Boleyn Time

TIME TRAVEL: This story begins in January, 1519 at Chateau Du Clos Luce, in France. In this tale, Anne Boleyn is Leonardo da Vinci’s apprentice. She is well-educated which intimidates most men. She understands mathematics and science at a high level and is very competent. This time travel story occurs in two different settings with people living 500 years apart. The story features both Anne Boleyn and Ellie Bowlan—her descendant. They are connected through a special (lost) key that starts a clock that can bend time. This clock was created by da Vinci himself. Meanwhile, in present-day Canada, John Chelsea is in love with Ellie, but has spent several months away from her in New Zealand doing research. She envies him being gone while she stays in Canada. He’s having fun, while she protects her heart from the pain of missed opportunities and missing John. Her best friend is Dez, who meets his boyfriend about the same time John leaves for NZ, which also hurts Ellie, who feels doubly abandoned. Meanwhile, Dez’s boyfriend pops the question, and they decide to get married in France, at da Vinci’s final home. This gives Ellie and her friends and relatives a chance to find the lost key. 

This story drags a bit at the start. Use a little determination to get past the initial chapters, and the final product is worth it. This story is clever and loosely based on some actual happenings at the time. There are some interesting characters featured within the pages of this story, and they add some levity as well as some depth and heartbreak to this tale. Some evil occurs under the guise of righteousness, yet lighthearted banter occurs in greater measure to raise the mood a bit. This is a well-written and clever story!

 Carey Sullivan