Blast from the Past: The Sands of Time by Sidney Sheldon-a review

Blast From the Past: The Sands of Time by Sidney Sheldon-a review

Blast From the Past

Welcome to a new feature at The Reading Cafe-BLAST FROM THE PAST-a look back at some of the oldies but goodies in the world of literary romance and ‘bodice-ripper- style novels. Our third installment is THE SANDS OF TIME by Sidney Sheldon.  Please enjoy Rachel’s review and tell us about some of your favorite romance story lines from the past.

THE SANDS OF TIME
by Sidney Sheldon
Release Date: 1989
Genre: historical, romantic, suspense
The Sands of Time

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO /

Four nuns find themselves suddenly thrust into a hostile world they long ago abandoned for the safety of the convent. Unwittingly they become pawns in a battle between the charismatic Jaime Miró, leader of the outlawed Basque nationalists, and the ruthless Colonel Ramón Acoca of the Spanish Amy.

Four women – and the men they are forbidden to love.
Megan – the orphan, who feels an overpowering attraction to Jaime.
Lucia – the fiery Sicilian beauty on the run for murder – and Rubio Arzano, the freedom fighter who risks his life to save her.
Teresa – whose guilty conscience finally drives her to betray her friends.
Graciela – who bears a terrible secret that almost destroys her – and the courageous Ricardo who loves her.

From the same author of the books “The Other Side of Midnight”, “Rage of Angels”, “Bloodline” and “Windmills of the Gods”. The book is set in Spain and centres around four nuns and their unwitting involvement with outlawed Basque nationalists and the Spanish Army.

REVIEW

5 out of 5 for this reader folks!

I am an avid reader. I started young, and cannot ever think of a moment when I didn’t have a book on the go at any giving time. When I think of “Blast From The Past”, I think of the books that opened a whole new world of reading for me. I remember reading the teeny bopper books when I was a tween/teen, and compared to now a days , they were very PG. I remember checking out my mother’s bookshelf, not really knowing what I could expect to find, but knowing I was bored of tween/teen. Well .. in pops Sidney Sheldon into my life, and the official leap into adult reading was done.

Sidney Sheldon, the top author that I will reread and reread again and again. He wrote beautiful trashy books that had elements of danger, suspense, SEX (a huge deal at 13) and a whole lot of story I didn’t always grasp. When I spoke with my mom about them (she realized I was actually enjoying the storyline and not just the trash), I remember learning all about storyline twists and turns and not always understanding what had happened at that moment in the story (amazing platforms for some awesome bonding times with my mom) because I was still a little too young to grasp it. BUT, I grew up when I discovered Sidney Sheldon, and I smile fondly even to this day, when I crack a paper copy (GASP .. I’m mostly an ereader, but you have to read Sidney on paper that comes from an old used bookstore ..lol).

Sands of Time by Sidney Sheldon was originally published in 1988, and it is my all time fave novel by him. Set during the Spanish Civil War, Spanish Inquisition in 1930’s, it follows the story of 4 nuns, a charismatic rebel and a Colonel who despite his position and rank, is an absolute horrible man.

Our 4 nuns are quite different. Lucia is in the nunnery because she is hiding from a murderous past. Megan is an orphan that is sweet and who seems to be made to be a nun. Graciella is the beauty of the group, so beautiful men lust after her with just s simple glance. Theresa is our older nun who is in constant turmoil with herself and her faith. In typical Sidney Sheldon writing style, we are taken back into each one of these four ladies pasts where we can appreciate what has molded them to be the ladies they are today. Some pasts are absolutely tragic.

During this war, the rebel leader Jaime is constantly being chased by Colonel Acoca. Jaime is a passionate soul who believes in his cause and reason to rebel. He has much responsibility on his shoulders, trusts who he believes he needs to, and right or wrong, will do whatever must be done for his cause. He is a doer .. not a talker! If you decieve him, you will pay. He has also found himself falling in love with one of the nuns he has agreed to protect when their nunnery was attacked. Col Acoca is a monster who hides behind a position in order to by a tyrant. He cares only for himself, not his people. He is on a mission to take down Jamie, and if killing nuns is what it will take, he will see it done.

The story goes on from there, and there are many turns and twists, and people who are good were really bad, and selfish people become giving, and oh .. so much more! When you dive into Sands of Time, you dive into a whole lot of story! LOL

So a great Blast From the Past to review. I usually go on a Sidney Sheldon kick once I pick up one of his books, so do not be suprised if you see him featured again! LOL

HAPPY READING! 🙂

Reviewed by Rachel T.

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10 thoughts on “Blast from the Past: The Sands of Time by Sidney Sheldon-a review

  1. Wonderful review, Rachel. This Blast From the Past is a wonderful new feature. As for Sidney Sheldon, my favorite book of his was The Other Side of Midnight. I loved that book.

  2. Wonderful review. Brings back old memories. Barb, I remember The Other Side of Midnight. I think they made a movie out of that, or was it a TV series.

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