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Second Chance #3
Duties and Dreams
From the author of THE FOUNTAIN and ANNIE'S APPLE comes a story that spans decades of conflict and change.
As World War I rages in Europe, the Carpenters and the Lees make a home in Southern California. Bill and Cassie add to their family. Andy and Annie start one of their own. Paul, a bachelor, enters the world of business. All find peace in a turbulent time. Then draft notices arrive, illness strikes a child, and life for two intertwined families takes a troubling turn.
Thirty years later, Emilie Perot, a beautiful resistance fighter, and Steve and Shannon Taylor, an American couple with ties to Paul Carpenter, conspire to escape Nazi occupation. Each seeks freedom and a new life in France's Vosges Mountains, home of a legendary fountain of youth that can restore health and send visitors through time.
As events unfold in the different eras, the participants march on. All are unaware of the forces that seem determined to throw them together.
In DUTIES AND DREAMS, the epic conclusion of the Second Chance trilogy, several young adults find love, heartbreak, and redemption in a world of war, pandemics, and social unrest.
As World War I rages in Europe, the Carpenters and the Lees make a home in Southern California. Bill and Cassie add to their family. Andy and Annie start one of their own. Paul, a bachelor, enters the world of business. All find peace in a turbulent time. Then draft notices arrive, illness strikes a child, and life for two intertwined families takes a troubling turn.
Thirty years later, Emilie Perot, a beautiful resistance fighter, and Steve and Shannon Taylor, an American couple with ties to Paul Carpenter, conspire to escape Nazi occupation. Each seeks freedom and a new life in France's Vosges Mountains, home of a legendary fountain of youth that can restore health and send visitors through time.
As events unfold in the different eras, the participants march on. All are unaware of the forces that seem determined to throw them together.
In DUTIES AND DREAMS, the epic conclusion of the Second Chance trilogy, several young adults find love, heartbreak, and redemption in a world of war, pandemics, and social unrest.
341 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 9, 2023
105 people are currently reading
92 people want to read
About the author
John A. Heldt
35 books232 followersJohn A. Heldt is the author of twenty-six bestselling time-travel novels. The former reference librarian and award-winning sportswriter has loved getting subjects and verbs to agree since writing book reports in grade school. A graduate of the University of Oregon and the University of Iowa, Heldt is an avid fisherman, sports fan, coin collector, and reader of thrillers and historical fiction. When not sending contemporary characters to the not-so-distant past, he weighs in on literature and life at johnheldt.blogspot.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
November 10, 2023
"Duties and Dreams," was a great conclusion for a great series! I think this is my favorite book in the "Second Chance" series (though the first two books are still fantastic). This book has fun new characters, a suspenseful story line, and sweet moments throughout. I would follow the Carpenter's and the Lee's anywhere at this point, I wish there were more of their story to read!
March 14, 2024
What if you had a second chance at living your life? John Heldt’s DUTIES AND DREAMS rounds out the Second Chance series as three siblings find their best selves and their best lives in the past.
Once again, John Heldt makes time travel sound simply amazing without getting caught up in the science, but rather in the romance and magic of taking a leap of faith. With perfect amounts of fact and fiction, our imaginations can run free and actually feel as if we are there with all of the good, the bad and the ugly. They say hindsight is twenty/twenty and for these elderly and frail siblings it is that and more.
Once again, John Heldt makes time travel sound simply amazing without getting caught up in the science, but rather in the romance and magic of taking a leap of faith. With perfect amounts of fact and fiction, our imaginations can run free and actually feel as if we are there with all of the good, the bad and the ugly. They say hindsight is twenty/twenty and for these elderly and frail siblings it is that and more.
November 21, 2023
In the concluding book of the Second Chance series, the Carpenter siblings, Bill, Paul, and Annie are now living in Hermosa Beach in Southern California in 1918. It's been thirteen years since they literally took a leap of faith into a fountain in remote Mexico that both restored their youth and health and transported them back in time. Ever since starting over, they've survived the San Francisco earthquake of 1906, the loss of a loved one in the sinking of the Titanic in 1912, wars, and much more. In the meantime, Bill has happily married Cassie Lee, and they have two young daughters, Beatrice and Millie. After a rocky start to their relationship, Andy Lee finally asked Annie to be his wife, and now they have twin boys, Henry and Patrick. In addition, the middle sibling, Paul, lives with the two couples and their families, all in one big house. Everything seems perfect, yet Paul has yet to find love. He's lost two women already in his new life. Can he strike it right now? After all, the third time is the charm.
That said, the third novel revolves mostly around Paul's journey, although Bill and Annie, along with Cassie and Andy to a lesser degree, also have chapters from their points of view. Heldt's novels all follow a similar formula of rotating perspectives regarding chapters. As always, the author is a stellar researcher when it comes to history. In 1918, America was fighting at the end of World War I, and the Spanish flu was about to make its ugly trek around the globe. Knowing this, the Carpenters do all they can to avoid conflict, loss, and sickness, but despite their best efforts, those very things visit and threaten their lives.
We are also introduced to a new character, Emilie Perdot, in 1944. How does her story connect with the Carpenters in 1918?
As some are drafted to fight in the war and others face very difficult choices on the homefront, the stakes are higher than ever for the Carpenters. They started their first lives over because they were at the end of them, left unhappy and unhealthy. Now, just when they seem to have it all, will everything they worked so hard for be undone?
In a race against time itself, Bill, Paul, and Annie must come face to face with both the consequences of their choices and circumstances beyond their control. Heldt's pages turn quickly as we charge toward the conclusion of the series, and grab a tissue or two, because stakes aren't the only thing that is high. Emotions are all over the place for both the characters and the reader. You won't want to miss the emotional conclusion of this wonderful time-travel series that pulls out all the stops!
That said, the third novel revolves mostly around Paul's journey, although Bill and Annie, along with Cassie and Andy to a lesser degree, also have chapters from their points of view. Heldt's novels all follow a similar formula of rotating perspectives regarding chapters. As always, the author is a stellar researcher when it comes to history. In 1918, America was fighting at the end of World War I, and the Spanish flu was about to make its ugly trek around the globe. Knowing this, the Carpenters do all they can to avoid conflict, loss, and sickness, but despite their best efforts, those very things visit and threaten their lives.
We are also introduced to a new character, Emilie Perdot, in 1944. How does her story connect with the Carpenters in 1918?
As some are drafted to fight in the war and others face very difficult choices on the homefront, the stakes are higher than ever for the Carpenters. They started their first lives over because they were at the end of them, left unhappy and unhealthy. Now, just when they seem to have it all, will everything they worked so hard for be undone?
In a race against time itself, Bill, Paul, and Annie must come face to face with both the consequences of their choices and circumstances beyond their control. Heldt's pages turn quickly as we charge toward the conclusion of the series, and grab a tissue or two, because stakes aren't the only thing that is high. Emotions are all over the place for both the characters and the reader. You won't want to miss the emotional conclusion of this wonderful time-travel series that pulls out all the stops!
April 2, 2024
I think I would have enjoyed this a lot more if I had read the 1st 2 books in the series. There were lots of references to things that had happened previously that would have fleshed out this story and made it more interesting. This is a time travel book which is always a bit mind boggling to consider. Bill, Annie and Paul are siblings that left 2022 and ended up in the early 1900's. This book picks up with WW1 and Paul and Annie's husband, Andy, being drafted for service. I felt like the writing was a bit repetitive and stilted. Each chapter was designated by place, time and which character it focused on which was helpful as the story was told from several character's point of view.
