When newlywed FBI agent and brilliant linguist Libby Shaw is warned that her death is imminent, she’ll do anything she can to survive–even take mysterious advice to submerge in mineral water of Bedford Springs during a full moon. Libby finds herself thrust back in time to 1926, where danger and intrigue surround her.
As Libby tries to adapt to her new life, she finds herself oddly drawn to the town sheriff who seems to know her far better than she knows herself. Yet he seems eerily familiar and as pieces of a past start surfacing in dreams and visions, Libby seeks out the handsome sheriff for answers, only to find more questions. As Libby learns someone is following her to change history, she must join forces with the sheriff to uncover the mystery of their past. Will they be thwarted by the master criminal who's determined to destroy them both or will they be able to build a life together after lifetimes of being pulled apart by nefarious forces?
D.L. Koontz was a management consultant and college instructor in the Washington DC area before trading it all for ranch life and writing. Now, she breathes easier and learns something new every day.
An award-winning writer and former journalist, she believes story trumps structure. As such, she's been published in a variety of genres, using whichever format/style best relays the story.
D.L. has been published in seven languages, and loves to keep her readers up all night.
Besides writing, she is passionate about hiking, photography, traveling, history, flea market discoveries, and British miniseries.
She’s a confirmed autodidact, having deep-dived into the food-lifestyle-health connection. She lives with her husband on their small ranch in coastal Georgia.
She welcomes readers to her beautiful, crazy, writing corner of the world at www.dlkoontz.com.
This is very different with an eclectic mix of time travel, romantic suspense and crime thriller! The different strands of history are interwoven to create a tapestry of events which culminate in a big reveal when readers learn the whole picture and the connections between the different characters through the ages.
It is an enthralling page turner that uses some key events from different historic times together with the author’s vivid imagination to create an enthralling story. The ending is something I didn’t foresee coming and the intrigue kept my interest throughout. I admit I’d expected something more akin with a time travelling Doctor Who adventure and this is nothing like that but it is still a well researched and captivating read that I have no hesitation in recommending to anyone looking for something different but highly enjoyable.
I requested and received a copy of this novel via NetGalley. This is my honest review after choosing to read it.
Koontz does an excellent job of character development and weaving time travel into a crisscross of romance and double cross shadows. Narrative hops between the past of the 1700's to the present of 2017 and then to 1926. Libby our FBI agent of 2017 builds an independent women's roll in 1926. Healing mineral water is at the source of transporting kindred spirits to their eventual destiny. Author did a great job of letting the reader peak though the blinds but still leaving not being prepared for the climax. "A copy of this book was provided by Tule Publishing via Netgalley with no requirements for a review. Comments here are my honest opinion."
What would you do if someone told you that you only had two weeks to live?
FBI Agent Libby Shaw’s new boyfriend just dropped this bomb on her. He told her he has traveled to the future and knows when and where certain events will happen, and her death is one of them. When Libby’s inoperable brain tumor is confirmed by a doctor, Libby takes Andrew’s advice and submerges herself in the medicinal waters of Bedford Springs. When Libby emerges from the water, she has been transported from the year 2016 to 1926.
While Libby is adjusting to her new life, she realizes her help is needed there more than she knew. But not everything is as it seems in this new life, especially when it comes to the town’s Sherriff, Brogan Harrow. Libby can’t shake the feeling that she knows him from somewhere. Could Libby have been transported to 1926 for a particular reason?
Saying this book is highly addictive is an understatement. Once I started reading it, I couldn’t stop. I needed to know what happened next. And the ending is one that I didn’t see coming. The author did a fantastic job weaving a story that is entertaining and unpredictable. I have read some time travel books and can only say most were pretty good. But this one blew me away.
My favorite quote is so fitting of this book: “Love is space and time measured by hearts.”
I loved “What The Moon Saw”. This story is elegantly written with smooth transitions from one period of time to another. The interconnection between the characters is fascinating and the detailed descriptions of life in the 18th and 20th century set the scene beautifully. This is the sort of story that I think would intrigue readers of Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander series - there are definitely similarities between her stones and DL Koontz’s mineral springs. I loved the setting too, in a location rich in its own history thanks to the several US presidents who have stayed at the Bedford Springs Hotel. The touch of intrigue linking an FBI investigation to the various events that took place at different historical periods through the story added an extra layer to what is a complex and satisfying read.
This is a different read than I normally read. The story is a mix of time travel, suspense, and romance. Libby finds herself traveling from 2016 back to 1926. I’m sure that Libby never realized how her knowledge of history was going to be so important to her survival. I am so glad that I didn’t live during that time.
If you enjoy time travel, historical novels, and suspenseful stories, then this might be one for you.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
A captivating read that I could not put down. I must say this is not my typical read, but I fell in love the cover. A time travel romance that has plenty of intrigue, suspense and romance. Libby was given two weeks to live, when she was offered to go into the mineral water and go into the past or the future, she choose the past, ending up in the 1920's. There she meets fellow time travelers, especially the town sheriff, Brogan Harrow. She feels a connection there, like she has met him in her past.
This is a book that I had a hard time putting down, I always wanted to know what wass going to happen next. This is my first book by this author, she did an excellent job in her research and her writing. I have already recommend this book to my friends. I highly recommend.
I voluntarily read a advanced reader's copy of this book. NetGalley
What the Moon saw by D. L. Koontz. A new to me author. I didn't know what to expect when I started reading this book. A time travel storyline. Took me awhile to get into the story but I liked it in the end. Likable characters and good dialogue and loved the cover of the book. The author knows how to bring a story together.
FBI Agent Libby Shaw has been working on a case translating a very old language for a case, she has no idea what she’s gotten her self into. Libby and Andrew are newly married, he is a bit mysterious but has this air about that just pulls you toward him. So, when Libby learns that she doesn’t have that to live, he suggests that they go and a place where there is source of medicinal water that will “heal” her. She loves and trusts Andrew, so of course she goes along with. Who would try everything to live? But when Libby emerges from the water, she finds herself in a whole different era of time. The 1920’s. (One my favorite eras too!) The strange thing is, Libby feels a sense a familarity in this time and with memories coming her, she tried to find out how she ended up here and why.
Libby handled herself quite well being thrust into the era of time, especially that feels there is so much more going on. Someone is following her, this also is a very women friendly time either. But there is the sheriff, she has a connection with him and it is one she doesn’t understand, but there is something there. But trying to figure out who’s doing the following, why she is here, and why she feels the things she does, it just a part of the mystery at the center of the story.
Koontz did such an amazing job weaving a story with time travel, suspense and a romance that will make you swoon. Fans of historical romances will enjoy this one for sure!
What the Moon Saw is another timetraveling story, with a criminal mystery twist. And as much as I wanted to like this book, I just could not, even if the story’s idea is good, the outcome was not so good.
In this story the timetraveling works through a mineral spring. The first travel happens in 1700 and the last described travel is in nowadays. The protagonists are new settlers. The problem is that one of them does not remember about the traveling and they did not end up in the same time period. And then there is the villain, who is traveling almost constantly, back and forth and sends other people as it is convenient to him to get rid of them for his plans to work out.
So of course, there is a love story and betrayal and secrets and machinations. And of course if you go to the past, you just have to start to change everything, to push people around you to live like you lived before, you just can not wait till things change in their own pace as the history has changed so far. AND of course the heroine of the story must have knowledge about medicinal herbs and the hero has to have some kind of connection to Culloden.
As I said, the idea behind this story is good, but the end product leaves a lot to be desired.
My Disclaimer, I received a complimentary ARC book, provided by the Publisher and Net Galley. My thanks to them. I am voluntarily providing my honest review. I need to start by saying this is not my normal read. The description given by the publisher enticed me to give this book a try. I found D.L. Koontz to be a very talented writer. I am a history buff and enjoyed those parts of the story. To me it is obvious the author has done her research. Not knowing what was coming next kept my interest. If time travel is your thing, you will really enjoy this book by D.L. Koontz.
I could not put this book down for about the first 75% of the book. I love stories about time travel and that was perfect in the book. The write up for the story is a little deceiving. Yes the main character is a newly wed but not in the way most would think. I love the cross of timelines for the 1700's to the 1900's to the 2000's. I thought things were described very well. Where I was lost was the end. So anti-climatic. I just expected more. The story was incredible but they way it was told at the end, boring. Was close to giving a 4 star but the end killed it for me.
WOW - an attention-grabber from the very beginning! 1760s - an Indian raid – burning house, murdered family, kidnapped daughter; torture, beating, & enslavement by the Indians of the patrol guard who hunts for the girl; acceptance into a Mohawk tribe as family; a single bullet that kills & ruins the chance of a happy ending for Nathan (Broken Arrow) and Eliza (Morning Meadow). What the Moon Saw made me cry at the end of the Prologue!!!
Chapter 1 (2016) introduces us to our modern-day heroine, Libby, who believes her life began the day of her death! How preposterous, yet spellbinding! Koontz captivates the reader with so many thought-provoking happenings & details to ponder regarding the evolvement of the storyline at a very early point in the book! Makes me KNOW I chose the right book to read!
I was granted an advance copy of What the Moon Saw in exchange for an honest review. I have lived in Bedford County, PA my entire life and the Bedford Springs has always drawn me to its beauty and history. Koontz’s tale intertwines history with saga in very natural, conversational ways. The thoughts, feelings, experiences, and dialogues of the characters divulge many Bedford County early pioneer history lessons and explain how people of the 19th and 20th centuries, especially the Indians, believed in the power of the natural mineral springs and geothermal water to cure diseases. The ridiculousness of taking to the waters and time travel doesn’t mean it can’t happen. Perhaps, as one of the characters suggests, our perceived laws of nature prevent us from using the water – using what Nature gave us? DL Koontz attacks this phenomenon in a way that has the reader wondering if it IS possible & would I actually try it if I had a horrible affliction? She is a master of story development and robust vocabulary, stretching the readers’ comprehension skills & powers of deduction. True readers love this style of writing - reading to stimulate rather than reading to take up time.
The twists & turns of the time travel chronicles keep the reader mystified and predicting exactly how and why Libby and Brogan feel connected when it is so improbable. The reader can foresee who the hero & heroine are, but the villain? There are so many unanswered questions & perplexing, incriminating hints about several characters the reader becomes a sleuth. And, just how does the Matryoshka Project, the document Libby was translating for the FBI, fit into the picture? One can’t be sure until the concluding chapters when all the fragments of this intricate tale come flying together! What a beautiful puzzle Koontz created!
What the Moon Saw by D. L. Koontz When newlywed FBI agent and brilliant linguist Libby Shaw is warned that her death is imminent, she’ll do anything she can to survive–even take mysterious advice to submerge in mineral water of Bedford Springs during a full moon. Libby finds herself thrust back in time to 1926, where danger and intrigue surround her. As Libby tries to adapt to her new life, she finds herself oddly drawn to the town sheriff who seems to know her far better than she knows herself. Yet he seems eerily familiar and as pieces of a past start surfacing in dreams and visions, Libby seeks out the handsome sheriff for answers, only to find more questions. As Libby learns someone is following her to change history, she must join forces with the sheriff to uncover the mystery of their past. Will they be thwarted by the master criminal who’s determined to destroy them both or will they be able to build a life together after lifetimes of being pulled apart by nefarious forces? D. L. 's Books with Tule: What the Moon Saw by D. L. Koontz This is Libby Shaw and Nathan McKenzie's story. Five years later, five revolutions of the sun, five frigid winters and backbreaking summers in the desolate western New York and Canadian territories, he returned with the girl, now a young woman, to the land they had once called home. He was no longer a settler named Nathan McKenzie, but rather an adopted Mohawk re-named Broken Arrow; and she was no longer Elisa Macay, but rather, Morning Meadow, his wife. They rode bareback on a stolen white mare with gray spots, and ate nuts, dried beans, and stale jerky out of a deer-hide satchel that crisscrossed his back. this book is a mix of time travel, romantic suspense and crime thriller. What the Moon Saw by D. L. Koontz is a 3 star book. "I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book." D. L. 's Books with Tule: What the Moon Saw
What an interesting and captivating story! Imagine being transported years back in history and having to come to terms with a society so vastly different from what you know. This is the case for Lucy Shaw when she finds herself not in 2016 but 1926 and everything is completely different. She has left a translating job with the FBI to find herself in a society that has few jobs for women, that has few protections for them and that treats the wealthy as gods. Plus, she is dependent on the man who rescued her, not sure if she can trust him. It is interesting how her new struggles are portrayed and how she learns to cope with a new reality. Added to this is the intense drawing to the local sheriff who has his own story of time transport and of their connection to each other. And there is an element of suspense in the form of a case that she was working on for the FBI that has roots several hundred years prior and being investigated by the man who rescued her.
