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Second Chance: A Pale Rider, Time Travel, Alternative History Book
Jack Reacher meets The Patriot in this exhilarating time travel alternate history series! (updated cover!)When we lost the American Rebellion against the British in the 1700s, the world for the colonists changed for the worse.After centuries of suffering under the oppressive thumb of the English crown, a wealthy American entrepreneur in the 21st century finds an alien craft that can travel through time.That man is my best friend. And he figured out how to use that alien tech with one goal in to go back in time and use our modern technology and knowledge to help the American Colonists defeat the English, with their Revolutionary War, and change the course of history for the better.And why does he ask me, a lowly, disgraced, former police officer, to be the one to make this precarious journey and try to change history? Because after a British official murdered my wife and got away with it, I have nothing left to lose.This way, even if I don't make it back, the course of time will have changed and maybe, just maybe, in the new future I can help shape, America might be a free country and the woman who would have been my wife would be alive.Those two aspirations are worth fighting for.I only hope I can achieve the impossible and change America's future by going into the past. Second Chance is the first book in the Pale Rider series, an alternate American Revolutionary War retelling. For fans of AG Riddle and Andrew Hastie! If you like American history, time travel, and alternate history fiction, then discover Second Chance today!
232 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 27, 2021
216 people are currently reading
97 people want to read
About the author
Michael Roberts
469 books90 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
February 22, 2022
Good story, but...
To think that men who use firearms would not notice a Contender pistol is foolish. Other than that, lots of good action and a renewed appreciation for what General Washington and his men went through to win our independence. And here we are, years later, about to lose our freedoms to Demoncrats and their stupid ideas. Oh, some of you like high gas prices and empty store shelves?
To think that men who use firearms would not notice a Contender pistol is foolish. Other than that, lots of good action and a renewed appreciation for what General Washington and his men went through to win our independence. And here we are, years later, about to lose our freedoms to Demoncrats and their stupid ideas. Oh, some of you like high gas prices and empty store shelves?
April 15, 2022
Great historical read!
Now on audio book:
Get it here: https://www.audible.com/pd/Second-Cha...
Now on audio book:
Get it here: https://www.audible.com/pd/Second-Cha...
July 13, 2023
My love of the alternate history genre should come as no surprise to anyone who has regularly read my blog. This genre takes a point of history and wonders what the world would look like if something different had happened. In the case of Second Chance, the book starts with an alternate version of the world we know. It’s one where the British succeeded in putting down the rebellion in the Colonies and are a global power in the 20th century. Using the resources at their disposal from the colonies, they created a Navy that could not be beaten. Only Russia and China don’t fall under their umbrella, and it’s believed that Russia will soon fall.
This is a world where the people of America are still expected to abide by laws created during Colonial times. They still are expected to quarter British soldiers in their homes. Punishment is swift for the Colonists, although there’s little “justice.” The “hero” we know as Thomas Nelson is a man whose wife was killed by a British soldier. His best friend enlists him in a scheme they have concocted to use an alien ship they have discovered to travel back in time and help the Colonies win the Revolution. They don’t know exactly how the alien ship works, but they have figured out how to travel a certain number of years. This puts Thomas at a point in history just before the Battle of Saratoga and the winter at Valley Forge. In the history they know, this was also when George Washington was captured and executed in Philadelphia.
To read my full review, please go to: https://thoughtsfromthemountaintop.co...
This is a world where the people of America are still expected to abide by laws created during Colonial times. They still are expected to quarter British soldiers in their homes. Punishment is swift for the Colonists, although there’s little “justice.” The “hero” we know as Thomas Nelson is a man whose wife was killed by a British soldier. His best friend enlists him in a scheme they have concocted to use an alien ship they have discovered to travel back in time and help the Colonies win the Revolution. They don’t know exactly how the alien ship works, but they have figured out how to travel a certain number of years. This puts Thomas at a point in history just before the Battle of Saratoga and the winter at Valley Forge. In the history they know, this was also when George Washington was captured and executed in Philadelphia.
To read my full review, please go to: https://thoughtsfromthemountaintop.co...
May 23, 2022
As soon as I finished this book I went online and purchased the 2nd book in the series which I am going to go read the moment I finish this review. That should give you a bit of an idea that I really enjoyed this book. It has a time travel element at the start but then its just a person from the future in the colonial era trying to prevent the British from winning the revolutionary war. It starts in a future where the British did win so he is trying to change history. I enjoy this idea of coming from a future that is not the same as ours. That way at the end of the story he can create the world we live in.
It is a very similar idea as Rewinder from Brett Battles. Both are really good books and if you enjoy time travel and alternate history give these a read!
#timetravel
#alternatehistory
It is a very similar idea as Rewinder from Brett Battles. Both are really good books and if you enjoy time travel and alternate history give these a read!
#timetravel
#alternatehistory
March 20, 2022
Great alternate history story
The premise is tight, the reason for the mission possible, and the tale is rip roaring excitement. Look forward to book 2
The premise is tight, the reason for the mission possible, and the tale is rip roaring excitement. Look forward to book 2
March 21, 2022
What a great read
This is the first book in a long time that I had trouble putting down. A interesting time travel story. I am looking forward to reading the other 2 books !
This is the first book in a long time that I had trouble putting down. A interesting time travel story. I am looking forward to reading the other 2 books !
January 3, 2022
This isn't your usual time travel journey
A solid story with an absolute goal of setting the scenes for whatever comes next, Second Chance is hard-lined grit and down in the trenches tale of reliving history by reversing the odd circumstances of the British actually winning the revolutionary war.
Overwhelmed by the fact that Britain now rules most if not all of the world a wealthy and patriotic citizen determines they must be stopped from that crucial state of affairs and funds a time travel mission for one man to reverse the situation by returning to 1777 and giving critical aid and other assistance to General George Washington and his ragtag Continental Army, from the battlefields at Saratoga and Valley Forge.
Armed with his training, his thirst for revenge, and his hopes for a better world by crippling the British and defeating them entirely, Thomas journeys back in time to set the course of history on the right path for independence and victory for the colonists. His success is vital to change the unfortunate current dominion of the British in what should have been the United States but because of the British Empire and their overwhelming victory in 1777, simply does not exist as a separate nation with its own independent government.
The key issue sets the goal to swing the results of the war with the colonists victory.
But first there are the numerous soldiers who must be stopped. Companies, battalions, cavalry and even some naval damage must be destroyed or rendered impotent at winning.
Thomas uses modern weapons altered by technology and engineering to resemble the weapons used by troops.
He goes alone and manages to kill enough high ranking British generals who had been noted to destroy Washington's army, sending their soldiers into full retreat, using his wits and modern weapons to wreak havoc and fuel superstition and panic.
Almost always winning his engagements and despite being wounded multiple times, Thomas succeeds almost singlehandedly until he is wounded and loses consciousness. Taken to relative safety he is nursed back to battle strength by a family of apple growers, where he meets and is attracted to the a young war widow. When he'd daughters are kidnapped by a rather scheming Britain Captain, Thomas rescues the children and fights his way back to Annie and her former father in law, Ben.
That sets the love story in motion. More than anything Thomas determines he will complete his mission and return to Annie.
There are enough sniper situations, hand to hand coming scuffles, and lots of military skills to satisfy.
A few were somewhat different but through them all Thomas plods forward to comp!she the mission and reverse history.
Nearing completion his hopes are a bit skewed when in the final run for Valley Forge he encounters one particular British soldier he knows he must kill in order to succeed.
That fight is epic and brings Thomas face to face with Lafayette, the French so!died and tactician who will wind up giving valuable military aid to Washington and the colonists.
That's an amusing twist but not particularly important however it does draw the reader further into the story so it does become relevant further down the road. The writing is solid and the plot interesting but there's lots of killing to wade through.
The characters aren't strongly written and some of them are entirely unlikely in the world of the past but all in all the story kept me entertained.
I'm waiting for the sequel so I can find out how it all comes together although since following it one must assume there ever was a war of independence that the British actually won!
But I like TV genre so that doesn't matter much to me.
A fun idea that never happened still can provide readers with a good adventure.
A solid story with an absolute goal of setting the scenes for whatever comes next, Second Chance is hard-lined grit and down in the trenches tale of reliving history by reversing the odd circumstances of the British actually winning the revolutionary war.
Overwhelmed by the fact that Britain now rules most if not all of the world a wealthy and patriotic citizen determines they must be stopped from that crucial state of affairs and funds a time travel mission for one man to reverse the situation by returning to 1777 and giving critical aid and other assistance to General George Washington and his ragtag Continental Army, from the battlefields at Saratoga and Valley Forge.
Armed with his training, his thirst for revenge, and his hopes for a better world by crippling the British and defeating them entirely, Thomas journeys back in time to set the course of history on the right path for independence and victory for the colonists. His success is vital to change the unfortunate current dominion of the British in what should have been the United States but because of the British Empire and their overwhelming victory in 1777, simply does not exist as a separate nation with its own independent government.
The key issue sets the goal to swing the results of the war with the colonists victory.
But first there are the numerous soldiers who must be stopped. Companies, battalions, cavalry and even some naval damage must be destroyed or rendered impotent at winning.
Thomas uses modern weapons altered by technology and engineering to resemble the weapons used by troops.
He goes alone and manages to kill enough high ranking British generals who had been noted to destroy Washington's army, sending their soldiers into full retreat, using his wits and modern weapons to wreak havoc and fuel superstition and panic.
Almost always winning his engagements and despite being wounded multiple times, Thomas succeeds almost singlehandedly until he is wounded and loses consciousness. Taken to relative safety he is nursed back to battle strength by a family of apple growers, where he meets and is attracted to the a young war widow. When he'd daughters are kidnapped by a rather scheming Britain Captain, Thomas rescues the children and fights his way back to Annie and her former father in law, Ben.
That sets the love story in motion. More than anything Thomas determines he will complete his mission and return to Annie.
There are enough sniper situations, hand to hand coming scuffles, and lots of military skills to satisfy.
A few were somewhat different but through them all Thomas plods forward to comp!she the mission and reverse history.
Nearing completion his hopes are a bit skewed when in the final run for Valley Forge he encounters one particular British soldier he knows he must kill in order to succeed.
That fight is epic and brings Thomas face to face with Lafayette, the French so!died and tactician who will wind up giving valuable military aid to Washington and the colonists.
That's an amusing twist but not particularly important however it does draw the reader further into the story so it does become relevant further down the road. The writing is solid and the plot interesting but there's lots of killing to wade through.
The characters aren't strongly written and some of them are entirely unlikely in the world of the past but all in all the story kept me entertained.
I'm waiting for the sequel so I can find out how it all comes together although since following it one must assume there ever was a war of independence that the British actually won!
But I like TV genre so that doesn't matter much to me.
A fun idea that never happened still can provide readers with a good adventure.
February 13, 2022
Alsome
Most interesting story line. Read several stories of facts on Revolution War and this book let's you think of what would have happened if the war went the other way. Looking for second bool.
Most interesting story line. Read several stories of facts on Revolution War and this book let's you think of what would have happened if the war went the other way. Looking for second bool.
January 20, 2022
Luck be with me
Anybody that's looking for great read, and a storyline that is original in concept will, will enjoy themselves. I read this in two days of off and on reading. Though I do have a problem with this that I had with the the last book I read, editing I don't understand that so many spelling and punctuation be wrong. I though when you publish doesn't someone read this and correct grammatical errors. Dumb me
Anybody that's looking for great read, and a storyline that is original in concept will, will enjoy themselves. I read this in two days of off and on reading. Though I do have a problem with this that I had with the the last book I read, editing I don't understand that so many spelling and punctuation be wrong. I though when you publish doesn't someone read this and correct grammatical errors. Dumb me
August 22, 2021
Wow, what a surprise book!
I haven’t had much expectations but this book is one of the most entertaining read I had for a long time. Excellent writing and really good story telling. Can’t wait for the next volume!
I haven’t had much expectations but this book is one of the most entertaining read I had for a long time. Excellent writing and really good story telling. Can’t wait for the next volume!
January 4, 2022
Fun Read & Waiting For #2
I have been reading alternative history for years. This is a fun read with lots of action. I am looking forward to book 2. A plus is that it is well edited. I appreciate that because many ebooks are not.
I have been reading alternative history for years. This is a fun read with lots of action. I am looking forward to book 2. A plus is that it is well edited. I appreciate that because many ebooks are not.
