Indiana Belle (American Journey Book 3)
by John A. Heldt
Print Length: 295 pages
Publisher: John A. Heldt (April 14, 2016)
ASIN: B01E9UB7Z8
Genre: Time Travel, Mystery, Romance
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0
Providence, Rhode Island, 2017. When doctoral student Cameron Coelho, 28, opens a package from Indiana, he finds more than private papers that will help him with his dissertation. He finds a photograph of a beautiful society editor murdered in 1925 and clues to a century-old mystery. Within days, he meets Geoffrey Bell, the "time-travel professor," and begins an unlikely journey through the Roaring Twenties. Filled with history, romance, and intrigue, INDIANA BELLE follows a lonely soul on the adventure of a lifetime as he searches for love and answers in the age of Prohibition, flappers, and jazz.
Review:
Cameron Coelho is researching to prepare a doctoral dissertation on the roaring twenties. He receives a package including a diary and a photograph of a beautiful and smart society editor, Candice Louise Bell, who was murdered in 1925. The clues in the diary and papers imply that Candice’s father and uncle found a means of time travel. Cameron quickly becomes obsessed with the picture of Candice and the idea of time travel.
Cameron contacts Geoffrey Bell who is a descendant of Candice’s uncle. Geoffrey is a bit standoffish but his charming wife, Jeanette, is encouraging. After discussions Cameron barters with Geoffrey for a chance to go back in time! Cameron has no family and no real friends or connections so it isn’t so difficult for him to move into a new setting. Still he wasn’t completely prepared for all circumstances or emotions.
Cameron befriends Candice and secretly begins to try to unravel the events that will result in her death. Candice is an eager reporter who has been sniffing out crime in her community. There are several powerful men in her sphere including her dedicated and sometimes progressive news boss, a rich lawyer who was her ex-fiance, and ‘hidden’ members of the local KKK. Cameron also meets the man who was found guilty of the murder. Now Cameron just has to figure out how to keep her save and not destroy the future.
Mr. Heldt has a wonderful ability to write an engaging time travel with lovely, sweet romance and a mystery added in. I enjoy the settings and the difficulties that Candice faces in an age that is just on the verge of women moving into more visible and important positions. There is also interesting history of prohibition and KKK. The expected murder and the mystery surrounding the event add a feeling of suspense as the romance grows. There are several little ironies and historical nuggets woven into the story that made me smile. And of course is there is always the question of time-travel paradox.
I did read an earlier time travel by Mr. Heldt although not in this series. This one can be read as a stand alone but it might be even more enjoyable if the series is read in order. The writing is smooth and moves at a good, easy pace. I recommend this for the engaging read, the lovely romance and the mystery.
I received this title from the author, having enjoyed another of his "time-travel" novels.
