Detours in Time, #1

by Pamela Schloesser Canepa

Just how much could time travel change our lives?

Young, fiery Tabitha takes a whirlwind trip to the future with Milt, an awkward Science professor. Wonders and curiosities abound. However, their amazing journey soon becomes a race through a maze of challenges and difficult decisions.

When an unplanned detour occurs, the two set events into action that may have saved one life only to destroy another. Can these friends of completely different mindsets agree on a course of action that will get them back home without undoing the future they're growing so attached to?

Detours in Time is a fantastic escape that presents many moral dilemmas and surprises on a journey that will either destroy the strongest of friendships or bring two people even closer.

Find out why Detours in Time has been earning critical acclaim:
2017- Winner of a Literary Titan Award
2018- New Apple Summer E-book Awards, "Official Selection"
2018 - Reader's Favorite 5-Star Seal

Genres: Time Travel, Science Fiction, Fiction

303 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 16, 2017

About the author

By day, Pamela teaches Middle School English. By night, she travels to other worlds and times, placing herself in the persona of her characters, all while sitting in her favorite chair! She has enjoyed writing for various reasons ever since childhood, when she realized writing and making up stories would provide entertainment for long trips and keep her company. Her tendency toward fantastic stories was reflected in tales of discovering modern day dinosaurs and talking horses that would give her advice. The writing of poetry provided an outlet for private thoughts and emotions for years until she decided to self-publish fiction in 2016.

Pamela's genres include science fiction, paranormal fiction, and poetry of all types. The Made for Me series is Pamela's first published fiction series. She released her first full-length novel, Detours in Time, in the summer of 2017 and the sequel in 2018. Pamela currently juggles her day job with writing further novels in the Detours in Time world while cooking up more ideas for the character of Norrie from her Made for Me series.
Please also check my alternate site, http://pamscanepa1.allauthor.com/

Reviews

[Dianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars!
In the spirit of the most adventurous of explorers, Professor Milton Braddock and his best friend, the feisty Tabitha (aka: Pinky) travel through time conducting scientific studies of the eras they visit. An unlikely pair, their personal takes on what they witness and their witty repartee makes Pamela Schloesser Canepa’s DETOURS IN TIME a great way to spend a few hours in both another world and another time!

Travel with Milt and Pinky into the future where they find that not interfering with events an emotional impossibility, one change could spell disaster and too much knowledge going back to their own time may skew a future that directly impacts themselves. As Milt struggles with ethical details, Pinky is a “doer” who is more apt to rush in guns blazing, so to speak.

With some clever plot twists and attention to “future” details, Ms. Canepa has created a science fiction tale that is equal parts fun, fascinating, and thought-provoking! That little touch of timid romance is completely endearing as Milt stumbles and fumbles with his heart, partly in denial, when Pinky is around. Definitely a gem of an entertaining read!

I received this copy from Pamela Schloesser Canepa in exchange for my honest review.

Series: Detours in Time - Book 1
Publisher: Independently Published (June 16, 2017)
Publication Date: June 16, 2017
Genre: Scifi - Time Travel
Print Length: 305 pages
Available from: Amazon
For Reviews & More: http://tometender.blogspot.com

[J.N. Bedout · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would best describe this book as a safari into the near future. Milton and Pinky, the two main characters, explore a version of the America in the near future that is a vivid extrapolation of the current political chaos into an advanced police state. Hybrids were a very interesting feature of that future, and one that added some color to their encounters. The dynamic between the two main characters was well executed and kept me turning the pages despite stretches where not a lot happened in the plot. Half-way through, aside from the safari aspect, I wondered where the storyline was headed, and the conflict materialized in the second half. Time-hopping elements were well executed (like the situations dealing with the bombing), along with good explanations of their repercussions. By the end, both main open questions were partially resolved and setup the framework for the next installment.

[Marcha Fox · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Back to the Future" is one of my favorite movies of all time, and this book had various similarities. Who isn't fascinated with the concept of time travel and its various paradoxes? The characters in this story were vivid and engaging, a middle-aged professor named Milt and his younger female friend, Tabitha, whose nickname is Pinkie. Their time base is 1997. and they venture forward to 2047, and then back to 2018 due to a mishap while they were time-shifting. While it was supposed to be mostly a pleasure trip of exploration, much as we would visit a foreign country, naturally it turns into more.

