“Warm and wonderful. It SO describes one’s first love and how it is imprinted on us forever.”

“Satisfying love story for us baby boomers… It is a journey of self-discovery and acceptance. The story tells the essence of a lifetime of trial, personal pain, and sometimes despair — mixed with recollections of the excitement as well as the fragile and confusing emotions of first love. And then a generation of loss and simple survival — to finally come out on the other side to a promise of unfolding renewal and rebirth.”

“I find Islands to be timed perfectly for me. The timing, all of it — the back and forth, the quick explanatory vignettes, the tone I could grasp — all made for reading that became, I want to say, magnifying… [C]omforting, always engaging and truly enriching with a shared sense of torn-open healing.”

“A true love story. This is a story of growth to maturity and self-acceptance of a girl who found her first love in the year she turned 14… Reminded me of the style in Water for Elephants.”

“Picturesque… Interesting to read a love story involving mature characters. The flashbacks to their youth make it work. Reminiscent of The Notebook.”

“Islands of Time by Barbara Kent Lawrence. I really like it. The story, about a girl from away spending her summer in Maine, then coming back to Maine to reclaim herself, resonates with me. It’s also a love song to the people and landscape of Maine.”
— Linda Greenlaw, New York Times best-selling author and swordfishing captain

“Barbara Kent Lawrence has written a page turner of a novel about first love, its loss and the near hopeless pursuit of recapturing that for which one was unprepared… Prepare for a day or night of non-stop reading because you won’t put Islands of Time down.”
— Barbara Lazear Ascher, Author of *Dancing in the Dark*

“Barbara Lawrence draws us into a steadily deepening engagement with a passionate, self-demanding character… Islands of Time provides an amazing insight into the longstanding cultural divisions of the Maine coast and the possibility of transcending them through human compassion and understanding.”
— William Carpenter, Author of *A Keeper of Sheep*

“Islands of Time is a deeply sensitive and revealing work… I read it in three furious days — I couldn’t put it down!… There is a vein of truth in it that can only come from someone being brave enough to show us their guts.”
— Caitlin FitzGerald, Actress (*Masters of Sex*)

“For those who love Maine island life and enjoy a story that draws from the love of Maine, populated by real Maine characters, Islands of Time is a perfect read.”
— *Goodarticles*

“Lawrence moves effortlessly between the 1950s and the present day as Becky’s memories surface… People of all ages can relate to Becky’s journey.”
— Aislinn Sarnacki, *The Bangor Daily News*
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“A good book is food for the soul… Islands of Time can be the perfect summer read. Ms. Lawrence has used real life experiences of her Maine island life to give the book such depth.”
— *SCOOPASIA*

“Lawrence has achieved an absorbing story… Unlike many contemporary romances, the lovers do not live ‘happily ever after’ at 20 or 30. This book creates a much richer perspective.”
— Lucy R. Sprague Fredericksen, *The Hamilton-Wenham Chronicle*

“A wonderful travel through time and love. My highest praise for a book is that I don’t want it to end… I gave this book to my 17-year-old daughter — and she loved it too.”
— S. MacDonald, Amazon Review

“A gentle and nostalgic read, a perfect title… Lovers of Maine will love this book, and so will summer lovers.”
— FH, Amazon Review

“A Solid New Novel… It is not a page-turner, but it focuses your attention and draws you in. It’s one of the best novels — new or old — I’ve read in a long time.”
— C C-T, Amazon Review

“Captivating! This is a lovely book… Being a Maine girl myself, it was easy to visualize Becky’s world and become lost in the story.”
— Donna W. Michaud, Amazon Verified Purchase

“Highly recommended. Becky and Ben and the rest of the cast live in me. It is more than a love story… it is an authentic narrative of personal growth and redemption.”
— Howard, former editor of *Islands of Time*

“Young Love that Haunts Itself Real… It brings one back to that first love, and the great ‘what if?’… I might have to go back for another look.”
— PMG, Amazon Review

“A book to spend time with… Worth reading for its cultural insight, but also for Becky’s inner journey. This is a lovely novel about loss and strong connection, self-imposed isolation and love.”
— Grace Belfiore, reviewed via Anthony Grimshaw’s account

“Barbara Kent Lawrence speaks from the heart. Her voice, as the character of Becky in <em>Islands of Time</em>, is both uplifting and familiar—plus she catches you when you fall. A fine balance.”
— Nicole Olivier, Maine Coast Book Store, Damariscotta

“Barbara Kent Lawrence is warm, engaging, and personable in nature. We have enjoyed her immensely during her book signings. She complements the many different energies, crowds, and characters that walk through our doors.”
— Nire Cook, Center for Maine Craft, West Gardiner Travel Plaza

“Barbara Lawrence gave us a delightful reading from her book and presentation. We all came away with a greater understanding of the book and of the writing process that created it. Our little island library was packed.”
— Cindy Thomas, Director, The Islesford Library, Islesford, Maine

“It was a great day at Sherman’s Books with Barbara Kent Lawrence’s signing of her new book, <em>Islands of Time</em>. Many people showed up to review this compelling novel and meet this gifted author. We look forward to the next book and her next visit. We encourage you to grab a copy soon.”
— Gordon Gushee, Sherman’s Books and Stationery, Camden

“Barbara Kent Lawrence gives a wonderful presentation of her newly published book <em>Islands of Time</em>. She is knowledgeable about her subject and delves deeply into her well-developed characters as well as the ‘Islands’ that the novel is centered around.”
— Elly Andrews, Events Coordinator, Northeast Harbor Library, Northeast Harbor, Maine

“Author Barbara Lawrence was the right mixture of an excellent writer and local flavor—the audience here at the Camden Public Library was thoroughly engaged and enjoyed the presentation on <em>Islands of Time</em> greatly!”
— Ken Gross, Program Director, Camden Public Library

“Barbara is poised, prepared, proactive, professional, and genial. I am very impressed with how open she is to talking about the work of authorship, and providing a peek inside the closet. Attendees left very pleased, and one woman simply gushed about how happy she was to have caught the talk; she could not have been more enchanted.”
— Rebecca Shea, Administrative Librarian, Hamilton-Wenham Library, Wenham, Massachusetts

“Barbara Kent Lawrence spoke with great enthusiasm about her process as an artist and the colorful inspirations for her characters and storyline. We were delighted to discover the many layers of fascinating knowledge Barbara has to share. Dr. Lawrence is a dynamic and versatile speaker. She can quickly assess the interests of an audience and adapt her presentation. Her book speaks for itself—it is as nuanced and entertaining as Barbara herself.”
— Clara Baker, Director, The Bass Harbor Memorial Library, Tremont, Maine