Balance: The 200-Year Journey of Andrew Crawford

by Ken Sutherland

“First, Heather and I learn we’re about to have a baby. That’s great news. Then I get whacked on the head by a berserk teenage girl. "My batty old Aunt Bonnie, who claims to be psychic--and probably is-- drags me into a backyard séance where she predicts I will save a life, take a life and lose a life on a journey through time.”And The 200-Year Journey of Andrew Crawford begins. He thinks he is dreaming about time travel, living as a soldier in 1943 and an Irish immigrant in 1856. But when he lands in 1790, on the wrong side of the French Revolution, Andrew realizes this is no dream.He is not time traveling. He is reliving his own past lives.And Aunt Bonnie’s prophecy is coming true.

301 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 11, 2023

About the author

Ken Sutherland is a retired Hall of Fame broadcaster. He has written four novels (One more on the way) and a dozen short stories. His story, "Swoop!" was a top-three finalist for the John Steinbeck Award for Fiction. He lives in Reno, Nevada with his wife, Alene and their goofy dog, Willa.

Reviews

[Ken Sutherland · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great read!

I can say that with pride because I wrote it and I think I did a really good job. Betcha you'll like it too.

[Kelli Heitstuman-Tomko · Rating 5 out of 5]

BALANCE is an interesting take on both reincarnation and time travel, and I've never read anything quite like it.

Andrew Crawford, an ambulance driver is attacked by a teenage girl wielding a champagne magnum, and in the resulting concussion, he's having strange dreams — if they're dreams. His psychic aunt seems to understand he's about to take this journey and gives him a prediction that he will, in this bizarre journey, save a life, take a life, and lose a life. He brushes her off, but only lightly. When he has an oddly detailed dream, he discusses it with a friend, who researches what Andrew is telling him and finds that everything that happened in the dream is true and really happened.

But then, a short time later, Andrew finds himself in another vivid dream. Or is it a reincarnation event? And who are these people who seem to be taking this journey with him? Who are they to him in his current life?

So, what does the psychic aunt's prophecy mean to Andrew, and how is it going to impact his ability to live life again?

Ken Sutherland weaves a very fascinating tale that was hard for me to put down to do every day things (chores, food, etc) without occupying my mind until I could pick it up again.

Five stars. Its a great read.

[Sarah Kernochan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sutherland's novel is not just a fun read but a great ride. In the aftermath of a concussion, Andrew Crawford is beset by memories of previous identities he has inhabited from the late 18th century to the present. The author cleverly presents the pieces of a karmic puzzle, and the reader accompanies Crawford as he fits them together, discovering the way his several pasts have led to the life he leads now. It's really a novel about the growth of a soul, in the form of a popular page-turner mystery. You don't have to accept the concept of reincarnation to enjoy this, but the book will certainly make it a little more tempting to believe.

[Rene Averett · Rating 4 out of 5]

As someone who believes in reincarnation, I found this an interesting perspective on it. In the works of Edgar Cayce, he stated that souls often reincarnate in groups, so this took that concept to a unique level in the interaction of the characters in each scenario. Without saying too much that might spoil the experience, I believe the scenarios were handled believably and quite well. The author did a good job with the characters and the flow of the book. It held my attention from start to finish.

[John Fockler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Different

This isn't the usual time travel story. The protagonist is injured in a common assault, and suddenly finds himself in another man in another time. Sometimes he is able to move the man and sometimes, he's just along for the ride. This novel has some elements that border on the mystical, and usually, that leaves me cold. But here, they're handled well enough and the historical millieus are drawn well enough that it works for me. I enjoyed the read and was sorry when it was done.

[Tom Quinn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recently read "Balance," which was terrific. It's one of the most imaginative stories I've read in many years. It's full of fascinating details. If you like contemporary fiction, or stories set in the wild west, medieval France or World War II, you'll enjoy Ken Sutherland's original and offbeat book. And even if those places aren't dear to your heart, if you're a fan of wonderful writing or a touch of science fiction, you'll enjoy this magical book.

[Curtis Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun read with an interesting timeline.

[Karen Dustman · Rating 5 out of 5]

sweeps you along on the ride

A definitely different journey, through the eyes of an accidental time traveler! Well written and thought provoking. What a tale!

[Kristina Charles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting time travel book

This was a fascinating time travel read. I enjoyed the story and descriptions of the multiple time periods. Well researched and well written.

[maryellen collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a sucker for anything paranormal

Balance was a delightful ride. I especially loved how all the characters were interwoven. I'd LOVE to see a second installment along the same vein.
The book kept me guessing all the way through. All in all, a great read.