When 21-year-old Bridget Littleton decides to borrow her father's yacht and sail off of the tip of Florida toward Bermuda, she discovers that the legends about the Bermuda Triangle are true.
After seeing a face in the ocean waves, her next memory is of spinning water and blackness. She awakens in the town of Bristol England in the year 1532.
Rumors of her beauty reach the court, and soon Bridget, known as Bridge, finds herself in the court of Henry VIII and Lady in Waiting to none other than Anne Boleyn.
Will she get out alive? Will she accidentally change the course of history, or is she indeed a part of the history she has studied since she was a little girl?
Review Rating:
5 stars!
Reviewed By Lex Allen for Readers' Favorite
Five stars are not enough for Debra Shiveley Welch's Circle of Time. An accident in the Bermuda Triangle throws Bridget (Bridge) Littleton through time. She awakens in the home of the Lyttleton family, her own ancestors, in the year 1532 near Bristol, England. Thus begins a fascinating alternative history story of love, mystery, intrigue, life and death in the court of King Henry VIII. Ms Shiveley Welch deftly interweaves a handful of themes, from the 'butterfly paradox effect' of time travel to the life and loves of Henry, Anne Boleyn and Bridge to present an addictive read of epic proportions. Not since Outlander byDiana Gabaldon have I read such an intoxicating story that grabbed me from page one and kept me reading almost without a break.
Alternative history stories - fiction - invariably require in-depth knowledge of the historical people, places and times illustrated in the story, and Ms. Shiveley Welch is unquestionably an expert on Tudor English history. Time and again, she surprised me with trinkets of information I would otherwise never have known. On two occasions, I went online to query what I thought to be inaccuracies or losses in verisimilitude. On both counts she proved to be correct. I won't mention them here, I'm certain you'll see them but you won't have to chase them down... she's right on the money.
With the skill of a plastic surgeon rearranging the face of her patient, in this case historical fact, Ms. Shiveley Welch weaves the fictional Bridget into the historically accurate genealogical trees of the Tudor and Lyttleton families. Her 'behind the scenes' narratives and characterizations provide the reader with a unique look at these people, their times and travails, their victories and heart breaking destinies. I highly recommend Circle of Time for all readers.
Excerpt
Torches nested in brackets along the wall and did a surprisingly good job of lighting the hallway. Bridge followed meekly, terror half closing her throat. She noticed the way Jane walked and corrected her own, fighting the desire to mimic her guide in an exaggerated manner. Fear often brought out the clown in Bridge, but she suppressed the impulse and mirrored Jane’s demeanor as precisely as she could. Shoulders back, head high, hands folded in front, she walked slowly and with as much dignity as she could muster under the terrifying circumstances.
Jane Seymour – destined to be the king’s third wife, came to court to attend Catherine of Aragon and was now one of Anne’s ladies. Talk about a front row seat! Bridge concluded. This could turn into such a mess if I’m not careful! Knowing what she knew, Bridge would have to walk on proverbial eggshells. One misstep and she could be in serious trouble and possibly face the stake or the chopping block. She tried to clear her mind and focus on what was happening at that exact moment.
Bridge decided to concentrate on the sounds of the swish of silk fabric against brocade, the report of their wooden heels against the floor, the play of light on the jewels of Jane’s cap. Eventually, she heard music, very lively and accompanied by laughter. The hallway brightened and she was there. Jane promptly deserted her.
She couldn’t believe her eyes! Here she was, little Bridget Littleton, standing in the great hall of Hampton Court, and there before her eyes was none other than Henry VIII. He was magnificent! Resplendent in cloth of gold and ermine, jewels flashing as he moved his hands to eat, drink or in conversation, the first thing she noticed was how extremely handsome he was. He reminded her of someone, but in her present state of agitation, she couldn’t bring to mind who it was. His portraits did not do him justice. Perhaps the painter’s goal was to accentuate his stance, robes and jewels. Or maybe his mouth was made to look smaller because he was supposed to look stern, and his painted eyes, bereft of eyelashes and brows pencil thin, made his face look rather plain and porcine-like. From where she stood, she could see a well-formed mouth, the lips pink with health; she wondered what they would feel like upon hers.
Shaking herself inwardly, appalled that such a thought should speed through her mind like a bolt of electricity, she failed to see that the king was looking at her.
Leaning forward and signaling to a tall courtier with dark hair, he spoke to him abruptly. The young man turned, pinpointed Bridge and strode over.
Watching him approach, Bridge felt a moment of panic. Her heart bouncing against her rib cage like a captured bird trying to escape made her feel giddy. Her breathing became labored, encased as it was in stiffened cloth and whale bone, as the frantic organ’s beats hit her esophagus, causing her to gasp and choke. Her blood, akin to a river of ice water, ran through her veins as frantic fear settled upon her, and she was suddenly very cold.
A dream-like quality settled over her, like a mantle of thick cloth, muffling the music and laughter. The young gentleman stepped before her. Offering his hand, he simply said,
“M’Lady, the king awaits.”
Professional Reviews
A Beautiful Love Story
5.0 out of 5 stars a beautiful love story!
ByJulie Blaskieon
This is a beautiful story that I could not put down! Bridge is thrust back in time... and what an exciting time it is!
What I loved most about Circle of Time is that we have a young modern era woman pondering true love, and she finds more than she has ever dreamed possible in another place and time! The era of Henry VIII, his court, and even the daily life was well depicted so that you feel that you were there! The characters are colorful and well developed so that you feel more engaged in the story. We also follow Bridge's attempts to fit in these times, but she also makes a few slips of tongue with modern expressions - how she tries to cover them up is hilarious! :) There is the interesting historical aspect... and breathing life into the events and people we've read about in history books is an added plus as she weaves truth and fiction artfully. We get an inside view inside the court intrigues and the scheming...
The author writes a beautiful story which leaves us to ponder a question or situation, which is part of the fun in a good read! When you read this, you will not only feel a part of the story, but you feel the author's love for the story and the characters!
A Fun Read
5.0 out of 5 stars A fun read!
BySky-blueon
I love time travel novels, and this one was especially fun. Bridget Littleton is transported to Tudor England during one of the most intense periods of British history. Not only does she find herself among her own Lyttleton ancestors, but she becomes a player in the court of Henry VIII and subsequent intrigue. The tension for Bridget of knowing what will happen adds a fascinating dimension to this novel. I don’t want to spoil anything, but she is determined to aid Elizabeth to the throne. I also enjoyed the many details of Tudor England woven into the story, as well as references to how terms such as “upper crust” evolved. The intended audience for this book is adults. A fun read!
Powerfully Moving and Utterly Addictive
5.0 out of 5 stars Powerfully moving and utterly addictive!
ByMaia Silverdaggeron
A powerfully moving story that was utterly addictive! From the very first page, I was swept off my feet and carried away by the author's poetic writing. With an all new and fresh look at some of the most prolific characters of the Tudor era, you gain some insight of who Henry VIII might have been before his devastating accident and spiral into madness. Anne Boleyn is often portrayed as a cold and devious individual, yet in this majestic retelling, you get to actually see her as never before as a real person with tender feelings and horrible injustices done against her. Journey back in time with Bridget (Bridge) and witness the birth of Queen Elizabeth and her rise to revolutionize and change the entire world! The writing was very well executed, with beautiful, poetic descriptions that will fully immerse you into the time. The characters were absolutely realistic with palpable emotions and you get to really feel for them, especially Bridge as she battles with her emotions to not meddle with the current events even though she cringes at all the horrific things she knows is coming. This was a poignant tale of hope, loss, love, betrayal and rebirth that left me thinking about it long after I finished the book! I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and really did not want it to end! I would strongly recommend this book to anybody who enjoys history, adventure, time travel or just a really moving story and can be enjoyed by all ages teen and up!
As a lover history and of time travel stories, I found Circle Of Time to be especially unique.
Bridget Littleton’s trip back in time is not only unique in its setting of the Court of King Henry VIII, but of how her life intertwines with those whose lives she had only read about in the future and the lives of her own ancestors.
The historical detail and research is evident and the characters are strong. The reader is also drawn into the story by the uniqueness in the writing style, which adds a special quality to the way the story enfolds.
It’s a very enjoyable story and I highly recommend it!
The story starts with the book’s main character, almost 22 y.o. Bridget, at sea on her father’s yacht sailing off the tip of Florida into the Bermuda Triangle. This legendary location, where ships, people, and things are said to have disappeared under mysterious circumstances, Bridget is sucked into the sea, and before she disappears into a time warp, she sees a face…and then everything goes black. She awakens in England, 1532 a.d.
Author Shiveley Welch intertwines historical themes from the time of Henry the VIII to modern day, exquisitely weaving fiction, historical accuracy, time travel, ancestral lineage, and various fascinating characters into an exhilarating story that reads like both a cliff hanger and an absorbing love story.
As Bridget does her best to survive the perilous time she is thrust into, landing in the court of England’s most notorious king, she contemplates, “How many people actually got to know even their great-grandmothers, let alone their seventeen-times great grandmothers?
Bridget befriends Anne Boleyn, England’s future queen. “Lady Anne, I know things that are going to happen.” At Anne’s start of disbelief, Bridge interjected, “Now, wait a minute. You have met Leonardo DaVinci, right?” Bridge asked, referring to the brilliant artist and inventor whom Anne met when serving in the French court as Lady in Waiting to Queen Margaret, wife of King Francis I.”
“Yes…I do remember him.”
“He could predict some future events – future inventions.”
“Go on.”
“So can I. Only a few, but I do know some things that are going to happen.
I will tell you one now, and when it transpires, you will know that I speak the
truth. I am here to make sure that you become queen.
Bridget’s real job, as she intuits it, is to protect Anne’s child, Elizabeth, so that history can unfold as it is supposed to after Anne is beheaded.
An aspect of Shiveley Welch’s story is that Bridget meets the face she saw before being pulled into the time tunnel taking her back in time. When she meets John, the man to whom she becomes betrothed, she sees “…her own eyes looking back at her. His shoulders were broad, his eyes kind, and on his marvelous face there stood the same shock as she was sure was on her own. He is my heart!”
This is a book too good to miss. As you read Circle of Time, you will not only be immersed in this beautiful story, but you will learn little known accurate historical facts and you may even fall in love with the characters as well as become besotted by this magnificent saga of a story.
Reviewed by Joyce Hackney
10/10/2017
I enjoyed reading all the details of Tudor life. What struck me particularly was the emotional involvement with the leading players on the political stage of the time. A very good idea for a story : I hope to read more by Debra Shiveley Welch.
A delightfully rare Historical Novel. 85% a biography of a spy, musician, mother and her neice trapped behind German lines in World War I. This background led to a diplomatic post in World War II. Aged 92, Vera disclosed her past life one year before
The Six Bells of Madame Lin is the first book in The Witch of Marigold Hall Trilogy, a fictionalized account of the struggles of Lin Mang, a blind woman who manages to navigate the world during the Mongol conquest of China in the 13th Century. Withou
