Weather Menders

by Debra Denker

What if Time Travel were real? What if Time Travelers from 300 years in the future told you that there was a chance that you could prevent catastrophic climate change, plagues, and wars by going back in time to key Pivot Points and ethically altering the outcome of rigged elections? What if failure would result in the destruction of the biosphere? Would you go?

In post-plague 2050 Britain, palm trees tower over the rice paddies of Stonehenge. Tara MacFarlane, a weary 96-year-old anthropologist originally from Taos, New Mexico, longs only to finish out her life in peaceful Buddhist meditation, and rejoin the great love of her later years, the humanitarian Scottish-Afghan doctor Xander, in a future incarnation. Suddenly one stifling autumn day Tara, her great-granddaughter Leona, and Leona’s boyfriend Janus are faced with a trio of Time Travelers from a future alternate Timeline where humanity and the eco-system survived and thrived.

The fate of Earth’s biosphere falls squarely on the shoulders of Tara, Leona, Janus, and Tara’s small gray cat, Georgie, who shows a surprising aptitude for telepathy. Time is short to reverse catastrophe that will bleed through into the alternate Timeline, and the Time Travelers must first determine the ideal Pivot Points by reading Time Code vibrations off the great standing stones of Avebury. Unexpectedly joined by the brave and wise cat Georgie, the six plunge into the Time Circle of Stonehenge on their mission. Where and when will they go, and will they succeed in restoring the Earth and humanity to balance?

290 pages, Paperback

Published November 7, 2017

About the author

Debra Denker has been writing stories since she learned to read. Although novels and poetry were her first loves, she turned her talent to journalism in the ‘70s and ‘80s, writing about Afghanistan and the refugee situation in Pakistan for National Geographic and many leading newspapers. She has specialized in social documentation utilizing journalism, photography, and film to convey the experiences of people in war torn areas, with the intention of stimulating the empathy necessary for humans to stop violence against people and planet.

Denker is the author of two published books, the non-fiction literary memoir Sisters on the Bridge of Fire: One Woman’s Journeys in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India, and the novel War in the Land of Cain—a story of love, war, and moral choices set during the Soviet-Afghan war of the 1980’s.

Denker now writes for the award-winning conservation media website, Voices for Biodiversity, raising consciousness to help ward off the Sixth Great Extinction.

She currently lives in Santa Fe with her family of cats, Dorjee Purr-ba, Yeshe Gyalpo, and Samadhi Timewalker, but travels frequently in earthly space, and hopes to travel in time and galactic space.

The novel’s website is www.weathermenders.com.

Her personal blog www.mysticresistance.com explores a range of spiritual, social, and political issues and their intersection with sacred activism.

Reviews

[Tara Lumpkin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Debra Denker’s cli fi novel Weather Menders has entrancing characters: a telepathic cat named Georgie, an anthropologist named Tara, her great-granddaughter Leona, and Leona’s partner Janus, who join together to time travel with a trio of time travelers to save the biosphere from final and complete destruction, which would make it not only inhabitable for humankind but also for most of the world’s species that we humans love and cherish today. Denker takes us through a rollicking story of twists and surprises (and I won’t give the ending away) while we learn about politics, climate change, human nature, and the sixth extinction of species, and how and where we went wrong in the past. The well-paced and entertaining and yet educational novel is a great read sure to be loved by readers of all ages.

[N.V. Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Debra Denker’s new novel starts with a highly appealing premise: that characters in a post-catastrophe future travel back in time to historical pivot points to alter events just enough to secure the earth and humanity’s survival. The protagonist, 96-year old Tara, is particularly intriguing. Enlisted by a group of time travelers from the distant future, Tara returns to earlier periods with her sentient cat and mystic great granddaughter. Their goal is to mend the ethical and political breaches that will rip the future world apart. Unlike many post-apocalyptic tales, Denker adroitly weaves in Tibetan Buddhism, Native American beliefs and other ancient practices as the foundation for change. This is a captivating book, a parable about ethical action, hope and the power of love.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Weather Menders is an interesting read. It involves time traveling from the future to the past. The time periods bounces around a bit that can be confusing at times. Once I caught on what was going on and got used to the writing style, the book started to flow nicely for me. It was fascinating to see how the author imagines how the future, present and past to be.
I give Weather Menders three and a half stars.
I received this book from the publisher. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.

[Phillipgibbs1 · Rating 5 out of 5]

One can read fiction for many reasons: escape, fun, literary pleasure, education. It is rare that a book comes along that covers all of these. This exceptionally well-written adventure is intricate and complex, while at the same time fun and entertaining. Even the tragedies have an enriching resonance. It is filled with delightful, unusual characters, who always remain true to their character.

Most of the story shifts between 2050 and 2017-2020, with important, fun and educational forays back to 1978 and 1980 when we had the potential to change the direction of human existence and the health of the planet. There are also trips to other time periods, including a look back from 2351 in the Pleiades. Most writers could get lost in this time intricacy. But, not only does this story make each time period realistic, it weaves them together flawlessly. Not one continuity thread is left dangling.

Though some of the concepts and beliefs espoused by the characters are a bit outside my worldview, I was, nonetheless, captivated by the story. Check your pre-conceived beliefs at the door and dive in. You will enjoy the ride with these delightful, charming, insightful characters.

While great fun to read, this book could actually contribute to improving the planet by increasing people’s recognition of the problems and their long-term consequences, and by enhancing the possibility of changing our future for the better.

Alice Walker said: “If art doesn't make us better, then what on earth is it for?”
Weather Menders makes us better.

[Cynthia Lukas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Weather Menders is a must-read for those interested in strong feminine characters, climate change and cats. . .and for those concerned about humanity’s direction, elders and youth, men and women alike. It is a love story that travels across time to deliver powerfully.

