Review: TimeWarp, Inc. by Cotton E. Davis

A time traveling soldier warps to first-century Galilee to prevent Christ from being assassinated.

When historian Gwen Hoffman first meets time traveler Mike Garvin, an ex-Special Forces weapons sergeant, back from ancient Gaul where he was embedded as a centurion in Julius Caesar's elite 10th Legion, she is more than a little put off. Scarred and dangerous-looking, the man appears more thug than time traveler. Yet he is the person TimeWarp, Inc. is sending back in time to protect Jeshua bar Yosef (Christ) from twenty-first century assassins; the man Gwen was assigned to prepare for life in first-century Galilee. Gwen, of course, has no idea she and Garvin will become lovers. Nor does she realize she herself will end up in Roman Palestine, where she will not only meet Jesus but face danger alongside Mike in the adventure of a lifetime...

Title: TimeWarp, Inc.
Author: Cotton E. Davis
Publisher:BURST
Release Date: August 6, 2012
Acquired Via: Author
I got this book about three months ago through the blog and didn’t have the time due to work and life to get to it. This is something I’ve come to regret, as this is one of the best books I’ve read in a while.

It didn’t read like a debut novel at all. I loved everything about it. Characters, storytelling, plot, writing, good guys, bad guys, beginning, middle, end, everything. It became one of those books I like so much that I’m having problems writing this review without going into fanboy mode and get all gushy and tell you all to go get it ‘cause it’s just awesome. Ok. *deep breath* Let’s try and make some sense for a little bit.

The story follows Mike Garvin, Roman centurion of the 10th Legion, who turns out to also be Mike Garvin, time traveler sent back to document Cesar’s reign. There, he’s recalled back to current times by Harper, douche extraordinaire, for his new mission.

Iranians have obtained time travel technology and decided to get up and go kill Jesus, capital J, which would wreak havoc with pretty much everything: altering time, destroying western civilization and/or destroying the world. Take your pick.

The plot is what drew me in the beginning. It’s pretty intriguing, and I wanted to know what Mr. Davis would do with it. And what did he do? He made awesome sauce with it.

Like I said before, it didn’t feel like a debut novel at all. It’s very well written, and it flows smoothly from action to calm to conversation. Its rhythm was what kept me reading late into the night, not noticing how time went by as the story grabbed me and didn’t let go. Stealing a few pages where I could. Losing sleep so I could keep reading and find out how it would all end.

I liked the conversations between all the characters. Arguments felt real, and made me feel uncomfortable. (I don’t like confrontation.) The relationships evolved smoothly and, to me at least, like real ones would. The way the characters were portrayed fleshed them out wonderfully, each with their own personality, character and voice.

Jesus was a really fun character to read. The story takes place before he became Jesus, capital J, and he was a regular man – a funny, charming and perceptive regular man. I’m not much for religion, one way or the other, and the book doesn’t get too heavy on it, so don’t let that make you skittish. Just because it has Jesus in it, and some characters are devout, doesn’t make it a book on religion. It’s about time travel, and awesomeness. Plenty of it.

I even liked the ending! And I normally don’t like endings. Either because they suck, or because a story I came to enjoy so much finished. In this case, the way the author wrapped everything up, and the potential for more adventures, has my mind running.

I’m definitely following both this series and the author. There is so much potential here in both, I get excited just thinking about it! *squee*

One of the best things I’ve found reviewing here at Bibliophilia, Please, is new authors. It’s a joy to pick up a book/kindle and read a new story, written by someone new to it all, and have it be such a wonderful reading experience as this book was.

Ok. I’m going to stop now before I embarrass myself. Long story short: Read the book!

Go forth and buy your copy of TimeWarp, Inc. today!
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To satisfy FTC guidelines, I am disclosing that I received the book for free from the publisher or author in exchange for an unbiased review. It has in no way affected the outcome. All expressed opinions are awesome, honest, and courtesy of me.