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Phantom in Time
ANGEL OF SONG
Beautiful and delicate, songbird Bella De La Rosa's lilting soprano is music from heaven --- but fear has kept her confined to the chorus. And now she is onstage at New Orlean's St. Charles Opera House in rehearsal for Kaleidoscope --- a re-creation of the infamous production during which the brilliant tenor and notorious rogue Jacques LeFevre was murdered a century ago.
PHANTOM IN TIME
Surely she has gone mad --- for Bella can feel Jacques's presence and hear his voice. And suddenly she is with him --- magically carried back in time to be passionately awakened in heart, body and soul by the dashing, misunderstood scoundrel. For some mysterious power has decreed that Bella must save the enigmatic, irresistible "phantom" --- and that she, in turn, must be saved by Jacques's glorious love.
Beautiful and delicate, songbird Bella De La Rosa's lilting soprano is music from heaven --- but fear has kept her confined to the chorus. And now she is onstage at New Orlean's St. Charles Opera House in rehearsal for Kaleidoscope --- a re-creation of the infamous production during which the brilliant tenor and notorious rogue Jacques LeFevre was murdered a century ago.
PHANTOM IN TIME
Surely she has gone mad --- for Bella can feel Jacques's presence and hear his voice. And suddenly she is with him --- magically carried back in time to be passionately awakened in heart, body and soul by the dashing, misunderstood scoundrel. For some mysterious power has decreed that Bella must save the enigmatic, irresistible "phantom" --- and that she, in turn, must be saved by Jacques's glorious love.
374 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 1996
About the author
Eugenia Riley
70 books93 followersEugenia Riley is the award-winning, bestselling author of dozens of historical, contemporary and time-travel romances, including A TRYST IN TIME, TEMPEST IN TIME, and TIMESWEPT BRIDE. She is a #1 Bestselling Author of Time Travel Romance at Amazon and Kindle. She has written for publishers including Avon, Bantam, Warner, Harlequin and Dorchester.
Eugenia is delighted to announce the launching of Eugenia Riley Classics, a new imprint featuring all of your favorite Eugenia Riley historical, contemporary, and time-travel romances, finally available again in Kindle, NOOK, Kobo and at iBooks! Eugenia's currently available e-book list includes: WANTED ACROSS TIME; BUSHWHACKED BRIDE; BUSHWHACKED GROOM; PHANTOM IN TIME; EMBERS OF TIME; A CHRISTMAS IN TIME; LOVERS AND OTHER LUNATICS; TIMESWEPT BRIDE; TIMESWEPT BABY; THE PHANTOM OF THE BATHTUB ; TEMPEST IN TIME; and TWO HEARTS IN TIME.
Eugenia's latest release, WANTED ACROSS TIME, is an April 2013 release in Kindle, NOOK, Kobo, and at iBooks. WANTED ACROSS TIME is a wild and sexy romp back in time to the Wild West, in the tradition of BUSHWHACKED BRIDE and BUSHWHACKED GROOM.
Eugenia is especially acclaimed for her nine time travel romance novels. Her first two, A TRYST IN TIME and TEMPEST IN TIME, were Waldenbooks romance bestsellers in mass-market paperback; both titles sold out of print three times. Three of her time-travels placed on the Ingram's romance list; and EMBERS OF TIME was a top ten bestseller in time-travel at Borders. Eight of Eugenia's time-travels have earned 5 star ratings or better at Heartland Critiques, and all have won numerous high ratings and rave reviews in publications such as Romantic Times, Rendezvous, and The Literary Times. Reviewer Harriet Klausner calls Eugenia "the empress of time-travel romance." She has received thousands of fan letters on her novels, from locations all over the world.
Eugenia is the winner of the HOLT Medallion for WALTZ IN TIME. She is a magna cum laude graduate of Texas Wesleyan University in Fort Worth, Texas, a former English teacher and editor of TOUCHSTONE Literary Quarterly. She lives in Texas with her husband; they have two grown daughters and two grandchildren.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
October 10, 2023
We picked this up for our Historical Hellions book club and I was excited to try a Phantom of the Opera retelling! The time traveling aspect was fun, but the plot was boring and I felt myself trying to read faster just to keep my attention on the story. Not too much really happened and the romance was very surface level and insta-love. It was a fun setting, but the story itself wasn't too impressive to me.
October 3, 2023
Phantom in Time was such an entertaining ride! This is a historical romance with time travel and phantom of the opera vibes…all my fav things!
