The Time Police don’t think twice about jumping to the past. But, this time, the past has come to them…
What connects a dead dinosaur in Wales with Romulus the founder of Rome, a plot to murder the Princes in the Tower and a shocking cover-up at TPHQ?
It sounds like a joke. It isn’t.
The Time Police are determined to find the answers, helped – and occasionally hindered – by a certain wayward member of St Mary’s and a recently reunited Team 236. Will they succeed before Time runs out?
And, as if all that wasn’t enough, something somewhere in the Timeline is wrong. Very, very wrong. What is the Time Map trying to tell them?
BOOK REVIEW
In this sixth Time Police book, a chilling and horrible secret from the past comes to light, and it will shock almost everyone, except the two who already knew. At the same time, a dead dinosaur has been found in Wales, and it’s no fossil. A team is assembled to find out why, and Commander Hay reluctantly turns to an expert who has actually seen dinosaurs in person, Madeline Maxwell, better known as Max from St. Mary’s, As for Team Weird, Matthew gets trapped in the time map, and Luke is still sorting out his feelings for Jane as they head to St. Mary’s to pick up Max. Wait until they discover who is behind the dinosaur appearances and what their plans are next!
Jodi Taylor is a genius at combining history, time travel, and hilarity with a big dose of sadness and tears. She will literally leave you laughing and crying in many different times and places. Max, the main character from The Chronicles of St. Mary’s series, usually pops up in the supporting cast of the Time Police books, but this time she has a starring role, and you don’t want to miss it. As always, there are big revelations, and I was shocked more than once. The Princes in the Tower are mentioned in The Chronicles of St. Mary’s, and they come up in this book as well, in a very disturbing way. There are bloody battles and a heart-touching moment, but the end will surprise everyone. As always with Jodi Taylor’s books, I’m sorry the story came to an end, and I can’t wait for the next one.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher, Headline. My review is voluntary, and the opinions expressed are my own.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jodi Taylor is a British author best known for her Chronicles of St. Mary’s series, which originated from her love of history and a self-published first novel, Just One Damned Thing After Another. Before becoming a full-time writer, Taylor had a long career in local government, working as a facilities manager for North Yorkshire Libraries. She retired in her early 60s to run a hotel in Turkey, where she started writing, and has since sold over a million books.
Early life and career: Born in Bristol, she worked for the North Yorkshire County Council for almost 20 years, including as a library facilities manager. She also spent time in the RAF.
Path to writing: After retiring, she moved to Turkey and, finding herself bored, decided to write a book at age 60. Her first novel, Just One Damned Thing After Another, was self-published online.
Publishing success: The book’s unexpected success led to a publishing deal with Accent Press, which was later followed by a contract with Headline Publishing Group.
Current status: As of 2024, Taylor lives in Gloucestershire. She is the author of several successful series, including the Chronicles of St. Mary’s, the Time Police series, and the supernatural thriller series featuring Elizabeth Cage.
Writing style: Her work is characterized by a blend of humor, history, and adventure. Taylor is known for engaging directly with her readers and attributes her success to them.
Award winning author Michael Gorton masterfully describes advanced scientific concepts intertwined in a deeply human narrative. The story follows Paula, a molecular biologist on the cusp of receiving a Nobel Prize, whose life is abruptly cut short by a tragic accident. Her close friend, Alex, has been developing groundbreaking technology capable of tunneling through spacetime. Driven by grief and determination, Alex embarks on a daring journey using this technology, leading then to a planet in Cassiopeia where they confront unforeseen challenges and emotions. Gorton’s narrative seamlessly blends elements of adventure, romance, and science fiction, inviting readers to explore profound questions about time, loss, and the lengths one might go to alter destiny. “Tachyon Tunnel” is a thought-provoking tale that challenges our understanding of reality and the human spirit.
TACHYON TUNNEL 2: THE DAKLIN EMPIRE
What if Time travel were possible, and Science Fiction is real? Time travel where humans have changed something has implications on the laws of physics. The ripple effect from inertia always catches up. Alex and the Tranquility team are aware of this when they discover the Daklin Empire that has ruled the Galaxy with an iron fist for over 50 million years without suffering a single defeat. As the Daklin take notice of Earth, the team must navigate the challenges of time’s inertia and the unintended consequences of altering history.
Tachyon Tunnel 2 explores how time travel might actually work within the laws of physics, and the implications of changing events in the past. The book combines science, adventure, romance, and the complexities of human decision-making in high-stakes situations. Part two of bestselling author Michael Gorton’s award-winning Tachyon Tunnel series will keep readers on the edge of their seats and is sure to become one of the best science fiction works of the year!