February 6, 2024
In Brief
Duties and Dreams closes out the Second Chance trilogy, offering a heartwarming and very fitting ending to the second lives of three siblings whose bond has been both strong and beautiful across time and space. It’s 1918 and, while Bill and Annie are settled with spouses and kids, Paul is a bachelor who loves to dote on his nieces and nephews. But WWI is knocking, and roughly tugs Paul and his brother-in-law Andy into its bloodshed. In 1944, Emilie is a French resistance fighter who befriends a couple Paul once knew, and unfortunate circumstances has her jumping into a fountain of youth. Fate brings them together, but there’s danger, both in Europe and at home, at every turn, spurring them onward while Bill and Annie are faced with increasingly difficult choices. Like the first two books, Duties and Dreams pulls deeply on history, setting the stage and once again throwing the Carpenter family into dangerous waters. As the conclusion to the siblings’ incredible story of a second chance at life, it’s beautiful and bittersweet, heartwarming and utterly perfect. It’s a fantastic read for those who enjoy history and close sibling bonds.
Extended Thoughts
The third book in the Second Chance trilogy, I’ve both been eagerly looking forward to it and dreading it in equal measure. I’ve adored traveling back in time and reliving history alongside siblings Bill, Annie, and Paul Carpenter, all while laughing, learning, grieving, and falling in love with them. In 2022, these three siblings were elderly and had nothing to lose when they decided to take a leap of faith and plunge into a fountain of youth. They came out in the early 1900s in younger, healthier bodies and, since then, lived through the San Francisco quake, the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire, and the sinking of the Titanic. But they’ve also proved their bond as siblings is unshakable, even while falling in love, starting families, and moving across the country more than once. They’ve endured everything together, and I’ve come to love each of them dearly, so, while I couldn’t wait to find out how their story ended, I dreaded this ending even though I know their happily ever afters live on the other side.
Duties and Dreams follows, like the first two, the lives of all three siblings, which isn’t hard since they and their own families live together in one big house. But, like the first two, it focuses on the romance of one of the siblings. Now that Bill is settled down with Cassie and two daughters and Annie and Andy are finally happily married and parents to mischievous twin boys, it’s time for Paul to find the love of his life. But it’s 1918 and Paul is pulled back into the army and sent to Europe near the end of WWI. In another time, Emilie is a resistance fighter in France in 1944, working with a couple Paul once knew who introduce Emilie to a different fountain of youth. When things go wrong, Emilie jumps in, moving across time from one world war to another. Fate brings them together, but their journey is far from over. As the war rages, someone seems to be chasing after them, and trouble at home calls Paul and forces him to make hard choices.
My heart always broke a little for Paul. He never seemed to have much luck, loving and then ultimately losing out. So I was very much looking forward to his book, his romance. Paul always seemed a bit like a wild child, enjoying life and living for adventure more than his siblings. But, now, it’s tempered by the experiences of a first life, and I always admired how he strove to do things differently in his second life. I admired him so much, so my heart always hurt a little whenever he lost a love. I adored Bill and Annie, but Paul just always had a special place in my heart. He was so much fun, and his devotion to his family no matter what was just incredibly heartwarming.
I never managed to really picture who I’d like Paul to end up with, but I don’t think I could have imagined anyone better than Emilie. A fellow time traveler, he doesn’t have to keep secrets from her. Nor is she a young, innocent woman. I loved that she had a fascinating first life, one that has certainly served her well in her second. She’s smart and gutsy, and such a perfect match for Paul. While I would have loved more buildup to their romance, I thought it was sweet and exactly what Paul deserved. They worked and communicated so well it was like they had always been together. I adored them, and am a little sad to not get to see them again since the trilogy is finished. But the way their story ended was lovely and heartwarming and it’s so easy to picture how happy they must be. As fraught as Paul and Emilie’s journey was, it was exceedingly lovely, and I couldn’t be happier for them.
But Duties and Dreams is about more than just Paul and Emilie. Paul’s older siblings Bill and Annie have their own stories, albeit much more domestic in nature. Both are happily married with little children running underfoot. As always, it was lovely to see Bill and Cassie, especially as parents. But their relationship takes a heartbreaking, rocky turn, and I felt my own heart plummet so many times. It’s not just WWI that’s at play, but also a deadly disease and the Spanish flu that these families have to deal with. I hated the things they had to go through, but I’m also glad certain conversations were finally had. Then there’s Annie and Andy. After the things they went through in the second book, I was so happy to see them settled into a domestic life, but WWI changes things abruptly, and then further changes things, creating rifts between them that only long held secrets can possibly heal. As much as it hurt to see these couples hurting, I also appreciated the opportunity it gave them to grow not just as couples, but as a larger family. I especially loved how this book ended for all of them, perfectly wrapping up all of their stories and making their ties that much closer. I also absolutely loved how the fountain of youth and time travel played key roles, very neatly tying the whole series together.
After three books, I won’t even pretend to understand how the time travel works. And, really, I don’t care. It worked, it gave three siblings with nothing to lose everything, and offered a mesmerizing story full of love and family. It played a bigger role in this book, a kind of role not seen since the first, and I liked how it was actually built on. More is understood of it by the third book, which helped make that incredible heartwarming ending possible, but I still don’t really understand how it works. Still, I don’t care, because, for me, at least, that was never the real point of the story, or what I came to these books wanting. To me, it’s a beautiful story of three siblings with an incredibly close bond and a chance to live life over again. The time travel just felt like the icing on the cake. Perhaps, if I were more scientific or if the story focused much more on it, I’d be more curious, but I was content to let the characters figure out how to use the fountain of youth and just go along for the ride. After all, I was here for the family, and it definitely paid off in spades.
Duties and Dreams is the perfect ending for this trilogy. Just like the first two books, it focuses on family, offers a sweet romance, and draws deeply on historical events. I wasn’t quite sure about a story that involved both world wars, but it worked perfectly. I adored how the history was woven in, just as I did in the first two books. I especially liked the very nice touch that, while the siblings are aware of these historical events, they don’t know every detail. It felt realistic, and offered a good deal of tension. This book was absolutely wonderful, a perfect ending full of heartbreak and heartwarming moments. It has so many tense moments, but also so many lovely moments and some delightful connections. It was a perfect way to end the trilogy.
Thank you to the author for a review copy. All opinions expressed are my own and independently offered.
Duties and Dreams closes out the Second Chance trilogy, offering a heartwarming and very fitting ending to the second lives of three siblings whose bond has been both strong and beautiful across time and space. It’s 1918 and, while Bill and Annie are settled with spouses and kids, Paul is a bachelor who loves to dote on his nieces and nephews. But WWI is knocking, and roughly tugs Paul and his brother-in-law Andy into its bloodshed. In 1944, Emilie is a French resistance fighter who befriends a couple Paul once knew, and unfortunate circumstances has her jumping into a fountain of youth. Fate brings them together, but there’s danger, both in Europe and at home, at every turn, spurring them onward while Bill and Annie are faced with increasingly difficult choices. Like the first two books, Duties and Dreams pulls deeply on history, setting the stage and once again throwing the Carpenter family into dangerous waters. As the conclusion to the siblings’ incredible story of a second chance at life, it’s beautiful and bittersweet, heartwarming and utterly perfect. It’s a fantastic read for those who enjoy history and close sibling bonds.
