Emma, the curator "by accident" (her boss's accident) of the renovated farm willed to the care of the museum where she worked, became involved in its total restoration and in organizing the ball destined to mark its official opening to the public. Sleeping Oaks was a 1800s building with marvelous architecture and an odd feeling of familiarity about it.

On the day of the ball, two surprises appeared one after the other: a strange mirror, huge and daunting and not part of the original inventory; and a marvelous ball gown for herself.

The night of the ball, Emma found herself alone facing the frightening mirror and was sucked in the mist behind it. After the dizziness that overcame her for but a moment, she tried to return to the guests, but to her horror she found herself in a totally strange and menacing world. She was still in the same house but without electricity. Gas lamps burned and gave a strange atmosphere to the room.

The moment she adventured outside of the small living room into the upstairs hall, the feeling of unreality was strengthened by the apparition of a total stranger, though dressed correctly with the prescribed 1800s clothes as per her instructions.

The man offered her his support and, under her beauty's spell, proposed an accord to which Emma could not say no-he would give a plausible explanation for her presence in a house in which she was a stranger, and she would stay all evening by his side. Her momentary ally, Devon Chandler, took advantage of her disorientation to introduce her as his fiancée to the guests at the ball-a ball just like the one she had set up, only instead of 2004, she found herself in 1825.

Without money or any clothes aside from her ball gown, Emma had to accept Devon Chandler and his story. The problem was not the declaration but his decision to finalize the marriage as well. The chemistry between them was undeniable, and a future with Devon became her dream.

Devon's enemy, Mr. Chambers, impressed Emma in a very unpleasant way and she tried to let Devon know. However, rather than believe her outlandish claim that she was from the future, Devon Chandler believed Emma was the bait in a conspiracy to destroy him! His mistrust would cost them their easy happiness that seemed to be within reach. Instead of staying together out of love, Devon ordered Emma around and she rebelled, used to having her independence in a different epoch. Taken hostage by Mr. Chambers, she became the 'convincing argument' against Devon, who refused to become an outlaw in Chambers' service.

Full of resourcefulness, Emma escaped at the cost of her health. She was saved by a man who gave her sanctuary, but her new savior became her new jailer. In this world of 1800s where men were in control of all activities, a woman-single, beautiful and friendless-was the prey, which any male of strength was tempted to possess.

Mr. Andre La Pointe had authority, money and ruthlessness, and he wanted Emma for himself. Slowly, she found out that he would not let her go to the man that held her heart, but in exchange he would help by obtaining revenge on Mr. Chambers. When the doctor called to see to her health after a bout of fainting and gave his recommendations for Emma's care, Mr. Andre got a marvelous present-knowledge of Emma's budding pregnancy gave him the ultimate power over her. Though the child was Devon's, Mr. Andre would allow Emma to keep it only on condition she would marry him and forever renounce reuniting with her lover. The baby would be his legal heir.

Two independent, proud people are separated by Andre's threats of killing both the child and its father if he is not obeyed. It created an impossible situation for Emma, who had to choose between telling Devon the truth and losing both the father and the child, or keeping her promise to Andre.

As in true romance, the hero and heroine finally got together, only to be separated by a twist of fate-the mirror threw them into the future, but at different times. You must read the book to find the imaginative ending.

Beautifully written, it would be a major pleasure reading Sleeping Oaks, if anyone would have taken the pain of proofreading the book.

A visit to Fun With Words would explain many of the misused words to be found within the pages, where the most frequently used of all is Emma's "innocents" instead of 'innocence'!

Reviewed By: Raluca Popov
© June 2004