The book opens in New Orleans in 1996, Bella has recently moved from New York to New Orleans to be closer to her ailing grandmother. Her grandmother’s hope is to see Bella become prima donna and see her wow the crowd one day. Bella actually comes from a prolific musical family, but has always had stage fright herself. On her first day at the opera house she thinks she sees a ghost and is told later that is the opera house’s very own phantom, Jacques LeFevre. Jacques was a brilliant tenor who woo’d the ladies back in his day but was mysteriously murdered during a performance of Kaleidoscope when the opera house opening a century ago. She’s surprised of the coincidence since she’s auditioning for the centennial restaging of that very revue!
While practicing on the stage, Bella ends up thrown back in time 100 years and meets Jacques in 1896. She gets hired as a chorus girl at the opera house and Jacques is very intrigued by her from the start. He loves her voice and sass and likes how she pushes back, unlike the other ladies who throw themselves at him. Bella is equally drawn to Jacques, but also wants to keep her distance because she knows what his fate is to be…although she does wants to try and save him from said fate if possible too!
This was such a quick read and just so entertaining! I liked how many nods there are to Phantom of the Opera, but this was also different enough too. Jacques is an absolute ladies man who is ready to throw everyone else over for Bella. She is the one who holds back and says she’s afraid because of knowing what will become of him. I liked the time travel aspect as well and how it all came to play out! Super fun!
The book opens in New Orleans in 1996, Bella has recently moved from New York to New Orleans to be closer to her ailing grandmother. Her grandmother’s hope is to see Bella become prima donna and see her wow the crowd one day. Bella actually comes from a prolific musical family, but has always had stage fright herself. On her first day at the opera house she thinks she sees a ghost and is told later that is the opera house’s very own phantom, Jacques LeFevre. Jacques was a brilliant tenor who woo’d the ladies back in his day but was mysteriously murdered during a performance of Kaleidoscope when the opera house opening a century ago. She’s surprised of the coincidence since she’s auditioning for the centennial restaging of that very revue!
While practicing on the stage, Bella ends up thrown back in time 100 years and meets Jacques in 1896. She gets hired as a chorus girl at the opera house and Jacques is very intrigued by her from the start. He loves her voice and sass and likes how she pushes back, unlike the other ladies who throw themselves at him. Bella is equally drawn to Jacques, but also wants to keep her distance because she knows what his fate is to be…although she does wants to try and save him from said fate if possible too!
This was such a quick read and just so entertaining! I liked how many nods there are to Phantom of the Opera, but this was also different enough too. Jacques is an absolute ladies man who is ready to throw everyone else over for Bella. She is the one who holds back and says she’s afraid because of knowing what will become of him. I liked the time travel aspect as well and how it all came to play out! Super fun!
July 2, 2010
Where do I begin? This book was so good that I read the whole thing in just one day! I couldn't put it down. Eugenia Riley is one of my all time favorite time travel romance authors. It's set on the stage of an opera theatre. The heroine has a beautiful singing voice but she lacks confidence. There is a rumor of a ghost who haunts the theatre and she has an encounter the very first day of rehearsals. Something is drawing her, pulling her backward in time. When she arrives the ghost is a flesh and blood man, and a relentless flirt and ham. He's the star of the show and she's just a chorus girl. She has to realize and embrace her gift or her chance at real happiness will literally fade away.
If you've never read time travel romances, I encourage you to give this one a shot. There's magic, romance, intrigue, mystery, danger, all the elements that make for a page turning book.
If you've never read time travel romances, I encourage you to give this one a shot. There's magic, romance, intrigue, mystery, danger, all the elements that make for a page turning book.
October 6, 2023
3.5 stars
A shallow, but entertaining time travel romance, one cannot fault Phantom in Time for its extreme readability; the description for New Orleans in the 1890s was lively and immersive, the countdown mechanism featuring a murder mystery had me hooked, and I appreciated the various callbacks to Phantom of the Opera, but still very much maintaining its own unique narrative.
It was not a new favorite historical romance primarily due to its lack of depth, both in its plot as well as character. I found the romance rather one-dimensional, the couple's dynamic static without any meaningful growth (the hero sweet-talking his way to get what he wants, the heroine rejecting until she's worn down). Being a time travel plot, it also missed the intricacy of cause/effect, which was what made this type of sci-fi fiction exciting to consume in the first place (the heroine interacted carelessly with anyone/anything in the past yet nothing was altered to the timeline). The resolution to the mystery was also a slight letdown, with the culprit being an individual who was barely mentioned in the story.
Still, a lot of these criticism came post-reading, and the actual experience during Phantom in Time was rather pleasant—it is definitely one of those novels where it is best enjoyed without over-analyzing its characters and logic.
***Historical Hellions Book Club | September 2023 Selection***
A shallow, but entertaining time travel romance, one cannot fault Phantom in Time for its extreme readability; the description for New Orleans in the 1890s was lively and immersive, the countdown mechanism featuring a murder mystery had me hooked, and I appreciated the various callbacks to Phantom of the Opera, but still very much maintaining its own unique narrative.
