Caleb Harrison, honest, hard working and good friend in 1836 Tennessee to Saul and Rebecca Berclair and godfather to their son Luke, has sworn to protect Luke's inheritance from a greedy money-grubbing uncle. After Saul's untimely death he finds marriage to Rebecca the answer. Though he is fond and devoted to Rebecca his heart belongs to Luke who he loves as his own son. Caleb has in his possession a gold-like medallion made of a metal called Atlantis orichalc given to him by Saul that allows him to read thoughts. Caleb meticulously makes furniture and is in the process of delivering the last piece, a dresser, when he senses danger and hides the medallion in a secret compartment of the dresser. Just as he and the wily man he's paying to help move the dresser into Berclair Manor, push the dresser over the threshold of Rebecca's bedroom they are transported to Berclair Manor present day.

Becci Berclair and her Aunt Lilly are having a rough time of it. To save the Manor they must make it a viable source of income and they are barely making ends meet as it is. Tales of gold hidden in the Manor have always existed and even alluded to in old journals kept by ancestors. No one has ever found any treasure, though plenty of Berclair's have tried, including Becci's father, who spent a lifetime searching, and ended up drinking away the remaining family funds. By now, Becci is cynical about hidden gold and considers it a myth as she does the time travel mentioned in the old journals of her ancestors. But her eccentric Aunt Lily believes in the gold and the story that time travel is possible.

At this point the mysterious Caleb appears out of nowhere and seems curiously out of sync with modern times. Unlike her ancestor, whom he was fond of, this Becci Berclair makes Caleb's heart pound and he can't get her out of his mind. But Luke needs him in the past and he must find a way to get back to him.

Becci is engaged to Michael Ascott, who does not inspire passion, but invokes a sense of ease that Becci mistakes for love. When Caleb shows up claiming to be from the past she finds herself drawn to the handsome stranger and she realizes what she feels for Michael is not love. But Michael has other plans as he sees his secret scheme for Berclair Manor's land slipping from his grasp with the arrival of Caleb. Becci does not suspect the danger lurking beneath Michael's exterior, nor the facts of his shady past.

Spark's ignite between Caleb and Becci, no matter how Becci fights against it. She must make critical choices that will affect everyone involved…Is Caleb really from the past or is there a more plausible explanation? And if he really is from the past is he dangerous? According to the journals, Caleb Harrison murdered Rebecca Berclair in 1836. Would history repeat itself?

I enjoyed Keeper of the Key with its fresh approach to time travel and romance. With the elements of mystery and suspense to go along with it, it was an extra treat that held my attention from start to finish. I actually read this book a few years ago and wanted to refresh my memory. I found it just as entertaining and a pleasure to read the second time as I did the first.

Overall rating:
Sensuality rating: Mildly sensual

Reviewer: Torie West
April 10, 2004