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Time Sailors #1
Braving Strange Waters
Stella Lindy is supposed to be soaking up the sunshine with her bridesmaids on a bachelorette cruise to Hawaii. But when she hits the wrong button on the elevator, the glamorous luxury of the modern ship is replaced with the Missouri River steamboat Arabia filled with strangers—and a mysterious doctor informs her it is 1856.Communicating through an antique mailbox, her friends on the cruise try to guide her back home before the steamboat sinks, but Stella finds herself caught in a tangled web between pro-slavery Border Ruffians and anti-slavery Jayhawkers. Standing up for what’s right in the face of peril and uncertainty might mean never making it home.Braving Strange Waters is a riveting time-slip novel with memorable characters, exciting twists, and rich internal conflict that fans of Gabrielle Meyer will love.
346 pages, Paperback
Published April 15, 2024
About the author
Sarah Hanks
54 books178 followersSarah Hanks is a multi-award-winning author of split-time Christian fiction. Her background in teaching and children’s ministry prepared her for exercising her creativity as a writer, now her full -time job. She and her husband have ten children, a couple of whom seem to have inherited their mother’s love for playing with words and crafting stories. Though Sarah dreams of a cabin by the beach, the family lives jammed together in beautiful chaos near St. Louis, Missouri. She buys earplugs in bulk.
You can follow her on Facebook or Instagram @authorsarahhanks. Check out the freebie page of her website at www.sarah-hanks.com.
You can follow her on Facebook or Instagram @authorsarahhanks. Check out the freebie page of her website at www.sarah-hanks.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
April 3, 2024
A very good time travel historical fantasy and modern day romance.
April 20, 2024
Braving Strange Waters by Sarah Hanks is a time-slip novel, the first in the Time Sailors series. The story is about three friends who head out on a cruise to celebrate Stella’s bachelorette party. Stella is whisked away to the year 1856, where she is needed for an important mission of which she does not know and is also very confused as to how she has landed in 1856. As she spends the majority of her time in this time era her two friends are back on the cruise wondering where she has gone and are faced with all sorts of issues that come out in their friendship and things in their personal life are brought to the surface. I feel like no matter where you are in life you are bound to be able to relate to at least one of these characters and the struggles they face. Even though this a fun light hearted novel it dives deep into some heart issues and will point you to the creator and healer, Jesus Christ. I absolutely loved the history shared and learned some new things about steamboats and the things going on in the year 1856. The issue of slavery and racism is addressed in an amazing way to show you the struggles of it in the past, but also some of what still exists today. There is just enough splash of romance in this book to not overwhelm you with it, but give you just enough to feel all warm and gooey inside. As you can imagine with three different women there are going to be different approaches to romance. I absolutely loved this story and can't wait until book two. I might just read Braving Strange Waters again while I wait.
April 17, 2024
So, so good. Sarah Hanks is a new to me author and I am so glad that I picked up this first book in her time sailor series.
Basically the story is about three best friends who go on a cruise to celebrate the upcoming nuptials of one of the friends. As the cruise takes place, one of the friends, Stella, ends up time-sailing into the past. She is told that she has a mission, unbeknownst to her, to complete before she can return home.
Stella struggles with being brave, I can also relate. One of the quotes that struck me regarding her bravery was this: "The Lord knew her through and through. He had to be aware of what a coward she was. And He loved her anyway, right? He knew what He was getting into when He chose her for His kingdom, and He still chose her." This gives me hope when I'm feeling less than brave.
While she is completing that mission, we also spend time with the other two friends and see what happens to them as they try to figure out what has happened to Stella and how to help her. They have their own escapades in the process.
I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know these 3 characters. I thought they were well developed and I could see myself in one specific character. Sometimes I wanted, and did out right tell them they were making a bad choice. 😊
There is so much faith content intertwined throughout the story which I appreciated. I look forward to the next book in the series and where she'll take the character.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author/publisher. All opinions are my own.