October 29, 2021
interesting
I wasn’t sure this was going to be a good story, but it turned out to be awesome! I can’t wait to read the next book!
I wasn’t sure this was going to be a good story, but it turned out to be awesome! I can’t wait to read the next book!
December 7, 2021
A solid alt history entry
I really enjoyed the take on the American revolution. Author did a good of creating the atmosphere of the story. Liked the characters a lot as well.
I really enjoyed the take on the American revolution. Author did a good of creating the atmosphere of the story. Liked the characters a lot as well.
January 18, 2022
Good book! However there no indication if a book 3 is coming out soon!
Disappointed with readers!
Disappointed with readers!
January 31, 2022
Not bad at all
Good action from beginning to end . Found myself drawn in from the very first page. Give it at least the first chapter cause I am an avid reader.
Good action from beginning to end . Found myself drawn in from the very first page. Give it at least the first chapter cause I am an avid reader.
June 7, 2022
This is an alternate-history novel - "What would happen if the British won the Revolutionary War?" How would that have changed the world? Set in 2021, a team of American scientists have decided to change history by sending a man back in time to 1777, where George Washington is about to hanged by the British. Thomas, a combat veteran, is the time traveler, assigned to rescue Washington, and change the course of the future.
A little far fetched at times, still it's entertaining reading with historical characters such as Alexander Hamilton, John Paul Jones, the French hero Lafayette, Ben Franklin and John Adams all interwoven in the story. A fun read.
A little far fetched at times, still it's entertaining reading with historical characters such as Alexander Hamilton, John Paul Jones, the French hero Lafayette, Ben Franklin and John Adams all interwoven in the story. A fun read.
July 17, 2022
Pretty good!
This adventure starts from a dystopian future where alone special ops soldier is sent back to rescue George Washington and help the rebel forces defeat the British Empire before they become the world straddling government of the dystopian present. The part set in the "present" reads a lot like a cold war novel describing life in the USSR which was a bit jarring. However as motivation to use a time machine it is an almost perfect premise and it only occupies the first few chapters of the novel. I am moving on to book two having read the first novel in under 24 hours.
This adventure starts from a dystopian future where alone special ops soldier is sent back to rescue George Washington and help the rebel forces defeat the British Empire before they become the world straddling government of the dystopian present. The part set in the "present" reads a lot like a cold war novel describing life in the USSR which was a bit jarring. However as motivation to use a time machine it is an almost perfect premise and it only occupies the first few chapters of the novel. I am moving on to book two having read the first novel in under 24 hours.
May 18, 2023
A Good Read
This book is a bit light in characterization. The main character, "Thomas Nelson," as he is known, is the only character that is anything like fleshed out. And he comes across, to me at least, as a cold fish, not particularly likeable. The rest exist mostly was cutouts to promote the main character on his way. The story is mostly just plot.
Fortunately, there's a lot of plot, and pretty good plot at that. The story moves along nicely, the background is believable, and you do find yourself rooting for the protagonist without regard for any flaws. On balance, the novel works, and I did go ahead and purchase the second volume.
This book is a bit light in characterization. The main character, "Thomas Nelson," as he is known, is the only character that is anything like fleshed out. And he comes across, to me at least, as a cold fish, not particularly likeable. The rest exist mostly was cutouts to promote the main character on his way. The story is mostly just plot.
Fortunately, there's a lot of plot, and pretty good plot at that. The story moves along nicely, the background is believable, and you do find yourself rooting for the protagonist without regard for any flaws. On balance, the novel works, and I did go ahead and purchase the second volume.
September 28, 2024
Great read
I am very interested in alternate universe fiction. I stumbled upon this book and was very pleasantly surprised at how well it uses some original ideas to set up the premise of the book. This book has the right amount of history, suspense, action, and humor. I really like the book and we’ll start reading the second book in the series as soon as I’m done with this review.
I am very interested in alternate universe fiction. I stumbled upon this book and was very pleasantly surprised at how well it uses some original ideas to set up the premise of the book. This book has the right amount of history, suspense, action, and humor. I really like the book and we’ll start reading the second book in the series as soon as I’m done with this review.
January 25, 2022
This is a very simple book.
The story is rushed and not very well planned out. It is a quick read that is okay, but nothing special. The main issue that puts this at three stars is the main character. He is unprepared and so desperate for victory that he is constantly wounded. He would have been dead several times over it this wasn't written like an action movie.
The story is rushed and not very well planned out. It is a quick read that is okay, but nothing special. The main issue that puts this at three stars is the main character. He is unprepared and so desperate for victory that he is constantly wounded. He would have been dead several times over it this wasn't written like an action movie.
Read
January 31, 2022Outstandingly riveting story
As I read this tale. Clarity and exactness came too mind. There is no confusion in this tale. The action, characters, plot all fits so well together. The story of Thomas is every adventurers dream. I eagerly await the sequel. Well done Michael Roberts.
As I read this tale. Clarity and exactness came too mind. There is no confusion in this tale. The action, characters, plot all fits so well together. The story of Thomas is every adventurers dream. I eagerly await the sequel. Well done Michael Roberts.
March 27, 2022
Very, very, good. Alternate history but not tied to sci-fi. Action and fun. Diving into next book.
Liked intro setting up the reason to go back in time. Hadn't read this technique, that I recall.
Enjoyable read so I had to give it 5 stars. Better than a tv show or movie.
Comfortable easy chair and this book, just perfect cold night.
Liked intro setting up the reason to go back in time. Hadn't read this technique, that I recall.
Enjoyable read so I had to give it 5 stars. Better than a tv show or movie.
Comfortable easy chair and this book, just perfect cold night.
April 29, 2022
A pleasant way to relax.
A well written book offering one of those "what -if" scenarios that some of us are so fond of discussing on cold winter nights. The characters are fairly well defined and the action pretty much non-stop. The author s style reminds me if Robert A. Heinlein. If you just want to kick back and relax, give it a shot..
A well written book offering one of those "what -if" scenarios that some of us are so fond of discussing on cold winter nights. The characters are fairly well defined and the action pretty much non-stop. The author s style reminds me if Robert A. Heinlein. If you just want to kick back and relax, give it a shot..
November 17, 2023
Freedom worth the Price
I'm so glad we won because I would have hated to think of a world still under British rule.
It's great that we no longer have British rule. However, we're in a pickle right now, and I hope we get out of it before we have another revolution of another kind. Really love this book, and I'm gonna read the next one.
Couldn't put it down..
I'm so glad we won because I would have hated to think of a world still under British rule.
It's great that we no longer have British rule. However, we're in a pickle right now, and I hope we get out of it before we have another revolution of another kind. Really love this book, and I'm gonna read the next one.
Couldn't put it down..
January 1, 2022
Interesting premise
The action scenes require suspension of belief to accept one person could do so much mayhem or cover so much distance in the time taken. But it is entertaining and I will read the sequel to see what happens.
The action scenes require suspension of belief to accept one person could do so much mayhem or cover so much distance in the time taken. But it is entertaining and I will read the sequel to see what happens.
March 6, 2022
3.5 stars. Entertaining but somewhat simplistic time travel tale. Probably more suitable for a YA audience or an older audience wanting a quick diversion such as on an airplane or at the pool/beach.
March 10, 2022
Fun reading
Good character interface.
Although I don't care about fighting description, the rest of the books plot is interesting. Some historical facts are true and add body to the story.
Good character interface.
Although I don't care about fighting description, the rest of the books plot is interesting. Some historical facts are true and add body to the story.
October 8, 2022
Fantastic read and one to teach you some important history
I enjoyed being let into the Karl's mental reasoning on how to make choices. the shorter easier way may not do. An on to the next book.
I enjoyed being let into the Karl's mental reasoning on how to make choices. the shorter easier way may not do. An on to the next book.
March 4, 2023
Second Chance: (Pale Rider Alternative History Book 1)
I've never read alternative history novels, and I've read very few time travel ones. I was very intrigued by this book. It's very well written and very interesting.
I've never read alternative history novels, and I've read very few time travel ones. I was very intrigued by this book. It's very well written and very interesting.
April 10, 2023
Second Chance: an alternative history book1
This was a good book to read. The plot was very sound. The characters were great and colorful. Enough history of the current time was put in to make this a believable story.
This was a good book to read. The plot was very sound. The characters were great and colorful. Enough history of the current time was put in to make this a believable story.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews