Contingency (Sage Hannigan Time Warpers #1)
Peggy Martinez
Eighteen-year-old Sage Hannigan wants to get back to her own time, preferably one that hasn’t been destroyed by an underworld plot brewing in Edwardian-era South Carolina. How hard can it be?
All she has to do is:
1. Learn to use newly acquired warping skills to bend time to her will.
2. Take out a few rogue vampires.
3. Join an ancient secret society.
4. Figure out who is putting the time stream in jeopardy.
5. Find and maim whoever invented the corset.
Sage never asked to be chosen by the Druid Priestess, Amerach, to become a Warper. She also never asked to have the future hanging on her shoulders or to warp a hundred years into the past. She certainly never asked to meet Dr. Aldwin Blake, who would make her question her desire to get back to her own time. But if she fails her mission, people will die, history will change, and the present she wishes to return to will be no more.
Sage Hannigan led a comfortable loner lifestyle in 2004, but when she felt compelled to purchase a necklace at an antique store, it sets her life in motion in a way she never expected. Inconveniently transfered to 1904, Sage is forced to take on a new life, finding guidance in a set of curious people with a few abilities themselves, all members of a secret society. Turns out Sage is a time warper, and she was transported back in time 'cause her ability was needed against a supernatural dilemma. Rogue vampires were on the loose and being able to stop time was advantageous in wiping them out. But poor Sage knows nothing about how to call upon her power, how to fight against supernatural beings, or how to act properly in the early twentieth century. Once schooled in all those things, she's sent to infiltrate the vampire society by becoming the leader's new assistant, and soon finds out she's in way over her head.
Contingency was a pleasant surprise. The first half of the novel dragged out for me, but once Sage got past the training and was released into the world to do her job, the story picked up and demanded my attention better. She found herself becoming involved with two guys; one a member of the secret society training her, the other the vampire she's told to assist...and neither of the men are fond of the other, especially once they realize they're both interested in the same woman. Truth be told, I was a little confused as to why Sage was so determined to return to her life in the present, 'cause in the past she found friends, two possible lovers and a sense of purpose - all things she seemed to lack in her own timeline. She didn't have anything to go back to, so I was surprised she was anxious to finish the job and get transported back already. But still, there was plenty of action and romantic interest, so I was pretty happy with the way Contingency turned out in the end, so I'll most likely check out the next book.
Novel provided by author for honest review.