Fun read. ( )

Imagine you pick up an item and suddenly you “see” it’s history through time. You feel the emotions that are tied to the people that have owned or even touched the item. Such is the gift – or curse – that Roan West has lived since he was very young. He has learned to live with the ability and copes by wearing gloves all the time, only taking them off when he wants to read an object or person. He knows several others with the same abilities and one of them joins him regularly to go rock climbing. When this friend fails to meet him after requesting a climb Roan becomes concerned. When another like him also goes missing he gets worried. As this is happening to his friends he learns of another young woman with the same ability and fears that she too may be targeted.

Roan flies to California to talk to the woman, Melicent and finds he is attracted to her. A disconcerting feeling for he swore he was not going to fall in love again. Melicent does not understand her skill, she only knows it has allowed her to find some valuable artifacts to help keep money in the bank after her mother died and she was left to care for her younger brother. She does not believe that she could be in danger. But then something happens and she and her brother are taken to safety by Roan as they then try to figure out what is going on.

Every now and then I love to get lost in a book that follows a traditional plot but leaves reality behind. Here we have a mysterious, uber-rich, handsome man who uses his talents and money to help people as the hero. He’s a little wounded but he meets a woman who shares his talent, is caring and anxious to help him find his missing friend. Add in the possibility of seeing the past, possibly changing time and an author that knows how to set the mood to keep the pages turning and you have a book that steals your heart and bends your mind. ( )

Roan West has a unique talent, he is a pyschometrist- a person who can read the imprinted memories on an object or person just by using his sense of touch. There are only a handful of pyschometrists in the world and since a recent discovery of strange artifacts dubbed ooparts, psychometrists have been gone missing, including Roan's friend, Stuart. Ooparts, or Out of Place Objects are artifacts that originated in one time period, but are unearthed in rock from a previous time period. The ooparts carry a mystery to be unlocked, and someone believes that the pyschometrists are the key. When Roan hears of a new pyschometrist in LA, Melicent, he rushes out to meet her and warn her that she is now a target. When Roan and Melicent meet, sparks fly and Melicent finds herself in immediate danger. Now, Roan is racing the clock to find out the secret of the ooparts and to keep Melicent and the other pyschometrists safe.

Exciting and distinctive, The Time Collector creates an amazing world with people who are able to read the past off of an object. If I could have any superpower, I would definitely choose this one. Because of Roan's ability, he has been able to live the lives of countless people throughout history. Roan has experienced violence, trauma, love, happiness, greed, fame and many other emotions through the objects he has touched making him a extremely complex, sympathetic and well rounded individual who decided to carefully watch how he used his powers. Melicent was a complimentary counterpart to Roan. While their relationship progressed quickly, it was aided by their abilities to read each other. I loved taking the trips into history and experiencing the emotions and journeys connected to each object. Through the objects I was reminded of the importance of artifacts as well as our inner ties to objects that we posses. With a surprising and action packed ending, The Time Collector is an exhilarating genre-bending thriller.

This book was received for free in return for an honest review. ( )

This is the second book I have read by this author. The first was The Fortune Teller. That book was so good that when I saw this newest book from Ms. Womack that I could not wait to read it. Well I am happy to report that it is even better. With this uphill stride; I can't wait to see what Ms. Womack comes out with next. Sadly, I have to wait as this book is the newest one currently.

Roan's gift is very intriguing. Imagine touching an object and learning the history behind it. Visually as if he lived that person's life. Melicent has an amazing ability as well. Together these to worked well together.

Ms. Womack pens a rich storyline with engaging characters in The Time Collector. I was transported within the pages of this book. I didn't want to leave. I started this book and found myself finishing it within a matter of a few short hours. Make sure that The Time Collector is in your shopping cart. ( )

The Time Collector

A fascinating and unique trip across time, continents and history with just the touch of a hand

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

SUMMARY
Roan West is a highly skilled psychometrist, able to perceive the past of any object he touches. He uses his talents to find, sell and even return valuable antiques. Stuart, a fellow psychometrist and Roan’s close friend, has just unearthed several “ooparts”, out-of-place-artifacts that challenge recorded history. Soon after this remarkable discovery, Stuart disappears, making him one of several psychometrists who have died mysteriously in recent months or vanished without a trace. When Roan comes across a YouTube video of a young woman who has discovered a priceless pocket watch by “sensing” it, he knows he has to warn her about the danger—but will Melicent Tilpin listen? And can Roan find Stuart before it’s too late?

REVIEW
Once again, Gwendolyn Womack has created a fascinating and unique tale of mystery, intrigue and adventure. Her writing is engaging and keeps you on the edge of your seat. She allows Roan and his extraordinary gift to take us on a perilous journey across time, across continents and across history. Just imagine being able to travel through time and transcend the laws of nature with just the touch of your hand.

Roan and Melicent are both captivating characters that ground the story in reality with their quest to find Stuart. They are the compass for this otherworldly tale of suspense with just a little romance thrown in.

I had the pleasure of hearing Gwendolyn Womack talk about this book a year ago and couldn’t wait for it to come out. I have absolutely loved both of her previous books: The Memory Painter and The Fortune Teller. Womack is originally from Houston, Texas. She moved to Alaska for college to become an environmental scientist and ended up in the theater department writing plays. Later she went on to receive an MFA in Directing Theatre, Video & Cinema from California Institute of the Arts. Currently she resides in Los Angeles with her family and collects kaleidoscopes and paints as a hobby.

Thanks to Netgalley, Gwendolyn Womack and Picador Macmillan for an advance reading copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Publisher Picador-Macmillan
Published April 16, 2019
Review www.bluestockingreviews.com ( )