The Lane Betrayal

Time Box #1

by John A. Heldt

From the author of the critically acclaimed Northwest Passage, American Journey, and Carson Chronicles series comes the first book in the Time Box saga. Virginia physicist Mark Lane has a problem. Weeks after privately creating two time machines, he learns his corporate partner wants to use the portable devices for nefarious purposes. Rather than give him the chance to do so, Mark takes the time boxes and escapes to the relative safety of 1865. For Mark, wife Mary, and their children, the adventure is a chance to grow. Mary runs a business. Jeremy, 19, and Ashley, 12, befriend escaped slaves. Laura, 22, finds her place as a nurse. Jordan, 25, falls for a beautiful widow. All hope to find peace in the past. Billionaire Robert Devereaux has other ideas. Shortly after Mark's betrayal, he sends an assassin to 1865 to retrieve his property and set matters straight. Filled with romance, suspense, and history, THE LANE BETRAYAL follows a modern American family as it tries to find security and contentment in the final weeks of the Civil War.

Genres: Time Travel, Historical Fiction, Romance, Fantasy, Fiction, Science Fiction, Historical

297 pages, Paperback

First published February 29, 2020

About the author

John A. Heldt is the author of twenty-six bestselling time-travel novels. The former reference librarian and award-winning sportswriter has loved getting subjects and verbs to agree since writing book reports in grade school. A graduate of the University of Oregon and the University of Iowa, Heldt is an avid fisherman, sports fan, coin collector, and reader of thrillers and historical fiction. When not sending contemporary characters to the not-so-distant past, he weighs in on literature and life at johnheldt.blogspot.com.

Reviews

[Dianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again, John A. Heldt journeys back in time and takes his readers along for the ride! Deftly blending history and fantasy, family, love, intrigue and danger, THE LANE BETRAYAL is a fabulous escape into another world!

A brilliant physicist creates two time machines, then discovers his powerful corporate partner has plans to use them for less than honorable purposes. Determined to keep his machines out of the hands of a madman while keeping his family safe, he escapes into the nineteenth century, at the end of the Civil War, family in tow.

What they will experience is nothing short of amazing, from love to commitment, to false imprisonment to the death of a president. Just when they think they have covered all of their bases, they discover they are being chased by an assassin from the future and time may have run out for the family of six.

Following their journey is like stepping back in time, witnessing their handling of situations is nothing short of awe inspiring! Adventure, heartache, daring and the strength of family makes for a fascinating read that is pure pleasure from start to finish! Nail-biting moments, heart-wrenching moments are woven in like a tapestry of fantasy as John A. Heldt once again creates a world out of our time frame makes it feel real, kind of like the best history lesson ever, because we are there!

I received a complimentary copy from John A. Heldt! This is my honest and voluntary review.

Series: Time Box - Book 1
Publication Date: February 29, 2020
Publisher: John A. Heldt
Genre: Time Travel Romance
Print Length: 299 pages
Available from: Amazon
For Reviews, Giveaways, Fabulous Book News, follow: http://tometender.blogspot.com

[Mike Siedschlag · Rating 5 out of 5]

Happy day, it's here! The Lane Betrayal first entry in the new Time Box series. Author John A Heldt provided an ecopy for review.



John Heldt has become one of my favorite (actually, my very favorite) authors. I have read and thoroughly enjoyed all his previous works.



The Lane Betrayal is no exception. As usual Mr. Heldt has surpassed previous works with this new entry. Not surprising, he seems to do that with each new series he writes. He keeps setting his personal bar higher and higher. Okay, enough gushing.



This new series does present a bit of a departure from Heldt's usual work; more emphasis on suspense and action. His work continues to be directed at a more mature audience. Not "R" rated by any means, think "G" moving to "PG-13". We still have his trademark attention to detail, on both the historical level (Civil War) and personal level. His characters are well developed and sympathetic. We are drawn into their lives immediately. There are also serious bad guys this time around; life and death serious.



Time travel of course, but presented with a different feel, more serious and less light-hearted than earlier works. The gist of the story: The Lane family takes to the past (the closing days of the Civil War) in an effort to thwart the unethical plans of his partner in a tech firm that has developed a time travel device. Of course the family's actions do not completely derail the dastardly schemes of his former partner (wouldn't be a very long book if they did now would it?) and they have to contend with being pursued by a hit man out to get them.



This leads to a much more suspenseful story filled with great detail and focus on historic figures without losing the family dynamic we have come to enjoy and expect in Heldt's work. I have to say, one of the best parts of the book for me was the tip of the hat to John Jakes North and South. It was a fun addition to the story.



As I said, more mature themes; war (I mean c'mon the Civil War?), adult relationships (Yep, someone actually has sex, tasteful of course) politics, intrigue, suspense, it's all here. Can't wait to continue this series. Enjoy!

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

If you are looking for a master storyteller when it comes to time travel novels, then look no further than this author. Time travel can be a tough topic to write about because there are so many possibilities when it comes to the "how" of time travel. I have read multiple books by this author and each time, I have found a new book to love.

In this series, the Lane family is on the run from Mark's boss and the company he worked for because they wish to do "evil" with the devices he created. He thought they were going to be able to disappear but things didn't go quite as planned. They did end up in 1865 but not without some potential repercussions from the present in the form of a hired gun.