Tara McFarlane is an accidental activist, a 96-year-old anthropologist who in 2050 finds herself called upon by a trio of Time Travelers to return to our current timeline to correct the errors that humans made and are making that led and will lead to the planet’s quickening demise. Tara is weary, and missing the love of her life who has transitioned, but she answers the call, taking her great-granddaughter and her talking cat, yes, talking cat. . .and thus begins the adventure, with the lovable
cat Georgie and his sarcastic remarks making it all the more fun.

Aren’t we all called to be accidental activists today? No matter how old or young, no matter how chaotic the circumstances and how doubtful the outcomes, are we not like Tara called to play our role to save our Earth? Dive in.

[Heather]

 
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There is a lot going on in this book.  The Earth has lost most of its population due to plagues and climate change.  A group of humans living in the now-tropical area of Stonehenge are suddenly visited by people claiming to be from the future.

The story is told in flashbacks and in the current timeline to show how humans managed to destroy the planet in such a short period of time.  The main characters are Buddhists who have invested a lot of their lives into meditation and spiritual practice.  They apply what they have learned through that to help try to heal the planet.  A lot of this isn't explained in much detail, if at all.  The visitors from the future have a lot of special powers that they are unable to explain.  They explain it as using readily available technology in their world but it can come across as sort of lazy story telling like, "Oh, look, she can project holograms of different timelines from her head.  How, you ask?  Um, technology..."  

The group needs to go back to key points in history to change things.  (They basically need to prevent the 1980s.) 

There is a cat who plays a vital part in the story and is able to speak mind to mind with his people.  He is known forever as Georgie, the first Time Traveling cat.  I approve of cats with good communication skills. 

This book reminds me so much of The Fifth Sacred Thing by Starhawk.  Both books feature a very elderly woman as the main protagonist.  She joins forces with her chosen family to prevent a disaster through spiritual/magical means.  

 



About the Author


Debra Denker has been writing stories since she learned to read. Although novels and poetry were her first loves, she turned her talent to journalism in the ‘70s and ‘80s, writing about Afghanistan and the refugee situation in Pakistan for National Geographic and many leading newspapers. She has specialized in social documentation utilizing journalism, photography, and film to convey the experiences of people in war torn areas, with the intention of stimulating the empathy necessary for humans to stop violence against people and planet.

Denker is the author of two published books, the non-fiction literary memoir Sisters on the Bridge of Fire: One Woman’s Journeys in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India, and the novel War in the Land of Cain—a story of love, war, and moral choices set during the Soviet-Afghan war of the 1980’s.

Denker now writes for the award-winning conservation media website, Voices for Biodiversity, raising consciousness to help ward off the Sixth Great Extinction.

She currently lives in Santa Fe with her family of cats, Dorjee Purr-ba, Yeshe Gyalpo, and Samadhi Timewalker, but travels frequently in earthly space, and hopes to travel in time and galactic space.

The novel’s website is www.weathermenders.com.

Her personal blog www.mysticresistance.com explores a range of spiritual, social, and political issues and their intersection with sacred activism.
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Blog Tour Schedule
Friday, January 25
Review at Locks, Hooks, and Books

Tuesday, January 29
Excerpt at The Book Junkie Reads

Wednesday, January 30
Feature at Broken Teepee

Friday, February 1
Guest Post at Maiden of the Pages

Monday, February 4
Review at Based on a True Story

Tuesday, February 5
Interview at Passages to the Past

Wednesday, February 6
Feature at Just One More Chapter

Thursday, February 7
Review at Pursuing Stacie

Friday, February 8
Feature at Cheryl’s Book Nook

Monday, February 11
Review at History from a Woman’s Perspective

Tuesday, February 12
Feature at CelticLady’s Reviews

Thursday, February 14
Review at A Book Geek

Friday, February 15
Review at Umut Reviews
Feature at Coffee and Ink
Giveaway
During the Blog Tour we will be giving away two paperback copies of Weather Menders! To enter, please use the Gleam form below.

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Click HERE to enter giveaway.
 

This review was originally posted on Based On A True Story

[Karen Menczer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whether you prefer to read fiction or nonfiction, science or science fiction, love stories, adventures, suspense, Weather Menders has something that will appeal to you. I usually read nonfiction, and (I know this isn't a good thing) I sometimes don't have patience for fiction. But that wasn't the case with Weather Menders. I couldn't put it down, it really drew me in, I cared about the characters (especially the cat), I learned several new things, and it gave me some new ways of thinking about and facing our climate challenges.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! I couldn’t put it down, the story was engaging and made me think about how we treat the world we live in. How government decisions from the past and current day have such an effect on our lives and planet now and in the future..... it’s so easy to just see things play out in life and just think governments just do the same old thing and nothing ever changes..... wouldn’t it be amazing to be able to go back in time and change things for the better? Would you be brave enough to do it if someone gave you the chance?

The characters Tara, Zander and Georgie were my favourites, readers who love cats will love Georgie.

If you are a fan of The 5th Sacred Thing by Starhawk you will love this book.....

[Melody Dennis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the third book I have read by Debra Denker. Have loved all of them, but this is my favorite. Such a great concept. What if we could redo the damage we have done. Debra is passionate about climate change and it shows in her story telling. Combining science fiction, incarnation, current events and a love story that transcends time and space. Love the characters. Love the way the story unfolds. A great read. Very relevant for our time. Georgie is My favorite! Love that sweet little cat. And a nice surprise ending

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't like fantasy futuristic type books but this was recommended by a friend who doesn't either. I really hated it at first and almost stopped reading it, but then the story line got very interesting and I got hooked; hence, the 3 stars instead of the one star I was going to give it. Then I really can't give a one star rating to a book that has a feline in it and Georgie is a great cat!