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About "Endeavor in Time"
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Five years after the Challenger disaster, NASA launched their newest space shuttle, Endeavor, in a dramatic return to space. But several moments after lift-off, Endeavor exploded over the ocean, taking the lives of all its crew members, and killing the United States' space program.
It's 2009, seventeen years after the Endeavor tragedy in 1992, and NASA has been made part of the Department of Defense. America's civilian space program has been permanently discontinued for over fifteen years.
Daniel Marks, the Chief Programmer at a research facility in New Mexico, is working on a cutting-edge electromagnetic device. While developing the controller software for the device, an accident occurs and he suddenly finds himself back in his old life in 1992.
With his unique knowledge of the future, what should he do with his new life? Should he use his knowledge simply for personal gain, or should he risk his freedom and future to stop a national disaster before it happens?
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From the Author
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My second novel, "Endeavor in Time" is about a computer programmer who suddenly finds himself thrown back into 1992, before cell phones, the Internet, and widespread personal computers. How did we ever get anything done back then? The first draft of this book was much different, and was written early during my first year of college in 1992, in the fall after I left Cape Canaveral. Some of the main characters and scenes are the same, but everything else has been completely rewritten. The manuscript was started and finished while "The Time of Jacob's Trouble" was still going through it's editing phase, which is why both books were published about the same time. Whereas my first novel took over a year to write, this one took just over a month, mainly due to the use of writing software, better planning and organization, and by applying the principles espoused in "Self-Editing for Fiction Writers". This novel was also my first experiment with using writing software (yWriter), and I found it so helpful that when the book was finished, I went off and wrote my own book-writing software ( iWriterPro). Incidentally, this also gave me a good excuse to dive headfirst into WPF, Microsoft's new framework.
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Book Reviews
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Endeavor in Time by Chris Hambleton
* * * * (4/5) In the beginning I had a hard time getting in to this book because it starts out a little bit technical and I was not sure what direction it was going to go in. I am not a huge fan of overly sci-fi material. There was a point where I had to put it away for a little bit and come back to it. Sometimes if I try again I am able to really get in to the book. I tried another chapter. This was suddenly going nowhere, fast.
Third time is the charm? Maybe.
I gave it one more try.
We are introduced to Daniel, an extremely well educated engineer and software developer who lands a project working in New Mexico regarding electromagnetism. Daniel is 37 years old and married to his career. Although content in his little world he often wonders if there is more to life than what he is living.
Fortunate for him, life is about to change.
It is here the plot thickens (for lack of a better cliché) and the story really starts to take shape. Working on the gravitational experiment one day, he suddenly wakes up back at his parents’ Ohio house, in his old bedroom. The problem is it is 1992 at the tender age of 19.
Unsure of what to do with this new life he heads down to Cocoa Beach, FL with the hopes of saving the shuttle from disaster. Back in New Mexico one of the partners on the design team of the Endeavor had spoken to him about the design flaw that led to the terrible explosion.
If he is going to go back in time, retaining his knowledge, may as well use if for something useful, right?
While in Florida, Daniel seeks out the friendship of a friend he had met in his previous life. It is Bill, a Christian, he starts to remember what little faith he had buried inside of him, and starts to question science, time travel, his live and God.
What follows is a tale of life, love, marriage and children.
Daniel was given a chance to re-do his life. Instead of rushing around trying to change things and use his knowledge for something bad, he used it to change himself. He found his faith, made peace with the decisions of his past and fell in love.
I felt it a little odd that a Christian based novel would have a sci-fi time travel tale within its pages, Hambleton made it work.
I highly recommend this book, not just to faith followers, but to anyone interested one with a time traveling twist.
If you went back in time knowing all you knew, what would you do differently, if anything?
Great read for science fiction buffs!
* * * * * (5/5) Endeavor In Time by Chris Hambleton is a very fast and entertaining read. There are several sharp twists in the plot, and the descriptive style makes every detail come to life. In fact, if I didn’t know better, I would think the author was writing his own autobiography here - I feel like I just read about someone I already know very well.Daniel, the main character, is a well-educated engineer and software developer working in the deserts of New Mexico on a project to develop a better understanding of electromagnetism. At 37, Daniel is single and has no real interest in marriage or a family - in fact his only “female” relationship seems to be with his computer! Daniel’s life seems interesting and full of good challenges, and he is content, although a little restless at times. Is this really all there is? The project he has worked on for more than five years is winding down now and he is starting to work on more experimental areas - how does electromagnetism relate to gravity? Then suddenly - wham! The first plot twist hits when a gravitational experiment goes awry and Daniel suddenly wakes up in his old bed at his parent’s house in Ohio in 1992, 18 years earlier. While his memories are of New Mexico and being 37, he is now living in his own nineteen-year old body, on break from his freshman year at college. Already having twenty years’ experience in programming and designing computer systems, there is no sense in going back to college, and he decides to head to Cocoa Beach to see if he can ward off the Endeavor shuttle disaster. It had been on his mind since one of his research partners in New Mexico in 2010 had been on the Endeavor team and had spoken to him about the design flaw that lead to the explosion. In Florida, Daniel searches out the scientist he had known in the future. This Christian man has to accept a very strange story on faith alone, and he agrees - on the condition that Daniel come to his church with him and attend the services. Eventually accepting Jesus as his own Savior, when the next plot twist hits, Daniel is able to rely on His grace to see him through. I highly recommend this book to science fiction fans as well as those who are - or would like to be - Christians. The author gives a good grounding for belief in Jesus, and the essential steps for asking Him to be one’s Savior in the midst of the confusion of daily life. Thanks once again, Chris!
Time Travel....wish it were possible!!
* * * * * (5/5) To be honest I never have thought about being able to travel back in time but after reading this book.....lets go! In all honesty, I wasn't sure what I was going to think about this book but by chapter two I was hooked. It really made me begin thinking, wow, what if I could go back, what would I do differently and how would I change "my" past? The only problem might be one of moral conflict for some. You may have information that could prove to be helpful, yet harmful if it fell into the wrong hands. I only wish I was a smart as our main character; able to develop software and stop horrible things from happening in our world. I don't know I guess it would make me feel a little like a secret agent, which would be awesome! I guess what intrigued me the most was the fact that he went back at a younger age but was still his mature age in his thinking. Man, wouldn't that have helped all of us in our younger years? Chris, I don't know if you plan on writing more about this storyline because of the way it ended but if so, you know my vote would be, YES! I would love to continue reading about these characters. Great Job....now onto my next book!
Endeavor in ime
* * * * * (5/5) This book started off keeping the reader on the edge of their seat. The mystique details of the scenery, the character's emotions and activities keep the reader interested. This book explores the future and past of technology and has engineers working on a secret project. To some this selection may be a slow moment in the book, but after getting through the components and completion of the project, the reader is introduced to unique characters which keep their interest piqued. The main character takes the reader on an adventure which personally invites them to the character's life and events on a journey during the NASA development and collapse of their space program. It has vital details that most people were not aware of. It continues to welcome the reader to enjoy the escapades and experiences of a man's personal journey to seek the truth. In addition it has the components of spiritual exploration which adds more depth to the character's faucets and the story in general. I as a reader enjoyed some selected chapters more than others. Such as the personal transformation, the love story and his need to seek real knowledge and decide what actions and which was the right choice; to sacrifice his happiness or rescue others in a moment of desperation. The interesting facts about NASA, the space shuttles and their history make this story more challenging and creates a need to explore more about the space program in general. This book covers many abstracts of personal, career and moral values; from technology to discoveries of a mental and spiritual dimension. The characters are so intense and it is easy for the reader to merge with them and go on the journey with them. Asking self, will he be a coward or a hero. The exact details of the horrific events which occurred in the world and the flashbacks make it feel like you were watching a movie about the past and present. This author is an artist mingling technology, facts, personal morality and spiritualism into a an entertaining story about past and future occurrences due to an accidental EMF discharge that sent an experienced engineer back to his past and he has a difficult choice to made; does he sacrifice his future happiness to stop a major catastrophe event. He ponders his purpose and what “if “decisions of his life. Along his journey of self realization he invites the reader to personal and fulfilling activities to keep the tension going. Like a surfer, each chapter the reader is waiting to catch the right wave. It has its quiet and high moments. It keeps the heart racing anticipating the next action. He keeps journals and they are his safety net between the past and present. This book pulls in all ages, opening the door to mysteries . He meets caring and colorful people along the way that become his mentors, and good friends who helped guide him morally and spiritual to decide the fate of his and future generations.You will not regret spending your hard earned money on this book. This is a keeper, to be stored in the library and shared with the grandchildren, especially if you are interested in the possibility of a time machine and advanced technology. There is a love story mixed in too. It caught my heart and emotions, like I am catching a wave right now rereading one of the chapters.
Enthralling!
* * * * * (5/5) Although technical in the beginning, I was drawn into this wonderfully written story. Mr. Hambleton vividly draws a picture with his rich vocabulary and impeccable character development. The Biblically based reminders of marriage and Christ centered relationships are refreshing as so much of today’s literature and life is riddle with ungodly behaviors. While reading this book, the cool air of the New Mexico desert night and the heavy humid air of the Florida coast could be felt. The poignant love story woven throughout the book along with the science fiction time travel makes this novel appeal to readers of many genres.
An Engrossing Tale!
* * * * (4/5) "Endeavor in Time" is an engrossing tale that leads the reader to ponder deep questions. If I went back in time knowing all I know now, would I do things differently and if I did, would I be the same person I am today? Hambleton weaves an intriguing story that grabs the reader's interest from the start. Chris quickly draws the reader into the life of his character as we watch Daniel face this very situation and make choices that change not only his life, but the lives of those around him. From the beginning of the novel, I was hooked and wanted to know how Daniel would work out these issues and if disasters could be averted. The ending left me chilled with the knowledge that somethings are destined to be and can only be delayed at best.
Endearing Journey.
* * * (3/5) "Endeavor in Time" takes you on a journey not only through time and space but through one man's life as he faces an unbelievable situation. Even though the beginning was highly technical, it grabbed my attention and kept me wanting to know more, wanting to know why the author felt we needed to know this aspect of the main character's life. The author has a great ability to bring the reader slowly into the story line and develop his characters in a way that held my attention as I wondered what he would do next and how he would face each situation he encountered. I highly recommend this technological romance through time.
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