Milt's curiosity as a scientist drives him to unearth information about his future as well as Pinky's, which has a strong impact on his outlook and motivation. The view of the future was well-done, with interesting political and scientific developments that influenced the popular culture, including a second civil war which has once again divided the USA. These were all presented in a credible manner which showed the author's great imagination and research skills regarding such things as body modification and hybridization. The growing feelings and budding romance between the main characters as their friendship evolves gave additional depth and interest to the story.

The author did not belabor the scientific aspects of time travel or why it might be possible, so it wasn't what I would consider "hard" sci-fi. In this story time travel wasn't available to everyone, only them, much like it was in "Back to the Future", since Milt was the one who initially discovered it. The expected paradoxes come into play, as well as moral and legal implications.

I really liked the author's straight-forward, family-friendly style, which moved along smoothly with a steady stream of suspense, action, and dialog. Additional plot twists toward the end set the stage for a sequel, which should be equally engaging. I look forward to what lies ahead for Milt and Pinkie as they seek to untangle the twisted web of time that results from their adventures.

[Bookworm86 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an intriguing read about time travel. Quite similar to the concepts of the film Back to the future and the consequences of changing just one thing and how it can affect the future. It did take a while for me to get into the plot but once I did I found it quite interesting and some of the ideas and characters brilliant and we'll developed. I did find that the end was more of a "sizzle" rather than a "bang" which it could have been. However very interesting concept. Unfortunately due to the ending that I found slightly disappointing and that I did struggle during some parts the book lost a point. Well done to the author for creating and intriguing and unique storyline. Recommend to fans of time travel and Sci fi
FREE ON KINDLE UNLIMITED

[John G. Stevens · Rating 4 out of 5]

(Potential bias warning: I'm a time-travel junky. I have a lot of opinions about paradoxes, etc.)

Right away this book was not what I expected. The cover gave me the impression of a more serious hard-sci-fi book, but that's not the case. Immediately I was seeing light-hearted and endearing character interactions as the focus, more than time travel as a plot device. The book has a slice-of-life feel. Almost like this is what people's lives might really be like if time travel was invented in 1997. A casual stroll through the future, a little meddling, and having a great time throughout.

There are some obvious influences here from pop culture. Doctor Who and Back to the Future to name a couple. You can't really have a car-based time machine and not think BTTF. The main character pair has some similarities to the Doctor and one of his companions, though not any particular Doctor or Companion. You can't really think about a somewhat older man traveling through time with a younger woman and not think about The Doctor. If these kinds of things don't bother you, this is still a fun read.

#nerdAlert Time Travel Paradoxes
Some of the ramifications of time travel play out logically and thumbs up to the author. However, there're some events near the end that fall into the "Kill Hitler Paradox" (a corollary to the Grandfather paradox.) I would have liked to see some attempt at working within these kinds of common paradoxes. Especially since the one character is supposed to be very clever. However, while shows like Doctor Who manage to navigate these things (fairly well, on average) others like BTTF just steamroll right through it with a heavy dose of the Grandfather paradox. Most of us still like BTTF anyway, including this reviewer.

One last thought that I think held the whole book together for me as the many plausible projections in near-future America. Some of it was a bit on the nose and deals with many of the common hot-button topics of today, and it's easy to see how those social conflicts could escalate. A few things seemed a little far-fetched, and I'm not sure if technology would advance that far in 30 years from today. Mostly though, I could easily feel like, "Yeah... that'll probably be us (American culture) in 30 years..." even if I wasn't thrilled with it.

Happy to give 4 stars for this. -.5 for only just getting a peek at the real central conflict of the story here in book one. And -.5 for paradoxical and nerdy reasons.

[N.N. Heaven · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quirky professor Milt and his friend Tabitha (also known as Pinky) delve into the world of time-travel to prove/disprove scientific theories in various time periods. What starts as an adventure soon turns to a serious predicament. Altering the past/present/future has devastating consequences as Pinky soon finds out. Can they alter their original plans in order to undo the mess they’ve created or will it destroy them and their friendship?



I love time-travel and this one certainly delivers. Both Pinky and Milt are fun characters and I enjoyed being a part of their world. Realistic in even the most out-there circumstances, they are the heart of Detours in Time. I found myself wondering if I would do the same as them, if thrust in the same set of events.



Like Doctor Who and Back to the Future, there’s plenty of comedy to lighten the seriousness of time-travel. The author doesn’t shy away from the morality issues of time-travel but rather she approaches it from a different perspective. I liked that.



The only downside to Detours in Time was the abrupt ending. While I understand it’s book one of a series, there needs to be some way to close book one without just ending it.



If you’re a fan of time-travel and/or Doctor Who, you’ll enjoy Detours in Time. Plenty to keep you occupied for a few hours.



Favorite Character/Quote: "Do you remember telling me once, Milt, that all possibilities existed within any given moment, but the possibility we get to live is the one we choose?"



My Rating: 4.5 stars



Reviewed by: Mrs. N



This review first appeared: https://www.nnlightsbookheaven.com/si...

[Joel Thimell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this offbeat time travel adventure. The main characters, Pinky and Milt, are quirky and charming with an endearing cuteness in their super-slow-motion romance. The tone is light and humorous and the heroes' encounters with future technologies are primarily played for laughs.

Unfortunately, in accordance with the unwritten (yet apparently iron-clad and unbreakable) law of time travel stories, some action by any and all time travelers MUST alter the flow of history in potentially disastrous ways. At this point, the tone becomes somewhat somber and the fun quotient drops precipitously. Nevertheless, fans of the genre will appreciate Milt and Pinky's heartfelt efforts to undo the damage they have caused.

My chief complaint about "Detours in Time," was the abrupt ending. I know that it's just the first book in a planned trilogy but for me each book needs to stand on it's own with a fully satisfying ending. I also know that is extremely hard to pull off.

7/10 stars.

[Gordon Bickerstaff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting time travel Butterfly Effect

This is a time travel Sci-fi story with a dystopian flavour. I liked the premise, which reminded me of the 2004 movie 'The Butterfly Effect'. The two main characters are well developed and engaging and I liked how the author moves the reader to think about time travel implications and consequences. There is much to ponder about how cause and effect would work. The only thing I didn't like is the abrupt ending. The book does not round off the story but simply states that you now need to read the next book in the series to find out how it ends. 'Stay Tuned for Book Two!' Personally, I like a book to provide a satisfying end. Otherwise, interesting and intriguing.

[Carol Marshall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Detours in Time by Pamela Schloesser Canepa is an imaginative time traveling tale.  The scenes and characters in the story will get you on the main road to reading Detours in Time in a day!  I highly recommend this thoughtful and fun read. 

[Lucretia · Rating 5 out of 5]

What would you do if you knew what the future held? Pink and Milt, though both of very different mind on the matter, start with simple intentions to study the future, take notes, and examine. Interfering isn’t on their radar until an inadvertent detour changes everything.

The dynamics between the two main characters is a lot of fun, as they are as different as night and day in many regards, but make an endearing pair to read about. I love their dialogue and internal thoughts regarding each other. I won’t say much about secondary characters because that gives away plot points that are better slowly discovered.

I loved the way the plot twisted, and changed as they tried to navigate the moral decisions facing them. There was also a thread in the story that added a good deal of tension and concern for them. Even though, as it would, the timeline bounced around, it was easy to follow, and fast paced.

There was indication that another part is in the works and I will certainly keep an eye out for it.

[S.W. Wilcox · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Detours in Time #1:" It's a rare treat to find such perfect grammar (and a dash too of gonzo-style, grammar phrase-flirts,) and effortlessly flowing prose that steadily reveals quite likable lead characters you want to ride along with on their temporal and trepidacious tripping into the future. Lovely idea too, the double-spacing between paragraphs for less-patient younger readers and others with less-than youthful eyesight. Little page design thoughts like that always score extra points with this sight-challenged reader and artist. A few small things that threw me were perhaps the characters seemed a bit too familiar and also not "against the clock" enough, but that might be appropriate pacing for the entry book in the series. 4.3 stars rounded to 4. Thank you for a free copy for me to honestly and voluntarily review: It was a pleasure.

[Joannes Rhino · Rating 4 out of 5]

Taking topic time traveling, this book has an interesting storyline with each characters well-developed. Basically, the story is pretty much like some movies I watched, that a tiny change in the past will take major effect to the future. However, the author managed to deliver it well enough to make me keep on reading without being lost somewhere in the middle. My best part of the reading is the way the author writes places in very detail. For some readers, too much details can be boring, but that's not the case for me. As an imaginative person, having detail description about something can be an interesting activity. I felt like I was watching a movie through the entire reading.

[Maria Jansson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting and unexpected story. Scary believable. I need to read the sequel.

