Synopsis

From the author of THE LANE BETRAYAL comes the second novel in the Time Box saga.

Months after stealing two time machines from a madman who wants them back, the Lanes, a family of six, seek safety and contentment in 1893, the latest stop on a journey through time. While parents Mark and Mary find relief at Chicago’s World’s Columbian Exposition, an extravaganza of science and splendor, children Jeremy, Laura, and Ashley find romance, friendship, and thrills.

Older son Jordan, meanwhile, heads west in search of answers. Grieving the loss of a lover from 1865, he travels to Virginia City, Nevada, where he integrates himself into a storied mining community and the heart of a pretty library clerk.

Billionaire Robert Devereux could not care less. Reeling from the theft of his million-dollar devices, he sends an assassin to the past to retrieve his property and rid the world of his former business partner and his troublesome clan.

Filled with humor, heartbreak, and suspense, THE FAIR follows a modern family on the adventure of a lifetime as they navigate their way through an unforgettable year in American history.

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Review

This book picks up where The Lane Betrayal ends. The Lane family has traveled to 1893 and has decided upon Chicago as its destination once they arrive in that time to attend The World Fair. The sites and exhibits sound amazing and what a wonderful way to learn about other parts of the world long before the internet. Plus you can touch, feel, and taste what was being offered.

This book really focuses on the two sons, Jordan and Jeremy.  Jordan decides to head out west to recover from losing a second love in the last book. On the train, he meets a woman that is a librarian in Virginia City, Nevada. He never expected to find love again, but he does. Not with the librarian from the train, but her adopted daughter. The relationship between Jordan and Jessie is intriguing and filled with new adventures for both of them. I have to admit, women were not afraid to shoot guns back then and Jessie is no different. Those skills come in handy later in the book.

Jeremy also finds love with a high society woman, Ivy, that he meets at the fair. While they might rub each other wrong at first, it doesn’t take long for them to recognize the love they have for each other. The only downside is that she is already engaged to someone else. Plus, she is from a wealthy family and what would Jeremy have to offer that would win her parents over? I loved the adventures they had together. They meet once a week and explore the fair, other towns, beaches, and much more.

Laura Lane has a small story in this book and strikes up a friendship with Prudence O’Leary that is from Ireland and is a commercial graphics illustrator. These two become best friends quickly and Prudence has a quick wit about her. It was nice to see Laura branch out and find someone she could befriend. Granted, their friendship almost ends but not due to anything Laura or Prudence say or do, but rather at the hands of a villain. You’ll have to read the book to find out more.

I enjoyed the historical aspects of this book especially learning more about The World Fair, and from the descriptive text, I felt like I was there in a small way. The author shares notes on his research in the notes and he did not skimp on the details. The Lane’s have some information downloaded to their phones but not a lot since I’m sure they didn’t plan to arrive here before they left 2021. But that at least forwarns them of some events.

They are still not safe and are still trying to lay low to avoid detection from Robert and his desire for revenge. They are doing pretty well until a few letters are unearthed that reference one of the Lane family members. This sets Robert on their trail again and Silas, the assassin, nearly succeeds in eliminating one of the Lane family members. I won’t say which one because Silas is in for quite a surprise himself.

There are many happy moments, and a few sad ones. There is more story to tell and the third in this series should be out in early 2021. I can’t wait to discover what happens next for all of the Lane family. There are a few clues about what is to come or how their journey to the past has impacted the timeline. So many possibilities!

We give this book 5 paws up.

About the Author

John A. Heldt is a reference librarian and the author of the critically acclaimed Northwest Passage time-travel series. The former award-winning sportswriter and newspaper editor has loved getting subjects and verbs to agree since writing book reports on baseball heroes in grade school. A graduate of the University of Oregon and the University of Iowa, he is an avid fisherman, sports fan, home brewer, 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 on his blog.

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