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The Hands of Time #3
A World Apart
A bond that stretches across centuries…
For Valerie Whitfield, a magical antique clock was the key to an extraordinary journey through time. But the full, warm life she and her husband Alec have created in the seventeenth century is abruptly shaken by a visitor from the life she left behind. Shortly after, Valerie’s teenage son, Finn, vanishes without a trace…
Frantic with worry, Valerie and Alec search for their beloved son, but with each passing day, hope grows dimmer. Too late, they realize that Finn has undertaken his own voyage through time.
Valerie would search for a thousand lifetimes to find Finn, but it is a dangerous journey that will separate her and Alec from all they have ever known, and test their strength and resilience to the limits. With every setback, Valerie’s resolve only grows. She’ll stop at nothing to bring Finn home. Until a shocking revelation changes everything…
An unforgettable, heart-wrenching story of a mother’s unconditional love, and the unbreakable ties that bind us across time. A passionate, romantic read for fans of Diana Gabaldon, Barbara Erskine and Susanna Kearsley.
Readers love the Hands of Time
“Holy Cow! What an amazing book!! I can’t describe it. I could not put it down. Wow. I wish I could go back in time!! I read this book in 3 hours. I am on to the next book of the series!!” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“What an awesome story. I literally read it in one day. I couldn’t wait to see what happens. The characters were very likeable and the love triangle sizzled. I highly recommend this to anyone who likes a good time travel romance.” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“If I could rate it higher I would… From beginning to end it sucked me in and I could not put it down. It was filled with history and romance. It made me happy and sad. It made me laugh and cry. It was an amazing story.” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“I swear I felt every emotion known to humans. This was a beautiful story.” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Absolutely LOVED this book!… Very well written with characters that you feel like you have become friends with.” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Wow... amazing story… I became so engrossed in the tale… The ups and downs that tell the story between these characters to the end is riveting.” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Love this book!… This was a real page turner. Not your Hallmark love story. I couldn’t put it down.” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“A beautiful blend of history, mystery and romance! LOVE it!!” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Excellent… What a great story. Hate for to end... I don’t know how I’m gonna find another series to replace this one.” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Fabulous! One of the best time travel books I’ve ever read! Very satisfying and the characters are well developed.
For Valerie Whitfield, a magical antique clock was the key to an extraordinary journey through time. But the full, warm life she and her husband Alec have created in the seventeenth century is abruptly shaken by a visitor from the life she left behind. Shortly after, Valerie’s teenage son, Finn, vanishes without a trace…
Frantic with worry, Valerie and Alec search for their beloved son, but with each passing day, hope grows dimmer. Too late, they realize that Finn has undertaken his own voyage through time.
Valerie would search for a thousand lifetimes to find Finn, but it is a dangerous journey that will separate her and Alec from all they have ever known, and test their strength and resilience to the limits. With every setback, Valerie’s resolve only grows. She’ll stop at nothing to bring Finn home. Until a shocking revelation changes everything…
An unforgettable, heart-wrenching story of a mother’s unconditional love, and the unbreakable ties that bind us across time. A passionate, romantic read for fans of Diana Gabaldon, Barbara Erskine and Susanna Kearsley.
Readers love the Hands of Time
“Holy Cow! What an amazing book!! I can’t describe it. I could not put it down. Wow. I wish I could go back in time!! I read this book in 3 hours. I am on to the next book of the series!!” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“What an awesome story. I literally read it in one day. I couldn’t wait to see what happens. The characters were very likeable and the love triangle sizzled. I highly recommend this to anyone who likes a good time travel romance.” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“If I could rate it higher I would… From beginning to end it sucked me in and I could not put it down. It was filled with history and romance. It made me happy and sad. It made me laugh and cry. It was an amazing story.” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“I swear I felt every emotion known to humans. This was a beautiful story.” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Absolutely LOVED this book!… Very well written with characters that you feel like you have become friends with.” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Wow... amazing story… I became so engrossed in the tale… The ups and downs that tell the story between these characters to the end is riveting.” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Love this book!… This was a real page turner. Not your Hallmark love story. I couldn’t put it down.” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“A beautiful blend of history, mystery and romance! LOVE it!!” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Excellent… What a great story. Hate for to end... I don’t know how I’m gonna find another series to replace this one.” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Fabulous! One of the best time travel books I’ve ever read! Very satisfying and the characters are well developed.
368 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 2, 2012
1057 people are currently reading
217 people want to read
About the author
Irina Shapiro
84 books1,132 followersTo write a novel was a dream of mine since I was a child. Life, my practical nature, and self-doubt got in the way, so it was decades later that an opportunity to write finally presented itself. I honestly didn't think I had what it takes to write a full-length novel, but once I faced the blank screen and my fingers touched the keyboard, everything disappeared except my characters and their surroundings, and suddenly I knew that this was what I was born to do.
