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Crossing in Time
Remember How It Feels to Fall in Love?
Race against the clock through a dystopian nightmare. Climb naked into an untested time machine (carrying only a seashell and a promise). Wake up twenty years younger on a tropical beach, buck naked and mortally wounded, with your heart in your throat.
This is a journey of love, loss, and redemption that will make your pulse gallop and your palms sweat, have you laughing out loud through your tears, and leave you flush with the sublime pleasure of falling in love.
Race against the clock through a dystopian nightmare. Climb naked into an untested time machine (carrying only a seashell and a promise). Wake up twenty years younger on a tropical beach, buck naked and mortally wounded, with your heart in your throat.
This is a journey of love, loss, and redemption that will make your pulse gallop and your palms sweat, have you laughing out loud through your tears, and leave you flush with the sublime pleasure of falling in love.
412 pages, ebook
First published January 1, 2015
998 people are currently reading
3335 people want to read
About the author
D.L. Orton
8 books480 followersAWARD-WINNING AUTHOR DL ORTON lives in the Tropics with her husband, a golden retriever mix, a Siberian cat, and a bazillion geckos.
In her spare time, she's building a time machine so that someone can go back and do the laundry.
Website:
http://DLOrton.com
Ms Orton is a graduate of Stanford University's Writers Workshop and a past editor of "Top of the Western Staircase," a literary publication of CU, Boulder. The author has a number of short stories published in online literary magazines, including Literotica, Melusine, Cosmoetica, The Ranfurly Review, and Catalyst Press.
You can email her at dlo at dlorton dot com.
In her spare time, she's building a time machine so that someone can go back and do the laundry.
Website:
http://DLOrton.com
Ms Orton is a graduate of Stanford University's Writers Workshop and a past editor of "Top of the Western Staircase," a literary publication of CU, Boulder. The author has a number of short stories published in online literary magazines, including Literotica, Melusine, Cosmoetica, The Ranfurly Review, and Catalyst Press.
You can email her at dlo at dlorton dot com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 298 reviews
November 3, 2015
Who the hell am I? After listening to the audio version of this book, I have to question who I am, but before I get to my explanation, let me first give my full disclosure. I won the audio version of this book through a giveaway at the Time Travel group . Any time I am fortune enough to win a free copy of a book, I feel that I owe a review of or my thoughts about it—whether it be good, bad, or otherwise. So, here we go.
First, duel or multi-cast narrations, I am not a fan. If I had to pick between fiction and non-fiction as the genre that identifies me, it would be non-fiction. Duel or multi-cast narration does not translate well into non-fiction and so it is what this grumpus has grown accustomed to. In fact, I am such a non-fan, that this is a feature I consider when deciding whether or not to choose an audiobook. However, the fluid team narration between Noah Michael Levine and Erin deWard seamlessly brought me into their world and won me over. I cannot imagine the resulting impact if this was read by a single narrator. Their voices and timing of their interaction was outstanding and impressive. This is not my father’s multi-cast, old-time radio styled presentation I envisioned and feared. I liked it, I really liked it! It had me questioning myself as to who I am. Maybe I don't know myself as well as I thought.
Love stories? Typically, I avoid them unless they are part of a non-fiction historical perspective—like John and Abigail Adams. The only “love story” I’ve enjoyed was ironically, the time travel based Outlander series. I’m very reluctant on picking up anything as trivial as a “love story”. So again, I questioned who the hell am I, that I should be drawn into the love story of these likeable characters?
Okay, so I like the narrators and their acting skills in terms of bringing the author’s characters to life. I’ll admit too, their love story was initially intriguing but would the overall story hold? I don’t recall ever using the ubiquitous adjective of a paid (book or movie) reviewer prior to this in any of my reviews/comments but it is well-deserved here--brilliant! The time travel aspect of the book was handled in a unique, believable manner and kept me engaged throughout.
I am not a prude—or so I thought. I don’t mind a love story but I was a little embarrassed by some of the sex descriptions. Maybe it was the multi-cast which gave it a more realistic feel. So realistic it felt as if I was in the room with them while this is happening. I doubt a single narrator could deliver that type of impact--it did make me a little uncomfortable. Maybe it was the fact that my typical love story is from a more sterile, 18th century perspective? Remember my mention of John Adams and Abigail Adams? Who the hell am I?
After listening to this book, I don’t know who I am any more. Have I grown? Possibly. While I may no longer have a good mental picture of who I am, I do know that I am a now fan of D.L. Orton, and if someone like me enjoyed this book so much, I’m certain more “normal folks” will too.
First, duel or multi-cast narrations, I am not a fan. If I had to pick between fiction and non-fiction as the genre that identifies me, it would be non-fiction. Duel or multi-cast narration does not translate well into non-fiction and so it is what this grumpus has grown accustomed to. In fact, I am such a non-fan, that this is a feature I consider when deciding whether or not to choose an audiobook. However, the fluid team narration between Noah Michael Levine and Erin deWard seamlessly brought me into their world and won me over. I cannot imagine the resulting impact if this was read by a single narrator. Their voices and timing of their interaction was outstanding and impressive. This is not my father’s multi-cast, old-time radio styled presentation I envisioned and feared. I liked it, I really liked it! It had me questioning myself as to who I am. Maybe I don't know myself as well as I thought.
Love stories? Typically, I avoid them unless they are part of a non-fiction historical perspective—like John and Abigail Adams. The only “love story” I’ve enjoyed was ironically, the time travel based Outlander series. I’m very reluctant on picking up anything as trivial as a “love story”. So again, I questioned who the hell am I, that I should be drawn into the love story of these likeable characters?
Okay, so I like the narrators and their acting skills in terms of bringing the author’s characters to life. I’ll admit too, their love story was initially intriguing but would the overall story hold? I don’t recall ever using the ubiquitous adjective of a paid (book or movie) reviewer prior to this in any of my reviews/comments but it is well-deserved here--brilliant! The time travel aspect of the book was handled in a unique, believable manner and kept me engaged throughout.
I am not a prude—or so I thought. I don’t mind a love story but I was a little embarrassed by some of the sex descriptions. Maybe it was the multi-cast which gave it a more realistic feel. So realistic it felt as if I was in the room with them while this is happening. I doubt a single narrator could deliver that type of impact--it did make me a little uncomfortable. Maybe it was the fact that my typical love story is from a more sterile, 18th century perspective? Remember my mention of John Adams and Abigail Adams? Who the hell am I?
After listening to this book, I don’t know who I am any more. Have I grown? Possibly. While I may no longer have a good mental picture of who I am, I do know that I am a now fan of D.L. Orton, and if someone like me enjoyed this book so much, I’m certain more “normal folks” will too.
August 13, 2025
Crossing in Time by D.L. Orton is a spellbinding blend of romance, science fiction, and high-stakes adventure. The book invites us to reflect on how love and sacrifice are deeply intertwined with humanity’s fight for survival—an age-old struggle that feels as relevant now as ever.
This is not your typical love story; it is one that challenges us to rethink how we define connection and resilience in the face of adversity. It is the kind of narrative that lingers, reminding us of the timeless push and pull between personal desires and the greater human story.
This story intertwines time travel, physics, and the intricate dance of relationships that stretch across decades. It is a reflection on how science and emotion, often seen as opposites, can collide and shape lives in unexpected ways. For anyone who’s ever wondered how the threads of the past tug at the present—or how the choices we make ripple through time—this tale offers a nostalgic, thought-provoking journey.
Who Should or Should Not Read This Book
If you grew up devouring science fiction that was not just about spaceships and robots, this book might hit a nostalgic nerve. It reimagines time travel in a way that feels fresh yet oddly familiar, like rediscovering an old favorite with a new twist. It is the kind of story that stays with you, challenging the usual tropes and reminding us why we fell in love with sci-fi in the first place.
Romance readers looking for a story that resonates on a deeper level will find themselves drawn to the layered connection between Isabel and Diego. It’s not just a love story; it’s a reflection of the kind of emotional depth that feels rare in today’s fast-paced world. Their bond reminds us of those timeless relationships we have read about or perhaps even witnessed in our own lives—marked by quiet moments, unspoken understanding, and a shared vulnerability. It’s the kind of narrative that draws you in, challenging the idea that romance is ever simple, and instead revealing its complexities with honesty and heart.
For those who dream of time travel, Orton offers a thought-provoking journey into the ripple effect of small actions, showing how they can shape monumental outcomes. It’s the kind of story that makes you pause and wonder about the “what-ifs” in your own life—a nostalgic nod to the butterfly effect we’ve all pondered at some point.
Main Characters
The story of Isabel and Diego feels like a familiar melody, one that tugs at the heartstrings of anyone who's ever wondered about the road not taken. Isabel, a spirited and tenacious woman, is piecing her life together after a divorce—a journey that so many can relate to in a world where reinvention is both daunting and exhilarating. Then there’s Diego, the kind of man who wears his charm like a second skin but carries the weight of expectations that often comes with being "the dependable one." Their chance reunion is a reminder of how the past has a funny way of sneaking up on us, offering both hope and complication in equal measure.
The author masterfully captures the contrast between the couple’s vibrant younger selves and their more complex, middle-aged versions, painting a picture that feels deeply authentic. Their reunion isn’t just about reigniting a lost spark—it’s a raw, emotional journey of two people navigating the messy realities of understanding each other in a universe that rarely plays by the rules. It’s a reminder, perhaps, of how love evolves—not just as a feeling, but as an ongoing act of connection and rediscovery in the face of life’s unpredictability.
Plot Summary
Isabel and Diego are unexpectedly reunited after 15 years apart. Isabel, recently divorced and cautious, agrees to catch up over drinks with Diego, despite her better judgment. Their reunion is interrupted when a catastrophic explosion shakes their world—quite literally—and Diego saves Isabel’s life. Their lives are irrevocably entwined from that moment on, yet larger forces conspire to pull them apart when Diego is tasked with a mission to save the world.
Together, they confront extraordinary challenges, including harrowing physical and emotional trials, time travel, and the existential choice of putting humanity’s survival ahead of their own happiness. Will they defy all odds and make it back to each other? Or will the fate of the world demand an ultimate sacrifice?
My Opinion
I came into this book expecting a nostalgic, what-could-have-been love story. What I found instead was a rich tapestry of romance, science fiction, and thought-provoking questions about life’s “what ifs.” Perhaps the most impressive aspect of this book is D.L. Orton’s ability to explore the psychological contrasts between a couple in their twenties and the same couple in their forties. It is incredibly relatable, especially for anyone who’s wondered how much we change—and stay the same—as life happens to us.
The inclusion of time travel in Crossing in Time feels both imaginative and grounded, a nod to the kind of science fiction that invites curiosity rather than suspension of disbelief. It is the kind of story that lingers, sparking thoughts long after you’ve turned the last page—like those late-night conversations about “what ifs” and alternate timelines. But what truly sets it apart is how it balances high-stakes survival with deeply personal, emotional connections. It is not just about saving the world; it’s about what it means to hold onto love and humanity in the face of uncertainty. Heartfelt, thrilling, and profoundly human, this book reminds us that the best stories are not confined by genre—they are shaped by the questions they leave behind.
While some parts of the book slow down to explore emotions and context, these moments enrich the storytelling for readers who appreciate both action and introspection.
Final Thoughts
Crossing in Time is an evocative, genre-bending novel that seamlessly balances romance and science fiction. It reflects on how love can remain constant yet evolve with time, offering deep insights into relationships and the human condition. Whether you are a sci-fi aficionado or a romantic at heart, this book is a standout recommendation. Pick it up and prepare for an emotional, philosophical, and adventurous ride.
Thank you to Netgalley and Rocky Mountain Press Audio for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. The opinions expressed in this review are my own because I am free to express my first amendment rights.
This is not your typical love story; it is one that challenges us to rethink how we define connection and resilience in the face of adversity. It is the kind of narrative that lingers, reminding us of the timeless push and pull between personal desires and the greater human story.
This story intertwines time travel, physics, and the intricate dance of relationships that stretch across decades. It is a reflection on how science and emotion, often seen as opposites, can collide and shape lives in unexpected ways. For anyone who’s ever wondered how the threads of the past tug at the present—or how the choices we make ripple through time—this tale offers a nostalgic, thought-provoking journey.
Who Should or Should Not Read This Book
If you grew up devouring science fiction that was not just about spaceships and robots, this book might hit a nostalgic nerve. It reimagines time travel in a way that feels fresh yet oddly familiar, like rediscovering an old favorite with a new twist. It is the kind of story that stays with you, challenging the usual tropes and reminding us why we fell in love with sci-fi in the first place.
Romance readers looking for a story that resonates on a deeper level will find themselves drawn to the layered connection between Isabel and Diego. It’s not just a love story; it’s a reflection of the kind of emotional depth that feels rare in today’s fast-paced world. Their bond reminds us of those timeless relationships we have read about or perhaps even witnessed in our own lives—marked by quiet moments, unspoken understanding, and a shared vulnerability. It’s the kind of narrative that draws you in, challenging the idea that romance is ever simple, and instead revealing its complexities with honesty and heart.
For those who dream of time travel, Orton offers a thought-provoking journey into the ripple effect of small actions, showing how they can shape monumental outcomes. It’s the kind of story that makes you pause and wonder about the “what-ifs” in your own life—a nostalgic nod to the butterfly effect we’ve all pondered at some point.
Main Characters
The story of Isabel and Diego feels like a familiar melody, one that tugs at the heartstrings of anyone who's ever wondered about the road not taken. Isabel, a spirited and tenacious woman, is piecing her life together after a divorce—a journey that so many can relate to in a world where reinvention is both daunting and exhilarating. Then there’s Diego, the kind of man who wears his charm like a second skin but carries the weight of expectations that often comes with being "the dependable one." Their chance reunion is a reminder of how the past has a funny way of sneaking up on us, offering both hope and complication in equal measure.
