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The Crossing Hour
"I have no hankerin’ for thrills if needs be sought in the heavens. I shall keep my feet firmly planted in contentment.” - Harriet, The Crossing Hour
"I shall yield a rifle of fury, loaded with the justice of time and the raging storm of my soul!” - John, The Crossing Hour
In this debut novel, time travel is a naturally occurring phenomenon. The aged scientist, Stanley Graf, has discovered it in a planetary black hole in northern Delaware. He appoints his granddaughter Leigh to await the latest event. One traveler appears: a 28-year-old runaway slave from the 19th century. Leigh and her family serve as her guardians and slowly introduce her to the 21st century.
When John, a young, mysterious man arrives from rural Pennsylvania, Leigh and her brother Stan try to balance their duty to Harriet and the past with the actions of the peculiar gentleman. As they realize there is more to their grandfather’s research, they work to uncover the secrets their family is keeping from them.
"I shall yield a rifle of fury, loaded with the justice of time and the raging storm of my soul!” - John, The Crossing Hour
In this debut novel, time travel is a naturally occurring phenomenon. The aged scientist, Stanley Graf, has discovered it in a planetary black hole in northern Delaware. He appoints his granddaughter Leigh to await the latest event. One traveler appears: a 28-year-old runaway slave from the 19th century. Leigh and her family serve as her guardians and slowly introduce her to the 21st century.
When John, a young, mysterious man arrives from rural Pennsylvania, Leigh and her brother Stan try to balance their duty to Harriet and the past with the actions of the peculiar gentleman. As they realize there is more to their grandfather’s research, they work to uncover the secrets their family is keeping from them.
440 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 10, 2015
10 people are currently reading
1417 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
March 7, 2015
I went into this book expecting something heavy on sci-fi, maybe part thriller or even some romance and got something totally unexpected: a closer view of the evils of slavery in the USA and the struggles of African Americans and abolitionists to end this abhorrent practice.
Although the pacing was a bit slow for my taste (hence three stars instead of more) and I would have appreciated more tension or danger, overall the story was a real pleasure. I felt the author genuinely knew her history of the 1800's US and the social context of the abolition movement, and she portrayed the time traveling characters from this time with surprising accuracy. I could hear Harriet Tubman's voice through her words and was moved on several occasions for the pain she, as a real person, must have felt. There was also some interesting debate on destiny and self-fulfillment.
I would recommend this book to readers who enjoy history mixed in with some light sci-fi, time-travel stories, family and cozy reads.
Oh, and if you speak French - watch out for the salty language that I found quite fun! I received a free e-book in exchange for an honest review.
Although the pacing was a bit slow for my taste (hence three stars instead of more) and I would have appreciated more tension or danger, overall the story was a real pleasure. I felt the author genuinely knew her history of the 1800's US and the social context of the abolition movement, and she portrayed the time traveling characters from this time with surprising accuracy. I could hear Harriet Tubman's voice through her words and was moved on several occasions for the pain she, as a real person, must have felt. There was also some interesting debate on destiny and self-fulfillment.
I would recommend this book to readers who enjoy history mixed in with some light sci-fi, time-travel stories, family and cozy reads.
Oh, and if you speak French - watch out for the salty language that I found quite fun! I received a free e-book in exchange for an honest review.
March 12, 2016
The Crossing Hour is an intriguing blend of history, science fiction, and time travel. When a scientist discovers time portals, his family works together to find and help unwitting time travelers. They become “guardians of the past and protectors of our future.” Harriet, a runaway slave, comes through the portal to the present and is confronted by all the trappings of modern civilization. The story unfolds as she adapts to her new time, embracing freedom while unaware of her past future.
The story is well written, wonderfully descriptive, and filled with interesting historical details. When an important character dies, a mourner says, “You don’t know what impact a person has until they’re gone.” This is true of everyone, and ties into the possible impact of time travel. Well done!
The story is well written, wonderfully descriptive, and filled with interesting historical details. When an important character dies, a mourner says, “You don’t know what impact a person has until they’re gone.” This is true of everyone, and ties into the possible impact of time travel. Well done!
January 19, 2015
Good Story, hard to believe this is a first time novel for this Indie writer.
Well written, the plot moves quickly, fun twists and turns. I am definitely looking forward to the authors next work, if this is her first I can only imagine she'll get even better. I hope Ms. Sbrocca doesn't make the mistake other authors do and pays just as much attention to detail and subtleties in her subsequent books as she has in this first one. She could also have the twenty something characters grow up a little in their conversations and attitudes as they would in real life with the passage of time.
About 1/3 way through the book I started wondering if this was just going to go on, I won't add a spoiler but if one of the main characters turned out to be who they claimed, there was only one way this book could turn out and I was beginning to think this could get a little boring and what could possibly take up the later part of the book to make it still an enjoyable read? The author was ahead of me though, introduced another character and the fun pace continued. Mrs. Sbrocca took some chances, one claiming that the main family characters are descendants of what some historians consider the "First American Terrorist" but she ended up smoothly pulling it off and even liking this possibly questionable character in true American History.
You know you are reading a good book when after you have finished and even while you are reading you go to google to search for some of the historical characters mentioned because you have had your curiosity peaked as to their personalities and how plausible some of the situations they find themselves reacting to are.
There are some serious reading and some humorous moments as well. As the description reads this book deals with a time traveling slave so the issue of slavery is comes up in this book as does civil rights and the plight of the freed slaves being free only in word but not as far as the actions of the majority of their now equal fellow Americans. The book does lean toward the preachy side in a couple of places but falls just short of actually reaching that level. I think it was appropriate and possibly "destiny" for me to be reviewing this on MLKs birthday, I had no idea when beginning this book a few days ago how appropriate a read for this holiday weekend it would be.
The Author has obviously done her homework, I love the figures of speech the characters use, it feels very real and you feel a part of the "knowing something is afoot" by "listening" to some of the conversations.
I've been reading a lot of Indie lately, some of it is very hard to read due to editing apparently being done by spell-check alone (they could at least use the grammar-check feature too, but no evidence of that). Some Indie books too feel like they've been written by teenagers or feel very Young Adult like or feel like they're being written down or dumbed down for us less than knowledgeable readers. The Crossing Hour does not feel that way, the author assumes you know some basic American History and if not familiar with the subject have the desire to educate yourself more about it.
I highly encourage readers to pick up this book and introduce yourself to some new character friends, you won't be disappointed.
I would actually rate this book as a 4.5, I leave 5 stars for books such as Enders Game, The Garden of Iden (the Company Series), Child of the Morning and Raising the Stones. However if this author continues the good writing I do not doubt she has a 5 star book rattling around inside her brain that she'll share with us.
Well written, the plot moves quickly, fun twists and turns. I am definitely looking forward to the authors next work, if this is her first I can only imagine she'll get even better. I hope Ms. Sbrocca doesn't make the mistake other authors do and pays just as much attention to detail and subtleties in her subsequent books as she has in this first one. She could also have the twenty something characters grow up a little in their conversations and attitudes as they would in real life with the passage of time.
About 1/3 way through the book I started wondering if this was just going to go on, I won't add a spoiler but if one of the main characters turned out to be who they claimed, there was only one way this book could turn out and I was beginning to think this could get a little boring and what could possibly take up the later part of the book to make it still an enjoyable read? The author was ahead of me though, introduced another character and the fun pace continued. Mrs. Sbrocca took some chances, one claiming that the main family characters are descendants of what some historians consider the "First American Terrorist" but she ended up smoothly pulling it off and even liking this possibly questionable character in true American History.
You know you are reading a good book when after you have finished and even while you are reading you go to google to search for some of the historical characters mentioned because you have had your curiosity peaked as to their personalities and how plausible some of the situations they find themselves reacting to are.
There are some serious reading and some humorous moments as well. As the description reads this book deals with a time traveling slave so the issue of slavery is comes up in this book as does civil rights and the plight of the freed slaves being free only in word but not as far as the actions of the majority of their now equal fellow Americans. The book does lean toward the preachy side in a couple of places but falls just short of actually reaching that level. I think it was appropriate and possibly "destiny" for me to be reviewing this on MLKs birthday, I had no idea when beginning this book a few days ago how appropriate a read for this holiday weekend it would be.
The Author has obviously done her homework, I love the figures of speech the characters use, it feels very real and you feel a part of the "knowing something is afoot" by "listening" to some of the conversations.
