TIMELESS WISH By Barbara Sheridan Jove Time Passages Romance ISBN # 0-515-12499-0 {Click here to buy this book} "Timeless Wish" by first time author Barbara Sheridan begins with a wish that crosses all boundaries of time. Laura Bennett, in New York 1998, wishes on the New Year for a happy new life at

When Laura Bennett decides to help friends restore a family home she has no idea that she would be catapulted into the past and into the arms of the man she'd been drooling over since arriving in Oklahoma, a man dead for nearly 100 years. It's not long before Laura is accepted into the Hillhouse home as family despite a mysterious past that she can't reveal. New friend Star arranges for Laura to take on a job as Corby's housekeeper and nanny for his 4-year-old daughter, Sabrina. Laura grows to love Sabrina as her own child and wishes that the three of them could be one big happy family, but she knows there are things in Corby's past preventing him from getting close to her. Laura grows more nervous as the days pass and she wonders just how long Fate will let her stay.

Corby Hillhouse made a wish on something he thought was never possible. Laura Bennett's mysterious appearance is enough to make him think again. As the days pass he sees the love pour out of her for his daughter and tries to grasp a little of it for himself. But his past keeps getting in the way, reminding him that his love will eventually kill her as it has his two previous wives. Just when Laura was managing to break down the walls around his wounded heart she disappears as unexpectedly as she shows up. Corby retreats back into himself and becomes despondent that yet another woman he's loved has left him, and left him wondering if he'll ever find the woman meant for him.

I really enjoyed Sheridan's 'old west' setting. Her quality of description brought back memories of all those years of "Little House on the Prairie". The development between Laura and 4-year-old Sabrina was perfect. Sabrina is every parents dream child. She's bright, thoughtful and funny. As well as a delight to read. What I admired most was Laura's strength. This is a woman that can take care of herself. Not only is she a Karate expert but when she finds herself having to fend for herself she doesn't waste time pouting but goes straight forward to get what she wants, even where Corby is concerned.

Corby is a confusing character though. Just when I thought I had him figured out he does or says something that makes me re-read the passage to make sure that I read right the first time. Some examples are: Corby is an Indian as well as the town sheriff in an all white town at the turn of the century. This made me question Sheridan's historical details. Also, I didn't understand Corby's motivation where the towns prostitute was concerned. He seemed to just use her until Laura comes into his life then tosses the prostitute aside without any explanation. After ten years satisfying his needs she loves Corby. His actions towards her add an excellent excuse to cause Corby grief, but still doesn't lend his character any credibility.

The biggest problem I had with this character was trying to gauge Corby's strengths as a hero. He's written into a strong roll as a towns sheriff, and given that he's an Indian in that roll gives him added strength and determination to do his job well to earn the towns respect. But his actions tell another story. He abandons a his young daughter at his brother's house, constantly runs away from personal issues and seems to get teary eyed at the drop of a hat. And when it comes to his love for Laura he doesn't seem willing to fight for it.