Fabulous and Brunette: Twists of Time by S. R. Cronin - Book Tour - Book Review - Giveaway

Hey, lovelies! It gives me great pleasure today to host S. R. Cronin and her new book, “Twists of Time”! For other stops on her Goddess Fish Promotions Book Tour, please click on the banner above or any of the images in this post.

Be sure to make it to the end of this post to enter to win a $10 Amazon or Barnes and Noble Gift Card AND a gifted Kindle copy of “Shape of Secrets,” Book Two in the 46. Ascending Book Series!! Also, come back daily to interact with S. R. and to increase your chances of winning!

Thanks for stopping by! Wishing you lots of luck in this fabulous giveaway!

Twists of Time

by S. R. Cronin

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GENRE: Science Fiction/Fantasy

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BLURB:

Alex once walked away from a rare ability to warp time, thinking it was only a young man’s trick to play basketball better. Now, as a father and teacher, he needs to relearn the skill before the past begins to destroy his own future. To protect his daughter and his most promising student, he must stop the school at which he teaches from turning the clock back to an era of intolerance. He wants desperately to use his unique gifts to help an old high school friend solve an ancient Maya mystery offering a rare chance to bridge the past and the future. Both are possible, but only if Alex can learn to control his temporal talents before he runs out of time.

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EXCERPT TWO:

Stan tried to control his enthusiasm the next morning as he woofed down breakfast at the hotel and supervised loading the trucks. The department head had chastised him by phone last night for even opening the box, and for doing as little as brushing off the dirt. Stan expected that and was willing to take the criticism. He hadn't spent twelve years of his life swatting mosquitoes to let some senior faculty member fly down here and do all the honors. This was his research. These were his kids. They deserved their moment in the sun. Yesterday, he'd taken it.

Today, however, they'd back off and show restraint, as they photographed and measured while they waited for more expertise before anything else was disturbed.

There was lightness in Stan's step as he helped unload the two trucks and made his way to the cave's small entrance.

"You first, Dr. Drexler," Nelson said.

Stan wasn't even all the way in when he noticed mud tracks he was sure neither he nor his students had made.

No! Surely we didn't have intruders last night.

He looked around. Everything else they'd found over the last few days was undisturbed. Only the ornate box and its half disintegrated cloth covering were gone, as if they'd never existed.

You've got to be kidding. Locals? For christsakes, did one of my students tell somebody? Or maybe one of them is that good at reading hieroglyphics from this region.

Dr. Stan Drexler, of course, was quite good at it. He'd studied nothing but for years. Even though he'd only gotten a quick glance, there are certain words anyone who's ever loved archeology knows in the culture where they have expertise. "Treasure" is one. Even higher on the list is any phrase translating as "the greatest treasure ever."

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MY BOOK REVIEW:

Another successful book in the intriguing 46. Ascending Book Series!!!

It was enjoyable to catch back up with the Zeitman family and join them again on their next adventure!

This is the third book I’ve read from the talented writer, S. R. Cronin. A couple months ago, I had the privilege of reading her book, “One of One,” which is Book One of the 46. Ascending Book Series. Then, a few weeks ago I read, “Shape of Secrets,” which is Book Two in the 46. Ascending Book Series and I really enjoyed them both, so I was excited to read her latest work – which also happens to fall in the same series. “Twists of Time,” is Book Three in the 46. Ascending Book Series.

Like with the previous books, and with the rest of this book series, this book follows the Zeitman family. This particular book focuses on the husband/father, Alex, and his job as a physics teacher at Early Gulch High School.

This book follows Alex’s friend, Dr. Stan Drexler and his students while on an excavation they finally discover a stone box – the “holy grail,” Mayan Artifact Dr. Drexler had spent several years searching for. Dr. Drexler opens the stone box and discovers there is a well-preserved yellow paper inside covered in hieroglyphs. Before he photographs the box and works on deciphering the hieroglyphics the box is mysteriously gone, and Dr. Drexler’s career and reputation is tarnished. It isn’t until many years down the road when the box is mailed to him with an apology. Dr. Drexler is then given a second chance at cracking the hieroglyphic message and partners up with Alex for help solving the clues – and so a hunt for a mystery Mayan Treasure is afoot.

This book also follows one of Alex’s students, Xuha. Xuha, who is bullied and teased for being an immigrant. Xuha is of Mayan decent and is carrying a deep secret. His plot point focuses on immigration and racism. This is a powerful and compelling part of the story that brings up a revolting and unsavory - but still ever present in today's society - a prejudice and discriminatory culture.

This felt so on the button right now! With Trump Nation it seems immigration bullying is actually considered tolerated if not acceptable – perhaps even encouraged in some cities!!!

I really liked Alex! He is smart, charming, considerate, thoughtful, helpful, compassionate, and good-natured. Alex’s special ability is that he can warp time. It’s a very intriguing ability and one that the science fiction community has been obsessed with so it was very riveting to see Mrs. Cronin’s take on it.

I also really liked Xuha and how he didn’t let the bullies – the Neo-Nazi’s aka the three T’s get to him. Xuha is intelligent, confident, funny, hopeful, positive, and self-assured regardless of his setbacks and disadvantages.

I found myself emotionally caught up in the characters and cheering for both Alex and Xuha!!!

I love the in-depth amount of research the author did while constructing this book. It was clear she was very familiar and well-versed on the culture, customs, and traditions of Southern North America. The author provided so much detail and such vivid descriptions it made the scenes easy to picture.

Mrs. Cronin goes above and beyond in her research and it strongly shows in her writing. She always seems to find a way to add significant historical references into fun and interesting scenes while showing an active knowledge of the area.

I always seem to learn a vast variety of information from her books that I find both compelling and intriguing! I had no idea that the Statue of Liberty was closed in 2001 after 09/11 for security reasons and wasn’t fully reopened until 2009.

This book genre is marketed as a science fiction/fantasy book and yet the author found a way to throw in adventure, mystery, intrigue, suspense, and romance elements into the book. It definitely added a fascinating extra component to the story!

I totally loved the exciting Mayan Artifact treasure hunt mystery! I had so much fun on the adventure with the characters and was on the edge on my seat waiting to see what we would find next!

There are some predictable scenes. However, there are quite a few unexpected twists and turns that you won’t see coming!

The only negative comments I have is that this book felt a bit jumpy with the time warp and as it goes back and forth from past to present scenes. Also, there is a lot going on in this book and you definitely have to pay attention while you’re reading. There were a few passages I had to re-read when I wasn’t totally focused. And when I was getting texts while reading this book, I got a bit lost on what was happening and ended up having to re-read a whole chapter.

The last tiff I have is that I was significantly surprised to find that this blurb was so misleading as it is was a totally different book inside. I really enjoyed the book and yes, the blurb does hint at some of the plot points, but it really doesn’t strike the main jiff of the book or give the book the justice it deserves.

I really liked all the additions to the book besides the story. This book included a map of Southern North America focusing on the settings in the book: Mexico, Guatemala, and Belize. This book also included a list of resources the author used while researching and writing this book that includes songs, cultural, historical, and scientific information, etc. The website links and books are listed for easy access to follow up on the data. Also, at the end of this book is a list of characters names and their role in the book. These additions provided readers a little something extra. Plus, it allows the reader the chance to decide if they want to follow up with reading more research instead of having too much information forced on them by overloading too many facts into the book.

This book is book three in the 46. Ascending Book Series. It can be read as a standalone. There is a total of six books in this book series and all them have already been released for sale. All six books feature the Zeitman family and their special abilities. According to the author, all of these books in this series can be read as a standalone.

I will be reading and reviewing additional books in this series and look forward to sharing my take on those books with you soon!

All in all, I really enjoyed reading this book and would absolutely recommend it! I think all science fiction and fantasy readers will like this book - and this book series too! So, add it to your TBR List and get to reading - you won't be disappointed!

**Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book and have voluntarily provided an honest, and unbiased review in accordance with FTC regulations.**

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AUTHOR BIO:

Sherrie Roth grew up in Western Kansas thinking there was no place in the universe more fascinating than outer space. After her mother vetoed astronaut as a career ambition, she went on to study journalism and physics in hopes of becoming a science writer.

She published her first science fiction short story long ago, and then waited a lot of tables while she looked for inspiration for the next story. When it finally came, it declared to her it had to be a whole book, nothing less. One night, while digesting this disturbing piece of news, she drank way too many shots of ouzo with her boyfriend. She woke up thirty-one years later demanding to know what was going on.

The boyfriend, who she had apparently long since married, asked her to calm down and explained how, in a fit of practicality, she had gone back to school and gotten a degree in geophysics and spent the last 28 years interpreting seismic data in the oil industry. The good news, according to Mr. Cronin, was that she had found it to be entertaining and ridiculously well-paying. The bad news was the two of them had still managed to spend almost all of the money.

She was now Mrs. Cronin, and further good news was that they had produced three wonderful children whom they loved, even though, to be honest, that was where a lot of the money had gone. Even better news was that Mr. Cronin turned out to be a warm-hearted, encouraging sort who was happy to see her awake and ready to write. "It's about time," were his exact words.

Sherrie Cronin discovered that over the ensuing decades Sally Ride had already managed to become the first woman in space and apparently had done a fine job of it. No one, however, had written the book that had been in Sherrie's head for decades. The only problem was, the book informed her it had now grown into a six book collection. Sherrie decided she better start writing it before it got any longer. She's been wide awake ever since, and writing away.

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CONNECT WITH SHERRIE:

Blog – 46 Ascending:

https://46ascending.org

Blog – Face Painting for World Peace:

http://tothepowerofzero.org

Blog – Fire Dancing for Fun and Profit:

http://ytothepowerof1.org

Blog – Treasure Hunting for a Good Time:

http://zsquaredblog.org

Blog – Leaving the Nest to Touch the Sky:

http://ctothepowerofthree.org

Blog – Touching the Sky to Save the World:

http://dtothepowerof4.org

Email:

lola.zeitman@gmail.com

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/Number46Ascending

Twitter:

https://www.twitter.com/cinnabar01

Goodreads Author Page:

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5805814.Sherrie_Cronin

Goodreads Book Page:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/44656809-twists-of-time

Amazon Author Page:

https://amzn.to/2SYuW36

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BOOK BUY LINKS:

Amazon Kindle eBook:

https://amzn.to/2WpV2BR

Amazon Paperback:

https://amzn.to/2M7bhzX

Barnes and Noble Paperback:

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/twists-of-time-s-r-cronin/1131348123

The Book Depository Paperback:

https://www.bookdepository.com/Twists-of-Time-S-R-Cronin/9781941283202

BAM! Books-A-Million Paperback:

https://www.booksamillion.com/p/Twists-Time/S-R-Cronin/9781941283202

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GIVEAWAY INFO:

Sherrie will be awarding a $10 Amazon/BN GC and a gift Kindle copy of Shape of Secrets to a randomly drawn winner via Rafflecopter during the tour.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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This contest is sponsored by a third party. Fabulous and Brunette is a registered host of Goddess Fish Promotions. Prizes are given away by the sponsors and not Fabulous and Brunette. The featured author and Goddess Fish Promotions are solely responsible for the giveaway prize.