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Tachyon Tunnel #1
Tachyon Tunnel
Paula learns she will be awarded the Nobel Prize for her work in molecular biology, her love interest breaks up by text, then she is tragically killed in a collision with a tanker. Meanwhile, her lifelong friend Alex, has developed the technology to tunnel through spacetime.
Three-time #1 bestselling and award-winning author, Michael Gorton paints a story filled with energy, romance, some adult content, science, adventure, and twists, from the first paragraph to the last.
Treat yourself to the journey of two brilliant and athletic scientists who tunnel through spacetime and get stuck on a distant world together. You’ll want a movie made just so you can experience the tale a second time on the big screen.
Three-time #1 bestselling and award-winning author, Michael Gorton paints a story filled with energy, romance, some adult content, science, adventure, and twists, from the first paragraph to the last.
Treat yourself to the journey of two brilliant and athletic scientists who tunnel through spacetime and get stuck on a distant world together. You’ll want a movie made just so you can experience the tale a second time on the big screen.
364 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 17, 2023
42 people are currently reading
557 people want to read
About the author
Michael Gorton
16 books33 followersAbout the author
Michael Gorton has written books that entertain, educate, and inspire. The Tachyon Tunnel series combines time travel, romance, adventure, and great mysteries of science into a novel that takes fiction to an all-new level!
Michael grew up as an Air Force brat in a lower middle-class family. 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. After working 11 years as an engineer in corporate America, he is now a serial entrepreneur who has founded 16 companies. Amongst those are notables: Internet Global, Palo Duro Records and TelaDoc, now the world’s largest telemedicine company. Michael has been a prolific writer, authoring technical articles on a wide range of topics including Internet, power systems, remote metering and disconnect, solar, electric vehicles, healthcare, telemedicine, astronomy, physics and music.
Broken Handoff was Michael's first business book. It was the amalgamation of three decades as an entrepreneur developing companies. The two authors bring a wealth of new perspectives that addresses one of the biggest problems in funding and M&A events. Broken Handoff was named the #1 M&A book in 2019 by Book Authority and has been in the Top 10 on Amazon's chart.
Forefathers & Founding Fathers was Michael’s 5th novel, earned several awards, and reached the #1 slot in Historic Fiction on Amazon's chart. The first four: USSA, Lex Talionis, Tachyon Tunnel, and Born Again American were all written for fun with the intent of giving copies to a small group of friends and family. That was in fact the goal with Forefathers, but while researching the topic, Gorton realized this was an important and unknown story that needed to be heard. Forefathers has received positive reviews from some of the world's best-known authors, including best-selling author Mark Victor Hansen (Chicken Soup for the Soul) and Jim Stovall (The Ultimate Gift).
Michael is a runner, martial artist and mountain climber. He and his family are currently climbing the highest points of elevation in the fifty states. They have 42 done.
Michael is an 11th generation descendant of Samuel Gorton. His lineage is: Samuel, Samuel, Samuel, Benjamin, Amos, Oliver, Guy, Dayton, DeForest, Everett (dad).
Michael Gorton has written books that entertain, educate, and inspire. The Tachyon Tunnel series combines time travel, romance, adventure, and great mysteries of science into a novel that takes fiction to an all-new level!
Michael grew up as an Air Force brat in a lower middle-class family. 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. After working 11 years as an engineer in corporate America, he is now a serial entrepreneur who has founded 16 companies. Amongst those are notables: Internet Global, Palo Duro Records and TelaDoc, now the world’s largest telemedicine company. Michael has been a prolific writer, authoring technical articles on a wide range of topics including Internet, power systems, remote metering and disconnect, solar, electric vehicles, healthcare, telemedicine, astronomy, physics and music.
Broken Handoff was Michael's first business book. It was the amalgamation of three decades as an entrepreneur developing companies. The two authors bring a wealth of new perspectives that addresses one of the biggest problems in funding and M&A events. Broken Handoff was named the #1 M&A book in 2019 by Book Authority and has been in the Top 10 on Amazon's chart.
