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Ambition & Destiny #3
When Time Runs Out
Tensions are rising but Harriet refuses to backdown…
As Mr Wetherby’s wealth and power increase, he won’t tolerate interference in his affairs...
From anyone.
But Harriet isn’t ‘just anyone’ and when she sees him involved in a serious incident, she stores the information away. Maybe one day she can use it to get the future Mr Wetherby is intent on denying them.
Biding her time, she finally gets her chance. But facing the wrath of Mr Wetherby, she soon discovers she has more to worry about than her own ambitions…
Inspired by a true story, When Time Runs Out continues the epic saga of one family’s trials, tragedies, and triumphs as they seek their fortune in Victorian-era England.
As Mr Wetherby’s wealth and power increase, he won’t tolerate interference in his affairs...
From anyone.
But Harriet isn’t ‘just anyone’ and when she sees him involved in a serious incident, she stores the information away. Maybe one day she can use it to get the future Mr Wetherby is intent on denying them.
Biding her time, she finally gets her chance. But facing the wrath of Mr Wetherby, she soon discovers she has more to worry about than her own ambitions…
Inspired by a true story, When Time Runs Out continues the epic saga of one family’s trials, tragedies, and triumphs as they seek their fortune in Victorian-era England.
1 pages, Audio CD
Published September 16, 2025
658 people are currently reading
83 people want to read
About the author
V.L. McBeath
33 books75 followersVal is an accidental author! She started writing in 2010 when she realised the family history research she was working on would make a great story.
That story ultimately turned into The Ambition & Destiny Series, a five part series with a short story prequel.
By the time that was complete, Val had developed a taste for writing and began a series of historical cozy mysteries - Eliza Thomson Investigates.
Prior to writing, Val trained as a scientist and worked in the pharmaceutical industry for many years. In 2012, she set up her own consultancy business, and currently splits her time between business and writing.
Born and raised in Liverpool (UK), Val now lives in Cheshire with her husband, two daughters and a cat. In addition to family history, her interests include rock music and Liverpool Football Club.
That story ultimately turned into The Ambition & Destiny Series, a five part series with a short story prequel.
By the time that was complete, Val had developed a taste for writing and began a series of historical cozy mysteries - Eliza Thomson Investigates.
Prior to writing, Val trained as a scientist and worked in the pharmaceutical industry for many years. In 2012, she set up her own consultancy business, and currently splits her time between business and writing.
Born and raised in Liverpool (UK), Val now lives in Cheshire with her husband, two daughters and a cat. In addition to family history, her interests include rock music and Liverpool Football Club.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
November 15, 2017
This is another excellent read in the continuing story of a family’s trials and tribulations. Knowing it is based on a true story gives it an added interest. The various members of the family are becoming very well known and some characters are really liked while others not so! The storyline highlights the pressure on women to know their place in Society by the majority of men. This was particularly difficult for one member of the family. Although there were signs of improvement in the education of girls. It does finish on a cliffhanger so you will need to read the next book but that won’t be a hardship ! I received a copy and have voluntarily reviewed it. This is my honest review.
November 25, 2017
When I was reading about Mary, some of her life hit close to home and I felt sad for her. I got out of a marriage that wasn't for me, but she never did. Of course, money was never an issue in my life. When reading about the women fighting for 'freedom', I guess I was born well after that period, so I didn't realize how bad they had it. This book really gives an insight to that.
June 15, 2018
This excellent book is the third in The Ambition & Destiny Series. See my reviews of the first two for more info. The characters are amazingly complex, the descriptions of historical Victorian Era England are enough to make you feel like you are standing in the streets, the story line is deftly interwoven. A must read series.
December 29, 2017
I read this book as soon as it arrived and couldn't put it down. Now I'm waiting for the next book. Great story, great characters - even more so because I know it's based on a true story (a concept I love) - and there's more to come.
May 4, 2018
Busy-body Harriet is at it again, nosing about in everyone’s business, in VL McBeath’s “When Time Runs Out”—the third book of The Ambition & Destiny Series. And, thank goodness for Harriet’s meddling ways, for her keen intelligence and wit makes this exquisite family saga well-worth reading again and again and again as the Family Weatherby tilts ahead full-speed into an uncertain future. For McBeath’s men, it’s mostly business as usual. But even as the males dominate by clinging desperately to the past, McBeath’s female characters yearn to evolve into much more independent beings.
McBeath’s penchant for sustaining excellence in her writing is only surpassed by her brilliant research into the history of the Victorian Age as her characters forge ahead—with some kicking and screaming—into the turn of the century. With a budding movement toward women’s freedom and independence, problems facing over-population and urbanization, and a tumultuous family life to contend with, McBeath sets up more challenges to the Weatherby men than most can handle, and at least for some, attitudes toward the fairer sex begins to change. All the while, there is an underlying insidious danger stalking these women as they strain to come out from under the oppressive rule of their traditionalistic husbands. Though all of McBeath’s characters have had more than their share of trials and tribulations, this particular installment of the series is every bit as dramatic and dangerous as her two preceding books. And, fans of The Ambition & Destiny series will gasp aloud at the shocking ending in store for one main character.
On a personal note—McBeath’s work more than meets the bar as a Historical Fiction Romance novel that presses upon women to remember the sacrifices of our foremothers who blazed so many trails to attain their daughter’s freedom and independence. As an historian, I would highly recommend the entire Ambition & Destiny series as a serious accompaniment to a high-school/college course on the Victorian Age, the Feminist Movement, or Women’s Studies.
McBeath’s penchant for sustaining excellence in her writing is only surpassed by her brilliant research into the history of the Victorian Age as her characters forge ahead—with some kicking and screaming—into the turn of the century. With a budding movement toward women’s freedom and independence, problems facing over-population and urbanization, and a tumultuous family life to contend with, McBeath sets up more challenges to the Weatherby men than most can handle, and at least for some, attitudes toward the fairer sex begins to change. All the while, there is an underlying insidious danger stalking these women as they strain to come out from under the oppressive rule of their traditionalistic husbands. Though all of McBeath’s characters have had more than their share of trials and tribulations, this particular installment of the series is every bit as dramatic and dangerous as her two preceding books. And, fans of The Ambition & Destiny series will gasp aloud at the shocking ending in store for one main character.
On a personal note—McBeath’s work more than meets the bar as a Historical Fiction Romance novel that presses upon women to remember the sacrifices of our foremothers who blazed so many trails to attain their daughter’s freedom and independence. As an historian, I would highly recommend the entire Ambition & Destiny series as a serious accompaniment to a high-school/college course on the Victorian Age, the Feminist Movement, or Women’s Studies.
March 12, 2018
It would appear that Harriet, William's wife was born in the wrong century; she was intelligent, independent and courageous. She believed that men and women are both as good as each other in almost every field, contrary to her husband, who thinks that men are made to look after women and women are made to look after the home and children - each gender doing the job that they were created for and are best at. Harriet was good at numbers, enough to do the book keeping for William's business, while William was totally at sea with numbers. Perhaps Harriet was NOT born in the wrong century because it was due to women like her who stood up to be counted, who joined the suffragets to get women the right to vote that today, we enjoy the freedom that we do. But it was a hard time for women like Harriet and most men were not prepared to accept the fact that women were capable of more than housework and children and they made sure that they did everything within their power to stop women like her.
The saga of the Wetherby-Jackson family continues, with Harriet trying to cut ties with Mr Wetherby and getting William to start out on his own but it was easier said than done. A gripping continuation of the story, with many painful and hurtful events. Totally absorbing, cannot wait for part 4.
The saga of the Wetherby-Jackson family continues, with Harriet trying to cut ties with Mr Wetherby and getting William to start out on his own but it was easier said than done. A gripping continuation of the story, with many painful and hurtful events. Totally absorbing, cannot wait for part 4.
July 1, 2019
Book #3 in the series 1876, Victorian Era, England the epic saga continues with Mr Wetherby, Mrs sara-Anne Wetherby the children, step-children and now grandchildren. It's easy to keep up with large families just remember who the parent are where they work and lived.
These families are constantly having trial, small disagreements as all close families do. Also there are many new challenges that they have to face with a few heart aches, sadness and happy times. I enjoyed this collection of stories. When I am reading, I can see and hear any and everything that goes on in the house. Now this is a good author when this happens.. I am living the story as I read, such wonderful series of books.
These families are constantly having trial, small disagreements as all close families do. Also there are many new challenges that they have to face with a few heart aches, sadness and happy times. I enjoyed this collection of stories. When I am reading, I can see and hear any and everything that goes on in the house. Now this is a good author when this happens.. I am living the story as I read, such wonderful series of books.
March 19, 2019
Wanting to become her own person and voice.
Tired of not getting what they deserve, Harriet takes charge and pushes William to get his fair share. Very well written series. Hard to put down.
Tired of not getting what they deserve, Harriet takes charge and pushes William to get his fair share. Very well written series. Hard to put down.
September 3, 2018
Good reading book
This book kept you engaged and was a good read. Book 1 & 2were also good books to read. Easy reading.
This book kept you engaged and was a good read. Book 1 & 2were also good books to read. Easy reading.
February 19, 2019
Wow
This series keeps getting better and better . Mr Wetherby🙀will be an unforgettable character, he is cold ,sinister , controlling evil and rich
This series keeps getting better and better . Mr Wetherby🙀will be an unforgettable character, he is cold ,sinister , controlling evil and rich
March 10, 2019
Intriguing
I'm enjoying these books, and getting to know the different characters. Can't wait to see what happens next 5* brilliant
I'm enjoying these books, and getting to know the different characters. Can't wait to see what happens next 5* brilliant
November 10, 2019
Love series.
May 2, 2020
Harriet is a good strong character and you killed her
I liked the book and especially liked Harriet but I found her running away just not in her character. You portrayed her as a strong woman and yet when she’s faced with a ten pound fine she runs away? No! She should have fired the maid, sold all the furniture in the house etc. when she overhears Wetherby threaten to commit her, she should have confronted him and told him she would go ahead with her threat to notify the Liberals of the murder of Sarah Ann’s husband. Now you are left with a bully and two wimps!
I liked the book and especially liked Harriet but I found her running away just not in her character. You portrayed her as a strong woman and yet when she’s faced with a ten pound fine she runs away? No! She should have fired the maid, sold all the furniture in the house etc. when she overhears Wetherby threaten to commit her, she should have confronted him and told him she would go ahead with her threat to notify the Liberals of the murder of Sarah Ann’s husband. Now you are left with a bully and two wimps!
February 18, 2022
Great book
This series just keeps getting better and better. The plot twist are so fast it is almost hard to keep up. Mary's death was very sad as she was a beloved character that did not find her lasting happiness. Can't wait to read the next one, these books are hard to put down.
This series just keeps getting better and better. The plot twist are so fast it is almost hard to keep up. Mary's death was very sad as she was a beloved character that did not find her lasting happiness. Can't wait to read the next one, these books are hard to put down.
December 14, 2020
Awesome story
England during the mid 1800’s. The lives of an extended family and their interactions. Control and desire for freedom. Women’s suffrage. Oh the history! Great story. Love this series.
England during the mid 1800’s. The lives of an extended family and their interactions. Control and desire for freedom. Women’s suffrage. Oh the history! Great story. Love this series.
March 4, 2021
What another great book
I'm so enjoying these books. I can't wait to start book 4. I am hoping they will never end. I do understand thou that they must end at some point and that will be a sad day for sure. The good news is I look forward to VL Beath next set of books.
I'm so enjoying these books. I can't wait to start book 4. I am hoping they will never end. I do understand thou that they must end at some point and that will be a sad day for sure. The good news is I look forward to VL Beath next set of books.
April 11, 2021
I have read all of the first three books in the series. It really makes you realize that women have come a long way since the 1800's.
September 7, 2021
Long
Predictable storyline and characters. Easy read for entertainment purposes. Long read that does not challenge the readers imagination or thoughts
Predictable storyline and characters. Easy read for entertainment purposes. Long read that does not challenge the readers imagination or thoughts
April 6, 2022
When time runs out
Much more events taking place in the lives of the weatherby families. This book makes the lives in Victorian England come alive.
Much more events taking place in the lives of the weatherby families. This book makes the lives in Victorian England come alive.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews