Time-Kissed Destiny by Constance O'Day-Flannery appears to be the third book of a trilogy, the first two novels being Timeless Passion and Timeswept Lovers.  All of this series are currently being re-printed over the next few months.  I would like to point out that not reading the first two books in no way detracts from the final one.  It was only when reading the epilogue and checking with the list of other books at the front that I realised there were more to the series.

Time-Kissed Destiny is the story of Kate Walker, a diver in search of sunken treasure who finds herself sent back into the past when she takes a medallion from the neck of the guardian.

Michael Sheridan is diving for treasure in the year 1968 and can't believe his eyes when he encounters a mermaid within the waters of the deep.  Hidden behind her diving equipment he cannot make out Kate's features but is determined to find the mysterious creature again.

Kate is shocked to find a diver with no equipment in the waters of Barbados and swims for the shore without waiting to see if he is all right.   On dry land again she is even more amazed at the sites before her.  For the roads are now merely tracks and her hotel is the home of a distressed young girl being forced into marriage with a man she has never met.

Desperate to return to New Jersey Kate and the young bride, Helene, quickly change places and Kate takes Helene's place at the alter while Helene flees for the haven of a distant relative.

Hastily married to Kevin Sheridan, Kate is unaware that hers is not the only switch to have taken place and "Kevin" is in fact Michael the brother of the prospective groom.

Setting sail almost at once Kate is surprised when they stop in the vicinity of the treasure but takes the opportunity to make a further dive in the hope of returning to the future.  Once again beneath the waves she encounters Michael and a silent race begins between them to recover the treasure, for both are in desperate need of funds.

But within the confines of the ship it is only a matter of time before Kate's secret is discovered and Michael realises who his mermaid really is.  Soon enough the secret is out, but explanations must wait as a storm approaches and unable to remain afloat their ship is sunk and Michael and Kate find themselves stranded on a remote island awaiting rescue.

Although Michael tries to keep his distance from the appearingly greedy and selfish Kate they find that being thrown together on the island brings them close together.  The only things keeping them apart is the fact that Michael is determined not to believe Kate's wild tale of traveling through time from the future and the treasure from the deep.

They are rescued from the island in due course by the real Kevin and continue their journey north in their quest to recover the treasure from Michael and Kevin's Uncle before it is mistakenly sent to Helene's father with the rest of her belongings.

From the high seas and desert isles to the magnificent city of Charleston, Michael and Kate are thrown together in their quest for the treasure and a life together.

A wonderful story with one of the most unusually employed heroines of this genre.  The poor hero did not know what was coming.

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Also by Constance O'Day-Flannery:   Time-Kept Promises, Anywhere You Are, Once and Forever, Timeless Passion and Timeswept Lovers.

Read an Interview with Constance O'Day-Flannery