Gabrielle Meyer: Across the Ages

By Kelly Bridgewater

Caroline holds a deep secret. Living in 1727 and 1927 simultaneously, each night she goes to sleep in one life and wakes up in the other. In search of answers to her unique existence, Caroline stumbles upon a letter from her mother hinting at her own experiences as a time-crosser, sending Caroline on a daring quest to uncover the truth. In 1727, Caroline disguises herself as a cabin boy and joins a ship sailing for the Bahamas, her mother's last known location, where she crosses paths with a ruthless but handsome pirate and is caught in a web of secrets, deception, and unexpected alliances.

In 1927 St. Paul, Minnesota, Caroline grapples with her other life as the daughter of a renowned preacher. Her two older brothers have fallen prey to the corruption rampant during Prohibition, and Caroline struggles to keep their involvement hidden to save her father's career. As her search for answers about her time-crossing leads her to the dangerous yet exciting world of speakeasies, Caroline enlists the help of a childhood friend who is now a police officer. But with her family's future at risk and their loyalties tested, Caroline faces a life-altering decision that could reshape her destiny.

 

My Thoughts:

Across the Ages by Gabrielle Meyer is a unique, yet thrilling story set in 1727 and 1927. This time the storyline features pirates and the 1920's with a Billy Sunday vibe. If readers have read her other stories, then there will be a few returning characters from the previous books. They will interact in ways that will make readers smirk as they know the truth behind their time crossing. I love how Meyer takes two totally different historical time periods and make them interact through one character. This time, Caroline, gets to make the decision about which path to follow. She is the daughter of a time crosser that is mentioned in one of the previous stories, but her story is not flushed out. It is a glimpse on the page. Readers who are familiar with Meyer's stories know how hard it is for each heroine to decide which timeline to stay in and what timeline to leave. The struggle on the surface is harder than we could ever imagine. These characters need a supportive cast in order to help them make the correct decision. Caroline is no different. Across the Ages by Gabrielle Meyer is another wonderful addition to this series. I can't wait to read the next two books that are still coming.

I received a complimentary copy of Across the Ages by Gabrielle Meyer from Bethany House Publishers, but the opinions stated are all my own.

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Purchase Across the Ages

Customer Service

By Kelly Bridgewater

Have you ever worked in a job in Customer Service?

I started a job at Meijer where I bagged groceries and brought the shopping carts back to the store. Then I was moved to being a cashier.

Easy.

Really did not have a lot of angry people.

Maybe once in a while something would ring up wrong. We had a certain percentage of the product that we could change without seeking managerial assistance.

I was a Customer Service Manager at a Bookstore.

Really never dealt with anyone that became upset.

Then I went to Fast food because I was newly married with a son, and my husband did not have a job. I worked for two years there.

Not bad, but there were some customers that you knew were lying to get free food. Who orders 3 Grande combos, which consisted of 10 tacos and a Mexican Pizza, and we screwed it up? We would have remembered an order that big.

The job was not awful. I was the Assistance Manager. I just didn’t like people lying to get free food ALL THE TIME. One family came in every week with the same complaint. Higher-ups said to just keep making the food for them. Must be nice to have FREE food all the time. I don’t think they ever bought anything ever.

Now I currently work in a call center, at least it feels like one, for Financial Aid complaints at a local University.

Entitlement runs rampant.

Parents did not plan to send their students to college, so they saved no money. Parents send their students out of state, so it costs more. Parents do not want to take out a loan. They’ll send their kid all the way across the country to attend college and have no idea or care if their bill will be paid. Students and parents do not do their homework and look for scholarships.

I have been yelled at because we do not offer more FREE money. Does not want to burden their student or themselves with loans.

Get that.

Then the child needs to wait a couple of years to attend college, work, save money, so they can pay for college up front.

Maybe attend a community college close to home to get the Basis aka Foundational classes out of the way, then return to the “Big” university.

I have been told that my university begged him to come, so the school should be covering his bill. Talk to Admissions. We don’t beg students to come.

Now there are videos where waitress and waiters want a minimum of twenty percent tip when you go to a restaurant.

No!!!!!

Not from me.

I pay enough for the food.

If I plan to go out to eat, I am not paying extra for your tip. Most tips are lucky to be ten percent. I will NEVER go above that.

If you do not like that, then find a new job.

I know inflation is high.

I don’t work for much money either, and I have a BS and a MA degree.

Still not a reason to tip twenty percent or feel entitled and treat the person working in Customer Service like trash.

We are working to pay our bills just like you do.

Something to keep in mind next time you go anywhere.

EVERYONE, NO MATTER THEIR POSITION, DESERVES RESPECT.