BOOK REVIEWS
Tachyon Tunnel 1
Alex is a genius who has invented a way to tunnel through time and space, with the help of a ship and his trusty AI, Emily. But when he learns his best friend Paula has died, he drops everything and uses this technology to rescue her. What happens next will strand them on another world and affect many people and civilizations.
This is a clever and science-forward novel with a genius method of time travel—tunneling through time. The author does a good job explaining the physics of it. In addition to the method, every author should also set rules of time travel that must be followed. In this book, the rules seem to be whatever science allows. However, there are actions that create paradoxes or have deadly consequences, so it could be that certain rules will be assigned as the series unfolds in order to avoid those situations.
There are also circumstances involving the use of DNA technology that are questionable and a bit unbelievable. Another situation occurred that I completely disagreed with, but it involves sacrificing individual rights for the possible safety of a civilization. These are the kind of choices one ends up making when manipulating time and changing events on entire worlds. The main characters, Alex and Paula, are easy to connect with, but the AI, Emily, steals the show. There is a twist at the end that I absolutely loved. I enjoyed this novel and was sometimes reminded of one of the masters of science fiction, Robert Heinlein. I look forward to Book 2.
Although I received a print copy from the author, I also downloaded the ebook on Kindle Unlimited, where subscribers can read it for free.
TACHYON TUNNEL 2: THE DAKLIN EMPIRE
There is a fresh start in this second book of the series, and it goes in a new direction. New characters are introduced, as well as a new enemy, the Daklin, who will wipe out any civilization that opposes their total domination. But they haven’t found Earth yet. The race to stop the Daklin from finding Earth has Alex seeking out a reclusive group who may be able to help them.
In the first book, the rules of time travel were not necessarily made clear. I would say new rules have been introduced by the author in this book, as previous mistakes are discussed and not repeated. The new characters are strong and compelling, and the evil Daklin Empire lurks as a frightening spectre to avoid. The science of time travel provided is intriguing, and the author manages to make technical discussions entertaining. The book takes a dip into the paranormal as well as science fiction, but I hope it stays science-forward as the series progresses. There is some “telling” instead of “showing” early in this book, but I found it worked and helped the reader adjust to the new direction this series is heading.
The relationship between Alex and Paula is the deepest and most meaningful in the series, and I would like to see the series delve deeper into some of the other relationships as well.
The attempts to evade and stop the Daklin kept me glued to the story, and the addition of an evil empire adds new layers to the novel. Overall, Tachyon Tunnel 2 comes in strong. Having learned lessons from the events of the past, it charges forward in a new and interesting way.
Although I received a print copy from the author, I also purchased the ebook on Amazon. It is only 99 cents at present! See link below.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
(Excerpts from his website) Michael Gorton grew up as the “poor kid next door.” Because of great influence from his parents and four siblings, Michael reached for the stars. With virtually no money in his pocket, he went off to college and earned degrees in Physics, Engineering and Law—all while working full-time.
He is now best known as being a serial entrepreneur, but that title does not do him justice. With degrees in Physics, Engineering and Law, there is no limit to his curiosity. After working ten years as an engineer in corporate America, he founded 15 different companies, including Internet Global, Palo Duro Records, and Teladoc, now one of the world’s largest telemedicine companies. His forward-facing vision and expertise led him to being one of the pioneers of telemedicine and digital health, which is becoming a half-TRILLION-dollar industry. In 2022 he joined with Jay Sanders, “The Father of Telemedicine,” to write Digital Medical Home which details the harrowing tales of the history of telemedicine, something we all now take for granted. He is now working with several companies and medical doctors to develop pathways for integration of AI into medicine, with a goal of lowering costs of care and increasing access, all resulting in longer healthier lives.
An accomplished author, Michael has dabbled in both fiction and nonfiction, recently writing Tachyon Tunnel, a science fiction book series, and Calamistunity, The Secret to Success, a book on how to turn calamity and mistakes into opportunity. His first business book was Broken Handoff, an amalgamation of three decades as an entrepreneur developing companies. His novel, Forefathers & Founding Fathers, is based on the forgotten historical figures who ensured the triumph of democracy in the country that would become America.
Michael is now an in-demand speaker on the topics of innovation and entrepreneurial disruption and has delivered over 100 keynotes in the past two years alone. He has also won the prestigious Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year award, was named a World Economic Forum Tech Pioneer, and a Future 50 Disruptor and more.
In his “spare” time, Michael is a runner, Second Degree Black Belt in Kenpo, and a mountain climber who has so far scaled the highest point of elevation in 43 states.
