavin is that there are other journals, including one from Morganna, Arthur's half sister. When shown a page from a Druid's journal, recounting what he heard that night of the great battle, he pities the descendants of Merlin and Nimue, but he also wonders at the evilness of the third, the hooded woman.

What does this mean for the attraction growing between Gavin and Tamara. When things move forward, what will happen at that Solstice. Yet both Gavin and Tamara try to resist not only their attraction but also that this special conjunction means nothing. And what of Morganna's journal? The one stolen that now sits at Morganna's side? Yes, Morganna still lives and what is it that lives within her? What role has she played upon the forever lovers and the balance of Avalon and the world?

Sword Across Time is a wonderful testament and addition to the Arthurian legends. Taking pieces of the legend as well as creating new ideas, Catherine Anne Collins has created a beautiful legacy of love, hate, and a way of Avalon that hasn't been thoroughly explored before. This story flows and wraps around you, making you wish you were part of the history of Avalon, of Arthur, yet draws you deeper and deeper into the lives of Tamara and Gavin. Though I'm not Christian, I do respect religions, as does Merlin in this tale. As he points out, "All the various paths are various ways of us doing service to the higher energy that created us all. We are not all the same, thus we can't be expected to all follow the same path." This story is one of balance, of love, and how the past can influence the future.

Though it starts a bit slower than I had hoped it would, this story does pick up pace and the characters are well developed and thought out. The use and the recalling of the history, using the journals as flashbacks were great. Though sometimes they seemed long, they were also indicators of how things were done, dealt with, and with instructions with how things should be done in the future. The backstory could've been the story of the book itself, so interesting it was. At times, Tamara and Gavin's story seemed to only be a backdrop to the real story of Merlin and Nimue. However, as you read, you begin to see the pattern of things to come. The use of the various gods of many pantheons is also intriguing as well.

If you're an Arthurian legend buff, as I am, or even someone who enjoys paranormal, magic, and a good love story, you'll enjoy Sword Across Time. Catherine Anne Collins gives you a satisfying read that makes you take a second look at the myths and legends of old. As for how the story ends-- you'll have to read it to find out what happens between Tamara and Gavin, Nimue and Merlin, and the forces Morganna has. The Ceremony of the Stars is most intriguing to a student of the old ways, such as myself.

Return to top of page.

This page was last updated on January 1, 2008

This page and all its contents are Copyright© 2002-2008 In the Library Reviews and the individual reviewers. Except where noted, all graphics are Copyright© Eos Development and are used with permission. All book covers are Copyright© their respective publishers and are used with permission. The In the Library Reviews logo is Copyright© 2002 by In the Library Reviews/Sharyn McGinty. Site maintained by In the Library Reviews.