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Nick of Time
Nick Callaghan's life has become an exhausting series of strange coincidences. Wherever he goes, Nick finds himself in a position to help others when they need it most. From foiling an armed stalker to grabbing a child in a broken roller-coaster car, Nick's life is constant chaos. He has no idea what sort of force could have turned him into the world's guardian angel, but he wants it to stop. There's only one person who knows what Irish legend he's fallen afoul of, but Grandmother isn't talking.
264 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 27, 2017
31 people are currently reading
29 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
July 3, 2017
Saving people is killing Nick!
A delightful fantasy mixing reality in contemporary Indiana with the ancient legendary world of the Fae on a green Irish hillside. Nick is your average good guy. For unknown reasons, he has had to rescue people (and animals) in dire need since the age of eighteen. He has trained himself for this unwanted part-time job by taking First-Aid, CPR and self-defence courses, since breaking up fights is also in his unofficial job description. Being an everyday unsung hero is all very well, but the stress and physical effort is making Nick exhausted and depressed. According to his grandmother, the solution to his problems lies in a sleepy town in Ireland, the land of his ancestors, where more amazing rescues and adventures await him.
The charm of this story is in the character of Nick himself. He's solidly dependable, but comically reticent. Saving lives is so much a part of his life that his extended family now take it for granted. After he rescues his pretty neighbour from a crazed admirer who is stalking her, Nick gains a formidable ally and a new love interest.
The story is narrated in the first person and present tense, which gives it compelling immediacy. We are right there with Nick every moment of his crazy existence, and get to experience the curious time slowing that heralds each new crisis. The pace is steady but sustained as Nick moves from one rescue to the next; there are so many exciting situations, but my favourite is the airplane intervention, which I found highly dramatic. Once the action moves to Ireland, the gentle supernatural elements seep in, and I loved the depiction of the Fair Folk in all their harsh capriciousness. Strong world-building, good character depictions, and terrific dialogue. An original and intriguing tale, beautifully written and suitable for the widest audience.
A delightful fantasy mixing reality in contemporary Indiana with the ancient legendary world of the Fae on a green Irish hillside. Nick is your average good guy. For unknown reasons, he has had to rescue people (and animals) in dire need since the age of eighteen. He has trained himself for this unwanted part-time job by taking First-Aid, CPR and self-defence courses, since breaking up fights is also in his unofficial job description. Being an everyday unsung hero is all very well, but the stress and physical effort is making Nick exhausted and depressed. According to his grandmother, the solution to his problems lies in a sleepy town in Ireland, the land of his ancestors, where more amazing rescues and adventures await him.
The charm of this story is in the character of Nick himself. He's solidly dependable, but comically reticent. Saving lives is so much a part of his life that his extended family now take it for granted. After he rescues his pretty neighbour from a crazed admirer who is stalking her, Nick gains a formidable ally and a new love interest.
The story is narrated in the first person and present tense, which gives it compelling immediacy. We are right there with Nick every moment of his crazy existence, and get to experience the curious time slowing that heralds each new crisis. The pace is steady but sustained as Nick moves from one rescue to the next; there are so many exciting situations, but my favourite is the airplane intervention, which I found highly dramatic. Once the action moves to Ireland, the gentle supernatural elements seep in, and I loved the depiction of the Fair Folk in all their harsh capriciousness. Strong world-building, good character depictions, and terrific dialogue. An original and intriguing tale, beautifully written and suitable for the widest audience.
July 15, 2017
Nick is tired of his life. Day in and day out, he's constantly confronted with people in need. Lost children, fires, heart attack victims---so many needs, and it never ends. Even when he tries to stay home and take a day off, trouble finds him. But life might be taking a turn for the better when he helps out a neighbor in need. She thinks they might be able to find the root of his "curse" and fix it once and for all . . .
I loved this. I like superhero stories in general, and this one is a surprisingly unique take. Nick isn't extraordinary. He's taken classes in martial arts and first aid because he keeps running into people with severe issues. It's a reaction, not a drive to be a hero. And yet he is a hero, because he chooses to step in, time and again, even when this puts him inside burning houses or in front of people with guns.
He'd just really like a day off.
It's a lot of fun to watch his "curse" in action, and how his family and friends have adapted (or not) to what's going on in his life. It's funny to see how heroism has basically destroyed his dating life, since he can't hold to anything like a schedule. I also liked having a somewhat older protagonist, in his mid-30s, who has a bit more experience with life in general.
I didn't care for the prologue/interlude as much, as I was initially puzzled at why the book I was reading started like a typical fantasy and not the modern-day superhero-who-isn't story I was expecting from the back cover summary. I think that information might have been better as just part of the present-day narrative. I also thought it wrapped up a little fast, and a little too neatly (the curse-givers were a bit too reasonable once all the facts were on the table, for beings that don't really care about morality at all). But it was nice to get an ending, which makes this a standalone book.
Overall this was an excellent read and one I'm sure to come back to, especially the beginning. The contrast between watching Nick save people and his own depressive attitude towards the whole thing can get really funny. I rate this book Highly Recommended.
See my reviews and more at https://offtheshelfreviews.wordpress....
I loved this. I like superhero stories in general, and this one is a surprisingly unique take. Nick isn't extraordinary. He's taken classes in martial arts and first aid because he keeps running into people with severe issues. It's a reaction, not a drive to be a hero. And yet he is a hero, because he chooses to step in, time and again, even when this puts him inside burning houses or in front of people with guns.
He'd just really like a day off.
It's a lot of fun to watch his "curse" in action, and how his family and friends have adapted (or not) to what's going on in his life. It's funny to see how heroism has basically destroyed his dating life, since he can't hold to anything like a schedule. I also liked having a somewhat older protagonist, in his mid-30s, who has a bit more experience with life in general.
I didn't care for the prologue/interlude as much, as I was initially puzzled at why the book I was reading started like a typical fantasy and not the modern-day superhero-who-isn't story I was expecting from the back cover summary. I think that information might have been better as just part of the present-day narrative. I also thought it wrapped up a little fast, and a little too neatly (the curse-givers were a bit too reasonable once all the facts were on the table, for beings that don't really care about morality at all). But it was nice to get an ending, which makes this a standalone book.
Overall this was an excellent read and one I'm sure to come back to, especially the beginning. The contrast between watching Nick save people and his own depressive attitude towards the whole thing can get really funny. I rate this book Highly Recommended.
See my reviews and more at https://offtheshelfreviews.wordpress....
July 2, 2017
A great story.
I chose this book because of the idea of a man cursed to do good deeds.
Nick has been helping people no matter where or under what strange circumstances he is forced to. The chances of him having to help someone has increased to everyday and sometimes more and it has become traumatic for him just like for a police officer or a soldier and he considers himself cursed. Then he becomes involved with his across the hall neighbor, Daphne, who turns out to be perfect for him. She helps him to find a family connection to his curse. They go to Ireland and visit the fae folk responsible.
This is a great read all around. There is love, sex, violence, justice, and mystery and it's all told in a clear and well edited way. I would recommend it to anyone.
I chose this book because of the idea of a man cursed to do good deeds.
Nick has been helping people no matter where or under what strange circumstances he is forced to. The chances of him having to help someone has increased to everyday and sometimes more and it has become traumatic for him just like for a police officer or a soldier and he considers himself cursed. Then he becomes involved with his across the hall neighbor, Daphne, who turns out to be perfect for him. She helps him to find a family connection to his curse. They go to Ireland and visit the fae folk responsible.
This is a great read all around. There is love, sex, violence, justice, and mystery and it's all told in a clear and well edited way. I would recommend it to anyone.
July 16, 2017
Kindle Unlimited
Nick Callaghan's life has become an exhausting series of strange coincidences. Wherever he goes, Nick finds himself in a position to help others when they need it most. From foiling an armed stalker to grabbing a child in a broken roller-coaster car, Nick's life is constant chaos. He has no idea what sort of force could have turned him into the world's guardian angel, but he wants it to stop. There's only one person who knows what Irish legend he's fallen afoul of, but Grandmother isn't talking.
Not sure what genre this is considered, major or sub, but interestingly odd, so assume something such as paranormal sci-fi maybe?
Nick Callaghan's life has become an exhausting series of strange coincidences. Wherever he goes, Nick finds himself in a position to help others when they need it most. From foiling an armed stalker to grabbing a child in a broken roller-coaster car, Nick's life is constant chaos. He has no idea what sort of force could have turned him into the world's guardian angel, but he wants it to stop. There's only one person who knows what Irish legend he's fallen afoul of, but Grandmother isn't talking.
Not sure what genre this is considered, major or sub, but interestingly odd, so assume something such as paranormal sci-fi maybe?
June 29, 2017
I felt like I was there!
This book is awesome! I felt like I was living it with Nick. I wish I was more lyrical and could tell you like a writer how this book made me feel. But I'm not, so let me just say that I love a book that keeps my attention and that I don't skip to the back to see how it ends. This is one of those books. I had to read it in one go. This is a keeper and one that I will reread.
This book is awesome! I felt like I was living it with Nick. I wish I was more lyrical and could tell you like a writer how this book made me feel. But I'm not, so let me just say that I love a book that keeps my attention and that I don't skip to the back to see how it ends. This is one of those books. I had to read it in one go. This is a keeper and one that I will reread.
November 11, 2023
Great book
The story heels you Interested. You need to be involved at the beginning. Usually I can figure out the end of the story. Not this book, it gives us a look at other was of thinking. About sacrifice to help others. About not being selfish of ones time. Of learning to understand what is unusual. But this best part, the story gives you enjoy ment of the telling. Thank you for your gift of storytelling, so I may have a wonderful story to read.
The story heels you Interested. You need to be involved at the beginning. Usually I can figure out the end of the story. Not this book, it gives us a look at other was of thinking. About sacrifice to help others. About not being selfish of ones time. Of learning to understand what is unusual. But this best part, the story gives you enjoy ment of the telling. Thank you for your gift of storytelling, so I may have a wonderful story to read.
February 13, 2018
Very good read. A bit like Dean Koontz character, Odd Thomas, for the protagonist. Liked the premise of Nick having to save someone every day, and worked well with the curse angle. Would have liked to have seen how the author handled an Irish brogue in writing as found this difficult to do in my own book. Overall, very entertaining and kept me wanting to know what's coming next.
October 7, 2017
Totally fantastic. So well written I could picture it as if I were watching tv.. And so well done as that it could believable. I wonder if there will be another one to follow
I received a free copy of this book and voluntarily chose to review it.
I received a free copy of this book and voluntarily chose to review it.
July 8, 2017
not quite up there with Eoin Colfer in terms of imagination, but a light, not off-putting story.
July 20, 2017
Nick of Time
I really enjoyed this book. I would love to read more about Nick. VERY few grammatical errors, which is uncommon in free books.
I really enjoyed this book. I would love to read more about Nick. VERY few grammatical errors, which is uncommon in free books.
October 7, 2017
This was a great read and a fascinating concept. I love that it was set in Indiana, my home state. I think it would make for a great movie or television series. I also enjoyed its ties to folklore.
January 20, 2019
The premise intrigued me and the book followed through with what it promised. Good writing. Good characters. Pacing is a little uneven. Overall, an easy and fun read.
April 14, 2019
I really enjoyed this story. It was an interesting and pleasant reading with a touch of the paranormal/old folk tales.
October 5, 2023
I have enjoyed the books Julianne writes. This one is no different.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews