| Copyright © 2008, Debbie
Fritter Reviews For JOUST IN TIME by Debbie Fritter "Time cannot conquer love. Debbie Fritter offers
readers a “timeless” love story. I have always enjoyed stories
concerning Knights and Ladies in Waiting. This one has a sweet plot
however, unbelievable. Who says romance has to be believable to be enjoyable?
Fans of romance will like Joust In Time." "While I enjoyed reading Reynold and Courtney’s story, there were rough parts to this book. As Reynold is figuring out what was going on, it is obvious that he recognizes that he was transported to the future by things the reader reads which is what he is thinking. Yet, there is no rationalization or dawning moment, no epiphany. It is just like, without seeing anything beyond a Renaissance Fair that is modern like cars, planes, etc, he just KNOWS that he is hundreds of years in the future. The typical discussion of what year it is does not happen, so he does not even know when he is in time, at least not so the readers sees it. There are also some other rough transitions where the story does not make chronological sense (like there is two weeks to the Faire left, and after a few days pass we are at the last weekend). A JOUST IN TIME is a fun read for a quick light romp. It’s Snow White fairy tale is cute if you are not looking for a deep serious read and can go above some plotting inaccuracies." Reviewed by Sarah Silversmith, The Romance Reader's Connection “Joust in Time by Debbie Fritter is intriguing from the very first page. I was completely immersed in the medieval world. I learned a lot, as well. There is a glossary of terms at the end of the book which proved to be useful on more than one occasion. I think the thing I liked best about this was Reynold’s determination to do the right thing. When confronted with a choice about Thomas he doesn’t do what many in his place would. He shows himself to be a true hero and I loved that about him. Courtney and Reynold held enough magic and chemistry between them that I could not put this down. I’m not usually a fan of this time period but Joust in Time is a very enjoyable read. I can easily recommend it!” 5 Angels! -Reviewed by: Marlene, Fallen Angel Reviews Five Enchantments! “This is a time travel romance that takes place in both the fifteenth century, and the twenty-first century. This is a love story that literally spans the centuries, but a happy ever after as well. It’s really too bad word count doesn’t give me room to talk about the antagonist, because Izzie, the ‘bad guy’, is really, really evil. Her part is wonderfully written. This is a fabulous story about good and evil, about treachery and love. I enjoyed how Ms. Fritter delightfully wrapped in the medieval culture, the jousts, the sorcery, together, and ended everything with love, kind of like the cherry on top of the sundae. The creativity, the language, the scenes, are fabulous. Very good read, and a must read for anyone who loves romance.” – Desiree de Cleves, Enchanting Reviews 3 Stars! "This engaging story combines time travel, magic and reincarnation in an entertaining way. The characters are interesting and the villainess chillingly evil." - Reviewed by Susan Mobley for Romantic Times BOOKreviews Sample Chapter For JOUST IN
TIME by Debbie Fritter
Reynold jumped to his feet and bowed to the woman he’d called ‘Queen’ these past three years. “Your Majesty.” Thomas’ hearty laugh filled the tavern. “Reynold, this one’s anything but royalty here. Stop embarrassing yourself and sit down; everyone’s watching you.” Ignoring Thomas’ insult, the woman extended her right hand to Reynold. “Since Thomas has such a foul tongue and appears to have lost his manners, allow me to introduce myself. I’m Isabel Cummings, but you can call me Issie if you wish.” Amusement flickered in her otherwise black eyes, as if she found the situation a piece of entertainment for her and her court. Cummings? Issie? She took on the sir name of her chambermaid? Reynold took her hand in his and bent to kiss her ring, and then Thomas elbowed her in the side, knocking her off balance. “Thomas!” Reynold hissed, amazed his friend would treat their Queen in such a manner. “Your presence isn’t welcomed here, Issie. Find another fool who’ll bend to your wishes, there’s not one here.” Disgusted, Thomas pushed away from the table, leaving Reynold to deal with Isabel on his own. During their entire life, he was the only one who could sooth her rage. “Thee must forgive my friend. As thou knows, Thomas forgets his place from time to time.” Reynold waited in silence for Isabel to take a seat at the