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Irina Shapiro
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The Hands of Time (The Hands of Time: Book 1) Kindle Edition

by Irina Shapiro (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.4 out of 5 stars 3,636 ratings
When a young woman vanishes without a trace from a quaint fishing village on the coast of England, only one person knows the truth, but he remains silent allowing the authorities to search for her in vain.

Meanwhile, Valerie Crane finds herself transported to the year 1605. Terrified and confused, she turns for help to the Whitfield brothers, who take her in and offer her a home. Both Alexander and Finlay Whitfield fall in love with the mysterious woman, who shows up on their doorstep, creating a love triangle that threatens to consume them all. Valerie must make her choice, deciding between the brother who will lead her down the path of destruction, or one who will give her a love she couldn’t find in her own time.
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  1. Print length
    212 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publication date
    December 7, 2011
  4. File size
    1.2 MB
  5. Page Flip
    Enabled
  6. Word Wise
    Enabled
  7. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B006JRO9WS
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Merlin Press LLC; 2nd edition (December 7, 2011)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ December 7, 2011
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1.2 MB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 212 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 out of 5 stars 3,636 ratings

About the author

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Irina Shapiro

Irina Shapiro

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Irina Shapiro will be first in line if recreational time travel ever becomes a reality, but for now, she must rely on flights of imagination, traveling through time and space vicariously through her characters. Irina particularly enjoys stories set in the past, where the characters must navigate the volatile political climates of their time while still managing to live, love, and cause mischief.

Irina has always had a particular fascination with the paranormal, and explores some of these themes in her books. She believes that nothing is truly impossible; true love can transcend space and time, and live on forever.

Please visit Irina Shapiro at www.irinashapiroauthor.com to learn more about her titles and upcoming releases.

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
3,636 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers enjoy this time travel book for its interesting method of time travel and historical facts that make for engaging reading. The writing is well-executed, and customers appreciate the character development, with one review noting how the author connects characters through centuries of history on two continents. While some find the plot believable, others consider it trite and overdone, and the pacing receives mixed reviews.

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192 customers mention "Readability"192 positive0 negative

Customers find the book engaging and fun to read, with a good plot that keeps them intrigued.

"This is an amazing story Written well through history and time I enjoyed every minute and could not put it down...." Read more

"I enjoyed the book but find the references to an established colony in Virginia in 1606 hard to overlook...." Read more

"...If you like a good story, a work of fiction, not fact, then this is a book for you...." Read more

"...Good realistic characters and story." Read more

93 customers mention "Time travel story"93 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the time travel elements in this book, appreciating how it brings readers back in time and incorporates historical facts.

"Time travel at its best! Our heroine Valerie, goes to a thrift store in England and ends up in time 400 years from the present...." Read more

"This is a good start to a time travel series. I just finished another of the authors series called“Wonderland” and loved it...." Read more

"...I am a huge fan of time travel fiction and loved that aspect of the story - I especially liked Louisa's storyline in the present, as she was trying..." Read more

"A beautiful time travel story! The brothers sounded so loving of one another and also very handsome...." Read more

81 customers mention "Writing quality"64 positive17 negative

Customers praise the writing quality of the book, finding it well-crafted and easy to read, with one customer noting how the historical events are seamlessly integrated into the narrative.

"This is an amazing story Written well through history and time I enjoyed every minute and could not put it down...." Read more

"This was a real page turner. Not your Hallmark love story. I couldn't put it down. The thought of time travel has always intrigued me...." Read more

"...This is a well written story and I enjoyed it very much. I will continue reading this series and most likely read all of Irinas books...." Read more

"...Will get ready for the next one. Was an easy read with history events. Wonderful! Entertaining!" Read more

60 customers mention "Character development"53 positive7 negative

Customers appreciate the character development in the book, finding them refreshingly believable and interesting, with one customer noting how the author connected them through centuries of history across two continents.

"...Shapiro developed her characters well and I found them genuine and likable though I believe that were I in Valerie's position, I would have been far..." Read more

"...Good realistic characters and story." Read more

"...A story much like Outlander with an amazing cast of characters." Read more

"...I did enjoy the storyline and I did love the characters in the book. Now I'm hooked and looking forward to the next book...." Read more

23 customers mention "Interest"23 positive0 negative

Customers find the book engaging, with several mentioning it kept them interested throughout, and one customer noting how it brought characters to life in their imagination.

"...The book grabbed my attention from the first chapter and held my interest to the very end...." Read more

"A fun read. A good escape from daily life to the wonders of the past. I now want to read the next book to see what happens." Read more

"A unique time travel story kept me interested, very enjoyable...." Read more

"...you’re a time travel book reader like me then you’ll definitely enjoy Hands of Time! Highly recommend you start this journey !" Read more

52 customers mention "Plot accuracy"23 positive29 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the plot accuracy of the book, with some finding it believable and more realistic than typical books in the genre, while others find it trite and overdone.

"...There was one jolt, however, a few graphic sex scenes that were unexpected; almost like some one cut and paste them from another book...." Read more

"...Ms. Shapiro developed her characters well and I found them genuine and likable though I believe that were I in Valerie's position, I would have..." Read more

"...I found at times it the story just seemed to drag on and found myself skimming words...." Read more

"...there being others it sets up nicely for readers to enjoy and not be overwhelmed. Definitely read !" Read more

21 customers mention "Pacing"7 positive14 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the pacing of the book, with some appreciating how the series seamlessly carries on from the previous book, while others find it not well thought out.

