Indian Paintbrush continues the story of time travelling family, the Carsons with the siblings attempting to find their parents, Tim and Caroline. They arrive in Arizona at the height of WWII expecting their parents to be in the same time zone, but an error of judgement means they must all pass the time until the next opportunity for time travel arises.

As they bide their time the siblings find jobs to aid the war effort. The two girls, Natalie and Caitlin, find jobs at the nearby airfield as maintenance mechanics.

Cody delivers medical supplies and becomes friends with a young Japanese woman at the internment camp. Greg teaches English to Chinese pilots and Adam is running a recycling plant.

Through their work Caitlin and Natalie also find love with a pilot trainee and a pilot instructor respectfully while Cody becomes friends with a Japanese girl and her family in the camp.

Adam, Greg and Cody are all conscription age. In their attempts to avoid being called up it attracts the attention of authorities and the disgust of their neighbours.

From the moment I opened the book I was eager to read more of the Carson family’s adventure. I wasn’t disappointed. The old characters are consistent with the previous books. The reader feels part of their family and wants desperately for them to succeed in their quest.

While united in their goal as a family, each character has their story with emotional ups and downs. Their parents’ story line also continues with Caroline struggling with the disappointment of missing her family while Tim suffers from the guilt of his error in timing.

The eldest brother, Adam, remains the rock in the family with his positive attitude and advice.

In addition to avoiding conscription Greg has the added pressure of past problems and dangers following him alongside the joys of becoming a father.

As always Mr Heldt has included fascinating history based on comprehensive research. I am Australian and my country also had internment camps for Japanese and German citizens, so I found this insight interesting.

He even manages to weave in the high-profile celebrities of Bob Hope, Rita Hayworth, and Orson Welles along with the music of the Glenn Miller Orchestra.

The story line is complex but not so complicated you can’t follow it. The clear word pictures help it to move smoothly as does the story being told from each character’s viewpoint.

I have enjoyed John A. Heldt’s stories since his first book, The Mine and he never fails to deliver a story that draws in the reader.

The cliff hanger ending has you wanting to go straight o the next book in the series. ( )

The Carson siblings search for their time-traveling parents continues as they find themselves once again emerging from a time-warp to find themselves in Arizona in 1943…a time when most of America was deeply ensconced in the fear and uncertainty of war on an unprecedented scale. Faced with keeping a low profile in a time when young people were expected (and legally obligated) to serve their country’s war effort, the Carson family find themselves forced to take part in war-related activities in order to protect themselves and their mission. In doing so, keeping their knowledge about the outcome of the war to themselves becomes increasingly difficult.

However, fate can be a cruel master. Natalie and Caitlin become aircraft maintenance mechanics at an army flight school they meet army pilots with whom they fall in love. Cody, delivering medicines to a Japanese internment camp meets and falls in love with a Japanese girl and plans to take her whole family to another time where medical care is more available. Greg attracts the attention of the FBI, both as a young draft-eligible male and as a suspect in the unsolved murder of a rancher from 1918. And finally, only a mere few moments remain before they successfully find their parents…or don’t…as they prepare to flee still further into the future.

Indian Paintbrush explores the Carson family’s increasing need to put down roots and become part of the times in which they find themselves. Continually disrupted relationships and continual danger are taking a toll, especially on Natalie, Caitlin, and Cody. Perhaps the search for their parents isn’t really worth the price…or is it? They have few remaining time windows to explore. Maybe fate will smile on them yet. ( )

The five Carson siblings plus two new sisters-in-law and a new baby have entered a new time period in pursuit of their parents yet again. Now the large group has entered into 1943 Arizona, a dangerous time especially for the three men who are all of age to be drafted. They all quickly find jobs that will help the war effort. Cody drives a supply truck that makes deliveries to an Internment Camp where he befriends a family. Caitlin and Natalie maintain airplanes and meet two aviators. Adam settles down with his wife and child as well as finding a job teaching English to Chinese pilots. Greg along with his new wife are also finding their way in a new time, but with the same old problems that continue to haunt him. With extensive knowledge of the events of World War II, the Carson clan must be extra careful to make sure they are fitting in with their time period.

Exhilarating and endearing, Indian Paintbrush offers an engaging time-travel adventure into 1943 with the Carson siblings. I would highly recommend reading this series in order to get to know all of the characters and motivations. I enjoyed diving right back into the action when the Carson family crossed through the veil into 1943 from 1918. I was excited to learn how they would fit into a time period that they had more knowledge of and how the brides from 1889 and 1918 would do with the continued changes. After two previous time hops, the group is getting better at assimilating to the time period. As with the past two installments, I was impressed at how well immersed into the time period I felt. Between the siblings, the writing explored the Internment Camps and the treatment of the citizens that were held there, the loss of a loved one during Pearl Harbor, the training program to be an aviator and romance during wartime. I was surprised to see how some of the characters from the past time periods were integrated as well as how trouble the Carson's have caused in the past is still affecting them in 1943. Their mission to find and reconnect with their parents is still their mission, however, it seems that the Carson family might be fated to near misses. I can't wait to see how the next time period treats the Carson's.

This book was received for free in return for an honest review. ( )

Indian Paintbrush (Carson Chronicles, #3) by John A. Heldt

The Carson siblings are back in the third installment of the series. As they continue to search for their parents, romances bloom and problems occur. Going back to WWII, and Japanese Interment camps, the blend of fiction and true to life events is compelling.

The siblings and their new loves are likable, the interaction of family, love and struggles to blend in were at times intense. The story moves at a steady pace, with rich dialog and vivid details giving the feel of really being there. I was captivated from the first page until the last.

Overall I found Indian Paintbrush (Carson Chronicles, #3) very enjoyable and feel those who love fantastic time travel will enjoy it as well. A true five-star must-read! ( )

By this third book in the Carson Chronicles I feel like the characters are some of my favorites to read about. They all have their distinct personalities and I feel invested in what happens to them. In each of the books there have been emotional ups and (surprisingly low) downs and I think this is what helped solidify that relationship for me.

In Indian Paintbrush the family travels to 1943/1944. Here the men have to deal with the WWII draft, newly acquired brides and the continued search for their parents. The ladies both meet dashing men that sweep them off their feet but then they face the ultimate decision... to keep their secret or risk sharing it and put their family's safety on the line.

While this book in the series covers some of the events in World War II and gives us a look into a Japanese internment camp, it doesn't have as much historical knowledge as other time travel books I've read and absolutely loved by Heldt. With that being said it's still a fantastic story that leaves me anxiously awaiting the next book in the Carson Chronicles.

I recommend this for anyone who loves romantic time travel books. ( )