Aching for Always [Mass Market Paperback]

Josephine "Joss" O'Malley will do whatever it takes to keep her mothers map making business from going belly up. The company was the only thing her mother left her when she died, her mother was a map maker, making old world maps, her mother loved maps, and so Joss looked at the company as her mothers legacy.

Rogan Reynolds company has just merged with the Brand Industries, wanting to use the name of Brand-O'Malley on his GPS products because of the reputation they have worldwide. The money he had paid for the company was gone though, Joss' father had run up so many debts before his death three months prior, that it took all of the money available. So when she needs a loan to keep the company going she is forced to ask Rogan for a loan, fortunately for her he is her fiance, so maybe he will help.

Hugh Hawksmoor has come from the year 1706 to avenge his brothers death and the man he is looking for is Joss' dad, Brand O'Malley. He also needs to find a map that Brand had used to alter the course of history.

This book was a real page turner. The sexual tension between Joss and Hugh was electric. I found myself laughing out loud several times while reading it. The descriptions of the bachelorette party was described so vividly that felt like you were right there,,and when Hugh used Joss' key card to access her office and then was caught and couldn't get out, and was forced to "strip" was so totally amusing. Really that was the tone of this book, always something happening, never a dull moment, Joss always seemed to be caught up in something, sometimes compromising positions, and that was the great thing about this book, it was like an adventure. Sometimes a tad unbelievable, I mean hey we are talking time travel after all, but everything flowed so easily that it really worked.

I enjoyed the way the story followed Joss' mothers story, I wish we would have been given more about Joss' mothers romance with Hugh's brother, because it seemed so romantic, how he was willing to risk everything to protect her.

I think Diane, was the perfect sidekick for Joss. She was always pushing Joss to step out on the edge just a bit, but always willing to do whatever for her friend.

If your looking for a little escapism, with romance, mystery,time travel. and humor along with a bit of an education on maps, well then this is the book for you.

A new to me author whose writing style I have fallen in love with, I can't wait to read more from Gwyn Cready!

Gwyn Cready has done another outstanding job at writing a time travel romance. This is the second one I have read by her and enjoyed it immensely. There are a lot of subplots to keep track of and if you think of the time shifting back and forth as another character, the book is really enjoyable. Joss is a strong female lead who is trying to keep her mother's map business afloat with the help of her slimy fiance, Rogan. I did not like Rogan at all. When Hugh comes into Joss's life, he is much more than a sea captain, he time travels to her and takes her back in time.

I loved how Joss learned to trust herself and not rely on modern conveniences, but her own wits to survive. Hugh is dashing and a worthy hero. Yes, he is swoon-worthy and a nice foil to Rogan. The series really takes the romance to a wonderful place. The map metaphor is perfect for this story. I really enjoyed it a lot.

Josephine "Joss" O'Malley had tried everything to keeping her mother's map making business from going under. It didn't help that her father had used up thier fortune and put the company in debt before he died or that it was the age of the GPS. But, Joss was determined to save her business. Reluctantly, she went to her fiance, Rogan Reynolds for another substantial loan. Rogan had been trying to purchase the Brand-O'Malley name for his GPS products. But, Joss had always and would always refuse to sell. It was the only legacy her mother left behind.

Hugh Hawksmoor travelled through a portal from 1706 to the present, to retrieve a map and search for the man responsible for his brother's death. His intention was to avenge his brother and alter the course of history, by setting things right. Imagine his surprise, when he discovered, the man he wanted to kill was already dead, and the woman he couldn't stop thinking about was his daughter.

I enjoyed the sexual tension that built up between Joss and Hugh. I literally didn't know what was going to happen next. I also enjoyed the internal struggles each had. Joss believed she loved Rogan, but she didn't feel the fire and passion for him, that she felt for Hugh. Hugh struggled with the knowledge, Joss was the daughter of the man he wanted to kill, but also the daughter of the woman he loved as a mother. Did she know about her father's wrong doings? Was she just as guilty?

I loved the concept of time travel and the cause and effects of altering history. I think the author did a wonderful job in producing such an incident. I also think that using maps as a way to alter history, such as altering land borders and terrain, was a thought provoking concept. Can you imagine the outcome if such a thing was possible? I found myself wondering, what my reaction would be, if someone pulled me through a portal and began talking about time travel...Would it be like Joss's? The world, both past and present, were richly detailed, that it was easy to distinguish which time period was which.

Overall, this is the first book, I have read from this author. It wasn't till after the fact, that I learned there were other books. Thankfully, this book was a stand alone. It isn't often, I read a time travel novel, that is not only fluid, but has a very intriguing plot. The utilization of maps in this story was brilliantly done. I thought the characters were very engaging, but more than that, they were interesting. The sexual tension between Joss and Hugh, teased me with anticipation. I couldn't wait to see if these two could get over thier obstacles and finally get together. The mystery with the maps intrigued me and the danger of the quest thrilled me. But mostly, it was the overall story that satisfied me.