It was not a new favorite historical romance primarily due to its lack of depth, both in its plot as well as character. I found the romance rather one-dimensional, the couple's dynamic static without any meaningful growth (the hero sweet-talking his way to get what he wants, the heroine rejecting until she's worn down). Being a time travel plot, it also missed the intricacy of cause/effect, which was what made this type of sci-fi fiction exciting to consume in the first place (the heroine interacted carelessly with anyone/anything in the past yet nothing was altered to the timeline). The resolution to the mystery was also a slight letdown, with the culprit being an individual who was barely mentioned in the story.
Still, a lot of these criticism came post-reading, and the actual experience during Phantom in Time was rather pleasant—it is definitely one of those novels where it is best enjoyed without over-analyzing its characters and logic.
***Historical Hellions Book Club | September 2023 Selection***
Shelved as 'gave-up-on'
October 9, 2017DNF. This book is pain.
September 26, 2009
i adored this book! the main character travels back in time while doing a play, and meets the man that had been haunting her for weeks, but as a ghost. now he's flesh and blood and every bit as desirable as the ghostly figure from her time. it's mainly about them, but it's also about her finding her destiny in the opera. this book really inspired me as a singer. let's not forget that Eugenia Riley always has steamy scenes in her books. a wonderful book i would recommend to anyone. :)
September 12, 2023
This book is deliciously bonkers with phrases during smutty scenes such as: “virginal vessel” and “Hot steel”
being used had me cackling all the way through. I had fun because I didn’t take Phantom in Time seriously, and I really had to suspend my disbelief. I knew I would when I learned that Bella was going to travel back in time as to 1896 from 1996 as she wasn’t about to have an erotic ghostly encounter with Jacque. Jacque was the devilish rogue and Bella was the jealous virgin, but it her soprano voice that made their love bloom into something eternal.
Like I said, great fun for an older historical romance! I can’t wait for the Historical Hellions live show!!
being used had me cackling all the way through. I had fun because I didn’t take Phantom in Time seriously, and I really had to suspend my disbelief. I knew I would when I learned that Bella was going to travel back in time as to 1896 from 1996 as she wasn’t about to have an erotic ghostly encounter with Jacque. Jacque was the devilish rogue and Bella was the jealous virgin, but it her soprano voice that made their love bloom into something eternal.
Like I said, great fun for an older historical romance! I can’t wait for the Historical Hellions live show!!
February 17, 2018
Love the idea of this
Love the concept and setting, the romanticism and era, but like many stories, a couple of things had me gnashing my teeth. Jacques womanizing ways....and Bella's inability to consider committing to try! And with that, I mean to him, staying, and fully letting go as a opera singer. He was charming and used to getting his way. He didn't see anything wrong with his behavior or past. In that, I was fully on Bella's side when she didn't want to be his next conquest, but admit, I did see his appeal. He wasn't mean or cruel. I don't expect it would have really been that easy for a woman to travel back in time with barely a hiccup to show for it. Helene was fantastic, but would any woman truly be that trusting to take in a stranger with barely any qualms as to if that was the smartest move?
Loved gran. She was the one thing that did sadden me, but at the same time, I could emphasize with. She wanted her granddaughter happy and knew it wasn't in the future...and loved the twist with the parents.
Overall, a fun, sweet, romantic story.
Love the concept and setting, the romanticism and era, but like many stories, a couple of things had me gnashing my teeth. Jacques womanizing ways....and Bella's inability to consider committing to try! And with that, I mean to him, staying, and fully letting go as a opera singer. He was charming and used to getting his way. He didn't see anything wrong with his behavior or past. In that, I was fully on Bella's side when she didn't want to be his next conquest, but admit, I did see his appeal. He wasn't mean or cruel. I don't expect it would have really been that easy for a woman to travel back in time with barely a hiccup to show for it. Helene was fantastic, but would any woman truly be that trusting to take in a stranger with barely any qualms as to if that was the smartest move?
Loved gran. She was the one thing that did sadden me, but at the same time, I could emphasize with. She wanted her granddaughter happy and knew it wasn't in the future...and loved the twist with the parents.
Overall, a fun, sweet, romantic story.
September 27, 2023
Phantom in Time by Eugenia Riley
Setting:
New Orleans 1896 and 1996
Characters:
Bella De La Rosa
Jaques Le Fauvre
Gran
Helene
Eteienne
Maria
Dr. Peabody
Tropes:
Opera Singers
Ghost hero
Time Travel
Slow Burn
Phantom of the Opera retelling
Goodreads:
🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟
Spice:
🌶 🌶
Review:
Overall an enjoyable book. Some of the opera references didn't actually work. I'm an opera singer so I know, but it's no biggie. Jaques was fine but I didn't really feel much passion between him and Bella. I did like the story, and the mystery and time travel was fun.
Content Warnings:
Death of parents
Potential unaliving of hero
Sickly grandmother
Setting:
New Orleans 1896 and 1996
Characters:
Bella De La Rosa
Jaques Le Fauvre
Gran
Helene
Eteienne
Maria
Dr. Peabody
Tropes:
Opera Singers
Ghost hero
Time Travel
Slow Burn
Phantom of the Opera retelling
Goodreads:
🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟
Spice:
🌶 🌶
Review:
Overall an enjoyable book. Some of the opera references didn't actually work. I'm an opera singer so I know, but it's no biggie. Jaques was fine but I didn't really feel much passion between him and Bella. I did like the story, and the mystery and time travel was fun.
Content Warnings:
Death of parents
Potential unaliving of hero
Sickly grandmother
October 2, 2023
2.5 stars rounded up
I didn’t enjoy most of this book, but the mystery kept my interest for that last third or so. The romance, the time travel, the dialogue, etc was all just kinda goofy.
I didn’t enjoy most of this book, but the mystery kept my interest for that last third or so. The romance, the time travel, the dialogue, etc was all just kinda goofy.
July 16, 2015
Bella De La Rosa is met by the famous ghost of the St. Charles Opera House the moment she steps on stage...and he sets her heart to racing. After her audition, the director asks her how she got into the opera house before they arrived. She told them Mr. Usher let her in and they all start laughing. The director tells her Mr. Usher has been dead for many years. Bella is shocked, two ghosts in the same day, but only one had any effect on her, the ghost of Jacques LeFerve.
Bella has a beautiful voice, but stage fright keeps her from showcasing her talent. Therefore, she always gets the part of a chorus girl. As she was entering the stage for a scene one night, the motion of the kaleidoscope makes her dizzy and all of the sudden, she's standing on the same stage, a hundred years in the past, staring at an audience of people in Victorian clothing! Just when she catches a glimpse of Jacques LeFerve in the flesh, she is transported back to her own time.
Bella tells her ailing grandma about her experience the night before. to her surprise, Gran believes her and tells her to follow her destiny. The following night, while Bella was heading to the stage dressed in a Valkyrie costume, she is struck by the dizziness again. When she opens her eyes, she is standing on the other stage, in 1896. Jacques LeFerve is performing, but when he sees Bella, he stops singing for a moment, mesmerized by her appearance. This time, Bella doesn't know when she'll return to the present. She deals with the sadness of missing Gran, but at the same time, she seems to be falling for Jacques. As she tries to solve the mystery of who killed Jacques on August 4, 1896, she realizes she needs to save his life, not just for him, but for also for herself.
I liked the fact that this story took place in New Orleans. The setting is in the city in the year 1996 and, also, 1896. The author did a wonderful job of describing the differences in the two time periods, including the furniture that would have been antiques in 1996 and even more so now.
One thing that irked me, though, was the fact that practically everyone from 1996 spoke as if they were from the century before. It would have been better if Bella was the only one to do that, then maybe we could assume that she really did belong in a different time.
Of course, Jacques LeFerve could be a bit chauvinistic, at times, but considering how things were back then, it's nothing unusual. Although, Bella does put him in his place a couple of times. Recommended for fans of historical fiction.
Phantom in Time was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
Bella has a beautiful voice, but stage fright keeps her from showcasing her talent. Therefore, she always gets the part of a chorus girl. As she was entering the stage for a scene one night, the motion of the kaleidoscope makes her dizzy and all of the sudden, she's standing on the same stage, a hundred years in the past, staring at an audience of people in Victorian clothing! Just when she catches a glimpse of Jacques LeFerve in the flesh, she is transported back to her own time.
Bella tells her ailing grandma about her experience the night before. to her surprise, Gran believes her and tells her to follow her destiny. The following night, while Bella was heading to the stage dressed in a Valkyrie costume, she is struck by the dizziness again. When she opens her eyes, she is standing on the other stage, in 1896. Jacques LeFerve is performing, but when he sees Bella, he stops singing for a moment, mesmerized by her appearance. This time, Bella doesn't know when she'll return to the present. She deals with the sadness of missing Gran, but at the same time, she seems to be falling for Jacques. As she tries to solve the mystery of who killed Jacques on August 4, 1896, she realizes she needs to save his life, not just for him, but for also for herself.
I liked the fact that this story took place in New Orleans. The setting is in the city in the year 1996 and, also, 1896. The author did a wonderful job of describing the differences in the two time periods, including the furniture that would have been antiques in 1996 and even more so now.