Extended Thoughts
The third book in the Second Chance trilogy, I’ve both been eagerly looking forward to it and dreading it in equal measure. I’ve adored traveling back in time and reliving history alongside siblings Bill, Annie, and Paul Carpenter, all while laughing, learning, grieving, and falling in love with them. In 2022, these three siblings were elderly and had nothing to lose when they decided to take a leap of faith and plunge into a fountain of youth. They came out in the early 1900s in younger, healthier bodies and, since then, lived through the San Francisco quake, the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire, and the sinking of the Titanic. But they’ve also proved their bond as siblings is unshakable, even while falling in love, starting families, and moving across the country more than once. They’ve endured everything together, and I’ve come to love each of them dearly, so, while I couldn’t wait to find out how their story ended, I dreaded this ending even though I know their happily ever afters live on the other side.
Duties and Dreams follows, like the first two, the lives of all three siblings, which isn’t hard since they and their own families live together in one big house. But, like the first two, it focuses on the romance of one of the siblings. Now that Bill is settled down with Cassie and two daughters and Annie and Andy are finally happily married and parents to mischievous twin boys, it’s time for Paul to find the love of his life. But it’s 1918 and Paul is pulled back into the army and sent to Europe near the end of WWI. In another time, Emilie is a resistance fighter in France in 1944, working with a couple Paul once knew who introduce Emilie to a different fountain of youth. When things go wrong, Emilie jumps in, moving across time from one world war to another. Fate brings them together, but their journey is far from over. As the war rages, someone seems to be chasing after them, and trouble at home calls Paul and forces him to make hard choices.
My heart always broke a little for Paul. He never seemed to have much luck, loving and then ultimately losing out. So I was very much looking forward to his book, his romance. Paul always seemed a bit like a wild child, enjoying life and living for adventure more than his siblings. But, now, it’s tempered by the experiences of a first life, and I always admired how he strove to do things differently in his second life. I admired him so much, so my heart always hurt a little whenever he lost a love. I adored Bill and Annie, but Paul just always had a special place in my heart. He was so much fun, and his devotion to his family no matter what was just incredibly heartwarming.
I never managed to really picture who I’d like Paul to end up with, but I don’t think I could have imagined anyone better than Emilie. A fellow time traveler, he doesn’t have to keep secrets from her. Nor is she a young, innocent woman. I loved that she had a fascinating first life, one that has certainly served her well in her second. She’s smart and gutsy, and such a perfect match for Paul. While I would have loved more buildup to their romance, I thought it was sweet and exactly what Paul deserved. They worked and communicated so well it was like they had always been together. I adored them, and am a little sad to not get to see them again since the trilogy is finished. But the way their story ended was lovely and heartwarming and it’s so easy to picture how happy they must be. As fraught as Paul and Emilie’s journey was, it was exceedingly lovely, and I couldn’t be happier for them.
But Duties and Dreams is about more than just Paul and Emilie. Paul’s older siblings Bill and Annie have their own stories, albeit much more domestic in nature. Both are happily married with little children running underfoot. As always, it was lovely to see Bill and Cassie, especially as parents. But their relationship takes a heartbreaking, rocky turn, and I felt my own heart plummet so many times. It’s not just WWI that’s at play, but also a deadly disease and the Spanish flu that these families have to deal with. I hated the things they had to go through, but I’m also glad certain conversations were finally had. Then there’s Annie and Andy. After the things they went through in the second book, I was so happy to see them settled into a domestic life, but WWI changes things abruptly, and then further changes things, creating rifts between them that only long held secrets can possibly heal. As much as it hurt to see these couples hurting, I also appreciated the opportunity it gave them to grow not just as couples, but as a larger family. I especially loved how this book ended for all of them, perfectly wrapping up all of their stories and making their ties that much closer. I also absolutely loved how the fountain of youth and time travel played key roles, very neatly tying the whole series together.
After three books, I won’t even pretend to understand how the time travel works. And, really, I don’t care. It worked, it gave three siblings with nothing to lose everything, and offered a mesmerizing story full of love and family. It played a bigger role in this book, a kind of role not seen since the first, and I liked how it was actually built on. More is understood of it by the third book, which helped make that incredible heartwarming ending possible, but I still don’t really understand how it works. Still, I don’t care, because, for me, at least, that was never the real point of the story, or what I came to these books wanting. To me, it’s a beautiful story of three siblings with an incredibly close bond and a chance to live life over again. The time travel just felt like the icing on the cake. Perhaps, if I were more scientific or if the story focused much more on it, I’d be more curious, but I was content to let the characters figure out how to use the fountain of youth and just go along for the ride. After all, I was here for the family, and it definitely paid off in spades.
Duties and Dreams is the perfect ending for this trilogy. Just like the first two books, it focuses on family, offers a sweet romance, and draws deeply on historical events. I wasn’t quite sure about a story that involved both world wars, but it worked perfectly. I adored how the history was woven in, just as I did in the first two books. I especially liked the very nice touch that, while the siblings are aware of these historical events, they don’t know every detail. It felt realistic, and offered a good deal of tension. This book was absolutely wonderful, a perfect ending full of heartbreak and heartwarming moments. It has so many tense moments, but also so many lovely moments and some delightful connections. It was a perfect way to end the trilogy.
Thank you to the author for a review copy. All opinions expressed are my own and independently offered.
November 20, 2023
Imagine, if you will, the ability to live your life for a second time. Would you take that risk knowing you might end up back to a time when the world looked vastly different from our technology riddled world of today?
The Carpenters did just that, they took a leap of faith, they lept through the fountain of youth and landed in 1905 in The Fountain. Now, we catch up with the Carpenter siblings in Southern California at the tail end of World War I, 1918 to be exact. With two young men in the family, Paul, and Andy, who are of the draft age and having already served in the US Army are once again conscripted to serve their Uncle Sam and fight in a war that can only be described as deadly!!! Can you even begin to imagine living in that world knowing what you know today and not being able to do anything about it?
This time the story hits a little too close to home, as a modern-day Army Mom and Army family I know the ups and downs that the Carpenter and Lee families are feeling as Paul and Andy ship off to Europe during the tail end of the war with no real clue of what those two young men will face. Then in a swing, the author takes us forward in time to the middle of World War II and we meet up again with Shannon and Steve and their adopted pseudo-daughter Emilie as the Natzi’s are closing in on their little French Village. The swings of high and low and roller coaster this novel takes us on is just what John specializes in. If you love historic fiction and time travel stories as much as I do, then this one is the perfect time capsule and conclusion to an amazing trilogy. This is a story of personal strength of character, time, love, family, and the ties that bind us all together.
The Carpenters did just that, they took a leap of faith, they lept through the fountain of youth and landed in 1905 in The Fountain. Now, we catch up with the Carpenter siblings in Southern California at the tail end of World War I, 1918 to be exact. With two young men in the family, Paul, and Andy, who are of the draft age and having already served in the US Army are once again conscripted to serve their Uncle Sam and fight in a war that can only be described as deadly!!! Can you even begin to imagine living in that world knowing what you know today and not being able to do anything about it?
