Calling all Avid Readers- I have the Perfect Series for You!
The last time I blogged about Michigan Author Jane O’Brien, she had recently published Yesterday’s Dreams- A Slip in Time Book 3. (Remember- its the one with the atmospheric cover with the railroad tracks.)
Well, I guess time does slip away- because now Jane O’Brien has released Book 7 in her time travel romance series, “Yesterdays Kin.” In between were Yesterday’s Woes, Yesterday’s Blood, and Yesterday’s Moon. Congratulations and applause to Jane- this is her 20th published book!
Jane recently posted on her blog “My head is spinning. I’m listening to the audio of Yesterday’s Woes, Book 4. I’m editing Yesterday’s Kin, Book 7. And while others are proofreading book 7, I’m already writing Book 8. Wow, the life of an author.
I have read and enjoyed each and every book and so I am happy to share with you Yesterday’s Kin. I am re-featuring a post that Jane wrote about how she was drawn to writing a time travel series. I am also sharing my review of Yesterday’s Kin. In it, I feature all the highlights that have made these books a true favorite.
Jane keeps track of over 60 characters- some are sweet and gentle and some are bit unruly!
Jane and the Allure of Time Slip Romance
I’ve been asked a few times why I started a time travel series. People felt like the genre change was drastic. Several people actually turned up their noses, saying I don’t read that type of book. I was totally surprised, especially from my Michiganders. After all, Somewhere in Time, one of the best time travel movies of all time, was filmed on Mackinac Island in 1980 and still has an active following to this day. Talk about romantic! That’s how I see time travel — very romantic, and heart wrenching besides. Since the main characters can’t be in two places at once, at some point they have to make a decision to stay or go back. This is exactly how I love to write. The push and pull of romance is fascinating to me.
My books are time slip, not true time travel. That simply means there is not a machine that you set to a specific date, like Back to the Future, but that the main character just slips into another time period without knowing how it happened. This presents another dilemma, because now not only does she not know where she is, but also how she can get back, if ever.
I love the mystery of the whole thing, which does go along with my style of writing, and I also love the history and the connection to the past.
Author Jane O’Brien
I have long been a family tree researcher. I started my family journey over 37 years ago, and I continue to work on it regularly. Since all of my books refer to family tree research, and I have often used people on my tree and the places where they have lived, I did the same here. I really do have an ancestor who came from Canada in 1845, my 3x great grandfather. He settled in Muskegon County with his family and for a long time most of the family lived in Holton Township and Dalton Township, the setting for my series. I feel like I am honoring my 3x great grandfather, my 2x great grandfather – born in Canada, my great grandfather – born in Holton, and my grandfather who was born in Twin Lake. I also used the last name of Clark which was my 3x great grandmother’s maiden name.
It makes me feel good to write stories I create with my family in mind, and if the day ever comes when I don’t feel good when I’m writing, I’ll quit. But for now, the journey has been amazing. You have helped me reach the Amazon bestsellers list. Thanks for following Jane O’Brien books.
JENA’S REVIEW
Yesterday’s Kin by Jane O’Brien
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Wonderful news, reader friends! Author Jane O’Brien’s newest “A Slip in Time Book” is here (in our present day, no need to time slip to read it!) “Yesterday’s Kin” is Book 7 in the series. I’m sure you are excited to read the latest in this charming series. And yes, it’s the best book yet!
As usual, the author provides a detailed Character List at the end of the book. The names, relations and/or occupation of each character are presented. It’s an incredible list. There is a cast of approximately 60 characters, plus ancestors, children and pets, across all the books. That’s a big crew for an author to handle, yet Ms. O’Brien makes sure that each character is notable and fascinating.
This series also features two major timelines in 1881, and 2025 (there have been other dates). Michigan communities past and present are presented with loving care and the books are bedazzled with all the romance, and vivid storytelling you could ever want.
How does Jane O’Brien do it? How does she weave all these colorful strands into one amazing, breath-taking continuous story?
Well, it’s because she’s an extremely talented storyteller and her writing is clear, direct and honest and filled with love and charm.
But faithful readers already know all this!
I don’t want to give away the story, so I will share some moments in the book that resonated with me. First, would you like to meet your ancestors on the older branches of your family tree? Find out how your great-great-great-great grandmother lived and thought?
Why is Mercy longing for quiet, uneventful days? Is it because of that new visitor, Jude?
I was delighted to find a phrase that my mother and grandmother used- “redd up”!
We learn about Dr. Kellogg’s practices and new sanatorium in Battlecreek.
And we hear about President Garfield.
I was really intrigued when some of the 1881 characters asked whether they could go back in time, too. Were they just joking?
All of these parts of the book are gems. But what makes “Yesterday’s Kin” superb is the storytelling- the scenes, the way of life, everyday conversations and interactions, and the social differences between “then” and “now”. Yes, Jane Obrien’s research skills shine, but the facts are vivid and meaningful.
Yesterday’s Kin is a beautiful look at people. As one character from modern times reflects- “people were just people”. Each point in time showcases family, friends, faith and a purpose in life.
I know you will love Book 7, “Yesterday’s Kin.” Many thanks to the author for an advance review copy. This is my honest review.
Looking for more books to read? Please visit my Book Promotions page and explore all the latest releases. Extracts, blurbs, reviews, author info, books links- all waiting for you!
Meet the Author
Jane O’Brien discovered her love of writing at the age of ten when she wrote her first ten-chapter book in pencil on notebook paper. She passed it around to all of her friends at school and told them she wanted to be an author. And that planted the seed.
O’Brien’s career life has been varied. She was a piano teacher for over 50 years, a librarian, and a professional proofreader. She is also interested in genealogy, having worked on her own family tree, as well as her husband’s, for over 35 years, which helps to color most of her novels.
Today, as a grandmother, Jane is finally fulfilling her lifelong dream, after successfully having her fifteenth book published, which includes two trilogies, one five-book series, two Christmas novellas, and a time slip series. She lives in West Michigan and writes romance with a little history, mystery and family entanglements, all set in her part of the state.
The stories she weaves are about family and the intricate connections of relatives, past and present.
About the Author