Forefathers & Founding Fathers was Michael’s 5th novel, earned several awards, and reached the #1 slot in Historic Fiction on Amazon's chart. The first four: USSA, Lex Talionis, Tachyon Tunnel, and Born Again American were all written for fun with the intent of giving copies to a small group of friends and family. That was in fact the goal with Forefathers, but while researching the topic, Gorton realized this was an important and unknown story that needed to be heard. Forefathers has received positive reviews from some of the world's best-known authors, including best-selling author Mark Victor Hansen (Chicken Soup for the Soul) and Jim Stovall (The Ultimate Gift).
Michael is a runner, martial artist and mountain climber. He and his family are currently climbing the highest points of elevation in the fifty states. They have 42 done.
Michael is an 11th generation descendant of Samuel Gorton. His lineage is: Samuel, Samuel, Samuel, Benjamin, Amos, Oliver, Guy, Dayton, DeForest, Everett (dad).
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
May 5, 2025
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.
I downloaded the ebook via Kindle Unlimited, where I am a subscriber, but I also received a print copy from the author. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own. My rating is 4.5 stars, rounded up to 5 on sites with no half-star option.
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.
I downloaded the ebook via Kindle Unlimited, where I am a subscriber, but I also received a print copy from the author. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own. My rating is 4.5 stars, rounded up to 5 on sites with no half-star option.
May 5, 2025
Very fun and engaging read!
Great debut novel from Michael Gorton. Highly recommended. Good focus on the central characters and setup for the next book in the series.
Great debut novel from Michael Gorton. Highly recommended. Good focus on the central characters and setup for the next book in the series.
November 17, 2025
Science, science
The science was fascinating. The interpersonal relationships were stilted and flat.
The science was fascinating. The interpersonal relationships were stilted and flat.
January 24, 2026
This is a confident, intellectually grounded opening to a hard-science-fiction series that takes its ideas seriously without losing sight of the human cost behind them.
At its center is scientist Alex Durant, the brilliant yet refreshingly grounded pioneer of tachyon tunneling, a speculative concept rooted in advanced physics involving hypothetical faster-than-light particles capable of bypassing conventional limits of time and space. Gorton treats this idea not as narrative hand-waving but as a rigorously examined framework, weaving theoretical physics, scientific history, and plausible extrapolation into the story’s backbone.
Alex’s journey through tachyon space begins as a rescue mission: in the original timeline, molecular biologist Paula Campbell is fated to die when her car collides with a truck. Altering that moment sets off cascading consequences, forcing Alex and Paula to confront shifting realities and irreversible choices. Their relationship evolves from friendship to romance and ultimately to the creation of a family and community on a distant world. This drives the emotional core of the novel. The result feels like a thoughtful, science-fiction reimagining of Adam and Eve, where love under extraordinary circumstances reshapes humanity’s future.
Dialogue and reflection play a major role, offering deep analysis that pushes at the boundaries of known science while remaining accessible. For readers who value science fiction that respects real physics while daring to imagine what might be possible, “Tachyon Tunnel” (and the series it launches) is a rewarding and thought-provoking read.
At its center is scientist Alex Durant, the brilliant yet refreshingly grounded pioneer of tachyon tunneling, a speculative concept rooted in advanced physics involving hypothetical faster-than-light particles capable of bypassing conventional limits of time and space. Gorton treats this idea not as narrative hand-waving but as a rigorously examined framework, weaving theoretical physics, scientific history, and plausible extrapolation into the story’s backbone.
Alex’s journey through tachyon space begins as a rescue mission: in the original timeline, molecular biologist Paula Campbell is fated to die when her car collides with a truck. Altering that moment sets off cascading consequences, forcing Alex and Paula to confront shifting realities and irreversible choices. Their relationship evolves from friendship to romance and ultimately to the creation of a family and community on a distant world. This drives the emotional core of the novel. The result feels like a thoughtful, science-fiction reimagining of Adam and Eve, where love under extraordinary circumstances reshapes humanity’s future.
Dialogue and reflection play a major role, offering deep analysis that pushes at the boundaries of known science while remaining accessible. For readers who value science fiction that respects real physics while daring to imagine what might be possible, “Tachyon Tunnel” (and the series it launches) is a rewarding and thought-provoking read.