The author masterfully captures the contrast between the couple’s vibrant younger selves and their more complex, middle-aged versions, painting a picture that feels deeply authentic. Their reunion isn’t just about reigniting a lost spark—it’s a raw, emotional journey of two people navigating the messy realities of understanding each other in a universe that rarely plays by the rules. It’s a reminder, perhaps, of how love evolves—not just as a feeling, but as an ongoing act of connection and rediscovery in the face of life’s unpredictability.
Plot Summary
Isabel and Diego are unexpectedly reunited after 15 years apart. Isabel, recently divorced and cautious, agrees to catch up over drinks with Diego, despite her better judgment. Their reunion is interrupted when a catastrophic explosion shakes their world—quite literally—and Diego saves Isabel’s life. Their lives are irrevocably entwined from that moment on, yet larger forces conspire to pull them apart when Diego is tasked with a mission to save the world.
Together, they confront extraordinary challenges, including harrowing physical and emotional trials, time travel, and the existential choice of putting humanity’s survival ahead of their own happiness. Will they defy all odds and make it back to each other? Or will the fate of the world demand an ultimate sacrifice?
My Opinion
I came into this book expecting a nostalgic, what-could-have-been love story. What I found instead was a rich tapestry of romance, science fiction, and thought-provoking questions about life’s “what ifs.” Perhaps the most impressive aspect of this book is D.L. Orton’s ability to explore the psychological contrasts between a couple in their twenties and the same couple in their forties. It is incredibly relatable, especially for anyone who’s wondered how much we change—and stay the same—as life happens to us.
The inclusion of time travel in Crossing in Time feels both imaginative and grounded, a nod to the kind of science fiction that invites curiosity rather than suspension of disbelief. It is the kind of story that lingers, sparking thoughts long after you’ve turned the last page—like those late-night conversations about “what ifs” and alternate timelines. But what truly sets it apart is how it balances high-stakes survival with deeply personal, emotional connections. It is not just about saving the world; it’s about what it means to hold onto love and humanity in the face of uncertainty. Heartfelt, thrilling, and profoundly human, this book reminds us that the best stories are not confined by genre—they are shaped by the questions they leave behind.
While some parts of the book slow down to explore emotions and context, these moments enrich the storytelling for readers who appreciate both action and introspection.
Final Thoughts
Crossing in Time is an evocative, genre-bending novel that seamlessly balances romance and science fiction. It reflects on how love can remain constant yet evolve with time, offering deep insights into relationships and the human condition. Whether you are a sci-fi aficionado or a romantic at heart, this book is a standout recommendation. Pick it up and prepare for an emotional, philosophical, and adventurous ride.
Thank you to Netgalley and Rocky Mountain Press Audio for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. The opinions expressed in this review are my own because I am free to express my first amendment rights.
January 28, 2020
If, like me, you read reviews to help you decided if you really want to read a book or not, and don't want to see endless rehashing of the plot, or how "two dimensional" the character development was (Sheesh! I hate that crap), then I’ll assume you already have an idea what the story is about.
My first impression was that the book may have been incorrectly categorised. I would say it’s about 20% SciFi and 80% Romance. And we’re not just talking airy fairy romance here, we’re talking hot, sweaty, love-humping that will have your blood pressure on the up and up. This is one awesome love triangle – err- wait a minute – no – a “love rectangle” – only with two people not four. Hmm...hard to explain. I guess you’ll just have to read it to find out what I mean. The romance part of the novel was well conceived (excuse the pun – there are plenty of puns and innuendo in the book too - and quite clever ones too), but I did find it a bit repetitive towards the end.
The SciFi part of the book was interesting and had plenty of action to keep me reading on. It seems poor old Earth is in a bit of a pickle and much of humanity is on the way out. I never really understood what exactly caused our demise. Either it was not explained, or I’m just an old fart who’s easily confused these days. We have lots of volcanoes erupting causing global warming, polar ice caps melting, bad weather, droughts, excessive road rage, huge air-conditioning bills, tsunamis etc. Is that the cause?
Not sure, because we also have some fool accidentally launching a nuke, and Russia responding with a nuke of its own – causing those good old Californian’s to have a bit more suntan than they normally do. Was that the cause – maybe, but it seems a bit odd. I didn’t think just one nuke would do all that much damage.
But wait – there’s more! We also have an outbreak of Ebola-type virus wiping out what’s left of us. And then it becomes a bit more unclear to me. At one stage, a crystal ball thingy shows that the vaccine for the ebola will mutate and wipe out ALL mammals. Later on, it turns out the crystal ball was about as useful as the weather service, and it’s the ebola virus itself that mutates. HUH? I can’t handle all this bad stuff. I’d rather just have one nasty big disaster. My feeble brain can handle the Zombie Apocalypse, or maybe a big-ass hunk of rock from outer space ruining our day, but not all this other stuff. (Random idea, wouldn't it be ironic if the Zombie Apocalypse arrived, and as a zombie is munching on the last human survivor - a big-ass meteor wiped out all the zombies. Ahhh...peace and quiet at last. Except nobody (no body?) left to enjoy it.)
We also had a bunch of fires breaking out in downtown Denver giving all the residents of the mile high city a few extra things to worry about, but I never really understood why. I’m guessing the mystery balls have something to do with it. (You'll have to read it to find out about the time balls.)
Despite all the confusion, I still enjoyed the book. I wouldn’t have finished it if I didn’t. I think if you liked books like The Time Traveller’s Wife, then you’ll like this one. Sorry, that review was longer than I wanted it to be.
EDIT: It's been quite a while since I read this, and several of the causes of this book's apocalypse are coming true. YIKES! I'm awaiting the appearance of shiny alien balls.
My first impression was that the book may have been incorrectly categorised. I would say it’s about 20% SciFi and 80% Romance. And we’re not just talking airy fairy romance here, we’re talking hot, sweaty, love-humping that will have your blood pressure on the up and up. This is one awesome love triangle – err- wait a minute – no – a “love rectangle” – only with two people not four. Hmm...hard to explain. I guess you’ll just have to read it to find out what I mean. The romance part of the novel was well conceived (excuse the pun – there are plenty of puns and innuendo in the book too - and quite clever ones too), but I did find it a bit repetitive towards the end.
The SciFi part of the book was interesting and had plenty of action to keep me reading on. It seems poor old Earth is in a bit of a pickle and much of humanity is on the way out. I never really understood what exactly caused our demise. Either it was not explained, or I’m just an old fart who’s easily confused these days. We have lots of volcanoes erupting causing global warming, polar ice caps melting, bad weather, droughts, excessive road rage, huge air-conditioning bills, tsunamis etc. Is that the cause?
Not sure, because we also have some fool accidentally launching a nuke, and Russia responding with a nuke of its own – causing those good old Californian’s to have a bit more suntan than they normally do. Was that the cause – maybe, but it seems a bit odd. I didn’t think just one nuke would do all that much damage.
But wait – there’s more! We also have an outbreak of Ebola-type virus wiping out what’s left of us. And then it becomes a bit more unclear to me. At one stage, a crystal ball thingy shows that the vaccine for the ebola will mutate and wipe out ALL mammals. Later on, it turns out the crystal ball was about as useful as the weather service, and it’s the ebola virus itself that mutates. HUH? I can’t handle all this bad stuff. I’d rather just have one nasty big disaster. My feeble brain can handle the Zombie Apocalypse, or maybe a big-ass hunk of rock from outer space ruining our day, but not all this other stuff. (Random idea, wouldn't it be ironic if the Zombie Apocalypse arrived, and as a zombie is munching on the last human survivor - a big-ass meteor wiped out all the zombies. Ahhh...peace and quiet at last. Except nobody (no body?) left to enjoy it.)
We also had a bunch of fires breaking out in downtown Denver giving all the residents of the mile high city a few extra things to worry about, but I never really understood why. I’m guessing the mystery balls have something to do with it. (You'll have to read it to find out about the time balls.)
Despite all the confusion, I still enjoyed the book. I wouldn’t have finished it if I didn’t. I think if you liked books like The Time Traveller’s Wife, then you’ll like this one. Sorry, that review was longer than I wanted it to be.
EDIT: It's been quite a while since I read this, and several of the causes of this book's apocalypse are coming true. YIKES! I'm awaiting the appearance of shiny alien balls.
August 11, 2016
The Journey is the Reward?
MCs:
Isabel is a geneticist, a strong-willed, risk taker.
Diego is a software engineer, an easy-going geek. He is not the usual alpha-possessive kind of hero.
This is the love story of Isabel and Diego and how the status of their relationship could save the world from a looming apocalypse.
Sci-fi? Time travel. Some concepts in quantum physics, but readers won’t suffer dizzy spell with scientific terms.
Erotic? Sorta. Steam in the last quarter of the book.
Despite some of the humor I don’t quite get, this well-paced debut novel has a smart package of time travel adventure, sci-fi, actions, mystery, and romance. Great characters and intriguing storyline make the book worth reading!
MCs:
Isabel is a geneticist, a strong-willed, risk taker.
Diego is a software engineer, an easy-going geek. He is not the usual alpha-possessive kind of hero.
This is the love story of Isabel and Diego and how the status of their relationship could save the world from a looming apocalypse.
Sci-fi? Time travel. Some concepts in quantum physics, but readers won’t suffer dizzy spell with scientific terms.
Erotic? Sorta. Steam in the last quarter of the book.
Despite some of the humor I don’t quite get, this well-paced debut novel has a smart package of time travel adventure, sci-fi, actions, mystery, and romance. Great characters and intriguing storyline make the book worth reading!
August 28, 2018
Look, I simply did not like this book. I'll admit that the editing seems fine. (I listened to the audio, so I wouldn't know if there are a lot of copy edit mistakes, but it sounded structurally competent.) But the farther into it I got the more I hated it, until I simply had to force myself to finish it. I would literally dread pushing play, too afraid of what new shit way the book would find to piss me off. Yes, I'm serious with that attitude. I hated this book.
Before I get into why, let me pause and be positive about the narrators. They both did a marvelous job, Noah Michael Levine especially. Erin deWard did a good job too, but the choice to voice Isabel sounding so desperate all the time only exacerbated my problem with her. But that was a style choice, not a quality problem. The narration is good.
Now back to the negative. It's all freakin' negative from here and there will be SPOILERS. I'm going to start with the romance, or lack there of. Two people (ex lovers) accidentally run into each other after not seeing one other for 15 years. They go to dinner, have a fight (about their past), she walks out. There's a bit of drama requiring him to rescue her from a burning building and he asks her to marry him before they get out. That's the romance and we're suppose to believe it's the romance to end all romances. Meant to be and all that jazz.
Here's my issue. First, it's 100% unrealistic. Yes, this is fantasy/sci-fi, but people change a lot in 15 years and this isn't addressed. Two, if it's so perfect they wouldn't have given it up so easily 15 years earlier and/or would have made contact before 15 years passed. And he apparently had her cell number the whole time. It didn't change.(And don't think I'm not seriously side-eyeing someone having the same cell phone number for 15 years. Anyone remember what cells were like in 2000?) Three, as a reader I felt cheated out of seeing them get to know each other and fall in love. I suspect Orton meant for the reader to feel this in the second time-line, but I 100% DID NOT. Because that was not romantic either. That was Isabel being incompetent and Diego being unbelievably sway-able.
Now let me move on to my big issue. Diego was lovely, too wonderful actually. But you can't help but like him. Isabel however was cliched beyond belief. Let me tell you her role in this book (and this just off the top of my head). She almost dies saving a kitten (not even her kitten, just a random kitten) and has to be saved from being burned and crushed in a fire. She gets stabbed. She gets septic. She almost gets raped (and turns out to probably actually have a history of being raped). She essentially gets kidnapped by her ex-husband. She almost dies in a miscarriage and she gets sick and almost dies from traveling through dimensions. And I lost count of how many times she was either in debilitating pain or confused because she's barely conscious. She was the perpetual victim. I hated her. Or rather I hated that Orton could come up with no better role for her than to be the victim that spurs Diego into action.
Their love is supposed to save the multi-verse. But Diego gets to go through to another world and retrieve a vaccine, bring it back and save millions. Isabel? She gets to travel through dimensions to teach Diego to be a better lover to her apparently unstable future self. How do I feel about that? Fuck you Orton. Isabel was supposed to be a smart scientist. She never does anything intelligent in the entire book. She's too busy navel gazing and being cliche.
Speaking of science, it's all hand waving. I actually think calling this science fiction is almost a stretch.
I find myself in a difficult position now. I think I won this audio book and I have the second book too. I feel obligated to listen to it. But considering how much I hated this one, I just don't want to.
Before I get into why, let me pause and be positive about the narrators. They both did a marvelous job, Noah Michael Levine especially. Erin deWard did a good job too, but the choice to voice Isabel sounding so desperate all the time only exacerbated my problem with her. But that was a style choice, not a quality problem. The narration is good.
Now back to the negative. It's all freakin' negative from here and there will be SPOILERS. I'm going to start with the romance, or lack there of. Two people (ex lovers) accidentally run into each other after not seeing one other for 15 years. They go to dinner, have a fight (about their past), she walks out. There's a bit of drama requiring him to rescue her from a burning building and he asks her to marry him before they get out. That's the romance and we're suppose to believe it's the romance to end all romances. Meant to be and all that jazz.
Here's my issue. First, it's 100% unrealistic. Yes, this is fantasy/sci-fi, but people change a lot in 15 years and this isn't addressed. Two, if it's so perfect they wouldn't have given it up so easily 15 years earlier and/or would have made contact before 15 years passed. And he apparently had her cell number the whole time. It didn't change.
Now let me move on to my big issue. Diego was lovely, too wonderful actually. But you can't help but like him. Isabel however was cliched beyond belief. Let me tell you her role in this book (and this just off the top of my head). She almost dies saving a kitten (not even her kitten, just a random kitten) and has to be saved from being burned and crushed in a fire. She gets stabbed. She gets septic. She almost gets raped (and turns out to probably actually have a history of being raped). She essentially gets kidnapped by her ex-husband. She almost dies in a miscarriage and she gets sick and almost dies from traveling through dimensions. And I lost count of how many times she was either in debilitating pain or confused because she's barely conscious. She was the perpetual victim. I hated her. Or rather I hated that Orton could come up with no better role for her than to be the victim that spurs Diego into action.
Their love is supposed to save the multi-verse. But Diego gets to go through to another world and retrieve a vaccine, bring it back and save millions. Isabel? She gets to travel through dimensions to teach Diego to be a better lover to her apparently unstable future self. How do I feel about that? Fuck you Orton. Isabel was supposed to be a smart scientist. She never does anything intelligent in the entire book. She's too busy navel gazing and being cliche.
Speaking of science, it's all hand waving. I actually think calling this science fiction is almost a stretch.
I find myself in a difficult position now. I think I won this audio book and I have the second book too. I feel obligated to listen to it. But considering how much I hated this one, I just don't want to.
June 17, 2020
Crossing in Time truly does transcend genres, I never felt I was able to fully pin down a specific genre. It’s heavy in science fiction with a romantic element underpinning its DNA. It drums a love story through its veins, one that lasts the ages and time and you should be aware of this if you delve into its pages. I was gifted an audio copy of the book and I wasn’t disappointed at the realism and the sheer talent of the narrators in bringing this story to life. The passion they both felt for the story was conveyed and it made it a truly immersive experience.
I’m such a huge fan of dystopian and post-apocalyptic novels. It just taps into the part of my brain that thinks she would have the necessary skills it would take to survive in a ravaged world. Maybe therefore I love watching tv programs like The Walking Dead and Birdbox, or maybe I just have a masochistic way of thinking. There’s just something so frightening and different from the way we all know and the lives we are living that it is like my own personal drug. The story was hugely enjoyable, and it certainly got those synapses firing.
Crossing in Time does exactly what it says on the tin – it’s about time travel, one of my favourite science fiction tropes. Isabel is a Geneticist and Diego is a software engineer. What would you do if you were given the opportunity to salvage your relationship which would then in turn stop the impending apocalypse from destroying everything you knew? She has her crack team helping her build and develop a time machine. Everything hangs in the balance. Can she save her relationship and stop the earth meeting its doom? Stay tuned.
Truthfully, I wasn’t entirely sure that this was the right time to be reading this novel. Scarily, it seemed to have a lot of parallels to the life we are currently experiencing. God, wouldn’t it be amazing to have access to a time machine that would allow us to halt the deadly spread of Covid-19 and literally save hundreds of thousands of lives. Extreme food for thought and constantly I felt that Crossing in Time plunged me into instances of deep thought – liked it!
The characters were extremely likable, and you couldn’t help but root for them during the entirety of the novel. They could have been your mates down the street, a relation or a work colleague. They dealt with pain and suffering with dignity but had your heart cracking into hundreds of pieces – I’m not sure that I found all the pieces again. One specific scene really did have me in tears, the narrative was heartbreakingly traumatic, and I wanted to reach out and hug Isabel. I love a book that can break me like that!
I did find the Crossing in Time a bit slow at the start and the contrasting element of the present and the time travel had me in a muddle initially but the second half of the book more than made up for that. It was a stunningly breath-taking examination of love and hope and above all strength.
I’m such a huge fan of dystopian and post-apocalyptic novels. It just taps into the part of my brain that thinks she would have the necessary skills it would take to survive in a ravaged world. Maybe therefore I love watching tv programs like The Walking Dead and Birdbox, or maybe I just have a masochistic way of thinking. There’s just something so frightening and different from the way we all know and the lives we are living that it is like my own personal drug. The story was hugely enjoyable, and it certainly got those synapses firing.
Crossing in Time does exactly what it says on the tin – it’s about time travel, one of my favourite science fiction tropes. Isabel is a Geneticist and Diego is a software engineer. What would you do if you were given the opportunity to salvage your relationship which would then in turn stop the impending apocalypse from destroying everything you knew? She has her crack team helping her build and develop a time machine. Everything hangs in the balance. Can she save her relationship and stop the earth meeting its doom? Stay tuned.
Truthfully, I wasn’t entirely sure that this was the right time to be reading this novel. Scarily, it seemed to have a lot of parallels to the life we are currently experiencing. God, wouldn’t it be amazing to have access to a time machine that would allow us to halt the deadly spread of Covid-19 and literally save hundreds of thousands of lives. Extreme food for thought and constantly I felt that Crossing in Time plunged me into instances of deep thought – liked it!
The characters were extremely likable, and you couldn’t help but root for them during the entirety of the novel. They could have been your mates down the street, a relation or a work colleague. They dealt with pain and suffering with dignity but had your heart cracking into hundreds of pieces – I’m not sure that I found all the pieces again. One specific scene really did have me in tears, the narrative was heartbreakingly traumatic, and I wanted to reach out and hug Isabel. I love a book that can break me like that!
I did find the Crossing in Time a bit slow at the start and the contrasting element of the present and the time travel had me in a muddle initially but the second half of the book more than made up for that. It was a stunningly breath-taking examination of love and hope and above all strength.
June 22, 2020
Time travel, multiple universes, and a love that spans time and space all come together and create a story that is as fascinating as it is heart-wrenching. Crossing in Time touched my heart and satisfied my sci-fi-loving mind with its look at a pre-apocalyptic world and the desperate attempts to change what's coming.
What I Loved
I love quantum physics and the theory that there are multiple universes created from people's different choices. I was an avid fan of Sliders (TV show) and loved to see the concept used in books and on the screen. It is so fascinating and mind-blowing to think about it. In Crossing in Time, it is all these things and more, as the possibility that this theory is real means the difference between life and death for the world's population as a disease quickly spreads to all humanity.
Not only are there multiple universes, but the characters also discover the possibility of time travel and how to do it, which blends so seamlessly with the numerous worlds that, instead of making it harder to suspend disbelief, actually makes it more accessible. Time travel is a fun concept and one that creates a lot of suspense and tension in the story, causing the pages to turn faster and faster as you want to know what happens next.
The love story that threads itself throughout the story adds an extra layer to an already tightly woven tale of survival. Diego and Isabel reconnect at the beginning of the novel after being apart for decades and rediscover the love that they lost the fateful day Diego stepped on a plane and out of Isabel's life. This love story is fraught with dangerous situations and turbulence as the world careens out of control. It is the thread that holds the story together and brings poignancy to an already potentially tragic tale.
The story has three narrators, and they work together well, keeping the story moving forward from three necessary perspectives. The voices were not always easy to distinguish between, but they are authentic enough that confusion was not an issue, as can happen with multiple narrators. The characters are all complex, full of depth, and their scars often show as they make hard decisions. The setting is an exciting mix of places that added to my fascination as the story unfolded.
To Read or Not to Read
Yes, do read it!
It is not a YA, as Amazon will erroneously lead you to believe. It is very much an adult tale that will have you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end.
I received a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
What I Loved
I love quantum physics and the theory that there are multiple universes created from people's different choices. I was an avid fan of Sliders (TV show) and loved to see the concept used in books and on the screen. It is so fascinating and mind-blowing to think about it. In Crossing in Time, it is all these things and more, as the possibility that this theory is real means the difference between life and death for the world's population as a disease quickly spreads to all humanity.
Not only are there multiple universes, but the characters also discover the possibility of time travel and how to do it, which blends so seamlessly with the numerous worlds that, instead of making it harder to suspend disbelief, actually makes it more accessible. Time travel is a fun concept and one that creates a lot of suspense and tension in the story, causing the pages to turn faster and faster as you want to know what happens next.
The love story that threads itself throughout the story adds an extra layer to an already tightly woven tale of survival. Diego and Isabel reconnect at the beginning of the novel after being apart for decades and rediscover the love that they lost the fateful day Diego stepped on a plane and out of Isabel's life. This love story is fraught with dangerous situations and turbulence as the world careens out of control. It is the thread that holds the story together and brings poignancy to an already potentially tragic tale.
The story has three narrators, and they work together well, keeping the story moving forward from three necessary perspectives. The voices were not always easy to distinguish between, but they are authentic enough that confusion was not an issue, as can happen with multiple narrators. The characters are all complex, full of depth, and their scars often show as they make hard decisions. The setting is an exciting mix of places that added to my fascination as the story unfolded.
To Read or Not to Read
Yes, do read it!
It is not a YA, as Amazon will erroneously lead you to believe. It is very much an adult tale that will have you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end.
I received a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
June 15, 2020
3.5 stars rounded up! I am rounding this one up because the audiobook narrators are incredible and truly made this an immersive experience.
DL Orton’s Crossing in Time is a genre bending novel with nods to romance, action and adventure, mystery, and science fiction. This is definitely one of those books that has a little bit of something for everyone. But, that being said, this story does heavily focus on the romance side of things, so keep that in mind before you dive in.
Isabel is a geneticist. Diego is a software engineer. Isabel is presented with the opportunity to go to an alternative timeline to save her relationship with Diego in order to prevent the impending apocalypse of her present. Isabel enlists the help of specialists, which includes an English scientist named Matt, to help her build a time machine in order to save their futures.
I’ll be honest, the first part of the book was a bit slow for me as I was trying to orient myself in the current dystopian environment as well as understand everything associated with the time travel. That being said, the second half of the book was fantastic! I was fully immersed in the dire situation that Isabel was faced with since she had only 24 hours to convince a then 19 year old Diego how to do things differently with her once she comes along in that timeline. Their story was heartbreakingly beautiful, but there was also a pleasant surprise of humor scattered in between the serious moments.
Both Isabel and Diego are well developed, complex characters that I loved. Diego has none of that alpha male, toxic masculinity, which made me love him even more. It was evident that it didn’t matter which timeline we were in, he would always do whatever it takes to put Isabel first and save her…over, and over. That being said, don’t think that Isabel is a pushover or damsel in distress. She’s strong, willful, and has been through the ringer. Isabel’s character really comes to life in the second half of the book when she time travels. I definitely had a whole new appreciation.
Overall, Crossing in Time was a beautiful and heartbreaking tale of love and hope. It also reminds us the sacrifices that we are willing to make and fight for when it comes to those we love.
Thank you to Dave from The Write Reads for the blog tour invite and providing a review copy. This did not influence my review. All opinions are my own.
DL Orton’s Crossing in Time is a genre bending novel with nods to romance, action and adventure, mystery, and science fiction. This is definitely one of those books that has a little bit of something for everyone. But, that being said, this story does heavily focus on the romance side of things, so keep that in mind before you dive in.
Isabel is a geneticist. Diego is a software engineer. Isabel is presented with the opportunity to go to an alternative timeline to save her relationship with Diego in order to prevent the impending apocalypse of her present. Isabel enlists the help of specialists, which includes an English scientist named Matt, to help her build a time machine in order to save their futures.
I’ll be honest, the first part of the book was a bit slow for me as I was trying to orient myself in the current dystopian environment as well as understand everything associated with the time travel. That being said, the second half of the book was fantastic! I was fully immersed in the dire situation that Isabel was faced with since she had only 24 hours to convince a then 19 year old Diego how to do things differently with her once she comes along in that timeline. Their story was heartbreakingly beautiful, but there was also a pleasant surprise of humor scattered in between the serious moments.
Both Isabel and Diego are well developed, complex characters that I loved. Diego has none of that alpha male, toxic masculinity, which made me love him even more. It was evident that it didn’t matter which timeline we were in, he would always do whatever it takes to put Isabel first and save her…over, and over. That being said, don’t think that Isabel is a pushover or damsel in distress. She’s strong, willful, and has been through the ringer. Isabel’s character really comes to life in the second half of the book when she time travels. I definitely had a whole new appreciation.
Overall, Crossing in Time was a beautiful and heartbreaking tale of love and hope. It also reminds us the sacrifices that we are willing to make and fight for when it comes to those we love.
Thank you to Dave from The Write Reads for the blog tour invite and providing a review copy. This did not influence my review. All opinions are my own.
June 28, 2020
4.5 STARS
I read this book for a blog tour, so thank you to the blog tour organiser and the author for letting me take part in this tour. All opinions are my own.
Dystopian books have a special place in my heart and I suppose you can say that this genre is where my love of books really took off when I was a teenager and trying to read out of my comfort zone. I've read many dystopias, but this one was very different and I enjoyed it from start to finish. I had forgotten what the blurb was about when I started this one and I'm really glad I did because everything was such a surprise for me and I felt that it flowed really well.
The plot was so intriguing, it was actually scary because it seems a lot like this right now and I can imagine that the things that happened in this book could happen in our world too one day. I also thought that the characters were great, they were believable and I rooted for Isabel and Diego the whole way. I hadn't read a book with actual emotions for a while and this one gave me what I've been missing. I love when characters are strong-willed, determined and brave, just like in this book, but I also like them to have feelings and emotions, and I miss that a lot in books I read, especially in fantasy, but this book gave me all the feels and more: I was angry, sad, excited, joyous, and I nearly ended up screaming and throwing my Kindle across the room!
This book was just so interesting, the setting was really great and I think it made the book really enjoyable because you see how things happen and how the destruction slowly appears, I thought the writing style and the structure was also really good and it kept me hooked throughout.
