Mercer Street is John Heldt’s seventh novel and the second in his “American Journey” series.

When I reviewed the first John A. Heldt book I declared I had found a new favourite author. He hasn’t disappointed me with Mercer Street. I also said that I was not a time travel fan but Heldt’s books are different. They are free from technical gadgetry that can put a time travel story into the sci-fi genre.

Heldt writes with an obvious love of history and this is where his strength lies. His attention to detail in both historical facts and characters is impeccable.

In 1938 there was considerable unrest in Europe with Hitler dominating the scene but no real indication that the USA would enter the war brewing although the government kept an eye on the situation.

In 2016 the unrest that Mercer Street begins with is the disquiet of three women; Elizabeth the grandmother and matriarch, Susan a mother and a novelist and her daughter Amanda the historian who has just finished college. Following the death of Susan’s husband they are holidaying in California when they meet a professor who introduces them the idea that time travel is possible.

They take him up on his offer to send them back to 1938 where Elizabeth can meet her family from the past including her toddler self. Both Susan and Amanda fall in love with men of that time. In Susan’s case, she struggles with trusting a man after discovering just before his death that her husband had been having an affair. Amanda’s love is for a young German with a mysterious background is complicated by the situation in Europe and adds more mystery.

All three characters are strong, intelligent, courageous and believable as they thoroughly enjoy their adventure but need to deal with decisions about love found in their new world and avoiding action that will change the future. I must add that the love scenes do not get over physical and, I believe, suitable for young teens to read.

The many other characters are well thought out and fit the story and era perfectly. John’s use of a variety of historical events is careful and considered as is the introduction of real people like Eleonore Roosevelt. He even manages to include Orson Wells’ radio broadcast of War of the Worlds.

To add much more to a description of the story line would border on a spoiler but trust me Mercer Street has plenty of twists and turns to intrigue the reader.

Like all John Heldt’s books I have read to date, Mercer Street flows smoothly and consistently. You travel back in time along with the characters because his descriptions are so clear they leave an impression on the senses.

But, his greatest strength as a writer is the extensive research that obviously goes into his work resulting in a story that both entertains and teaches. His creativity his highlighted by the final and very agreeable twist at the end

Thank you, John, for yet another wonderful adventure into the past. I wish you continued success.

This review is also available on my website www.pam.id.au ( )

I received a copy to facilitate my review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

My Thoughts:
Give me a good time travel book any day and let me live in my own fantasy world. John Heldt has created two wonderful worlds. First we are in present time where Susan Peterson’s husband has died while having an affair. To ease the pain she goes to California with her mother and her daughter. Things take a real quick turn when the three of them time travel back to 1938 after meeting a professor. Susan’s mother gets to meet her parents and herself as an infant when they were new refugees.

Susan and her daughter each fall for a different man. The problem is they must be careful not to change things that will alter their future. This means they will be forced to make some very tough decisions. That is okay because the author has given us three very independent and tough women. This has everything I could want. Time travel, history and some romance that is not all mushy. The amount of research that went into this novel is what makes it so authentic and believable. I enjoyed the first book in this series. I highly recommend it to you. ( )

Mercer Street (American Journey # 2) by John A. Heldt

Susan Peterson, after the death of her cheating husband decides to take a vacation to California with her mother Elizabeth and daughter Amanda. Once there they meet a professor who tells them of time travel.

The three women go back in time to 1939. Elizabeth wants to go to Princeton New Jersey to see her parents and (herself) as a baby. Once there Elizabeth gets the chance to befriend her young immigrant parents, Susan falls for a an Admiral, and Amanda falls for a young German man. They all face tough decisions, and must be careful not to alter major events in time.

First I have to say I LOVE time travel stories and Mercer Street was fantastic,(it) left an impression on my heart. All three women are very likable, each facing a personal crisis before they go back in time, then they face major decisions once they go back in time.

The attention to detail had me feeling as if I were there. The plot is original and filled with many emotions. I also enjoyed the fact they went back to 1939 the begging of WWII (History lovers should enjoy this) I know I did. Overall I found the story to be enjoyable and satisfying a definite five-star read! ( )