Wow! This is John A. Heldt at his best. (There are still two of his 11 books from other series I am yet to read so it may be nudged from its number 1 rating).
The story begins with heartbreak when, following a miscarriage and years of trying to conceive, Claire Rasmussen and her husband, Ron, enquire about adoption. After learning the waiting time is six years, and extremely expensive, it seems like their longing to become parents may remain a dream. That is, until Claire’s uncle, Professor Bell, provides a solution.
Having experienced this trauma myself, I can honestly say the author has an outstanding understanding of what couples go through in this situation. He describes their heartbreak and yearning accurately with emotion and sensitivity.
Along with Claire’s brother, David, they travel back to 1945 when adoption was faster and more simplified. Their experiences during this time, the final months of world War II, prove to be not so easy. Their lives become a whirlwind of romance, danger, suspense and uncertainty.
Yes, it is a time travel story but rather than being science fiction it is drama, emotions, danger, history and suspense. In other words, it is a darn good read.
Regular readers of my blog (www.pam.id.au) and reviews will know I am a staunch John A Heldt fan. Hannah’s Moon is the fifth, final and best of his American Journey series. This is a very special story that is a must read.
Heldt is an amazing story teller. His skills have produced an engaging story that flows consistently with likeable characters and reality; one that will have the reader misty eyed, laughing and biting their nails.
The characters are well developed and believable. As it is told through the perspective of each of them, I felt I was living their experiences alongside them. One little touch I loved was when even the brilliant Professor and his wife had some difficulties with time travel.
Hannah’s Moon is a wonderful conclusion to the series – or is it? At the end of the story the characters from the other books are brought together and, if you have read these, it tells how his previous adventurers have fared. If you haven’t there is enough explanation not to feel you have missed something and, I believe, enough to have you going back to read them. The final part concerning the Professor and his family also opens the door for yet more of this amazing man.
As always, my only complaint about all of John A Heldt’s books are that they are not in print – I would love to have them all on my bookshelf.
If, or should I say, when, you read Hannah’s Moon be sure to include the acknowledgements. They show the author’s commitment to accuracy of his time periods and history through research and consultation.
I received a copy of Hannah’s Moon from the author with a personal option on reviewing the book.
My rating? To date, I have rated all of Mr Heldt’s books 4 or 5 stars and this is definitely a 5*. I just wish I could give it more. ( )

Claire and Ron Rasmussen have struggled with fertility and loss for the past eight years. Wanting nothing more than to be parents, Claire and Ron turn to adoption after their last heartbreaking loss. However, adopting a healthy, caucasian infant in present day California is another long and sometimes painful road. When a distant aunt and uncle, the Bells, learn of Claire and Ron's struggle, they know that they have the perfect solution hidden away in the basement of their house, The Painted Lady. Using their time travel tunnel, the Bells prepare to send Claire, Ron and Claire's brother David back to 1945 near the end of WWII. Adoption policies are much less strict and infants are abundant in Chattanooga, Tennessee in 1945. Claire, Ron and David arrive safely, move into a nice house and find a perfect bundle of joy, Hannah. They plan to stay several months until the adoption is finalized. They make friends with a wonderful neighbor and begin to enjoy life in a different time. Nevertheless, meddling in a different time can have issues, the Rasmussen's are being watched by the FBI and Ron is forced to enlist leaving Claire and David to wonder if they will all make it back to their own home and time.

This is the fifth installment of the American Journey series and was a little different than the previous time travel romances I've read in the series. The love in Hannah's moon was very much focused on family life making Hannah's Moon a balance between heartwarming and dramatic. I was very happy to see that the plot pivoted on adoption; although, as a mother, the first chapter broke me a bit and I had to put the book down for a while. After that though, I was transported back to 1945. John A. Heldt always done a wonderful job of conveying the time period through the eyes of his time travelers. This time, with the help of their neighbor, Margaret, the Rasmussen's are given a full southern welcome. I absolutely loved the adoption of Hannah and Margaret's childhood story helped to solidify their decision. Being set at the end of WWII, I was not expecting to learn much about the actual war, although, with Ron's enlistment I was very intrigued to learn about the USS Indianapolis and the what happened to the Navy members aboard the ship. The ending of Hannah's Moon is bittersweet, I got to revisit all of time travellers from past novels as the Bell's revealed a secret.

This book was provided for free in return for an honest review. ( )

An emotional roller-coaster you won't soon forget!

This book will find a special place in the hearts of many readers, especially those, like me, who have adopted children to fill voids in their families and their hearts. Beyond that, however, this story will tug at the heartstrings of the remaining generation who endured World War II, and their children; both as active military and as the children, spouses and parents who anxiously waited for news in the deafening silence back home.

Claire, a young wife with a broken heart who wants a family, is torn by the grief of a stillborn child, the joy of adoption and the fear she will lose her husband to circumstances beyond her control. Ron, Claire’s husband is torn by events that leave him with no choices that do not involve separation from Claire and, Hannah, their newly adopted daughter, and which ultimately threaten his life. David, Claire’s brother, has fallen in love. He is responsible for the family’s well-being in 1945, but who has lost their round trip ticket to the present. Margaret, their neighbor from across the street in the very different Chattanooga of 1945, is torn between her love for a naval officer involved in the Pacific war and growing love for David, and her high regard for the Claire, Ron and Hannah.

And then there is Hannah…who was born under a full moon.

Oh, did I mention, that Claire, Ron and David are from 2017 and Margaret and Hannah are from 1945 Chattanooga, Tennessee; a time and city dominated by concerns about the war?

The result is a riveting story that effectively captures the emotion and anxiety of the times and of the personal emotions and anxiety of the characters. Readers will be particularly pleased with the significance of “Hannah’s moon”.

Time travel facilitates and complicates the story, but it is only marginally science fiction. This book is about emotions, courage in the face of adverse circumstances and about climbing back on the horse after being thrown. It is well written and edited and should appeal to just about any type of reader. ( )

Hannah's Moon (American Journey, #5) by John A Heldt

Claire and her husband Ron struggle to have a baby. They decide to adopt but find the process is not that easy. But her luck is about to change when she gets a phone call from her uncle, he tells her of time travel. Although at first skeptic, she decides to take him up on his off, and soon she and Ron along with her brother David travel back in time to 1945. For adopting a child in the 40's is much easier and faster than the present day.

As they go back in time, unforeseen circumstances arise and one of them will find their life in danger. The adoption process is a lot easier, but will they succeed? New friendships are made emotions are plentiful; excitement, love, fear and sorrow. A fantastic (time travel) story that left me satisfied. I highly recommend Hannah's Moon to those who love a great time travel. ( )