Borrowed Time

by Lane Cohen

A professor of advanced physics and his student invent a method of time travel and adapt it to the original prop time machine from the 1960 film, The Time Machine, which has survived to present day in pristine condition. Once they succeed with the details of the complicated mechanism, and adapt it to the prop machine, they struggle with the proper use for the device. The student wants to travel to the past to correct a terrible historical wrong from ever happening, while the professor would do anything to travel backward and prevent the love affair of his life ending in a broken-hearted romance.

Genres: Science Fiction, Time Travel, Ebooks, Westerns

509 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 27, 2022

Reviews

[Abbey · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun and creative take on time travel. Snappy dialogue and interesting explorations into various relationships — between friends, sweethearts, animals, and self/identity. Loved the descriptions of Prescott, AZ and Cincinnati, OH, as well as the examination of how history is written and how legends are made. Crossing my fingers for a sequel!

[Stephanie Driskill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Imagine if you will, a chance to use a time machine to go backward or forward in time. Where would you go and what would you like to see? Is there a monumental event in history that you want to witness or a great injustice that you would change? Would you visit the dinosaurs or check on your kids and grandkids in the future? Would you try to meet your current spouse at an earlier time in life or fast forward to live in the space age? The options are unlimited!
All these questions come into play when an advanced physics professor teams up with his brightest student to create a time machine. Using a power source found by the student Samoset, they attached it to the original movie prop from The Time Machine and away they go on with their adventures, however misguided they may be. Samoset wants to use the machine to correct an injustice to the Native Americans and the Professor wants to go back in time to fix his relationships. Truly, two very different ideas on how to use the time machine. Does it work? Did they make a difference in the past? Was the professor able to fix his relationship and broken heart? How many time streams will they open and become a part of? Will living in the past in a western town be the real answer to finding peace in life or shall they need to be off again on a different path?
My favorite part of the book is all the options that the pair face together and how they work as a team with the dog Uncle Leo to find a suitable place to land and remain for the rest of their lives. I just love the western town that they decided to reside in for a bit. The description of the town and its people is so easy to imagine and picture that it jumps right off the page. Very strong character development makes for a great read and exciting storyline. The saying really is true: You can never go home!

[Susan Ratchford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Borrowed Time
By: Lane Cohen
Review by; Susan Ratchford
5 Stars


Borrowed Time by Lane Cohen is a wonderful time travel story with a lot of heart! This book draws you right in, putting you in The Old West dueling with outlaws! I really hope this book has a sequel! Protagonists Case and Samoset both desire to change the past one for an old love and the other to right a wrong done to his people. They are both really relatable and I instantly wanted to know more about them. Their flaws and motives are wholesome and make the characters feel real. I really enjoyed seeing how they changed as they got closer towards their discovery because you could truly feel the excitement! The pop culture references and the beautifully vivid writing and dialogue also helped bring this book to life. The accurate historical detail in it adds such grand adventure! There are many moments in this book that I didn't expect and I was delightfully thrilled! In all, Lane Cohen provides a fun and quirky adventure that makes you think about what you would do if you could change the past and how it could affect the future? I highly recommend this book!

[Tara Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Borrowed time is a story about scientists inventing a time machine using an old movie prop so that they can time travel. The reader travels through various time periods with the characters and are introduced to new characters in different times. It is a truly fascinating read as the characters are faced with moral dilemmas that would inevitably occur when the possibility of changing future timelines is involved. Do they do what they want and change events to better their future and ensure their own happiness? Or is it better to leave events as they had occurred?

I found this book fascinating because I have always enjoyed the concept of time travel. I could not help but wonder what I would do if I could travel back in time. As someone fascinated with tracing my family tree, I personally would love to travel back in time and meet some of my ancestors so I could learn more about them. But how would that effect my future? The author did a great job of writing historical details and conveying the emotions and thoughts of each character through their individual stories. An interesting read!

[Kerry carr · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting read. The author is new to me so I wasn't sure what to expect but was very pleasantly surprised. I loved the whole concept of time travel and the authors attention to history detail really made this story come alive for me.