table. “Reynold Loddington, at Your Majesty’s service.” Thomas’ disrespect for their Queen troubled his mind, but not as much as the manner in which Isabel was dressed. A woman who lavished in the finest fabrics and jewels now resembled a peasant rather than someone who ruled cruelly over her country and its people. With so much that had changed, could it be Isabel herself had changed as well? Could she actually have found the compassion for her people that her father had? Possible, but not bloody likely. There was a time when Queen Isabel would have had one of her people flogged for speaking to her in such a way. The Isabel who now sat in the chair once occupied by Thomas had turned a cheek and dismissed the slight of tongue with a wave of her hand. Something was terribly amiss, and it soured Reynold’s soul to the core as to what it could be. “Oh, that? I’m used to it. He’s just a little boy who wants the candy in the jar, but can’t have any,” Issie retorted, motioning for Reynold to sit as well. “So, tell me about yourself, Reynold Roddington.” “Yes—please do tell us.” Courtney stood next to the table, Thomas flanking her right. Her eyes lit up the room with warmth and compassion. Reynold shifted in his seat to ease the growth between his legs. Thomas smiled like the Cheshire cat at Issie. “Look who I found lurking in the shadows.” The two women eyed each other up—contempt in Issie’s eyes and distrust in Courtney’s. Deep beneath the surface of politeness lay a rivalry Reynold was already all too familiar with. These two never liked each other, even as children playing in the courtyard. He couldn’t accept the fact the Lady Courtney wasn’t his Catherine. Something deep down in his heart and soul told him they were one and the same, just born in different worlds and time. Reynold stood, allowing Lady Courtney to take his seat. He’d already told Thomas his story, what more could he say? That he was in love with a woman much like Lady Courtney? That he’d been banished from his homeland because he wouldn’t bed down with his Queen? Not with Queen Isabel sitting in front of him—he valued his life too much for such an accusation…even if it were the truth and common knowledge within Heartsease. She wouldn’t hesitate to have him cut down where he stood, if she so desired. And what of the Lady Courtney? Would she believe his words, or treat him with the kindness she’d shown the mindless of their country? He’d not take the chance; not yet any way. “Reynold Loddington.” He shivered as his name rolled like sweet honey off Courtney’s lips. “Very unusual. Is it an old family name?” Reynold shifted his feet, not sure how to answer Lady Courtney’s question. If she were really Catherine in another time, then wouldn’t she have full knowledge of who he was? Her face held the same porcelain hue, and while her eyes may have changed in color, he saw the same passion and sweetness within them. He wondered if her lips still held their sweet taste as well. Issie cleared her throat, drawing everyone’s attention back to her. “I would venture to guess his parents were deep into 15th Century England history. I also bet that—” “Enough Issie! I don’t think this man needs to be subjected to your questions, ladies. It’s late and we all need to be fresh for tomorrow’s crowd.” Thomas slapped Reynold on the back, then led him toward the door and into the safety of the night. * * * * “Fare thee well, Black Knight!” Issie called out, waving her hand in the air as Reynold and Thomas took their leave. “Well! I never.” Courtney sat back in her chair, amazed at the turn of events. Here sat Issie Cummings, self-proclaimed witch, with one man lapping up her every word while another spat at her. Just what the hell does she have that no other woman has? That I don’t have? “Of course you have,” Issie said and continued waving, her stare never leaving the backsides of the two men until they were through the door. “More times than I’d care to recall.” “Issie, you are the most…ohhhhh…I can’t even begin to describe how nasty you can be.” Courtney looked at her, watching her expression change from a face filled with lust to that of a predator. The cold, black look sent a chill of recognition down her spine. She’d seen the look before, but she wasn’t sure when or where. Issie took a drink from Reynold’s tankard, licking her lips slowly. She reminded Courtney of a lioness finishing her evening snack—all that remained was the purr of satisfaction. As far as Courtney was concerned, the woman had no business taking such a liberty…she was being far too familiar with Reynold Loddington for Courtney’s liking. Then again, why should she give a darn? He was just another re-enactor here for the summer and gone as soon as possible after Labor Day weekend. No, she didn’t care what happened to Reynold Roddington. At least, that’s what she kept telling her heart each time his name floated off of Issie’s lips. Issie leaned forward, her eyes burning like black flames. “You and I have never liked each other, Courtney.” Issie slapped her hand down on the table hard enough to upset one of the tankards, spilling ale onto the table. “I’ll have what I set out to get and you’ll not stop me this time around, Catherine!” A shiver of fear and warning flittered down Courtney’s spine. That’s the second time today someone’s called me Catherine. These people have got to get their minds straight, I’m not this Catherine. “I don’t know who Catherine is, but she’s not me. I wish you and that Mr. Reynold Loddington, or whatever it is he’s calling himself, would get that straight.” Courtney shoved herself out of her chair to leave the table. She leaned down, coming nose to nose with her enemy. “You’ll not scare me, Isabel Cummings. I know your kind and there’s a reason why women avoid you.” Courtney stomped out the tavern door, Issie’s wicked laughter following her into the night. * * * * There must be a full moon tonight and I just missed it. She looked to the night sky, but found only a sliver of moon hanging there shrouded by wispy clouds. Nope, no crazy people out according to that moon. I think the night holds a pack full of lies about that myth, because crazy’s hit here in full force...full moon or not. Cackling laughter swirled around her like a mini whirlwind, and dark foreboding streaked through her soul. The high-pitched noise held a sinister edge to it, much like that of the Wicked Witch of the West in The Wizard of Oz. As quickly as she’d felt trapped, the sensation left her standing in the warmth of the summer night once again. “Damnable woman!” Courtney hiked her skirts as she marched up the darkened path to her shop. “Who in the hell is this Reynold Loddington anyway?” she sputtered to herself, her gaze never leaving her feet. “There’s an answer to this somewhere—I just have to find it before it drives me insane.” She searched her mind, trying to break through the cloud of confusion edged with the suspicion instilled by Issie. Why has the woman singled me out now? They’d always been distantly cordial to one another, yet never really spoke or took the time to get to know one another. Tonight they’d said more to each other than they did the past few months while setting up for the current season. A new vendor to the faire this year, Issie Cummings made more enemies in thirty days then an average person could in a lifetime. Her air of superiority may have attracted single-minded men, but it did nothing to form a sisterhood with any of the women. Courtney was amazed at how Issie could so easily go from sultry vixen to bitch just based on who walked into her shop…or crossed her path in the streets of Heartsease. Now it seemed she’d set her vixen sights on the faire’s mysterious knight. She already had him melting on her every word and movement. Jeez! From the way Reynold acted, it was as if he thought she was the faire’s queen instead of Josie. Bowing and calling her “Your Majesty” the way Reynold did caught both Thomas and her off guard. And heaven knows Issie didn’t need any encouragement. By the look of what took place in the tavern, Reynold’s treatment of Issie only gave her more of an uppity air than she already possessed. Reaching the stoop to her shop, Courtney glanced at the lights blazing in Issie’s potion shop. Somehow the slippery woman had gotten past her on the path. The woman was about as mysterious as Reynold. Things can only get better from this point, can’t they? After all, the season was in its sixth week and there’d be enough to keep her busy and not thinking about Issie Cummings or Reynold Loddington. At least while he’s not in my sight. Yet, there had to be a connection between the knight and the witch. That hint of recognition she’d seen flit across his dark gold eyes could only mean one thing. Reynold thought he knew Issie from somewhere. Maybe, Courtney thought, from another renaissance faire. Maybe in another place she played the Queen of that faire and he’d just been showing respect to her in that capacity. As if hearing her thoughts, a willowy shadow passed by the window shades of the witch’s shop, and a chill crept up Courtney’s spine. Somehow she knew the answers to many of her questions may be found in that shop. |