Book ~ "A Matter of Time" (2012) Michael J. Bowler

From MichaelJBowler.webs.com ~ What is your destiny? 

This question haunts 20-year-old Jamie Collins. A junior at Santa Clara University in 1986, Jamie has lots of friends, a professor whom he regards as a mentor, and a promising future as a writer. 

Then the dreams begin - nightmares leading him to a destiny beyond belief. These visions transport him to a time and place fifty-five years before he was born: Titanic's maiden voyage in 1912. With less than a week to go before the 75th anniversary of its sinking, Jamie learns that his fate is inexplicably linked to that of the famous vessel. Somehow, the two timelines are overlapping, and when Titanic dies, Jamie will die along with her. 

Those dreams reveal something evil stalking the ill-fated ship, something that expedites the collision which sinks the great liner. Jamie comes to realize that because of his connection, he may be able to prevent the world's greatest maritime disaster, and save his own life in the process. 

But how? How can he stop a ship from sinking in 1912 when he hadn't even been born yet? And even if he can stop it - should he? What will be the effect on history if he succeeds? Jamie's quest to fulfill his destiny ties friends and family together in ways he could never have imagined. 

A Matter of Time is an emotionally charged voyage into the value of friendship, the power of love, the impact of evil, and the vagaries of Fate.

Time travel, the Titanic and vampires ... sounds like a wacky combination, doesn't it?  You get all three with this book and you know what?  It worked ... I enjoyed this it.  Be prepared to leave your sense of belief at the door when you read it, though. 


I like books about time travel.  I find it fascinating when people go back to the past or come forward to the future and perhaps change the course of events (like when Dr. McCoy saves the woman from getting hit by a car on Star Trek ... that change in events ultimately led to Hitler winning World War II).

And who doesn't have an interest in the Titanic, especially this year since it's been 100 years this year since she sank?

I must admit, I'm not a fan of vampire stories but that part needed to be in this story.  Amusingly, most of what we know about vampires today we learned from Bram Stoker's Dracula, which is based on the info provided to Stoker by the vampire in this book.

I liked the writing style.  It was fast-paced and kept me interested and wanting to read more.  There were quite a few typos (for example, Jamie's name is spelled "Jaime"), though, and better spacing would have been helpful when the scenes changed (sometimes they kind of ran into each other).

I liked the characters.  Jamie seems like a likeable guy with good friends which is good considering his parents have just split up and he doesn't have a close relationship with them anyway.

I was in St. John's, Newfoundland, last month and was actually at one of the pubs, the Ship Pub, that Jamie goes to.  My legs still remember walking up and down all the hills in the downtown core!

As I was reading this book, I wondered whether Jamie did indeed go back in time, was he delusional because he was sick or are we part of a story he is writing (so as a writer, he's messing with our head)?  You'll have to read it for yourself to find out ... and I suggest you do.