Time Slice by Kerry Downing

ABOUT THE BOOKNewly retired workaholic Roy Washburn is not ready for a life of leisure. On a trip to the mall with his wife, he finds a small metal cylinder with odd markings. One nudge of the cylinder's triangle-shaped pointer and Roy finds himself embarking on an exciting new adventure in the Time Stream.
There he meets The Traveler, a tall, gangly being who shows Roy how to use the cylinder to visit other civilizations that co-exist on "his" Earth, each occupying a different, thin Time Slice. The Traveler solicits Roy's help in recovering an object invented by his murdered father and beyond his own reach. Roy is his last hope.
At first it seems that the Traveler's wish might be easily granted. But after Roy's wife Emily becomes ill and his daughter's long-held resentments rise to the surface, he can no longer "travel" at a moment's notice. He also discovers the very real physical and mental risks involved in roaming the Time Stream.

Despite the dangers, Roy is determined to help the Traveler. But he can't do it alone. Fortunately he has a loving wife and a core group of loyal friends. But first he must convince them--and his daughter--that he isn't crazy ...

MY THOUGHTS
Settled into retirement, Roy is about to plunge into an exciting adventure he never imagined when he picks up a small  metal cylinder while at the mall with his wife Emily.  The cylinder allows Roy to time-jump, into different slices of time in different worlds.  One one of his journeys he meets the Traveler, who then asks Roy for his help with a mission.  Roy sets out to help him but when his wife becomes sick and his daughter's resentment toward him increases, Roy must decide where he is needed the most.

With great character development, detailed world-building and the stretching bonds of family, Time Slice is a fantastic science fiction adventure that will engross you from page one.  Young adult and adults alike will enjoy this page-turning and heartwarming story!

ABOUT THE AUTHORKerry Downing set out to become a meteorologist, but was hooked by the world of computers instead, becoming a systems analyst and programmer. Astronomy and science fiction are his passions. He’s been gazing at the stars at all hours of the night since the age of 10, when he received his first telescope. As for science fiction, Arthur C. Clarke and his brand of “it really seems as if it could happen” has always been his favorite. In the 90s, Kerry found the third love of his life: his wife, Lucy. They live in St. Louis, Missouri, with their five children. Time Slice is Kerry’s second science-fiction novel. His self-published, debut work is The Collective.

http://www.kerrydowning.com/