"...bothersome, but the science fiction/time travel element is also not well thought out...." Read more

"...The story draws you in and hooks you on the series. Very well written and a very good book." Read more

"...with many of the reviewers with the lower star ratings: Yes, it is cliché, predictable, even silly, historically poorly researched and cheaply and..." Read more

"...is that it linked modern day with the past in a way that was not really believable..." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Christilriggs
    5.0 out of 5 stars Ten Stars
    Reviewed in the United States on March 4, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    This is an amazing story Written well through history and time I enjoyed every minute and could not put it down. Starting on her next book Can't wait To finish it Excellent writing excellent read
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  • BookNana
    4.0 out of 5 stars Likable but inaccurate
    Reviewed in the United States on January 5, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    I enjoyed the book but find the references to an established colony in Virginia in 1606 hard to overlook. Jamestown wasn't established until 1607 and women didn't come for several more years. Surely such a talented author could find a way to keep it historically accurate.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Debbie O.
    5.0 out of 5 stars Love this book! What a great conception for time travel.
    Reviewed in the United States on December 15, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    This was a real page turner. Not your Hallmark love story. I couldn't put it down. The thought of time travel has always intrigued me. This was one way I never expected. When your love story starts out one way then does a 360 I was hooked. Can't wait to see what happens next.Enjoy!
    One person found this helpful
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  • Jeanne
    5.0 out of 5 stars SO GOOD!
    Reviewed in the United States on June 1, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Time travel at its best! Our heroine Valerie, goes to a thrift store in England and ends up in time 400 years from the present. In the meantime her sister continues to search for her. I recently discovered this is a series of books...therefore the story continues from the first book. While reading this story, you feel as though you are one of the characters.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • E. Piper
    3.0 out of 5 stars A GOOD READ IF YOU LIKE TIME TRAVEL BOOKS
    Reviewed in the United States on May 12, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    My introduction to time travel novels was Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series which I loved. This book is nowhere near as detailed or well written as that series but it was a good read nonetheless. Valerie Crane traveled to England with her sister, Louisa, who was there on a business trip. Valerie is struggling with sadness and grief over the breakup of her marriage and Louisa felt that the trip would be good for her. While shopping in an antique store, Valerie came across an old clock, reset the time by turning the hands, and found herself in the year 1605 and the adventure began. As other reviewers have complained, the history is not accurate except for the description of the Guy Fawkes rebellion but I put that aside and just enjoyed the story for what it was - a work of fiction. The book grabbed my attention from the first chapter and held my interest to the very end. It was a quick read and when I finished it, I bought books 2 and 3 for my Kindle. Ms. Shapiro developed her characters well and I found them genuine and likable though I believe that were I in Valerie's position, I would have been far more panicked than she was.

    If you like a good story, a work of fiction, not fact, then this is a book for you. My only complaint is one that I have had with other Kindle books: There were far too many mistakes and typos to be tolerated and they distracted from the story. This is not the author's fault, however, and I urge Amazon to correct this disturbing element in the Kindle books.
    6 people found this helpful
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  • Jennifer
    4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting…🧐
    Reviewed in the United States on March 12, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    Even though this book had it’s flaws, I really enjoyed it. There was something that just drew me in. I can’t imagine living in 1605, with all their superstitions, politics, religion, and social rules.
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  • Karen K Jones
    5.0 out of 5 stars Good Time Travel Story
    Reviewed in the United States on August 27, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    A young woman is sent back in time to the 17th century in England. She is frightened but is discovered by so brothers who take her in. One falls in love with her right away and they marry. In the end she marries his brother and they sail to Virginia to make a new life. Good realistic characters and story.
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  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Short but well written
    Reviewed in the United States on June 28, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Saw this series and thought what the heck, why not. Did not disappoint. Exact opposite actually... couldn't not finish it fast enough. It is a short book but with there being others it sets up nicely for readers to enjoy and not be overwhelmed. Definitely read !
    Helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Amazon Customer
    4.0 out of 5 stars Good story with lots of twists and turns.
    Reviewed in Canada on November 1, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Overall, a very good story. The only reason I did not give it 5 stars is because the main characters had no problem understanding each other. I am sure there was a great deal of difference between 17th century English and 21st century American English.
    Report
  • Gail Carrie Lander
    5.0 out of 5 stars good read
    Reviewed in Australia on March 2, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    Thoroughly enjoyed this read, a little factual history not too much bedroom and quite a good story line. I could believe the characters and their adventures. Thanks
    Report
  • GYG
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent reading
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 11, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    I would definitely recommend this book, it's a romance and mystery as time travel would be. It is interesting and there are some true events in the story, if you have read outlander you will be in your element reading this series get ready for a wild ride and plenty of adventures.
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  • GrannyT
    4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent well-told story.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 18, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    Very good storyline, kept my interest all the way through the book. Can’t wait to read more from this author.
    Report
  • Zab
    3.0 out of 5 stars Not what I expected
    Reviewed in Canada on November 22, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    Based on the description and her falling for two brothers. Not a threesome, but one and then the other at different times. Enjoyable enough but I won't look for other books in this series.
    Report

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