I've been reading a lot of Indie lately, some of it is very hard to read due to editing apparently being done by spell-check alone (they could at least use the grammar-check feature too, but no evidence of that). Some Indie books too feel like they've been written by teenagers or feel very Young Adult like or feel like they're being written down or dumbed down for us less than knowledgeable readers. The Crossing Hour does not feel that way, the author assumes you know some basic American History and if not familiar with the subject have the desire to educate yourself more about it.
I highly encourage readers to pick up this book and introduce yourself to some new character friends, you won't be disappointed.
I would actually rate this book as a 4.5, I leave 5 stars for books such as Enders Game, The Garden of Iden (the Company Series), Child of the Morning and Raising the Stones. However if this author continues the good writing I do not doubt she has a 5 star book rattling around inside her brain that she'll share with us.
July 22, 2015
This review and many more reviews and features can be found at www.thebookeaters.co.uk
Do you believe in time travel? Stanley Graf certainly does. In fact proving it has become the life work of not only him, but his wife, son, daughter in law and grandchildren. After a series of failed attempts at proving that a meteor shower combined with the moon’s closest proximity to the earth would create a gateway through which time travel could occur, in 2014 theory becomes reality. But the traveller who comes through the gateway is non other than Harriet Tubman, run away slave and future abolitionist. Stanley’s grandchildren Leigh and Stan must protect Harriet and keep her safe for a year before returning her to the gateway and therefore her own time so that she can fulfil her destiny. But how can you convince someone born into slavery and now living in a future where she is free, to return to her previous life?
This book has some lovely elements. I really like the Graf family, their relationship and personalities. I did google Stanley Graf as I wondered if he had been a real person. The book made me want to learn more about Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad, it wasn’t covered much in my English secondary school. It’s always difficult to put a voice to a historical figure, but I think it is done well here, and the parts of the book where Leigh tries to tell Harriet how important she will be in the future are really good. I particularly liked the part where Leigh shows Harriet a recording of President Obama’s inaugural speech, it gave me goosebumps.
There are parts that aren’t as smooth. The story is told mainly from the point of view of Leigh and Harriet, although we do jump around between times and perspectives quite a lot, which can be difficult to keep up with. I wonder if it needs to be made clearer in the chapter titles what year it is. There is also a lot of information to take on in the first few chapters. A lot of research has obviously gone into the astrophysics part of the book, but maybe the information could have been spread out and introduced more subtly in the text.
However, I did enjoy the similarities between the Harriet’s past and the Graf’s role in keeping time travellers safe. In looking after their charges and ensuring they get back to their gateway in order to get back to their own time, there are connections to the Underground Railroad. The passion for the subject jumps off the page through the writing.
2.5 bites
I received ARCs of The Crossing Hour- this review is my own honest opinion.
Do you believe in time travel? Stanley Graf certainly does. In fact proving it has become the life work of not only him, but his wife, son, daughter in law and grandchildren. After a series of failed attempts at proving that a meteor shower combined with the moon’s closest proximity to the earth would create a gateway through which time travel could occur, in 2014 theory becomes reality. But the traveller who comes through the gateway is non other than Harriet Tubman, run away slave and future abolitionist. Stanley’s grandchildren Leigh and Stan must protect Harriet and keep her safe for a year before returning her to the gateway and therefore her own time so that she can fulfil her destiny. But how can you convince someone born into slavery and now living in a future where she is free, to return to her previous life?
This book has some lovely elements. I really like the Graf family, their relationship and personalities. I did google Stanley Graf as I wondered if he had been a real person. The book made me want to learn more about Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad, it wasn’t covered much in my English secondary school. It’s always difficult to put a voice to a historical figure, but I think it is done well here, and the parts of the book where Leigh tries to tell Harriet how important she will be in the future are really good. I particularly liked the part where Leigh shows Harriet a recording of President Obama’s inaugural speech, it gave me goosebumps.
There are parts that aren’t as smooth. The story is told mainly from the point of view of Leigh and Harriet, although we do jump around between times and perspectives quite a lot, which can be difficult to keep up with. I wonder if it needs to be made clearer in the chapter titles what year it is. There is also a lot of information to take on in the first few chapters. A lot of research has obviously gone into the astrophysics part of the book, but maybe the information could have been spread out and introduced more subtly in the text.