September 26, 2025
Rated: 3/5 stars
I expect the laws of physics to be a constant throughout the galaxy, but we are just toddlers in understanding those laws. p44
Tachyon Tunnel blends hard science fiction with thriller-like pacing, anchored by Alex—a visionary scientist whose street smarts and unconventional grasp of multiple scientific and engineering fields drive him toward a revolutionary breakthrough in faster-than-light travel. The premise is compelling, rooted in real-world physics and ambitious speculation, which keeps the story grounded while still embracing the “what ifs” of the genre.
Where the novel truly shines is in its science. Gorton’s command of the material is evident, and readers who enjoy the nuts and bolts of theoretical physics will find plenty to engage with. The book raises fascinating questions about innovation, collaboration, and the transformative potential of technology. While some of the science admittedly went over my head—even with a mathematical background—I could still appreciate how realistic and thoughtful the scientific reasoning felt. A particular highlight arrives two-thirds of the way through the book, when the story shifts from characters debating what needs to be done to actually doing it. The time jump injects fresh energy, showing the characters in action rather than endlessly planning.
That said, the novel often stumbles under the weight of its technical detail. The pacing can feel uneven, with stretches of dense exposition slowing the momentum. Much of the middle portion—particularly when Alex and Paula are stranded on another planet—relies heavily on dialogue between the two, which unfortunately falls flat. Their conversations feel stilted and unconvincing, especially given their supposed brilliance and multiple PhDs. One particularly jarring moment occurs when Alex acknowledges they may never escape the planet and suggests focusing on survival, to which Paula replies with a desire to have a baby—later escalating to multiple babies. The logic behind this decision is difficult to reconcile and weakens the credibility of her character.
Once additional characters enter the picture, the story regains some balance, but many of them serve more as vehicles for big ideas than fully realized individuals. This makes emotional connection difficult, even when the stakes are high.
I will admit this book had me thinking about it long after I finished. Due to this fact, I will be moving on to book 2 to see what happens next.
I received a copy of this book through a Goodreads giveaway.
I expect the laws of physics to be a constant throughout the galaxy, but we are just toddlers in understanding those laws. p44
Tachyon Tunnel blends hard science fiction with thriller-like pacing, anchored by Alex—a visionary scientist whose street smarts and unconventional grasp of multiple scientific and engineering fields drive him toward a revolutionary breakthrough in faster-than-light travel. The premise is compelling, rooted in real-world physics and ambitious speculation, which keeps the story grounded while still embracing the “what ifs” of the genre.
Where the novel truly shines is in its science. Gorton’s command of the material is evident, and readers who enjoy the nuts and bolts of theoretical physics will find plenty to engage with. The book raises fascinating questions about innovation, collaboration, and the transformative potential of technology. While some of the science admittedly went over my head—even with a mathematical background—I could still appreciate how realistic and thoughtful the scientific reasoning felt. A particular highlight arrives two-thirds of the way through the book, when the story shifts from characters debating what needs to be done to actually doing it. The time jump injects fresh energy, showing the characters in action rather than endlessly planning.
That said, the novel often stumbles under the weight of its technical detail. The pacing can feel uneven, with stretches of dense exposition slowing the momentum. Much of the middle portion—particularly when Alex and Paula are stranded on another planet—relies heavily on dialogue between the two, which unfortunately falls flat. Their conversations feel stilted and unconvincing, especially given their supposed brilliance and multiple PhDs. One particularly jarring moment occurs when Alex acknowledges they may never escape the planet and suggests focusing on survival, to which Paula replies with a desire to have a baby—later escalating to multiple babies. The logic behind this decision is difficult to reconcile and weakens the credibility of her character.
Once additional characters enter the picture, the story regains some balance, but many of them serve more as vehicles for big ideas than fully realized individuals. This makes emotional connection difficult, even when the stakes are high.
I will admit this book had me thinking about it long after I finished. Due to this fact, I will be moving on to book 2 to see what happens next.
I received a copy of this book through a Goodreads giveaway.
August 23, 2025
Rated: 3/5 stars
I expect the laws of physics to be a constant throughout the galaxy, but we are just toddlers in understanding those laws. p44
Tachyon Tunnel blends hard science fiction with thriller-like pacing, anchored by Alex—a visionary scientist whose street smarts and unconventional grasp of multiple scientific and engineering fields drive him toward a revolutionary breakthrough in faster-than-light travel. The premise is compelling, rooted in real-world physics and ambitious speculation, which keeps the story grounded while still embracing the “what ifs” of the genre.