I also like how the author shows the story from two different peoples perspectives. We have the teacher who wants to travel back in time to stop a love affair he had from ending in heartbreak. That is his main reason for creating the time machine and that's all he cares about.
The student on the other hand has a more worth cause. He wants to travel back in time to stop the killing of the Indigenous people. But what effects will their time travel have on the current time?
This book is a interesting read, full of adventure and historical knowledge. It is also a good example of how different people would treat a time machine in different ways, some for their own ends and others to help people in need.

I really enjoyed this book and getting caught up in their journeys.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have you ever wanted to travel back in time? If so, what would you want to see or do? I'd love to go back to the Bible times and see Jesus and his disciples. I would also love to go back to the time of Abraham Lincoln and meet his former love, Anne Rutledge (who is a family member!).

Andy Case is a physics professor and well, physics can be a bit boring at times. I personally enjoyed my physics classes and loved seeing this topic featured in this book. His students are losing interest but come up with an idea to create a time machine. Andy isn't quite sure about this idea but, why not give it a try?

There are many accurately described historical events which makes this book intriguing and fun! I was a little surprised about some of the events that were not changed by the group, but then again, maybe they didn't need to be. Changing on small little feature of an event can change an entire course of history!!

Finally, this book cover is beautiful! It's very attractive to the eye and is one of the things that attracted me to this book.

[Devon Pulliam · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would love to see a sequel happen with this one! The fact that the author used real details from the past and even with the Time Machine shows great dedication.

Have you ever wanted to time travel?? This book showed how a professor, Andy, and one of his students, Samoset, successfully travel back in time to change some of our history. What started out as them wanting to change the outcome of Columbus discovering San Salvador became a personal journey for Andy in re-connecting with his love.

It was full of excitement, especially if you like the westerns from the 1800s and full of heartbreak and love. Though I will say I was starting to really dislike Andy at one point, and that turned when he reached out to Pamela and asked her to join him. Crazy enough she actually believed him and did it!

The question Samoset asked Andy about what other event he would change, haven't we all thought about that and what event we would change? Would it be the same as it was for Samoset and Andy?

[Amy Brennan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have always enjoyed the concept of the butterfly effect which I feel really is tied in with most time travel thoughts and ideas and it just overall really peaks my interest. This author does a bang up job of hooking the reader from the very start with the descriptive ways of his writing style, and then loops them into the thoughts, concerns and emotions of those of whom he is writing about. It was definitely a more involved read than a lot of the novels I’ve been picking up lately, and it made me realize how much I enjoy having to visualize and conceptualize as well as enjoy the entertainment authors bring forward in their written works of art.

What would you do if you could change a decision you made? Would you do it all over again, or would you see where fate takes you with some intervention? Get ready to buckle your seat belt because this was an addictive ride. Looking forward to seeing what he brings forward next. Highly recommend!

[Jana · Rating 3 out of 5]

I selected this book because of the cover, which is probably one of the most amazing covers I’ve seen. I was also intrigued because it takes place near my home town, so several of the places mentioned were familiar to me, which was exciting as a reader. I found the science behind the attempts to travel through time interesting - more realistic than other instances of it in old movies, etc., though I will not pretend to understand it all! The threat of changing history and ruining the future is always a concern, but realizing it would change in a different path (kind of like a parallel universe, I guess you could say) seems to make it easier to live with oneself knowing you are making drastic changes to the future. Sam’s intent to change history to save his heritage is easy to understand. How amazing it would be to live a life as if you had made a different decision, without actually changing your existing life. Or does it?

[Roxsanne Lesieur · Rating 4 out of 5]

Throughout scientific studies throughout the ages, the idea of time travel has always inspired conversation, theoretical analysis and discussions around the how, why and who, how would it work, why would you want to move through time and who would be the first to make theory into reality.

Up until now, all these conversations have been theoretical in nature, that is until two scientists stumble upon the answers to the how, between the two minds, they manage to convert an old movie prop from “The Time Machine”, a film made in 1960, which inspired them and create something new.

So now they have the who and how, they just need a why, where and when, but what will happen once they have it all figured out, will it all end in disaster, or is this the future in the making? This is a fantasy novel where science fiction becomes science fact and the adventures which go along with it, as you are sucked into an adventure which nothing could prepare you for.

[Tausha Treadway · Rating 4 out of 5]

Borrowed Time by Lane Cohen. This is such a fun read about time travel. It all starts when an advanced physics instructor and one of his students create a time machine. They hook up power source found by Samoset one of the the brightest students to the original Time Machine from the movie Time Machine and it actually works. The professor Andy Case and Samoset have two very different versions of where they want to go and what they want to do. Samoset wants to correct wrongs that were done years ago and Andy just wants to mend relationships. Andy fell in love with a married woman while he was married. He left his wife but she stayed with her husband. He was heartbroken. He lost his wife and his soul mate. Now of course as things go their travels don't go as either one of them planned. They have several adventures and visit towns and times they never could have before. This is a fun, fast paced time travel story. Where would you go if you could travel in a time machine?

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Borrowed Time by Lane Cohen is a creative science fiction story filled with details from science, classic sci-fi, history, anything you can think of time travel related, it's in this book! I really enjoyed the way that Cohen made such interesting characters whose pasts and concerns really built up the plot. This novel really makes you ask the ultimate time travel question - if you could change the past, what would you change? And would that be the right thing to do? Is it really necessary to try to change the past to fix the future?
The novel is about a physics professor Andy Case and his student Samoset Brown are both interested in time travel from an academic perspective, and for Case it provides an interesting discussion topic for his otherwise unenthusiastic class. Let's just say that they bit off more than they could chew when they stepped into the realm of time traveling.
This is a great read for time travel fans!

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

Borrowed Time is the debut novel by Lane Cohen. It is a time travel fantasy with some sci-fi elements, drama, historical details, adventure, moral decisions, crisp dialogue, and interesting characters- with a bit of a nod to the 1960’s movie ‘The Time Machine”.
What would you do if you could go back in time? Would you change your own history, or try to right some terrible wrongs? Well, that’s what these characters face when they invent a type of time travel, and adapt it to an old movie prop. We follow along on as they travel back in time and get a front row seat to all the intriguing developments. With the way things played out here, I feel there could be room for a sequel, or series? Stay tuned…
Looking forward to seeing what Lane Cohen does next.
Happy Reading…

Thank you, Lane Cohen!

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable and engaging sci-fi adventure with an original take on time travel, which had me hooked from start to finish. An advanced physics professor and his student invent a method of time travel, and then adapt it to the original prop time machine from the 1960’s film, ‘The Time Machine’. However, having succeeded in getting the complex mechanism to work the pair struggle to decide what the proper use of the time machine should be. Whilst his student wants to travel back in time to correct a terrible historical wrong from occurring, the professor has a more personal trip back in time planned. He would like to prevent the love affair of his life from ending in a broken hearted romance. This is an intriguing story which had me gripped, whilst the descriptive narrative brought both the settings and the characters vividly to life, making me feel immersed in the storyline.

[Jenni · Rating 4 out of 5]

Borrowed Time is a sci fi tale that takes you on a journey through time. I usually don’t look at covers, blurbs etc but this cover caught my eye and had my imagination going. Lane incorporates the time machine from the classic 1960’s movie The Time Machine bringing about his original take on time travel and new adventures. You can tell where his passion lies.

In this book we see present day characters duelling it out with outlaws in an old western saloon. I immediately pictured cowboy hats, swaggering with the spurs on their boots, guns blazing, a table or two being tipped over with cards and tokens and chips falling to the floor.

The story is intriguing and interesting and will keep you interested till the end.

Everyone is at odds on where the team should travel and what to do. Who will be the one to get what they want? How will what they do affect the here and now?

[Shannen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book I have read by Lane Cohen, and I have to say that I loved every minute of it! I thoroughly enjoy discovering a new author that can make you forget about the real world and take you on a wonderful journey.

