The Violin-Sarah J McNeal

Genevieve has dreamed about him all her life, but it isn’t until she buys his violin and finds the remnants of his life and the mystery of his death within its case, that she makes a decision that will change her life forever. Is there a way to change the past and save the man who haunts her heart?


You know that warm, comforting feeling you get when you settle in with a bowl of popcorn to watch and old black and white movie? That's the feeling you get reading Sarah J. McNeal's 'The Violin'.

One of my favorite paranormal genres to read is time travel. I have devoured Diana Gabaldon's Jamie/Claire series so whenever I can get my hands on another time travel romance, I'm filled with glee.

Genevieve Beaumont is a heroine to root for. She's an old fashioned girl living in a contemporary world She has no family and has been all but fired from the job she loves. She lives a very lonely existence and is haunted by dreams of a man she has never met and the violin that belongs to him.

She is stunned to see an ad for the very violin in her dreams in the newspaper and is compelled to track it down and acquire it for herself which leads her on an oddessy to save the man in her dreams from a horrific death.

John is a charming, good hearted rake, the quintessential early 20th century hero. I loved him and found myself smiling everytime he opened his mouth. His love for Genevive is instant and his family embraces her. Soon Genevive is torn between this life that has everything she's ever wanted and her old life.

Sarah doesn't spend too much time working out the logistics of time travel which I think too many author's worry about and we learn later she has a very good reason for going that route. I won't dream of spoiling it for you.

Sarah does a wonderful job letting the reader experience early 20th century life and I loved how she weaved in the customs, beliefs and not to mention the small town, country food! It was all brought vividly to life.

She effectively drops little hints here and there and everytime I thought I understood where she was going, she threw me a curveball and I had to re-evaluate the story she was telling. I was left open mouthed at the end. I did NOT see that coming and yet the ending doesn't come off as one of those pretentious 'surprise' endings that I really abhor. The ending made complete sense when you added up the little hints that came before.

Bravo Sarah! A definite two thumbs up! I just might pick up an extra copy in print this time so I can keep it on my keeper shelf.

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