Being Travis

No Time for Travis, Book 2

De: Melissa Bowersock

Narrado por: Jonathan Waters

Two years ago, a weird trick of time sent Travis Merrill spiraling from 2016 to the year 1877. Committed now to his life in frontier Arizona, Travis is married with a child on the way and is homesteading a ranch. His knowledge of the future, however, keeps him at odds with his neighbors, his friends...and his wife. He finds it more and more difficult to protect his home without alienating his family, yet he can’t ignore what he knows is - and will be - true.

©2016 Melissa Bowersock (P)2020 Melissa Bowersock

"The life I didn't choose - but love"

We return once more to Camp Verde Arizona, where Travis Miller, involuntary time traveler is slowly building his new life. Having left his forced upon him military life behind, he is becoming a true American pioneer.

I love the way the book has a lot of themes, which are given ample space to develop, even in the short time the book lasts. Top of mind is the family relation between Travis and his wife, Phaedra, which, while loving and full of life has a cleft that Travis cannot broach, which is an interesting interplay.

Other themes that are pervasive are the close kinship and friendship to Riley, who also in his own right gets to wrestle with “the big questions” – torn between loyalty and his own feelings as well as the sense of community building on a broader sense of the backdrop of a new, budding town. But it goes deeper than that. The book manages to also raise the issue of resentment -even enmity towards members of the community that act selfishly (if understandably so), which I think is one of the best things about the listen.

Essentially, the book lets us glimpse how life might have looked like over the course of a couple of years with a few, well-chosen points of interest as focal points. Bowersock manages to put together a beatyful narrative that seems rooted in realistic assumtions and premises. Romantic perhaps, but nonetheless a view port into the dynamics, the worries, and the joys of living on a homesteaded ranch. But the romantics have limits. There is no illusion about the time being anything but dangerous and harsh. Events occur, which clearly demonstrate the darker aspects of living back then – Travis’ knowledge of the future and insights do nothing to mitigate that. A cameo by a figure of history certainly shakes the party op – quite literally.

Story-wise the book isn’t a gripping action – nor is it drawling romantics with rose petals and candy floss. It is a story that feels like a family genealogy tale – with a secret twist no one else can know about. I love that the progression is easy, there are no side plots and weird intertwined story arcs, everything is started and finished with good grace.
Narrator Johnathan Waters, true to form, nails this performance. I have come to recognize signature voice types, which is kind of fun – but it just doesn’t matter in terms of the listen.

Each character has his/her own clear nature, accent, pitch and tone – which are solid and consistent throughout the narrative. The speed, pitch and tone are measured and defined. The cast sound exactly as in book one. The fact that this translates to other books, is just a testament to Waters’ training and quality.

I would not recommend this book as a standalone, although it can be enjoyable for what it is. Listening to book one is a rewarding investment, which sets the scene and creates a strong sense of connection to the characters. I would call it a well wirth listen.

Great Story!💜

A unique journey to the past to experience all the joys and drama that they endured without the current technology of the present. The importance of family, friends & good neighbors is portrayed in this heartfelt charming romantic time travel story. I loved how Travis seemed so smart and confident yet at times, broken & vulnerable. You’ll love all the characters. The narration was very good. Jonathan Waters does very well with all the accents, ages & female voices as well as all the emotions throughout the story. This is book 2 with an HEA and should be read in order. I highly recommend this book/series.

Sisters Spotlight 💜

Travis Finds His Time

Really 3.5. I didn't find Being Travis as captivating as the first book in the duology, Finding Travis. I didn't find the setting as interesting, and the frisson of a modern man dropped into the past was lessened as Travis settles into the late 19th century. Mostly, I was bothered by his decision not to tell his wife the truth about his origins, although I understand the authorial reason he withheld this: conflict! Still entertaining and well worth a read, or listen in my case. I loved the Epilogue.

Gripping

This book brings Travis to the point where he is building a new life in the 1870s with his wife and friends. He encounters the many issues of this time and must reconcile his life story with those he is closest to. This book is well written and leaves you wishing for follow on books in his adventures. The narrator is very good and the book is both well written and well presented.

This book was provided free of charge and this review is freely done with no requirements.

Being Travis

This was a very good follow up to Finding Travis.I enjoyed the story. Jonathan Waters was a fine narrator.I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.' 

Book two is as good as Book one!

Book two did not disappoint! I really enjoyed this continuation of Finding Travis. An excellent story. I will listen to more books by Melissa Bowersock.


Excellent narration by Jonathan Waters. I would listen to more books narrated by him.

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.'

Enjoyable

I received this book for free. I am voluntarily posting this review and any opinions expressed herein are my own.

This is the follow-up to Finding Travis. It is a standalone book. The events of how Travis ended up in the past are provided in a brief summary by the author.

This is really an enjoyable sequel with very likeable characters. It was nice to check in with Travis to see how he is getting on and dealing with knowing that he would not be seeing those from his future life, which led to some introspection on my part on what or how I would handle that situation. I really enjoyed the cameo by Billy the Kid.

The narrator, Jonathan Winters, is the same for both books. He does a really nice job.

Travis survives

I wish Travis wouldn't have waited so long to tell his wife about time travel. Again, Riley to the rescue- yay! I liked the note Travis left in hopes his mom would find it and know he was okay. Ot made me kinda teary!! I voluntarily listened to a free copy of this and am giving an honest review. The narrator did a good job.