Never Leave Me by Jody Hedlund

 

Never Leave Me, by Jody Hedlund, is the second in her Waters of Time series and really should be read after the first in the series because it does not do well as a stand alone novel. I did not read the first in the series and felt like I had no idea what was going on a lot of the time. I did connect with the main characters, though had no idea what Ellen's disease was and was surprised to find out that Harrison was in a wheelchair (see? really need to read the first one first here!). I enjoyed watching them interact with each other, more so in the current time than in the 1300's -- yes, this is a time-travel story. I have enjoyed so many other books by this author, historical ones, that this one just left me feeling a little confused. Not my favorite of her works. Definitely a unique work of art, she did a good job describing the same locales in different time eras, that was fun to see. By the end of the book I just wanted it to be over and I skimmed the last few pages, again wishing I'd read the first one first. 

From the back cover:

In the last stages of a genetic disease, Ellen Creighton has decided to live out her remaining days at the estate of her longtime friend Harrison Burlington. Harrison cares deeply for Ellen, but as a wheelchair-bound paraplegic, he's never allowed himself to get serious in a relationship. However, he's desperately trying to save her by finding the holy water that is believed to heal any disease.

When he locates two flasks, Ellen refuses to drink one of them because she believes the holy water killed her sister and father. In an effort to convince her to take it, Harrison ingests the contents first, and when Ellen witnesses the effects, she can no longer deny the power of the substance in the bottles. Dangerous criminals are also seeking the holy water, and Ellen soon learns they will go to any lengths to get the powerful drug--including sending her back into the past to find it for them.

Bestselling and award-winning author Jody Hedlund plunges you into the swiftly flowing river of history in a race against the clock in this breathtaking, emotional second Waters of Time story.