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Back to Normal #1
Paradigm Rift
Denver Wayne Collins was doing his best to maintain the deteriorating pieces of his life, as he faced a bitter divorce that threatened to rip his 6 year-old daughter from his home and heart. And then...it happened. In a blinding flash of lightning and a cascade of thunder, Denver finds himself mysteriously transported back in time to 1956...to the Midwestern town of Normal, Illinois. Quickly arrested by police Chief James McCloud, Denver discovers that he is not alone as a time jumper.
Denver joins a small band of time travelers who are desperately struggling to find a technological breakthrough that can send them all home, while keeping their true identities safe from the populace of the small town. They think that no one knows the truth...but a local reporter and the CIA are hot on their trail, seeking to exploit the knowledge held by people from the future. Adding to their troubles, Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin has dispatched a female KGB assassin to locate the group and eliminate them before the American intelligence services can interrogate them. It's about love, betrayal, and sacrifice, carefully woven into a tale involving murder, espionage, and experimentation with the very fabric of reality. If you love sci-fi, if you crave political thrillers, 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 Back to Normal.
Denver joins a small band of time travelers who are desperately struggling to find a technological breakthrough that can send them all home, while keeping their true identities safe from the populace of the small town. They think that no one knows the truth...but a local reporter and the CIA are hot on their trail, seeking to exploit the knowledge held by people from the future. Adding to their troubles, Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin has dispatched a female KGB assassin to locate the group and eliminate them before the American intelligence services can interrogate them. It's about love, betrayal, and sacrifice, carefully woven into a tale involving murder, espionage, and experimentation with the very fabric of reality. If you love sci-fi, if you crave political thrillers, 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 Back to Normal.
362 pages, Hardcover
First published October 15, 2014
35 people are currently reading
391 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
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.
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.
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!
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!
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!
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.
Well crafted and kept attention throughout. Explanation of Roswell was intriguing and a great storyline. Lead in to sequels a natural.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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!
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!
July 14, 2015
Interesting storyline. Great characters with lots of suspense. Cliffhanger ending.
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.
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.
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