A Time Traveler Upsets the Court of Henry VIII - an Editorial Review of "Time Agents"

Book Blurb:

The popular award-winning Time Agents series continues!!

When rogue time jumper Muriel O’Hanlan accidentally lands in England in 1525, she knows it won't be easy to survive through the winter while she waits for the next lightning storm to jump out again. Once she catches the eye of Henry VIII, the stakes only go higher. Arriving in the midst of Henry’s dissatisfaction with Queen Katherine of Aragon, but before Anne Boleyn steals his heart, the beautiful Muriel could upset a lot of very big history, eliminating Queen Elizabeth I altogether.

Heart-hurt Time Agent Oliver Nilsson never wants to see Muriel again after her deception in Cripple Creek, but he couldn't live with himself if he didn't at least try to get her out of Henry’s court before everything goes wrong. Setting history back on track, however, proves to be more difficult than expected.

How many wrongs will it take to make things right? And whose idea of "right" will prevail?

"Sparks fly across centuries in this pulse-pounding romance where love and history hang in the balance. Utterly addictive!" --M.J. Evans, Award-Winng Author

"Will Muriel lose her heart to the surprisingly handsome, intelligent and talented young King Henry? Or will she lose her head?"

Book Buy Link: https://geni.us/zjQTD3s

Author Bio:

Jodi Bowersox is an award-winning author and artist with more than 25 books for children and adults.

Her novels span genres from faith fiction to suspense to time travel to sci fi, with small town, big city, and interplanetary settings. Known for her twisty mysteries and page-turning action, even her faith fiction books are full of suspense. Her children's books, under the name J.B. Stockings, tackle issues like personal care, responsibility, diversity, unconditional love and just plain fun for children aged 0-10.

As a watercolor artist, Jodi specializes in pet portraits, and as a seamstress, she creates women's vests out of men's ties, monster scarves, and other delights. You can view all her creative endeavors, as well as read samples of her books at www.jodibowersox.com.

Jodi lives in the heart of Colorado Springs with her husband and too many cats where they never get tired of looking at the mountain views.

Editorial Review:

Title: Time Agents: Alterations

Author: Jodi Bowersox

Rating: 4.1

“Muriel looked around, panicking, having no idea what time period she had landed in. Remembrance of the book she’d been reading before the mule had broken through the fence flooded her thoughts, and anxiety hit her anew.”

In "Time Agents: Alterations" by Jodi Bowersox, the story follows Muriel O’Hanlan, a woman thrown into the dangerous past after a lightning strike sends her back in time. And as captured in this excerpt, the book prepares the reader for a story built on uncertainty, survival, and quick thinking, in a world that might not understand her because she comes from another time. The moment is important because Muriel does not arrive with confidence or control, but instead arrives frightened and unsure, which makes her feel human and vulnerable from the very beginning. The confusion sets the tone for the rest of the book where every choice she will make will grow out of this first moment of panic and realization.

“Be ye lost?” the woman asked with a couple missing teeth, her graying brown hair nearly invisible under a stiff scarf that sat on her head like a discarded dishcloth. “I’m sure I must look it.” Muriel wondered what might be an acceptable explanation for a woman

out alone, looking bedraggled. “My... husband has died, and... his father kicked me out. I’m lookin’ for employment. I’m a baker.” She swept a strand of hair behind her ear being blown about by the breeze. “A good one.”

This moment shows how quickly Muriel must adapt if she wants to live. It also shows that survival in the past depended not only on skills but on stories that people were willing to tell. The lie about her father and husband flows naturally from her fear, and that fear connects back to her arrival in the past which makes the moment feel believable rather than forced. As you delve deeper, you realize that baking becomes more than just a job, giving her protection and a place in society. This scene also introduces an important reality of Muriel’s situation- a woman alone without a clear role in society is immediately suspicious. By giving herself a profession, Muriel is not just explaining herself but placing herself into a social structure that other people understand. At this point, you are forced to believe that her survival might depend more on her ability to remain believable, not just capable.

"Her eyes widened. “Learnin’ and observation are not witchery, Edward.” She picked up the brush and pan to sweep the ashes from the oven. “They are survival.” “They can also be your undoing.” His voice almost seemed tender when he said, “Take care.” Muriel blinked and slowly nodded. She’d not be fool enough to let a warning four hundred years before her time go unheeded."

This passage stands out because it explains the central conflict of the story in very simple words, words that connect directly to everything Muriel has experienced so far. She understands that knowledge gives her power and also that that power can make others suspicious. Edward’s warning is especially important because he represents someone who understands the rules of this world better than Muriel does. And while Muriel sees knowledge as practical and necessary, he understands how easily curiosity and intelligence can be misunderstood as something unnatural. Here he becomes a voice of realism, reminding both Muriel and the reader that survival requires more than cleverness; it requires restraint.

“When we were told of the woman baker in Greenwich Village with pastries that surpassed those at the Palace, we scoffed at the notion.” He put out his hand, and she hesitantly put her gloved hand in his. “But we have just eaten the proof.” He took her hand to his lips for a brief kiss. “We honor your ability to please the palate of a king.” A shaky smile came to her lips. “I... I thank ya.” She expected him to release her, but he didn’t. Instead he put his other hand over hers. “But we cannot have this, can we? A woman in the village that outbakes the King’s bakers.”

This moment changes everything because it shows that Muriel’s talent, which once protected her now draws the attention of the most powerful man in the land. The praise sounds kind at first, but one understands that royal attention is never simple. The king’s interest pushes Muriel into a world far more dangerous than village life and the story shifts from simple survival toward political and personal risk. This scene also shows how success can become a danger in itself. Muriel’s baking was originally a way to blend in and secure a stable life, but her skill makes her impossible to ignore. The same knowledge that helped her survive now threatens to expose her as seen through the king’s reaction which carries an undercurrent of control suggesting that excellence is only acceptable when it exists under royal authority. This moment marks the point where Muriel’s private struggle for survival becomes entangled with larger forces she cannot easily escape.

The pacing of the book moves at a steady and comfortable speed, allowing the reader to understand Muriel’s situation while still pushing the story forward through new problems and new opportunities. The structure follows her journey from confusion to stability and then into greater danger, which makes the story feel natural and easy to follow. The characters all serve clear roles and push the story forward in meaningful ways in Muriel’s life, with Edward representing caution, Geoff representing opportunity, and the king representing danger and change.

The historical setting is described in a way that feels real without becoming overwhelming, and the details about baking, clothing, and daily life help the world feel lived in rather than simply explained. The themes of survival, identity, and knowledge are woven into the story through Muriel’s daily struggles, and the author handles them in a way that feels natural instead of forced. Readers who enjoy historical fiction mixed with light adventure and time travel will be especially impressed by "Time Agents: Alterations." The book will also appeal to readers who like practical details and characters who solve problems step by step. Additionally, anyone who enjoys stories about adapting to new worlds will likely find this story satisfying.

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