Discover. . .: Going Back by Anastasia Abboud

Monday, November 21, 2022

Going Back by Anastasia Abboud

MUSE MONDAY

Time travel, PTSD, and love...interesting combination and sounds like a great read. Anastasia is here to tell us about it on this Muse Monday.

Is it true that we can never go back? Short of time travel, it’s probably true that we can’t physically go back. What if we suffer loss, hurt, guilt from events of the past? How do we deal with it, move past it in order to live happy, productive lives?

Personally, I believe that love has great healing power that can lead to redemption, renewal, and hope.

Falling from fourteenth century Scotland to modern times, Lachlann has lost everyone and everything he loved. The hardest part for him is that he lost them before he even fell. Survivor guilt eats at him constantly. Unspoken grief and trauma – PTSD – allow little room for relief. For him, life – living – has become a burden, something he simply can’t escape. He holds onto one vague hope, that he might be able to travel back in time, just as he traveled forward, to change even one thing. If only he could figure out how…

Deidre has also suffered hurt, disillusionment, and loss. She risked all for a man who turned out to be a malicious liar. Through her own childish mistakes, she destroyed her relationship with her parents and lost both her job and her self-respect. For all the world, she wishes that none of it had ever happened. She’s moved on, but she lives with regret.

Can Lachlann and Deidre help each other? Can they find peace? Would they have to go backwards to heal? Or can they move forward together?

Excerpt from Tremors Through Time

Lachlann sauntered across Deidre’s driveway just as she was locking her front door. She turned toward him, smiling. He froze. She was wearing a saffron-colored leine, or tunic, underneath a blue, fitted surcoat. He should have known! She was a woman from his own time. His heart and head began to pound as he stared at her.

“Lachlann?” Deidre’s voice reached him, soft and hesitant. “Don’t you like my costume?”

Costume. Of course, it was a costume. He struggled to regain his voice as his heart rate calmed. “It’s great,” he managed, giving himself a mental shake. Fool!

“Thank you,” she replied, her voice still uncertain. She looked at him inquiringly. “I surprised you, didn’t I? I’m sorry. I should’ve warned you. I like to wear something fairly authentic in case I run into
some of my students.”

“You do look authentic.” He managed a wink. “Bonnie as well.”

She blushed. “You’ve probably seen lots of costumes like this in Scotland.”

“Not so many, and none in Texas.”

It was a wonder to him that he was still standing. Her costume, as she called it, was perfect. She might have fallen through time like himself. It was an even greater wonder that he had not yet carried her off to bed. He’d never wanted anyone as he wanted her.

Now, dressed in such a familiar manner, she suddenly seemed more tangible than ever. She looked magnificent, the clothing emphasizing her generous breasts and hips, her deep red tresses flowing freely down her back.

His mouth went dry as he wondered how he might persuade her to dress like this more often.

Their eyes met. To hell with time.

He stepped toward her.

She's made mistakes and paid the price, but Deidre Chisolm is no quitter. She'll never again be a fool for a man, not even her gorgeous new neighbor with his haunted eyes and strange accent. She'll be friendly, but nothing more.

Lachlann has to go back to fourteenth-century Scotland. He can't forsake his family, his son. But when a beautiful, kind, funny lady buys the house next door, he's never been so drawn to anyone in his life. Would she believe his story? After years of struggling through nightmares and flashbacks, headaches and illiteracy, dare he ask her to help him return?

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Author Bio:

For me, playing is the best -- playing outdoors in nature or in my garden, experimenting in the kitchen, spending time with those I love. I also enjoy disappearing into a good book, attempting crafts, learning, writing, exploring, discovering. I especially like to mix it up and have yet to perfect any of it; and I've come to realize that perfection's not the point. It's all wonderfully fun. That's the point!

I prefer authentic and natural, be it food, lifestyle, people. I passionately enjoy both history and science, and certainly sociology to a degree, and I am most truly a romantic.

My husband and I have been married for over forty years. We reside near Houston, Texas, surrounded by loved ones. We have a blast with our little grandchildren.

I thank God for this wonderful life.

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