This time the story hits a little too close to home, as a modern-day Army Mom and Army family I know the ups and downs that the Carpenter and Lee families are feeling as Paul and Andy ship off to Europe during the tail end of the war with no real clue of what those two young men will face. Then in a swing, the author takes us forward in time to the middle of World War II and we meet up again with Shannon and Steve and their adopted pseudo-daughter Emilie as the Natzi’s are closing in on their little French Village. The swings of high and low and roller coaster this novel takes us on is just what John specializes in. If you love historic fiction and time travel stories as much as I do, then this one is the perfect time capsule and conclusion to an amazing trilogy. This is a story of personal strength of character, time, love, family, and the ties that bind us all together.
May 8, 2024
Duties and Dreams, the last installment in Heldt’s Second Chance series finds the extended family of the Carpenters and Lees with new additions, aspirations, and ambitions. Life is good for the blended Carpenter-Lee clan, living together in Hermosa Beach, Southern California, 1918.
But the three time-traveling siblings, Bill, Annie, and Paul, know the storm clouds of World War I are far from lifting and there is also the small matter of a Spanish Flu epidemic heading their way…
Duties and Dreams begins in halcyon fashion, six years after the previous outing.
Annie and Andy have twin boys, and Bill and Cassie now have two daughters. As Paul muses in Chapter 3, their existence is “the picture of tranquility”, a phrase certain to provoke the gods, and merely a few paragraphs later, the Carpenter-Lee world is turned on its head, and the drama begins.
Heldt throws everything and more into this final book but with control and credibility. It’s a rollercoaster ride of emotion, action, and conflict, tautly plotted, tightly focused, and it’s brilliant. Heldt seamlessly traverses genres and decades as he unfolds the conclusion of the Second Chance series, and he does so without any loss of continuity or momentum.
The narrative never really lets up, and although Heldt gives the reader a little of what they want, he ensures the novel is peppered with unexpected twists and reveals and is not afraid to pull some quite big and wholly unanticipated upsets.
Not least of these involve Shannon and Steve Taylor, whom Heldt introduced us to in the second novel and who are also time-travelers. The Taylors are in France, 1944 experiencing the brutality of Nazi occupation. Heldt sets up an interesting parallel with the Carpenter-Lees as Andy and Paul are drafted into the final days of WWI.
Indeed, Heldt plays with, and uses, foreshadowing to superb effect. The three siblings are aware of coming events as is the reader, who is also privy to several characters’ future intentions. Heldt takes this knowledge and works it cleverly into every area of the narrative, setting up some nail-bitingly suspenseful chapters.
Indeed, he provides the reassurance of a meticulously researched historical framework but sprinkles it with unpredictability, the areas of the novel set against the backdrop of both World Wars read like action/espionage thrillers yet thrive on fact.
Nonetheless, this is a character-driven series and Heldt takes all of his characters to, in some cases, the edge of sanity. The reader presumes there will be a happy ever after but Heldt always pays the piper and large swathes of Duties and Dreams are shot through with creeping unease and dread apprehension.
The situation with Bill and Cassie’s eldest daughter, six-year-old Bea, was one of the few, if not the only time, I have ever become emotional when reading. Indeed, despite the history and time-traveling, the fundamentals of human experience, emotion, and behavior do not change, merely adapt. Heldt recognizes this beautifully and without over-embellishment, writing some truly heartbreaking and tense emotional scenes, showcasing with subtle realism the very best and worst of the human condition.
Connected to the Taylors' narrative in France is Emilie Perot, born in 1910 but orphaned and now living with Shannon and Steve as their surrogate daughter. She is an excellent connective character and a well-depicted individual. It was smart not to draw out the truth between her and Paul for too long; their subplot and story made for an excellent novel in its own right.
As events accelerate toward the finale, the reader is kept guessing, and Heldt drives the action forward with efficiency and force, ensuring the pages keep turning even if some parts of the narrative are almost too nerve-shredding!
Duties and Dreams is a compulsively readable, hugely entertaining, and triumphant conclusion to yet another exceptional series from Mr. Heldt. Highly recommended.
But the three time-traveling siblings, Bill, Annie, and Paul, know the storm clouds of World War I are far from lifting and there is also the small matter of a Spanish Flu epidemic heading their way…
Duties and Dreams begins in halcyon fashion, six years after the previous outing.
Annie and Andy have twin boys, and Bill and Cassie now have two daughters. As Paul muses in Chapter 3, their existence is “the picture of tranquility”, a phrase certain to provoke the gods, and merely a few paragraphs later, the Carpenter-Lee world is turned on its head, and the drama begins.
Heldt throws everything and more into this final book but with control and credibility. It’s a rollercoaster ride of emotion, action, and conflict, tautly plotted, tightly focused, and it’s brilliant. Heldt seamlessly traverses genres and decades as he unfolds the conclusion of the Second Chance series, and he does so without any loss of continuity or momentum.
The narrative never really lets up, and although Heldt gives the reader a little of what they want, he ensures the novel is peppered with unexpected twists and reveals and is not afraid to pull some quite big and wholly unanticipated upsets.
Not least of these involve Shannon and Steve Taylor, whom Heldt introduced us to in the second novel and who are also time-travelers. The Taylors are in France, 1944 experiencing the brutality of Nazi occupation. Heldt sets up an interesting parallel with the Carpenter-Lees as Andy and Paul are drafted into the final days of WWI.
Indeed, Heldt plays with, and uses, foreshadowing to superb effect. The three siblings are aware of coming events as is the reader, who is also privy to several characters’ future intentions. Heldt takes this knowledge and works it cleverly into every area of the narrative, setting up some nail-bitingly suspenseful chapters.
Indeed, he provides the reassurance of a meticulously researched historical framework but sprinkles it with unpredictability, the areas of the novel set against the backdrop of both World Wars read like action/espionage thrillers yet thrive on fact.
Nonetheless, this is a character-driven series and Heldt takes all of his characters to, in some cases, the edge of sanity. The reader presumes there will be a happy ever after but Heldt always pays the piper and large swathes of Duties and Dreams are shot through with creeping unease and dread apprehension.
The situation with Bill and Cassie’s eldest daughter, six-year-old Bea, was one of the few, if not the only time, I have ever become emotional when reading. Indeed, despite the history and time-traveling, the fundamentals of human experience, emotion, and behavior do not change, merely adapt. Heldt recognizes this beautifully and without over-embellishment, writing some truly heartbreaking and tense emotional scenes, showcasing with subtle realism the very best and worst of the human condition.
Connected to the Taylors' narrative in France is Emilie Perot, born in 1910 but orphaned and now living with Shannon and Steve as their surrogate daughter. She is an excellent connective character and a well-depicted individual. It was smart not to draw out the truth between her and Paul for too long; their subplot and story made for an excellent novel in its own right.
As events accelerate toward the finale, the reader is kept guessing, and Heldt drives the action forward with efficiency and force, ensuring the pages keep turning even if some parts of the narrative are almost too nerve-shredding!
Duties and Dreams is a compulsively readable, hugely entertaining, and triumphant conclusion to yet another exceptional series from Mr. Heldt. Highly recommended.
November 13, 2023
Hello Book Lovers, Here I am again with another thrilling book!
I'm delighted to introduce you to the newest book by John Heldt, one of the best authors in this genre! It's called 'Duties and Dreams,' a captivating time travel novel that follows a family of adventurers as they witness the outbreak of World War I. As we know, WWI was a perilous period in European history, and when the United States joined the war, many brave men volunteered, and others were called to serve. The war claimed over 20 million lives and injured 21 million more. Among them, 9.7 million were soldiers, and 10 million were civilians.