However, I did enjoy the similarities between the Harriet’s past and the Graf’s role in keeping time travellers safe. In looking after their charges and ensuring they get back to their gateway in order to get back to their own time, there are connections to the Underground Railroad. The passion for the subject jumps off the page through the writing.
2.5 bites
I received ARCs of The Crossing Hour- this review is my own honest opinion.
November 10, 2016
Disappointing.
The premise was interesting but the pace was too slow and the plot too thin to capture interest. The narrative consists mostly of dialogues, most of them tiresome and superfluous. I waited and waited for the story to get going and when it eventually did, it fizzled out almost immediately.
I found this first opus too boring to read the second one, although I bought both.
The premise was interesting but the pace was too slow and the plot too thin to capture interest. The narrative consists mostly of dialogues, most of them tiresome and superfluous. I waited and waited for the story to get going and when it eventually did, it fizzled out almost immediately.
I found this first opus too boring to read the second one, although I bought both.
September 15, 2019
Plot is thin, the writing is tiresome, the characters rather irritating. I was pleased to finish it to read something else.
February 25, 2015
“Oh Travis, child, what is fear ? Fear ain’t nothing but a thing that moves us forward and makes us fight ’till we ain’t afraid no more.” (Kindle Locations 4362-4364).
After he discovers the phenomenon of one way time travel, Stanley Graf sets his granddaughter Leigh upon the task of personally welcoming a Traveler from the past. They don’t know who will appear or what year they will come from, but the Grafs do know that the time travel doorway opens up every four years and that there are other restrictions on those who travel. The next Traveler to enter through the doorway in Delaware may be the Graf’s most important discovery yet! When plans to send the Traveler back in time at the appointed hour, exactly one year after the doorway first delivered the Traveler, start to unravel, could history itself be changed? Leigh has the important task of making sure time and history are not altered and the weight of this responsibility rests heavily on her shoulders, “To protect our visitors from the past, so that we may preserve history as we know it, and the future as we hope it will be.” (Kindle Locations 5303-5304).
Time travel is completely bogus and entirely unbelievable as a premise, but Sbrocca takes the concept and convinces me of its truth. She gives underlying scientific technological explanations that had me believing in her time travel theory being plausible. And who better to travel through time then the historical figure she chose! Sbrocca’s premise and usage of time travel were both clever and riveting. The author chose a good idea and then made it into an excellent book.
From the very first pages, Sbrocca delivers tension and intrigue in a powerful beginning to her novel The Crossing Hour. If I were to choose one word to describe this book it would be ‘authentic.’ The characters were believable and felt real, even the ones from other times and places. The characters’ motivations and desires were real and authentic. The dialogue was authentic and sassy and fun.
I am absolutely smitten with Sbrocca’s clever idea of using a time traveler to introduce a specific speech pattern (19th century runaway slave) while still being set in modern, familiar USA. The reader is given a teaser into the past and how people spoke, but is not overwhelmed by this perspective.
Every character has their own story and personality without being over the top or overly unique. The characters from the past stayed true to what I know of them historically. I loved that their personalities and actions stemming from who they were matched my perspective of how I thought those particular people would talk and act and what they would do in certain situations. This is a super cool technique and makes for great historical fiction writing.
Two specifics: The chapter that went back in time to 2011 was a great idea and worked quite well in clearing up any questions that still lingered in the back of my mind. Second: after spending some time in present day technology cluttered USA, wouldn’t any curious time traveler simply ‘google’ themselves to find out why they are so important? This question nagged at me so persistently, but I was able to suspend my disbeliefs in sight of such an entertaining and well written story.
After he discovers the phenomenon of one way time travel, Stanley Graf sets his granddaughter Leigh upon the task of personally welcoming a Traveler from the past. They don’t know who will appear or what year they will come from, but the Grafs do know that the time travel doorway opens up every four years and that there are other restrictions on those who travel. The next Traveler to enter through the doorway in Delaware may be the Graf’s most important discovery yet! When plans to send the Traveler back in time at the appointed hour, exactly one year after the doorway first delivered the Traveler, start to unravel, could history itself be changed? Leigh has the important task of making sure time and history are not altered and the weight of this responsibility rests heavily on her shoulders, “To protect our visitors from the past, so that we may preserve history as we know it, and the future as we hope it will be.” (Kindle Locations 5303-5304).