I enjoyed the historical aspect of this book and felt like I was right in the middle of things in DC during the Civil War and Lincoln's time in office. I felt that the author stayed as true to the facts of the time as he could but wove in a tale that enhanced what was happening in our country during the Civil War. There is also love and romance, friendship, and betrayal. I enjoyed the thoughts of the Lane and how they couldn't imagine the President just walking around the town with very little protection. But it was a different time back then and I feel like some people were a bit more refined. There are still plenty of rapscallions to make it interesting.

I also enjoy how the story is told from various viewpoints. I find that it pulls me into the story even more as I see the situation from various character's thoughts and experiences.

We give this book 5 paws up and I am about to start in on the second book in this series, The Fair, so look for a review very soon.

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book Info
Kindle Edition, 306 pages
Published February 29th 2020
Original Title The Lane Betrayal
ASIN B085B7MDLH
Edition Language English
Setting Colchester, Virginia, 2021 (United States)
Fredericksburg, Virginia, 1865 (United States)
Fredericksburg, Virginia, 2021 (United States)
…more
Other Editions None found

[Digital copy from Author]in exchange for honest review

Buy book from Amazon

BOOK BLURB

From the author of the critically acclaimed Northwest Passage, American Journey, and Carson Chronicles series comes the first book in the Time Box saga.

Virginia physicist Mark Lane has a problem. Weeks after privately creating two time machines, he learns his corporate partner wants to use the portable devices for nefarious purposes. Rather than give him the chance to do so, Mark takes the time boxes and escapes to the relative safety of 1865.

For Mark, wife Mary, and their children, the adventure is a chance to grow. Mary runs a business. Jeremy, 19, and Ashley, 12, befriend escaped slaves. Laura, 22, finds her place as a nurse. Jordan, 25, falls for a beautiful widow. All hope to find peace in the past.

Billionaire Robert Devereaux has other ideas. Shortly after Mark's betrayal, he sends an assassin to 1865 to retrieve his property and set matters straight.

Filled with romance, suspense, and history, THE LANE BETRAYAL follows a modern American family as it tries to find security and contentment in the final weeks of the Civil War.

My Thoughts

As expected the strong family ties and relationships within this particular group of 6 different people was one of the main focuses of the story, just like I wanted.

Mark Lane, wife Mary and their 4 children Jordan, Laura, Jeremy and Ashley are privy to historical events that shaped our nation in this book.

Along with these fictional characters the reader gets a chance to visit the ending of a Civil War, the despair and joy that time brought us and also a deeper look into the early workings of a political system in a kinder, if not, gentler age 156 years into the past.

While the family struggles here and there to adapt to 1865 they also embrace life there by making a few new friends, even finding themselves new purpose in an old world.

However the erstwhile business partner, and friend, billionaire Robert Devereaux does not give up his own desire for revenge and nearly 2 months later manages to find a way to follow the Lane family with a hired gun whose orders include retrieval of the time boxes along with elimination of the 6 fugitives.

While the story unfolds it is hard to stop turning pages, for me the beauty of this one was the use of an actual time machine rather than previous modes of travel that were featured in authors other series.

What takes place in these pages runs through an entire gamut of strong emotions for the reader, emotions that mirrored those of the characters themselves.

Tried my best to slow down the reading of this very lovely story, but alas I finished much too quickly.

Once again my favorite type of time travel married with historical events and times genre captured, held my attention as well as satisfied my love of very family oriented stories.

[Digital copy from Author]

[Karen (BaronessBookTrove) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy from the Author. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.The Lane Betrayal by John A. Heldt is the first in a new series where this time, it's more science fiction than the usual time travel that Mr. Heldt has given us previously.
Can the Lane family keep themselves safe in 1865?
The Lane Family
The Lane family consists of Mark, Mary, Jordan, Laura, Jeremy, and Ashley. Mark is the developer and the whole reason the Time Boxes exist, and he wants to keep the past the same, so he took his inventions with him to stop his business partner and friend, Robert Devereaux, from using them for his vendetta. Mary is Mark's wife and the one that has done a lot to make sure that the family has what they need to make the jump to 1865 successful. Jordan and the other kids had to decide to follow their dad into the past to keep themselves alive. 

What I like about the Lane family is that despite the kids being of different ages and the big age gap between Jeremy and Ashley, they are looking out for the others. Each one is also very different in personalities and how their history up to this point has shaped them. However, will they let those experiences control them?

Ashley is twelve, and the only one whose personality will be shaped by the time jumps. Jeremy is still learning some things, but I don't think it will affect as much. Laura does a lot of figuring out how she will help the family. But will these new experiences change her? Jordan has a military background to help defend the family against whoever Robert sends to get the time boxes back. The parents each have their specialties to support how the family deals with being part of history.
Robert Devereaux
Robert Devereaux is a complex man who has a few sides that he will show to certain people. To the public and the people that work for him, Robert is this successful man who is very charismatic and has just been shunned and humiliated by his business partner. Now to Robert's friends, he shows his true colors by letting them see that he wants to change the world to what he wants it to be. The world, Robert's way, wouldn't be fair. As he wants to change certain things from happening and those closest to him know this.

Robert is an evil man who knows how to cover it up very well. Will his hitman get the time boxes back to him so that he can do his evil deeds? Or will it end badly for him? Those are the two questions that I will be looking for answers to in future installments.
Five Stars
The Lane Betrayal by John A. Heldt has a whole different method of time travel method, and the entire reason why is also different. The Lanes' motivation is to keep their lives. Mr. Heldt has done a fantastic job on this one, and I can't wait to read the upcoming books for this series come. The Lanes' have captured my attention and hope for their survival and possibly for them to somehow go back home.



Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of The Lane Betrayal by John A. Heldt.

Until the next time,



Happy Reading!

This review was originally posted on Baroness' Book Trove

[C.E. Clayton · Rating 3 out of 5]

“The Lane Betrayal” is a cat and mouse race through the past as Mark Lane transports his family—his wife, two daughters and two sons—to 1865, just as the American Civil War is ending in order to hide from the billion-dollar corporation Mark has betrayed. Except it’s not really a betrayal, Mark discovered the nefarious plot of the CEO and in order to prevent that man from going into the past and changing key pieces of history in evil ways, Mark absconds with the devices first. The Lane’s have planned this escape for months, and so they leave for 1865 with a plan and the materials they need to blend into their new era, and for the most part they succeed! Which made this story relatively tension free until the last 30% of the novel.

If you’re looking for a pretty cozy adventure through time that isn’t overly complex when it comes to explaining how time travel works or the devices themselves, then this will be a good book for you! I personally am not a huge fan of hard science-fiction, which time travel usually falls in, so this was a nice break from that. However, I did wish I felt a bit more transported to 1865. The characters often marvel at how they get to witness history playing out in front of them, but this is where that tricky “show don’t tell” line comes in. The reader is often told who our time travelers are interacting with, or told how someone is brave or is kind, but rarely see it in action. Which made this book easy to read, but created superficial characters that didn’t sweep me away as I expect historical fiction to do. This was possibly compounded by the fact that the time traveling characters very rarely needed to modify what they did or said in order to fit into their new surroundings. Let’s just say, I thought someone would catch on the Lane’s in one way or another much sooner!

Blending into the past isn’t the only thing the characters are concerned with, as the billionaire they wronged is able to send an assassin back to the past to both retrieve his property, and “deal” with the Lane family. Though I do wonder why the villain even bothered with that. If he was able to send an assassin back in time, certainly he could go about enacting his other evil plans with changing the past? That may have been explained, but if so, I missed it along with what points in history the CEO is actually going back to change which inspired the Lane’s to act. It’s alluded to, I think, but never explicitly said, so the stakes felt a little low to me.

That being said, I did enjoy how each family member was determined to make the most of their time in 1865, helping where they could without altering history, and getting involved with the community they were in. The family dynamic was sweet, the parents loving, and the siblings helpful; it was a very positive family experience especially when it seems so popular lately to have tragic family home life in every book you read. But ultimately, I wanted to be transported to 1865 in a more visceral way, I wanted more tension and to worry about the Lane’s maintaining their facades, which is why I am giving this 3 stars. But maybe all of this will be addressed in the next book, which I am looking forward to reading! And thank you to the author with providing a copy for an honest review.

[Sandy S · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 STARS—THE LANE BETRAYAL by John A Heldt is the first instalment in the historical, time travel, TIME BOX series focusing on the Lane family.


Told from several third person perspectives THE LANE BETRAYAL follows in the wake of Virginia physicist Mark Lane’s attempts to stop a madman in the year 2021. Having created two time machines known as the Time Box, Mark Lane discovers that his business partner, billionaire Robert Devereaux, wants to use the Time Boxes for questionable purposes. Having prepared for weeks, Mark Lane and his family pull up roots, and send themselves, along with the Time Boxes, back in time to 1865, just weeks prior to the end of the Civil War, Lincoln’s re-election, and eventually the president’s assassination but travelling back to a time where history Is about to repeat itself, means the Lane family must struggle with the knowledge of what is going to happen and when. As the family settles into life in 1865, Robert Devereaux back in 2021, hires a hit man, that he will send back in time, to destroy the Lane family, and take back what he believes belongs to him.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful secondary and supporting characters including many historical figures like Abraham Lincoln, John Hays, US Secretary of War Edwin Stanton, as well as John Wilkes Booth. We are introduced to the Lane family: Mark and Mary Lane, their children Jordan, Laura, Jeremy and Ashley; Mark’s co-conspirator Randy Taylor; Mark’s business partner Robert Devereaux; assassin for hire Silas Bain; injured soldier Sergeant Thomas Nye; former slaves Jane and Lewis, and Jane’s employer Miss Julia Albright; and widow Rebecca Maine.

THE LANE BETRAYAL is a story of family, friendships, history and love. When eldest son Jordan falls in love, the family is caught unaware, as they find themselves on the verge of changing history, in an effort to outrun a modern day assassin in 1865 Washington DC. From vengeance and murder, imprisonment and heart break, the ugliness of war, and the abolishment of slavery, THE LANE BETRAYAL is an intriguing and imaginative story deeply rooted in historical fact and fiction.


Copy supplied for review

www.thereadingcafe.com

[Melisende · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my first book from author John Heldt, and I must say, for a "time travel" tome, I was pleasantly surprised. Though I am sure we, as readers and historians, have no doubt contemplated it, I will be the first to admit that the whole "time travel" genre is not really my thing as what I had previously read, was poorly done and just put me off altogether.

As mentioned, I was pleasantly surprised with this story of a family on the run from a meglomaniac with plans to use the devices created, to rule the world. Yes I know, rather Austin Powers-esque. However, that is not the case here. The family must fly under the radar to avoid bringing undue attention to themselves, whilst not altering events, and avoid crossing paths with the man sent to find them. To that end, the family must adapt and adopt their surroundings - Civil War Virginia in 1865 - which for some members of the family present some challenges.

The narrative is told from alternating points of view - the members of the Lane family, the man sent to find them, and Mark Lane's modern-day colleagues for whom (bar one) he is an anathema. Can the family stay one step ahead and survive, or will they be forced to reveal themselves.

well ... no real spoiler alert as the second in the series has been published and a third is on the cards - so more thrilling adventures into America's past await the reader!

[Heather Barksdale · Rating 5 out of 5]

“The Lane Betrayal” introduces Mark Lane, a physicist who has invented not one, but two time machines. He discovers that the company that he is working for wants to use the technology for sinister purposes. So, he packs up his family of six and travels back through time- to Virginia 1865 and the end of the American Civil War.

Overall, I enjoyed this trip though time. I found the story both interesting from a historical standpoint and intriguing from a time travel/adventure storyline. The majority of the story is set at the end of the civil war and the interactions that the Lane Family have with famous figures of that time are fascinating. The tale moved along quickly and set a pace that made you want to continue reading. I found the main characters of Laura and Jordan to be the best developed in both their individual characteristics and in the interactions with those around them...
Full blog post can be found here: https://heatherlbarksdale.com/blog/bl...

(I ended up checking out this book on mixed platforms: written and audiobook via Audible: I don’t usually do Audio books, but found the narrator to be easy to listen to and enjoyed his depiction of changing voices)

I received a copy of this story in audiobook and e-versions in exchange of a fair and honest review.

[Tony Leonardi,Tony Leonardi · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not very captivating and very predictable. Too many loose ends and a very unsatisfactory ending. The plot had promise but the story telling fell apart.


I do not recommend this book for anyone who wants more than light reading. Not very captivating and very poor plot

[Rose Auburn · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is August 2021 and eminent physicist Mark Lane at Janus Enterprises has developed two time travelling machines. It becomes evident that his megalomaniac business partner, Robert Devereaux, wants to use the boxes for villainous reasons. With the help of a friend on the inside, Mark decides not only to blow the whistle on Devereaux and his intentions, but to uproot his wife Mary, and children, Jordan, Laura, Jeremy and Ashley. He uses one of the machines to travel to, what he believes, will be the relative safety and anonymity of the closing months of the American Civil War in 1865. They pack essentials from their modern day lives to help them survive and hopefully, thrive. After some adjustment, the Lanes settle well into their new personas; finding employment, friends and lovers. However, it was only a matter of time before Robert Devereaux attempted to exact his revenge by sending a highly-trained operative back through one hundred and fifty years to find them…

I thought this book was brilliant. Not only is it a compulsive page-turner; the quality of the writing, the story and the way Mr Heldt has structured the novel are absolutely first-class. The opening chapters plunge us straight into Mark Lane’s mind as he prepares to leave present-day. It’s a thrilling yet measured beginning, raising lots of questions but also answering a few. There is a confidence and immediate solid dependability in Mr Heldt’s writing that sweeps you seamlessly into and through the novel.

We meet a fair, few characters; the Lanes themselves total five but each one has their own nuances; patterns and quirks that make them subtly yet easily identifiable. Especially Rebecca. I thought she was portrayed achingly well. The scenes between her and Jordan were profoundly touching and the writing beautiful.

Each Chapter is told from the viewpoint of a different character central to the plot and that really worked. Not only because it changes the perspective both emotionally and figuratively but because as each Chapter was fairly short, it built the suspense in one area just enough before switching to another issue.

It’s a tricky call when characterising well-known historical figures, they can become needlessly exaggerated. Here, the ones that we met (Abraham Lincoln, for example), are correctly drawn and do not overshadow the plot or fictional characters. The level of detail and research in events, places and people is outstanding and marvellously complements the story. As an Englishwoman whose only knowledge of the American Civil War comes from Gone with the Wind, I found the historical aspect very interesting.

If I have any niggles, and I’ve struggled to find any, it would be a slight lack of emotion in the first half. Being bounced into late 19th Century cannot be easy in regard to hygiene levels, clothing and cooking and this is not really mentioned in the first months of their new life but this is a very minor point.

The book is the first in the Time Box series. I am not always a fan of series; I think they can occasionally lead to lazy plotting and loose ends. A book should standalone regardless and The Lane Betrayal does with an intelligent and thoughtful ending. But - I will be reading the second instalment as soon as I can.

Absolutely fantastic and highly recommended to all readers; the writing is so good and the novel so well-crafted that I believe it has universal appeal.

[Pamela King · Rating 5 out of 5]

After finishing The Carson Chronicles, and loving the series, I wasn’t sure if I was ready to start another journey with another family. I should have known better. John a Heldt had me hooked from the first chapter. Who needs to do housework anyway?

Each of Heldt’s series uses a different method for time travel. In this series it is a time box developed by Physicist Mark Lane.

Mark discovers his business partner, Robert Devereaux, plans to use the timebox for his own greedy and evil purposes. With the help of a friend, he steals the time box, destroys the program, and whisks his to family back to 1865. They arrive just as the American Civil War is coming to an end.

His family includes his wife, Mary who has brought cosmetics from the present time to sell. His children are sons Jordon (ex-military) and Jeremy and daughters Laura and 12 year old Ashley. They blend in with the time, making friends and fitting in as best they can. Laura volunteers at an army hospital.

But best laid plans can always go wrong. A key to one box is left in a farm building and the other is damaged. The second one is seized by the Union Army, suspecting it to be a device to aid the Rebel Army and Mark is arrested as a traitor.

That’s not the end of their troubles.

Devereaux wants revenge. His team builds another time box. He then sends a hit man, Silas Bain, back to 1865 to retrieve the original boxes and assassinate all members of the Lane family.

The cold hearted assassin has no qualms about who he kills including anyone who may get in his way or reveal his presence.

Meanwhile the Lanes, aware Bain is after them, desperately try to retrieve both their boxes.

The badies, Devereaux and Bain were easy to dislike. No, make that despise.

As always Heldt’s research is impeccable and his characterisation of historical figures including Abraham Lincoln and John Wilkes Booth are believable.

Two characters I particularly liked were Jane and Lewis. Both former slaves they are now free, but the Lane family know it still will not be easy for them in post-civil war times.

I have loved John A Heldt’s writing since the first book I read. I didn’t think his story telling could get any better, but it does with every new book.

He manages to combine dramatic action, adventure, and plenty of twists with love, endearing family relationships and friendship. It’s like a tapestry woven on a background of history featuring believable historic figures. The result is an engrossing page turner.

In The Lane Betrayal he includes the issues of the American Civil War and the abolition of slavery.

Each Chapter is told from a different character’s point of view, including Devereaux and Bain. It builds suspense, switches the emotions of the reader, and makes it a fast paced story.

When I first started reading John A Heldt’s books I thought they couldn’t get any better. How wrong I was. I believe he must set himself a bar higher and higher with each series, and he achieves his goal every time.

Do yourself a favour, read The Lane Betrayal. You won’t be disappointed but be warned as with all Heldt’s series you’ll want to jump straight into the next book.

I received a complimentary copy from John A. Heldt for an honest review.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heldt always gives the reader a story to devour and The Lane Betrayal is no exception. Filled with lots of action, danger and a tad of romance, this fast paced tale is sure to satisfy that craving for adventure in every reader.

Mark Lane, a gifted physicist, has made the breakthrough of the century, maybe the millennia, with his device that allows time travel. He should be elated. Instead, he has discovered that his business partner, Robert Devereaux, in Janus Enterprises is planning to use the device for wicked ends. In an attempt to thwart Robert, Mark has planned to steal the two working devices and escape with his family into the past. This escape plan also includes alerting the authorities to what Robert is up to and sabotaging the project.

Mark has been planning his escape for months with the help of his colleague Randy who has decided to stay behind and assist where he can with the escape. On the day of the planned escape, Robert gets wind that something is a foot and is coming to confront Mark. With just a few minutes head start, courtesy of Randy, Mark manages to whisk his family to 1865 around the closing days of the Civil War. It looks like things are finally going as planned. Then a turn of bad luck occurs when one of the keys for the devices is forgotten in a cabin in Virginia and the second device is impounded by the government.

The government thinks the device might be something to aid the Rebel Army in the closing days of the war. Mark, now a prisoner of the Union Army, and suspected of being a rebel sympathizer, is taken to Washington, D.C. The family has no choice but to follow. To make matters worse, Robert has hired a hit man, Silas Bain, to travel back in time and finds the Lanes and kill them. Will anything go right for the Lane family?

I loved how the author allowed the tension to build slowly. By the end of the story you are sitting on the edge of your seat to see if the Lanes will stay a step ahead of Silas Bain. Therefore, it is no surprise that action is the key element of this book and it worked very well with the plot. Overall great pacing.

Sometimes stories with lots of action lack character development. Not so here! As with other books I have read by this author, the character development is critical to the story. Heldt knows how to get and keep the reader’s attention with the characters he builds. He delves deeply into the psyche of his characters to make them memorable and invest the reader.

I filed this book under science fiction, but fiction is the operative word here. There is really no science just a great story about, love, family and what binds us all together. Perfect book for fans of Nora Roberts and similar authors. Highly recommend!

Disclosure: While I used my Kindle Unlimited account to read this book, the author did request a review. For more of my reviews, and author interviews, visit my blog at www.thespineview.com

[Donadee's Corner · Rating 5 out of 5]

John Heldt – Time Box Bk 1 – The Lane Betrayal – Reviewed 3/1/20 – Read 2/29/20
A jump in time and try to save the world, the Lane’s are in for a bumpy flight!

When you figure out that your partner is going to do something so terrible that you can not be a part of it, what do you do? Well if you are Mark Lane, a physicist that was part of the development of a time box, you use it! Doing this will make sure the partner, billionaire Robert Devereaux can’t change the world as it is known. Chancing everything, he and his family, wife Mary, daughters Laura and Ashley and both sons, Jordan and Jeremy used that very box to save the world.

Thus begins an exciting adventure for the six, only they could never have figured that Robert Devereaux would send an assassin to retrieve the box. Mark knew that just leaving would not protect him, so he had made plans that would have them moving very soon. When they arrive in Virginia just prior to the end of the Civil War, they had to make some changes to their plans. Then fate kicked in, and Mark was arrested for being a traitor. Now things are getting really interesting and the story begins!!!!

What did I like? I have read every one of John’s books and knew from them that this would be another great read, I was not disappointed. I think everyone knows that I love time travel. John has the most amazing imagination to come up with his tales, but even better is how he weaves them over true history and involves many real figures from our past. I love how he does it, and I am sure you will too!!!!

What will you like? The action is amazing, the characters are so lifelike but unique. You will feel like they were your neighbors next door. The historical events that are woven into the storyline all the way through will have you on the edge of your seat, knowing what is going to happen but trying to figure the character's involvements. The details and descriptions are crisp and yet whimsical as the storyline is. The intrigue and emotional stress from the flight and survival modes are so tense that you will not be able to put the book down. One great read that will capture you on page one and does not let go… Wow, I can’t wait for book two.

• File Size: 517 KB
• Print Length: 306 pages
• Publication Date: February 29, 2020
• Genre: Time Travel Romances, Historical Fiction

[Lara Girdler · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am going to preface this with saying that John has come a very long way in developing both his characters and the antagonists he creates. I have to say he’s crawling into the mind of the antagonist quite well, and this time around he certainly did that with both Robert Devereaux (RD) and his assassin, Bain. When I was reading this book I was definitely cheering for the Lane’s, there’s no real way anyone couldn’t. They did what they had to in order to prevent the all-out anarchy and corporate takeover that Deveraux was planning. However, we soon look that RD, like so many nefarious and greedy persons will do absolutely anything he can to prevent Mark and his family from blocking him. When there’s money and power involved just about anyone can do anything.

Ok, back to my review – John has done a fabulous job researching the history, people, and locations surrounding Washington DC in the midst of the Civil War. It’s always interesting to me to hear about how much the city has changed and what it was like to live and function during the era of Abraham Lincoln and the Civil War. Being from that area I was very familiar with all the locations mentioned, and have actually had a chance to see a show at Ford’s Theater. This particular novel takes us on that tour of our Nation’s Capital while laying the groundwork for the very story that will captivate and draw you in from the word go.

I really enjoyed this story and as soon as I started reading it I could not put it down, reading until well past midnight. I felt connected to the story and could really just see why each character does what they do. I crawled into Mark’s head and knew kind of how he was processing information and making plans, I could almost walk in Mary’s shoes and be the protective mother she was all the while trying to manipulate some of the country’s most powerful men to bend to her will. I felt the heartache Jordan felt when he spoke of losing his college girlfriend, and yet the joy he felt when he was with Rebecca (there’s more – no spoilers). I sincerely look forward to seeing where the Lane’s will go to next!

Again, a 5 out of 5 for The Lane Betrayal.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mark Lane is about to put in place a decision that will change the life of his family, a corporation and possibly history.  Mark has invented the Time Box in conjunction with the Janus corporation headed up by billionaire Robert Devereaux.   When Mark learns that Robert will only use the Time Box for evil, he makes a difficult decision to sabotage the company, steal the working Time Boxes and disappear into the past with his family. Mark, his wife Mary and children Jordan, Laura, Jeremy and Ashley travel in haste to 1865 Virginia.  The family tries to fit in and rebuild a life as best they can.  However, Robert Devereaux will not let Lane's betrayal slide.  Devereaux's team rebuilds a Time box and sends a hit man into the past  to enact revenge.

The Lane Betrayal is a high-stakes, action packed time travel adventure.  From the very first page the suspense is heightened as Mark destroys his friend's company and is chased into the past.  There are a lot of characters in this book, but they are all very well developed and distinctive.  The Lane's are very family oriented and serve one another well. None of the family members are perfect, but they are all trying their best to do what is right during a very weird situation.   The assassin added another layer of danger with a cold-hearted and focused attitude.  The setting of the tail end of the Civil War was an interested choice.  There is a lot of danger in the time period, especially for the men, but it was a time that they knew about well.  I enjoyed reading about Laura's time as a nurse in the field hospital.  Though her time there was difficult, it was authentic and realistic to the time period.  It was also interesting to read about the family's interactions with Lincoln himself and his advisors.  I was intrigued at the family's outlook at potentially changing history and the influence that their presence has had.  With a cliffhanger ending, I can't wait to jump into the next book and next time period with the Lane family.

This book was received for free in return for an honest review.

[Steph Warren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fugitive physicist Mark Lane sweeps up his family and absconds to 1865 with the time travel devices he invented, to avoid them remaining in the wrong hands, but his nefarious business partner, Robert Devereaux, isn’t going to let them get away with HIS investment.

There are some action-packed, tense moments as the family attempt to evade the company manhunt, but the heart of the story is about adjusting to life in the past, and making choices about financial support, friendships, politics and romance.

The one thing I was confused about throughout this novel was that, for a group of people who are attempting to stay off the radar and blend in as unnoticeably as possible, the Lanes could not have failed harder! Every choice they make and action they take seems designed to draw as much attention to themselves as possible, from introducing modern currency, products and medicines into the past, to befriending revolutionaries and the first family and involving themselves in their political causes. I thought they were trying to lay low and avoid changing history?! This is something I would like to see picked up in future instalments, with the reader finding out the future outcomes of their actions in the past.

Other than that apparent inconsistency, I really enjoyed this historical, family-focused sci-fi and was interested to note that in the time period they intend to relocate to at the end of the novel they will have fewer resources, no plan, and a lot of emotional baggage to deal with – things are about to get even trickier for the Lanes.

This is a well-written and thoroughly researched story about life in America in the 1800s, from a modern-day perspective, with the added excitement of assassins pursuing the main characters through time; ideal for those interested in Civil War history and time travel stories.


Review by Steph Warren of Bookshine and Readbows blog
https://bookshineandreadbows.wordpres...

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a review of an e-book I was sent for free. All opinions are my own.

The story starts in August 2021 when Mark Lane is forced to bring forward his plans to wreak havoc on the company’s servers before escaping with the time travel machines by 6 hours. If he fails, his corrupt business partner Robert plans to use them to change and manipulate history for his own purposes. The plan to time-travel from their own backyard has to be axed. A high speed police chase ensues before he reunites with his family at their back-up rendezvous and they vanish into thin air, travelling back in time to 1865, towards the end of the American Civil War.

But with no transport of their own, this means they need to now make their way back to Fredericksburg and this is the start of where things begin to unravel. One of them is arrested, property is seized, something is lost.

Meanwhile Robert is hot on their heels in attempting to reverse the damage Mark has inflicted in the modern day and in following the cookie crumb trail to pinpoint the time they travelled to. He will stop at nothing to get the machines back and hires an assassin to send back in time.

With money no object, the assassin kills on a whim. Can the Lane family sort themselves out and evade this assassin?

This book is a real page turner with so many twists and turns. And once again the author has put lots of effort into researching the historical period.

I highly recommend this book and am very much looking forward to reading book two, The Fair which was published this summer.

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

My sixteenth John Heldt novel and the beginning of my fourth full series. John has improved over time, as a writer, with dialogue, and framing a story. His first series involved characters thrown out of time with the clothes on their backs, his second framed time travel so thoroughly that we actually paused for characters to sign time travel waiver forms, and his last series involved a family lost in time, trying to find each other.

His dialogue has always been a little wooden and his dialogue has been a little sing-songy, but he’s improved much over the years.

This time around we meet the Lanes. Mark, husband and Dad, works for an organization which has perfected and plans to misuse time travel, so he steals the equipment and runs and hides during the Civil War along with his wife and children. Mr. Heldt is unpredictable in terms of who among the ancillary characters will live and die, who will have happy endings and who will not. I feel like this one went out of its way to deliver unhappy endings when I was rooting for them and happy endings when I didn’t care. Luck of the draw, certainly. I really didn’t start off on a good foot with the older Carson brothers in the last series, but having parents onboard in this one tempered anyone from getting too big a head, although Mark certainly makes several notable blunders here, and the entire family waits way too long to retrieve the key to the time box once they know it’s missing.

What I did appreciate this time around was a bit more variety, as well as an excising of the framework. The characters changed as they spent time in the past. This was always something that happened inadvertently to the Carsons. The brothers became misogynistic asshats who called their younger brother “sport.” Here, the characters change as a result of spending a lot of time in 1865, but that’s okay. That’s how it should work. Also, it was a bold choice of Mr. Heldt to start the story with the family having decided to effectively make a jailbreak. That saved us chapter after chapter of melodrama.

All in all, a solid first start!

[Mandy (MP Book Reviews) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Virginia physicist Mark Lane together with business partner and billionaire Robert Devereaux, develop two time-machine boxes, but just before they are ready to be used he learns that his business partner intends to use them for nefarious purposes. He then, together with his family, decides to do all he can to prevent that and they take them and escape to a relatively safe time towards the end of the American Civil War in 1865. For Mark, his wife Mary, and their children Jeremy, 19, Ashley, 12, Laura, 22 and Jordan, 25 all find chances to grow as people as they all have their own adventures. However back in their home era, Robert Devereaux has a completely different view on the situation and works with the employees to fix a prototype box so that he can send a trained assassin in order to retrieve the time boxes and set matters straight with the Lanes. Will the assassin find them or will they escape?

This was a great story that was incredibly well researched so that all the elements of the story that had a basis in fact were accurate. It was a mystery story too which definitely drew me in and kept me dying to find out what was going to happen next. I'm definitely invested in this family and their survival and can't wait to find out what adventures they have in new eras. Well written this was very easy to understand and enjoy. A great series that does not contain bad language nor overtly sexual content.

[Sheri · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Lane Betrayal (Time Box, #1) by John A Heldt

Mark Lane, a Physicist in Virginia made two time machines. He finds out his partner (Robert Devereaux) wants to use the machines for heinous purposes. Mark decides to take his family to the year 1865. It is not long that Mark finds they are in danger, as Robert has sent a hit-man back in time to assassinate him.

The family starts to adjust to the new era with wife Mary running a business. Their son Jeremy and Daughter Ashley make friends with slaves. Daughter Laura works as a Nurse and Oldest son Jordan falls in love with lovely Widow.

The story moves at a steady pace, with attention to detail and accurate events of that time period. All of the Lane's are likable, they have their challenges, adjustments and good times. There is plenty or suspense, danger, betrayal, unconditional (Family) love, and a splash of romance. I found The Lane Betrayal, very enjoyable and feel those who love time travel, will enjoy it as much as I did. I highly recommend this fantastic read.

[Energy Rae · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mark Lane has learned that his employer plans to use the time travel boxes they’ve invented for nefarious purposes. So he takes his family and the two time boxes and flees to 1865, where the Civil War is nearing its end. They may not find the peace they’re hoping for when the owner of the company sends Silas Bain to kill them and retrieve the boxes. Will they survive?

The Lane Betrayal had quite a few elements going on that made it a fun read. We have Jordan finding love, Mark befriending President Lincoln’s top aide, Laura working as a nurse, and we have the business of the time travel. The historical elements added a lot of fun to this read. The Lanes meet many people in their journey to the past that added so much to the story. They also land in hot water more than once, which adds to the suspense.

I loved that Heldt did a lot of research in this as it’s filled with detailed historical elements. Every person they met in this story had something important to add to the Lane’s journey. The suspenseful element of the manhunt makes it a fast-paced read, hoping they can elude Silas. This is book 1 in the series and I’m definitely looking forward to what more is in store for this family.

[Amy Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorites by Heldt!