What did I enjoy? The story begins with a twist of fate. Paul and Andy, brothers-in-law, Paul has a secret: he is a time traveler from the future. He has been living in the past for years, enjoying his new life and family. Annie, Paul's sister and Andy's wife, is also a time traveler. She and Andy have two sons, unaware of their mothers' origin. Bill, the eldest brother, is also married and has two daughters. Andy and Annie have kept it a secret from their spouses. Paul has never married. He lost his first love, a woman from the past, in a terrible earthquake. He later fell in love with another woman, Laura, who was also a time traveler. But she had to leave him when her husband from the future came back for her. Paul was devastated twice. Now, he and Andy face a new challenge: they have been drafted to fight in a war that is not theirs. How will they cope with this situation? How will they protect their secret and their families? This is the story of three siblings who traveled through time and found love and happiness but also pain and danger.
For me, after this breathtaking adventure, I'm so excited to see what happens next in this amazing story of the Carpenters! They have been through so much, but they always stick together and overcome the challenges. I love how the author keeps me hooked with the twists and turns, and the characters are so relatable and likable. I can't wait to read the next chapter and learn more about their journey!
What would you like? If you're looking for a thrilling time travel novel, look no further than 'Duties and Dream' by John Heldt! This book is a masterpiece of historical fiction, blending action, romance, and adventure in a captivating story. John Heldt is talented at bringing the past to life with vivid details and authentic characters. You'll be hooked from the first page to the last as you follow the protagonists' journey through time. Don't miss this fantastic book by John Heldt, a master of time travel fiction!
• ASIN: B0CLKZTS6W
• Publication Date: 11/9/2023
• File Size: 4699 KB
• Print Length: 492 pages
• Genre: Historical World War 1 Fiction, World War 1 Historical Fiction, Literary Sagas
I'm delighted to introduce you to the newest book by John Heldt, one of the best authors in this genre! It's called 'Duties and Dreams,' a captivating time travel novel that follows a family of adventurers as they witness the outbreak of World War I. As we know, WWI was a perilous period in European history, and when the United States joined the war, many brave men volunteered, and others were called to serve. The war claimed over 20 million lives and injured 21 million more. Among them, 9.7 million were soldiers, and 10 million were civilians.
What did I enjoy? The story begins with a twist of fate. Paul and Andy, brothers-in-law, Paul has a secret: he is a time traveler from the future. He has been living in the past for years, enjoying his new life and family. Annie, Paul's sister and Andy's wife, is also a time traveler. She and Andy have two sons, unaware of their mothers' origin. Bill, the eldest brother, is also married and has two daughters. Andy and Annie have kept it a secret from their spouses. Paul has never married. He lost his first love, a woman from the past, in a terrible earthquake. He later fell in love with another woman, Laura, who was also a time traveler. But she had to leave him when her husband from the future came back for her. Paul was devastated twice. Now, he and Andy face a new challenge: they have been drafted to fight in a war that is not theirs. How will they cope with this situation? How will they protect their secret and their families? This is the story of three siblings who traveled through time and found love and happiness but also pain and danger.
For me, after this breathtaking adventure, I'm so excited to see what happens next in this amazing story of the Carpenters! They have been through so much, but they always stick together and overcome the challenges. I love how the author keeps me hooked with the twists and turns, and the characters are so relatable and likable. I can't wait to read the next chapter and learn more about their journey!
What would you like? If you're looking for a thrilling time travel novel, look no further than 'Duties and Dream' by John Heldt! This book is a masterpiece of historical fiction, blending action, romance, and adventure in a captivating story. John Heldt is talented at bringing the past to life with vivid details and authentic characters. You'll be hooked from the first page to the last as you follow the protagonists' journey through time. Don't miss this fantastic book by John Heldt, a master of time travel fiction!
• ASIN: B0CLKZTS6W
• Publication Date: 11/9/2023
• File Size: 4699 KB
• Print Length: 492 pages
• Genre: Historical World War 1 Fiction, World War 1 Historical Fiction, Literary Sagas
November 22, 2023
4.5stars-DUTIES AND DREAMS is the third and final instalment in John A Heldt’s adult SECOND CHANCE time-travel trilogy focusing on the Carpenter siblings-Paul, Bill and Annie.
NOTE: Due to the nature of the story line premise, there may be triggers for more sensitive readers.
SOME BACKGROUND : The Second Chance series focuses on the search for the Fountain of Youth. In May of 2022, 81 year old William Carpenter is a retired professor of folklore, who learns the mythology about the Fountain of Youth may be the reality of which he and his siblings are looking. Having just buried his wife, William believes he has nothing more to lose, and convinces his siblings Paul 75, who has terminal cancer, and Annie 72, a paraplegic, to test the proverbial magic waters in La Paz, Mexico but the myth comes with the caveat of time travel, a caveat wherein the siblings have no idea where in the world or when they will land.
Told from numerous omniscient third person perspectives and several timelines (1918, 1944, 1961) DUTIES AND DREAMS, advances the series approximately seven years. The year is now 1918, and the siblings, now all in their twenties and thirties, two with their respective spouses and growing families, have travelled to an era wherein war and a pandemic are about to ravage the world’s population. When Paul, and his new brother in law Andy are conscripted into the US Army, they know their futures are no longer set in stone. Sent to Europe as marksmen, both men would come under fire: one would be injured, while the other is MIA.
Meanwhile back home in America, the pandemic aka Spanish Flu is gaining momentum but William’s small family is about to learn of the helplessness of medicine in the early 1900’s. Their only hope is to jump to the future, a future wherein one of the siblings may remain lost to the past.
DUTIES AND DREAMS is the culmination of three story lines, several real-world and fictionalized histories and historical events, and the reborn lives for the Carpenter siblings. Having lived through several timelines each sibling will find his or her new happily ever after, with new loves, new lives, new families and new friends. The premise is intriguing and captivating; the romances are subtle; the characters are determined and dynamic.
copy supplied for review
www.thereadingcafe.com
NOTE: Due to the nature of the story line premise, there may be triggers for more sensitive readers.
SOME BACKGROUND : The Second Chance series focuses on the search for the Fountain of Youth. In May of 2022, 81 year old William Carpenter is a retired professor of folklore, who learns the mythology about the Fountain of Youth may be the reality of which he and his siblings are looking. Having just buried his wife, William believes he has nothing more to lose, and convinces his siblings Paul 75, who has terminal cancer, and Annie 72, a paraplegic, to test the proverbial magic waters in La Paz, Mexico but the myth comes with the caveat of time travel, a caveat wherein the siblings have no idea where in the world or when they will land.
Told from numerous omniscient third person perspectives and several timelines (1918, 1944, 1961) DUTIES AND DREAMS, advances the series approximately seven years. The year is now 1918, and the siblings, now all in their twenties and thirties, two with their respective spouses and growing families, have travelled to an era wherein war and a pandemic are about to ravage the world’s population. When Paul, and his new brother in law Andy are conscripted into the US Army, they know their futures are no longer set in stone. Sent to Europe as marksmen, both men would come under fire: one would be injured, while the other is MIA.
Meanwhile back home in America, the pandemic aka Spanish Flu is gaining momentum but William’s small family is about to learn of the helplessness of medicine in the early 1900’s. Their only hope is to jump to the future, a future wherein one of the siblings may remain lost to the past.