Borrowed Time takes you on an adventure through time and has a sci-fi feel as it is related to the 1960's The Time Machine. It is an interesting and relating read because I think everyone wonders what it would be like to time travel. The places you could see, the people you could meet, and the endless possibilities for changing your actions and your life! Will our characters' dreams come true, or will they alter history forever?

I surely hope this is the start of a series, but even if it isn't, I'll be picking up more from this author. You'll love to be swept away into this lovely time-traveling story.

[Francis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Borrowed Time is a creative science fiction story packed with details from science, classic sci-fi, history - you name it! And with interesting characters whose pasts and concerns drive the plot. As with many time travel stories it asks the big question - if you could change the past, what would you change? And would that be the right thing to do?
Physics professor Andy Case and his student Samoset Brown are both interested in time travel from an academic perspective, and for Case it provides an engaging discussion topic for his otherwise unenthusiastic class. But as their theoretical concept becomes an increasingly achievable reality their other motivations come to the fore.
This is a great read for time travel fans, and gets five stars from me! There are plenty of familiar tropes as well as thought-provoking scenarios and great characters to get to know.

[Leah · Rating 2 out of 5]

I won this in a goodreads giveaway but this book just wasn't for me. I dnfed it at 41%.

This book is about a man who builds a time machine to go back in time to continue an affair after the woman ended it. I thought this was a bit problematic since the MC was chasing a woman after she told him no. Literally, his main reason for building a time machine was over an affair. Though to be fair, Samoset, the other person time traveling, has noble goals of stopping Christopher Columbus from murdering Indigenous people so kudos to you, Samoset, for doing something that could make a real difference. Also, this book doesn't pass the Bechdel test which is a big nope for me.

Again, just to emphasize, I'm not saying this book is bad. It just wasn't right for me.

[Lorrene Huisman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a book that really held its own! I was captivated when I first began to read, and it held me all the way through! It was impossible to put down! The writing style flowed nicely as well!

The story had a very interesting appeal. I could not put this one down or let go of it! The book had its strong sense of appeal as you read. The characters and the interactions are what made this story for me! Haunting and strong willed as I read. The story was convincing and I enjoyed how the author made the point of views. It was a wonderful read and I happily enjoyed it all the way through!

Wonderful read that brought on a lot of intrigue! I could not be happier with how this book was. A must read for sure, and one I certainly highly reccomend!

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Borrowed Time is another novel by Lane Cohen. It is a time travel fantasy with some sci-fi elements, drama, historical details, adventure, moral decisions, lots of dialogue, and interesting characters- with a bit of a nod to the 1960’s movie ‘The Time Machine”. If you could go back in time what would you do? Would you change your own history, or try to right some terrible wrongs? That is what these characters have to deal with and gonthrough in this book. They have to adapt to what they are given.  We follow along on as they travel back in time and get a front row seat to all the intriguing development and what they are going through. I think with how things have played out there may be another book or so.

[Mandy Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5 Stars

Borrowed Time by Lane Cohen

This is the first book I've read by the author. Borrowed Time is a great read. If you like the movie The Time Machine then you'll love this book. The author takes the knowledge of the movie and does great with it.

Andy Case is a professor at a college. His class seems to be getting bored so he throws in Einstein and time travel. When one of his students comes to him with an idea he starts thinking it may be able to work. Can they get it to work or will it fail? The quote I chose for Andy is: "Theoretically, should a working mechanism be devised, the necessary force to power it would likely be plutonian in nature, at the very least."

Highly recommended for Sci-Fi Western lovers

[Karen Pearman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am quite familiar with book written by this author so I had a good feeling that I would enjoy this one too. And that was correct. While a little different from some of her previous stories, I loved the idea of time traveling and was immediately enthralled by this book. This author certainly knows how to tell a story set in a different time and era. Her attention to the details is phenomenal and leaves me wanting to step foot into the story. The characters in this story are probably one of my favorite casts because they were so relatable to me. This story really made me question what I would do and where would I go if given the opportunity to travel through time. I loved this book from the beginning, and I highly recommend it.

[Chrissy Spulak · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first piece I’ve read by this author, and it will not be the last. I chose to read this book because I love history and the prospect of time travel has always fascinated me. I remember watching 60’s The Time Machine with my parents, so I was intrigued right away. It is evident that the author is talented and knowledgeable of the times and places included in this book. I am also a lover of wonderfully-written characters and how they interact and grow throughout the story, and I found myself fully engrossed and not wanting to put the book down. This story would make a great series because I know everyone who reads it will be left wanting more and more! Can’t wait to see what this author does next!

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

First, I would like to acknowledge the beautiful artwork on the cover of this book.

I have ready many of Mr. Cohen’s other short stories and novels and Borrowed Time, by far has been my favorite. The characters are “human” – rich with all things that make us so – emotions, short-comings, flaws, struggles and friendship. The historical references (of which there are many) are accurate and make the reader feel as though they are with the characters in the same space and time.

Beautifully written from the perspective of someone who clearly loves the “old west”, Borrowed Time is an adventure that I did not want to end. Thank you, Mr. Cohen for sharing these fabulous characters!!

[Shelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating book. This is a new author for me. I loved the look at history and time travel. One has good reasons for wanting to travel through time while the other is just a man who can’t take no for an answer. The book takes a look at man/woman relationships. Friendships are also viewed. The book has so many angles to view it from that I did get a little lost at times (only because history loses me). I found the characters well0developed and relatable. They had their quirks. It’s an engaging tale that sucks you right in and drags you into the story wanting more. I definitely recommend this story. I would give it more than 5 stars if I could.

[Sheri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Borrowed Time is the first book I have read by this author. I was taken in by the blurb about time travel and historical fiction, and I was not disappointed. I have always enjoyed The Time Machine and the movies based on the book. It was great to think of the time travel machine differently. The story combines the Wild West, science fiction, historical fiction, suspense, and more. I want to keep the plot a secret because I think this is best enjoyed going in with less information. The characters are exciting and helped to draw me into this adventure more. I look forward to reading more from this author in the future.

[Rachel Moss · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good read! It was a little more science fiction than I was expecting, I was hoping for more fantasy but it was still really good. I think though, that the sci-fi threw me off, because I had trouble staying focused and concentrated on the story, and found myself zoning out a lot. That's more on me, and I don't think ibwas in the mood to read sci-fi, because the story was really good! It had a really interesting plot and went pretty fast. I just wasn't in the mood to read that type of book, so I would love to go back when I am in the mood and see how much better I like it when I'm anticipating it!

[Melissa Saxton · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting leap into time travel. An advanced physics professor team's up with his most promising student to make a time machine (using a prop from the 1960s time machine movie!) And successfully make a time machine.
The student wants to right a wrong done to his native American Ancestors where as Professor Andy wants to fix his relationships and his broken heart. They explore the morality of changing time and it's consequences.
This book brings together Sci-Fi, historical fiction, fantasy and well developed characters into a quick but great time travel adventure.
I also enjoyed all the quotes relating to time between chapters. Was a nice touch!.

[Fanchen Bao · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won a Kindle version of this book from a free giveaway.

Despite a few hops in logic, it is overall a pretty enjoyable story. But I couldn't add one more star because the characters were way too lucky with ALL their endeavors, which drastically lower the stakes of a lot of confrontation. After all, if I were to root for someone, he/she has to overcome some vulnerability and weakness. Yet, the aura of good fortune is too strong in this one.

Another thing I dislike is the abrupt ending. I would prefer a darker and more pessimistic ending, but I feel the author doesn't have the heart to hand that fate to his characters.

[Betsy Melano · Rating 4 out of 5]

There’s something about time travel books that always get me thinking. What would I do if I was able to go back in time? Borrowed time sure had me hooked. This Sci-fi story has so much depth to it - historical moments, moral consequences, action, relationships, and so much more. The characters were well written and easy to relate to because many of us wonder if time travel can really happen and if so, how might we make it better or worse by our actions. I’m looking forward to reading more books by this author who is new to me.