In This Moment by Gabrielle Meyer Book Review

About the Book:

Maggie inherited a gift from her time-crossing parents that allows her to live three separate lives in 1861, 1941, and 2001. Each night, she goes to sleep in one time period and wakes up in another. Until she turns twenty-one, when she will have to forfeit two of those lives--and everyone she knows in them--forever.

In 1861, Maggie is the daughter of a senator at the outbreak of the Civil War, navigating a capital full of Southern spies and wounded soldiers. In 1941, she is a navy nurse, grappling with her knowledge of the future when she joins a hospital ship going to Pearl Harbor. And in 2001, she's a brilliant young medical student, fulfilling her dream of becoming a surgeon.

While Maggie has sworn off romance until she makes her final choice, an intriguing man tugs at her heart in each era, only complicating the impossible decision she must make, which looms ever closer. With so much on the line, how can Maggie choose just one life to keep and the rest to lose?

You can read an excerpt here.

My Review:

Writing a coherent dual time slip novel is hard enough but triple time? Yet Meyer pulls it off to provide an engaging story. She has developed her characters well, fitting them to the society of the time. Maggie is the main character and I like how her desire to go into medicine is featured in all three of the time periods she lives in.

Meyer loves history and it shows in her attention to establishing a good setting in each of the three time periods. The three times are related in that each one features events leading to war or a potential war, all involving large numbers of casualties. I like the inclusion of a few historical figures in to each era and I appreciate the author's note at the end clarifying fact from fiction.

The concept of choosing which time period in which to remain is intriguing. Romance comes into play. Is there a man in one of the time periods with whom she would be entirely happy? In which time period would she be her most authentic self?

I enjoyed this novel. There is some important history to remember and some interesting romance possibilities. Mostly I enjoyed Maggie learning to live well in all three of the time periods. There is a little about Christian faith in the novel but it is not a major element.

My rating: 4/5 stars. 

You can read my review of the first book in this series, When the Day Comes.

About the Author:

Gabrielle Meyer (www.gabriellemeyer.com) has worked for state and local historical societies and loves writing fiction inspired by real people, places, and events. She currently resides along the banks of the Mississippi River in central Minnesota with her husband and four children. By day, she's a busy homeschool mom, and by night she pens fiction and nonfiction filled with hope.

Bethany House Publishers, 400 pages.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.

(My star ratings: 5-I love it, 4-I like it, 3-It's OK, 2-I don't like it, 1-I hate it.)