Ruby Red

Gier, Kerstin. Ruby Red. Book 1 of the Precious Stone Trilogy. 2011. 330p. ISBN 978-0-8050-9252-3. Available at FIC GIE on the library shelves.

Gwyneth Shepherd has always grown up in the shadow of her smart, educated, and pretty cousin Charlotte. The Montrose family has passed the traveling gene through the mother for eons, and it has been preparing Charlotte these last sixteen years to become one of the twelve time travelers who have existed since the beginning of time. Born a single day later than her cousin, Gwyneth escaped the regiment and dedication that came with the role Charlotte is expected to play in the secret society of the Guardians and their time-traveling ways. She has grown as carefree as possible, given that her father died of leukemia when she was only seven years old. Able to see and converse with ghosts, Gwyneth considers herself lucky.

Until she suddenly jumps through time, going back to a period a few hundred years ago. How could this be? Only Charlotte should be able to do this, but even her beautiful cousin has not yet managed to travel through time. After two more incidents, Gwyneth comes clean to her mother, and, much to her relief, her mother believes her. Both of them travel to the Temple, where the Guardians meet. Gwyneth discovers that her mother has in fact lied about her birth day. She was indeed born on the same day as Charlotte, and the prophecy that projected her birth and role was in fact for her and not for her cousin. But why would her mother lie? What was she protecting her from?

Gwyneth must now work with Gideon, another handsome time traveler two years her elder to track the 12 time travelers throughout history. They must also figure out why the Count wishes to get his hand on a blood sample of each of the twelve. Gideon, whose family transmits the time travel gene through the father line, has trained with Charlotte and expected her to join him, but now he must deal with Gwyneth, who is wholly unprepared for this mission. But when they are attacked in two different pasts, they realize that someone is plotting to stop them before they can discover the secret chronograph. Who can they trust to help them?

This story moves at breakneck speed and the time traveling is very well explained. Fans of mysteries and romance such as the Finishing School series will thoroughly enjoy this book. The story continues in Sapphire Blue.