Kathleen C PerrinCritiques

3-4 stars. Firmer rating, and review to follow

This book was really good. I was a bit afraid it would be a bit preachy in the beginning when they started talking about the Bible and fallen angels. Nothing wrong with that, but I have kind of read a little too much theology that I need a break from it. But after a while my worry about it just melted way and I found myself really enjoying the story.

Katelyn Michaels is a wonderful character. She isn't perfect; she had problems adjusting to having travelled in time like any seventeen year old girl would have. Heck I would have had problems with that. But after a while she slowly starts to adapt, to mature and while she is stuck in the past trying to save Mont Saint Michel she also learns to forgive her father. In many ways, this trip to the past teaches this modern girl how to become a better person, less egocentric. It was interesting to read how Katelyn, Jean (the old Watchman, Nicholas teacher) and Nicholas worked together to save Mont Saint Michel, things that we take for granted, modern inventions can be really terrifying for people in the year 1424.

I was a bit torn about the Nicolas and Katelyns relationship. It started with loathing and ending with them falling in love. Not instalove perhaps, but it went very quickly. But even I'm, the world pickiest person when it comes to romance liked the couple towards the end.

I would have loved to know more about the medallion, how it came to be able to make someone travel in time. I wonder how it came to be for instance and have it ever been used before and why. Hopefully the next book will explain more about the origin of the medallion.

Kathleen C. Perrin has written a very wonderful book about a young girl whose destiny is so much grander than she ever could expect and I look forward to reading the next book in the series.

I received a copy from the publisher and france book tours in return for an honest review!

Review also posted on And Now for Something Completely Different and It's a Mad Mad World

The Secret of the Abbey by Kathleen C. Perrin is a blend of historical fiction and fantasy that really immerses the reader in France, specifically in Mont St. Michel, that historic icon in northwestern France.
This is book 3 in The Watchmen Saga, and I hadn't read the previous two books, but plenty of details were included to help me catch up in this latest novel.
Although the book is told from various viewpoints, the main character is Katelyn, an 18-year-old American, who has been chosen by the Archangel Michael to be one of the Watchmen to protect an ancient secret hidden in Mont St. Michel.
And since Katelyn is chosen by the Archangel, things suddenly go her way. A French stranger dies and leaves her an exclusive inn on Mont St. Michel. Ahh, what a lovely fantasy. I can definitely get swept up in that.
But Katelyn's main conflict isn't in the present day, but with her fellow Watchman Nicolas. The two of them jump centuries, Nicolas from the 1400s and Katelyn from today to help save Mont St. Michel from the Catholic/Huguenot battles in the 16th century.
Sometimes the history is a bit dense, but overall I really enjoyed the suspense and the immersion into historical life. If I had the chance, I would definitely fit my key into the stone in Mont St. Michel and be transported back into time, just to see how it changes through the ages. The author did a wonderful job of capturing details so the reader can experience France throughout the centuries. It made me want to take another trip to Mont St. Michel.

To be honest, minus certain elements that had to do with religion, I actually enjoyed reading the book and the story. It's also probably the first time travel book that I liked. (I'm not a fan of time travel books,) and at many points I was curious enough to want to read the previous two novels and to learn further adventures of Katelynn Michaels and her boyfriend/husband Nicolas. I did feel that although the story was written very well, it did not make a good stand-alone novel because the author does make one curious about Katelynn's previous adventures that are often eluded to. A lot of story elements are done well in the book, although I did find the main character, Katelynn, a bit annoying at times, but I could see the chemistry between her and Nicolas well.

I was given this book for an honest review

The Keys of the Watchman is one really good book. Once I get into the book it, I can not put it down. It got all of what you would want in a book, it has action, mystery and time travel and romance all in one book. What a way to read a book.

The author does a wonderful job of tell the story of the of the historical facts. You get to feel as if you are part of it. You want to help the characters. You learn about christianity though this book as well. The Archangel Michael and Lucifer (Satan, Devil) and one of the fallen angels that is mention in the book is Abdon.

The book is about good and evil and saving the mount. We have a fallen angel Abdon and Nicolas and Katelyn. We are mostly in the year of 1424. We have Jean and Katelyn and Nicholas who are called Watchman but will they save Mount Saint Michael?½

A combination of historically accurate dates and places with a believable cast of fictional characters that features a strong heroine. A refreshingly moral blend of angels, miracles, love, romance and action. I hope to see more of the Watchmen soon.

I absolutely adored this book, a gem offering more than I bargained for. Where do I begin to list the merits of the author and her vision.

From the first sentence you’ll find yourself swept away, caught in the mystique unable to put the book down.

Perrin provides descriptive writing furthering the intrigue of the narrative and its historical focal point. If you’re unfamiliar with Mont Saint Michel you won’t be after reading this book, I’m sure you’ll want to voyage to this landmark island in the very near future or revisit if you’ve been before.

Perrin’s ability to provide an in depth history lesson in painstaking detail without the reader feeling as if they are in a classroom or lecture environment is quite impressive. Comprehensive, well presented, minutely researched. You will know all there is to know regarding Mont Saint Michel, for those already knowledgable you’ll appreciate the historical references even more.

I’m not a huge fan of time travel, I feel it’s overdone, often poorly executed but Perrin manages to weave time travel with ease, so well done. The disparity between the 15th and 21st century was comedic and enjoyable – not overdone and well paced, extremely clever too. A wonderful example of how time travel works without the monotony along with the heaviness of alternating centuries. Truly the merging of past and present at its finest.

The faith references peppered throughout the book are provoking and dimensional. Good and evil displayed, our main protagonist possessing a spiritual connection enhancing her role.

Katie starts off questionable, as the story unravels she blossoms by stepping up to the plate. Her actions admirable, her strength combined with her courage surprises you earning your respect. Nicolas evolves and becomes endearing, Jean a man with compassion, memorable as his painful past is shared.

Perrin undoubtedly creates a very enjoyable read full of suspense all ages will appreciate. The information regarding Mont Saint Michel is outstanding. Fans of historical suspense set in Medieval France will relish Perrin’s amazing debut work. I cannot wait for the sequel.