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Back to Normal #1

Paradigm Rift

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Paradigm Rift: A thrilling mix of mystery, history, and conspiracy. Denver Wayne Collins, Afghanistan War veteran, is struggling to maintain the deteriorating pieces of his fractured personal life. And then...it happens. During an electrical storm, he is violently thrown back to 1956...to the quiet town of Normal, Illinois. Is this nightmare real, or is this an elaborate governmental fabrication? Denver discovers a fragile alliance of time jumpers from across the last six decades.

The group has been desperately seeking the technology to return each of them back to their proper places in the space-time continuum. But will they succeed before the relentless forces of the CIA and a female KGB assassin find them? Who can they trust? Can they trust each other? From Roswell in 1947, to Area 51 and far beyond, the Back to Normal series will challenge the way you understand contemporary world history...and even time itself.

If you are fascinated by conspiracy theories, then the Back to Normal series is your newest escape. Back to Normal will tease your mind with shocking conclusions about the famous Roswell event, Area 51, the Philadelphia Experiment, and even...the Kennedy assassination. You will never look at history the same way again...it's time to get challenged, it's time to get the whole story, it's time to get Paradigm Rift: Book One of the Back to Normal series.

362 pages, Paperback

First published October 15, 2014

35 people are currently reading
390 people want to read

About the author

Randy McWilson

9 books17 followers

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5 stars
48 (37%)
4 stars
36 (28%)
3 stars
33 (25%)
2 stars
7 (5%)
1 star
3 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
Profile Image for Patti Peel.
5 reviews2 followers
March 26, 2015
Imagine you are suddenly ripped from life as you know it and dropped into a time that has already happened and a place for which you have never heard. Denver Collins finds himself as one of several “Jumpers” in Normal, Illinois, who just want to get back to the time they are from.

Author Randy McWilson’s background in video production is prevalent in his writing as the scenes and characters in Paradigm Rift flow effortlessly together. McWilson has created an original and provocative plot line with expertly crafted cliffhangers that keep the reader engaged and hidden teaser nuggets that create a sense of urgency for Tradecraft, the next book in the series. His attention to detail and the obvious research that went into planning and developing this story is evident in the historical references - so much so, that the reader may start to wonder if the story is factual or fiction.

Although Paradigm Rift is classified as sci-fi, the brilliantly developed characters and their separate agendas balance out the genre so that you can actually forget that it is a sci-fi book at times. As an 18-year veteran teacher of Language Arts, Sci-fi is admittedly not my favorite genre; however, Mr. McWilson’s elegantly woven masterpiece is BY FAR in my top ten book list. I am so glad I took a chance on this book and can’t wait for the next book in the series.
3 reviews
December 31, 2014
What if, in an instant, you were not only in a different place, but a different time...and you're not alone! Science, history, small town and international intrigue ... this book combines all this and more to create a delicious experience - anxiously awaiting the next course!

Violating his own First Accord, Randy McWilson definitely leaves an impression here with Paradigm Rift. With a mix of personal, political and bureaucratic motivations, his characters are original and thought-provoking. Time becomes another character, seemingly with motivations of its own. What should be the biggest obstacle, time travel, takes a backseat to other complications the characters bring with them or find awaiting them.

Get this book and take yourself on an adventure - one that is just beginning!
Profile Image for Cori Wray.
16 reviews2 followers
January 6, 2015
Sci-Fi is not my normal reading genre, so I was a little skeptical when a friend recommended that I read this book. I was completely hooked after the first chapter & could not put it down! It reminded me a little of Dean Koontz or Stephen King...a great plot with just enough mystery to keep you turning the page. I also recommend that you buy the actual book, you just won't get the same feel with an eBook! I look forward to reading more from this author!
175 reviews2 followers
December 25, 2017
Very Creative

Well crafted and kept attention throughout. Explanation of Roswell was intriguing and a great storyline. Lead in to sequels a natural.
381 reviews
August 17, 2019
I read a book many years ago called Sigmet Active that was somewhat similar & intriguing. Loaned it to my sister & never got it back. I read that book twice! Reading book 2 now.
1,599 reviews12 followers
November 10, 2019
3.5 stars. Interesting take on time travel. However, the story and characters really didn't connect with me. Won't read sequels.
Profile Image for Chris Gibson.
12 reviews2 followers
August 24, 2016
I was told about this book by my mom who had found it on Amazon unlimited. Being as I live in Normal Illinois where the book mostly takes place I had to read it. What I was not prepared for was all of the twist and turns the books took as I read farther into the four book series. I found myself staying up later than I should of at night telling myself just one more chapter as I continued to read on wanting to know what was going to happen next.

The book is a fun read that will keep you wondering about what will happen next and if the group of time travelers will ever make it home. I found myself stopping at times wondering what would happen if they altered history and how it would change their present problems or the future of the world. So many directions this book could have gone and the writer did a great job of keeping the story moving along.

The locations in the book all existed or exist to this day and if you are from Bloomington Normal you will recognize many of the places that are still there today and some that have been gone for years.

Grab a copy of the book and sit down for a fun ride as you travel through time to 1950's Normal Illinois.
Profile Image for Courtney.
250 reviews6 followers
February 10, 2017
Time travel novel set in Normal, IL in the 1950's. References to local streets, businesses etc.. were pretty cool! An adult novel, but appropriate for middle school.
4 reviews
November 19, 2015
This book is the start of a brilliant series. I highly encourage readers to navigate their way to read it or put it on the TO READ list. It gets you emotionally attached to characters as they go through their timeless journey. So much in fact that you HAVE to know what's next, so you never want to put the book down! Espically if you're into sci-fi conspiracies, historical fiction, or mystery this will b a great fit for you!
4 reviews
September 2, 2016
What a wonderful series that has several appealing traits...It is a great science fiction series that evolves around the town I live in. Additionally it has mystery, and suspense that keeps me turning the pages and is very hard to put down. There are many sub plots that ultimately tie together which keep the reader engaged. I just wish there was an audible version. A must read!
2 reviews
June 14, 2015
A must read book! Great characters, great ideas, a few 'ah ha' moments and a cliff hanger to beat all. Loved this book!
Profile Image for Helen May.
219 reviews1 follower
July 14, 2015
Interesting storyline. Great characters with lots of suspense. Cliffhanger ending.
Profile Image for Carol Bosselman.
Author 8 books17 followers
August 13, 2015
Enjoyed it, and was engaged, good characterization, more like 3.5 stars, although it needs some serious editing and a bit of polish. Interested in the next of the series.
7 reviews
January 22, 2016
SUCKS

The book should be a stand alone work. Getting to the end and finding out that you must buy another book for $4.00 to continue the story is bullshit.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews

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