Overall, this was a really enjoyable book, I loved the characters and I loved the story, I found it to be so different and I'm really looking forward to reading the next book in the series. I gave it 4.5 stars because I'm saving the 5-star rating for book 2 or 3, but it was definitely great and I would highly recommend!
I read this book for a blog tour, so thank you to the blog tour organiser and the author for letting me take part in this tour. All opinions are my own.
Dystopian books have a special place in my heart and I suppose you can say that this genre is where my love of books really took off when I was a teenager and trying to read out of my comfort zone. I've read many dystopias, but this one was very different and I enjoyed it from start to finish. I had forgotten what the blurb was about when I started this one and I'm really glad I did because everything was such a surprise for me and I felt that it flowed really well.
The plot was so intriguing, it was actually scary because it seems a lot like this right now and I can imagine that the things that happened in this book could happen in our world too one day. I also thought that the characters were great, they were believable and I rooted for Isabel and Diego the whole way. I hadn't read a book with actual emotions for a while and this one gave me what I've been missing. I love when characters are strong-willed, determined and brave, just like in this book, but I also like them to have feelings and emotions, and I miss that a lot in books I read, especially in fantasy, but this book gave me all the feels and more: I was angry, sad, excited, joyous, and I nearly ended up screaming and throwing my Kindle across the room!
This book was just so interesting, the setting was really great and I think it made the book really enjoyable because you see how things happen and how the destruction slowly appears, I thought the writing style and the structure was also really good and it kept me hooked throughout.
Overall, this was a really enjoyable book, I loved the characters and I loved the story, I found it to be so different and I'm really looking forward to reading the next book in the series. I gave it 4.5 stars because I'm saving the 5-star rating for book 2 or 3, but it was definitely great and I would highly recommend!
Want to read
December 6, 2017💝 FREE on Amazon today (12/06/2017)! 💝
June 21, 2020
Full review: https://inkandplasma.wordpress.com/20...
This book was originally sent to me as part of a blog tour but I chose to drop out for reasons that are going to become clear. Unfortunately this one... did not work for me. This is probably going to be semi-spoilery because I want to explain the things I didn't like so read with caution if you don't want to be spoiled.
Rating: 2 stars - it got an extra star for good prose.
Trigger warnings: death, miscarriage, attempted rape, abortion, one occurrence of bi-erasure
What did I think?
I want to start by saying that my problems with this book probably wouldn't be so severe if the book was marketed differently. I also want people to read other reviews before they take my word for it, because this has hundreds of positive reviews on Goodreads. However, none of those reviews seemed to cover my major problems with it.
Edited note: Regarding this comment, the author has since said that she will be editing the line I'm about to mention in the manuscript - which I appreciate. Future versions hopefully will not include this and I'm very pleased about this response. Thank you to the author for responding quickly to that concern.
The first thing is only a one line off-the-cuff comment, but put me in a off about 20% in. There's a gay character, interested in another character, and when he finds out that the guy he's interested in was once married to a woman his internal narration says:
'So he's not gay. Damn. Then again, maybe he's like you and got married by mistake.'
The bi-erasure here is really blatant and while I don't feel like it was done intentionally it's really, really uncomfortable to read as someone who is bisexual. The implication that he's either gay, and married a woman as a mistake, or straight is so frustrating. It also wasn't prudent to the plot itself so felt totally unnecessary. If this line had been included, Picasso ended up being bi and this attitude was challenged then I'd have been fine with it. But instead we move on, he's straight and everything's ignored. So this line was totally unnecessary. If it was just 'So he's probably not gay. Damn'. I would have been fine with it, but this just rubbed me up the wrong way. You could take this line out of the book entirely and it'd make absolutely no difference to the story, and wouldn't erase bisexuality.
The other thing that I really struggled with was that I felt the summary on Goodreads and Amazon was completely misleading. The summary states:
When offered a one-way trip to the past, Isabel sacrifices everything for a chance to change the rapidly deteriorating present--and see her murdered lover one last time. When she arrives twenty years in the past, buck naked and mortally wounded, she has 24 hours to convince a stunned but enraptured nineteen-year-old to change their future. Definitely easier said than done, as success means losing him to a brainy, smart-mouthed bombshell (her younger self), and that's a heart breaker, save the world or not.
Isabel doesn't travel to the past until 63% into the book. Page 337 of 412. Everything after that point fits what I expected. But the first 337 pages? Isabel goes through hell. She meets a guy who broke her heart 15 years ago and they go to dinner, she nearly dies and he proposes immediately. Which is? romantic? (I didn't think so, but hey.) The world is falling apart, so they go to a cabin and that's pretty cool. They decide not to try for a baby, because the world is falling apart, but she falls pregnant anyway. Isabel and Diego are ecstatic, and then she has a pretty sudden and on-page miscarriage. At this point I had to put the book down and walk away for ten minutes. I've been told to expect a ""Funny, Romantic & Harrowing" (Publishers Weekly Starred Review) dystopian love story and prepare to encounter a finicky time machine, a mysterious seashell, and a very clever dog" (from Goodreads) and so far I've had a post-apocalyptic traumatic shit-show. Sure, I was told it was a 'laugh out loud tragedy' but so far there have been no laughs and so much tragedy it doesn't feel like it's balanced at all. There's a two second period where it tries to convince the reader the miscarriage might be plot relevant, then that's abandoned. I felt genuinely miserable. The only humour so far has come from over-used dad jokes and puns being forced into the text. Like, one of the characters main traits seems to be 'uses stupid dad jokes'. I didn't laugh, I mostly just cringed. Putting well-known internet jokes doesn't a funny book make. And the romance was so inexplicable and sudden that I didn't feel like it was that romantic. More misery for Isabel as her husband goes missing, she recovers from an injury, a guy attempts to rape her twice (ugh, more trauma that didn't serve any plot or character development purpose AT ALL) and then eventually, 337 pages in, Isabel goes back in time.
Does the joy start now? Do we have the moment where she convinces a young Diego to change the world, then lose him to her younger self? No. We get a lot of Isabel lecturing Diego on how he should change all of his instincts and every part of his personality so that young-Isabel will find him easier to date. She says she has reasons, and these are hinted at in her own first person POV chapters but no explanation is given. There's insta-love between Isabel and young-Diego but I couldn't for the life of me work out what their bond was supposed to be. The entire last section of this book is Isabel highlighting all the reasons they don't work as a couple, demanding he change and not telling him why. My god. I wanted them to break up and I knew that the world would end if they did. They felt totally incompatible.
And then the book just? Ended? I know that there's more in this series (four I think?!) but despite this book being 400 pages long, it felt like half a book. If the first 63% was trimmed WAY back (losing some of the we-love-to-traumatise-women tropes) then we could have had more time for a resolution, I guess, but instead it felt like the book ended and the rest of the plot is hidden in book two. I won't be picking it up. There was too much left unexplained and without any chemistry whatsoever between the characters, I can't find the energy for it. I wanted time-travel hijinks and competition with her past self, not... this. I finished this book sad and tired, and I feel like the summary is totally misrepresentative of the book itself. But then, it has well over 200 5 star reviews on Goodreads so I guess I'm in the minority? Honestly, I feel like I read a different book to everyone else.
Despite these complaints, I did finish the whole book and that's because the prose itself was great and DL Orton is clearly a good writer on a technical level. I'll be the first one to put my hands up and say that this book obviously works for a lot of people and while I did want to share my opinions on it, Goodreads has a huge selection of positive reviews and there has just been a blog tour from Write Reads with a huge selection of bloggers giving their opinions worth checking out before you take my word on it.
This book was originally sent to me as part of a blog tour but I chose to drop out for reasons that are going to become clear. Unfortunately this one... did not work for me. This is probably going to be semi-spoilery because I want to explain the things I didn't like so read with caution if you don't want to be spoiled.
Rating: 2 stars - it got an extra star for good prose.
Trigger warnings: death, miscarriage, attempted rape, abortion, one occurrence of bi-erasure
What did I think?
I want to start by saying that my problems with this book probably wouldn't be so severe if the book was marketed differently. I also want people to read other reviews before they take my word for it, because this has hundreds of positive reviews on Goodreads. However, none of those reviews seemed to cover my major problems with it.
Edited note: Regarding this comment, the author has since said that she will be editing the line I'm about to mention in the manuscript - which I appreciate. Future versions hopefully will not include this and I'm very pleased about this response. Thank you to the author for responding quickly to that concern.
The first thing is only a one line off-the-cuff comment, but put me in a off about 20% in. There's a gay character, interested in another character, and when he finds out that the guy he's interested in was once married to a woman his internal narration says:
'So he's not gay. Damn. Then again, maybe he's like you and got married by mistake.'
The bi-erasure here is really blatant and while I don't feel like it was done intentionally it's really, really uncomfortable to read as someone who is bisexual. The implication that he's either gay, and married a woman as a mistake, or straight is so frustrating. It also wasn't prudent to the plot itself so felt totally unnecessary. If this line had been included, Picasso ended up being bi and this attitude was challenged then I'd have been fine with it. But instead we move on, he's straight and everything's ignored. So this line was totally unnecessary. If it was just 'So he's probably not gay. Damn'. I would have been fine with it, but this just rubbed me up the wrong way. You could take this line out of the book entirely and it'd make absolutely no difference to the story, and wouldn't erase bisexuality.
The other thing that I really struggled with was that I felt the summary on Goodreads and Amazon was completely misleading. The summary states:
When offered a one-way trip to the past, Isabel sacrifices everything for a chance to change the rapidly deteriorating present--and see her murdered lover one last time. When she arrives twenty years in the past, buck naked and mortally wounded, she has 24 hours to convince a stunned but enraptured nineteen-year-old to change their future. Definitely easier said than done, as success means losing him to a brainy, smart-mouthed bombshell (her younger self), and that's a heart breaker, save the world or not.
Isabel doesn't travel to the past until 63% into the book. Page 337 of 412. Everything after that point fits what I expected. But the first 337 pages? Isabel goes through hell. She meets a guy who broke her heart 15 years ago and they go to dinner, she nearly dies and he proposes immediately. Which is? romantic? (I didn't think so, but hey.) The world is falling apart, so they go to a cabin and that's pretty cool. They decide not to try for a baby, because the world is falling apart, but she falls pregnant anyway. Isabel and Diego are ecstatic, and then she has a pretty sudden and on-page miscarriage. At this point I had to put the book down and walk away for ten minutes. I've been told to expect a ""Funny, Romantic & Harrowing" (Publishers Weekly Starred Review) dystopian love story and prepare to encounter a finicky time machine, a mysterious seashell, and a very clever dog" (from Goodreads) and so far I've had a post-apocalyptic traumatic shit-show. Sure, I was told it was a 'laugh out loud tragedy' but so far there have been no laughs and so much tragedy it doesn't feel like it's balanced at all. There's a two second period where it tries to convince the reader the miscarriage might be plot relevant, then that's abandoned. I felt genuinely miserable. The only humour so far has come from over-used dad jokes and puns being forced into the text. Like, one of the characters main traits seems to be 'uses stupid dad jokes'. I didn't laugh, I mostly just cringed. Putting well-known internet jokes doesn't a funny book make. And the romance was so inexplicable and sudden that I didn't feel like it was that romantic. More misery for Isabel as her husband goes missing, she recovers from an injury, a guy attempts to rape her twice (ugh, more trauma that didn't serve any plot or character development purpose AT ALL) and then eventually, 337 pages in, Isabel goes back in time.
Does the joy start now? Do we have the moment where she convinces a young Diego to change the world, then lose him to her younger self? No. We get a lot of Isabel lecturing Diego on how he should change all of his instincts and every part of his personality so that young-Isabel will find him easier to date. She says she has reasons, and these are hinted at in her own first person POV chapters but no explanation is given. There's insta-love between Isabel and young-Diego but I couldn't for the life of me work out what their bond was supposed to be. The entire last section of this book is Isabel highlighting all the reasons they don't work as a couple, demanding he change and not telling him why. My god. I wanted them to break up and I knew that the world would end if they did. They felt totally incompatible.
And then the book just? Ended? I know that there's more in this series (four I think?!) but despite this book being 400 pages long, it felt like half a book. If the first 63% was trimmed WAY back (losing some of the we-love-to-traumatise-women tropes) then we could have had more time for a resolution, I guess, but instead it felt like the book ended and the rest of the plot is hidden in book two. I won't be picking it up. There was too much left unexplained and without any chemistry whatsoever between the characters, I can't find the energy for it. I wanted time-travel hijinks and competition with her past self, not... this. I finished this book sad and tired, and I feel like the summary is totally misrepresentative of the book itself. But then, it has well over 200 5 star reviews on Goodreads so I guess I'm in the minority? Honestly, I feel like I read a different book to everyone else.
Despite these complaints, I did finish the whole book and that's because the prose itself was great and DL Orton is clearly a good writer on a technical level. I'll be the first one to put my hands up and say that this book obviously works for a lot of people and while I did want to share my opinions on it, Goodreads has a huge selection of positive reviews and there has just been a blog tour from Write Reads with a huge selection of bloggers giving their opinions worth checking out before you take my word on it.
August 3, 2016
This is incredibly well written. The beginning of the book was good, but no where near as good as the second part. Some of this is set in "present day," some a dystopian setting, ad some in the past/present. This is mainly a romance, but isn't super sappy. The rest of the story isn't just there for filler like so many other books in the genre.
This is the start of what will be the Between Two Evils series. I was surprised to find out that this is the authors first book, no way does the book reflect reflect this. I am also super curious as to where the author will next take this series. Fingers crossed that book two will be as good, and that I have found an author to add to my must read list.
This is the start of what will be the Between Two Evils series. I was surprised to find out that this is the authors first book, no way does the book reflect reflect this. I am also super curious as to where the author will next take this series. Fingers crossed that book two will be as good, and that I have found an author to add to my must read list.
June 18, 2020
My full review available on Facing the Story
Unaware of the mayhem that is about to occur and change the fate of humanity, Isabel runs into her old love, Diego, and the two quickly relive their relationship. The first part of the book focused solely on the feelings and connection between these two characters, briefly pausing on their past mistakes and reflecting on their choices. Their love story didn't seem too far fetched and I appreciated how they became a stronger couple by recognising their errors and working on their differences.
The time travel element was introduced far into the book after allowing enough time for the reader to connect with the main characters. I was dubious at first that the focus on time travel would be too forced however I was pleasantly surprised at how well developed this side of the story was.
Unfortunately I lost the rhythm at the part where Isabel travels back in time to meet Diego. There were certain moments which felt too uncomfortable as Isabel attempts to prepare Diego for the moment they will "meet" in his reality and almost drills into him how he should act and think around her. I realise that Diego was much younger here and Isabel was pressed for time as she tried to save humanity, but there were many scenes where I thought they were completely different characters.
Crossing in Time explores complex relationships and human emotions and offers the perfect mix of Science Fiction and Romance. I found a few inconsistencies between the time travel versions of the main characters however I still enjoyed the book despite this setback. It filled me with hope and positive energy and posed a series of important questions about what it means to be human.
Many thanks to Dave at TheWriteReads for providing an advanced reader's copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Crossing in Time is out to buy now!
Unaware of the mayhem that is about to occur and change the fate of humanity, Isabel runs into her old love, Diego, and the two quickly relive their relationship. The first part of the book focused solely on the feelings and connection between these two characters, briefly pausing on their past mistakes and reflecting on their choices. Their love story didn't seem too far fetched and I appreciated how they became a stronger couple by recognising their errors and working on their differences.
The time travel element was introduced far into the book after allowing enough time for the reader to connect with the main characters. I was dubious at first that the focus on time travel would be too forced however I was pleasantly surprised at how well developed this side of the story was.
Unfortunately I lost the rhythm at the part where Isabel travels back in time to meet Diego. There were certain moments which felt too uncomfortable as Isabel attempts to prepare Diego for the moment they will "meet" in his reality and almost drills into him how he should act and think around her. I realise that Diego was much younger here and Isabel was pressed for time as she tried to save humanity, but there were many scenes where I thought they were completely different characters.
Crossing in Time explores complex relationships and human emotions and offers the perfect mix of Science Fiction and Romance. I found a few inconsistencies between the time travel versions of the main characters however I still enjoyed the book despite this setback. It filled me with hope and positive energy and posed a series of important questions about what it means to be human.
Many thanks to Dave at TheWriteReads for providing an advanced reader's copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Crossing in Time is out to buy now!
April 6, 2016
Great story loved the you do or you don,t fact and how man can easily dome they,re self. Wonderful book enjoyed reading this book pulls you in and takes you for a wild ride. The author has written a exquisite piece of literature and I do hope to read more of in the future. My thanks to the author DL Orton for allowing me the pleasure of reading this wonderful book & yes I would be very happy to recommend this wonderful book to my friends so to all happy reading from wee me.♥
P.S. this book was a gift from the author.♥☺
P.S. this book was a gift from the author.♥☺
June 5, 2020
Actual rating: 3.5 stars
I’m not going to lie, there were times I was confused while reading. But that always happens when I’m reading science fiction – go figure. And actually, confusion is a good thing. It pushes me to finish the book because I want everything to be clear.
Crossing in Time starts with a prologue giving a hint to the present, when everything is already messed up. Then the storyline goes back ten months earlier and showed what really happened. But it didn’t really clear up everything. The story has mysteries and puzzles to solve which prompted the main characters to travel through time to correct things. As time travel story goes, Crossing in Time did the job well. Time is a tricky thing in this story and I love how the events unfold in each timeline. There’s always tension and I’m always curious as to what happened, what is happening and what will happen.
That said, I was engrossed in the characters but wished they were smarter most of the times. Crossing in time is heavy on Romance. I love the relationship between Isabel and Diego…Okay, actually not that much. At first, when they met again after 14-15 years, they had dinner and fought about their past. Then there’s an explosion and things pretty much turns worse after that. But anyway, for me, the fact that Isabel and Diego didn’t see each other that long should be handled better. Many things has happened in 15 years, things changed and people changed, and when Diego and Isabel had dinner, it was like their separation was just a month. Maybe this is just me. Aside from that, I think Isabel, many times ended as a victim and Diego is the savior.
But I really want to see them happy and with each other. But it’s not easy and I think that’s what makes reading their story more engaging. I just can’t help but keep going to see what’s going to happen between them. And warning, the sex scenes are too graphic, which personally I don’t mind that much because in my mind, the characters are mature. In real world, they are in their early forties. But this is a time travel story so we get to see the characters in their younger versions.
There are so many elements in the story and intriguing characters. But I’m thankful, the book didn’t use so many scientific terms that I couldn’t understand. Also, I applaud the author for touching some hard topics like having a miscarriage and having an abortion.
Overall, I enjoyed reading this book, and recommend it to sci-fi lovers. Especially if you’re new to this particular kind of story. Crossing in Time is a good book to start. I wish to read book 2 because I still have many questions.
I’m not going to lie, there were times I was confused while reading. But that always happens when I’m reading science fiction – go figure. And actually, confusion is a good thing. It pushes me to finish the book because I want everything to be clear.
Crossing in Time starts with a prologue giving a hint to the present, when everything is already messed up. Then the storyline goes back ten months earlier and showed what really happened. But it didn’t really clear up everything. The story has mysteries and puzzles to solve which prompted the main characters to travel through time to correct things. As time travel story goes, Crossing in Time did the job well. Time is a tricky thing in this story and I love how the events unfold in each timeline. There’s always tension and I’m always curious as to what happened, what is happening and what will happen.
That said, I was engrossed in the characters but wished they were smarter most of the times. Crossing in time is heavy on Romance. I love the relationship between Isabel and Diego…Okay, actually not that much. At first, when they met again after 14-15 years, they had dinner and fought about their past. Then there’s an explosion and things pretty much turns worse after that. But anyway, for me, the fact that Isabel and Diego didn’t see each other that long should be handled better. Many things has happened in 15 years, things changed and people changed, and when Diego and Isabel had dinner, it was like their separation was just a month. Maybe this is just me. Aside from that, I think Isabel, many times ended as a victim and Diego is the savior.
But I really want to see them happy and with each other. But it’s not easy and I think that’s what makes reading their story more engaging. I just can’t help but keep going to see what’s going to happen between them. And warning, the sex scenes are too graphic, which personally I don’t mind that much because in my mind, the characters are mature. In real world, they are in their early forties. But this is a time travel story so we get to see the characters in their younger versions.
There are so many elements in the story and intriguing characters. But I’m thankful, the book didn’t use so many scientific terms that I couldn’t understand. Also, I applaud the author for touching some hard topics like having a miscarriage and having an abortion.
Overall, I enjoyed reading this book, and recommend it to sci-fi lovers. Especially if you’re new to this particular kind of story. Crossing in Time is a good book to start. I wish to read book 2 because I still have many questions.
December 6, 2017
Overall Crossing in Time is a masterfully written time travel and romance novel, exploring the crossings of Diego and Isabel through all four dimensions of space-time. While I'm definitely a time travel lover, I'm not so much a romance reader, but the combo worked well for me this time. It is a mature novel, and not for the faint of heart.
That said, I had a hard time with all the "I just can't" stuff pulling Isabel back from her relationship with Diego. Maybe I'm too much of a dude when it comes to relationships, but she was so high-maintenance emotionally, I struggled with why Diego would put up with all her internal turmoil and games, because most of her explanations and protestations made no sense. Seriously, I know I wouldn't date her. She's a mess -- unpredictable and impossible.
I also had a hard time with the narration. Lots of reviewers loved the narration, so I know I'm in the minority, but it was difficult for me to overlook the "through her teeth" words Isabel spoke from the very first sentence. The woman who read for Isabel sounded as if she was trying desperately to contain some seething anger, or she was experiencing unimaginable pain.
Her.
voice.
caught.
and.
trembled.
on.
every.
single.
word.
This tension must have been difficult to maintain throughout the entire novel, especially when that level of emotion was not even called for. For that reason, it was difficult not to let it distract from the otherwise very well-written story. For the next two books, I will go for the paperback or Kindle version, and I suggest you do too. Yes, I'll definitely read them. D. L. Orton is a great writer, no doubt about that.
That said, I had a hard time with all the "I just can't" stuff pulling Isabel back from her relationship with Diego. Maybe I'm too much of a dude when it comes to relationships, but she was so high-maintenance emotionally, I struggled with why Diego would put up with all her internal turmoil and games, because most of her explanations and protestations made no sense. Seriously, I know I wouldn't date her. She's a mess -- unpredictable and impossible.
I also had a hard time with the narration. Lots of reviewers loved the narration, so I know I'm in the minority, but it was difficult for me to overlook the "through her teeth" words Isabel spoke from the very first sentence. The woman who read for Isabel sounded as if she was trying desperately to contain some seething anger, or she was experiencing unimaginable pain.
Her.
voice.
caught.
and.
trembled.
on.
every.
single.
word.
This tension must have been difficult to maintain throughout the entire novel, especially when that level of emotion was not even called for. For that reason, it was difficult not to let it distract from the otherwise very well-written story. For the next two books, I will go for the paperback or Kindle version, and I suggest you do too. Yes, I'll definitely read them. D. L. Orton is a great writer, no doubt about that.
June 20, 2020
4.5 stars bumped up to 5 due to narrators
When I was asked if I wanted to be on the tour for this book I had a quick look at the blurb and said yes. It sounded like a great sci fi yarn and that's just what it turned out to be.
This book is extremely fast paced. The chapters are short, something happens in every one and in fact something happens on almost every page. It made it hard to put down. I alternated between the audio and the ebook. When driving to work I would listen to the audio (brilliant duel narrators) and then in the evenings at home I'd read it.
As usual with audiobooks I found it a little tricky to follow in that format, but that is on me. I didn't particularly like Isabel, but Diego really appealed and also Dave (isabel's) ex husband was a brilliant love to hate him type. I can't stress enough how good a job the narrators particularly the male narrator (but both are excellent) did with the different voices here. Hard to believe that Dave and Diego are voiced by the same guy.
The novel is heavy on romance, maybe too heavy for some in the second half of the book, but I thought it was well done and it didn't put me off.
The ending was brilliant. I wasnt expecting it.
Overall this is one of the best indie books I've read over the last year.
Disclaimer: I got a free copy of both the ebook and the audiobook for a book tour but this in no way impacted my review.
When I was asked if I wanted to be on the tour for this book I had a quick look at the blurb and said yes. It sounded like a great sci fi yarn and that's just what it turned out to be.
This book is extremely fast paced. The chapters are short, something happens in every one and in fact something happens on almost every page. It made it hard to put down. I alternated between the audio and the ebook. When driving to work I would listen to the audio (brilliant duel narrators) and then in the evenings at home I'd read it.
As usual with audiobooks I found it a little tricky to follow in that format, but that is on me. I didn't particularly like Isabel, but Diego really appealed and also Dave (isabel's) ex husband was a brilliant love to hate him type. I can't stress enough how good a job the narrators particularly the male narrator (but both are excellent) did with the different voices here. Hard to believe that Dave and Diego are voiced by the same guy.
The novel is heavy on romance, maybe too heavy for some in the second half of the book, but I thought it was well done and it didn't put me off.
The ending was brilliant. I wasnt expecting it.
Overall this is one of the best indie books I've read over the last year.
Disclaimer: I got a free copy of both the ebook and the audiobook for a book tour but this in no way impacted my review.
March 8, 2016
I won this audiobook from a Booklikes giveaway.
Orton weaves an intricate, multi-dimensional tale of heartache, hope, and love. This is a wonderfully crafted and wickedly inventive tale of humanity at the brink and a love that may save the world. Isabelle and Diego are great characters. I liked Isabelle, but I loved Diego. Time and again, he was there for Isabelle, saving and loving her, even when she was being difficult and unreasonable. And while yes, Isabelle did need saving many times she was in no way a damsel-in-distress. Their rocky history yet rich and powerful love transcends time and place, taking the reader on an emotional rollercoaster ride of passion and pain. Orton does both exceedingly well, with a poetic-like prose I found captivating and, at times, heartbreaking.
The narrators, Noah and Erin, brought this engaging novel to life. I listen to a lot of audiobooks and this was, by far, the best of a very big lot. For the narration alone, I recommend this book. But the book can stand on its own.
Orton weaves an intricate, multi-dimensional tale of heartache, hope, and love. This is a wonderfully crafted and wickedly inventive tale of humanity at the brink and a love that may save the world. Isabelle and Diego are great characters. I liked Isabelle, but I loved Diego. Time and again, he was there for Isabelle, saving and loving her, even when she was being difficult and unreasonable. And while yes, Isabelle did need saving many times she was in no way a damsel-in-distress. Their rocky history yet rich and powerful love transcends time and place, taking the reader on an emotional rollercoaster ride of passion and pain. Orton does both exceedingly well, with a poetic-like prose I found captivating and, at times, heartbreaking.
The narrators, Noah and Erin, brought this engaging novel to life. I listen to a lot of audiobooks and this was, by far, the best of a very big lot. For the narration alone, I recommend this book. But the book can stand on its own.
to-read-yes-soonish-arc-br-blog
November 15, 2015My first audiobook ARC
Looking forward to listening to Crossing in Time a (m/f) sci-fi suspense. Also a debut novel by D.L. Orton who asked for reviewers at the GR group Romance Audiobooks. — 10:55 hrs narrated by Noah Michael Levine and Erin deWard.
**********
**ARC kindly provided by the author, in exchange for an honest review.
Looking forward to listening to Crossing in Time a (m/f) sci-fi suspense. Also a debut novel by D.L. Orton who asked for reviewers at the GR group Romance Audiobooks. — 10:55 hrs narrated by Noah Michael Levine and Erin deWard.
**********
**ARC kindly provided by the author, in exchange for an honest review.
November 6, 2015
Crossing In Time is the first book in the Between Two Evils series and D.L. Orton's debut novel. That is difficult to believe because her style of writing is extremely fluid and wonderfully immersive. She has a fantastic command of language, and I loved the subtle humor throughout the book.
Crossing In Time can't be classified as belonging to one single genre. This is science-fiction, it is romance, it is action and adventure. There is something here for everyone.
It is the story of the relationship between Isabel and Diego and how this relationship could prevent world annihilation. It is told from three different perspectives: Isabel's, Diego's and Matt's. Matt is a British scientist who is recruited with a bunch of other interesting characters to develop a time machine which enables Isabel to travel back into the past to work on her future relationship with Diego.
The characters feel very real and are easy to relate to. There are no one dimensional alpha males or damsels in distress here; these are your average people next-door type of characters that are properly fleshed out and authentic.
The romantic relationship between Isabel and Diego was endearing and sweet. There are some sex scenes, which I found fairly mild and tastefully done, but I have noticed that other reviewers felt they were steamy and explicit. So I guess it depends what you are used to reading. My only criticism would be that the sexual relationship took over a bit towards the end of the book. The stroking and caressing could have been condensed.
What I particularly enjoyed were the scenes of Isabel coping with survival in the bleak and dangerous dystopian future. Some of those descriptions got my heart pumping more than the love scenes. Overall, the story kept me thoroughly entertained and engrossed.
The ending leaves you with the frantic need to find out more about Isabel and Diego's as well as Matt's future, and I will certainly look out for part 2.
As far as the audio narration is concerned: I would give more than 5 stars if I could.
Having two narrators can be very tricky. The way that it was done here was absolutely impressive. Noah Michael Levine and Erin de Ward were a fantastic team. They had perfect timing and the narration was incredibly fluid. Noah Michael Levine did an amazing job switching effortlessly between the characters of Matt and Diego and keeping the accents straight. It felt like being at the movies. Outstanding performance! This is the sort of audiobook you want to give to people who don't do audiobooks to show them what they are missing.
Crossing In Time should appeal to a wide audience because of its mix of genres and because of the exceptional narration.
Thank you to the author and to audiobookreviewer for my free copy in exchange for an honest review.
4.5 stars
Crossing In Time can't be classified as belonging to one single genre. This is science-fiction, it is romance, it is action and adventure. There is something here for everyone.
It is the story of the relationship between Isabel and Diego and how this relationship could prevent world annihilation. It is told from three different perspectives: Isabel's, Diego's and Matt's. Matt is a British scientist who is recruited with a bunch of other interesting characters to develop a time machine which enables Isabel to travel back into the past to work on her future relationship with Diego.
The characters feel very real and are easy to relate to. There are no one dimensional alpha males or damsels in distress here; these are your average people next-door type of characters that are properly fleshed out and authentic.
The romantic relationship between Isabel and Diego was endearing and sweet. There are some sex scenes, which I found fairly mild and tastefully done, but I have noticed that other reviewers felt they were steamy and explicit. So I guess it depends what you are used to reading. My only criticism would be that the sexual relationship took over a bit towards the end of the book. The stroking and caressing could have been condensed.
What I particularly enjoyed were the scenes of Isabel coping with survival in the bleak and dangerous dystopian future. Some of those descriptions got my heart pumping more than the love scenes. Overall, the story kept me thoroughly entertained and engrossed.
The ending leaves you with the frantic need to find out more about Isabel and Diego's as well as Matt's future, and I will certainly look out for part 2.
As far as the audio narration is concerned: I would give more than 5 stars if I could.
Having two narrators can be very tricky. The way that it was done here was absolutely impressive. Noah Michael Levine and Erin de Ward were a fantastic team. They had perfect timing and the narration was incredibly fluid. Noah Michael Levine did an amazing job switching effortlessly between the characters of Matt and Diego and keeping the accents straight. It felt like being at the movies. Outstanding performance! This is the sort of audiobook you want to give to people who don't do audiobooks to show them what they are missing.
Crossing In Time should appeal to a wide audience because of its mix of genres and because of the exceptional narration.
Thank you to the author and to audiobookreviewer for my free copy in exchange for an honest review.
4.5 stars
April 19, 2017
This is different than my normal go to books to read. There is romance or the evolving and revolving love between Isabel and Diego. Diego is a software engineer and Isabel is a geneticist and very brilliant. After years apart and one divorced Isabel later; Diego and Isabel meet again in Denver by accident. There is an explosion and Diego does everything to save Isabel and a bunch of pets from a store Isabel went into after the explosion. Two of those pets are seen throughout the book. Diego also got help from some teenagers looting a jewelry store. But there is more to those teenagers, I am sure of it, I just don't have any proof yet. Maybe in the next book!
Then someone sets off a nuclear weapon and the world falls apart. Diego and Isabel are prepared and live in a cabin with solar power and emergency prepardness things.
Meanwhile, as the world changes, Matt, a physicist professor is kidnapped to an underground government facility. The government found this otherworldly ball in the explosion and they need his help to figure out what it is. When they open it they find Diego's name on it and a sock.
When Diego leaves the cabin to go in search of antibiotics for a gravelly ill Isabel, the government kidnaps Diego to find out what part he plays in the otherworldly ball found. Diego also found a letter to him with a warning and a seashell. There are so many pieces to a puzzle throughout the book, sometimes I was overwhelmed and confused.
Thankfully, they don't play heavily on the physics and other things that I know nothing about, which is good because I probably would have abandoned the book! But I am a labor and delivery nurse and one spot I caught a mistake. But if you aren't a nurse you probably won't catch it.
The ending left me wanting the next book NOW! Because it left me high and dry with a lot of questions.
If you like other universes with the same people, nuclear bombs, physics, emergency preparedness, giving up your life for someone you love, dogs, cats, jokes, finding that one special person, biodomes, peeing on a handkerchief with smoke everywhere, and maybe a way to save us all from our mistakes then this might be for you!
Contents: Language and sex
Then someone sets off a nuclear weapon and the world falls apart. Diego and Isabel are prepared and live in a cabin with solar power and emergency prepardness things.
Meanwhile, as the world changes, Matt, a physicist professor is kidnapped to an underground government facility. The government found this otherworldly ball in the explosion and they need his help to figure out what it is. When they open it they find Diego's name on it and a sock.
When Diego leaves the cabin to go in search of antibiotics for a gravelly ill Isabel, the government kidnaps Diego to find out what part he plays in the otherworldly ball found. Diego also found a letter to him with a warning and a seashell. There are so many pieces to a puzzle throughout the book, sometimes I was overwhelmed and confused.
Thankfully, they don't play heavily on the physics and other things that I know nothing about, which is good because I probably would have abandoned the book! But I am a labor and delivery nurse and one spot I caught a mistake. But if you aren't a nurse you probably won't catch it.
The ending left me wanting the next book NOW! Because it left me high and dry with a lot of questions.
"Why did the cantaloupe go swimming?" Still holding the fridge door open, she watches me washing the melon, then returns to her search. "Why?" "He wanted to be a watermelon."
"Did you hear about the Zen master who brought a hot dog from a street vendor in New York City?" She looks at me. "He gave the guy a twenty dollar bill and said, 'Make me one with everything.'".
The man pocketed the money and handed the guru his order, and when the master inquired about his change, the vendor replied, 'Change comes from within.'
If you like other universes with the same people, nuclear bombs, physics, emergency preparedness, giving up your life for someone you love, dogs, cats, jokes, finding that one special person, biodomes, peeing on a handkerchief with smoke everywhere, and maybe a way to save us all from our mistakes then this might be for you!
Contents: Language and sex
May 13, 2015
I received this book to give an honest review.
I have never been a big reader on time traveling as it has never appealed to me, but when I read the blurb of this book I figured I would jump out of my norm of reading and give it a go.
Now I wasn’t disappointed in the book as it was good, but I felt it had more romance in the book than anything and maybe this is what was intended. We start off with the story in a post-apocalyptic world where our main character Isabel is buying a gun and it makes us wonder oh what caused this scene. After that chapter of the buying of the gun we are then thrown into the present world where we meet Diego and him saving Isabel after a fire has started. Now these two have a past and a future together to where when going back in the past Isabel has to work on her relationship with Diego when he is twenty something years old. Because of these fires something was uncovered which has caused the government to kidnap people who might know about it, one of the characters being Matt then later on Diego because his name is mentioned.
There are some sex scenes that I wasn’t too impressed with as it was going back and forth between Diego and Isabel when she went back into the past. It didn’t feel real in a way I guess you could say along with all the puns though at times they were funny sometimes they seemed over used but that is my opinion.
We start each chapter with a different P.O.V. it is either Isabel’s, Diego’s or Matt’s which it wasn’t hard to understand what was going on with three different views as it went together very well and it was not confusing.
With the help of different people Diego and Matt are able to build a time machine to go back in time to fix the world before it is gone to hell in a hand basket, though the question is will it work? I see this book is part of a series so I can only hope in the other books we learn if it works or not and what exactly does the relationship between Diego and Isabel have to do with saving the world. The characters are okay I did enjoy them until the future Isabel came back into the past to see Diego. Just the way they acted and talked bothered me, only thing I can guess is because of the ages? I honestly can not put my finger on it. I do plan on reading the rest in this series to see if we get some answers to the world being saved by love.
I have never been a big reader on time traveling as it has never appealed to me, but when I read the blurb of this book I figured I would jump out of my norm of reading and give it a go.
Now I wasn’t disappointed in the book as it was good, but I felt it had more romance in the book than anything and maybe this is what was intended. We start off with the story in a post-apocalyptic world where our main character Isabel is buying a gun and it makes us wonder oh what caused this scene. After that chapter of the buying of the gun we are then thrown into the present world where we meet Diego and him saving Isabel after a fire has started. Now these two have a past and a future together to where when going back in the past Isabel has to work on her relationship with Diego when he is twenty something years old. Because of these fires something was uncovered which has caused the government to kidnap people who might know about it, one of the characters being Matt then later on Diego because his name is mentioned.
There are some sex scenes that I wasn’t too impressed with as it was going back and forth between Diego and Isabel when she went back into the past. It didn’t feel real in a way I guess you could say along with all the puns though at times they were funny sometimes they seemed over used but that is my opinion.
We start each chapter with a different P.O.V. it is either Isabel’s, Diego’s or Matt’s which it wasn’t hard to understand what was going on with three different views as it went together very well and it was not confusing.
With the help of different people Diego and Matt are able to build a time machine to go back in time to fix the world before it is gone to hell in a hand basket, though the question is will it work? I see this book is part of a series so I can only hope in the other books we learn if it works or not and what exactly does the relationship between Diego and Isabel have to do with saving the world. The characters are okay I did enjoy them until the future Isabel came back into the past to see Diego. Just the way they acted and talked bothered me, only thing I can guess is because of the ages? I honestly can not put my finger on it. I do plan on reading the rest in this series to see if we get some answers to the world being saved by love.
October 19, 2015
“Oh, come on. Drama is just life with the dull bits cut out.”
“Well, I’m ready for a long patch of boredom”.
Spoken a little too soon, I am afraid. Yet, I am also glad.
This book was kindly sent to me by its author in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for the opportunity, D.L. Orton. It was an absolute pleasure (I am pretty sure Isabel and Diego would insert a universe of jokes here)!
In one word? I guess I would go with intriguing. At first I felt a bit lost, like I had boarded a plane with a very specific destiny in mind and yet ended up going through an emergency landing in the middle of the apocalypse. I could smell it. Yes, the descriptions are that good. Anyway, before you start seeing the light at the end of the tunnel you are taken back ten months, a long time before you even considered the tunnel’s existence. That’s when you officially meet Isabel and Diego.
Even if the romance feels a bit rushed at first (you kind of understand, later on, why they fell back into it so quickly), you will tend to ignore it as the plot thickens, becoming rather… addictive. From the moment of the big event, when you are introduced to yet another character, Matt, I just couldn’t seem to put the book down.
It’s clever, absolutely hilarious, full of epic references to pop culture and colored with a vast collection of puns that are just to die for.
.
If you enjoyed A Vision of Fire and have a thing for Einstein’s theory of relativity as well as time travel, this is the book for you. And there might even be a conspiracy! What else could one ask for?
“Well, I’m ready for a long patch of boredom”.
Spoken a little too soon, I am afraid. Yet, I am also glad.
This book was kindly sent to me by its author in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for the opportunity, D.L. Orton. It was an absolute pleasure (I am pretty sure Isabel and Diego would insert a universe of jokes here)!
In one word? I guess I would go with intriguing. At first I felt a bit lost, like I had boarded a plane with a very specific destiny in mind and yet ended up going through an emergency landing in the middle of the apocalypse. I could smell it. Yes, the descriptions are that good. Anyway, before you start seeing the light at the end of the tunnel you are taken back ten months, a long time before you even considered the tunnel’s existence. That’s when you officially meet Isabel and Diego.
Even if the romance feels a bit rushed at first (you kind of understand, later on, why they fell back into it so quickly), you will tend to ignore it as the plot thickens, becoming rather… addictive. From the moment of the big event, when you are introduced to yet another character, Matt, I just couldn’t seem to put the book down.
It’s clever, absolutely hilarious, full of epic references to pop culture and colored with a vast collection of puns that are just to die for.
.
If you enjoyed A Vision of Fire and have a thing for Einstein’s theory of relativity as well as time travel, this is the book for you. And there might even be a conspiracy! What else could one ask for?
June 23, 2020
I fell in love with this beautiful cover at first sight, and I just knew I HAD to read this book! It’s so mysterious and yet pretty and the colours – GAAH! It’s everything a cover should be! And then the blurb… I mean hello? TIME TRAVEL really sold me, but I loved the sound of everything!! I knew I was in for a great ride, and I wasn’t disappointed!
This sci-fi was such a quick and easy read, I definitely recommend it to everyone who loves sci-fi and dystopian novels, but also suspense, time-travel and romance! The story starts off with the main characters Isabel and Diego, the former couple meeting again after years of being apart. Even in just this first encounter you can feel it sizzling between these two – a point I thorougly enjoyed throughout the novel.
I was expecting the time-travel aspect to happen earlier on in the story, but the fact that it did actually happen later in time did not disappoint me. Instead, the story revolves more around the second-chance romance between Isabel and Diego. Isabel’s ex-husband Dave makes quite a few appearances too, and every time he was there I wanted to climb inside the book and strangle him. Every. Time!!! Poor Isabel. All the nicer it was to see her and Diego together. Their passion for each other was mirrored in all their movements and dialogue and it was woven like a red thread through the book.
Although, how tragic is that? Just as they have met again after years and years apart, the world around Isabel and Diego is beginning to fall apart, and even though they both plan for the worst case scneario, tragedy after tragedy strikes, and we get a glimpse at how fragile society actually is. (If the past months didn’t show you, you will learn this here.)
If you want to read my longer and more detailed review, head on over to my blog:
https://theartsyreader.com/thewritere...
4 stars from me for this beautiful, thrilling and captivating second-chance time travel romance!
This sci-fi was such a quick and easy read, I definitely recommend it to everyone who loves sci-fi and dystopian novels, but also suspense, time-travel and romance! The story starts off with the main characters Isabel and Diego, the former couple meeting again after years of being apart. Even in just this first encounter you can feel it sizzling between these two – a point I thorougly enjoyed throughout the novel.
I was expecting the time-travel aspect to happen earlier on in the story, but the fact that it did actually happen later in time did not disappoint me. Instead, the story revolves more around the second-chance romance between Isabel and Diego. Isabel’s ex-husband Dave makes quite a few appearances too, and every time he was there I wanted to climb inside the book and strangle him. Every. Time!!! Poor Isabel. All the nicer it was to see her and Diego together. Their passion for each other was mirrored in all their movements and dialogue and it was woven like a red thread through the book.
Although, how tragic is that? Just as they have met again after years and years apart, the world around Isabel and Diego is beginning to fall apart, and even though they both plan for the worst case scneario, tragedy after tragedy strikes, and we get a glimpse at how fragile society actually is. (If the past months didn’t show you, you will learn this here.)
If you want to read my longer and more detailed review, head on over to my blog:
https://theartsyreader.com/thewritere...
4 stars from me for this beautiful, thrilling and captivating second-chance time travel romance!
June 21, 2020
So this book has a lot of scientific terms which I was not familiar with even though I love reading Science Fiction. But I adored this book. So the plot of the story is very similar to what is happening now with this virus and they have to find a vaccine. The story line was so fast paced but in a good way. And the book got over soon. The characters were well written, especially Isabel. She was my favourite character. But there are times in the book I didn't like her. But the story which follows her is really very good, and she does develop as a character. Overall I liked this book and it went on to explain different concepts of time travel I hadn't read.
Rating-4/5🍪
*received an e-copy on exchange of an honest review!🌸
Rating-4/5🍪
*received an e-copy on exchange of an honest review!🌸
July 25, 2020
This originally appeared at The Irresponsible Reader.
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Typically, when I post about an Audiobook, I close with a discussion about the narrator(s). But I'm going to start with it this time because Levine and deWard did such a great job, they're the highlight of the experience for me.*
* This is not a slight against the novel. They were just that good.
In my experience, when there is a male narrator and a female narrator—the female will read all the narration and dialogue in the female character POV chapters, and the male will read all the narration and dialogue in the male character POV chapters. But here, deWard reads all the female dialogue, no matter the narrator (and vice versa). That's a nice touch, and once I got used to it, I really appreciated it. Particularly, it helped the conversations between characters feel like conversations—there was a little bit of talking over each other, and so on. And when the two laughed together? That was either fantastic work by the narrators or by the editor (or both).
Levine, particularly when he was narrating the main male protagonist, sounded like a guy recounting a story from his past to a friend—and I could've listened to him all day. deWard was almost as good (the main female protagonist character was never as relaxed, so it would be out of character to sound that way—so it may be unfair to compare like that). They both made all the characters come alive (even the few I'd rather hadn't)—and made the experience richer.
This is a Romance/Science Fiction story. It's heavy on the romance (too heavy for my taste) and the SF is a wild, multi-dimensional/time travel story with the fate of the human race (throughout the multiverse) hanging in the balance. Orton typically balances the focused story on the central romance and the wider, all-humankind story really well—but she has a tendency to over-focus on the love story. That's going to delight many readers/listeners, but it was a stumbling block for me. Both are told with heart and humor (not getting in the way of drama), that will suck you in and not let you go.
I don't really know how to summarize the setup of the book in a paragraph or two—and the Book Blurb gives away a bit too much (but really is an entertaining blurb), so I'm not going to get into it more than I did in that last paragraph. Just trust me on this—if you like the feel of what I'm describing, give this a shot.*
* Or, fine, read the Spotlight where I've copied the Blurb.
The characters—from minor to major—are wonderfully drawn and fully-developed. There are a couple of characters that are technically allies to the protagonists (and humanity in general, but function largely as antagonists. And man, I really didn't like them at all—just as I wasn't supposed to. But those that you were supposed to like? I just wanted to spend more time with them all—the point-of-view characters in particular.
There are some wonderful dogs throughout the book, and I fully expect that they'll be pretty important before the trilogy ends. For those of you who prefer felines, there's one of them, too—and the inclusion of the inferior pet doesn't hurt things at all.*
* Man, I hope that comes across as tongue-in-cheek.
As I said, this is the beginning of a trilogy and ends in a way that practically demands moving on to the next volume as soon as possible (which is easy as the entire trilogy is published)—while not really a cliff-hanger, it sure works like one.
This was a fun novel—even if it's not really my cup of tea. I'd probably give it a 3-3 1/2 Stars, a fun read that I'd recommend...but that narration knocks it up to 4 (maybe I should give it a 4 1/2), a strong recommendation from me.
There's a little too much romance in this Romance/Science Fiction for my taste—but it's a compelling and entertaining read full of wonderfully drawn characters. I strongly recommend the audiobook, but if that's not your thing, I expect the print edition will almost be as good.
My thanks to The Write Reads for the invitation to participate in this tour and the materials they provided.
---
Typically, when I post about an Audiobook, I close with a discussion about the narrator(s). But I'm going to start with it this time because Levine and deWard did such a great job, they're the highlight of the experience for me.*
* This is not a slight against the novel. They were just that good.
In my experience, when there is a male narrator and a female narrator—the female will read all the narration and dialogue in the female character POV chapters, and the male will read all the narration and dialogue in the male character POV chapters. But here, deWard reads all the female dialogue, no matter the narrator (and vice versa). That's a nice touch, and once I got used to it, I really appreciated it. Particularly, it helped the conversations between characters feel like conversations—there was a little bit of talking over each other, and so on. And when the two laughed together? That was either fantastic work by the narrators or by the editor (or both).
Levine, particularly when he was narrating the main male protagonist, sounded like a guy recounting a story from his past to a friend—and I could've listened to him all day. deWard was almost as good (the main female protagonist character was never as relaxed, so it would be out of character to sound that way—so it may be unfair to compare like that). They both made all the characters come alive (even the few I'd rather hadn't)—and made the experience richer.
This is a Romance/Science Fiction story. It's heavy on the romance (too heavy for my taste) and the SF is a wild, multi-dimensional/time travel story with the fate of the human race (throughout the multiverse) hanging in the balance. Orton typically balances the focused story on the central romance and the wider, all-humankind story really well—but she has a tendency to over-focus on the love story. That's going to delight many readers/listeners, but it was a stumbling block for me. Both are told with heart and humor (not getting in the way of drama), that will suck you in and not let you go.
I don't really know how to summarize the setup of the book in a paragraph or two—and the Book Blurb gives away a bit too much (but really is an entertaining blurb), so I'm not going to get into it more than I did in that last paragraph. Just trust me on this—if you like the feel of what I'm describing, give this a shot.*
* Or, fine, read the Spotlight where I've copied the Blurb.
The characters—from minor to major—are wonderfully drawn and fully-developed. There are a couple of characters that are technically allies to the protagonists (and humanity in general, but function largely as antagonists. And man, I really didn't like them at all—just as I wasn't supposed to. But those that you were supposed to like? I just wanted to spend more time with them all—the point-of-view characters in particular.
There are some wonderful dogs throughout the book, and I fully expect that they'll be pretty important before the trilogy ends. For those of you who prefer felines, there's one of them, too—and the inclusion of the inferior pet doesn't hurt things at all.*
* Man, I hope that comes across as tongue-in-cheek.
As I said, this is the beginning of a trilogy and ends in a way that practically demands moving on to the next volume as soon as possible (which is easy as the entire trilogy is published)—while not really a cliff-hanger, it sure works like one.
This was a fun novel—even if it's not really my cup of tea. I'd probably give it a 3-3 1/2 Stars, a fun read that I'd recommend...but that narration knocks it up to 4 (maybe I should give it a 4 1/2), a strong recommendation from me.
There's a little too much romance in this Romance/Science Fiction for my taste—but it's a compelling and entertaining read full of wonderfully drawn characters. I strongly recommend the audiobook, but if that's not your thing, I expect the print edition will almost be as good.
My thanks to The Write Reads for the invitation to participate in this tour and the materials they provided.
June 12, 2020
I want to thank #TheWriteReads, Rocky Mountain Press, and the author for sending me a free e-book in exchange for an honest review!
If you don’t know, science fiction is my favorite genre right after fantasy. I’ve loved it since I was a young reader and continue to enjoy it to this day, though I don’t read it nearly as much as fantasy. That being said, there is one aspect of science fiction that has always thrown me off: time travel. I don’t know… I just can’t wrap my mind around it! Whenever I’ve read a book involving time travel, I find myself getting caught up trying to make it make sense and it usually never does. So I had a little trepidation when I discovered that Crossing in Time was centered around the concept.
Thankfully, though this book definitely delves into time travel, there’s so much more to it that kept me intrigued. This was an intensely fast-paced novel that kept me on my toes the entire time! We are thrown directly into the action, meeting one of our main characters, Isabel, as she’s learning to navigate the world after some unnamed disaster has left it in devastation. We’re only with her for a little while before we’re whisked back to the past to see how this story all began and to meet our other main character, Diego. Isabel and Diego’s love story is another core element of this book and possibly the key to saving the world.
I have to say, the pacing of this book is top notch! It’s a longer story, coming in at 412 pages, but the pages flew by. I was so wrapped up in Isabel and Diego’s story that I just couldn’t look away! This is definitely a compulsively readable book that won’t leave you feeling bored at all. The plot can get a tad convoluted, but I think it did a great job of not getting too confusing, even with all the different dimensions and timelines! I will say that there were some plot points that I felt could have simply been mentioned as opposed to written on-page, like the miscarriage. I can see why it could be an important part of the plot, but the graphic depiction personally seemed like it was mostly there for shock value. Still, this was a quick, fun read that kept me engaged the entire time.
Now, let’s talk about the romance. Though I was rooting for Isabel and Diego, I have to be honest, it was hard to do. Mostly because Isabel is absolutely insufferable! I’m surprised there is any universe where Diego doesn’t just give up on her needy, game-playing, obnoxious ass. I understand (kind of… since Isabel is terrible at communicating even though she demands that Diego be better at communicating… ugh) that she has been hurt in the past and has a ton of baggage, but watching her take it out on Diego just made me want to raaaaaaage! I’m not saying Diego is perfect and I’m not saying Isabel needs to be, but I find it hard to get behind a relationship where one of the people is constantly testing the other one. Just… no thank you. That being said, I also hate the miscommunication trope and I know that’s a lot of people’s jam, so, though I couldn’t get into it, I still think it was well-written and could definitely be someone’s cup of tea!
Final thoughts: This is a thrilling, sci-fi romance that is intensely readable. Once you fall into Isabel and Diego’s story, you can’t help but want more! Though I wasn’t a huge fan of the romance, it was well-written and definitely steamy. If you like your romance with a healthy dose of tension and wibbly wobbly, timey wimey stuff, I think you’ll love Crossing in Time!
If you don’t know, science fiction is my favorite genre right after fantasy. I’ve loved it since I was a young reader and continue to enjoy it to this day, though I don’t read it nearly as much as fantasy. That being said, there is one aspect of science fiction that has always thrown me off: time travel. I don’t know… I just can’t wrap my mind around it! Whenever I’ve read a book involving time travel, I find myself getting caught up trying to make it make sense and it usually never does. So I had a little trepidation when I discovered that Crossing in Time was centered around the concept.
Thankfully, though this book definitely delves into time travel, there’s so much more to it that kept me intrigued. This was an intensely fast-paced novel that kept me on my toes the entire time! We are thrown directly into the action, meeting one of our main characters, Isabel, as she’s learning to navigate the world after some unnamed disaster has left it in devastation. We’re only with her for a little while before we’re whisked back to the past to see how this story all began and to meet our other main character, Diego. Isabel and Diego’s love story is another core element of this book and possibly the key to saving the world.
I have to say, the pacing of this book is top notch! It’s a longer story, coming in at 412 pages, but the pages flew by. I was so wrapped up in Isabel and Diego’s story that I just couldn’t look away! This is definitely a compulsively readable book that won’t leave you feeling bored at all. The plot can get a tad convoluted, but I think it did a great job of not getting too confusing, even with all the different dimensions and timelines! I will say that there were some plot points that I felt could have simply been mentioned as opposed to written on-page, like the miscarriage. I can see why it could be an important part of the plot, but the graphic depiction personally seemed like it was mostly there for shock value. Still, this was a quick, fun read that kept me engaged the entire time.
Now, let’s talk about the romance. Though I was rooting for Isabel and Diego, I have to be honest, it was hard to do. Mostly because Isabel is absolutely insufferable! I’m surprised there is any universe where Diego doesn’t just give up on her needy, game-playing, obnoxious ass. I understand (kind of… since Isabel is terrible at communicating even though she demands that Diego be better at communicating… ugh) that she has been hurt in the past and has a ton of baggage, but watching her take it out on Diego just made me want to raaaaaaage! I’m not saying Diego is perfect and I’m not saying Isabel needs to be, but I find it hard to get behind a relationship where one of the people is constantly testing the other one. Just… no thank you. That being said, I also hate the miscommunication trope and I know that’s a lot of people’s jam, so, though I couldn’t get into it, I still think it was well-written and could definitely be someone’s cup of tea!
Final thoughts: This is a thrilling, sci-fi romance that is intensely readable. Once you fall into Isabel and Diego’s story, you can’t help but want more! Though I wasn’t a huge fan of the romance, it was well-written and definitely steamy. If you like your romance with a healthy dose of tension and wibbly wobbly, timey wimey stuff, I think you’ll love Crossing in Time!
July 5, 2017
I received Crossing in Time in exchange for an honest review.
I love this genre and tend to be weary of writers doing this genre a great disservice. Perhaps its just me, but I feel like authors need to give science fiction a lot more attention than other genres. I started reading this book with one expectation, that I wouldn't have to do more than shelf my obvious knowledge of reality from the first page to the last page. I wasn't disappointed.
The characters are well developed, even the supporting/minor characters were formed well. A lot happens, at some points, this is a quick paced story. Different story lines are woven around one major detail, the world is in danger... we are all in danger. The two main characters, Isabel and Diego have been through a lot, with each other. They cross paths on the day that changes everything. So it becomes clear to them that they need each other when survival is on the line. I got a little frustrated with Isabel a few times. I wanted to pull her aside and have a chat. It felt like she needed a friend to help her pull herself together. DL Orton made two female characters that I wouldn't mind having lunch with. And... maybe then Cassie could give Isabel some advice on Diego. A well-written evil or just plain awful character can make or break a story. We all need at least one person to love to hate. I thoroughly enjoyed disliking Dave. Dave the self-absorbed tool. Everyone knows a person like that, everyone.
I read science fiction wearily. I love the genre, but, there is a lot of work out there that is just too far past 'suspended belief plausibility'. This story isn't like that. Not only is it believable, most of it is possible. In my opinion, this book is for readers who love science fiction, clean romance, and/or suspense.
** SPOILER ALERT ** SPOILER ALERT ** SPOILER ALERT ** SPOILER ALERT ** SPOILER ALERT**
In the second part of this book, things get serious. Dumb, inconsiderate agents start kidnapping some of the smartest people in the country and keeping them in a rather creepy bunker. The bunker, an underground city, deep in a mountain. Professor Matt Hudson, Sergeant Major Colton Richter, Cassandra the math genius, and quite a few others work together to understand the otherworldly tools they were given and save what's left of humanity.
I didn't miss the similarities between this books replacement president and his cabinet, the president from the movie Idiocracy, and a current events situation. Something about that detail and the way nature changed so quickly after a devastating event, made me think. It made me think more than I usually do about what human beings are doing to this planet and each other.
I couldn't understand some of Isabel's behavior around a much younger Diego (Tego). Some of it really seemed irrational and almost out of character for her. I chocked it up to time travel and grief affecting everything. Overall I very much enjoyed this book and would definitely recommend it.
I love this genre and tend to be weary of writers doing this genre a great disservice. Perhaps its just me, but I feel like authors need to give science fiction a lot more attention than other genres. I started reading this book with one expectation, that I wouldn't have to do more than shelf my obvious knowledge of reality from the first page to the last page. I wasn't disappointed.
The characters are well developed, even the supporting/minor characters were formed well. A lot happens, at some points, this is a quick paced story. Different story lines are woven around one major detail, the world is in danger... we are all in danger. The two main characters, Isabel and Diego have been through a lot, with each other. They cross paths on the day that changes everything. So it becomes clear to them that they need each other when survival is on the line. I got a little frustrated with Isabel a few times. I wanted to pull her aside and have a chat. It felt like she needed a friend to help her pull herself together. DL Orton made two female characters that I wouldn't mind having lunch with. And... maybe then Cassie could give Isabel some advice on Diego. A well-written evil or just plain awful character can make or break a story. We all need at least one person to love to hate. I thoroughly enjoyed disliking Dave. Dave the self-absorbed tool. Everyone knows a person like that, everyone.
I read science fiction wearily. I love the genre, but, there is a lot of work out there that is just too far past 'suspended belief plausibility'. This story isn't like that. Not only is it believable, most of it is possible. In my opinion, this book is for readers who love science fiction, clean romance, and/or suspense.
** SPOILER ALERT ** SPOILER ALERT ** SPOILER ALERT ** SPOILER ALERT ** SPOILER ALERT**
In the second part of this book, things get serious. Dumb, inconsiderate agents start kidnapping some of the smartest people in the country and keeping them in a rather creepy bunker. The bunker, an underground city, deep in a mountain. Professor Matt Hudson, Sergeant Major Colton Richter, Cassandra the math genius, and quite a few others work together to understand the otherworldly tools they were given and save what's left of humanity.
I didn't miss the similarities between this books replacement president and his cabinet, the president from the movie Idiocracy, and a current events situation. Something about that detail and the way nature changed so quickly after a devastating event, made me think. It made me think more than I usually do about what human beings are doing to this planet and each other.
I couldn't understand some of Isabel's behavior around a much younger Diego (Tego). Some of it really seemed irrational and almost out of character for her. I chocked it up to time travel and grief affecting everything. Overall I very much enjoyed this book and would definitely recommend it.
July 23, 2015
With rich detail, lots of plot twists, and a trio cast of delightful and easy-to-love characters, Crossing in Time by D.L. Orton is an absolute joy to read. Rather than bore you with the premise and plot (the book blurb tells you what you need to know), I'd rather spend time highlight the areas where Crossing in Time really shines.
Plunging the reader right into a bleak and dystopian possible future, Crossing in Time doesn't waste any time. I was immediately transfixed and carried into a beautifully paced storyline. With crossing POVs between the three main characters, there isn't a dull moment in the book. If you're looking for a fast-paced and engaging beach read, this is an excellent choice.
Like most truly good contemporary fiction, Crossing in Time is a seamless cross-genre blend, with a sci-fi premise, a romantic focus, and a touch of thriller. Science Fiction isn't the weird little cousin anymore, and much of 21st century entertainment is based on the possibilities and hazards of our over-technological culture. It's a natural premise setting for any novel that deals with human nature and interaction in the contemporary novel. The heart and yes, even the main plot arc, is the romance between two of the main characters, Iz and Diego, and the author's focus on this aspect makes this an accessible novel for those who would not normally read a sci-fi novel. Weaving these two approaches is the novel structure, touches of a technological thriller that never lets go.
Isabel is the main protagonist, and the best-developed character. She's easy to like and although she's extremely competent, she's also very relatable. Diego takes some time to get to know, but it's a gentle and natural process of revealing his character that never feels forced and never makes him out to be a romance stereotype. In fact, Diego not following the romance model of "alpha male" was a relief. He's a real person. Matt, who works in the book as a sort of objective narrator is both sympathetic and fun. All three characters are subtlety and delightfully fully developed. They're the kind of people you'd want to hang with.
Crossing in Time has a little something for everyone: drama, romance, sex, sci-fi, doomsday scenarios, shoot 'em ups, and breathtaking action scenes. It never talks down to readers, nor does it patronizingly exploit genre tropes. It's an intelligent read, which is my highest compliment. I'm very much looking forward to the future installments of this series.
Plunging the reader right into a bleak and dystopian possible future, Crossing in Time doesn't waste any time. I was immediately transfixed and carried into a beautifully paced storyline. With crossing POVs between the three main characters, there isn't a dull moment in the book. If you're looking for a fast-paced and engaging beach read, this is an excellent choice.
Like most truly good contemporary fiction, Crossing in Time is a seamless cross-genre blend, with a sci-fi premise, a romantic focus, and a touch of thriller. Science Fiction isn't the weird little cousin anymore, and much of 21st century entertainment is based on the possibilities and hazards of our over-technological culture. It's a natural premise setting for any novel that deals with human nature and interaction in the contemporary novel. The heart and yes, even the main plot arc, is the romance between two of the main characters, Iz and Diego, and the author's focus on this aspect makes this an accessible novel for those who would not normally read a sci-fi novel. Weaving these two approaches is the novel structure, touches of a technological thriller that never lets go.
Isabel is the main protagonist, and the best-developed character. She's easy to like and although she's extremely competent, she's also very relatable. Diego takes some time to get to know, but it's a gentle and natural process of revealing his character that never feels forced and never makes him out to be a romance stereotype. In fact, Diego not following the romance model of "alpha male" was a relief. He's a real person. Matt, who works in the book as a sort of objective narrator is both sympathetic and fun. All three characters are subtlety and delightfully fully developed. They're the kind of people you'd want to hang with.
Crossing in Time has a little something for everyone: drama, romance, sex, sci-fi, doomsday scenarios, shoot 'em ups, and breathtaking action scenes. It never talks down to readers, nor does it patronizingly exploit genre tropes. It's an intelligent read, which is my highest compliment. I'm very much looking forward to the future installments of this series.
June 19, 2020
I was asked to join a blogtour for this book and I'm very happy that I was. Crossing in Time is not my usual genre, its sci fi (which I like) and romance (which I don't usually pick up but can take or leave). And it's an interesting mix. I would say the romance elements are heavier than the science fiction, but I don't think they overwhelm them (most of the time).
It's extremely fast paced and very well written, especially considering (I think?) it is self-published, or from a very small indy press.
We start out in a post apocalyptic waste land with our main character Isabel trying to survive in a harsh, nasty world. It really throws you in at the deep end and from there the pace does not let up. We jump back to the present day, or well a near and possibly slightly alternative(?) future.
Isabel has just gone through a messy divorce and meets her old boyfriend, a guy who she probably should have been with all along. This is where we meet my favourite character in the book (more so than Isabel, who can be a bit annoying at times).
Diego, Isabel's love interest, is more than just a supporting character for her. He is the co-main character. And this is where the idea behind the book starts to emerge. It reminds me of the butterfly effect movie. What would have happened if Isabel and Diego had never broken up? It seems like it would have changed and possibly saved the world. At least that is what Diego is told when he is abducted by the government to study a strange time travelling sphere that fell out of the sky.
Sorry, I might be getting a bit spoilery I just think the plot is really strong. I'll try to tell the rest without giving away too much more of that plot. Anyway, we have a real doomsday scenario which echoes what is going on in the real world right now and Diego and Isabel have to literally travel through time to prevent it from happening.
One of them successfully travels (something unclear happens to the other resulting in a big twist at the end of the book and lining up the sequel).
Without saying too much about what happens when the person travels, let's just say very heavy romance. But it is pretty well done.
In case you can't tell, I really liked this one. For me the first half was a total 5 star read, really fast paced and exciting. The second half was still good but Isabel was possibly a little irritating at times. 4 star read.
Overall a 4.5 star excellent read, extremely fast paced and a massive recommendation. Rounding up to 5 stars for goodreads.
I bought the sequel. Do I need to say more?
It's extremely fast paced and very well written, especially considering (I think?) it is self-published, or from a very small indy press.
We start out in a post apocalyptic waste land with our main character Isabel trying to survive in a harsh, nasty world. It really throws you in at the deep end and from there the pace does not let up. We jump back to the present day, or well a near and possibly slightly alternative(?) future.
Isabel has just gone through a messy divorce and meets her old boyfriend, a guy who she probably should have been with all along. This is where we meet my favourite character in the book (more so than Isabel, who can be a bit annoying at times).
Diego, Isabel's love interest, is more than just a supporting character for her. He is the co-main character. And this is where the idea behind the book starts to emerge. It reminds me of the butterfly effect movie. What would have happened if Isabel and Diego had never broken up? It seems like it would have changed and possibly saved the world. At least that is what Diego is told when he is abducted by the government to study a strange time travelling sphere that fell out of the sky.
Sorry, I might be getting a bit spoilery I just think the plot is really strong. I'll try to tell the rest without giving away too much more of that plot. Anyway, we have a real doomsday scenario which echoes what is going on in the real world right now and Diego and Isabel have to literally travel through time to prevent it from happening.
One of them successfully travels (something unclear happens to the other resulting in a big twist at the end of the book and lining up the sequel).
Without saying too much about what happens when the person travels, let's just say very heavy romance. But it is pretty well done.
In case you can't tell, I really liked this one. For me the first half was a total 5 star read, really fast paced and exciting. The second half was still good but Isabel was possibly a little irritating at times. 4 star read.
Overall a 4.5 star excellent read, extremely fast paced and a massive recommendation. Rounding up to 5 stars for goodreads.
I bought the sequel. Do I need to say more?
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