Tandem Tryst

by Ralph E. Horner

TANDEM TRYST wasn’t what I expected, but then I’m not quite sure what I did expect
from my first time traveling romance. Let’s be clear, this is a SWEET romance, almost as straight laced as the Victorians portrayed. Jeff travels back in time 100 years to meet his deceased wife’s Marcy ancestor Melody, Marcy’s reincarnation or was Marcy Melody’s reincarnation? Confusing isn’t it. Whichever, Melody looks, speaks, and acts like Marcy, but as Jeff learns, is her own person molded by the world she lives in.

I’ll warn you if you are one of those who likes everything tied up neatly at the end, all questions answered, then you’ll be disappointed. After all time travel is paradoxical in nature and Ralph Horner has left a lot for the reader to wonder at. He also assures me that there is a sequel in the offing, so perhaps he will be forgiven.

The setting is the 1893 Chicago Fair and the author has managed to cram in an
enormous amount of history without making you feel as though you are reading a
travelogue or a dull history tome. Rich with detail describes it, TANDEM TRYST brings the 1890's to life.

The mystery grows slowly as someone stalks Jeff, trying to steal the magic ring which allows him to travel to the past. Gradually the mystery consumes the story until the dramatic conclusion. Again, I warn you if you are looking for a detective novel, you will be disappointed, there is no detective working hard to solve the crime, rather things just keep happening, involving Jeff and Melody in the mystery.

This is a mellow, slow paced book, well written, full of vivid details. The highlight is the fair and its multitude of attractions. For the people of that time, it was an experience of a lifetime, a marvel, from the world’s largest Ferris wheel, a ice roller coaster, a moving walkway over the lake, dancers, musicians, and entertainers from around the world, exotic cuisines, and some not so exotic appeared for the first time, such as the hamburger. Art and electric lights. This is a book for those who like history, especially those who like their history with a touch of romance. And the use of the time traveler as a protagonist allows the author to compare the two worlds. I suspect that is why time travel stories have always been popular and continue to do so with writers and
audiences.

Reviewed by Linda Suzane May 13, 2009 www.midnightblood.com

TANDEM TRYST
By Ralph E. Horner
# Paperback
# Publisher: Wings ePress (2009)
# ISBN-10: 1597056227
# ISBN-13: 978-1597056229