Time travel is completely bogus and entirely unbelievable as a premise, but Sbrocca takes the concept and convinces me of its truth. She gives underlying scientific technological explanations that had me believing in her time travel theory being plausible. And who better to travel through time then the historical figure she chose! Sbrocca’s premise and usage of time travel were both clever and riveting. The author chose a good idea and then made it into an excellent book.
From the very first pages, Sbrocca delivers tension and intrigue in a powerful beginning to her novel The Crossing Hour. If I were to choose one word to describe this book it would be ‘authentic.’ The characters were believable and felt real, even the ones from other times and places. The characters’ motivations and desires were real and authentic. The dialogue was authentic and sassy and fun.
I am absolutely smitten with Sbrocca’s clever idea of using a time traveler to introduce a specific speech pattern (19th century runaway slave) while still being set in modern, familiar USA. The reader is given a teaser into the past and how people spoke, but is not overwhelmed by this perspective.
Every character has their own story and personality without being over the top or overly unique. The characters from the past stayed true to what I know of them historically. I loved that their personalities and actions stemming from who they were matched my perspective of how I thought those particular people would talk and act and what they would do in certain situations. This is a super cool technique and makes for great historical fiction writing.
Two specifics: The chapter that went back in time to 2011 was a great idea and worked quite well in clearing up any questions that still lingered in the back of my mind. Second: after spending some time in present day technology cluttered USA, wouldn’t any curious time traveler simply ‘google’ themselves to find out why they are so important? This question nagged at me so persistently, but I was able to suspend my disbeliefs in sight of such an entertaining and well written story.
July 21, 2015
***Gifte in exchange for an honest review***
Awesome, if you love time travel then this books got to be on your TBR
I read the blurb for this book and thought WOW this sounds a great book... and I was right, seriously for a first novel I will be watching this author closely.
So One thing I think you should do before reading this book is on the Table of Contents go to
'THE CROSSING HOUR UNIVERSE OF TIME TRAVEL section - I didn't see this until the end, and I think I would have got the 'science' a bit more if I had read this part first.
Then Dive into a fantastic story thats got a lot of History wrapped up in a fantastically believable time travel story. I am seriously wanting Book 2 badly!
The amount of research that the author must have put in is shown in the quality of the storyline and characters.arts off with a beautifully written descriptive summary of the initial opening of the story, Harriet is a brave girl to be so calm and collected in the midst of her waking up in an unknown area with strange unbelievable sites that she cannot begin to fathom.
The story then switches to the POV of the 'Graf's" the family of Time Travel researchers, Stanley Graf is the matriarch and the inventor of the gadgets and initial scientist who had made it his lifes work to prove that natural time travel existed. With the help of his son Thomas and Thomas's children Stan who is in the FBI and Leigh who is a Psychologist.
by chapter 5 'the witness' the two main characters interconnect in the present timeline. Its 2014 and Leigh is in charge of watching the event area for the time travel portal anomaly. Shes a somewhat clumsy researcher, Loosing Harriet the time traveller , but she's a quick thinker and manages with the help of her brother Stan to get back on track.
The concept of this book is such an intriguing one, for instance when you meet a time traveller from the past, do you tell them the future they are yet to write into history? Or keep quiet for fear of disrupting the timeline.
Reading this book sure had me thinking about how I would deal with it, and as I said above, I can't wait to read the next in the series.
GO #OneClick this now
***Review has been done in conjunction with Nerd Girl Official.***
Awesome, if you love time travel then this books got to be on your TBR
I read the blurb for this book and thought WOW this sounds a great book... and I was right, seriously for a first novel I will be watching this author closely.
So One thing I think you should do before reading this book is on the Table of Contents go to
'THE CROSSING HOUR UNIVERSE OF TIME TRAVEL section - I didn't see this until the end, and I think I would have got the 'science' a bit more if I had read this part first.
Then Dive into a fantastic story thats got a lot of History wrapped up in a fantastically believable time travel story. I am seriously wanting Book 2 badly!
The amount of research that the author must have put in is shown in the quality of the storyline and characters.arts off with a beautifully written descriptive summary of the initial opening of the story, Harriet is a brave girl to be so calm and collected in the midst of her waking up in an unknown area with strange unbelievable sites that she cannot begin to fathom.
The story then switches to the POV of the 'Graf's" the family of Time Travel researchers, Stanley Graf is the matriarch and the inventor of the gadgets and initial scientist who had made it his lifes work to prove that natural time travel existed. With the help of his son Thomas and Thomas's children Stan who is in the FBI and Leigh who is a Psychologist.
by chapter 5 'the witness' the two main characters interconnect in the present timeline. Its 2014 and Leigh is in charge of watching the event area for the time travel portal anomaly. Shes a somewhat clumsy researcher, Loosing Harriet the time traveller , but she's a quick thinker and manages with the help of her brother Stan to get back on track.
The concept of this book is such an intriguing one, for instance when you meet a time traveller from the past, do you tell them the future they are yet to write into history? Or keep quiet for fear of disrupting the timeline.
Reading this book sure had me thinking about how I would deal with it, and as I said above, I can't wait to read the next in the series.
GO #OneClick this now
***Review has been done in conjunction with Nerd Girl Official.***
February 18, 2015
The Crossing Hour is a fantastic debut novel. I love both Sci-Fi and Historical Fiction, so this was a marriage made in heaven. When astrophysicist Stanley Graf discovers planetary black holes that act as time travel portals into the future, the Graf family must protect the integrity of American history when they discover that several key figures from the past are brought into the present year.
I especially enjoyed how the author thoughtfully considered the demeanor of individuals who are instantly transported to a future world. Her consideration of their attitude about inventions that would've seemed impossible or miraculous in their era is very well presented. While the present-day characters were likeable enough, the stars of the show, in my opinion, are the colorful figures from history that grace the pages.
While one or two editing issues may have slipped through the cracks, the writing is crisp and better edited than other self-published works that I've read. Even though time travel is not new to the realm of Sci-Fi, Sbrocca's treatment of the topic is fresh and original. I look forward to following Quoleena Sbrocca's next novel.
I especially enjoyed how the author thoughtfully considered the demeanor of individuals who are instantly transported to a future world. Her consideration of their attitude about inventions that would've seemed impossible or miraculous in their era is very well presented. While the present-day characters were likeable enough, the stars of the show, in my opinion, are the colorful figures from history that grace the pages.
While one or two editing issues may have slipped through the cracks, the writing is crisp and better edited than other self-published works that I've read. Even though time travel is not new to the realm of Sci-Fi, Sbrocca's treatment of the topic is fresh and original. I look forward to following Quoleena Sbrocca's next novel.
February 22, 2016
I received this book (and its sequel) in a Goodreads Giveaway and for that, I am grateful.
I was extremely intrigued at the premise of this book. I felt the writing was indicative of this being an early work of the author. For example, the manner of speech for the 21st century characters was too uptight/proper. I understand well why Harriet and John speak the way they do, but I wouldn't imagine that, were I in the situation as Leigh, Elizabeth, Stan or Stanley, that I'd be so proper when speaking. Also, the manner in which some things were explained in conversation seemed so obvious to me, and out of place. One example is when Leigh was telling her mother where Stan was in conversation, it seemed too obvious that that's how the author was saying where Stan was even though it seemed obvious that the only reason to put the conversation in there was for that purpose... It didn't flow. Seemed unnatural.
Overall, it's a terrific premise, but I feel like the story is told too slowly with too much detail in some places and not enough in others. And the writing style could be better developed.
I was extremely intrigued at the premise of this book. I felt the writing was indicative of this being an early work of the author. For example, the manner of speech for the 21st century characters was too uptight/proper. I understand well why Harriet and John speak the way they do, but I wouldn't imagine that, were I in the situation as Leigh, Elizabeth, Stan or Stanley, that I'd be so proper when speaking. Also, the manner in which some things were explained in conversation seemed so obvious to me, and out of place. One example is when Leigh was telling her mother where Stan was in conversation, it seemed too obvious that that's how the author was saying where Stan was even though it seemed obvious that the only reason to put the conversation in there was for that purpose... It didn't flow. Seemed unnatural.