Heldt pens a gripping and impressive story in The Lane Betrayal. I have read a lot of work from this author before, and I really enjoyed this one, maybe it's my favorite so far. The characters were realistic and created with great depth. I enjoy Heldt's time traveling stories, almost feels so real. The antagonist was a character that I felt was both devious and yet, in a way, enjoyable to read about. The story brings in the believable, even if almost impossible. This book deserves a second read! (and maybe more). It is always a joy to read this author's stories. This author is not just a writer but a great storyteller. The author's technique of intense characters and great plotlines is a gift. It's a great story to follow and try to figure out what will happen next. The Lane family is one of greatness and one that has a great loyalty to one another, really, how many families would be willing to go back to 1865? This story is well done! A definite must read! I look forward to reading many more by this author. This book is a high recommendation by Amy's Bookshelf Reviews.

[Michele · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read every single one of John A Heldt's novels and none of them has ever disappointed me! This first in his new series is just a good as all the rest.

Mark Lane created a time machine and it was proven that it worked! Then he discovered that his business partner wanted to use it for nefarious purposes. Mark uses the time machine to transport his family to the end of the Civil War--1865. They all manage to fit in some how but his business partner is out for revenge. He sends an assassin after them!

Of course, as in all this author's novels there is suspense, some romance and a lot of action. The scenes and the people of the era will come alive on the pages for you as our country grapples with war, peace and the assassination of Abraham Lincoln!

I am seriously waiting for the next in this series!!

I received an e-book from the author for my enjoyment and a possible review.

[Cynthia Hilston · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Lane Betrayal is the sixth book by John Heldt I've had the pleasure of reading. After concluding The Carson Chronicles last year, I was looking forward to what this author would write next. And it's arrived!

John Heldt knows how to tell good, solid time-traveling family stories. In this book, we're introduced to the Lane family (father Mark, mother Mary, sons Jordan and Jeremy, daughters Laura and Ashley). They use a Time Box (invented by Mark, a physicist who works for a dubious boss, Devereaux) to travel from 2121 to Virginia in 1865. Mark's reason for escaping with such tech is to protect the past, which Devereaux wishes to change for nefarious, selfish reasons.

What ensues is a chase through time, romance, heartbreak, imprisonment, the end of the American Civil War, and meeting people from a different time. The author uses easy-to-read language that drive the narrative forward at a steady pace. His accurate description of the time period proves his extensive research. Heldt's characters are likable, and you want them to win, which is why you, like I, must eagerly wait for the next installment in the series.

[Rosie Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Lane Betrayal is a time travel historical novel and book one of The Time Box series.

This story begins in Virginia; physicist Mark Lane helped to create time travel machines, but his business partner wanted to use them for immoral purposes. Mark stole the time boxes and took them with his family back to 1865, where they arrived at the end of the American Civil War. Aware that Mark’s partner might try to follow them, he and his family tried to blend in and not change too many timelines.

Mark was correct and within a few weeks an assassin was sent after them using a beta travel machine. They urgently needed to leave for another time, but unfortunate circumstances prevented this.

This was a good start to a series; the author used a mix of real characters and events to keep the narrative interesting. See here for full review https://wp.me/p2Eu3u-fqG

[The Christian Book Critic · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Lane Betrayal is the first book in the Time Box saga from the critically acclaimed author, John Heldt. The Lane Betrayal captures its reader within the first few pages of the storyline. Filled with romance, suspense, and historical fiction, what more could a reader ask for? Mark Lane, the protagonist in the story, is the president and junior partner of Junus Enterprise. It's 2021, and Junus Enterprise has just developed two working time machines. Mark Lane and his partner disagree on the direction of the company with the time machines. Determined to hide the time machines in the past, Mark and his family travel to 1865. The only problem is Mark and his family must keep a low profile to avoid rewriting history. Easier said then done, however, if they don't, the tracker, the partners hired will kill them.

[Melanie Adkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

August 2021 proves to be quite a month. Mark Lane has been planning and preparing for this for over seven months. It hadn't been easy. Only one person at James Enterprises knew what he was doing. They had to keep it quiet. If this worked, it would put James Enterprises out of business.
Mr. Heldt strikes gold again. This series has a bit of a twist you will enjoy. I wasn't sure at first. After reading this book, I was telling all my friends about it. It's well written and full of love and family. It has characters you will love. Mr. Heldt did a fantastic job showing us this new twist. Get your copy today! Mr. Heldt's books are the type you will read over and over.

I found no issues with this one.

I gave this one 5 cheers out of 5 because I like that the whole family is part of this. The author provided a copy of the book but I chose to review it.

[Ailyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

John Heldt is back with a new series with the Lane family. This time, it is a time- travelling device that allows Mark Lane to travel through time with his family Like usual, there are limitations to time travelling, and nothing goes according to plan.
In the Lane Betrayal, the family faces problems. As this is their first time, the errors are glaring to me as a reader, but probably will run through if I am stuck in the past. Mark and his wife are trying to keep the family safe, as they know that peace is not going to last.
Going to 1865 is a great time to start with time travel, I have learned a lot about American history. A parent's desperation coupled with unstable times, this is an explosive start to a series that will charm all time- travel fans.

[Cherie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Until finding this book I was not familiar with author John Heldt. Needless to say, I'm thankful to have become aware of him, and enjoyed reading "The Lane Betrayal." As he took me back to 1865 just months before Lincoln's assassination he was successful in making the streets and people come alive. I learned a lot about our nation during this time. I am a big fan of time travel books, but many are loaded with gratuitous, steamy, sex scenes, which, sometimes, take away from the true story. This is not true of this book (sorry for those of you who live for those sex scenes). It was a pleasure to spend time with Mark Lane and his family. I can't wait to meet up with them again in Book 2. Thank you Mr. Heldt.