Circles in Time
by Tess Mallory

Rated 4.5
ISBN#0-505-52201-2
Copyright 1997
Reviewed 7/18/97 by Kathy

Kendra O'Brien, an investigative reporter who doesn't mind danger in the least, has been sent to England to investigate the crop circle phenomenon by her uncle, Arthur Mackenzie or Mac. He is the editor of the newspaper where she works. He thinks she's been working too hard and risking her life needlessly. She believes he has given her a cake job to take her mind off the more risky stories she usually covers. She's lost her husband and child and believes wrongly that if she dies, she'll be reunited with her loved ones.

She goes to England, under protest, and when she gets to the crop circles, she finds that the press is being held back from getting too close. A teenager named Sean pulls her aside and tells her he can get her closer. She follows him and with a camera ready, starts walking toward a crop circle. Suddenly she sees strange blue lights in the sky and it seems as if they are getting closer to her and the circle. Sean starts to run away but before he does, he hands her a gun.

The next thing Kendra knows, she is being pulled toward the circle by the strange blue lights and she feels very strange.

Navarre de Galliard lives in 1194, the time of King Richard, Robin Hood, and the Sheriff of Nottingham. He follows Robin Hood to the hut of a woman named Magda who has been reputed as being a witch. He hears Magda tell Robin that there is danger and betrayal to him and to King Richard but if he journeys to Abury he will find salvation. But, with the salvation will also be destruction. Navarre decides that he will go to Abury instead and will find a way to distract Robin from going.

Navarre does this and when he gets to Abury, who should appear in the field but Kendra. Navarre does not understand what is happening but believes that Kendra is a witch. He also believes that she has ensorcelled him and places her under arrest because he believes she is King Richard's salvation. He is plotting with Garrick, the Sheriff of Nottingham and John, Richard's brother to kill Richard and take over the throne of England.

That is only the beginning of this wonderful time travel story. Tess Mallory has incorporated history and legend into an interesting and intriguing book. Her characters are lively and their conversation never lags. If you enjoy time travels, this is one book you should definitely read.