4.5 stars. I was pleasantly surprised by this book. Like so many others, I missed the part about time travel/sci fi. I most likely would have passed on this book had I realized that and it would have been my loss. This is an amazingly well written story. The time travel is not what you think, or at least not what I typically think. The depth of this story is mind blowing.

What if you were able to go back and correct the worst mistake of your life? That's exactly what Ethan has the opportunity to do. He gets the chance to go back and possibly save his brother. The way he handles this journey, the growth he has, his character and complexity are wise beyond his years.

This story is emotional, it's moving, it's thought provoking. This is a unique story that is very different from anything I've read lately. It was a breathe of fresh air.

You may not think this book is up your alley, please give it a try. I was sucked in, fell in love with the plotline and characters and just couldn't put it down. You won't be disappointed!

My thanks to Davis Bunn, the publisher and netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I didn't expect this book to be a time travel book, but I do like that type of book. However, the characters did not make you root for them or create a feeling of danger. It was a quick read and one that I won't read again.

Davis Bunn has been writing wonderful books for some years now. This book has everything that a reader of clean fiction could want: An interesting storyline and characters that draw you into their story. This one has quite a twist in it that sets it apart from some of the other stories he’s written. You’ll find this book to have an intriguing premise: What if you could go back and change some of the choices you’ve made in life?
It’s entertaining and sometimes absorbing reading, and a good choice for when you want to read something that has a little different plot than many Christian fictions books.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

Ethan has spent his life living selfishly and doing what he wanted, even at the expense of his marriage which only lasted seven years. He was a surfer traveling the globe surfing the big waves. He is now 55 years old and dying of cancer. Soon.
His parents have passed away. His only sibling has also passed away, and he and his sister-in-law loathe one another and haven't been in contact since his brother's death. So, imagine his surprise when she (Sonya) suddenly shows up, AND with her daughter that Ethan never knew existed. She discovered she was pregnant two weeks following the death of her husband, Ethan's brother.
What the two women want from Ethan is wild, crazy and unfathomable. Yet, Ethan is convinced. Can they really send him back in time to prevent his brother's murder? He feels he has absolutely nothing to lose, and possibly everything to gain.
Sonya's company is being bought out and Ethan discovers it has everything to do with his brother's murder. If he can prevent the murder, and discover what is going on, it will change everything for his family.
Sonya is one of those characters that you, at first, dislike. Intensely. But, as the story goes on, your opinion of her changes and you will even sympathize with her. The complexity of her work was astounding.
It was surprising how '35 years back in time' that Ethan's brother, sister-in-law, and a couple others so easily believed his time travel story.
My big disappointment in this story was that there was no mention of Christ at all. Ethan is soon to be facing eternity and judgement, and a huge opportunity for the gospel was neglected. This is the reason for my 4 star rating. I would have easily given it 5 stars, if this were truly a Christian fiction book.
I was given an advanced copy of this by the publisher, Revell and Netgalley. I was under no obligation to leave a positive review.

Burden of Proof
by Davis Bunn
Revell
Christian
Pub Date 03 Nov 2020



I am reviewing a copy of Burden of Proof through Revell and Netgalley:



Just three weeks after his twenty third birthday Ethan missed the chance to save his brother's life when he was murdered on the steps of the courthouse in Jacksonville, Florida. From that fateful day he has sensed a deep disconnect between the man he should have been and the one he has become. Ethan’s days play out , too slow, his mind replaying the scene of his failure again and again.



But after his brothers widow appears, looking for his help to uncover what was really behind his brothers death. Ethan is stunned to learn that she and her late husband were involved in a much larger case than he knew, one that could threaten the global power structure. As Ethan joins in, in the search for answers, he will have to enter into his own past, and in doing so perhaps discover a means from redeeming his future.





In Burden of Proof best selling and award winning author Davis Bunn invites you into a world of intrigue as a man held captive by his failure learns how to move forward with hope.



I give Burden of Proof five out of five stars!



Happy Reading

What an interesting concept of time travel. Ethan is transported back in time to save his brother from being murdered. He does this successfully, but he also discovers many truths about himself, his life, and his relationships with those around him. The story keeps you interested, not in an urgent way, but in a way that you just want to know what is going to happen. The characters are clearly defined and relatable. The ending gives you faith in a justice system that seems so out of whack today.

I enjoyed reading Davis Bunn's newest release, Burden of Proof. It will be getting a very well deserved five plus stars from me.

