Portal: The Timeslip Trilogy: Book I

"The Portal" by Brian Reaves is a treat. Since it is a time travel story, there is of course an inventor, and a time machine - but wait, do not assume that you already know a half of the plot. "The Portal" is so much more than just another mad scientist messing with time; in fact, there is no mad scientist at all: Joseph, the creator of the TMD (Temporal Manipulation Device) is quite sane. Well, at least until he tests the machine which is not yet ready for testing. That's how the book begins. What follows is a fascinating combination of industrial espionage, assassination attempts, a touching love story, and one man's desperate quest to change the past. The storyline is rich and complex. There are multiple timelines created by the time-travelers whenever they use the machine - and multiple versions of themselves, not always helping each other. Things get even more complicated as another time machine is developed by a competing company. No wonder there's a supernatural being assigned to watch over the whole thing and try to minimize the disastrous effects. Brian Reaves does an excellent job weaving all that together and holding the reader's interest from the first page to the last. The story is solid, consistent; the characters are alive. I can hardly wait for Book 2 of the trilogy!

At one time or another, we have all fantasized about what we would do differently if we knew then what we know now. In Portal, you can travel with Joseph on his quest to right the wrong in his past. It's quite a ride! I'm looking forward to the sequel with much anticipation. I liked the idea of the reviewer who suggested that the author jump into the past and come back with the finished sequel!

How good can things get! I love good time travel adventures, and the Christian backdrop added to my enjoyment of this entertaining "vacation" through time. I couldn't tell until close to the end that this was slated to become a continuing saga...that's because the author did a good job tying loose ends. Most everyone has probably AT LEAST ONE big regret that changed the course of his or her life. That is the main theme of this book, and it is a tantalizing prospect to imagine a reality where you could actually alter the past and do it right. It pits one man's anguish and obsession with avoiding the events that killed his true love, against the wiser Christian friend and fellow scientist who sees the probable consequences of tampering with the past. This is a great book for those who can relax, open their imaginations, and enjoy the ride. I am eager for the next installment!

With self-publishing so accessible, writers have opportunities like never before. Unfortunately, I have read very few self-published novels that were well-done, and, as with this book, the covers always turn me off.Ignore those concerns. Set aside your prejudices. This is everything a good suspense story should be: exciting, unpredictable, with interesting characters, and a thought-provoking concept. Mixing ideas from "Back to the Future," "Timeline," and such recent novels as "Time Lottery" by Nancy Moser, Reaves adds his own creativity to keep the story fresh.Brian Reaves writes with confidence. Although a professional editor may have weeded out some minor point-of-view discrepancies and a penchant for adverbs (everything in this story happens "slowly" or "quickly" or "suddenly"), the sentences flow and the pace never flags. Rather than aim too high, Reaves pulls us into the world of his characters through a simple device: a lost love from high school. He whips this simple idea into a heart-spinning tale. Then, as the story comes to a satisfying conclusion, he sneaks in a final twist that hooks us for the sequel.It's about time a self-published writer made his mark. One or two moments stretched my credulity, particularly when the main character forgets a vital piece of evidence--twice!--but my hat is off to this up and coming writer. I have no doubt he'll be picked up by an established publisher soon. His time has come.

"Portal" is the first book in The TimeSlip Trilogy, an exciting new Christian sci-fi series. It's the story of Joseph Turner, a brillian physicist who creates the world's first working time machine in order to go back fifteen years into the past and save the life of the woman he loves. Unfortunately, every time he steps through the Portal, he makes things worse. But he will find a way to save her...no matter what the consequences.The only person who can stop him is his best friend and assistant, Tim Jarrell--but he'll need help from the past to succeed. Now one man races through time to save the woman he loves from death...Another man speeds through the years to stop him before he permanently damages the past...Two men fighting to control yesterday...And only one will succeed.What if you could change your past? Would you do it if you had the chance? This fast-paced Christian sci-fi thriller will keep you engrossed until the final page. For more information about the author, visit www.BrianReaves.net.