[Annette Jordan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Detours in Time follows the adventures of eccentric scientist Milt and his friend and former cleaner Tabitha, better known as Pinky. Milt has built a time travelling car and the two embark on a trip to the future, to see what life in 2047 will be like. Some of the discoveries are surprising, like the trend for body modification and human-animal hybridization that sees people having fish scales , animal limbs and even wings , while some are truly shocking, like the fact that the United States has been split by another civil war. When an unexpected detour on their way home almost causes the death of a young soldier during this war, they decide to return to the future to ensure that their actions have not had any unforeseen consequences, they find that by saving one life, they may have irreversibly changed another, and must try to figure out a way to fix their actions without causing any further damage.
I enjoy a good time travel story , and I found myself completely drawn in by the first part of this book, and the author's vision of the future though I found my self losing interest a little once the duo returned to their present and it became something of a more straight forward romance story. I struggled to find the romance believable, the characters just didn't quite sell it for me. I found the dialogue very unnatural at times, and not just when the author had clearly intended it to be so, as she does with some of the characters set in the future. It may just be that I am not a lover of romance in general, but I wish the book had spent more time on the time travelling and less on the developing relationship between the characters. The writing was snappy and the author was good at getting her point across, her vision of the future was well developed. The one little idiosyncrasy that grated on me was the repeated use of "he/she shook her head yes", which seems like a really awkward way of saying they nodded. I listened to the audio book, read by Emory Stagmer and I have to say I really liked the tone and timbre of his voice in general, the only exception being the rather breathy voice he chose to use for Pinky, it seemed far too juvenile for the character, and somewhat stereotypical. It made her sound more like a young teen than a woman in her prime, perfectly capable of standing on her own two feet, and speaking up for herself ( when allowed to do so !) It just didn't seem to fit with the character, which is a shame. I also wish he had been just a touch more dynamic at certain points of the story that called for more drama and intensity.
I was supplied with a copy of the audio book by the author, all opinions are my own.

[M.J. Lau · Rating 4 out of 5]

Milt and Pinky are a time-traveling duo from 1997, visiting our time and the near-future mostly to satisfy their own curiosity. When they glimpse a little too much of their own future, though, things get complicated. Add to that a stranger chasing them through time, and you have the recipe for a suspenseful time-traveling adventure.

Detours in Time, #1 is the debut novel of Pamela Schloesser Canepa, but it reads with the polish of an experienced writer. The style is clear and fairly brisk, with punches of humor and an overall wholesome feel. The relationship between Pinky and Milt is layered and grows throughout the story; some people might feel like the romantic aspect is too tame, but this is such a sweet story that it would be strange if they got too carried away.

I liked the examination of the different time periods and the questions raised by their time traveling. Does every time period seem better from afar? What happens if one interferes with the past or the future? Is a given future inevitable? Canepa does a great job of entertaining these questions without getting too wrapped up in the science of it all.

The storyline is easy to get into and keep up with – no mean feat in a time-travel story – but I felt like the third act was a bit unsatisfying. According to the back matter, Milt and Pinky will be back in a sequel, so perhaps the payoffs I was looking for will occur is the next book.

If you like a bit of sci-fi thrill without the usual strife and cynicism of the genre, Detours in Time could be just what you’re looking for.

[TDCbookreviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book in exchange for an honest review. This is the first book in the series and it jumps right in.
I loved the time travel aspect and their journey into different times. The book ended with a cliff hanger, so I am wondering what will happen next!
Could you imagine being able to go to the future and being able to see what your loved ones will be like and how they have evolved. Can you imagine looking at all the futuristic technology and the new rules and policies for the world.
This book's present is in the nineties and as you all know the 90s didn't really have that much technology for residential use. Could you imagine the surprise of going to 2040s and seeing all the advances! Such a shock for Pinkie and Milt.
This is a great book and if you love time travel and romance you will love this book!

Book Blurb:
Feisty Tabatha, a struggling artist, and Milt, an awkward Science professor, set off on a journey to the future. What was supposed to be fun soon turns quite intense when they make discoveries about their future selves and end up on other “detours.” The two set events into action that may save one life, yet destroy another. Can these friends of completely different mindsets agree on a course of action? Can Tabatha stick to Milt’s rules of time travel? Both Milt and Tabatha struggle to witness and not participate in a place and time that is not yet their own.

Amid the backdrop of a future that reveals great wonders and horrors, Tabatha and Milt must resist the temptation to use discoveries from future technology to aid them when they return to the present. Detours in Time starts as a fantastic escape and grows to present many moral dilemmas and surprises that can either destroy the strongest friendship or bring two people closer.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

*kindly sent this book for review purposes, all thoughts and opinions are my own*

Love this book!
Not my usual read but I'm so glad I picked it up.
I'm going to admit that 'time travel' and all things related to it normally confuses me slightly and I end up giving up the read but I truly enjoyed going on this journey with Tabatha and Milt and experiencing all the troubles that may entail.
I couldn't stop asking question throughout like, "how do they get onto the subject of time travel?" "what device is used?" "does anything go wrong?" "If so, what?".

My highest praise to Pamela Canepa, who just wrote this book in such a captivating way that the reader will not want to put it down until the very last page and even then the reader will be dying to reach for more. The more you read the more you just need to find out what is happening and WHAT DO THEY DISCOVER about their future selves. Pamela describes certain scenes/places that the reader is just thrown to the world being portrayed.

[Patrick Dent · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Fun, Easy, Entertaining Read

Detours in Time features time traveling duo Milt and Pinky, as they visit a dystopian 2047, in which the USA has undergone a second civil war and divided into two countries. I find it a reasonable speculation that the country is headed in that direction as our politics become increasingly polarized.

Of course, anyone with a time machine will try to fix things with the best of intentions. But, we all know that “the best laid plans of mice and men often go awry”.

Canapa paints vivid pictures of the various time periods Milt and Pinky visit, and deeply develops the relationship between the two. The story is light hearted, fun, and easy to follow for readers of all ages.

Imagine Doctor Who without the darkness, angst, incomprehensible references, and constant rotation of players. Detours in Time is a fine start to a new, imaginative series. I can’t wait for the next installment.

[Ann Pratley · Rating 5 out of 5]

There were so many things to like about this book. The underlying story is one of trying to find out what happened to a character's family member. The journey to find that out was one of futuristic and time travel fiction.

What inspired me so much with this story was the flow of ideas of the author about how life could be in the future year visited via time travel. It prompted me to consider the track that parts of our planet are on and how we live our lives ... and how this could flow on in years to come. It was kind of a blend of a really good fictional story, combined with enthusiasm for really stopping to take a look at our decisions and our actions. This was great writing and a thought provoking storyline. My kind of story!

[Dan Logan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who would have thought….that’s what I was thinking throughout the book. Time travel in itself is interesting, but Detours In Time takes us far beyond just the thrill of the future. We also ride on a journey of romance (Milt and Pinky), science, history, and geography. We imagine how two people can try and not leave a footprint or change outcomes of events. I found it a non-stop read and am excited to see what comes next for these two. Will they get to Mars? Maybe. One thing for sure, I am waiting to find out. What starts out as a fun, learning experiment turns quickly into a realization of what the future (and in this case, the past) holds for Pinky and Milt. They share a genuine concern for the human race and easily take the reader into their world of compassion and adventure.

[Sergio Tinoco · Rating 4 out of 5]

Is time travelling possible? If it were, how would things be like in the future? Would our world be different from what it is now? These are all questions that I have repeatedly asked myself throughout my life. For as long as I can remember, I’ve always wondered what our world would be like one hundred years from now. Canepa has done an excellent job in describing this futuristic world for readers to enjoy and be amazed at the many curious wonders it depicts. I must say that I had a great time reading this book and am happy to recommend.

[C.A. King · Rating 4 out of 5]

Time travel and its effect. We've heard before not to alter even the tiniest thing...

I have to say I found the idea of an automatic exerciser amazing - I'd like one of those :). The shower, on the other hand, was a bit creepy.

The characters are interesting and for the most part likeable and they have a flying car. It's interesting to see the different situations they find themselves in as they struggle not to change things. It's not as easy as it sounds. There is a sweet romance included! I'm interested to see where book 2 takes me.

[Jacqui Letran · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have always loved the concept of time traveling so I was excited to read this book. Overall, it was a fun read. Some of the dialogue can be a little confusing, but still fun to read. The main characters are lovable. I know there is a book two in the works, but I wish the ending had more oomph. I am curious to see what happens next.

[Kerry Alexander-Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic tale

I enjoyed this novel so much I couldn't put it down. The plot moves at a good pace, full of adventure and excitement. I adore the two main characters and their banter. I didn't feel like an intruder but a passenger along for the ride. I don't give away the story as it spoils the fun. I look forward to the next novel. Well done and thank you for sharing. KH

[Kay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intriguing plot that gives a glimpse to what the future may actually look like. The characters are charming and the story all-too believable. The author proves again that sci-fi is only fiction because it hasn't happened yet. A good read!

[Fred Forbes · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hate to be one to drag down the ratings on this book but I found it overly simplistic, more like a Young Adult selection. While it does address some of the "time travel" conundrums such as the impact of future actions rebounding to the present, it is not a particularly "deep" story. Biggest disappointment for me was thinking as I neared the end that they have a lot to resolve and not many pages left to do it. So I was surprised to turn the page and see "The End" followed by "Stay tuned for Book Two". Had I known I was starting a series I probably would have skipped this title. The protagonists "Pinky" and the Professor are engaging but somewhat stereotypical as are the other characters. Still, for a quick easy read as the 2 stars indicate "it was ok."

[Dianne · Rating 3 out of 5]

an enjoyable read. This is a breath of fresh air and dips you into the what ifs of our existence. Well written and easy to imagine the worlds that the author has created for us.

[Dawn Brookes · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting and easy read with plenty of content that moves along nicely. The development of the relationship between the two time travellers adds to the story. The plot becomes more intricate as the story moves along. As a time travel novel, it ticks all the boxes and leaves plenty to ponder. All in all a good read that held attention and captured my imagination.

[Scott Spotson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Detours in Time is a very family-focused story that explores the linkages between family (and to some extent, world affairs) through time travel and alternate outcomes.

The author focuses heavily on the largely platonic relationship between Milt and Pinky, who are friends through university employment but eventually become lovers, although their romance at the end is through courtship and intimate discussions, making this a very clean read and a pleasant way to explore how a man and a woman can be friends and soulmates. However, the fact that Milt was several years older than Pinky bothered me a bit, especially since men in general don't outlast women of the same age in life span.

At the outset, the story focuses on the couple arriving fifty years into the future in 2047 (interesting the author chose to base the launch year as being 1997, not 2017) to find new societal changes. These new discoveries are more comments on social mores and behaviours rather than what authors of time travel typically lavish attention upon, such as technological advances or the latest gadgets. These observations are interesting, but for me, not gripping.

Later my interest in the book perked up when Milt and Pinky appear to be interfering with events that are supposed to occur in the future, although they do so accidentally. These also involve possibly learning about descendants of theirs not yet born. However there are lulls again as they go back to time travelling and meeting strangers and discussing the trends of today’s time, whenever that might be in the future they’re in.

The highlight of the book for me was when Milt hires a private detective for reasons I won’t disclose at this time since I don’t want to give too much away, but this occurs near the end of the book so the plot didn’t build sufficiently thick for me. Milt wants to find out things about his present, back in 1997, that he found out from time travelling in 2047. This way he sort of extrapolates backwards into time to find out things about his present that he normally wouldn’t know or recognize.

All in all there are interesting causes and effects that if more tightly connected, sequential, (not in terms of straight chronological time, but in terms of pacing in the book, closer together in the plot so the reader feels he’s making progress when reading) and heart-pounding, I might have really enjoyed this book, along with the nicely filled backdrop of Milt and Pinky’s burgeoning friendship that is much more than what it seems. There might be too much touring and observation in this book and not enough consequence, build-up, and climaxing.

[Ronald · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book, “Detours in Time”, begins with a couple, named Milt and Pinky, time traveling to the future. Some of the more future centric practices in the story are body modifications using animal parts like tails, snouts, scaly skin, and fur. Drug use is also rampant and accepted. The book also reveals the dangers of time travel. Unintended temporal changes in events occur as a result of the couple’s interaction with individuals from that time period. These temporal changes get worse in time and Milt quickly realizes that a heretofore unknown time traveling adversary is trying to kill them.

I’m anxious to find out more about the Harvard Professor who is trying to kill Milt and Pinky. Hopefully, the author will finish the next book in the series soon.

The pace of the book starts to slow down when they get back to their normal life in present day 1997. Flirtations that took place during time travel soon progress to Milt and Pinky getting engaged. The book ends with the discovery of the time traveling antagonist identity but the development of that individual is left to the next book in the series.

This was an easy science fiction book to read as there was no technical dissertation on the intricacies of time travel. Although I enjoy technical justification prose, it is not needed here. “Detours in Time” is primarily about a budding relationship between Milt, a scientist, and Pinky, an artist. That relationship happens to evolve during a time traveling adventure.

If you’re looking for a puzzler that you can ponder over, this isn’t that book. The book is the type of reading, however, that you come away from with a contented feeling. The relationship between Milt and Pinky never gets into sexual tension. The couple conducts themselves with utmost decorum and self-control. Few heterosexual men and women behave with such control today and didn’t in 1997; probably never have. But that is what makes fiction fun to read, and like any good fiction, “Detours in Time” gives the reader an escape from reality.