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One Constant #1
One Constant
Two weeks from his thirtieth birthday in the year 2020, Temporal Agent Charleston Meeks Jr. is assigned to work for his father on a special project. The government’s Restore Point Program sends small teams back in time to save the life of one person, just once, but Charleston’s father wants to explore what would happen if the RPP intervened in the life of one person repeatedly. Charleston is tasked with saving the same child, Barnaby Rosenthal, from a series of events from birth through his teens. When Charleston approaches his terminal step—the last temporal trip an agent can make before possibly suffering permanent damage—his father forbids any further contact, but Charleston has too much invested in Barnaby to give up. A story from the Dreamspinner Press 2012 Daily Dose package "Time Is Eternity".
48 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 31, 2012
3 people are currently reading
88 people want to read
About the author
Dawn Kimberly Johnson
34 books66 followersDawn lives in Huntington, West Virginia, and graduated from the W. Page Pitt School of Journalism & Mass Communications at Marshall University. An avid reader and storyteller since childhood, she was first published by Dreamspinner Press in 2009, shortly after discovering a delightful appetite for gay romantic fiction. Her interests include writing, seeking full civil rights for the LGBTQ community, drawing, and playing silly Facebook games. You can connect with Dawn at her author page at Dreamspinner Press: https://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/aut...
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
December 20, 2019
4 Stars
This premise is a cool one, with special "temporal" agent Charleston Meeks repeatedly going back in time to intervene and save the life of a kid named Barnaby, first when Barnaby's a baby, and then again a couple times through his childhood, with the aim of getting him safely into adulthood.
I loved the special bond that was formed between these two in these life saving moments, laying the groundwork for what will surely become quite an epic romance in the sequel, .
I enjoyed this time travel short a helluva lot and I can't wait to dive into the longer sequel (Right on Time) to see what happens next between Charleston and Barnaby! <3
This premise is a cool one, with special "temporal" agent Charleston Meeks repeatedly going back in time to intervene and save the life of a kid named Barnaby, first when Barnaby's a baby, and then again a couple times through his childhood, with the aim of getting him safely into adulthood.
I loved the special bond that was formed between these two in these life saving moments, laying the groundwork for what will surely become quite an epic romance in the sequel, .
I enjoyed this time travel short a helluva lot and I can't wait to dive into the longer sequel (Right on Time) to see what happens next between Charleston and Barnaby! <3
June 26, 2017
Short but good. A very interesting premise with the promise of more - I'm off to read the sequel!
December 23, 2019
I really liked this, and couldn't wait to read the second book. But while this short was great as a sort of prequel to the real romance, the second book was not what I'd hoped it would be. I got to 50% and then quit.
But this short was still quite enjoyable. And I do love time travel stories.
But this short was still quite enjoyable. And I do love time travel stories.
January 24, 2016
This is a very romantic story, one that is all about finding the one you love without really understanding it at first. The fact that he lives in the past is an added complication that makes the gradual realization as to what is happening both more poignant and more heart-wrenching.
Charleston is a temporal agent, and has quite the stubborn streak. Up until he gets involved in his father’s special project, he gets along well enough, but once he meets and saves Barnaby a few times, his priorities change. The attachment that takes place is very gradual, but that only strengthens the bond he now feels for a man who seems more accident-prone than average. Charleston’s determination, however, matches his growing emotions.
Barnaby is an interesting character, even though we only get to see minute snippets from his life as he grows up. Each encounter with Charleston is unexpected, but there are enough hints to make me wonder whether Barnaby knew, or at least suspected, what was going on. Of course, by the time we get to the final reveal, no doubts about him and how he sees the entire sequence of events are left.
I loved the romance of this story, and even though we do not get to see and experience the happy end, it was very moving and left me emotionally extremely relieved. It isn’t easy to pull that off, but the author did a great job here. If you like time travel stories with a twist, if you are a romantic at heart, and if you prefer your stories with more than a touch of emotion, yet entirely non-explicit, you will probably like this very touching short story.
NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
Charleston is a temporal agent, and has quite the stubborn streak. Up until he gets involved in his father’s special project, he gets along well enough, but once he meets and saves Barnaby a few times, his priorities change. The attachment that takes place is very gradual, but that only strengthens the bond he now feels for a man who seems more accident-prone than average. Charleston’s determination, however, matches his growing emotions.
Barnaby is an interesting character, even though we only get to see minute snippets from his life as he grows up. Each encounter with Charleston is unexpected, but there are enough hints to make me wonder whether Barnaby knew, or at least suspected, what was going on. Of course, by the time we get to the final reveal, no doubts about him and how he sees the entire sequence of events are left.
I loved the romance of this story, and even though we do not get to see and experience the happy end, it was very moving and left me emotionally extremely relieved. It isn’t easy to pull that off, but the author did a great job here. If you like time travel stories with a twist, if you are a romantic at heart, and if you prefer your stories with more than a touch of emotion, yet entirely non-explicit, you will probably like this very touching short story.
NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
June 6, 2012
Noooooooo!!! Damn it!! Somebody, please, tell me I got a faulty copy of this book and yours has an epilogue! This story can't end like that! Just CAN'T!!! I need more! Right f*cking NOW!!!!
Seriously, the story was pretty good and I loved it, but really, where's that damn epilogue?! WHERE???!!!
The fact that the whole thing ended on a hopeful note is far from enough for me. I loved these guys and they do deserve their HEA, so where the f*ck is it?! There had better be a sequel and soon!
Normally, I would rate this 4.5 stars. However, taking into account the unsatisfying ending I should cut down one star, which I always do in such cases. And yet, since I do hope that's not the end of Charleston and Barnaby's story and that there will be more, I'm rating this 4 stars.
And if there's no sequel in the foreseeable future? Well, you can do the math. That would be 3.5 stars I'm afraid... but let's stick to 4 (at least for now).
Seriously, the story was pretty good and I loved it, but really, where's that damn epilogue?! WHERE???!!!
The fact that the whole thing ended on a hopeful note is far from enough for me. I loved these guys and they do deserve their HEA, so where the f*ck is it?! There had better be a sequel and soon!
Normally, I would rate this 4.5 stars. However, taking into account the unsatisfying ending I should cut down one star, which I always do in such cases. And yet, since I do hope that's not the end of Charleston and Barnaby's story and that there will be more, I'm rating this 4 stars.
And if there's no sequel in the foreseeable future? Well, you can do the math. That would be 3.5 stars I'm afraid... but let's stick to 4 (at least for now).
April 20, 2013
3,5* upgrade because I would love to read a sequel.
July 26, 2016
4.5 Stars
While short, this story still manages to pack a punch! (What can I say...I cried at the inscription!)
I bumped the stars up to 5 because... THERE IS A SEQUAL COMING OUT IN MAY!!! Yay!
While short, this story still manages to pack a punch! (What can I say...I cried at the inscription!)
I bumped the stars up to 5 because... THERE IS A SEQUAL COMING OUT IN MAY!!! Yay!
June 7, 2012
WTH where is the end?? Not even a HFN nothing it just ends!!
It was a lovely story just incomplete
It was a lovely story just incomplete
May 29, 2014
Love me some time travel! Read this right before the new one that just came out...
October 17, 2016
This was very short, but a great little read. Really liked the idea behind this one and rushed straight on to read the full length #2 which picks up where this one left off.
February 20, 2025
2020 being the year chosen for the near-future made me shed a tear
loved the premise of this and a messy wedding crash is my kinda telenovela jam
loved the premise of this and a messy wedding crash is my kinda telenovela jam
October 31, 2019
4.5 stars! Gimme that next booooook
October 27, 2017
2 books in this very entertaining series. This is the 1st one and is a novella - lays out the groundwork for a sweet futuristic world (that's already here). I love the premise - I think most people have imagined what they would do with a time machine... And the author turns it all into a really great and enjoyable love love story.
October 19, 2025
I'm not a big fan of short stories. However, this one was excellent and as another reviewer has stated, the author has packed a lot into less than 100 pages. The plot was wonderful, the main character likeable and interesting. Writing and editing was solid. I admit that I purchased this because I wanted to read the sequel, a longer story titled 'Right on Time'. Recommended read.
January 10, 2024
This was a super interesting if quick read. I wish I'd read it sooner! Definitely need to read the sequel to get to a HEA as this is only vaguely a HFN.
June 16, 2012
Reviewed for Hearts On Fire Reviews
This is so sweet, oh just the idea of a “mistake” being the saving of someone and the ramifications for the future hooked me. Due to his mistake, he has been on thin ice with the company, Temporal Research and Development. This chance, to save a child who was stolen from a mall and brutally murdered, will help him earn back some points. His father is the head, and comes across as a cold man for a time, not willing to listen to his son. Charleston is close to the limit on how many times he can go back but he doesn’t want to end his career on a mistake. It’s so difficult though – you go in to save that person, but ONLY that person. You can’t change things so it doesn’t happen to someone else. How tough would that be?
Charleston’s father decides to “experiment”. They will allow Charleston to continue to follow the same person (the why does become apparent). So interesting, the changes. And 14-year-old Barnaby on the bridge? I could see so many teenagers in that situation and it made me sad. Charleston is amazing there, as well.
In a random note for me, I liked the way it ended. I am usually all about the HEA, gotta have it. This ending felt like such a beginning, it made me smile just because. I would so love to read more of these two (and Charleston’s father is a treasure, despite what you think at first I have to say). Recommended because it’s just so lovely.
This is so sweet, oh just the idea of a “mistake” being the saving of someone and the ramifications for the future hooked me. Due to his mistake, he has been on thin ice with the company, Temporal Research and Development. This chance, to save a child who was stolen from a mall and brutally murdered, will help him earn back some points. His father is the head, and comes across as a cold man for a time, not willing to listen to his son. Charleston is close to the limit on how many times he can go back but he doesn’t want to end his career on a mistake. It’s so difficult though – you go in to save that person, but ONLY that person. You can’t change things so it doesn’t happen to someone else. How tough would that be?
Charleston’s father decides to “experiment”. They will allow Charleston to continue to follow the same person (the why does become apparent). So interesting, the changes. And 14-year-old Barnaby on the bridge? I could see so many teenagers in that situation and it made me sad. Charleston is amazing there, as well.
In a random note for me, I liked the way it ended. I am usually all about the HEA, gotta have it. This ending felt like such a beginning, it made me smile just because. I would so love to read more of these two (and Charleston’s father is a treasure, despite what you think at first I have to say). Recommended because it’s just so lovely.
March 24, 2015
A Joyfully Jay review.
4.5 stars
For a short story, there is a lot to talk about with this one. But then again, for a short story, to talk too much about it would then give too much away. First off, this is just an intriguing story. While Charleston is being sent back in time, Barnaby was born in 1992, and the time period is easily recognizable. And what greatly appealed to me is that while Charleston is going back and forth between the two time periods, he’s not fixed into just one time period. On the surface this is Charleston’s story. He has been living and working as a time travel agent, but he is reaching the point where he can no longer travel safely. Through an error, or an act of fate, he is put into the path of Barnaby and then tasked to save him during various points of Barnaby’s life. The catch here is that all of this happens in a short period of time for Charleston, but for Barnaby, the actions occur over the course of his young life. Charleston shows up for only a few minutes each time, just when Barnaby needs him most. We do not get to see how this contact has affected Barnaby, until we do get just a glimpse of how these visits may have impacted him.
Read Michelle's review in its entirety here.
4.5 stars
For a short story, there is a lot to talk about with this one. But then again, for a short story, to talk too much about it would then give too much away. First off, this is just an intriguing story. While Charleston is being sent back in time, Barnaby was born in 1992, and the time period is easily recognizable. And what greatly appealed to me is that while Charleston is going back and forth between the two time periods, he’s not fixed into just one time period. On the surface this is Charleston’s story. He has been living and working as a time travel agent, but he is reaching the point where he can no longer travel safely. Through an error, or an act of fate, he is put into the path of Barnaby and then tasked to save him during various points of Barnaby’s life. The catch here is that all of this happens in a short period of time for Charleston, but for Barnaby, the actions occur over the course of his young life. Charleston shows up for only a few minutes each time, just when Barnaby needs him most. We do not get to see how this contact has affected Barnaby, until we do get just a glimpse of how these visits may have impacted him.
Read Michelle's review in its entirety here.
June 19, 2012
Charleston is a temporal agent that is licensed to travel in time to save the lives of people that are deemed to have potential to help society. As an experiment, Charleston becomes involved in a project that allows him to go back and repeatedly save the life of Barnaby Rosenthal after Charleston first saves Barnaby as an infant outside of a normal mission.
I really loved this story and it reminded me of Lightning by Dean R. Koontz that I read decades ago. Lightning has always been one of my favorite books. I couldn't believe the ending though. It ends with a lot of possibility, but no HEA or even an HFN. It's more wide open. This makes rating this story problematic for me. It was easily on a 5 star arc until the last page...
I really loved this story and it reminded me of Lightning by Dean R. Koontz that I read decades ago. Lightning has always been one of my favorite books. I couldn't believe the ending though. It ends with a lot of possibility, but no HEA or even an HFN. It's more wide open. This makes rating this story problematic for me. It was easily on a 5 star arc until the last page...
June 12, 2014
I liked the concept of time-traveling in this story, the idea that you have a finite amount of trips that you can take is something I haven't encountered too often. I thought the story of Charleston and how he gets to intervene in the same person life over and over and saved him every time was very entertaining. I would have like to have the point of view of Barnaby who gets saved over and over by the same mysterious man, but not having that angle didn't take anything away from the story.
I really liked the ending (I've seen a lot of reviews of people who wished for an epilogue, I don't think the short needed it), it is opened and I don't think there's anything missing from it, .
I really liked the ending (I've seen a lot of reviews of people who wished for an epilogue, I don't think the short needed it), it is opened and I don't think there's anything missing from it, .
June 6, 2012
Wow I'm positive impressed in this written story. This shorty is amazingly pulling and sadly TO SHORT. I would really want a longer story about them. Barnaby and Charleston were really interesting characters. Some words for the author, pretty please make my day and write a continuing story. It would be amazing!
July 18, 2014
I really enjoyed the worldbuilding and the time travel here, as well as the story of the two main characters. An excellently drawn short which tells a great story, but I'm REALLY glad I have the sequel book on hand and plan to start it right now. Right on Time
October 5, 2015
I wasn't sure what to expect with this short story but it kind of endeared to me. My only gripe, like so many others, was the ending. I liked how it ended on a hopeful note and a large part of me wants to see the next part of what happens!!! But otherwise, an enjoyable read!
Just realised there's a sequel but I've reached my buying quota unfortunately so this will have to wait...
Just realised there's a sequel but I've reached my buying quota unfortunately so this will have to wait...
April 26, 2016
This was a really good little short story. The writing isn't quite perfect and the ending is a bit of a cliffhanger (but there's a novel-length story that follows), but I enjoyed it and am looking forward to reading the novel.
January 3, 2017
Very likeable. This was a well done little time travel novella. It's an interesting idea and was well-written. The ending left me wanting so much more. I see there is a sequel and I may check it out.
June 4, 2012
Beautiful time travel short story. I would love to see more Of Barnaby and Charleston...
May 15, 2014
I loved this and it's time travel which I love;-) Glad there is a sequel out now.
Want to read
May 31, 2015Have already bought the sequel!
October 23, 2015
So much fun !!
its a prequel to a longer book that I cannot wait to read
Time travel is one of my favorite tropes and this one is really original
Recommended
its a prequel to a longer book that I cannot wait to read
Time travel is one of my favorite tropes and this one is really original
Recommended
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews