Review: Hannah's Moon by John A Heldt

Hannah's Moon 

by John A Heldt

After struggling for years to have a child, Claire Rasmussen, 34, turns to adoption, only to find new obstacles on the path to motherhood. Then she gets an unlikely phone call and soon learns that a distant uncle possesses the secrets of time travel.

Within weeks, Claire, husband Ron, and brother David find themselves on a train to Tennessee and 1945, where adoptable infants are plentiful and red tape is short. For a time, they find what they seek. Then a beautiful stranger enters their lives, the Navy calls, and a simple, straightforward mission becomes a race for survival.

Filled with suspense, romance, and heartbreak, HANNAH’S MOON, the epic conclusion of the American Journey series, follows the lives of four spirited adults as they confront danger, choices, and change in the tense final months of World War II.

My Take:

How many couples these days cannot have a child, and struggle through fertilization techniques, and the pitfalls and heartbreaking expenses and disappointments of failed adoptions? Such is the story of Claire and Ron Rasmussen. Enter a distant uncle, who promises he knows where they can find plentiful babies to adopt, with none of the red tape and political disappointments of international adoptions. 

When they eagerly investigate this option, they ask WHERE this option exsists. But it's the wrong question, they should have asked WHEN. The babies are available back in 1945, shortly before the end of World War II. Ron and Claire pack their bags and head to Chattanooga in 1945 through a time tunnel, along with Claire's brother David, who is tasked with keeping them safe in a country that views eligible men not fighting in the war as deserters and worse. 

A beautiful stranger and an act of heroism put Ron at great risk, headed to the Pacific with the Navy, on a ship that is going to sink in flames. David's and Claire's efforts to save him only put themselves at greater risk. Will any of them survive to bring a new daughter back to the 21st century?

Content:

Drug Content:
PG – There's a bit of drinking. No drunkenness.  
 
Violence:
PG – The violence of war is described, and people die in flames or from shock or shark attack. None of it is graphic.
 
Language:
G - squeaky clean.
 
Adult Content:
PG - There are some oblique references to infertility and the struggles to get pregnant. There is the hint of an affair in the air. 
 
Christian content:
While faith is not clearly presented here, characters act out of faith and there is some discussion of church matters, praying and divine guidance. I found faithfulness, loyalty, bravery, honesty, and self-sacrifice between the covers. I found the book particularly uplifting.  

  

Final Analysis:
I've got to admit, I've reviewed several books by John A Heldt, most of them time-travel-related. And I was looking forward to this one, as every book of his I've found a fun and encouraging read. I love a good time-travel romp, mixed with a little romantic spice, and this book did not disappoint. 

The historical worldbuilding Heldt brings to the table reveals a great deal of research invested in these adventures. His characters are believable, the stakes are high, the pacing is quick, and his story immersive. This book is perfect for someone looking for a fun, clean time-travel romance adventure. Five Stars!

About the Author:

John A. Heldt is the author of twenty-five bestselling time travel novels. The former reference librarian and award-winning sportswriter has loved getting subjects and verbs to agree since writing book reports in grade school. 

A graduate of the University of Oregon and the University of Iowa, Heldt is an avid fisherman, sports fan, coin collector, 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 at johnheldt.blogspot.com.