DUTIES AND DREAMS is the culmination of three story lines, several real-world and fictionalized histories and historical events, and the reborn lives for the Carpenter siblings. Having lived through several timelines each sibling will find his or her new happily ever after, with new loves, new lives, new families and new friends. The premise is intriguing and captivating; the romances are subtle; the characters are determined and dynamic.
copy supplied for review
www.thereadingcafe.com
November 18, 2023
I received an ecopy of Duties and Dreams from author John A. Heldt for review.
If you are the reader who want short down and dirty reviews, I offer this: WOW! Read this book! There you don't need to read any further.
For those of you who want a bit more, please continue.
As the final installment of the Second Chance series Duties and Dreams concludes the story of the Carpenter clan. Once again we see the growth of an author who is developing into a story teller with few peers. I say in many of my reviews of his work that Mr. Heldt sets the bar of excellence higher for himself with each new book. With this story he clears that bar with ample room to spare.
Readers of my reviews know I don't give away a lot of the story, that's why you read the book. You don't need me to tell you the story. I will share though that Duties and Dreams, set before and during WWI, is so detailed and engrossing. But don't think it is a "war story". It goes way beyond. The level of character development and story building is sublime. Mr. Heldt has always had the ability to draw in the reader and elicit an emotional reaction to the story. This time that ability was on display in spades. The last quarter of the book was, for me, an emotional roller coaster. A truly exhilarating ride. The personal crises each character faced, as well as the family complications demonstrated the authors deft handling of complicated and intertwined storylines. No character is given short shrift here, even more ancillary characters. It is overall one of the most satisfying conclusions to a series that I have had the pleasure of reading.
A bit off topic here. I have read books offering the premise that when authors put pen to page, they are actually building a world in another dimension or plane. The world Mr. Heldt has created is a seriously interesting place. Just imagine a world where time travel is an everyday option, people would be popping in and out everywhere. How bizarre.
Forgive my somewhat lengthy review but this book did blow my mind. I always know I am in for a fun read with Mr. Heldt's books. But truly Duties and Dreams sets a new standard. I strongly encourage you to read this series and to prepare yourself for an unforgettable adventure.
Enjoy!
If you are the reader who want short down and dirty reviews, I offer this: WOW! Read this book! There you don't need to read any further.
For those of you who want a bit more, please continue.
As the final installment of the Second Chance series Duties and Dreams concludes the story of the Carpenter clan. Once again we see the growth of an author who is developing into a story teller with few peers. I say in many of my reviews of his work that Mr. Heldt sets the bar of excellence higher for himself with each new book. With this story he clears that bar with ample room to spare.
Readers of my reviews know I don't give away a lot of the story, that's why you read the book. You don't need me to tell you the story. I will share though that Duties and Dreams, set before and during WWI, is so detailed and engrossing. But don't think it is a "war story". It goes way beyond. The level of character development and story building is sublime. Mr. Heldt has always had the ability to draw in the reader and elicit an emotional reaction to the story. This time that ability was on display in spades. The last quarter of the book was, for me, an emotional roller coaster. A truly exhilarating ride. The personal crises each character faced, as well as the family complications demonstrated the authors deft handling of complicated and intertwined storylines. No character is given short shrift here, even more ancillary characters. It is overall one of the most satisfying conclusions to a series that I have had the pleasure of reading.
A bit off topic here. I have read books offering the premise that when authors put pen to page, they are actually building a world in another dimension or plane. The world Mr. Heldt has created is a seriously interesting place. Just imagine a world where time travel is an everyday option, people would be popping in and out everywhere. How bizarre.
Forgive my somewhat lengthy review but this book did blow my mind. I always know I am in for a fun read with Mr. Heldt's books. But truly Duties and Dreams sets a new standard. I strongly encourage you to read this series and to prepare yourself for an unforgettable adventure.
Enjoy!
January 19, 2024
John Heldt writes a timeless traveling tale with Duties and Dreams
Duties and Dreams is part of the Second Chance series, and this is volume three. I am a big fan of John Heldt and read whatever this author writes. This author has a grand imagination, and talent for showing the story. In Duties and Dreams, the reader is introduced to the Carpenter and Lee families. For the Carpenters and Lees, who have just settled in Southern California, they are in the era of WWI. In a different time, during WWII, a resistance fighter and an American couple, try to find freedom and escape the Nazi regime. The forces of both time frames, and the eras of the wars, add in a bit of destiny or fate, and they are all connected in some way. John Heldt writes time traveling stories and stories about how various time frames can be linked to others, and he is always very detailed and the stories and connections, make sense. He is one of the best writers of time traveling books that I have ever read. He takes the time to develop the characters, show what is going on in the various eras he writes about, and how people, just want to settle in and live a life of peace, but of course, that never happens, no matter what time you live in. This is a timeless tale, where a reader can get lost in the stories, and can't wait to see how the different eras intersect. It's an amazing story, and it brings both era's to life, so much that you feel like you are living in that place, right next to the characters. Duties and Dreams is both thrilling and intriguing, all the way to the end. Duties and Dreams is a definite recommendation by Amy's Bookshelf Reviews. I read this book to give my unbiased and honest review. Amy's Bookshelf Reviews recommends that anyone who reads this book, to also write a review.
Duties and Dreams is part of the Second Chance series, and this is volume three. I am a big fan of John Heldt and read whatever this author writes. This author has a grand imagination, and talent for showing the story. In Duties and Dreams, the reader is introduced to the Carpenter and Lee families. For the Carpenters and Lees, who have just settled in Southern California, they are in the era of WWI. In a different time, during WWII, a resistance fighter and an American couple, try to find freedom and escape the Nazi regime. The forces of both time frames, and the eras of the wars, add in a bit of destiny or fate, and they are all connected in some way. John Heldt writes time traveling stories and stories about how various time frames can be linked to others, and he is always very detailed and the stories and connections, make sense. He is one of the best writers of time traveling books that I have ever read. He takes the time to develop the characters, show what is going on in the various eras he writes about, and how people, just want to settle in and live a life of peace, but of course, that never happens, no matter what time you live in. This is a timeless tale, where a reader can get lost in the stories, and can't wait to see how the different eras intersect. It's an amazing story, and it brings both era's to life, so much that you feel like you are living in that place, right next to the characters. Duties and Dreams is both thrilling and intriguing, all the way to the end. Duties and Dreams is a definite recommendation by Amy's Bookshelf Reviews. I read this book to give my unbiased and honest review. Amy's Bookshelf Reviews recommends that anyone who reads this book, to also write a review.
January 23, 2024
Disclosure. This is a review of an e-book I was sent for free. All opinions are my own.
This is third and final title in the Second Chance series. It is fine as a stand-alone read but far better in my opinion to read the whole series.
The story has two main threads to it, set in different eras and different locations, so I’m particularly glad that the author always includes the date and location at the beginning of the chapters.
So the story begins in California in March 1918, where for those who have read the earlier titles, we quickly get introduced to new young additions to the Carpenter and Lee families. Also having both previously left the military, Paul and Andy are drafted back into active service. Should they see what World War I has to throw at them or take their chances on the potential good/bad odds of time travel? And of course, not all the family are aware that they have time travellers in their midst.
Meanwhile we skip to the other thread set in France in April 1944 where we meet Shannon and Steve Taylor and Emilie Perot, who are planning to time travel together in a couple of months time. One new character and two familiar names from the previous book, but also facing wartime issues, this time during World War II. How will their plans pan out?
And why are there two threads? What could be the links?
Besides wartime dangers, we see health issues to contend with, other surprise characters and disappearances.
This is a fabulous story complete with twists, bringing a great series to its conclusion.
Once again the author is painstaking with his research for incorporating fact into the fiction.
A fantastic time travel tale, which I highly recommend. Now to wait and see what this brilliant author’s next writing project might be.
This is third and final title in the Second Chance series. It is fine as a stand-alone read but far better in my opinion to read the whole series.
The story has two main threads to it, set in different eras and different locations, so I’m particularly glad that the author always includes the date and location at the beginning of the chapters.
So the story begins in California in March 1918, where for those who have read the earlier titles, we quickly get introduced to new young additions to the Carpenter and Lee families. Also having both previously left the military, Paul and Andy are drafted back into active service. Should they see what World War I has to throw at them or take their chances on the potential good/bad odds of time travel? And of course, not all the family are aware that they have time travellers in their midst.
Meanwhile we skip to the other thread set in France in April 1944 where we meet Shannon and Steve Taylor and Emilie Perot, who are planning to time travel together in a couple of months time. One new character and two familiar names from the previous book, but also facing wartime issues, this time during World War II. How will their plans pan out?
And why are there two threads? What could be the links?
Besides wartime dangers, we see health issues to contend with, other surprise characters and disappearances.
This is a fabulous story complete with twists, bringing a great series to its conclusion.
Once again the author is painstaking with his research for incorporating fact into the fiction.
A fantastic time travel tale, which I highly recommend. Now to wait and see what this brilliant author’s next writing project might be.
November 16, 2023
My Thoughts
Returning for the final saga in this trilogy we find the original three expanded to nine in 1918.
Paul is still the only Carpenter sibling unmarried but loving his nieces and nephews as much as if they were his own.
His older brother Bill and younger sister Annie are still his best friends as well as his siblings.
For 13 years-time-span the Carpenter family have been living in the past and during that time have seen historical events the trio had learned about in their former existence.
Having read the previous two books in this trilogy it was a pleasure to catch up with these beloved characters in this third and final story.
I must admit this was also the easiest as well as the hardest story to read, it seems bad fortune and tragedy are dogging the 2 combined families once again.
As the plot points are revealed I felt like there was never going to be an easy answer to the questions plaguing not only the main characters but myself, the reader, as well.
There is so much going on throughout this book that one could re-read it easily several times and still find something new to discover.
A very smooth and thought provoking read that tied up this trilogy beautifully.
As before thank you to the author for thinking of me and I am delighted that your story arcs have found their conclusion but as usual saddened to say goodbye to these excellent characters as well.
[Digital copy from Author]
August 5, 2024
This is the final book in the Second Chances trilogy. John Heldt is a masterful storyteller, especially when it comes to time travel novels. I have enjoyed everything he has written, and this book wraps up this series nicely. The book focuses primarily on Paul, but it wouldn't be the same without Bill, Annie, Cassie, and Andy. Each chapter is told by different characters to give us insight from all angles. There is also the addition of Emilie. She befriended Shannon, another time traveler from a previous book, and learned about the fountains and their capabilities. Unfortunately, there are people within the German government who also want that knowledge and will stop at nothing to obtain it.
I can only imagine what it was like to live in the early 1900s and know what we know about events around the world: the Spanish flu, WW I, and more. Advances in medicine and technology were in their infancy, and it was a struggle to know you could not do anything to save someone when it would have been easy to do today.
I enjoyed watching the characters continue to grow and evolve as their younger selves, finding love, having children, and doing what they can to enjoy their new lives. Some events don't turn out quite well, but they aren't unexpected, considering the time. Several characters face challenges that will test their faith and strength.
If you enjoy time travel and action novels with a hint of romance, you might want to check out this series. We give it 5 paws up.
I can only imagine what it was like to live in the early 1900s and know what we know about events around the world: the Spanish flu, WW I, and more. Advances in medicine and technology were in their infancy, and it was a struggle to know you could not do anything to save someone when it would have been easy to do today.
I enjoyed watching the characters continue to grow and evolve as their younger selves, finding love, having children, and doing what they can to enjoy their new lives. Some events don't turn out quite well, but they aren't unexpected, considering the time. Several characters face challenges that will test their faith and strength.
If you enjoy time travel and action novels with a hint of romance, you might want to check out this series. We give it 5 paws up.
November 13, 2024
World War I rages in Europe, the Carpenters and the Lees make a home in Southern California. Bill and Cassie add to their family. Andy and Annie start one of their own. Paul, a bachelor, enters the world of business. All find peace in a turbulent time. Then draft notices arrive, illness strikes a child, and life for two intertwined families takes a troubling turn. Years later, Emilie Perot, a beautiful resistance fighter, and Steve and Shannon Taylor, an American couple with ties to Paul Carpenter, conspire to escape Nazi occupation. Each seeks freedom and a new life in France's Vosges Mountains, home of a legendary fountain of youth that can restore health and send visitors through time. As events unfold in the different eras, the participants march on. All are unaware of the forces that seem determined to throw them together.
I love books written by this author. His attention to detail and accuracy of history and the events during that time is second to none. It is then skilfully woven into the story of the family members that keeps your attention. Easy to read and understand you cannot help but live the story with them all.
I love books written by this author. His attention to detail and accuracy of history and the events during that time is second to none. It is then skilfully woven into the story of the family members that keeps your attention. Easy to read and understand you cannot help but live the story with them all.
January 7, 2024
In DUTIES AND DREAMS, the epic conclusion of the Second Chance trilogy, several young adults find love, heartbreak, and redemption in a world of war, pandemics, and social unrest. The story is told from the perspectives of Paul, Annie, Bill Shannon, Cassie, Emilie, and Andy, providing a unique understanding of their personal struggles and triumphs. The intertwining of real-life events and fictional storytelling adds depth and authenticity to the narrative, allowing readers to immerse themselves in the tumultuous time period.
The author's extensive research is evident in the captivating plot, with his sense of humour breaking up the suspenseful plot. The book is a powerful narrative combined with a thrilling time-travelling adventure, with meticulous attention to detail and surreal plot twists. With well-researched real-life situations, the story is fast-paced and fascinating. The simplicity and in-depth information in this book will have you turning the pages over and over again.
Definitely a masterpiece!
The author's extensive research is evident in the captivating plot, with his sense of humour breaking up the suspenseful plot. The book is a powerful narrative combined with a thrilling time-travelling adventure, with meticulous attention to detail and surreal plot twists. With well-researched real-life situations, the story is fast-paced and fascinating. The simplicity and in-depth information in this book will have you turning the pages over and over again.
Definitely a masterpiece!
November 24, 2024
Duties and Dreams is something like my 23rd novel by John Heldt off the top of my head, so if you’ve reached this point my commentary on things I’ve said 22 times probably won’t be incredibly useful.
He has to go phrases that pop out of all characters mouths, the writing is either poetic or sing-song depending on your mood, and there’s a layer of misogyny to the characters that has lessened over time. (References from older books to the man of the house, head of the family have fallen way to references here that Annie had to take charge of decisions because Bill was distracted.)
This one just worked. The characters were idiots at times (there was no reason Paul had to rush, and references to “we’re doomed!” needed more thought from the characters. The fallout with Cassie was welcome, but the progression on that was too neatly tied up. I would have cared for another chapter from her perspective to ease that transition.
That aside? A well considered story that made sense, and a plot arc that was well paced and well accomplished.
Plus I’m in a good mood.
He has to go phrases that pop out of all characters mouths, the writing is either poetic or sing-song depending on your mood, and there’s a layer of misogyny to the characters that has lessened over time. (References from older books to the man of the house, head of the family have fallen way to references here that Annie had to take charge of decisions because Bill was distracted.)
This one just worked. The characters were idiots at times (there was no reason Paul had to rush, and references to “we’re doomed!” needed more thought from the characters. The fallout with Cassie was welcome, but the progression on that was too neatly tied up. I would have cared for another chapter from her perspective to ease that transition.
That aside? A well considered story that made sense, and a plot arc that was well paced and well accomplished.
Plus I’m in a good mood.
May 19, 2024
“Duties and Dreams is the third story in the second chance trilogy that begins with “The Fountain”. The second book in the trilogy is “Annie’s Apple”. Don’t read ahead if you plan to read the first two installments in this series!
Overall, I enjoyed this third installment of the second chance trilogy. The characters are well-developed within the book and follow through with characterization from the first two as well. As a standalone, this book focuses most on the development of Paul. He’s encountered his share of tragedy throughout his life and it has left him a bit more cautious and hardened than in his younger years, but it has not stripped his bravery or his desire to do what’s right. Find the full blog post at heatherlbarksdale.com
I received a copy of this book in exchange of a fair and honest review.
Overall, I enjoyed this third installment of the second chance trilogy. The characters are well-developed within the book and follow through with characterization from the first two as well. As a standalone, this book focuses most on the development of Paul. He’s encountered his share of tragedy throughout his life and it has left him a bit more cautious and hardened than in his younger years, but it has not stripped his bravery or his desire to do what’s right. Find the full blog post at heatherlbarksdale.com
I received a copy of this book in exchange of a fair and honest review.
May 29, 2024
Exciting and beautiful healing time travel novel
As usual, John Heldt has done it again. From the Vietnamese Nam war to the two world wars, we travel with our main characters with harrowing escapes, tragedies of war and illness and our characters’ fervent wishes that families remain intact, healthy and safe. Heldt taps into his readers’ yearning for happy endings in a way that is not saccharine or superficial. His great understanding of human nature is evident in the way he develops his characters and the way he appeals to his readers. I’ve read every book he has published and can’t wait for the next one.
As usual, John Heldt has done it again. From the Vietnamese Nam war to the two world wars, we travel with our main characters with harrowing escapes, tragedies of war and illness and our characters’ fervent wishes that families remain intact, healthy and safe. Heldt taps into his readers’ yearning for happy endings in a way that is not saccharine or superficial. His great understanding of human nature is evident in the way he develops his characters and the way he appeals to his readers. I’ve read every book he has published and can’t wait for the next one.
December 8, 2023
This family took a chance-a big chance-they jumped into the fountain and came out in another time and place-in much better health. I read and reviewed both the Fountain and Annie's Apple-what a wonderful series this is. Of course things kept going wrong for each of them--as well as wonderful things. The ending may worry you a bit--but there is a really happy ending. I can't wait for the next series of books by this author--I love them!! He is able to combine history with fiction and of course time travel.
November 29, 2023
I got the book for a fair review from the author. Duties and Dreams is the 3rd book for the Second Chance series. The book features brother Paul Carpenter as the man of the hour. Seeing how his siblings are happily married, Paul seems to be resigned to his fate of being a bachelor.
But what is life without a few curve balls?
For historical family drama and time travel buffs, definitely a read you will enjoy. It has romance, family drama and a heartwarming ending.
But what is life without a few curve balls?
For historical family drama and time travel buffs, definitely a read you will enjoy. It has romance, family drama and a heartwarming ending.
June 1, 2024
I loved it!
All my favorite types of books rolled into one. Time travel, WWII, love stories what more could I ask for. The writer has a way with time travel books. I have read every one and I think the Second Chance Books are my favorite. I would highly recommend to anyone that wants a book you can’t put down, one that makes you cry and laugh and a lot of history goes into them too.
All my favorite types of books rolled into one. Time travel, WWII, love stories what more could I ask for. The writer has a way with time travel books. I have read every one and I think the Second Chance Books are my favorite. I would highly recommend to anyone that wants a book you can’t put down, one that makes you cry and laugh and a lot of history goes into them too.
November 10, 2023
Duties and Dreams says it all
This book takes you through the era when Americans were proud and did their duties regardless of their dreams. If you like time travel books and like to read about World War I and World War II you must buy this book. It’s a great read and ties up the Carpenters and their families in a nice red package.
This book takes you through the era when Americans were proud and did their duties regardless of their dreams. If you like time travel books and like to read about World War I and World War II you must buy this book. It’s a great read and ties up the Carpenters and their families in a nice red package.
December 19, 2023
Good Ending
A good ending to a three part story. It is about a family that travels through time together, endures hardships and triumphs in the end. Very realistic story about this family and their relationships. It takes you from 2022 to end in1960 with some stops along the way.
A good ending to a three part story. It is about a family that travels through time together, endures hardships and triumphs in the end. Very realistic story about this family and their relationships. It takes you from 2022 to end in1960 with some stops along the way.
April 23, 2024
What a ride!
I have read all three books, back to back, and enjoyed every minute! I laughed, cried, and yelled “No!” when I knew what was about to happen. I thoroughly enjoy time travel, and romantic historical fiction; this was some of the best of both. Don’t miss it - read all three!
I have read all three books, back to back, and enjoyed every minute! I laughed, cried, and yelled “No!” when I knew what was about to happen. I thoroughly enjoy time travel, and romantic historical fiction; this was some of the best of both. Don’t miss it - read all three!
May 27, 2024
In this story they change age, that is different then before in his other works. I found it hard to keep the characters as each chapter changes who’s where. It didn’t have that page turning drive to find out what’s next, there was way to much munutia. I put it down a couple of times, not a riveting book! 3
September 3, 2024
I totally enjoyed this book and could not put it down. I always have enjoyed time travel themes. This book had a very interesting story and one that was not shallow. It takes place during interesting times during past history. It almost makes you want it to be possible and think of what year you would like to go back to as one ages.
September 22, 2025
Duties and Dreams (Second Chance Book 3)
It is 1918, and two men in the Carpenter family are drafted. As the family navigates, war, unexpected illness and surprise additions all causing hard choices. The unexpected ending is the perfect conclusion to the series. Highly recommend!
It is 1918, and two men in the Carpenter family are drafted. As the family navigates, war, unexpected illness and surprise additions all causing hard choices. The unexpected ending is the perfect conclusion to the series. Highly recommend!
January 13, 2024
Great Novel ...Again!
This was a happy culmination to the "Second Chance" series! I loved reading all three and highly recommend them for the positive outlook on life and second chances few people get.
This was a happy culmination to the "Second Chance" series! I loved reading all three and highly recommend them for the positive outlook on life and second chances few people get.
May 25, 2024
John Holdt does again
I have to say that the twists and turns of this last book of the Second chance series were quite surprising. John Holdt knows how to tell a story and hold your attention. Detail, detail, detail! Thank you!
I have to say that the twists and turns of this last book of the Second chance series were quite surprising. John Holdt knows how to tell a story and hold your attention. Detail, detail, detail! Thank you!
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