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Roman Time Travel #3
Return to Me
Return to Me finds time traveler Gigi Perrin happily settled into twenty-first century life with her husband, the former Roman senator and military commander, Quintus Magnus. Gigi has resumed her successful musical career, playing the flute for her adoring fans, while making her first foray into Hollywood by creating the musical score for a feature film about the Roman emperor Nero.
At the film’s wrap party, Gigi is presented with a gift to commemorate her an ancient Roman ring depicting the goddess Victoria. Stunned, she and Magnus recognize it as the very ring that brought them together, and the one subsequently stolen from her and lost in A.D. 410. How did it make its way back to them? Magnus believes the answer is clear; Victoria sent it as a warning about their dear friend, Princess Galla Placidia. They start researching what happened to Placidia after Gigi and Magnus time traveled from the barbarous fifth century. To their shock, they discover Placidia's life took a series of terrible turns, culminating with the murders of her children.
Realizing they have no other choice, Gigi and Magnus prepare to embark on a perilous quest to go back in time and rescue them. But one ominous question remains – how can they save the children without altering the course of history?
Return to Me is the third book in our Roman Time Travel series. Books one and two are Love, Eternally and After the Fall.
At the film’s wrap party, Gigi is presented with a gift to commemorate her an ancient Roman ring depicting the goddess Victoria. Stunned, she and Magnus recognize it as the very ring that brought them together, and the one subsequently stolen from her and lost in A.D. 410. How did it make its way back to them? Magnus believes the answer is clear; Victoria sent it as a warning about their dear friend, Princess Galla Placidia. They start researching what happened to Placidia after Gigi and Magnus time traveled from the barbarous fifth century. To their shock, they discover Placidia's life took a series of terrible turns, culminating with the murders of her children.
Realizing they have no other choice, Gigi and Magnus prepare to embark on a perilous quest to go back in time and rescue them. But one ominous question remains – how can they save the children without altering the course of history?
Return to Me is the third book in our Roman Time Travel series. Books one and two are Love, Eternally and After the Fall.
191 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 3, 2012
29 people are currently reading
1148 people want to read
About the author
Morgan O'Neill
13 books101 followersA chance meeting at a writers' conference brought Cary Morgan and Deborah O'Neill Cordes together, two award-winning and Amazon #1 best-selling authors who connected because of a mutual love of time travel fiction. Collaboration ensued, the search for a pen name the first step in their working relationship. Their maiden names provided the solution - and Morgan O'Neill was born.
Cary and Deborah's backgrounds are uniquely suited to writing stories steeped in atmosphere and history: Deborah has a master's degree in history and is a dedicated genealogist; Cary is a talented linguist in French and is currently a student of Latin. They've traveled to Europe's ancient and medieval sites many times, with Cary living on the Continent for five years.
The Morgan O'Neill time travel novels have received a number of literary awards, including two finalist wins in the Booksellers' Best Awards, two semifinalist wins in the William Faulkner-William Wisdom Creative Writing Competition, first, second, and third place wins for the Mainstream Novel with Strong Romantic Elements category of the Golden Rose Contest, a top ten finalist award in the Pacific Northwest Writers' Conference Zola Awards Literary Contest, and a top ten finalist win in the Orange Rose Contest. In 2014, the Oshawa Public Libraries, Ontario, Canada included their entire Roman trilogy (Love, Eternally, After the Fall, and Return to Me) in their list of the Top 100 Romance Novels of All Time.
Cary and Deborah's backgrounds are uniquely suited to writing stories steeped in atmosphere and history: Deborah has a master's degree in history and is a dedicated genealogist; Cary is a talented linguist in French and is currently a student of Latin. They've traveled to Europe's ancient and medieval sites many times, with Cary living on the Continent for five years.
The Morgan O'Neill time travel novels have received a number of literary awards, including two finalist wins in the Booksellers' Best Awards, two semifinalist wins in the William Faulkner-William Wisdom Creative Writing Competition, first, second, and third place wins for the Mainstream Novel with Strong Romantic Elements category of the Golden Rose Contest, a top ten finalist award in the Pacific Northwest Writers' Conference Zola Awards Literary Contest, and a top ten finalist win in the Orange Rose Contest. In 2014, the Oshawa Public Libraries, Ontario, Canada included their entire Roman trilogy (Love, Eternally, After the Fall, and Return to Me) in their list of the Top 100 Romance Novels of All Time.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
April 5, 2023
Welcome, friends! We hope you enjoy our Roman time travel series. To those of you who have embraced us, our sincere gratitude. We have put our hearts and souls into these novels, and it is wonderful to know we have touched your lives. Thank you!