Where the novel truly shines is in its science. Gorton’s command of the material is evident, and readers who enjoy the nuts and bolts of theoretical physics will find plenty to engage with. The book raises fascinating questions about innovation, collaboration, and the transformative potential of technology. While some of the science admittedly went over my head—even with a mathematical background—I could still appreciate how realistic and thoughtful the scientific reasoning felt. A particular highlight arrives two-thirds of the way through the book, when the story shifts from characters debating what needs to be done to actually doing it. The time jump injects fresh energy, showing the characters in action rather than endlessly planning.
That said, the novel often stumbles under the weight of its technical detail. The pacing can feel uneven, with stretches of dense exposition slowing the momentum. Much of the middle portion—particularly when Alex and Paula are stranded on another planet—relies heavily on dialogue between the two, which unfortunately falls flat. Their conversations feel stilted and unconvincing, especially given their supposed brilliance and multiple PhDs. One particularly jarring moment occurs when Alex acknowledges they may never escape the planet and suggests focusing on survival, to which Paula replies with a desire to have a baby—later escalating to multiple babies. The logic behind this decision is difficult to reconcile and weakens the credibility of her character.
Once additional characters enter the picture, the story regains some balance, but many of them serve more as vehicles for big ideas than fully realized individuals. This makes emotional connection difficult, even when the stakes are high.
I will admit this book had me thinking about it long after I finished. Due to this fact, I will be moving on to book 2 to see what happens next.
I received a copy of this book through a Goodreads giveaway.
I expect the laws of physics to be a constant throughout the galaxy, but we are just toddlers in understanding those laws. p44
Tachyon Tunnel blends hard science fiction with thriller-like pacing, anchored by Alex—a visionary scientist whose street smarts and unconventional grasp of multiple scientific and engineering fields drive him toward a revolutionary breakthrough in faster-than-light travel. The premise is compelling, rooted in real-world physics and ambitious speculation, which keeps the story grounded while still embracing the “what ifs” of the genre.
Where the novel truly shines is in its science. Gorton’s command of the material is evident, and readers who enjoy the nuts and bolts of theoretical physics will find plenty to engage with. The book raises fascinating questions about innovation, collaboration, and the transformative potential of technology. While some of the science admittedly went over my head—even with a mathematical background—I could still appreciate how realistic and thoughtful the scientific reasoning felt. A particular highlight arrives two-thirds of the way through the book, when the story shifts from characters debating what needs to be done to actually doing it. The time jump injects fresh energy, showing the characters in action rather than endlessly planning.
That said, the novel often stumbles under the weight of its technical detail. The pacing can feel uneven, with stretches of dense exposition slowing the momentum. Much of the middle portion—particularly when Alex and Paula are stranded on another planet—relies heavily on dialogue between the two, which unfortunately falls flat. Their conversations feel stilted and unconvincing, especially given their supposed brilliance and multiple PhDs. One particularly jarring moment occurs when Alex acknowledges they may never escape the planet and suggests focusing on survival, to which Paula replies with a desire to have a baby—later escalating to multiple babies. The logic behind this decision is difficult to reconcile and weakens the credibility of her character.
Once additional characters enter the picture, the story regains some balance, but many of them serve more as vehicles for big ideas than fully realized individuals. This makes emotional connection difficult, even when the stakes are high.
I will admit this book had me thinking about it long after I finished. Due to this fact, I will be moving on to book 2 to see what happens next.
I received a copy of this book through a Goodreads giveaway.
September 28, 2023
In Tachyon Tunnel, readers are introduced to Paula, an accomplished molecular biologist on the brink of receiving the Nobel Prize. At the pinnacle of her professional success, Paula’s personal life descends into chaos as her romantic relationships crumble. A tragic accident further shatters her world, but a glimmer of hope emerges through an unlikely source: her friend Alex and his audacious plan involving the tachyon tunnel, a theoretical construct allowing movement through time and space.