Since then, I've written many books and have enjoyed some positive reviews, but sometimes, when I stop to reflect, I'm still amazed that I'm living my dream.
Follow me on BookBub for discount deals and new release alerts.
https://www.bookbub.com/authors/irina...
Since then, I've written many books and have enjoyed some positive reviews, but sometimes, when I stop to reflect, I'm still amazed that I'm living my dream.
Follow me on BookBub for discount deals and new release alerts.
https://www.bookbub.com/authors/irina...
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
July 29, 2025
Enjoyable multi-generational time travel/time skip series, check out the covers on Amazon the updated ones are really pretty and much more appealing! Wish characters were a bit more fleshed out and plots tightened up a bit but I would def give it a try if you enjoy this genre. On KU.
November 18, 2016
The story of the Whitfield family continues in the third book of The Hands Of Time Series. Mr. Taylor, the maker of the clock that once sent both Valerie and Louisa to the past, has came to the past himself to give the women the opportunity to go back to their time if they choose. While there he leaves his new and improved time travel device unguarded. It falls in the hands of young Finn, Valerie and Alec's son. He finds himself in 1775, a time of hostility and war. He is alone and confused. Once noticed missing, his parents use the device to go search for him. Will they find him or will he forever be a stranger in a different time? While Alec and Valerie are away things go from bad to worse at home. Louisa and Kit start a new new journey of their own...in England.
This book was an adventure. I absolutely love following this story. Each book just adds and builds up this family saga. The characters, as always, are so easy to love and each book adds more to them and makes them even greater in my mind. This book was written so well and was a great book of romance and suspense. It was also filled with so much action and drama that it was very hard to put down. Once again I was very pleased to read another awesome book in this series. I can't wait to see what happens in the next book....Stormi
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This book was an adventure. I absolutely love following this story. Each book just adds and builds up this family saga. The characters, as always, are so easy to love and each book adds more to them and makes them even greater in my mind. This book was written so well and was a great book of romance and suspense. It was also filled with so much action and drama that it was very hard to put down. Once again I was very pleased to read another awesome book in this series. I can't wait to see what happens in the next book....Stormi
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August 27, 2016
A good trilogy liked the first two more but still very good
April 23, 2019
I'm getting to the point where in skimming. The books are full of characters and it's hard it care about everyone and keep them all straight. Plus now they can just time travel whenever they want? I feel like that's definitely going to mess things up...
August 1, 2024
Much better than before
3.5 rounded up
This was so much better then the first 2. It was suspenseful and tense. It had complex issues again, so please check triggers.
Rape, murder, violence, poverty and death it was sad in places but all descriptions were vivid n I felt like it transported me.
It was cringe and predictable in places
3.5 rounded up
This was so much better then the first 2. It was suspenseful and tense. It had complex issues again, so please check triggers.
Rape, murder, violence, poverty and death it was sad in places but all descriptions were vivid n I felt like it transported me.
It was cringe and predictable in places
January 3, 2013
A worthy sequel to the first two books. There are lots of twists and turns that take the reader on an emotional roller-coaster until the very last page. I love these characters and I hope Ms. Shapiro will continue the series.
February 28, 2023
These stories are certainly taking their share of twists and turns!! Note to self - never correct the time on an antique clock ... nor punch random numbers into an unknown device - so many things can go wrong!!!! Our intrepid lead characters find themselves in quite a conundrum in past times. How will they manage to figure out how to ever get back together again?!? I guess we keep reading the series!
March 6, 2013
This series was entertaining and a quick read, but, not necessarily a great literary feat. There were a few places where I cringed because the plot was so predictable and the writing left something to be desired. However, I did read all three and enjoyed them for what they were: romance with a touch of history and time travel (odd combination, but, entertaining).
(spoilers in the summary)
The series starts with Valerie finding a clock in an antiques store and when she changes the time to make it accurate, she lands back in time. She proceeds to (quickly) adapt to life in 17th century England, find love, and get married. The second book has her sister traveling back in time to find her. And the third, has the family torn apart because of yet more time travel. Fun and quick to read.
(spoilers in the summary)
The series starts with Valerie finding a clock in an antiques store and when she changes the time to make it accurate, she lands back in time. She proceeds to (quickly) adapt to life in 17th century England, find love, and get married. The second book has her sister traveling back in time to find her. And the third, has the family torn apart because of yet more time travel. Fun and quick to read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 27, 2025
Love, family and hardship
I loved, loved this installment of the Whitfield and Sheridan‘s time traveling historical romance. The story hooked me in and took me along for a thrilling and emotional ride. This series just keeps getting better and the history nerd in me enjoyed the historical references and the glimpses of 17th and 18th century life. The Whitfields and the Sheridans have settled into 17th century life in Virginia. Mr. Taylor, the man from the 21st-century with the time traveling device, shows up to make amends and offer to bring Louisa and Valerie back to the future. This just sets off a chain of unfortunate events that leave the families separated by miles and time as they each need to deal with the harshness of the time periods and the fickleness of time travel. The story is told through multiple points of view including Valerie, Louisa, Alec, Kit and Finn - which helped to round out some aspects of the story with less telling and more showing. The story was well written and included three dimensional characters and an engaging storyline as shown through mystery, sweet moments, spice, laughs, messy families, painful pasts, surprises, danger, plot twists, fate, and love. I am excited to read more in the series. 4.5 stars.
I loved, loved this installment of the Whitfield and Sheridan‘s time traveling historical romance. The story hooked me in and took me along for a thrilling and emotional ride. This series just keeps getting better and the history nerd in me enjoyed the historical references and the glimpses of 17th and 18th century life. The Whitfields and the Sheridans have settled into 17th century life in Virginia. Mr. Taylor, the man from the 21st-century with the time traveling device, shows up to make amends and offer to bring Louisa and Valerie back to the future. This just sets off a chain of unfortunate events that leave the families separated by miles and time as they each need to deal with the harshness of the time periods and the fickleness of time travel. The story is told through multiple points of view including Valerie, Louisa, Alec, Kit and Finn - which helped to round out some aspects of the story with less telling and more showing. The story was well written and included three dimensional characters and an engaging storyline as shown through mystery, sweet moments, spice, laughs, messy families, painful pasts, surprises, danger, plot twists, fate, and love. I am excited to read more in the series. 4.5 stars.
August 28, 2025
Review of A World Apart by Irina Shapiro
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Irina Shapiro has a gift for weaving time travel with heartache, healing, and devotion and A World Apart is no exception. This third installment in The Hands of Time series deepens the emotional resonance as Valerie and Alec face their most terrifying challenge yet: the disappearance of their son, Finn.
The audiobook narration is immersive and beautifully paced, capturing the urgency of a mother’s love and the quiet strength of a family torn across centuries. Shapiro’s writing balances historical detail with raw emotion, and the result is a story that feels both epic and intimate.
Valerie’s journey to find Finn is more than a search and it’s a testament to the power of love, legacy, and the lengths we go to protect what matters most. Each book in this series gets better, with richer storytelling and deeper emotional stakes. I’m already looking forward to book four and where this journey will lead next.
If you’re drawn to stories that blend romance, suspense, and time travel with emotional truth, A World Apart will stay with you long after the final chapter.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Irina Shapiro has a gift for weaving time travel with heartache, healing, and devotion and A World Apart is no exception. This third installment in The Hands of Time series deepens the emotional resonance as Valerie and Alec face their most terrifying challenge yet: the disappearance of their son, Finn.
The audiobook narration is immersive and beautifully paced, capturing the urgency of a mother’s love and the quiet strength of a family torn across centuries. Shapiro’s writing balances historical detail with raw emotion, and the result is a story that feels both epic and intimate.
Valerie’s journey to find Finn is more than a search and it’s a testament to the power of love, legacy, and the lengths we go to protect what matters most. Each book in this series gets better, with richer storytelling and deeper emotional stakes. I’m already looking forward to book four and where this journey will lead next.
If you’re drawn to stories that blend romance, suspense, and time travel with emotional truth, A World Apart will stay with you long after the final chapter.
November 18, 2024
Very good and very exciting. A complex story taking place in two different times in the past as Alec and Valerie go forward to 1775 to search for their son, Finn, after Finn accidentally sent himself there. Meanwhile back in Jamestown of the late 1600s, Kit and Louisa are forced to flee in the dead of night with their baby Evie and Bridget aboard a ship to England, because Louisa lost her temper and swore in public. She was promptly taken away and locked up to await her punishment.
So many things were happening in this book and it was all done so well. The writing was excellent and I just kept reading and turning pages until it was done. I'm jumping into the next book.
So many things were happening in this book and it was all done so well. The writing was excellent and I just kept reading and turning pages until it was done. I'm jumping into the next book.
February 15, 2021
Continue on!!!
Took me a bit to get into this one but I am glad I stuck with it..things finally began happening and I am thinking my disinterest was the book over the previous two books. I will remember that as I begin book 4... I can't quit now! I really am in this time traveling!!
Took me a bit to get into this one but I am glad I stuck with it..things finally began happening and I am thinking my disinterest was the book over the previous two books. I will remember that as I begin book 4... I can't quit now! I really am in this time traveling!!
May 19, 2021
Amazing story as were the first 2 in the series.
From the very first paragraph through out the entire book, you can’t wait to see what will happen to all these wonderful characters. They bring you into the story with them, like you are a part of the history. I am so excited to read the next in the series. I hope all who read this will delve in to the past and the future.
From the very first paragraph through out the entire book, you can’t wait to see what will happen to all these wonderful characters. They bring you into the story with them, like you are a part of the history. I am so excited to read the next in the series. I hope all who read this will delve in to the past and the future.
November 24, 2024
Had some good and had mostly meh
I didn't like this third installment as much as i liked the first two books. This one was centered around Finn after he mysteriously disappeared and launched himself into 1700s. But i did enjoy his perspective on the revolutionary War and his romance with Abbie.
I didn't like this third installment as much as i liked the first two books. This one was centered around Finn after he mysteriously disappeared and launched himself into 1700s. But i did enjoy his perspective on the revolutionary War and his romance with Abbie.
January 6, 2025
This series keeps getting better!
I'm sorry, but the first book of this series was just okay for me. But I liked the characters, so wanted to know what happened next. They're
second wool was better written and with a better plot; then the third book ramped up the pace more! Hopefully the next three books do not disappoint as often happens in a series.
I'm sorry, but the first book of this series was just okay for me. But I liked the characters, so wanted to know what happened next. They're
second wool was better written and with a better plot; then the third book ramped up the pace more! Hopefully the next three books do not disappoint as often happens in a series.
November 13, 2025
Another brilliant read. This one is a bit different from the first two, it’s filled with action, lots of different things happening, and lots of characters! This book was based more on the lives of their children which at first I found difficult to get into but I began to enjoy it a lot and couldn’t put the book down!
March 17, 2018
I'm loving this series! It started out slow but keeps getting better w/ each book. History, romance, time travel--all in one book. Looking forward to seeing how the characters relate to the revolution.
January 26, 2021
Great
This series just gets better and better. The characters and their relationships are so realistic and endearing. I love the storyline of two sisters so devoted to each other and their families.
This series just gets better and better. The characters and their relationships are so realistic and endearing. I love the storyline of two sisters so devoted to each other and their families.
February 20, 2023
Scattered like autumn leaves
Sisters Valerie and Louisa continue their lives in mid 17th century Jamestown. Their existence is upended and scattered as an unexpected stranger enters their lives and wrecks havoc.
Sisters Valerie and Louisa continue their lives in mid 17th century Jamestown. Their existence is upended and scattered as an unexpected stranger enters their lives and wrecks havoc.
July 30, 2024
And a lot is happening in this story. It had adventure and angst 😥 with a lot of twists and turns. There were a few things that made me cringe but in the end I liked this book better than the previous two.
October 22, 2024
Great Time Travel Story
These stories are a eye opening experience. It takes me a while to get through each book because I only have KU on one iPad. AncestryDNA has told me of a lot of people I didn’t know were in my blood line and how interesting to go back.
These stories are a eye opening experience. It takes me a while to get through each book because I only have KU on one iPad. AncestryDNA has told me of a lot of people I didn’t know were in my blood line and how interesting to go back.
November 23, 2024
Great Book. Thoughly enjoyed it. I wish I could go FORWARD in time. I know history, so I'd like to go forward ten years and look back on these last twelve! What would I see? Lol!
Very good book, as it was well-written, AND edited. Thank you!
Very good book, as it was well-written, AND edited. Thank you!
June 3, 2018
Gret!
A very well written story with great interaction among the various characters! I was happy to discover that there is a series
A very well written story with great interaction among the various characters! I was happy to discover that there is a series
March 23, 2020
I have enjoyed all the books in this series so far cant wait to start the new one now.
January 3, 2021
Fabulous!
One of the best time travel books I’ve ever read! Very satisfying and the characters are well developed. Love it!
One of the best time travel books I’ve ever read! Very satisfying and the characters are well developed. Love it!
Read
May 13, 2021Fantastic
The series left getting better and better. This story was well written. The characters were brought to life.. The storyline was fantastic.
The series left getting better and better. This story was well written. The characters were brought to life.. The storyline was fantastic.
May 20, 2021
I totally skimmed this book. It feels like an Outlander wannabe.
November 27, 2021
Love the story.
March 24, 2022
great read
At first, I was so mad at the author for sending Finn off. But the story gripped me by my hand and jerked into the maelstrom of Finn’s adventure. I didn’t want it to end!
At first, I was so mad at the author for sending Finn off. But the story gripped me by my hand and jerked into the maelstrom of Finn’s adventure. I didn’t want it to end!
April 8, 2022
Great Story
Loved this new story of Valerie and Louisa and their families. Exciting continuation with lots of action and tidbits of living in colonial America.
Loved this new story of Valerie and Louisa and their families. Exciting continuation with lots of action and tidbits of living in colonial America.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews