A Colonial Courtship

Back Inn Time #3

by Stephenia H. McGee

Sometimes time travel is just the miracle you need. Unless it sends you to the last place you want to go.

Abigail Martin needs a miracle. After a crushing family secret stole her job, her apartment, and her future, she escapes her ruined life and risks a return to her hometown. Hints from a trusted friend that a mysterious bed and breakfast could grant her deepest desires lead her to rent a room. But when her former crush—a man she’s spent months avoiding—won’t leave her side, they both end up facing more than just the past she tried to escape.

Evan Blake finally has a second chance to win his first love, and he won’t let a little thing like her refusal stand in his way. When Abigail’s insistence on staying at a weird inn dumps them in Colonial Boston on the doorstep of the Revolutionary War, suddenly finding a way to ask her out seems the least of his worries. Despite the bizarre and unimaginable challenges of the 1700s, he refuses to give up on capturing her heart. But will finding their way home mean losing her forever?

♥ The Back Inn Time series short novels are fun, faith-filled stories of what it might be like to suddenly experience life in a different time. These clean historical romances are packed with humor and adventure. Perfect for fans of dual timeline or time slip stories and Christian historical romance, these books answer the question every historical fiction fan wonders—what would it be like if I went back to that time? If you enjoy the wholesomeness of Amish, Western, or frontier fiction and adore romantic comedies, then a visit to a seaside Victorian inn where you can “step back inn time and leave your troubles behind!” is for you.

Genres: Time Travel, Historical Fiction, Fiction, Contemporary, Christian Fiction, Historical, Clean Romance

238 pages, Paperback

Published June 28, 2021

About the author

Stephenia H. McGee is a multi-published author of stories of faith, hope, and healing set in the Deep South. She lives in Mississippi, where she is a mom of two rambunctious boys, writer, dreamer, and husband spoiler. Her novel The Cedar Key was a 2021 Faith, Hope, and Love Readers’ Choice award winner. A member of the ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers) and the DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution), she loves all things books and history. Stephenia also loves connecting with readers and can often be found having fun with her Faithful Readers Team on Facebook. For more on books and upcoming events and to connect with Stephenia, visit her at www.StepheniaMcGee.com.

Reviews

[Staci · Rating 4 out of 5]

Present Day and 1733 Boston

The third in a time travel series. Abigail is seeking a fresh start after discovering her dad betrayed her and losing her job. She seeks a "miracle" at The Depot after hearing about it from her friend.

Evan, madly in love with Abigail, picks her up from the airport and takes her to the quaint inn. He tries to talk Abigail into staying with his family for the Thanksgiving holiday, but she wants separation.

Soon, they are both whisked away to colonial era Boston. The shock of time travel helps them both realize what is truly important and builds their faith. Enjoyed the historical tidbits included.

Loved the football analogies in the novel such as success being like "4th and 20".

[Kailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a great story with a great message in it! I loved it so much! I didn’t want it to end! This one went back to my favorite time period. Stephenia H. McGee writes the best time travel stories! I highly recommend this book and series!


I received a complimentary copy from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

[Megan Lowe · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5. I’m going to finish this series because they are simple to listen to and move through quickly, but they are very average. I’ve come to decide that the historical time period the characters travel to really doesn’t bear much impact on the story as a whole. I feel like the lessons the protagonists learned in this story could have been learned in any time period with any set of events that forced them to be in the same place for a set period of time. For these books to be truly great, they need to be longer and have conflict that actually forces the characters to adapt to being in the past more. I suppose Outlander had just spoiled me and ruined other time travel stories 🤪

[Candy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute short story about time travel. When you stay at this Inn you never know where your going to end up in time.

[Stacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Colonial Courtship is another winner from Stephenia H. McGee! This time the reader is transported back to 1773 Boston and is every bit as fun as the first two Back Inn Time books. I love Abigail and Evan's relationship and seeing how they handled their circumstances. I listened to the audiobook and once again, the narrator did a wonderful job. She makes the time fly by and before I know it, the book is finished. This is one of my favorite series and I hope there are more books to come!