This novel's premise is thrilling, promising a journey that weaves science fiction with touches of fantasy and romance. At its core, Tachyon Tunnel is not simply about the exploration of theoretical physics and the far reaches of human invention. Rather, it is the deep connection between Paula and Alex that fuels the story. It's a connection transcending mere friendship or romantic love. This rare bond leads Alex to take risks and embark on a daring adventure to reconnect with Paula.
While the concept of a tachyon tunnel might seem daunting to those without a background in science, Gorton's skillful exposition renders it accessible to the average reader. You don’t need to possess Paula's genius to grasp the essential elements of this innovative technology. The narrative conveys the underlying theme that science, often viewed with trepidation, holds incredible wonders that should be embraced rather than feared.
Gorton's work also touches on a more universal issue: the rapid integration of new technology into our daily lives. His stance is reassuring, nudging readers to see the marvels and majesty of science as treasures to be sought after.
Tachyon Tunnel achieves a delicate balance, melding complex scientific ideas with a heartfelt human story. It's a novel that invites readers to ponder the possibilities of time and space and to reflect on the enduring power of human connection. For those looking for a thoughtful and engaging read that bridges the gap between hard science and deep emotion, this book may be the ideal exploration.
This novel's premise is thrilling, promising a journey that weaves science fiction with touches of fantasy and romance. At its core, Tachyon Tunnel is not simply about the exploration of theoretical physics and the far reaches of human invention. Rather, it is the deep connection between Paula and Alex that fuels the story. It's a connection transcending mere friendship or romantic love. This rare bond leads Alex to take risks and embark on a daring adventure to reconnect with Paula.
While the concept of a tachyon tunnel might seem daunting to those without a background in science, Gorton's skillful exposition renders it accessible to the average reader. You don’t need to possess Paula's genius to grasp the essential elements of this innovative technology. The narrative conveys the underlying theme that science, often viewed with trepidation, holds incredible wonders that should be embraced rather than feared.
Gorton's work also touches on a more universal issue: the rapid integration of new technology into our daily lives. His stance is reassuring, nudging readers to see the marvels and majesty of science as treasures to be sought after.
Tachyon Tunnel achieves a delicate balance, melding complex scientific ideas with a heartfelt human story. It's a novel that invites readers to ponder the possibilities of time and space and to reflect on the enduring power of human connection. For those looking for a thoughtful and engaging read that bridges the gap between hard science and deep emotion, this book may be the ideal exploration.
March 26, 2025
Tachyon Tunnel pulled me right into its fascinating concept of time travel, blending science and imagination so well that I genuinely wondered if time travel might already be happening around us. Michael Gorton's storytelling is creative, with characters that felt real and relatable as they grew and changed throughout the story.
Not my typical genre, I enjoyed how quickly and smoothly the story moved along. I was pulled in from the start and it kept me interested. The pacing was great, making it a quick but thought-provoking read.
Overall, Tachyon Tunnel is imaginative and immersive. If you're curious about time travel and enjoy science fiction fantasy/romance with strong character development, you'll enjoy this book.
Not my typical genre, I enjoyed how quickly and smoothly the story moved along. I was pulled in from the start and it kept me interested. The pacing was great, making it a quick but thought-provoking read.
Overall, Tachyon Tunnel is imaginative and immersive. If you're curious about time travel and enjoy science fiction fantasy/romance with strong character development, you'll enjoy this book.
July 9, 2025
The plot is intense but the ending! Very ingenious. So, a whole book and that did not even matter? Interesting…
So, this couple travel faster than light and so destiny does not catch up to them for 20 years! So past people coexist with not-yet-created people that may disappear once the speed of light of destiny catches up to them.
It is very interesting how he also creates a civilization that collapses under an orderly development. The humans’ enemies are humans themselves from a past where they become belligerent.
You have to read with patience to get it all. Go slow at the end.
So, this couple travel faster than light and so destiny does not catch up to them for 20 years! So past people coexist with not-yet-created people that may disappear once the speed of light of destiny catches up to them.
It is very interesting how he also creates a civilization that collapses under an orderly development. The humans’ enemies are humans themselves from a past where they become belligerent.
You have to read with patience to get it all. Go slow at the end.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 5, 2025
a wild, fun ride!
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews