Sandra J. Jackson

A sense of romanticism runs throughout this warm and nicely-written first novel from Sandra Jackson. The character of Krista is very likable, as are the supporting characters who inhabit the pages of this very readable narrative about love across time. No one has ever reached the bar Robert Nathan set in the 1930s and 1940s for this particular type of story, but those enamored of more recent excursions into this ethereal type of love, such as Somewhere in Time, will no doubt gobble this up. I tend to evaluate someone’s first, or earlier work, a bit differently from a later work, and find this to be a very nice read in this genre which most will enjoy.

Krista has been having dreams all her life, but they are actually memories; memories of Mary and Thomas, tragic figures whose love may not have ended at death. When Krista travels to London, she has no idea that someone there has been having dreams as well. Destiny takes a circuitous route, however, when she first meets Peter. He has been sent by Aaron to be her tour guide, because he is tied up with other clients. This serpentine route toward souls fated to be together doesn’t become tedious due to the author’s storytelling ability and the warmth instilled in her characters.

It does take the reader longer to get there than I would have liked, because I feel stories of this nature are best captured in novelette or novella length, such as Robert Nathan penned. However, this may be somewhat of a male perspective. I have no doubt most female readers will love that Promised Soul is a novel, affording them more time to bask in a romantic world where two souls destined to love forever might have a chance, if they can meet, and remember.

There is a bit of back and forth in the narrative, between Krista’s remembrances of herself as Mary, and the present. It is not enough to become a distraction, however, and it adds to the story being played out. A notebook Krista keeps, recounting her life as Mary plays a role here as well. I did become confused once, when near the end Krista allows someone to read the notebook, because I thought she already had. But I may have misunderstood something from an earlier portion. Because I read the book on my wife’s Kindle, and was not as familiar with them as I am now, I found going back to check, a bit too fiddly, so never did. It’s likely my error, and I misunderstood something.

The conclusion and epilog to Promised Soul is quite lovely, and very satisfying for those who’ve taken the journey. The book is well written and fairly engrossing. The audience at which the book is aimed will certainly find much to like here, because the story gives the reader a chance to wallow in romanticism.

On the technical side, it was nearly bereft of the typos and such so often found in books nowadays. Most novels from major publishing houses have two or three also, despite it rarely being mentioned by reviewers, and this fell within that range, as I recall. If I have a caveat, it is that in the first half of the book, there were some sentences where it felt like a semi-colon or even a period might have served the narrative flow better. It reminded me of early Jack Higgins in that respect. It was just a minor thing as a reader, and I would say that it was only because the book was so well-written, that it was noticeable at all. And the edition I read was an early one, and I understand a newer edition exists now.

My other extremely minor caveat as a reader is that, while I sensed the excitement of the character being in London, the author missed a few chances to place the reader there, which would have added background color and atmosphere. Peter takes Krista to see some lovely sights outside of London, for instance, but we’re only told that they went there, with little description. It didn't afford me, as a reader, an opportunity to relate to Krista’s reaction to them. A few more descriptive passages would have transferred me there as a reader, adding a bit of flavor for the setting. This is the author’s first novel, however, and with the new edition has probably been addressed.

Overall, I thought Promised Soul was a very enjoyable read in this romantic sub-genre. Because this particular type of narrative and subject matter — love across time romance — does not lend itself to scenes of physical intimacy, the author has smartly kept this mostly on a kissing and hand-holding romantic level for readers, while at the same time not allowing it to become maudlin.

It’s always a good sign for an author's first novel to be an enjoyable read. I would recommend this mainly to those who like a clean but involving romance, and/or the old-fashioned style of romantic fantasy. Basing my rating on the audience at which the book is aimed, this Canadian author gets a solid four stars for me.… (meer)

“Both Bethany and I realized that the room was transforming into our tomb.”


Though the author has been talking about this book for a while, the content and subject matter always seemed a bit vague, and now I understand why. For almost a third of the book, along with the protagonist, at first known only as A2, I wondered what was going on. It’s deftly done, involving the reader in her plight, and her thought processes concerning her circumstances. Those circumstances encompass who she is, where she is, how she came to be there, and perhaps, what she is. Is this Science Fiction? An involving tale of captivity? Is it both, or neither?

The important thing is that the reader is involved. In this type of tale especially, the narrative either needs to have great movement, or involve the reader until they’re invested in the outcome. There is a little of the former, and much of the latter, which is a good balance as this moment-to-moment, day-to-day narrative could become tedious if not well written. It skirts the edges a bit for a very brief time, but from the halfway point forward, there is a gradual mounting suspense. While it never reaches a fever pitch, it does become enthralling, and exciting.

It is that instance as a reviewer, when revealing too much can ruin this for the reader. Basically, there is a hospital or lab called C.E.C.I.L. at which A2, and then B2, find themselves trapped. There are drugs and cameras, and only hazy memories. Someone named Jasper becomes an ally, or does he? Who is Cecil, what is Cecil, and why is it imperative that A2 not reveal that she’s become self-aware, and is beginning to remember? She remembers her name, then recalls who B2 is, and her name. A2 finally recalls enough to work out her own age, and that of B2, only multiplying her questions; questions she cannot ask:

“What is this place? Who is watching us? Why do we have to act like we’re robots?”

There is a breakout that is not their salvation, just a different, creepier venue. A necklace, a cabinet, a window high up which reveals the woods outside, all offer hope. There is a moment when all hope appears lost that is quite poignant in this nearly claustrophobic narrative. The ending was terrific, being satisfying and complete, but at the same time promising more, as we need answers to other questions. It also left me back at point A, because I still wondered if this was in the future — because of some revelations about their captivity I won’t reveal — or something more diabolical.

I really enjoyed this, the first third and the last third the best parts for me. It’s bereft of blood and gore, yet has a quiet tension, and the threat of danger. It captures the boredom and restlessness of any captivity, and the very human need for hope. This is the author’s second book, and it really shows. This is a nice piece of storytelling, and I’m looking forward to the next book in the series, to find out more. An author improving with each book, I highly recommended this low-key but involving narrative.… (meer)

This audiobook sucked me in from the very start. Two girls are in a facility, they are given memory blockers, every day. They don’t know anything from one day to day the next and are living pretty much like robots. Then one of the girls, April, “wakes up”, she follows the same routines that she has done for as long as she remembers but she is aware of everything. She can’t stop following the routine as cameras are trained on her. Can the girls escape and get their memories back fully?
This was so intriguing and unique, I don’t think I have come across a book/audiobook like this before. I just had to continue to listen, barely had a break until I had listened to the whole book. It was intense, thought-provoking and fantastic.

This is the first book in the series, and if the other books are as good as this, it is going to be an absolutely brilliant one.
… (meer)