I know it’s Wednesday, but I couldn’t post yesterday, so here’s Top Ten Tuesday a day late. Below are ten books that surprised me.
Version 1.0.0
Things We Didn’t Say by Amy Lynn Green: The reason this one surprised me is that this was Amy Lynn Green’s debut novel, and it was completely epistolary (comprised of letters, articles, and other written communications). It was so well done!
The Coffee Shop of Curiosities by Heather Webber: This was the first book I read by Heather Webber, and I discovered she writes wonderful small-town fiction with a touch of magical realism. What shocked me was she had already written 25 books and I’d never discovered her before.
The Thin Place by C.D. Major: This one surprised me because sadly there really is a place in the world where dogs inexplicably jump to their deaths.
Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe by Fannie Flagg: The ending surprised me, as it did a lot of people.
A Peculiar Combination by Ashley Weaver: I was pretty tired of WWII novels, but this is about a safe-cracking criminal family that helped British Intelligence during the war, so surprisingly I found myself reading another WWII novel.
The Long March Home by Marcus Brotherton and Tosca Lee: This is so well written, and again set during WWII, but in the Philippines, and I learned a lot of shocking things about what went on there during the war.
The Exchange by John Grisham: Sadly, this one surprised me because it was so bad. It was supposed to be a sequel to THE FIRM, but it felt like Mitch McDeere was added into a totally unrelated novel just to make some sales.
Horse Show by Jess Bowers: This one is shocking and surprising. This is a collection of short stories, many about how horses were abused and neglected, such as in circuses, on movie sets, and even in the military.
Just One Damned Thing After Another by Jodi Taylor: Everyone who reads this blog knows Jodi is my favorite author. But what you may not know is that she didn’t publish her first book until she was 60. That was when she self-published the first book of The Chronicles of St. Mary’s series. She is now a best-sellling author with a major publisher. I bought this book for 99 cents when it came out because I like time travel fiction. I had no idea I was going to read a series that would become like an old friend.
The Nothing Girl by Jodi Taylor: I read this one just because Jodi Taylor was the author. It isn’t Time Travel, so I was skeptical. What it is is a fantasy about how a young girl’s life was saved by a magical golden horse. And it’s so good that I like it just as much as St. Mary’s. That’s what surprised me.
Today’s Top Ten Tuesday topic is “Top Ten Favorite Book Quotes.” I have so many I decided to focus on just The Chronicles of St. Mary’s series by Jodi Taylor, which is full of funny and meaningful quotes. I ended up with 15 instead of 10, and there are SO MANY MORE to choose from. I really love this series. I only included the cover of the first book, as there are 14, plus short stories, in the series.
“Everyone needs rules. After all, how can you break what doesn’t exist? Rules give anarchy something to aim at” ― Jodi Taylor, What Could Possibly Go Wrong?
“He was calm and soothing and had a reasonable explanation for everything. No woman should have to put up with that.” ― Jodi Taylor, Just One Damned Thing After Another
“The screaming redoubled. You put dinosaurs and people together, you always get screaming.” ― Jodi Taylor, Just One Damned Thing After Another
“Silence holds no fears for me. I never feel the urge to fill it as so many other people do.” ― Jodi Taylor, Just One Damned Thing After Another
“Exchange between Leon and Max: “I just want you to tell me you love me sometimes.” “Yes, you see I can’t do that.” He turned his head away. “I love you all the time.” ― Jodi Taylor, Just One Damned Thing After Another
“If this was one of those books, there would now be three pages of head-banging sex. The reality was that he pulled me close, whispered, ‘Mfhbnnntx,’ and I pulled his arm over me like a cover and muttered, ‘Trout,’ and that was pretty much it.” ― Jodi Taylor, Just One Damned Thing After Another
“Helen, in a white coat and stethoscope, effortlessly achieving the sort of discipline for which lesser women would require black leather and a hunting crop, indicated we should form a line. Being St Mary’s, we formed several clumps and a rhomboid.” ― Jodi Taylor, A Second Chance
“Dr Maxwell. Why are you wearing a red snake in my office?’ ‘Sorry, sir. Whose office should I be wearing it in?” ― Jodi Taylor, A Symphony of Echoes
“She said nothing in a manner that conveyed volumes. I said nothing in a manner that I hoped conveyed my complete innocence. She said nothing in a manner that conveyed her disbelief in my complete innocence. I said nothing in a manner that conveyed my hurt at this lack of trust in me. She said nothing in a manner that effortlessly conveyed the message that Dr Bairstow wished to see me at his earliest convenience and to collect Dr Peterson while I was at it.” ― Jodi Taylor, What Could Possibly Go Wrong?
“Mr Markham, the box marked “Sex” is not an invitation. Please amend the details and apologize to Mrs Partridge.” ― Jodi Taylor, Just One Damned Thing After Another
“I know the whole world isn’t really out to get me. I’m pretty sure Switzerland is neutral.” ― Jodi Taylor, A Second Chance
“Teenagers are inarticulate, acne-ridden lumps of inert matter. The only way you can ever induce movement is by trying to separate one from its mobile phone. And if you can do that, then the only way you can stop it attacking is with rhinoceros tranquilizer.” ― Jodi Taylor, Roman Holiday
“Oh, that’s easy. At street level, it’s Middle English. The clergy speak Latin. Your social superiors will speak Middle French. Remember that most words have a final e, which you should pronounce if the following word begins with a consonant. Except when that consonant is h, w, or y, of course. If the following word begins with a vowel, then that e is silent. Every letter in a word should be pronounced. If in any doubt, remember the ph in banana is always silent.” ― Jodi Taylor, A Trail Through Time
Meet Lady Amelia Smallhope, for whom there is no problem that can’t be solved by a drink and a think.
And Pennyroyal, for whom there is no problem. Ever.
Everyone’s favorite bounty hunters. Sorry – recovery agents. No bad guy they can’t handle. No expense account too flexible. No adventure too outrageous.
Join them as they settle scores, break every rule in the book and take the world by storm.
Fasten your seatbelts. The timeline doesn’t know what’s hit it.
BOOK REVIEW
THE BALLAD OF SMALLHOPE AND PENNYROYAL explores the background of the mysterious recovery agents who have played important parts in both THE CHRONICLES OF ST. MARY’S and THE TIME POLICE series’. Their stories are both heartbreaking and inspiring, and I was absolutely riveted the whole time. As usual, birds provide some comic relief. In this case, it’s peacocks! The villain in this story is an absolutely evil woman, and I hated her appropriately. The motivations behind Pennyroyal and “why he is the way he is” make sense to me now.
Without giving spoilers, parts of this novel now have me furiously investigating past books in the series, looking for clues. It is also made clear how integral these two characters are to the plots of both series.
I started this book after breakfast and finished it the same day. I could not stop reading. It is not your usual St. Mary’s story, but it ties everything together and makes some big reveals. I loved that it covers the whole time period of The Chronicles of St. Mary’s, and more, while also telling Smallhope’s life story. Fans of this series will absolutely love this one.
I received a free copy of this book from Headline via Netgalley. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own. As I am a huge fan of Jodi Taylor, I also purchased a signed copy and pre-ordered the audiobook.
THE BALLAD OF SMALLHOPE AND PENNYROYAL will be released on September 12, 2024.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jodi Taylor is the internationally bestselling author of the Chronicles of St Mary’s series, the story of a bunch of disaster-prone individuals who investigate major historical events in contemporary time. Do NOT call it time travel! She is also the author of the Time Police series – a St Mary’s spinoff and gateway into the world of an all-powerful, international organization who are NOTHING like St Mary’s. Except, when they are. Alongside these, Jodi is known for her gripping supernatural thrillers featuring Elizabeth Cage together with the enchanting Frogmorton Farm series – a fairy story for adults. Born in Bristol and now living in Gloucester (facts both cities vigorously deny), she spent many years with her head somewhere else, much to the dismay of family, teachers, and employers, before finally deciding to put all that daydreaming to good use and write a novel. Over twenty books later, she still has no idea what she wants to do when she grows up.
Indie Weekend is my effort to help Indie authors with marketing. It’s a daunting task, and if I can help even a little bit, I’m happy to do it. You can help too by sharing this post with all of your social media followers. Below please see a book review, bio, purchase links, AND a Q&A with Author Jennifer Marchman.
BOOK REVIEW
Eva is a Mender, a fixer of time. She travels to “shadow” timelines, bringing them in line with the “one true timeline,” a line where Germany won World War II. Now her mission is in Texas, in March 1836, but something is off, as she’s arrived several months early. When she meets Jim, a white man raised by Comanches, she is alarmed to see how real he is. He is supposed to be just a shadow, not a feeling human being, and he’s making it hard for her to maintain her people’s vows of celibacy. Then Jim’s friend Pump astonishes her even more when he reveals a secret that only she can understand.
This is the first book in The Mender Trilogy. Jennifer Marchman has created an intricately woven story, as complex as the quantum strings Eva pulls to move through time. The method of time travel is fascinating and based on string theory. The history of Texas, or what would eventually be Texas, is well researched. Every author of a time travel novel must set rules of travel, and what the author has done here is layer many rules, with the reader soon realizing that only some of them are true. It is an intriguing development, as we discover the truths and deceptions along with Eva. The research into Jim’s part of the story is well done, with Comanche customs, culture, and language added throughout. The racism and brutality of life at that time and the poor treatment of women are realistic and true to the period. The characters’ honesty about their own flaws is touching and compelling. This is a captivating and bold combination of time travel, Texas history, and romance that will leave the reader wanting more.
I received a free copy of this book via The Historical Novel Society. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jennifer Marchman lives in Austin, Texas, with her husband, three nearly-grown children, and the two best dogs in the world. At different times, she has worn various authorial hats, including ghostwriter-memoirist, editor, curriculum writer, educational blogger, grant writer, and addicted social media over-sharer, but now, after many years, she’s writing for pleasure.
Jennifer is a member of the Writers’ League of Texas, the Historical Novel Society, #TimeTravelAuthors in the Twitterverse, and helps organize Austin Indie Authors.
She enjoys flamenco dancing, is the proud owner of a white belt in jiu-jitsu, and wishes to compete internationally in mounted archery but lacks a ticket to Kazakhstan. She has toyed with the idea of picking up pottery again, but needs more hours in her day and a husband willing to install (for the fourth time) the necessary electrical outlet for a kiln that may likely go unused.
Visit her website to join her mailing list, view Mender Trilogy extras, and for updates! She loves to hear from readers!
Below is my Q&A with Jennifer Marchman, and I loved her answers so much I put a few after-the-fact comments underneath some of the questions.
Bonnie: Hi Jennifer! Thanks for agreeing to this Q&A!
Jennifer: More than happy to! Thanks for the opportunity!
Bonnie: First, let’s go beyond the bio. Tell us something about yourself that we might not know from reading your bio.
Jennifer: I don’t like sitting still. This is a poor personality trait to have as a writer! But when I write, it is all-consuming. I wrote the entire trilogy from mid-February 2021 to the end of March 2021. Except for inserting what is now chapter 2, my story is the way I wrote it from start to finish. Over the next two and a half years, beta readers helped me add more where things were confusing and needed clarification (and, of course, grammar!), but the order is exactly what I originally wrote. I could have continued polishing indefinitely, but at some point, I needed to let it go.
During that first draft, I was writing 3,000 to 5,000 words a day. I stopped eating and sleeping, and I pretty much abandoned my family. I don’t recommend this! But I feel immensely grateful for the experience, perhaps a once-in-a-lifetime one. I felt tuned into a radio station where I was just listening to what was being said and recording what was happening. Jim, in particular, was irritated that I didn’t give him a voice from the get-go, and believe me, I was just as shocked about the twists as most readers are. I didn’t see them coming either.
I queried my manuscript a little bit, but after 20 queries, I decided I didn’t want an editor changing my story to make it more marketable. As other writers will know, 20 queries are nothing when trying to break into traditional publishing, but even if one had responded, I would have told them I had decided to self-publish. I knew I would have had a hard time preserving my creative integrity in the face of someone who would have felt, to me, like an authority figure (a trad publisher), and it would have caused me enormous stress. My book is as it should be. My audience will find it.
P.S. My husband, in proofreading this for me, said that I didn’t really answer your question. I described my writing process rather than saying anything new about myself.
Hmmm…. I just started volunteering at my local library as an ESL teacher for adults wanting to practice English with a native speaker. I’m learning Spanish myself, so I can sympathize. (This will be the fourth time I’ve tried to learn Spanish, but I’m going to stick with it this time). As I mentioned in my bio, I dance flamenco, and I just started learning castanets (very fun, and a great brain teaser!) And, finally, I am a late adopter of trends. I just started making sourdough, and I’ve made a loaf just about every day for the last month. If we have too much, I give a loaf away.
**Bonnie’s Reaction: I love all the opportunities offered at the local library!
Bonnie:This book is set mostly in Texas during the Texas War of Independence against Mexico. I was surprised to realize that I had learned very little about this in school in Ohio. Your bio says you live in Texas. Did you grow up in Texas, and is this topic something you were already very familiar with?
Jennifer: Yes, I was born in Dallas and raised in my mother’s hometown of Waxahachie from the age of two until I left for college. Waxahachie is (was) a tiny little rural town thirty minutes south of Dallas, in the middle of the Blackland Prairie (so think “flat”). It’s not so little now! But at the time I lived there, it was a typical small Texas town, and we were really, really excited to get a McDonald’s when I was in middle school.
Children are taught Texas history in the fourth grade and seventh grade. Beyond the Alamo, I don’t recall all that much from my own schooling, but since I homeschooled my three children, I had a chance to dive pretty deep with them. We live in Austin, so we began each Texas history block learning about the Comanche and the Tonkawa, two local tribes. When I was putting together a fourth-grade curriculum for other Texas homeschoolers to use, I reached out to the Comanche Museum in Lawton, Oklahoma, for the first time for resources.
During COVID, just as things were opening up and we could visit museums, my youngest was in seventh grade, so we were working through Texas history again. We visited the Presidio in Goliad, and that’s where I first learned about the Angel of Goliad. Initially, I was going to write about her, but I pretty quickly began brainstorming Eva. I heard her voice. I didn’t hear Francisca’s until it was time (Book 3).
**Bonnie’s Reaction: Local museums are a great place to start!
Bonnie: Time travel must have a method and basic rules set by the author. The method you used is so interesting and involves string theory, but is still easy to understand. How did this clever idea come to you?
Jennifer: I have always been fascinated with the mind-bending theoretical bits of physics, such as relativity, quantum mechanics, and string theory. I believe string theory has since fallen out of fashion a bit, but I still find it compelling. It kind of makes the world make sense to me. It seems to me that if time travel were possible, it would require changing the vibration of each energetic string.
And thank you, by the way! I’m glad to hear it was easy to understand. It was quite tricky to get my ideas across without bogging down the story, especially since my story isn’t really about time travel. The mechanics of time travel are beside the point in many ways, though fun to imagine, certainly! If I could have any superpower, it would be time travel, but with the caveat that somehow, I came out wearing the right clothes, speaking the right language, and was immune to disease.
**Bonnie’s Reaction: I didn’t realize string theory was out of fashion, so I need to check out new trends.
Bonnie: Jim is a white man who was raised by the Comanche. Through him we learn about Comanche customs and ways. Tell us about your research into this topic.
Jennifer: Captive narratives are thrilling to read. If you drive out to West Texas, there are often self-published copies that are continuing to be reprinted and sold at the gas stations by the descendants. Captives are certainly part of the lore of Central Texas and even where I grew up in North Texas. We just heard stories about them growing up, and except for some of the violence that accompanied each capture, as a kid, I thought it sounded pretty great to be carried off to a life that sounded free, certainly freer than mine or any other modern human’s. Of course, as an adult and from my research, the reality is much more complicated. For my book, I read every narrative I could access, and I corresponded with a professor at Texas State University who specializes in Comanche captivity. I can now point to exact spots in Austin (mostly under parking lots) where captives were first taken. Something like that has a way of forming a connection with you.
As for the Comanche customs, I contacted the Comanche Museum and used the books they recommended. One of the books (Wallace and Hoebel) is considered the gold standard. Additionally, I was able to find the original transcripts from their interviews with informants, and I used those for extensive fact-checking. I also met with the cultural specialist at the museum to ask a whole bunch of questions, more than I’m sure he bargained for when he agreed to meet me!
When my manuscript was complete, I found a sensitivity reader who is an enrolled member of the Comanche Nation. She graciously read my manuscript twice. She was actually my first reader, and then she read it a second time after it had been through most of my 31 total beta readers. She’s pretty much a saint.
Exploring Comanche culture was probably my favorite part of the process.
**Bonnie’s Reaction: A cultural sensitivity reader is such a great idea!
Bonnie: Eva is slowly learning that she’s been deceived by her cult, and you portrayed this perfectly. Did you research other victims of indoctrination in order to do this so well?
Jennifer: I drew from personal experience.
Bonnie: The characters in this novel are so human. Jim and Eva are not perfect and have done things that would horrify others. How important was it for you to convey real flawed characters in this book?
Jennifer: Extremely important. I love humans, but we can also be really shitty to each other. Every single one of us is capable of being a monster, and in fact, at some point, we probably have been to someone somewhere, even if we’re not aware of it. Except for psychopaths, people are usually well-intentioned. At a minimum, people think their actions are justified (even psychopaths). I heard someone once say that most people are sincere, mistaken, or afraid. I try to keep that in mind, and I tried to keep that in mind for my characters. Each of them believes themselves to be a good person.
The interesting question for me as a writer is: Why do they think they are right? But real love is unconditional for this very reason. None of us are perfect. Love doesn’t always mean that we can stay in a relationship with a loved one who is hurting us, but we love them anyway and want what’s best for them, even from afar. Eva and Jim have both done horrible things; they see each other, no masks, but they also see each other’s tender hearts. They both want to be good, to do right, whatever that is. They’re just not sure anymore.
The world is a very gray place for me. I’m finding that I’m increasingly old-fashioned in this regard.
Bonnie: The Mender is Book 1 in a trilogy, and all three books are available on Amazon. Is this series complete, and if so, tell us about your next writing adventure.
Jennifer: The Mender Trilogy is complete, though I created a rich world that is begging for spinoff stories. I’m percolating several ideas at the moment. Perhaps we’ll find out Pump’s origin story… Perhaps we’ll find out what happened to Sakura and Enrique… Perhaps Eva will try to set the multiverse right… I’ll know when they speak to me!
Bonnie: Thanks so much again for answering my questions today! I really enjoyed The Mender.
Jennifer: Thanks! Anytime!
PURCHASE LINKS
Click on the Image Below to purchase The Mender Trilogy on Amazon
**Kindle Unlimited Subscribers can read it for free.
BEFORE YOU GO…
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Indie Weekend is my effort to help Indie authors with marketing. Marketing is a daunting task, and if I can help even a little, I’m happy to do it. You can help too by sharing this post with your social media followers. Below is my review of The Girl Who Tried to Change History. It’s time travel fiction. As a lot of you know, that is my favorite subgenre, especially when it’s a mashup with historical fiction! I reviewed this for the November 2023 issue of Historical Novels Review.
BOOK REVIEW
2009: What would you do if a mysterious man sat down beside you in the park and offered you a chance to travel in time? That is what happened to Vivienne Riley, a Ph.D. history student specializing in World War II. She accepts and is tasked with saving children in Germany prior to the war as part of an experiment to see if these children would have made a difference in the world. When she arrives in pre-war London in 1939, she meets handsome, kind RAF pilot Andrew Sheffield. As history begins to unfold and bombs begin to fall, Vivienne tries to help the war effort while desperately hoping for Andrew and herself to survive and stay together.
As I always say, in time travel stories, there must be a distinct method of travel, as well as rules set by the author. Although the method of time travel is not completely revealed in this book, it is made clear that it is advanced, secret technology and in the form of an object. The bearer of the object, Gunther, serves as a rather unlikable guide throughout. There is also a rule about death that is unique and interesting, as well as one forbidding involvement in the lives of others. This is mainly a story of how profoundly people can impact each other, and how even the smallest interaction can cause big changes. The ugliness of war is also explored, as Vivienne struggles while watching the events she has always studied in books come alive. This is a thoughtful, vivid portrayal of World War II London and Germany, and the impact one person can make on the world. Anyone interested in World War II history and time travel fiction will enjoy this novel.
My rating is 4.5 stars, rounded up to 5 on sites with no partial star option.
I received a free copy of this book via The Historical Novel Society. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Melissa Kaplan lives in Washington, DC, where she works as a policy advocate on food security and hunger issues. She studied at the London School of Economics and Political Science, and holds a master’s degree in comparative politics with a focus on Europe. She has been a passionate student of history for her entire life, particularly the World War II era, which helped inspire her to write this book. Kaplan is also an avid traveler and has visited more than forty countries, enjoys yoga and barre classes, and is currently finishing her second novel.
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Maggie inherited a gift from her time-crossing parents that allows her to live three separate lives in 1861, 1941, and 2001. Each night, she goes to sleep in one time period and wakes up in another. Until she turns twenty-one, when she will have to forfeit two of those lives–and everyone she knows in them–forever.
In 1861, Maggie is the daughter of a senator at the outbreak of the Civil War, navigating a capital full of Southern spies and wounded soldiers. In 1941, she is a navy nurse, grappling with her knowledge of the future when she joins a hospital ship going to Pearl Harbor. And in 2001, she’s a brilliant young medical student, fulfilling her dream of becoming a surgeon.
While Maggie has sworn off romance until she makes her final choice, an intriguing man tugs at her heart in each era, only complicating the impossible decision she must make, which looms ever closer. With so much on the line, how can Maggie choose just one life to keep and the rest to lose?
PRAISE FOR IN THIS MOMENT
“A unique thought-provoking read.”—Mimi Matthews, USA Today bestselling author
“A breathtaking journey through time and history!”— Sarah Sundin, bestselling, and Christy Award-winning author
“I loved this novel and heartily recommend it.”— Elizabeth Camden, Christy and RITA Award-winning author of When the Day Comes
BOOK REVIEW
IN THIS MOMENT is the second book in the TIMELESS series by Gabrielle Meyer. It can be read as a standalone. Maggie has inherited the ability to time travel. She is living three lives–in 1861, 1941, and 2001. In 1861, she and her father are close associates of Abraham Lincoln. In 1941 she is a Navy Nurse on a hospital ship to Pearl Harbor. In 2001, she is a medical student with plans to become a surgeon.