June 20, 2013
It’s wonderful when you get to follow characters through more than one story. I eagerly awaited Return To Me to discover what would happen to Gigi and Magnus in their future life, to discover if Morgan O’Neill could deliver a story as fast-paced and rich in history as the first two in this wonderful Roman series. I wasn’t disappointed. Once I opened the first page, I couldn’t stop reading. This was a book I read in nearly one sitting, a story that starts with action and never stops. Once again, I was drawn to Gigi, a heroine whose strength drives the action. Gigi and Magnus’ story is a truly romantic tale of ever-lasting love. I loved every word! This is a must read series. (P.S. Don’t forget to read the author notes at the end to learn about the true Princess Galla Placidia.)
December 9, 2012
Five stars for this masterpiece!
Return to Me is the highly anticipated third installment to Morgan O’Neill’s time traveling saga. It is the darkest of the three; bittersweet in some places, but edge- of -the seat exciting until the very end. As a reader and a devoted fan, I expect nothing less than a high spirited journey that was as beautifully written as the first two books of this series. Morgan O’Neill did beautifully on all accounts!
As I read this book, I was again swept up in the awe and pageantry and savage beauty of the past. From the myriad of colors in the market place to the heady scent of rosemary, each facet of this story never failed to appeal to all of my senses. Gigi Perrin and her handsome roman warrior, Magnus must travel back in time to renew old friendships, settle scores and perhaps change the course of history. Honorius is still as repugnant as ever. He is joined by a new shadowy figure named Dispas who is just as treacherous. And then, there is a certain mimi who finds great murderous glee as being seen as a clown or a fool when he is anything but.
This trilogy has classic written all over it. As a former English major turned instructor, I can easily see this fine series on a Liberal Arts reading list for a college or university. I personally know of a Hero and the Quest Course that would greatly benefit from this marvelous story. The detail, the subtle nuances, the varying shades of history, love and death depicted in this book alone rival any classic.
History is a vicious master. We do not dare play with it.... but with Morgan O’Neill at the helm there’s bound to be a fantastic journey in store for the reader.
I was honored with the rare opportunity to review an advanced reader copy from this talented team of writers for an honest review.
Stephanie Freeman
12.10 .12
Return to Me is the highly anticipated third installment to Morgan O’Neill’s time traveling saga. It is the darkest of the three; bittersweet in some places, but edge- of -the seat exciting until the very end. As a reader and a devoted fan, I expect nothing less than a high spirited journey that was as beautifully written as the first two books of this series. Morgan O’Neill did beautifully on all accounts!
As I read this book, I was again swept up in the awe and pageantry and savage beauty of the past. From the myriad of colors in the market place to the heady scent of rosemary, each facet of this story never failed to appeal to all of my senses. Gigi Perrin and her handsome roman warrior, Magnus must travel back in time to renew old friendships, settle scores and perhaps change the course of history. Honorius is still as repugnant as ever. He is joined by a new shadowy figure named Dispas who is just as treacherous. And then, there is a certain mimi who finds great murderous glee as being seen as a clown or a fool when he is anything but.
This trilogy has classic written all over it. As a former English major turned instructor, I can easily see this fine series on a Liberal Arts reading list for a college or university. I personally know of a Hero and the Quest Course that would greatly benefit from this marvelous story. The detail, the subtle nuances, the varying shades of history, love and death depicted in this book alone rival any classic.
History is a vicious master. We do not dare play with it.... but with Morgan O’Neill at the helm there’s bound to be a fantastic journey in store for the reader.
I was honored with the rare opportunity to review an advanced reader copy from this talented team of writers for an honest review.
Stephanie Freeman
12.10 .12
April 9, 2013
Readers of the first two books in Morgan O’Neill’s Roman Time Travel Series know the background to the love story of Gigi and Magnus—she’s a modern day flutist, he’s a soldier from the time of the Roman Empire. She’s traveled back to his era, fallen in love with him and, after barely escaping from the revenge of the wicked Emperor Honorius, brought him back to the 21st Century.
As “Return to Me, the final book in the trilogy, opens Gigi and Magnus are celebrating the completion of the film, Nero, in Rome, happy in their life together as a married couple. Then the ring that has played a significant role in each of the books appears calling them back to Magnus’s time on a mission to save the children of Galla Placidia.
Time travel being unpredictable, the couple arrives back in ancient Rome with a big time gap to explain—they’ve been gone four years during which the emperor has been told they were dead. Now they’re back and so is his determination to make real what he has believed all along. The race is on to see if he will achieve his goal before Gigi and Magnus achieve theirs.
Just like the other two books, “Return to Me” has been thoroughly researched and carefully written, making it a pleasure to read. The issue of how Gigi and Magnus can save the children without changing history is dealt with deftly. And Morgan O’Neill must have had fun deciding what modern technology the couple choses to take back with them—Gigi packs a stun gun and a handgun, two walkie-talkies, an iPod and solar-powered chargers along with some modern medical supplies! (I would have added a supply of chocolate since it came from the New World long after the Roman Empire disappeared.)
All in all, this book gives a satisfying conclusion to an interesting and enjoyable series. I’m sorry to see it end.
As “Return to Me, the final book in the trilogy, opens Gigi and Magnus are celebrating the completion of the film, Nero, in Rome, happy in their life together as a married couple. Then the ring that has played a significant role in each of the books appears calling them back to Magnus’s time on a mission to save the children of Galla Placidia.
Time travel being unpredictable, the couple arrives back in ancient Rome with a big time gap to explain—they’ve been gone four years during which the emperor has been told they were dead. Now they’re back and so is his determination to make real what he has believed all along. The race is on to see if he will achieve his goal before Gigi and Magnus achieve theirs.
Just like the other two books, “Return to Me” has been thoroughly researched and carefully written, making it a pleasure to read. The issue of how Gigi and Magnus can save the children without changing history is dealt with deftly. And Morgan O’Neill must have had fun deciding what modern technology the couple choses to take back with them—Gigi packs a stun gun and a handgun, two walkie-talkies, an iPod and solar-powered chargers along with some modern medical supplies! (I would have added a supply of chocolate since it came from the New World long after the Roman Empire disappeared.)
All in all, this book gives a satisfying conclusion to an interesting and enjoyable series. I’m sorry to see it end.
February 24, 2013
Fantastic Conclusion to an Exquisite Series!
RETURN TO ME was a perfect conclusion to a fantastic Roman time-travel epic story. This series just kept getting better and better as evident in the final installment. From the first page, this story enthralled me, and I was once again swept up into the political storms of 410 A.D. Rome. Even though I didn’t want to let go of the romance, adventure, and impeccable historical accuracy, I was eager to see how Morgan O’Neill wrapped up the trilogy. RETURN TO ME delivered more than I could hope for in a marvelously written classic!
The love story between Gigi and Magnus was special and beautiful, becoming the driving force behind their goals. Their return to Rome to save Placidia and her children was heart-wrenching, intense and exhilarating as they embroiled themselves in more political intrigue and came up against their foe Honorius. Staying off Honorius’s radar and battling new threats while trying to save the children and not alter history became their greatest challenge. These challenges brought such emotional and intense conflict to Gigi and Magnus that you wondered how they would ever succeed until the last climatic scene.
It’s bittersweet that I have to say goodbye to Gigi, Magnus, Placidia and all the wonderfully depicted characters in RETURN TO ME. The ending was beyond satisfying, but I will miss reading about Gigi & Magnus’s romance and adventures. Rome and all its beauty and brutal reality, Gigi, Magnus and Placidia will stay in your heart long after you read the last page. I highly recommend RETURN TO ME and the entire trilogy to all fans of historical fiction. Morgan O’Neill is now on my auto buy list and I can’t wait to see what this dynamic writing duo serves up next!
RETURN TO ME was a perfect conclusion to a fantastic Roman time-travel epic story. This series just kept getting better and better as evident in the final installment. From the first page, this story enthralled me, and I was once again swept up into the political storms of 410 A.D. Rome. Even though I didn’t want to let go of the romance, adventure, and impeccable historical accuracy, I was eager to see how Morgan O’Neill wrapped up the trilogy. RETURN TO ME delivered more than I could hope for in a marvelously written classic!
The love story between Gigi and Magnus was special and beautiful, becoming the driving force behind their goals. Their return to Rome to save Placidia and her children was heart-wrenching, intense and exhilarating as they embroiled themselves in more political intrigue and came up against their foe Honorius. Staying off Honorius’s radar and battling new threats while trying to save the children and not alter history became their greatest challenge. These challenges brought such emotional and intense conflict to Gigi and Magnus that you wondered how they would ever succeed until the last climatic scene.
It’s bittersweet that I have to say goodbye to Gigi, Magnus, Placidia and all the wonderfully depicted characters in RETURN TO ME. The ending was beyond satisfying, but I will miss reading about Gigi & Magnus’s romance and adventures. Rome and all its beauty and brutal reality, Gigi, Magnus and Placidia will stay in your heart long after you read the last page. I highly recommend RETURN TO ME and the entire trilogy to all fans of historical fiction. Morgan O’Neill is now on my auto buy list and I can’t wait to see what this dynamic writing duo serves up next!
December 1, 2012
Return To Me Completes the Trilogy in Fine Fashion
The final book in the Roman series is a fitting climax to this wonderful trilogy.
By this time, the relationship between Gigi and Magnus has matured into a stable and loving marriage, so with this book, the emphasis is placed on what is at the heart of this series—the history of ancient Rome.
It begins with Gigi and Magnus in present day. But when the magic ring is once more returned to them, through a circuitous route, they cannot deny their fates. They must go back to Rome, and while they can’t alter the course of historic events, they can maybe amend them somewhat.
My heart began to race the minute Gigi and Magnus decide to return to Rome, where they barely escaped with their lives in After The Fall. They must aid the gentle Placidia, sister to the evil, sadistic and perverted Roman Emperior, Honorius. Placidia’s children are in danger, and Magnus and Gigi are their only hope.
Will they go back in time to the right period? Can they arrive in time to save little Theo? Will they ever be able to return to present day? These questions ran through my mind as I began to read this book. I quickly became engrossed in it, and the suspense built until the very end. A beautifully crafted book, and the trilogy is a fitting tribute to the rich and powerful culture that was ancient Rome.
The final book in the Roman series is a fitting climax to this wonderful trilogy.
By this time, the relationship between Gigi and Magnus has matured into a stable and loving marriage, so with this book, the emphasis is placed on what is at the heart of this series—the history of ancient Rome.
It begins with Gigi and Magnus in present day. But when the magic ring is once more returned to them, through a circuitous route, they cannot deny their fates. They must go back to Rome, and while they can’t alter the course of historic events, they can maybe amend them somewhat.
My heart began to race the minute Gigi and Magnus decide to return to Rome, where they barely escaped with their lives in After The Fall. They must aid the gentle Placidia, sister to the evil, sadistic and perverted Roman Emperior, Honorius. Placidia’s children are in danger, and Magnus and Gigi are their only hope.
Will they go back in time to the right period? Can they arrive in time to save little Theo? Will they ever be able to return to present day? These questions ran through my mind as I began to read this book. I quickly became engrossed in it, and the suspense built until the very end. A beautifully crafted book, and the trilogy is a fitting tribute to the rich and powerful culture that was ancient Rome.
December 11, 2012
Return To Me brings the Roman time travel trilogy full circle with Giggi and Magnus still in the starring roles and ever more deeply invested in the lives and complicated politics around them. In this continuation of their love story, the two lover's hands are tied by what they know from the future. What can one do to save the people they love without upsetting the natural course of history? This ethical conundrum alone makes Return To Me more intense and more unexpected, with decisions and outcomes in conflict no matter what Giggi and Magnus try to do. Their commitment to each other and the future is unshakable and beautifully believable. Centered in historical fact and with writing that smoothly folds you into the the early 400's during the Roman and Visigoth conflicts, the many characters come to vivid life, treachery and deceit seems woven through every action and trust comes at a very high price. Yet still love carries the story forward with faith. I highly recommend this trilogy. These stories stand alone magnificently, but together tell a fast paced, exciting and epic tale featuring more than a few real-life historical figures and builds to more than a few surprising but ultimately satisfying solutions.
March 26, 2013
Passion and devotion reign supreme in Return to Me by Morgan O’Neill. Gigi and Magnus must return to ancient Rome in an effort to save Placidia’s children, but they must not do anything that will change history. When Placidia’s brother, Emperor Honorius, discovers that Gigi and Magnus are alive, he is determined to find, torture and kill them. With this threat looming, every step they take must be calculated, but travel is dangerous and Honorius’s power is vast. The love and passion between Gigi and Magnus is strong enough to see them through any danger, and their cleverness and wisdom surmount many difficult circumstances. . Morgan O’Neill’s deftly crafted story weaves intrigue, danger and historical accuracy into this page turner. As well written as the first two in this series, Return to Me is sure to have readers returning to Morgan O’Neill as a favorite author.
I received an ARC of this book from the author for an honest and unbiased review.
I received an ARC of this book from the author for an honest and unbiased review.
December 14, 2012
I loved Return to Me. Not only was it hard to put down, but it delivered everything I hoped it would, and then some. The continuation of the love story between Magnus and Gigi was wonderful - deeper and more beautiful than ever. Their race against time and history downright intense. The devotion they showed to their friends second only to their devotion for each other. And that was simply one of the love stories! Be prepared to experience love and emotion so touching it will linger in your veins hours after the last stirring page.
March 7, 2015
Gigi Perrin and Magnus' final journey continues. Placidia and Athaulf's love is great and yet, doomed. The Visigoth King and Queen, much celebrated. But Gigi and Magnus know the future, and who will and will not survive.
Return to Me is another fantastical journey into the past and the future. Historical romance and time travel lovers, this is a must read series! Highly recommended, I can't say enough good things about writing duo, Morgan O'Neill's Roman Time Travel series. Kudos ladies!
Five out of five fairy kisses.
Return to Me is another fantastical journey into the past and the future. Historical romance and time travel lovers, this is a must read series! Highly recommended, I can't say enough good things about writing duo, Morgan O'Neill's Roman Time Travel series. Kudos ladies!
Five out of five fairy kisses.
January 3, 2013
A satisfying conclusion to the Roman Time Travel Trilogy. There were a lot of bittersweet moments in this installment. My heart repeatedly broke for the trilogy’s secondary heroine, Placidia, whom we saw as a teenager in the first book. But Morgan O’Neill still managed to give readers a happily ever after. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time travel to ancient Rome and look forward to O’Neill’s next project.
December 5, 2012
Morgan O'Neill did it again! The third novel of their trilogy, Return to Me, is filled with all of the adventure, historical detail and romance that readers of the Roman time travel series have come to expect. I don't reread many novels, but I can see myself revisiting the story of Gigi and Magnus again, because it is so well done.
August 19, 2013
an epic ending to an epic series.. loved it to the core.. :)
August 27, 2013
Excellent work!
July 25, 2014
It was a nice story-line. If time travel is your forte, you will find this book a great escape into Roman times in early Christianity. Wasn't sure how the details would play out, especially with stuff they took with them back in time, and while Gigi was concern how Magnus would take the fact she concealed gun and when she finally pulled it out in self-defense he didn't seem to raise an eyebrow. It was interesting how imaginary characters interchanged with real living historical figures. I understand Placidia was subdued after her husband's murder, but when Gigi finally tells her the truth she takes it like a story for children. I would've liked to see the children Gigi and Magnus brought back into modern times and how they adapted. We only got a glimpse of them in the epilogue so obviously they were doing fine, but to see them at least at the moment when they stepped out into the lit street with their eyes wide would be great.
Even if you didn't read prior books in series, you'll be able to follow along in this one.
Even if you didn't read prior books in series, you'll be able to follow along in this one.
August 15, 2015
In this final installment of the Roman Time Travel Series, Gigi Perrin and Quintus Magnus make a desperate bid to save their friends, Placidia and Athaulf, by going back into the past, from which they’d just escaped, and without altering history in the process. But again, deceit and betrayal hamper their efforts, leading to heartbreak for the now Visigothic Queen. There is danger too, from the Emperor, but Gigi and Quintus have an unexpected ally. Once again I’m impressed by the research that’s gone into this series and by their ability to put the reader right into the middle of a world so different from our own. I can’t recommend this series enough. It’s definitely a must read.
July 19, 2016
Great ending to the series.
February 6, 2019
Wow, Just Wow 5+*
What a fantastic conclusion to this time travel series. Extremely well constructed not leaving you to wonder what was the outcome of the main characters. Very well written and interesting. Do not miss reading this series.
What a fantastic conclusion to this time travel series. Extremely well constructed not leaving you to wonder what was the outcome of the main characters. Very well written and interesting. Do not miss reading this series.
November 29, 2017
Sad it’s over
Wow!!! Epic three story book. Did not expect such an amazing story. Had me crying and reading all three in three days.
Wow!!! Epic three story book. Did not expect such an amazing story. Had me crying and reading all three in three days.
June 20, 2019
Good but not as entertaining as the Elizabethan series.
November 14, 2019
After the cliffhanger in Book #2, I was looking forward to Magnus' adventures in the 21st century. Instead, I was transported back to ancient Italy. Not a bad thing, as more adventure and tying up lose ends took place. The history was fascinating.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews