There is a common belief that there is a special someone for everyone. We all live in the hope that we will find that exact person. Most of us spend our lives wondering if we found our special someone or continue to look. What if your better half existed, but not close by, what would you be willing to do to be reunited? This is the question Peter, the hero of R.R. Shelsky’s novel, faces in Lost Echoes.

Peter is on the brink of several major life changes. He is about to travel to England for work, then there’s Dawn, his fiancé. Despite, their upcoming wedding, Peter has his doubts about Dawn’s lack of sentimentality, even her commitment to him. He also wonders about his own devotion to his fiancé. The whole doubt fest is triggered by sighting an antique box with a beautiful miniature of a delicate flame-haired beauty, Aurea. The antique-store owner, in hopes of gaining a sale, relates the sad tale of Aurea. Suddenly, Peter is spurred on by a new commitment to find out as much as possible about the mysterious woman. He purchases the box not for his fiancé, but for himself.
Aurea, the niece of Thomas and Katherine Pentrose, doesn’t want to go to Queen Elizabeth’s court to be a handmaiden. Her aunt insists she needs to find a husband and court is the best place. The sheltered redheaded beauty has her doubts and fears. Rumors of court tell of frivolous affairs and constant gossip, definitely a place where she would not fit in. As a dutiful ward, she must go, but why, and better yet how will she survive the licentious court? If it is only a matter of a husband, couldn’t she find one without traveling to Hampton Court?
Driven by a pull he doesn’t entirely understand, Peter heads for Hampton Court and a fold in the cosmic fiber of time. He is able to see and converse with the beautiful Aurea while staying put in the 21st century. Aurea is both baffled and intrigued by this man: she cannot decide if he is demon or a ghost. His unusual ways have her speaking her mind about his fine face and form when she should hold her tongue. Too bad, the charming man, is not a local man to woo and wed her.
Even though Peter can see his mysterious beauty, he cannot touch her, except for unpredictable twist in the cosmic fabric that allows him to penetrate time restraints, briefly. The situation is made all the worst because he knows what treachery she will be accused of and the inevitable consequences. There must be some way to save her, and if there is, what will he do with Aurea, and Dawn?
Lost Echoes is a well-paced novel that weaves together Elizabethan and contemporary England together in a seamless garment. Peter, while charming and polished, lacks a certain passion that his lukewarm engagement indicates. Such a man would not battle time itself for his one true love. Aurea, while a dutiful beauty, seems more fitting for her part. The aunt and uncle are fully fleshed characters deserving of a little more print space. The dialogue and setting are excellent giving a feel for jolly olde England. The foreshadowing seemed a tad heavy in some spots, but tends to be understandable considering the average reader might be unfamiliar with the time period.
Lost Echoes is a debut novel from the promising author, R.R. Shelsky. As a time travel romance fan, I declare it well worth reading. Besides well-described settings, there is thoughtful dialogue, court intrigue, and of course, true love.

Reviewed by Morgan Wyatt
© August 2007