I received an advanced copy and all opinions are my own.

[Una · Rating 5 out of 5]

McGee has another winner with her third Back Inn Time book. It has romance and Christian truths that we all can learn from. Abigail Martin and Evan Blake go back in time with their insecurities. They have to learn how to trust each other and more important God. While they are doing this they have to learn forgiveness.

I received a free copy of the book from the author. A favorable review was not required. All opinions are my own.

[Carrie Schmidt · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

“Of all the times she’d imagined facing Evan again, this scenario never made the list.”

I love this Back Inn Time series, and I’m sad that it’s the end for now. I say “for now” because I am ever hopeful that my fave series will just continue indefinitely lol. (Update: There IS a book four coming!!! Happy dancing!!!) The magical realism elements related to the time travel are done so well and even allow for the ‘what ifs’ without compromising the author’s (and my) Biblical worldview. The romance is sweet and tender, with swoony kisses and mutual respect, and the characters are richly layered and engaging.

Yet, even though all three books share those common attributes, each book has enough differences that distinguish them from each other too. For instance, the era has been different from book to book – from a wagon train on the Oregon Trail to an Air Force base in 1956 to a wintry Boston on the eve of its most infamous tea party. Also, we have a hero & heroine who are already dating when they stop at the inn, then a hero & heroine who’ve never met before they’re sent back in time, and in A Colonial Courtship Abigail & Evan are each other’s ‘the one that got away’. So you’ve all got all these great relationship dynamics that the author gets to explore, and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the unique layers each book brings to the reader. It keeps the stories fresh, and my entertainment level high.

Abigail, thanks to hints she’s pieced together from a friend with firsthand experience at The Depot, already has an idea of what will happen to her if she stays at the inn. And she’s hoping she’s right because she has some painful questions in her past that she’d like to resolve. The answers she’s looking for may not be the answers she gets, though, and I loved the gently presented message of belonging and ‘enough-ness’ that McGee weaves through her story. Then there’s Evan. All he wants is a chance to tell Abigail how he feels – he’s certainly not expecting to be thrust into colonial Boston with ‘panty hose’ and no phones. Poor guy. I couldn’t help chuckling at his utter refusal, at first, to believe that this wasn’t some elaborate reenactment. His comical indignation and attempts to catch someone breaking character add some humor to the mix and allow us to get inside his head a little bit too. Evan’s relationship with God & the reminders in his heart to trust Him play a big role in some sudden turns the story takes, and the author writes this aspect so tenderly it almost feels like a hug from God to the reader as well.

I’ve also appreciated the comfort of knowing certain overall elements will stay the same. Like, Mrs. Easley and her work for the Conductor. I can’t wait for you to meet Mrs. Easley on these pages, if you haven’t yet had the pleasure. Also, the swoony kisses – and Evan & Abigail definitely do not disappoint! Even if they do have to deal with some “stuffy Puritans” in the process. Their romance, born out of a long friendship, checked all the boxes for my romance-loving heart.

Bottom Line: A Colonial Courtship ignites your imagination with delightful ‘what ifs’ and may even heal some bruised places in your heart too. McGee does a fabulous job of using the modern day characters’ struggles to adjust to Colonial conventions and expectations as a means of organically furthering the discussions that needed to happen & the walls that needed to come down between them. Faith threads aren’t preachy or awkward, but rather shore up the story like a gentle embrace. A must-read for fans of time travel, colonial America & a beautifully written second chance, friends-to-more romance.

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)

first reviewed on Reading Is My SuperPower

[SK · Rating 3 out of 5]

Positives: Time Period & Time-Travel: Annoying: The Lead Characters from the Beginning (Rate 3.6)

Like book one, Wagon Train Weekend, this Colonial Courtship introduces a couple, Abigail Martin and Evan Blake, who from the start clearly exhibit a history. Their interactions are not smooth, but rather agitated, feisty, and adversarial. Again, like book one, the female lead, Abigail is far more angry and aggressive than Evan, who like Seth in Wagon Train wanted to conquer all problems with a hammer without understanding all the undertow issues emanating from the female lead. Because of this agitation and aggressive demeanor, I didn’t like Abigail and couldn’t buy into Abigail and Evan as a successful couple until much later. How much later? After they are kicked out of the Green Dragon and spend time with the Pastor and his wife, which is chapter fourteen and well into the story.

I’ve read copious books on the revolutionary war, non-fiction as well as fiction works, I enjoy reading about this period of history. Added to my liking of this period is my enjoyment of well-done time-travel fiction, which can help us perceive history in a new light. I brought a boatload of positivity to this book, but I was disappointed.

Once I reached chapter 14, this book improved. At that point, Abigail starts really communicating; she shares her heart with Evan and explains Atlanta and Evan details his college struggles. Good. There were very few faith elements until chapter 14, which is surprising as there were only 16 chapters plus an epilogue. We find out that both Abigail and Evan were angry at God for not doing what they wanted, when each were going through their personal struggles.

I enjoyed the cleaver exit from Boston and the exchange with Mrs. Easley on the return to The Depot. There were several vignettes that were amusing and showed historical detail, such as: the debacle of Abigail waitressing at the Green Dragon; the situation where Evan and Abigail commit a serious social faux pas that lands Evan in the stocks; and the incident with the horse hooey smeared on Abigail’s dress as they make their way to the minister. Although I haven’t gushed over books one and three, books two and four are just superb. Reviews are definitely subjective, so other readers must decide if this type of book is the type of writing they might enjoy.

[Jessica Baker (A Baker's Perspective) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series just gets better and better. I mean it was good to begin with, but this is my favorite (did I say that last time!?). I think I really liked the characters the most in this one. The fact that Abigail had a slight inkling as to what might happen when she visits the inn was fun for me. And then when you throw in Evan, who still thinks they are in present day and asks multiple people to borrow their phone just made me giggle and laugh out loud. I could see their reactions when he would ask for a phone too, which made me laugh even harder.

I also liked the history with this couple the best. I don’t want to give anything away (spoilers), but McGee did a graet job presenting their back story, and putting them together in present day/ time travel day. With cameos from some awesome historical people, I just couldn’t put this story down until I was finished. It’s a fast read, so I just read it all at once!

Readers who are looking for a light, easy, quick read will enjoy A Colonial Courtship. And while it could be read as a stand alone, I highly recommend reading the entire series. There is a reference in this story to a previous novel that makes it more fun if you know what happened! I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Colonial Courtship by Stephenia H McGee is a charming Christian timeslip novel and the third book in the Back Inn Time series which is delightful.
As present day slips into the past there are lessons to be learnt. Sometimes the things we want answers to, are not the things that God wants to teach us. We make the plans for our lives but God’s plans are greater.
When life does not turn out as we want it to, we may feel angry at God. This is misdirected anger as God wants to turn our pain around.
There is the theme of forgiveness. It is not always easy to do but if we with-hold it, we risk becoming bitter. We need to forgive and live free.
We are not destined to repeat the sins of our fathers. We are a unique creation and are therefore free to develop our own character.
The characters were all well drawn and realistic. They were warm and welcoming, covering the story in love.
In spite of the serious themes, the tone was light-hearted. There were some amusing scenes.
I have loved this Back Inn Time series. All the stories are delightful and have lessons for us all to learn.
I received a free copy of the book from the author. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Abigail Martin is in trouble. Big trouble. Her only chance of escaping is to go to a time traveling Bed and Breakfast called Back Inn Time to see if she can undo the past. The funny and sometimes embarrassing predicaments that arise as she and her high school crush, Evan Blake, are transported to a completely different era make this an enjoyable read. Evan Blake’s reaction is priceless as he has no idea they have time traveled. Why are they in costumes? Where is a phone so he can call for help?

As Abigail and Evan encounter Colonial social norms and their consequences, they must trust each other. I thought using these experiences was a terrific way of helping each of them to break down the walls of past hurts they had built.

Abgail’s story of trying to fix things on her own is something that I think we can all relate to in our lives. The unexpected journey as she discovers her need for help and trusting God and others was inspirational and timeless. As Abigail reflects upon her past mistakes and the choices she has made, I found this quote to be pivotal for her and applicable to us. “I won’t let the past have any say over what I want for the future.”

I enjoyed reading this third time slip book in the Back Inn Time series. This can be read as a stand alone, but you will want to read the other books as well. Each book is set in a different time period that makes these books not only fun, but you learn a bit about that time period with the details that are included in the stories. If you like historical and/or Christian fiction, you will enjoy this story.

I was given a complimentary copy from the author/ publisher and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Colonial Courtship is the third installment from The Back Inn Time series, by Stephenia H McGee. I really enjoyed this time travel historical romance. I loved Abigail and Evan’s story. I was hooked right from the start. They had great chemistry and I enjoyed having a chance of taking this journey with them.

I am giving A Colonial Courtship a very well deserved five plus stars. I highly recommend it for readers who enjoy reading a good time travel historical romance. They, also, will not want to miss the previous books from The Back Inn Time series.

I received a digital copy of A Colonial Courtship from the author, but was not required to write a review. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion.

[BrendaLee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great time travel book from Mrs McGee! I listened to the audiobook and loved that the narrator brought this book to life. It’s always fun reading/listening to the characters trying to remember how they were supposed to act during the time travel when all they know is how to live in modern times.
Abigail wanted to learn some things about her family but she didn’t know she was going to find out by time traveling and above all she sure didn’t know that the man she had been avoiding would be with her. This book is actually a fun read and I learned some things along the way. So if you love a clean time travel book read A Colonial Courtship from one of my favorite authors.
I received this audiobook from the author/publisher but was not required to write a positive review.

[Connie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Colonial Courtship, book 3, in this series follows Maddie Palmer's best friend, Abigail Martin. After a shocking family secret is revealed, Abigail finds herself jobless and homeless. Leaving Atlanta in humiliation, she follows Maddie's advice and books a room at the Depot. Meeting her at the airport is Evan Blake, an ex-friend, and the absolute LAST person she wants to see on the face of the Earth.
Mysteriously, Abigail is transported to Boston prior to the American Revolution, and Evan is accidentally along for the ride. They must overcome the challenges of colonial living, and being with each other 24/7, if they are to make it back to the 21st century.
I enjoyed reading this book very much.

[Carolyn Bryant · Rating 5 out of 5]

This third installment in the Back Inn Time series provides another delightful time-travel adventure compliments of the quirky “stationmaster” Mrs. Easley and The Depot, an old Victorian inn in Ocean Springs, Mississippi. Join Abigail Martin and Evan Blake as they are transported back in time to 1773 Colonial Boston into the “middle of history unfolding.” Will Abigail find the answers she is searching for about her family, or will she and Evan discover more important truths they hadn’t been looking for? This story is a perfect blend of serious, emotional moments and laugh-out-loud ones. With her expressive prose, Ms. McGee, vividly captures the sights and sounds of the Pre-Revolutionary Colonial Era. Bits of history are skillfully infused into the fictional story. The faith journey involving trust and God’s plans for each life is inspiring. The characters are endearing, and the romance is sweet. I loved this story and highly recommend it and the series especially for lovers of historical romance.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author/publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Cindy Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book by Stephenia McGee. She has yet to disappoint me. This time travel series is perfect for readers of Christian Fiction. While we know time travel is not likely possible, the series is fictional, and we can enjoy the ability to let our minds be creative. Each time travel has its own distinct concerns, but seems the farther back we COULD travel would make it even more difficult to make realistic. But Ms. McGee’s work is excellent in this endeavor to make the reader see and feel the surroundings.