Overall, it's a terrific premise, but I feel like the story is told too slowly with too much detail in some places and not enough in others. And the writing style could be better developed.
April 19, 2015
Going in, I wasn't exactly sure what to expect from the description of historical novel meets time travel fantasy, but the concept intrigued me. As it turns out, I loved it. The time travel aspect is less SciFi and more magical realism.
The story was incredibly creative and well told. I loved the use of historical figures in the modern world, though I admit, there was one certain young traveler from 1990 who I maintain used the knowledge he gained for nefarious purposes. I found myself tensely reading along and even at times mentally shouting at the characters as it looked like they were setting themselves upon the wrong path.
But what really engaged me in the story was the absolute raw manipulation of emotions that the author excels at. Be it the Graf's family dynamic and events that befall them, or the wonder with which the travelers see the modern world and the changes they have affected on it, there were few if any times that reading didn't have an emotional impact on me.
I would highly recommend this book, not just to fans of time travel stories. I can't wait for the next book.
The story was incredibly creative and well told. I loved the use of historical figures in the modern world, though I admit, there was one certain young traveler from 1990 who I maintain used the knowledge he gained for nefarious purposes. I found myself tensely reading along and even at times mentally shouting at the characters as it looked like they were setting themselves upon the wrong path.
But what really engaged me in the story was the absolute raw manipulation of emotions that the author excels at. Be it the Graf's family dynamic and events that befall them, or the wonder with which the travelers see the modern world and the changes they have affected on it, there were few if any times that reading didn't have an emotional impact on me.
I would highly recommend this book, not just to fans of time travel stories. I can't wait for the next book.
February 20, 2016
In her fantastic debut novel "The Crossing Hour", Quoleena Sbrocca begins with astrophysicist Stanley Graf discovering planetary black holes that act as time travel portals into the future. Then the Graf family discovers that several key figures from the past have come into the present and they must take all steps to protect the integrity of American history. This is the first time travel book I have read where people from the past have come into the present. And the lady from the past behaves in a very believable manner, and has to be introduced to what she feels are miracles, but commonplace to us. So today's actions by these "past persons" will throw history into disorder.
(You may have heard the rhetorical question that if one has a time machine, went back in time and killed a butterfly in the past, this would dramatically alter the future. There was even a film on the subject: the Ashton Kutcher film "The Butterfly Effect".)
In spite of minor editing glitches, this is a truly enjoyable read and sequels are welcome.
I thank Quoleena Sbrocca and Amazon.com for providing me a free soft copy of Crossing Hour for an unbiased review.
(You may have heard the rhetorical question that if one has a time machine, went back in time and killed a butterfly in the past, this would dramatically alter the future. There was even a film on the subject: the Ashton Kutcher film "The Butterfly Effect".)
In spite of minor editing glitches, this is a truly enjoyable read and sequels are welcome.
I thank Quoleena Sbrocca and Amazon.com for providing me a free soft copy of Crossing Hour for an unbiased review.
September 13, 2015
I went into this book not quite sure what to expect. Once into the book, I was quite delighted to see a different spin on time travel. Time travel seems to be the 'popular' thing in sci-fi right now and I was afraid I would be disappointed. I wasn't. This isn't just a book about time travel and the time travel that is described in this book isn't your typical 'mad scientist builds a time machine and goes back in time.....and so on.'
This is about a natural occurring time travel through these worm holes located in different areas throughout the country. When Harriet Tubman came through the hole, Leigh and her family face a whole new set of challenges. They needed to gain Harriet's trust quickly and then explain to her what was happening. They also needed to convince her to go back to her time the following year after living free and seeing what the world is like now without slavery. That would be a hard sell!
The book did have a slower pace, but all in all I really enjoyed the read. The author shows us the world of slavery through Harriet Tubman's eyes and there is quite the detail and history lesson found in this story.
I look forward to more from this author!
This is about a natural occurring time travel through these worm holes located in different areas throughout the country. When Harriet Tubman came through the hole, Leigh and her family face a whole new set of challenges. They needed to gain Harriet's trust quickly and then explain to her what was happening. They also needed to convince her to go back to her time the following year after living free and seeing what the world is like now without slavery. That would be a hard sell!
The book did have a slower pace, but all in all I really enjoyed the read. The author shows us the world of slavery through Harriet Tubman's eyes and there is quite the detail and history lesson found in this story.
I look forward to more from this author!
February 8, 2016
I didn’t know what to expect of this book and honestly didn’t hold much thought that I’d like it, but I was proved wrong! I don’t typically enjoy reading time traveling books because most times it’s just unbelievable but Quoleena Sbrocca did an amazing job implement realism with science fiction, as well as, real history! You can’t get better than that. This story held me captivating and I might just be more open to reading sci-fi again. The plot was very detailed and creative, the pace was perfect, the characters were very descriptive and the dialogue was not predictable…which score the author major points in my book. I dislike knowing what the characters are going to say next, so Sbrocca did not disappoint! This is a great Sci-fi novel that I highly recommend!
January 30, 2015
This book reminded me of another book I read many years ago, where the steady pace, not slow, but not sizzling either, had me scratching my head and wondering where the story was going. Then, as you’d hope for in a time travel story, as the pieces start to fit together, I found I was drawn in and hooked. I won’t make a direct comparison to the other book, because they’re quite different. Ms Sbrocca manages to put her own spin on a well-trodden genre which I think fans of time travel will definitely enjoy, but there’s also enough depth in the story to engage a variety of readers. A really good debut.
March 6, 2015
The combination of time travel and history is compelling. I enjoyed this and the fun of the metaphysical premise, along with these characters. Even the contemporary characters had a geeky innocence and goodness that is rare. Because of the characters and the historical angle, this book would be great for young adult readers. The writing style is also unique. I did have trouble with the frequent shifts in point of view. I found that distracting; others may not mind.
I received a free advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
I received a free advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
June 9, 2016
The beginning and the ending were great ... what was in the middle was tiresome. The most interesting people (Stan and his son) were almost immediately killed off; and, for no apparent reason. Leigh and Stan (the grandchildren) take over the story. Leigh, who had a PHD in psychology and her brother ,who was FBI, were so very childlike in their actions. They were very cavalier in their responsibility for Harriet Tubman and John Brown, the time travelers. I almost gave this book 2 stars because of them. The cover was definitely better than the book.
May 19, 2016
The Crossing Hour was an adventure all on it's own. The author really did her homework while she wrote this book.
It was as though the characters were really off the pages.
Loved the hotheaded Leigh. The sibling rivalry between her and her brother. Their mother reminds me of a southern belle. I adored the Graf Family.
Now what really got me.... Was the "featured" character. Was NOT expecting her to be featured in this book. I was surprised and I LOVED it!!!
I look toward the next book!
It was as though the characters were really off the pages.
Loved the hotheaded Leigh. The sibling rivalry between her and her brother. Their mother reminds me of a southern belle. I adored the Graf Family.
Now what really got me.... Was the "featured" character. Was NOT expecting her to be featured in this book. I was surprised and I LOVED it!!!
I look toward the next book!
October 7, 2016
I am definitely a new fan of this author. I have always loved time travel book but they mostly go back in time. This one is a bit different in that characters from history come forward in time. There are some really great characters that come forward in time and experience a bit of our world as we know it. I won't tell you who these famous people are (I will let you read and enjoy the surprise yourself!) but you will know them when they are introduced.
March 27, 2015
Very good story of a woman who is appointed the keeper of a "black hole" discovered by her grandfather. He tells her that she is the keeper of the hole and to wait for the next event. Low and behold a 26 year old slave appears thru the hole. The woman enlists her FBI brother to help her investigate. This book will keep you attention and give you lots to think about.
September 21, 2015
A clever Sci-fi time travel story that introduces the reader to the personalities of two of the heroes of the anti slavery movement in America: Harriet Tubman and John Brown. And what would their reactions be to the 21st century? This book can be read in a few hours.
December 19, 2014
A good flowing read and a novel twist on the subject of time travel.
I look forward to parts 2 & 3 coming out in the new year.
I look forward to parts 2 & 3 coming out in the new year.
Want to read
February 28, 2015I have not read the book but would like to.my giving the crossing hour two stars was an error.please accept my apologies.
April 18, 2015
I thought that the crossing hour was a really fantastic, and one of a kind book. hopefully, there will be a sequel as I can't wait to read more.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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