[The History Mystery 01] • Time and Again

The History Mystery Trilogy: inspirational time travel books for adults (and teens)!

Christian time travel with a unique twist—computer software that “time-surfs” through the history of old houses.

It’s also squeaky clean romance, guaranteed to be flinch-free.

And the kind of historical fiction you like to read—believable!

Time and Again

book 1

An old house + A new computer program = The travel opportunity of a lifetime…to another century.

Abby Thomas is spending the summer in a run-down old house with a bratty pre-teen named Merrideth she is supposed to tutor. It’s not her idea of a dream job, but it does come with perks.

There’s John Roberts, a devastatingly attractive neighbor who is almost too wonderful to be real.

And then there’s the virtual trip to the 19th century she gets to take via a strange computer program called Beautiful Houses—also too amazing to be real! No one knows how it works, but with the program, Abby can rewind and fast-forward the lives of all the people who ever lived in the house, including that of young Charlotte Miles.

In 1858, Charlotte’s house is a train stop on the Alton Chicago Line. And she is stuck there serving meals to the passengers, wondering if she’ll ever get to have any fun. But then she meets two travelers who change her life forever.

There’s James McGuire with whom she falls in love. And there’s his boss, a young Springfield lawyer named Abraham Lincoln. His debate with political opponent Stephen Douglas catapults him onto the national stage and leads to his presidency during the dark days of the Civil War. Hearing Abraham Lincoln pour out his heart on the debate stage inspires Charlotte Miles to take up the cause of abolition and to turn her house into a stop on the Underground Railroad.

Abby and Merrideth gain new perspective on their own lives as time and again they see God’s plans to bless Charlotte Miles and the other inhabitants of the old house unfold on their computer screen.

Time and Again is perma-free historical Christian fiction. Get the remainder of the time travel trilogy—Unclaimed Legacy, and Every Hill and Mountain—at a discount when you buy the History Mystery Box Set. Then be sure to continue the historical adventure with the follow-up Rewinding Time Series where “bratty” pre-teen Merrideth becomes Dr. Merrideth Randall, esteemed professor of history.

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Review

"What really made the story unique was how she brought the past to life via a computer program. While this book is geared toward teens, I think that anyone who enjoys contemporary and historical fiction woven together will certainly enjoy this book. On a scale of one to five I would easily give this book a six! Highly recommended."        

--Brenda Casto, Amazon reviewer

"As the title of this book indicates, the plot is twofold, part of it taking place in the present and part of it in the past. In the present, Merrideth has more to deal with than any normal eleven-year-old child. Through a time travel computer, Merrideth and Abby visit the past. Deborah Heal skillfully navigates back and forth between the past and present. Her transitions are smooth and well done. This is an amazing book with strong Christian undercurrents. The characters are likable and I really cared about them. I was so captivated by this book that I read it in one sitting. I really did not want it to end. I've always enjoyed history and this book brings the Civil War era to life. I recommend this book for upper elementary and older readers. This is part of a new series and I look forward to reading the next installment."

--Reviewed by Anne Boling for Readers' Favorite

From the Author

Genre:

I think of my Time and Again trilogy and Rewinding Time Series as History-Mysteries, or to borrow a term from a fellow writer--"Faction." The time travel aspect immediately puts it in the science fiction category, but don't expect to find aliens. The stories are firmly attached to the real world. (BTW, it's only virtual time travel, because I didn't want to mess with the whole space/time continuum thingy. You're welcome.) They are also historical fiction, taking the reader back to real people and events. Their biblical themes make the stories appropriate for the Christian fiction category, although I tried to use a light hand here. I don't believe secular readers will feel bludgeoned. 

Audience:

The main character in the trilogy, starting with Time and Again, is college student Abby Thomas, and they are suitable for adults and older teens. Although the trilogy is a squeaky clean read, the themes and topics are heavy (especially in Unclaimed Legacy and Every Hill and Mountain), too heavy--in my opinion--for pre-teens. 

Once Again, book 1 in the Rewinding Time Series stars Merrideth Randall, a college history professor, and is geared toward adults.