I have a personal rule: I don't review books I can't bring myself to finish. There wasn't anything inherently *bad* about John A. Heldt's The Fountain: A Second Chance Novel, the writing was competent enough, and the story had potential. But, man, it was just so incredibly slow-paced. So much unnecessary filler! I simply lost interest. For those looking for fast-paced reads, this might not be the book for you. If you enjoy historical fiction book reviews that are quick and to the point, same her...

Does the Fountain of Youth really exist? And if it did, would you actually use its power to turn back the clock? What if it flung you way back, or even forward, in time? Would you still be tempted to test its limits?While John A. Heldt's *The Fountain: A Second Chance Novel* includes a bit of time travel, it’s more rooted in historical fiction. I always enjoy Heldt's books; you can tell how much research he puts into accurately portraying the people and events of the eras he writes about.The sto...

Another Gem!I just love John A. Heldt's books, and this one's another winner. His historical research is just outstanding. If he ever needs a genealogist, I'd jump at the chance to help! Probably won't happen, but it's clear he's getting some top-notch advice along with his own deep dives. I'm already counting down the days until his next release. If you're like me and prefer books on the cleaner side, you can absolutely enjoy "The Fountain: A Second Chance Novel". There aren't any explicit scen...

The Gist: A solid story with a misleading title and average writing. Best suited for historical fiction fans rather than those seeking sci-fi or time-travel adventures. Story Summary:It's 2022 in Oregon. Bill Carpenter, 81, has just buried his wife of 57 years. His brother Paul, 75, is battling terminal cancer, and his sister Annie, 72, a paraplegic, is filled with regret for not pursuing her dreams. The Carpenter siblings have little to look forward to. That is until Bill, a former folklore and...

Imagine having the ability to live your life a second time. Would you risk it, knowing you might end up in a time when the world looked completely different from our tech-obsessed world today?The Carpenters did exactly that; they took a leap of faith. They landed in a world vastly different from the one they left. Imagine returning to your 20-something self. Bill Carpenter got that chance when he emerged from the mysterious fountain in 1905. Paul Carpenter emerged as his 17-year-old self, cancer...

The first book in this new series, "The Fountain: A Second Chance Novel," absolutely delivers. John A. Heldt works his magic on another family saga, but with a compelling new twist this time around. The characters are so real and believable; they pull you right into the story almost immediately. It's a fast-paced read that leaves you craving more. Now, the agonizing wait for the next installment begins! If you're looking for captivating historical fiction, definitely check out John A. Heldt's "T...

My Thoughts The legendary Fountain of Youth – myth or reality? Bill and his family discover the truth firsthand, changing three lives nearing their end into lives with a new lease, beyond their wildest dreams.The book opens on a somber note: 81-year-old Bill, his 72-year-old sister Annie, and 75-year-old brother Paul standing before Alice's grave. Bill's wife of 57 years was buried on May 27, 2022, in Willamette National Cemetery, Happy Valley, Oregon.The trio faces Paul's impending d...

As a longtime fan of John A. Heldt's work, The Fountain: A Second Chance Novel continues his knack for writing fun, family-focused, and thrilling time-travel fiction. His newest novel brings a fresh twist to the time-travel story: a fountain of youth that not only allows people to travel back in time but also makes them younger! Senior citizen siblings Bill, Paul, and Annie are all close, but the woman who kept them together all these years, Alice (Bill's wife), has recently and unexpectedly die...

4.5 stars - *The Fountain: A Second Chance Novel* is the first installment in John A. Heldt’s adult, second chance time travel romance series, focusing on the Carpenter siblings: William, Paul, and Annie. Told from several third-person perspectives, *The Fountain: A Second Chance Novel* centers on the search for the Fountain of Youth. In May 2022, 81-year-old William Carpenter, a retired folklore professor, learns that the mythology surrounding the Fountain of Youth might be the reality he and ...

If you had access to a fountain of youth, but you didn't know where you'd end up after using it, would you take that risk? These three siblings think it's worth it!I received *The Fountain: A Second Chance Novel* for an honest review from the author, John A. Heldt.William "Bill" Carpenter, his sister Annie, and his brother Paul dive into La Fuente, a special pool of water hidden in a secret location. While they become young again, they also find themselves transported to 1905. Bill reverts to th...