Five Golden Rings
by Judith O'Brien
Part Five of "A Gift of Love"

Rated 4.0
ISBN# 0-671-53661-3
$6.99 U.S.; $8.99 Canada
Reviewed 12/26/96 by Pam Tullos
Original Copyright 1995

A heart-warming and gently story involving time travel, tragedy, and love.

School teacher Emma Graham, had wanted to become a teacher from the time she'd been in the first grade. She finds a golden ring among a students belongings and makes a note to herself to call the child's father -- she knew the boy had lost his mother when he was just and infant.

Receiving the answering machine, Emma decides to leave a message, only she chokes on her gum. After a few gags and chokes she begins to leave a message only to be interrupted by a beep. Cursing she can't believe the time is already up. To her shock a male voice answers the call. Completely caught off guard, Emma does the only thing she can think of, she hangs up.

Later, she examines the beautiful ring and places it on her finger. The ring feels warm on her finger and before long, Emma falls asleep.

Awaking in a strange place, Emma does not know what has happened to her. A strange man walks into the room and tells her that "the doctor says we can try again, Em. When the time is right we can try again." The man leaves and Emma just sits in shock.

Finding a diary, Emma begins to read hoping to understand where she is and more importantly who she is. She has her same name, but what else should she know?

She learns it is 1832, and she is in Philadelphia, and sadly her baby has died.

Emma also learns that her husband, Michael, is soft spoken and caring, but she sees a deep hurt in his eyes. Is it due the loss of their son? Or is it something else?

She struggles to find herself a place in this strange new world. One of her first battles is the reopening of the school. She has to get the higher-ups in town to agree to a woman teacher.

Just as she starts to find herself a way in life Emma makes the mistake of removing the ring to read the inscription. She is transported back to her present time.

"Five Golden Rings" is definitely a story that will warm your heart. I enjoyed this story very much even with the shedding of a few tears.