I was given a copy of this book by the publisher. All thoughts and comments are my own.

[Kim Paulus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another time travel story. Lena has a tumor that is slowing killing her. One last mother / daughter vacation is planned. Lena arrives at a Southern plantation.
In the wardrobe Lena a finds vintage yellow dress. She tries it on to show her mother and is transported back to 1864 where she encounters injuried Civil War soldiers. Since Lena was in nursing school prior to being diagnosed with the tumor, she jumps in to assist the doctor tending the soldiers. Meeting a Sargent was not in the plan. Falling in love definitely was not either. Will Lena be able to stay in 1864 or be transported back to 2018? Good story! Going to start on the third book in the series!

[Carrie D. Krause · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was thrilled to go back to The Depot and see Mrs. Easley! Interestingly, Abigale knew enough about the inn’s special powers to trust what she was seeing was real. She and Evan met historical characters and got to experience a key moment in history. However, I was more interested in her backstory and figuring out what happened the year Abigale went to work with her father. Getting to be in Evan’s POV showed me how they truly were meant to be together. 

[Ashlee · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked the series! I like history but they didn’t really participate in history like the others did. I wanted them to find their names in a book or find out they go to Boston for their honeymoon and see their names. Or participate in the tea party or suggest something in history. But no they just walk around Boston and it’s like okay … not my favorite book in the series.

2 stars because I like the ending lol

[BlueJeansAndTeacups · Rating 4 out of 5]

Abigail and Evan's story, set in Revolutionary Boston was an interesting tale of stripping away, lies, hurts, misconceptions and fears. It dealt a bit with the difficulty of life in that time period as well. Faith was gently woven in also.
I enjoyed it.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
I purchased this eBook directly from the author's website for a sweet deal. All opinions are mine alone without expectation or compensation.

[Esther · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun time in any time

As I was reading this book, it just became more and more fun. Interesting concept of time travel makes these characters fun to be around and the historical blurbs add to it. A must read for a shot of fun.

[Lana Sterling · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book!

Such an imagination Stephenia H. McGee has and to put it on paper for us to share in her imagination is pretty amazing! Thanks for such a sweet story keep writing for God’s Glory!

[Royce Watson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fairly good book

This isn't a bad book, not one you can't put down either.It's one of those where one of the characters spends most of the book trying to find a reason not to love someone, don't like that kind of book.

[Ophelia Sellers · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Colonial Courtship

This author has a way of pulling one into the story with her. Back in the colonial days, with strange customs and laws ,Abigail had a lot to learn about trusting and forgiving. I recommend this book to all who enjoy time travel stories?

[Sherry · Rating 4 out of 5]

This step back in time finds a couple who have been at odds shuttled back to Boston of the eve of the Tea Party. They find themselves and solidify their relationship for when they return to wake up in the Back Inn Time bed and breakfast. Very cute story.

[Tricia Kastler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved Evan and Abigail’s story.

The description of the sights and smells of 1773 Boston made me certain it would not be my choice for a time travel destination. But, the mishaps that befell these two made for entertaining reading.

[Gwenda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute series. I like it. Although, spoiler alert, one of the plot points in this installment did not get resolved, which I find irritating because it was emphasized as being important. I thought the author was going to take it somewhere else. That said, it was a quick and easy read.

[Cindy Spinning · Rating 5 out of 5]

another exciting read

Step back in time to the colonial days. It was quite an adventure. The only disappointment was I thought there would be a more historical description of ‘The Boston Tea Party’.

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

A step back in time to Boston prior to the tea party.

A journey to Colonial Boston where the Puritan laws were in effect and life was very different to modern times.

[Margaret Heninger]

Really nice book about how characters from different time periods would interact.