As always, time travel books should be based on a strong method of time travel, and specific rules of time travel should be set by the author. The method of time travel is simple. It is a genetically inherited ability, and our main character Maggie travels through time when she is sleeping. As for the time travel rules, the first is that Maggie cannot willingly change history, or she will forfeit her life in that timeline. In addition, she will have to choose one timeline when she turns a certain age and give up the others forever. Another unique rule that I really like is that she inhabits different bodies in each timeline and injuries in one timeline are not reflected in the others. I feel the method of time travel in this book is successful, although maybe slightly too easy. The rules the author has set work very well.
The movement from one timeline to another occurs between chapters, and it is not confusing because each chapter is headed with a date and location. The author’s ability to immerse us in three separate periods of history is commendable. I enjoyed all three timelines and they were all associated with very important events in the United States. There were also three love interests, but I found one to be much more compelling than the others. There is a strong Christian message of trusting God’s plan, and I like that the author incorporated time travel into a Christian book.
I received a free copy of this book from Bethany House via Austenprose PR. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Gabrielle Meyer has worked for state and local historical societies and loves writing fiction inspired by real people, places, and events. She currently resides along the banks of the Mississippi River in central Minnesota with her husband and four children. By day, she’s a busy homeschool mom, and by night she pens fiction and nonfiction filled with hope.
Indie Spotlight is my effort to help spread the word about Indie books. Check out the book description and buy links for this time travel fantasy below.
BOOK DESCRIPTION
Antigone is a historical fantasy novel that reimagines the legends of Greek mythology within the fall of one of the world’s greatest and earliest empires. It is a tale of adventure, love, and heartbreak. This is a story of estranged twins who travel back in time to unearth the dark secrets of their family’s past.
In the darkest hour of night, Ann is beckoned by a voice. Antigone, it calls to her. Haunted by this name that she has not heard since she was almost too young to remember, Ann travels to Greece. She is searching for a brother who disappeared from her life years earlier.
As children, Ann and Nik were everything to each other. They had to be. Yet when Ann tracks her twin down on the island of Crete, he will barely meet her eyes. He offers her a single day: one afternoon of sightseeing in an ancient labyrinth – whose stones whisper to Ann of a past left unburied.
In this reimagining of Greek myth, we are brought back to a world of gods and kings, heroes and sacrifice. A lost world of legend, balanced on the edge of a knife. For it is here, in the shadows of this living maze, that the twins’ fate is woven into a civilization on the brink of extinction.
Antigone will be released April 10, 2023.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
R. X. Karvanis is a Greek Canadian whose ancestors drove caravans on the slopes of Mount Olympus. A graduate of U of T Law, with an honours degree in English Literature and Classic Civilizations, she abandoned a professional career to pursue her dream: combining her love of magic, Greek myth and story-telling. She is a first-time novelist.
Casual antique dealer Jake Patch picks up an unusual object and can’t put it down. Literally. His find is a time travel device, and he hatches a bold plan to acquire objects from the past and sell them at modern day prices. But when the mysterious Infinity Glass leaves Patch stranded in a dangerous past, it falls to his teen daughter Cass to save him.
With hints of The Time Traveller’s Wife and Back to the Future and a smattering of Lovejoy, Patches through Time will send you spinning headlong into the past, then spit you back into the twenty-first century.
This book contains occasional profanities. Trigger warning: bereavement (parent, spouse).
Sian Turner was born in Wales, but lives in East Sussex. She has recently started learning Welsh (and can categorically testify that Welsh is difficult).
She works as a part-time volunteer in her local RSPCA cat re-homing centre, from where she keeps adopting new family members (only one or two at a time).
Sian enjoys reading and reviewing some of the many truly amazing novels by Independent Authors, and she is secretary of her local writers’ group, Shorelink Writers.
This is a combination of YA, Fantasy, and Time Travel. The official book blurb says it’s reminiscent of The Time Traveler’s Wife and Back to the Future, and it is in one way, which the reader will soon see. The rules of time travel are very firmly set by the author, which I liked quite a bit. The method of time travel is both an object and a magical creature, which I feel worked in this book.
The plot did not go the way I would have liked, but the premise of the story was good. It appears there are more books to come, as this one ended on a cliffhanger.
I received a free copy of this book via Rachel’s Random Resources. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.
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