One thing that irked me, though, was the fact that practically everyone from 1996 spoke as if they were from the century before. It would have been better if Bella was the only one to do that, then maybe we could assume that she really did belong in a different time.
Of course, Jacques LeFerve could be a bit chauvinistic, at times, but considering how things were back then, it's nothing unusual. Although, Bella does put him in his place a couple of times. Recommended for fans of historical fiction.
Phantom in Time was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
December 11, 2014
Genre: Romance/ Time Travel
Author: Eugenia Riley
Book: Phantom In Time
My Star Rating: 4 out of 5
Will I read I read it again? Yes
I was given this book to read and give an honest review. This review is my honest opinion and I have fully read this book.
Can Bella reform Jacques from being a womanizer? Can she save his life? In this book I was hook from the get go. I love the town of New Orleans and have been there numerous times. But this book makes me what to go back and visit this lovely town again.
I found this book so refreshing because when Bella went back in time, a woman helped her out. Not the hero. And I loved this because it is a change and it played out great. I really enjoyed all the characters in this book as well.
I did not figure out who the “killer” was either and I don’t mind. It was fun trying to figure out who it was going to be. My favorite is the little twist in the end. LOVED it.
Author: Eugenia Riley
Book: Phantom In Time
My Star Rating: 4 out of 5
Will I read I read it again? Yes
I was given this book to read and give an honest review. This review is my honest opinion and I have fully read this book.
Can Bella reform Jacques from being a womanizer? Can she save his life? In this book I was hook from the get go. I love the town of New Orleans and have been there numerous times. But this book makes me what to go back and visit this lovely town again.
I found this book so refreshing because when Bella went back in time, a woman helped her out. Not the hero. And I loved this because it is a change and it played out great. I really enjoyed all the characters in this book as well.
I did not figure out who the “killer” was either and I don’t mind. It was fun trying to figure out who it was going to be. My favorite is the little twist in the end. LOVED it.
August 21, 2013
I love stories that transcend time itself. I believe in soul mates, and stories like this brush that theme. Of here is truly only one person for you, then even time could not keep you apart. I loved the surprise at the ending, too.
December 27, 2014
It was excellent I could not put it down I loved the story.
Wonderful beautiful could not put it down. I love love stories excellent. Need more of this kind of stories more more
Wonderful beautiful could not put it down. I love love stories excellent. Need more of this kind of stories more more
October 4, 2023
MALE LEAD WAS AN IRRESPONSIBLE 'joie de vivre' CHAUVINIST RAKE I COULDN'T STOMACH.What a shame! I adored the concept but alas, the characters took the joy out of Phantom in Time.
Before I start, let me gush about HOW BEAUTIFUL THE SETTING WAS. I loved how descriptive the 1890s was, and brought to life by its architectural richness, the culture and undeveloped technologies that had yet to come along. This wasn't the same as reading a HR novel, even if the time setting was based there. There was reminiscence and wistful beauty in looking at a bygone era, through the eyes of a woman from the 1990s.
Time travelling romances aren't my thing, but I liked the mystery here.
JACQUES was the embodiment of WHY I DON'T LIKE MMCs WHO ARE RAKES or WOMANIZERS. He rubbed me the wrong way with his irresponsible and flirty nature. In order to find his 'THE ONE' he makes it a mission to kiss every female available, and probably bed more than a few. He's infamous for his conquests or dalliances. EVERY WOMAN IS WARNED NOT TO TAKE HIM SERIOUSLY - for good reason. I didn't buy into his feelings for Bella, especially when they started off with lust. THERE WAS NO DEPTH TO HIS CHARACTER. He felt NO WRONG when he kisses another man's wife, or any other woman, even while pursuing Bella. Imagine a guy who's determined to chase you, but then the next day, you see him kissing other womEn - not woman. Well, there you have it.
Another reason why I don't like musical artists for characters? Their QUE SERA SERA or laid back behaviour is annoying. And yes, I'm making a foregone and unfair accusation towards a majority of singers, but hey, point me in the direction of a rockstar who isn't flighty. It irked me that Jacques didn't feel a burning need to fight for his love with Bella. He didn't deserve to be possessive or jealous when he failed to do the same for Bella. So, he could kiss another woman but she couldn't? Sod off.
A stray thought? I'm miffed that I might be projecting the perspective of a 21st century woman on a story that would be historically and culturally appropriate of the 1800s. Women of the time were quite...repressed by men, weren't they?
BELLA was...too malleable. I liked that she fought Jacques in the beginning, especially in the cliche situation where YOU KNOW THE GUY'S NO GOOD, YOU'VE BEEN WARNED TO STAY AWAY FROM THE HEARTBREAKER, but she still went and fell for him - or rather into his bed. *EYE ROLL* I wanted her to be different, then again, she's a woman raised prior to the 90s. She won't even understand the lyric's to Beyonce's Flawless.
OVERALL this was disappointing. I prefer a male lead with strong convictions, and a heroine who wouldn't be afraid to put her down. I especially hated how Bella allowed Jacques to COERCE and HUSTLE her to the bedroom. It didn't feel romantic. In her shoes, I felt that a man was pressuring me to bed, and if I didn't, he would get angry. Tell me ladies, does that feel like romance to you?
The only good parts?
The beautiful opera singing and staging. - For all Jacques's flaw, I can imagine his haunting voice.
The historical setting.
Definitely not the romance.
Before I start, let me gush about HOW BEAUTIFUL THE SETTING WAS. I loved how descriptive the 1890s was, and brought to life by its architectural richness, the culture and undeveloped technologies that had yet to come along. This wasn't the same as reading a HR novel, even if the time setting was based there. There was reminiscence and wistful beauty in looking at a bygone era, through the eyes of a woman from the 1990s.
Time travelling romances aren't my thing, but I liked the mystery here.
JACQUES was the embodiment of WHY I DON'T LIKE MMCs WHO ARE RAKES or WOMANIZERS. He rubbed me the wrong way with his irresponsible and flirty nature. In order to find his 'THE ONE' he makes it a mission to kiss every female available, and probably bed more than a few. He's infamous for his conquests or dalliances. EVERY WOMAN IS WARNED NOT TO TAKE HIM SERIOUSLY - for good reason. I didn't buy into his feelings for Bella, especially when they started off with lust. THERE WAS NO DEPTH TO HIS CHARACTER. He felt NO WRONG when he kisses another man's wife, or any other woman, even while pursuing Bella. Imagine a guy who's determined to chase you, but then the next day, you see him kissing other womEn - not woman. Well, there you have it.
Another reason why I don't like musical artists for characters? Their QUE SERA SERA or laid back behaviour is annoying. And yes, I'm making a foregone and unfair accusation towards a majority of singers, but hey, point me in the direction of a rockstar who isn't flighty. It irked me that Jacques didn't feel a burning need to fight for his love with Bella. He didn't deserve to be possessive or jealous when he failed to do the same for Bella. So, he could kiss another woman but she couldn't? Sod off.
A stray thought? I'm miffed that I might be projecting the perspective of a 21st century woman on a story that would be historically and culturally appropriate of the 1800s. Women of the time were quite...repressed by men, weren't they?
BELLA was...too malleable. I liked that she fought Jacques in the beginning, especially in the cliche situation where YOU KNOW THE GUY'S NO GOOD, YOU'VE BEEN WARNED TO STAY AWAY FROM THE HEARTBREAKER, but she still went and fell for him - or rather into his bed. *EYE ROLL* I wanted her to be different, then again, she's a woman raised prior to the 90s. She won't even understand the lyric's to Beyonce's Flawless.
OVERALL this was disappointing. I prefer a male lead with strong convictions, and a heroine who wouldn't be afraid to put her down. I especially hated how Bella allowed Jacques to COERCE and HUSTLE her to the bedroom. It didn't feel romantic. In her shoes, I felt that a man was pressuring me to bed, and if I didn't, he would get angry. Tell me ladies, does that feel like romance to you?
The only good parts?
The beautiful opera singing and staging. - For all Jacques's flaw, I can imagine his haunting voice.
The historical setting.
Definitely not the romance.
July 17, 2024
This was just okay for me. I felt the beginning was very slow and while I liked the descriptions and some of the scene setting I just felt there was way too much description of the nuances of every aspect of the theater. If you love reading about the theater, then this won't bother you.
I had a real hard time with Jack's character and the bordello scene. She's a virgin and the reader is supposed to read about them making out and possibly going upstairs for her first time - oh with a brief interruption or two of his flaunting himself and singing for the crowd and then flirting with female admirers (some of whom are prostitutes) - as a potentially romantic scene? And Bella doesn't give it up then, thankfully but she still kind of lets him have his way. I get being attracted to the guy and I get her overwhelming fear but she was alternately angry and pouty and then one kiss and she's caving.
There was so much talk about his murder with no real substance. No real investigation beyond Bella nervously watching people and being anxious during performances.
I also felt the last quarter of the book there was way too much back and forth on Bella's character. Jacque I alternately liked and couldn't stand. Sometimes he was charming and other times way too pushy but also Bella sometimes was hysterical so I guess it's a wash - but it made me not enjoy some of the scenes that were clearly meant to be passionate and "romantic." While Jacque's transformation for ne'er do well womanizer to totally in love with Bella was a bit of an unrealistic turn at least he committed and for the most part was more endearing. When he felt he'd found the one he'd been searching for, he never wavered in his love for her. Bella on the other had was just irritating in her back and forth feelings - especially after the second half when it made less sense - except to add some drama that was annoying.
There is a twist in the end that I found intriguing and also annoying - kind of wrapping up too many things in a nice a little bow.
I did like the scene descriptions, especially of those in the past. I really could envision the area and I've never been to New Orleans.
So it's not my favorite by this author but if you like the opera and the theater you might enjoy this.
I had a real hard time with Jack's character and the bordello scene. She's a virgin and the reader is supposed to read about them making out and possibly going upstairs for her first time - oh with a brief interruption or two of his flaunting himself and singing for the crowd and then flirting with female admirers (some of whom are prostitutes) - as a potentially romantic scene? And Bella doesn't give it up then, thankfully but she still kind of lets him have his way. I get being attracted to the guy and I get her overwhelming fear but she was alternately angry and pouty and then one kiss and she's caving.
There was so much talk about his murder with no real substance. No real investigation beyond Bella nervously watching people and being anxious during performances.
I also felt the last quarter of the book there was way too much back and forth on Bella's character. Jacque I alternately liked and couldn't stand. Sometimes he was charming and other times way too pushy but also Bella sometimes was hysterical so I guess it's a wash - but it made me not enjoy some of the scenes that were clearly meant to be passionate and "romantic." While Jacque's transformation for ne'er do well womanizer to totally in love with Bella was a bit of an unrealistic turn at least he committed and for the most part was more endearing. When he felt he'd found the one he'd been searching for, he never wavered in his love for her. Bella on the other had was just irritating in her back and forth feelings - especially after the second half when it made less sense - except to add some drama that was annoying.
There is a twist in the end that I found intriguing and also annoying - kind of wrapping up too many things in a nice a little bow.
I did like the scene descriptions, especially of those in the past. I really could envision the area and I've never been to New Orleans.
So it's not my favorite by this author but if you like the opera and the theater you might enjoy this.
March 20, 2017
You know you're going to have to suspend disbelief to a certain degree when it comes to a historical paranormal. In this book, opera singer Bella de la Rosa suffers from stage fright, so she only wants to be in the chorus. She moves from New York to New Orleans to be with her grandmother, who is in ill health, and gets a job singing in the chorus at the St. Charles Opera House -- which is, of course, haunted by the ghost of a tenor who was murdered 100 years ago. And, of course, he keeps showing himself to Bella. And, of course, he's handsome.
So, when Bella winds up being sucked back 100 years by a weird stage prop, you know they're going to wind up together.
There were a couple of things about this book that bugged the crap out of me. Bella obsesses about her virginity and how important it is -- until it isn't anymore. And Jacques LeFevre, the hero, is kind of an ass. He is determined to make a conquest of every woman in the opera company -- while all the time complaining that he cannot find the woman of his dreams. And he talks like Pepe Le Pew ("You will surrender to me, no?"), despite the fact that New Orleans (and Louisiana) had been American since 1812 and he would have known English syntax in 1896.
I have to admit, those two things combined to cost the book a star just because they irritated me. Yet, I kept reading because I wanted to see how the author pulled off the HEA.
So, when Bella winds up being sucked back 100 years by a weird stage prop, you know they're going to wind up together.
There were a couple of things about this book that bugged the crap out of me. Bella obsesses about her virginity and how important it is -- until it isn't anymore. And Jacques LeFevre, the hero, is kind of an ass. He is determined to make a conquest of every woman in the opera company -- while all the time complaining that he cannot find the woman of his dreams. And he talks like Pepe Le Pew ("You will surrender to me, no?"), despite the fact that New Orleans (and Louisiana) had been American since 1812 and he would have known English syntax in 1896.
I have to admit, those two things combined to cost the book a star just because they irritated me. Yet, I kept reading because I wanted to see how the author pulled off the HEA.
December 24, 2018
A wonderful time travel romance. With ghostly goings on in a present day opera house which leads a young girl with an extraordinary gift of voice, however hindered by severe stage fright - traveling through time, solving a murder mystery and finding love. That’s not all she discovers.
A thrilling read one I highly recommend.
A thrilling read one I highly recommend.
January 28, 2021
Phantom In Time
Bella De La Rosa saw ghosts. One she even talked to. The other asked her to sing for him. Eugenia Riley has a gift for time travel. Rosa and Jacques LeFevere were ment foe each other. As the author said The bond of destiny so strong it had overcome the barrier of time.
Bella De La Rosa saw ghosts. One she even talked to. The other asked her to sing for him. Eugenia Riley has a gift for time travel. Rosa and Jacques LeFevere were ment foe each other. As the author said The bond of destiny so strong it had overcome the barrier of time.
January 30, 2019
Southern Saga
This book has got to be one of the most romantic books ever. You are literary services not only by the rogue lead Jacque but the mysterious Bella. It was a book that I will treasure always. One never knows what will happen in New Orleans.
This book has got to be one of the most romantic books ever. You are literary services not only by the rogue lead Jacque but the mysterious Bella. It was a book that I will treasure always. One never knows what will happen in New Orleans.
August 5, 2017
Good book
You people should just read this book yourselves and write your own review on this novel yourself and I really enjoyed reading this book very much so. Shelley MA
You people should just read this book yourselves and write your own review on this novel yourself and I really enjoyed reading this book very much so. Shelley MA
March 23, 2018
Great book and characters one of my favorites and would recommend to everyone Jacque and Bella are great together 👍
July 30, 2018
The ending disappointed me, as it was extremely saccharine and seemed almost too perfect, but over all it was an enjoyable read.
July 20, 2020
A nice little escape from reality with a warm and fuzzy ending to leave you smiling.
September 6, 2023
This book was the dumbest most boring thing I have ever read. Characters in 1996 spoke like they were in 1896. Sooo stupid and I don’t care to read stories in third person.
October 5, 2023
This was a really fun read! I loved the time travel, the ghostly vibe it had, and the sweeping romance. It was an addicting read.
October 26, 2019
Fun & Interesting
I was fascinated with this very well written time travel romance. Loved the way the author made it possible for Bella to pass thru time to come face to face with Jacque. Quite a few surprises throughout the storyline especially the ending. Don't miss reading this wonderful tale. Highly recommend.
I was fascinated with this very well written time travel romance. Loved the way the author made it possible for Bella to pass thru time to come face to face with Jacque. Quite a few surprises throughout the storyline especially the ending. Don't miss reading this wonderful tale. Highly recommend.
November 19, 2013
An enjoyable read, though pretty predictable. The fact that Bella pops back and forth in time without any real explanation kind of bothered me.
Jacques is also a bit annoying as he seems to be so "naive" about his treatment of women... love them and leave them type of guy. He goes through life without thinking how this would affect his victims... I mean lovers. Because of this I never really warmed up to him. He just didn't seem like a likeable character.
I'm also not a fan of Bella. I know she had a devastating fright as a young girl, but if she is so "strong" as everyone says, what is her problem? For me, the worst type of female. The appearance of strength but with a weak core.
An interesting story but too long. Could have been tightened up and given more time to the character building and murder mystery.
Jacques is also a bit annoying as he seems to be so "naive" about his treatment of women... love them and leave them type of guy. He goes through life without thinking how this would affect his victims... I mean lovers. Because of this I never really warmed up to him. He just didn't seem like a likeable character.
I'm also not a fan of Bella. I know she had a devastating fright as a young girl, but if she is so "strong" as everyone says, what is her problem? For me, the worst type of female. The appearance of strength but with a weak core.
An interesting story but too long. Could have been tightened up and given more time to the character building and murder mystery.
April 21, 2013
I was inpressed by this author's knowledge of music and how skillfully she used it interwoven into the story. It uses both classical and operetta music to tell the tale of Bella de la Rosa, am singer in the chorus of the opers in New Opleans, mainly to please her dying grandmother who was a misucuan as well as her deceased parents. The Opera House is haunted by the ghost of a handsom singer, Jacques Lefevre who was murdered onstage during the performance of an Operetta called "Kalidiscope." During practise, Bella is drawn into the dizzying Kalidescope in the performance, the same one used 100 years before, and finds herself back when Jacques lefevre was alive. I will not go into any more details as not to spoil it, but it was an enjoyable read.
August 15, 2013
As Bella De la Rosa tries to overcome her stage freight and be the diva her grandmother always knew she could be, the murderous past of the theater comes back to haunt her, literally. As Bella see's the irresistible ghost of Jacques LeFevre calling for her to sing to him, she finds herself swept threw time, racing against the clock to save him from fate. Or was it her that caused his untimely demise?
I absolutely loved Bella. She was full of spunk and demanded respect. LOVE LOVE LOVE that. More leading ladies should be like that. The book was still full of romance and passion, but without making the female character helpless.
If you liked, Phantom of the Opera, Time-travel, Romance, or Paranormal, this book should be a must read for u!
I absolutely loved Bella. She was full of spunk and demanded respect. LOVE LOVE LOVE that. More leading ladies should be like that. The book was still full of romance and passion, but without making the female character helpless.
If you liked, Phantom of the Opera, Time-travel, Romance, or Paranormal, this book should be a must read for u!
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