Basically the story is about three best friends who go on a cruise to celebrate the upcoming nuptials of one of the friends. As the cruise takes place, one of the friends, Stella, ends up time-sailing into the past. She is told that she has a mission, unbeknownst to her, to complete before she can return home.
Stella struggles with being brave, I can also relate. One of the quotes that struck me regarding her bravery was this: "The Lord knew her through and through. He had to be aware of what a coward she was. And He loved her anyway, right? He knew what He was getting into when He chose her for His kingdom, and He still chose her." This gives me hope when I'm feeling less than brave.
While she is completing that mission, we also spend time with the other two friends and see what happens to them as they try to figure out what has happened to Stella and how to help her. They have their own escapades in the process.
I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know these 3 characters. I thought they were well developed and I could see myself in one specific character. Sometimes I wanted, and did out right tell them they were making a bad choice. 😊
There is so much faith content intertwined throughout the story which I appreciated. I look forward to the next book in the series and where she'll take the character.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author/publisher. All opinions are my own.
April 17, 2024
For endorsement:
Three friends get swept up in the adventure of a lifetime when they embark on a girls' trip together, not knowing that they would experience time travel, face their greatest weaknesses, find love, forge healing, and encounter Jesus calling them deeper trust and intimacy with Him. Readers will find a piece of themselves in each woman, being offered the opportunity to walk the path with them, letting go of mindsets, behaviors, and assumptions that keep us shackled. Once again, Sarah Hanks uses her incredible storytelling gifts to jar us out of the status quo and into a higher, more excellent Way. Pick up Braving Strange Waters if you like relatable characters in high-stakes situations, women's fiction with a bit of love and a lot of faith, and twists and turns that keep you on your toes.
Three friends get swept up in the adventure of a lifetime when they embark on a girls' trip together, not knowing that they would experience time travel, face their greatest weaknesses, find love, forge healing, and encounter Jesus calling them deeper trust and intimacy with Him. Readers will find a piece of themselves in each woman, being offered the opportunity to walk the path with them, letting go of mindsets, behaviors, and assumptions that keep us shackled. Once again, Sarah Hanks uses her incredible storytelling gifts to jar us out of the status quo and into a higher, more excellent Way. Pick up Braving Strange Waters if you like relatable characters in high-stakes situations, women's fiction with a bit of love and a lot of faith, and twists and turns that keep you on your toes.
April 17, 2024
3.5 stars
Braving Strange Waters is a time travel historical book. There was a lot of interesting history that I learned in this book. I did get a little irritated with some of the side characters fighting throughout the book and didn’t care for the swimsuit scene fiasco. Stella has to figure out what mission she must accomplish to get back home to her friends and current time. There is adventure and faith throughout the book along with some important lessons. This is the beginning of the series and I’ll be curious to see where the next adventure takes us.
I was given a copy of this book and was not required to write a positive review.
Braving Strange Waters is a time travel historical book. There was a lot of interesting history that I learned in this book. I did get a little irritated with some of the side characters fighting throughout the book and didn’t care for the swimsuit scene fiasco. Stella has to figure out what mission she must accomplish to get back home to her friends and current time. There is adventure and faith throughout the book along with some important lessons. This is the beginning of the series and I’ll be curious to see where the next adventure takes us.
I was given a copy of this book and was not required to write a positive review.
April 12, 2024
I usually read historicals and occasionally branch out to a contemporary. Sarah Hanks does an excellent job of mixing both. In Braving Strange Waters, she takes us into the hearts of three women struggling with fear and self-doubt. We cheer them on as they struggle with friendships, faith, and finding a man to share their lives with. Hanks’s characters come alive on the page, showing us much of ourselves as they stumble and fall short, only to get back up again. And we, along with them, learn to see ourselves as God sees us. We learn a good bit of history, too.
April 1, 2024
Braving Strange Waters, which launches the Time Sailors series, is a captivating, entertaining story. The unique, well-executed dual timeline featuring time sailing drew me in from the beginning and kept me reading expectantly to the end. I loved this intriguing twist on time travel with its own set of rules. Toggling between 1856 and modern day, the timelines are equally engaging. I came to care about the beautifully crafted characters with their struggles and complicated relationships. Rich historical detail enhances the story. The issue of racism is handled thoughtfully yet boldly. The inspiring faith thread reminds us of God’s power to transform lives and calm all fears. I totally enjoyed this book and recommend it especially for fans of historical fiction and time travel.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author/publisher with no obligation to write a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author/publisher with no obligation to write a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
December 28, 2024
This story pulled me in and kept me interested from start to finish! Three friends—all with their own worries and insecurities—thrown into a situation beyond their imagination. One is taken into another time in history, and the two remaining friends struggle to overcome their differences to help their missing comrade. The historical side feels so authentic and real, but the story also deals with current issues like social media and job stress. The author also tackles racism both in the past and present. A great book for readers not afraid to read about tough issues and lovers of time travel, history, and friendship!
April 21, 2024
Sarah has done it again… a page turner from the first page! When three friend set out on a cruise they have no idea how much their lives will change in just a few short days… a modern times tale with a twist of time travel back to before the sinking of the steamboat Arabia. The characters where so relatable at different points i really felt like i was going through the story with them!
May 7, 2024
When I see a Time-fiction book, I immediately read the synopsis to see if the book looks like “my type of Time-fiction.” This book seemed to fit, but the dialogue, the demeanor, the self-centeredness of Wendy and Claire just became more and more of an annoyance. I found myself skimming through the pages when confronted with Wendy or Claire’s antics. I recognize that books and our evaluation of them are very subjective, and are influenced by so many things. When sitting to review the book, I found myself divided: I liked some things about this book and at the same time found some things that were not compelling, enjoyable, or edifying.
Things I liked:
• I like the creativeness of Time-travel fiction and the premise of this book seemed to hold promise.
• I like history and the virtual-reality vibe of mixing history with contemporary characters - promising.
• I like the idea of bringing fresh-eyes to an historic, debated, & fought for issue, which our heroine Stella is confronted with during her time-sailing, even as she had seemingly suppressed dealing with the issue in the present.
• I enjoy learning more about my newly adopted state of Missouri. I plan to visit The Arabia Steamboat Museum in KC.
• I’m passionate about antiques and have enjoyed decades of antique collecting, and because of that, I found I liked the use of historical artifacts throughout the story; clever. The juxtaposition of the elevator and the mailbox to facilitate time-sailing was great.
• Hanks used the “snags in the Missouri River” experienced by the steamboat as plot devices to jump time forward, a few minutes to a period of weeks. This also helped build suspense, as Stella is informed that the Arabia is going to sink at a propitious point in time, which could be critical to Stella’s survival.
• I also appreciated that Stella isn’t just on a vacation time-trip, but cannot/will not return to her time, unless she can complete the mission, she was pulled into another time to accomplish. She doesn’t know what that mission is and we do not know what that mission is, but nevertheless, she must accomplish the mission. Nice touch to add to the genre of time-travel fiction.
• The Dr. Duncan who appears in the contemporary time-line and the Dr. Duncan who appears to Stella on the steamboat is intriguing. Just like Wendy & Claire wonder about him and his “knowledge” of time-travel, and Stella has questions about her Dr. Duncan, I was pulled into the story and the mystery around the Drs. Duncan.
Conversely, the following things were Frustrating or Annoying:
• The conversations, thoughts, and fixations of Wendy & Claire, both together and as they interacted with others or ruminated, fixated on their personal wants and needs had me ending my reading sessions numerous times. They were so self-focused and absolutely nauseating.
• I enjoy time-fiction that doesn’t jump back and forth between the current time and the “jumped-to-time.” When the reader is anchoring in the traveled-to-time, they can become enmeshed into the feel and experience of being in a different time, which helps me, the reader to identify with character who jumped into a different time and all they experience. Sadly, as soon as I was invested in Stella’s story, I was yanked out of it, just to hear the inane babblings of Wendy or Claire.
• Both Wendy and Claire had issues that plagued them, they fought themselves, they fought with others, and their issues hurt their abilities to make good choices (job, boyfriend, and even their relationship with the Lord).
• Added to my trouble in investing in the story was that it seemed odd that the girls (Stella, Wendy, & Claire) went off on a cruise, when shortly, Stella would be getting married and the girls (Wendy & Claire) were the besties who would be involved in all the festivities. I question how they could take time for a cruise when they each seemed to have struggles with time loss, money issues, job security, and interpersonal challenges, it just didn’t make sense.
• The last item I struggled with was the awkward relationship the three main characters had with their faith; it just didn’t seem credible. At times, especially Wendy and Claire seemed to treat faith and their relationship with the Lord like a rabbit’s foot that is used when the character got into a jam.
My Conclusions: This book was my first encounter with Sarah Hanks and I have to say she is talented. I didn’t notice any sloppiness as to editing and there were many creative elements. Kudos that the book focused on history and time-travel, but I could have wished that more time was spent in the past and not in the present. I felt this was a solid read, although I couldn’t rate the book higher, because for me the actions, demeanor, and dialogue of Wendy and Claire seemed limited. It was as if the story was geared to a young adult audience and would be more appreciated by those dealing with the angst of young adulthood then more established adults. But even so, I would read another book by Sarah Hanks as she is very talented and a worthy author.
Things I liked:
• I like the creativeness of Time-travel fiction and the premise of this book seemed to hold promise.
• I like history and the virtual-reality vibe of mixing history with contemporary characters - promising.
• I like the idea of bringing fresh-eyes to an historic, debated, & fought for issue, which our heroine Stella is confronted with during her time-sailing, even as she had seemingly suppressed dealing with the issue in the present.
• I enjoy learning more about my newly adopted state of Missouri. I plan to visit The Arabia Steamboat Museum in KC.
• I’m passionate about antiques and have enjoyed decades of antique collecting, and because of that, I found I liked the use of historical artifacts throughout the story; clever. The juxtaposition of the elevator and the mailbox to facilitate time-sailing was great.
• Hanks used the “snags in the Missouri River” experienced by the steamboat as plot devices to jump time forward, a few minutes to a period of weeks. This also helped build suspense, as Stella is informed that the Arabia is going to sink at a propitious point in time, which could be critical to Stella’s survival.
• I also appreciated that Stella isn’t just on a vacation time-trip, but cannot/will not return to her time, unless she can complete the mission, she was pulled into another time to accomplish. She doesn’t know what that mission is and we do not know what that mission is, but nevertheless, she must accomplish the mission. Nice touch to add to the genre of time-travel fiction.
• The Dr. Duncan who appears in the contemporary time-line and the Dr. Duncan who appears to Stella on the steamboat is intriguing. Just like Wendy & Claire wonder about him and his “knowledge” of time-travel, and Stella has questions about her Dr. Duncan, I was pulled into the story and the mystery around the Drs. Duncan.
Conversely, the following things were Frustrating or Annoying:
• The conversations, thoughts, and fixations of Wendy & Claire, both together and as they interacted with others or ruminated, fixated on their personal wants and needs had me ending my reading sessions numerous times. They were so self-focused and absolutely nauseating.
• I enjoy time-fiction that doesn’t jump back and forth between the current time and the “jumped-to-time.” When the reader is anchoring in the traveled-to-time, they can become enmeshed into the feel and experience of being in a different time, which helps me, the reader to identify with character who jumped into a different time and all they experience. Sadly, as soon as I was invested in Stella’s story, I was yanked out of it, just to hear the inane babblings of Wendy or Claire.
• Both Wendy and Claire had issues that plagued them, they fought themselves, they fought with others, and their issues hurt their abilities to make good choices (job, boyfriend, and even their relationship with the Lord).
• Added to my trouble in investing in the story was that it seemed odd that the girls (Stella, Wendy, & Claire) went off on a cruise, when shortly, Stella would be getting married and the girls (Wendy & Claire) were the besties who would be involved in all the festivities. I question how they could take time for a cruise when they each seemed to have struggles with time loss, money issues, job security, and interpersonal challenges, it just didn’t make sense.
• The last item I struggled with was the awkward relationship the three main characters had with their faith; it just didn’t seem credible. At times, especially Wendy and Claire seemed to treat faith and their relationship with the Lord like a rabbit’s foot that is used when the character got into a jam.
My Conclusions: This book was my first encounter with Sarah Hanks and I have to say she is talented. I didn’t notice any sloppiness as to editing and there were many creative elements. Kudos that the book focused on history and time-travel, but I could have wished that more time was spent in the past and not in the present. I felt this was a solid read, although I couldn’t rate the book higher, because for me the actions, demeanor, and dialogue of Wendy and Claire seemed limited. It was as if the story was geared to a young adult audience and would be more appreciated by those dealing with the angst of young adulthood then more established adults. But even so, I would read another book by Sarah Hanks as she is very talented and a worthy author.
April 29, 2024
Braving Strange Waters by Sarah Hanks is nothing less than creativity at its finest. This imaginative tale she crafted was amazing, certain to draw you in, unable to put the book down until the last page. I highly recommend this book and I can’t wait for book 2!!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. The opinions expressed are completely my own.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. The opinions expressed are completely my own.
April 16, 2024
I loved the whole concept of time sailing and being able to communicate through the antique mailbox. I also liked the character development as each of the main characters became aware of their failings and the need to do something about it in God's strength. I also loved the glimpse into times past and just how entrenched racial prejudice is even now. I received an ARC but this review is my own.
March 10, 2024
From start to finish, Braving Strange Waters sucked me in to a realistic world of friendship complications with a shocking time travel twist. Sarah Hanks masterfully intertwines historical details with modern issues, addressing complicated race issues and trials of faith with both sensitivity and directness. She doesn’t shy away from the hard, and yet she has this bubbly spirit that keeps the heaviness of the topics from weighing down the story, while still dropping nuggets of wisdom along the way that had me stopping to take notes.
April 23, 2024
I love how the author weaves struggle and victory in tangible personalities. Each character (though very different) is relatable. Funny moments, fearful moments, and all in a novel that is easy to read and absorb. A fun read with depth and meaning. Definitely a hard to find combination.
I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
September 2, 2025
A different take on dual time…very good!
I really enjoyed this book. I listened to part and read part as I couldn’t stop; it was so good! 3 gals on a bachelorette cruise and dual time on a paddle wheeler on Missouri River in 1856. It’s called time-sailing. A unique take on dual time! Lots of happenings to keep you “turning pages” and keep you on the edge of your seat!
I really enjoyed this book. I listened to part and read part as I couldn’t stop; it was so good! 3 gals on a bachelorette cruise and dual time on a paddle wheeler on Missouri River in 1856. It’s called time-sailing. A unique take on dual time! Lots of happenings to keep you “turning pages” and keep you on the edge of your seat!
August 16, 2024
This was a great story of friendship, relationships and what they should look like, racial struggles, and redeeming love. I loved reading as the story unfolded, changed, and self-corrected. Highly recommend!
April 12, 2024
This was my favorite book to write thus far. I hope it ends up on your favorite list too.
July 6, 2025
Decent storyline… too much Jesus
April 14, 2024
Faith, friendships, romance, adventure, history, time travel…this book checks all of the boxes! I can’t wait for the next one!
April 1, 2024
Three college friends set out on a cruise vacation to celebrate Stella’s upcoming marriage. Stella time-travels to a steamboat in 1856 and has to complete a mission in order to return. Her friends face their fears and their other issues while communicating with her by sending letters through an antique mailbox. All three women learn more about themselves and learn to trust Jesus more. All three find or continue a romance.
This was a fun read with a good message. Lots of chuckles, but some sobering thoughts. None of us is perfect and we need to extend grace to ourselves and others. Highly recommend!
This was a fun read with a good message. Lots of chuckles, but some sobering thoughts. None of us is perfect and we need to extend grace to ourselves and others. Highly recommend!
April 16, 2024
An interesting and intriguing fast-paced, plot-driven time travel novel.
May 1, 2024
This was a wonderful trip!
Braving Strange Waters has so many facets that kept my attention. I love the character development and how each one grew in the way they needed to. The way God worked in their lives showed how our own relationship with God is personal and unique, and shows He never leaves us.
Braving Strange Waters has so many facets that kept my attention. I love the character development and how each one grew in the way they needed to. The way God worked in their lives showed how our own relationship with God is personal and unique, and shows He never leaves us.
April 11, 2024
It was an intriguing book. At first I wasn’t sure how the storyline would really work, but it did in very intricate ways. Sarah made the topic of slavery/ racism in the past & in some ways the present come alive. The relationships between the 3 friends showed the good & the ugly of real friendships, letting go of guilt, pretending to be someone you aren’t & finding your own personal purpose themselves were interwoven seamlessly. I found myself turning pages to see how everything would play out & then sad that it’s over. Probably the biggest takeaway for me was trusting God in overwhelming/ scary & even embarrassing situations.
April 15, 2024
I very much enjoyed this book! It was so fun to read . It’s about three friends that go on a girls week cruise. I loved the time traveling element. It was also so fun to read about a historic marker near to my area. I felt like the characters were very relatable and their struggles easy to understand.
April 29, 2024
I love this concept! It’s a great method to the dual-timelines. The author created her rules for the time-travel and it works.
The three friends are likable and their relationship issues are realistic. These side conflicts add to the plot nicely, adding depth.
I look forward to the next Time Sailor saga!
The three friends are likable and their relationship issues are realistic. These side conflicts add to the plot nicely, adding depth.
I look forward to the next Time Sailor saga!
April 21, 2024
Let me start off by saying how much I love this story. The author did an amazing job devising a unique approach to writing a time travel story. I love time sailing - what an absolutely great idea that opens up a world of possibilities for the characters and plot.
For the main character Stella, we learn that she has failed to step up when she should have and that is mostly out of fear. Of course, her mission requires her to choose between her fears and doing the right thing. I love the fact that we see all 3 ladies struggle with insecurity, fear and identity issues in their own ways and this journey brings all three of them back to the truths they need to be grounded in. Thank you to this author for writing these stories. I can’t wait to see what’s next. I received an early copy for review and the opinions shared are my own.
For the main character Stella, we learn that she has failed to step up when she should have and that is mostly out of fear. Of course, her mission requires her to choose between her fears and doing the right thing. I love the fact that we see all 3 ladies struggle with insecurity, fear and identity issues in their own ways and this journey brings all three of them back to the truths they need to be grounded in. Thank you to this author for writing these stories. I can’t wait to see what’s next. I received an early copy for review and the opinions shared are my own.
April 24, 2024
Puh, it's been a crazy few weeks and it looks like there is no slowing down. But I was finally able to write a blog post review about this fantastic book. Go check it out link: here!
February 27, 2026
I listened to the audio version of this book. Kinda cheesy at first. It seemed like a group of friends on a girls' night out. Stella goes on a bachelorette party cruise to Hawaii with her two best friends, Claire and Wendy, before she gets married. Stella time-travels to another time period, and Claire and Wendy communicate with her by writing letters through an antique mailbox.
I didn’t like Claire’s character at all. She is too self-absorbed, selfish, only cares about her social media account, dramatic, and extremely boy-crazy. However, Claire eventually learned to care for her friends after a hard wake-up call. She seems much deeper than she appears to be.
I really liked Wendy. She cared a lot about her friendships. She says what is on her mind, and that gets her into trouble. But she learned to care about other people’s feelings, too.
Also, I really loved Stella’s character. She threw herself into the time period that she traveled to because she had no choice. She learned to be brave, kind, to do what is right, and to stand up for others.
Honestly, I haven���t read a book quite like this before. It is such an interesting premise as a time-split novel. I learned a lot about the 1830s, slavery during that time, the cholera outbreak, and the history of the ship of Arabia on the Missouri River.
Themes: deep bonds of friendship, standing for the truth, courage, romance, betrayal, kindness, and fighting for justice.
4/5 stars-clean historical fiction, which I loved!!!
*I was given this book in a giveaway by the author.
I didn’t like Claire’s character at all. She is too self-absorbed, selfish, only cares about her social media account, dramatic, and extremely boy-crazy. However, Claire eventually learned to care for her friends after a hard wake-up call. She seems much deeper than she appears to be.
I really liked Wendy. She cared a lot about her friendships. She says what is on her mind, and that gets her into trouble. But she learned to care about other people’s feelings, too.
Also, I really loved Stella’s character. She threw herself into the time period that she traveled to because she had no choice. She learned to be brave, kind, to do what is right, and to stand up for others.
Honestly, I haven���t read a book quite like this before. It is such an interesting premise as a time-split novel. I learned a lot about the 1830s, slavery during that time, the cholera outbreak, and the history of the ship of Arabia on the Missouri River.
Themes: deep bonds of friendship, standing for the truth, courage, romance, betrayal, kindness, and fighting for justice.
4/5 stars-clean historical fiction, which I loved!!!
*I was given this book in a giveaway by the author.
August 3, 2024
Stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3 stars)
Read: August 2024
Format: Kindle e-Book
Challenge Prompt: CNL’s #15 of 50 - “set on a boat, plane, or train” (cruise ship and steamboat)
Book #75 of 2024: This novel includes 3 women on a cruise ship to celebrate the upcoming wedding of one of them. The bride-to-be (Stella) ends up time-traveling to 1856. Late we learn that the term for people like her is that they are a “time sailor.” The time travel is confusing at times and I never did have a clear picture of it.
Though these are women who are college graduates and marrying age, I found the other two women (Wendy & Claire) to be more like 17-20 years old in behaviour at times. Thankfully they do learn a lot about themselves and learn to do better as they try to help Stella through letters left in the mysterious mailbox.
The process was a little muddy and the story never really grabbed me or pulled me in. I don’t believe I will continue on with the series. It may appeal to others but it just wasn’t for me personally. I have a couple other books by this author that I will try though.
Read: August 2024
Format: Kindle e-Book
Challenge Prompt: CNL’s #15 of 50 - “set on a boat, plane, or train” (cruise ship and steamboat)
Book #75 of 2024: This novel includes 3 women on a cruise ship to celebrate the upcoming wedding of one of them. The bride-to-be (Stella) ends up time-traveling to 1856. Late we learn that the term for people like her is that they are a “time sailor.” The time travel is confusing at times and I never did have a clear picture of it.
Though these are women who are college graduates and marrying age, I found the other two women (Wendy & Claire) to be more like 17-20 years old in behaviour at times. Thankfully they do learn a lot about themselves and learn to do better as they try to help Stella through letters left in the mysterious mailbox.
The process was a little muddy and the story never really grabbed me or pulled me in. I don’t believe I will continue on with the series. It may appeal to others but it just wasn’t for me personally. I have a couple other books by this author that I will try though.
May 3, 2025
Sarah Hanks presents a unique time travel concept with time sailing where time travel happens only on a boat and you don’t get to go home until you complete your mission. Downside is that you don’t know what that mission is. Upside is that there’s a man to help you whose family is also drawn to time sailors.
The story was more serious than I had expected when I started reading, although not in a bad way. Sarah Hanks delves into the abolitionist/pro-slavery border wars between Missouri and Kansas in 1856 and addresses complicated issues of race both in the past and present. She also addresses miscommunication and misunderstanding brought on by the use of the internet and how social media can be a double-edged sword. Overall, I enjoyed the storyline in the past better than the present, but both timelines provided opportunities to consider what one would do if presented with the same situations.
The story was more serious than I had expected when I started reading, although not in a bad way. Sarah Hanks delves into the abolitionist/pro-slavery border wars between Missouri and Kansas in 1856 and addresses complicated issues of race both in the past and present. She also addresses miscommunication and misunderstanding brought on by the use of the internet and how social media can be a double-edged sword. Overall, I enjoyed the storyline in the past better than the present, but both timelines provided opportunities to consider what one would do if presented with the same situations.
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