This is the first book by D. L. Koontz that I have read. I have read many reviews of her previous books and seen many people praise her stories, so I wanted to see what all of the hype was about. I wasn’t disappointed. I couldn’t help but remember the old tv show ‘Sliders’ where the characters would time travel to different places. This story uses a mineral spring as the portal to time travel. Koontz does such a fantastic job of putting the reader in the historical settings of her book. The characters find themselves thrust into a different time, often without memory of their previous lives. But slowly they adapt to their new surroundings. But danger lurks, always watching, waiting to pounce. Koontz uses a combination of time travel, romance, history, and mystery, to create a story that captures the imagination and the heart. She builds the suspense all while keeping the reader guessing about the outcome.
I found this book discounted on Amazon via BookBub; this is my honest review. -This is a time travel mystery romance with more mystery than romance. Easily a 5-star review. -Many people appear in the story without confusing you. The descriptions of buildings and places felt real and easily convert into images in your head. -Except for the time travelling, the story is believable and of times. -We don't know much about Andrew. The main characters, Libby/Morning Meadow and Brogan/Broken Arrow, are well-developed and seem to make a great couple. -Unpredictable at every turn. Happiness, sadness, joy, hope, doubt, fear. Wow. -Loved the end and hope there's another book after this. -Editing needs another pass; it's upsetting - one star off: site vs. sight, check/cheek, mon mari est mauvais (my husband is a bad guy) vs. mon mari est malade (my husband is ill) - if you need to use Google to translate then don't use another language you don't know!
What the Moon Saw by D.L. Koontz is The Magic Tree House for adults. Yes, that is an exaggeration, but it reminded me of the children’s series since there is history and time travel involved. What it also has is a wonderful plot with suspense, enough answers to rein you in but also keep you guessing and amazing writing.
Lots of fun to read of Libby’s time travel but grateful not to live in 1926 after experiencing the twenty-first century. Also fun to guess which parts of the story are based on history. The author’s note at the end is enlightening on that part. While this is not what I usually read, I am so glad I took a chance on it.
An ARC of the book was given to me by the publisher through Net Galley.
Clever and enjoyable, there are plots within plots and time itself seems to pretzel. Characters from several time periods take the waters when faced with death, not knowing if--or when--they will emerge. An incredible plot takes shape as a group of time travellers slowly come together, seemingly randomly, in the 1920s near Bedford Springs. Who can each trust? I took a little while to get into the story, but when I found myself lying awake at night thinking about the characters, I was hooked. Recommended.
Sooo here's the thing: I was invested in this story and it was a fabulous idea and one of my favorite genres.
But... too many inconsistencies. Like, the night was so dark you couldn't see a thing but then suddenly something was illuminated by the moonlight. She was staying through the long cold winter but then suddenly it's August and she's been there for 3 months 🤔 Yada yada there were too many to keep track of.
Also I would've liked better development of the overall story. It's like a 5 star story with 2 star execution for me, unfortunately.
I don’t know why I bought this book other than time travel. She uses way too much detail in telling this story. I don’t like the time period this story starts in. Can’t believe a character like Andrew has the brain to remember obscure facts of what will happen on what day and at what time. Next I can’t believe her character Libby is more stubborn than a mule. This story is filled with so much fluff just to make it long enough so it’s a book. I couldn’t take it after Libby went to 1926 and it was about 24% into the book. I do not recommend this book! 1
I preface my review with the fact that I am an avid time traveler reader. This book, however, was so complicated I lost interest. I completed the book looking for something to make sense but it never happen.
Believing in time travel is not for all but believing it possible to jump In a spring and arrive at the date and time and place you desire is crazy. There was one time jump too many here. Sorry😢
Too many descriptions and explanations and history lessons. And too many simple errors, which drives me nuts. Interesting premise but unrewarding... I seemed to read forever. There must be better time travel books.
I absolutely loved this book. The characters and the time travel brought on a mysterious twist to the overall story. Wow, so many intertwined tales which all come together to make one fabulous read. I highly recommend this book.
Awesome story of time travel. Its one of those stories that you can almost believe is true. Her writing reminds me a bit of JT Lawrence and Amy Harmon combined..