SOLVED - Time traveling (?) mercenaries/soldiers, different "themed" planets [s]

[E4]

I read this book sometime around 1996-1998 I believe. I seem to remember it being a well worn paperback at the time so it must be fairly old. It's science fiction.

I think the cover had some kind of astral design, red or pink maybe?

The protagonist is some kind of time traveling mercenary or something of the sort. I think it might actually be a sci-fi "multiverse" type thing rather than actual time travel.

There are distinct locations or planets or something that the main character travels to by means of a bubble (?), each with their own time period and customs, etc. For example in one location clothing isn't worn at all.

I seem to remember something about "implants" that the mercenaries can use to enhance their combat skills, slowing down time, etc.

Here are the plot highlights as I somewhat remember them. Potential spoilers may follow but I can't remember much of the plot clearly.

-Book starts with main character recovering from drinking in WWI style trench warfare mission

-He works for someone that sends mercenaries on missions? He's sent to find or kidnap (?) a woman.

-He finds her and captures her. He's supposed to take her back to somewhere but ends up getting ambushed maybe?

I forget a fairly big chunk of the plot here. I think he ends up capture by "the woman's" people but ends up siding with them or something.

I also forget how the book ends.

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

[Shanna_redwind]

I remember a story like this, but I"m not sure it was a novel, but a short story, and I can't remember where I read it. There are some differences but I'll mention it anyway, maybe it'll ring some bells.

In the story I read, the man had gone to a paradise planet on which you could do anything you wanted in different areas, for most of the month. Then there was a single day of hell with the most horrific circumstances you could imagine. This included trench warfare and something about a woman I think.

This may not be your book, but it seemed very similar to me.

[E4]

That may very well be the same book. I do remember something about a paradise planet. I think the man ends up getting sent there for some R&R or something.

I suppose it could have been a short story but I seem to remember the book being a normal sized paperback and I don't remember any other stories associated with the one I'm thinking of.

[Ann aka Iftcan]

I remember (vaguely) a series by Simon Hawke that was about time traveling cops/troops?? Don't remember much about the series, but here's a link to one of the books. The Pimpernel Plot (The only one I could remember the title to.)

[E4]

Interesting, but unfortunately that's not it. The story I'm thinking of had a lot of adult content and kind of a gritty feel. Thanks.

[Shanna_redwind]

I've found the story that yours reminded me of, but I doubt that they're the same.

It's in an e-book so that pretty much counts it out.

It's in Selections from Brave New Worlds: Dystopian Stories. The Story is called Of a Sweet Slow Dance in the Wake of Temporary Dogs by Adam Troy-Castro

There is a print version as well, but it was published 2011 Brave New Worlds

[E4]

I found it. It's At The Narrow Passage by Richard Carlton Meredith. First published in 1973.

Apparently it's actually part of a trilogy. I don't know why but scenes from this book have been popping into my head randomly for years so I may have to track down a copy.

I shelved it and I will be moving this to solved. Thanks to everyone who offered their suggestions.

EDIT: Thought I'd note that the cover of the edition displayed above isn't actually the same as the one I read. It was this one: which explains the warm colors I recalled.