Time Lottery

Time Lottery #1

by Nancy Moser

 

Who wouldn't like another shot at "the road not taken?" Three people get their wish when they win a chance to travel back into their own lives and enter a new 'Alternate Reality', or their "Alternity" a second chance at life. During one hour of clarity each will decide whether to say in their 'Alternity' or return to their place in the present, with a life made richer from the experience.

Winner of the 2002 Christy Award for best inspirational fiction in its genre... 

The entire population of the United States waits to hear the announcement of the three winners of the new Time Lottery--where the prize isn't money but a chance to go back into their own lives and change something. Though the odds are absurd, hope is high. The spoils are too exciting to resist. Everyone can think of a time in their lives they would like to relive. Everyone has an 'if only' that hangs over them-a dream or a regret that enters their thoughts repeatedly.

The three Time Lottery winners will be privileged to travel back in time in order to relive a portion of their lives in their Alternate Reality--their Alternity. They enter the past without the burden (or advantage) of remembering what happened the first time around. Yet through the technology of the Time Lottery, they will make a different choice, and live out different results.

After one week in their pasts, the time-travelers will be given an hour of Dual-Consciousness, a condition where they will be able to see both their lives with full knowledge. At this point they will face a unique decision. They can stay in the past--where the Dual-Consciousness will fade and they will live out their lives oblivious of the future. Or, they can return to the present, their lives made richer from their experience.

And the winners

PHOEBE THURGOOD

Phoebe Winston Thurgood is a San Francisco socialite. She has two grown children, every material possession ever coveted, and a husband who is consumed with making money-which she is happy to spend. She has always wondered what her life would have been like if she had not become rich and idle; if she not been so weak and complacent in regards to Colin's unethical exploits; if she had not been unhappy. She returns to 1969 when she was the secretary of an ambitious new employee, Colin Thurgood, at Hopner, Wagner, and Greenfield.

ROOSEVELT HAZEN

Roosevelt Hazen is homeless.  He has a lot of what-if questions to choose from.  But will he get his chance to go back in time?  The odds are against him.

CHERYL NICKOLBY

Cheryl is a single, forty-five-year-old surgeon in Boulder, Colorado. Her one regret is that she is alone. The joys of a husband and family have eluded her. Although she's had numerous lovers, she has never found a partner. No one in her recent past interests her, but there was one guy, back in high school . . . might he be up for a little commitment if given a second chance? She returns to 1973 . . .

Meanwhile, back in the present...

Alexander MacMillan's job is to market the Time Lottery and be the liaison between the company and the winners. His association with the Time Lottery is no accident. Mac was drawn to the organization after his wife was brutally murdered, leaving Mac alone to raise 5-year-old Anthony. If only he could go back before Holly was killed....

Make sure you check out three more winners of the Time Lottery in Second Time Around, book #2 in the Time Lottery series.

Genres: Christian Fiction, Fiction, Christian, Time Travel, Science Fiction, Fantasy, Contemporary

384 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published August 1, 2002

About the author

Nancy Moser is the author of over forty books. Her award-winning stories will inspire you to discover your unique God-given purpose. Her genres include both contemporary and historical stories, inspirational humor, and children's books.

Her newest release, "An Undiscovered Life" is about an elderly woman who wants her family to know about her "before" life—her life before them. It's inspired by Nancy's mother who died in 2020 at age 99. It's a poignant, inspiring family story.

Another newer release is "Eyes of Our Heart" which showcases a group of ordinary people who are called to discover where God is working in their lives--and join Him.

Another recent release is "The Shop Keepers", book #3 of the Pattern Artist series about a group of women designing fashion and opening their own store in 1911-19 New York City. The first book in the series, "The Pattern Artist", was a finalist for a Romantic Times award.

Other titles include the time-travel historicals, "Where Time Will Take Me", "Where Life Will Lead Me", and the Downton Abbey-inspired Manor House Series beginning with "Love of the Summerfields."

Her historical bio-novels allow real women-of-history to share their life stories: "Just Jane" (Jane Austen), "Mozart's Sister" (Nannerl Mozart),"Washington's Lady" (Martha Washington) and "How Do I Love Thee?" (Elizabeth Barrett Browning.)

"An Unlikely Suitor" was named to Booklist's Top 100 Romance Novels of the last decade. Nancy's time-travel novel, "Time Lottery", won a Christy Award, and "Washington's Lady" was a finalist. Her contemporary books are known for their big-casts and intricate plotting.

Some contemporary titles are "The Invitation", "John 3: 16", "The Sister Circle", and "The Seat Beside Me."

Nancy and her husband live in the Midwest. She's earned a degree in architecture, traveled extensively in Europe, and has performed in numerous theaters, symphonies, and choirs. She is a fan of anything antique--humans included.

Website: nancymoser.com

Reviews

[Fergus, Weaver of Autistic Webs · Rating 4 out of 5]

As I said just now to a guy who (hopefully) will become my new GR friend, Lawrence - a believer as open-minded as I may one day be - I agree with his rating.

I too give this AMAZING book Four Full Stars! Why, especially as I belong to the Catholic Church!? We're pretty wary...

Well, it's because - as the Old Hymn (almost) says,

When we've been there Ten Thousand Years
Bright, shining as the Sun
We know we'd love to come back here -
If souls still CAN BE WON!

It’s just amazing, this Grace.

This amazing story was a winner of the coveted Christy Award. It’s all based on the scenario of a gigantic Cosmic Lottery…

‘If you could change ONE THING in your life, what would it be?´ That’s the million dollar question, and if you WIN, you get to change your life! And wouldn’t YOU love to win nonstop happiness in YOUR life?

Heh, heh… I’m just a slow old codger now myself, an old guy who’s OD-ed on painful experiences throughout my long life. But, you know what?

Maybe the pain I sometimes see so clearly now wasn’t really there.

I’ll explain myself…

It’s like our whole life, once we give it over to the Lord, makes us feel pain - BECAUSE OF OUR DUMB MISTAKES. Get it? The pain is only in retrospect. That’s called Living Your Life On the Instalment Plan!

We pay our dues to God in small doses of repentance throughout our religious lives. And maybe - just maybe - as our devotion increases as a result of getting that Debt load of pain off our backs…

Getting into Heaven will be Easier!

Doncha think? If not, read on.

Our life is in fact a for-real Time Lottery. If we manage to repent of each misdeed before our time is up, we WIN it! We’ll know true happiness and peace, as I, at 72 have found more and more often.

So… want a good, fun book this weekend?

Read this.

For Every Word of It - symbolically speaking - is TRUE.

[Lawrence · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the best book I've ever read.

[Carol · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is another of those books that came from browsing in the stacks at our library.Time Lottery. The title drew me in and the cover blurb hooked me. "What would you do if you could do it all over again?"/ How many times do we ask ourselves that question. If I go back, if only I had, I wish I did, these thoughts visit us throughout our lives.

What if you really did have the chance to go back and change your own history? Nancy Moser gives three characters just this opportunity in Time Lottery. The story begins as Alexander MacMillan arrives home only to find his front door open. He's peeved. He's told his wife to be careful, to keep the door locked, to take precautions, as he often travels and worries about her and his son Andrew. Today's Andrew's fourth birthday and they are to celebrate with Andrew's favorite meal of hot dogs, lime Jell-O, and grape Kool-Aid. Calling out to his wife there's no answer. Walking through the house, continuing to call out, Alex finds them and nothing would be normal again. Flash forward in time and Alex is offered the opportunity to be the marketing rep of a company who plans to hold a time lottery and send 3 lucky winners back to any time in their lives they choose, a time that becomes their Alternity. They then could choose to remain in their Alternity or return to the present. As Alex understood this, "scientists had discovered a way to tap into a portion of the brain--they called it the Loop--where memories are stored, and somehow fix it so people could go back into their own pasts". For managing the lottery, Alex would be given the opportunity to go back before that tragic day when his life changed forever.

I enjoyed this exploration of the linguistics of time travel, the whats, the hows, the whys but also the reasons, the dreams, the hopes, the three winners could explore. Moser did a good job of fleshing out the three winners and their stories are interesting. I was not expecting the faith based approach she took . I am not a big fan of what I consider Christian fiction and this one is heavily based on the bible and scripture, but I was still able to appreciate the story for its premise.

Would I want to win this lottery? Whenever the question of returning to younger years come up I generally say no, but just picking up this book, gives pause that I might be more interested than I thought.

[Kristen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting read. If you could go back in your life knowing what you know now, what would you change? This made me want to live my life so that when I look back I don't have a wish that I had done something differently. I think I've become more assertive when something happens that I don't like. Change it NOW and then I can be happy.

(Can you tell I've just read The Tenant of Widfell Hall? Make the changes in your life that need to be made so you can be happy and at peace. Don't sit around in a bad situation wishing it could be better, because it won't unless YOU do something about it!)

[Eleisha Luck · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was very hard to put down once I picked it up and started to read it. I loved it and hope that more in the series is written. It talks about finding God in your past and how he is always with you even when you dont see it and that the dessions you make now will affect everything you do in your future.

[Honesty Alexander · Rating 2 out of 5]

The first half of the book wasn't bad. But after that it got way too religious. I could tell from the beginning that the author was Christian, but this was just too much. When I read a book I don't want to hear about F#CKING god. I don't run around shoving my religion in other people's faces and I expect that they return the favor.

[Lorna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this story! Intriguing plot -- 3 different people who win a chance to go back to their past (in an alternate reality)for one week, with the option at the end of the week to come back or to stay. A powerful story of the consequences of our choices and of the wonderful way God works in our lives.

[Robin Sampson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent read

Throughly enjoyed this even though it's not my genre. Well written, Time travel is probably a hard story to write (but this one is easy to comprehend because it's well written). It certainly made me think about my past and when I would change. And made me even more thankful for God's grace and mercy.

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was the first book I read by Nancy Moser. It has an interesting premise for examining life choices and their consequences. Also, how we cross paths with people and the effect they have on us. You can find this book and its sequel at the Cabell County Library.

[Sonya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very enjoyable read. Unusual combination of science fiction (time travel) and Christian fiction. I also enjoyed the sequel, "Second Time Around". I will definitely keep an eye out for more books by this author.

[Cordell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this a must read. I didn't think I would like it but, that ended up being false. I would also recommend it for group discussions. To keep from spoiling the story, I will summarize by saying, this book keeps me meditating on the goodness of God which is indescribable!

[Melissa (Semi Hiatus Until After the Holidays) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting premise. Company creates a way for people to go back and relive part of the past again.

[Colleen Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was a little skeptical when I started to read this but it just got better and better. A definite good read for anyone who wonders what they might have done differently.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

So far I'm liking this book...Not what I expected. There's a lot of do-good, religious messages in here.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great concept, and though it had some heavy topics, it was a quick, easy read.

[Jeanette Durkin · Rating 4 out of 5]

The title of this book really intrigued me, and I'm glad that I read it. I rated it 4 stars because sometimes the plot line was not too clear. The storyline is pretty cool. 3 people are chosen to go back into their past and decide if they want to stay in the past or go back to the present. Each person found their purpose and went on to their perspective futures. My favorite character is Mac. He's so nice, compassionate, and protective.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

If only

I have often wondered what it would be like to go back and change some things. While this story was not perfect it spoke to me. So much that we regret in the past can be made right. It won’t change what it was but we can change how we deal with the consequences. A very good book and I highly recommend it.

[Misa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Picked this one up at a library book sale thinking that it was going to be a time travel what-if little sci-fi thing. If I had bothered to open the book rather than just read the summary, I would've known that this was Christian Lit pretty dang quick, at least by the Bible verses that start each chapter. The Christian genre is not a favorite of mine, too often do the moral values and Christian lessons overshadow the plot and characters, but I decided to give this book my 50 page test; However, this book disappointed from the very get-go. Within the first four pages, the main character arrives home from a business trip to find his wife murdered and then we are told that he is Very Sad about this fact and that this is Important and we should care how much he misses this Very Important Person in his life (a character that never even got a single line to herself). The book might as well have sticky notes on it that say "Be sad here." and "Feel sympathetic now." And the rest of the characters are only a smidgeon better. All of them seem to have this fantastic ability to accurately describe what they are feeling at all times and exactly pinpoint their problems in their lives through their inner monologues. If only this book had more show and less tell, I probably could've gotten through it, but it really pulled me out of the plot very quickly. I did give this two stars because the actual writing isn't that bad, and the plot is somewhat interesting and the title and summary were enough to make me pick it up in the first place without knowing what I was getting into. Lesson learned: I will make a point to read the first chapter before buying my next new book.

[Jane]

What if you had a chance to go back in time and relive one decisive moment that changed the course of your life? Now, there is a way: The Time Lottery. The result of 22 years of scientific research, it's finally ready for the public. Three winners of this unique marriage between marketing and time-travel technology ear the chance to travel back into their alternate reality-their Alternity-to relive one moment they've always wished they could change..to revisit that what-if question that plagues them. But when one man murders a Time Lottery winner then takes his place, another tries to collect life insurance on his wife who's now in the past, and the police clamor to shut down the whole enterprise, it's time God to get involved. Or maybe He's been in on this whole thing from the beginning, using it for His own redemptive purposes all along the way...(less)

[Rebecca Reed · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant and Thought-provoking

This is at once a complicated and simple story. There is a depth of thought and theme that pushes the reader to examine his or her own past and consider what decisions should have been made differently. There is also the simplicity of finding what one is looking for and knowing in your heart that it is truly real. I recommend this book to anyone with regrets, past or present, to those seeking a new way, to those who understand the interconnectivity of human lives and the importance of doing the right thing regardless of whether it is endorsed by the world. I give this book 5 stars because of its plot, its wisdom, and its writing. I enjoyed the way the author wove the stories together and maintained the flow of the narrative while telling 3, no 4, separate stories. Great read!

[Tasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book!!! I couldn't put it down and didn't stop reading it until the end and picked up the next one. This is essential a time travel book. What if we could go back and take a different path from the one we are on now. Life gives us multiple oppotunities to go a different direction. What if we went to an out of state college instead of staying home with our parents. What if we would have married the guy from high school instead of getting a job and moving on. This book was about 3 people's chances to do just that. Take the other road and look back and see which one reality they liked better. I really enjoyed this book because it gave me a chance to look at my own life and think "what if.."

[Elissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It was a bit different than I had expected - and I like that! I thought it was going to be just a time travel story with a lesson or two learned. I think the author managed to make that idea have a lot more depth. It was an easy, quick read because I was dying to know the outcome! I was rooting for the three Time Lottery winners - plus Mac, as well. I was happy with the ending for each winner. I loved the unexpected connections, but most of all I loved the message that God is there for you even when you think you don't deserve Him - or when you just don't know you need him. I already put the second book on my wish list as a must buy!

[April Lyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this up a few months ago from the clearance rack of Family Christian. I've begged off inspirational romance, because it tends to be so unrealistic and contrived, but this book was actually kinda sci-fi.

It's about this corporation who discovers a way to isolate the portion of the brain that stores memories, and then manipulate the brain so that the person, in effect, "time travels" by remembering him or herself back to that period of time, and then living in the remembered state (like a dream, only one you don't come out of). It sounds pretty far-fetched, but it was written really well - it's actually very credible - and I would recommend it if you're into inspirational fiction.

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I picked this book from the library and didn't realize it was going to be an inspirational Christian book. The title kind of popped up at me. I read the cover and thought I'd give it a try. I soon saw there where a lot of bible passages in the book. I don't go to church nor do a practice any religion. I did however find the book very inspiring! The concept was fascinating and the characters were believable. I learned to love and hate some of the characters. All in all it was a book I could recommend! I only didn't rate it higher because I needed more closure with the characters, more epilogue!

[Evelyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an intriguing read. It ended well and the time travel aspect was explained enough to be believed without getting bogged down scientifically. The characters each seemed to have their own voice as the author transitioned between varying points of view. There was an error or two (word omissions) in the e-book edition but it didn't take away from the story itself. Not sure if that's an issue in the print edition. I would recommend this to anyone who has a choice in their life they've thought about doing over. Isn't that just about everyone?

[Larry · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book enough that I'm reading the follow up "Second Time Around" by the same author.

The best part about this book was the result of my own exploration into what I would do differently if I could go back.

I am a little disappointed in the portrayal of "time travel", seems more like a dream state than an "alternity", but the book still gets 4 stars. Decent characters - real people who have made mistakes (just like me). Interesting story line.

[Lynn O · Rating 4 out of 5]

science fiction. The three main characters in the story win a lottery that earns them the right to go back in time to any point in their lives and do things differently. Do they change their lives for the better or worse? Are they selfish in their desires, or altruistic? There is a slightly religious bent to this book, but it's helpful to see how faith can encourage people to act in positive ways, both for themselves, and toward others.

[Kathy Bennetch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, I loved this book. I love time travel books and this peeked my interest. It was well written, loved the concept of going back in your life with the option to stay or come back. The characters are very different and I loved the way they are all interrogated into each others time line. I love the spiritual aspects of the story that God hand is always available and nothing in our life is out of His control. Well done!.

[Milissa · Rating 2 out of 5]

The plot was interesting. But religion is not my thing. This book was too religious & cheesy for my liking. I like stories about morality...I just don't believe you need religion to live a moral life.

*I didn't know this book was Christian fiction until I started reading it...that info was covered by library stickers...I picked this up solely based on the story synopsis.

[Leslie aka StoreyBook Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really good book about how several lives intersected when they were given the opportunity to go back in time and see what might happen if they chose another path (or made a different decision). I thoughly enjoyed it and highly recommend it!