Have you ever wish you can change your past? This guy gets a chance to solve his brother's murder! If you like sci-fi mysteries you will like this one!

If we're honest with ourselves, most of us would love a chance to change a decision from the past. To undo a wrong or even just to work harder or focus less on ourselves. Even while knowing the forgiveness of the Lord, regret can often be overwhelming and the choices made still have consequences.

Ethan had been selfish and immature and as a result, he had much to regret in his life. At fifty-five, faced with imminent death due to cancer, he had a boatload of regrets. Then, quite unexpectedly, he was given the chance at a do-over, though at great personal cost.

I liked the way Bunn imagined what it could have been like for Ethan to go back to his 20-year-old self with his memories from the current day intact. And how the lessons he had finally learned impacted the choices he made this time around. And I was very moved by the deep love he had for Gina and how it manifested itself.

Seen through Ethan's perspective, the characters truly became flesh and blood. It was easy to see what their motivations were and to relate to them. I appreciated how Ethan's maturity allowed him to see them differently than he did the first time around and how he responded with patience and kindness.

Adrian, Ethan's older brother, was a gem! His handling of the court trial was masterful and filled with integrity and grace. The answer to the mystery they were trying to solve surprised me and yet fit.

Ethan had been a surfer for much of his life. I especially appreciated reading about surfing and what it is like to experience being out on the waves and how it is done (not in a technical manual how-to but more about the decision-making aspects). His love for the ocean and respect for its power was fascinating.

I seem to mention this in many of my reviews lately, but it bears stating that though this is listed as "Christian" fiction on the retail sites, there is no indication it is more than a clean story of a man willing to lay down his life for a friend.

If you enjoy a good mystery with a bit of romance, Burden of Proof might be right up your alley.

Perhaps not overtly so, but “Burden of Proof” by Davis Bunn is an apropos book for 2020, right down to the title. This year I have read several works within the speculative fiction genre, and I was surprised by how much I enjoyed them because I am much more of a historical fiction devotee. In a sense, however, Davis Bunn’s novel also falls within the dual-timeline category, and it is a legal thriller too. Such a formidable combination of genres promises a high yield and begs the question of whether or not they all blend well and complement each other.

Speaking generally, “Burden of Proof” falls in the middle of the spectrum as far as my personal ratings are concerned. There are parts of the story that I enjoyed, but also loose ends and some questions that I would have liked to have seen answered. I also have concerns about the implication that Adrian’s life is worth more than Ethan’s, taken from the opening chapters of the story; a life-limiting disease resulting in a poor prognosis, combined with the fact that the individual has no living relatives, leads to a decision that could change the future and the past. I will refrain from elaborating so as to avoid spoilers, but this realization of human worth greatly discomfited me. Along with this, there is no mention of Christianity in the book; given that it is marketed as Christian, I believe that it should be held to that standard, and while the story is clean, the focus is given to weaving the present with the outspoken past rather than in spiritual growth.

Time travel forms the crucial event in this story. Despite being so over-done as a theme, Bunn gives it a unique twist here, fictionally broadening its potential use. This brings in the Butterfly Effect, as found in any time travel scenario, as well as the Grandfather Paradox and, as one of the characters explains, the theory of quantum entanglement. Due in part to all of the unknowns, the bonds of family and friends become especially important. As what was thought to be an isolated incident grows into a full-blown conspiracy theory, Ethan and his brother Adrian fund themselves caught up in “the thrill of facing the impossible” for what may be the last time.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell and was under no obligation to post a positive review. All opinions are my own.

I usually don't enjoy books that have an element of science fiction in them. I find that I spend my time being skeptical and not able to just lose myself in the story. Burden of Proof isn't overly science fictiony but it does have an element of time travel in it. Once again Davis Bunn has made me rethink my snubbing of this genre.

We all have regrets in life that given the chance we would change. In Burden of Proof Ethan Barrett is living with overwhelming regrets. But out of the blue he is given the chance for a do-over. He's transported back to a time just before his biggest regret. The story of how he changes things is heartbreaking and beautiful.

I enjoyed this story so much that I really didn't even think about it being a time travel story. It was clever at times, incredibly sad at times, and joyous throughout. Without giving anything away let me tell you a secret I learned just in case I ever time travel . . .buy stock in Apple and Nintendo! (That's the clever part.)

Davis Bunn is a talented author and I've enjoyed every book of his that I've read. I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that this is now my favorite. Not everyone has the opportunity for a do over with some of their deepest regrets but we can probably all relate to the family dynamics that this story explores. If you enjoy a story that will tug at your heartstrings, pick this one up!

This book will keep you reading as you try along with Ethan to find out what really happened to his brother and what his brother was really involved in. Ethan still is beating himself up after he was not able to save his brother and when his brother's widow comes to him seeing help he realizes that there is more to the story than he imagined. He soon finds himself looking into a case his brother was working on and finds out that more is at stake than he realized. A real page turner.

I received a copy of the book to read, the review is mine.

As I closed the cover of Burden of Proof, I knew that this book would stay with me for a long while. I have read a lot of Davis Bunn’s novels — all genres — and liked them all, but this one is by the far the best I have read. The complex plotting and characterization, plus the numerous themes and questions arising from it, make it a highly recommended read.

First things first — I wasn’t sure how a book that opens with time travel would go over with my book club. (Burden of Proof is my group’s January 2021 pick.) I needn’t have worried, it has all the things my members love — a gripping story, flawed, yet relatable characters, and enough fodder for a long discussion. Besides the time travel theories and the wisdom of doing such a thing, I anticipate great conversations on the twisting plot, the growth of the characters, and the value of giving and taking second chances. Oh, yes, this book has it all! Even the time and setting are developed to perfectly compliment the narrative. I know I am gushing, but I loved everything about this book.

Burden of Proof solidifies Davis Bunn as one of my must-read authors. I am so glad I get a chance to discuss this book with a group of reader friends. If you choose this book, bring someone along for the journey. You will have to talk about it!

Highly recommended.

Audience: adults.

Ethan knows he doesn't have much time left. When his sister-in-law and niece suddenly appear with an opportunity to change the past, he accepts the offer. What follows is a story about second chances.

This skillfully told story is deep and emotional. The characters are so well presented that readers will get to know them quite well. The engrossing narrative moves smoothly and is filled with vivid descriptions of both time and place.

I found this book to be thought provoking. It raises the question of "What would I do if I could change the past?" Highly recommended.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I could not put this book down. I loved the use of time travel though it is different how this story ends. The characters all learn some very nice lessons. I love that Ethan is willing to help his brother by doing something no one else had ever done. I received a copy of this book from Revell for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.

I must admit, that this isn't a book that I would typically pick up to read myself. In fact, had I realized that when the book description says Ethan 'enters his own past' it quite literally meant he enter his own past... well, I might have passed it by completely. Boy, am I glad I didn't realize it though, as I'd have missed out on an intriguing read.

In this book, we meet Ethan. At the end of his life, he is realizing he lived a rather selfish life with a lot of regrets. When his sister in law comes to him with a way that he can travel back into the past to save his brother who passed away when he was just twenty-three years old, he jumps at the chance to change things, no matter the cost.

As I said before, this isn't my typical type of read. It's not that I don't like science fiction at all... I do, but I am VERY picky about it and more often than not find myself disappointed. As such, I tend to not pick them up as much. This one, while it has that sci-fi element with the time travel, it's not too over the top. I truthfully think that the story and the messages of redemption within it are so beautifully written that even those who typically don't like sci-fi books at all could still enjoy it.

While this book is from a Christian publisher, I don't recall that I ever actually saw any true messages of faith in the story. I think the messages within the story were great messages for Christians, and it was of course a clean read, but not overtly Christian in anyway. As such, it could definitely appeal to a wider audience.

Overall, a very unique and beautifully written book and one that I would certainly recommend.

**I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for consideration. All thoughts are my own.

Compelling writing draws readers straight in to what in precis would seem the most improbable plot, & yet in the hands of Davis Bunn...it somehow works. The characters are totally plausible – even though they shouldn’t be. The subjects of this book are not ones I would ordinarily have a particular interest in, but I found myself being drawn in by the strength of the story, until they became intensely interesting! (This book should come with a warning : prepare for your heart to stop. Several times.) Highly recommended – but don’t try & read it in a hurry...

Davis Bunn knows how to write a captivating novel that intrigues the mind as it entertains the reader. His newest offering doesn’t disappoint. The opening had me wondering where the story was going, but soon the book grabbed my full attention, and I finished the suspenseful tale in a single day. Part dual timeline, part mystery, and part legal thriller with some psychological and speculative elements thrown in, it could be described as John Grisham meets James Rubart. I loved to watch the characters develop and change according to the situations portrayed as the story progressed. This would be a great choice for an escape read from current events. I received a copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

This was my first book by this author, but it will not be my last. The writing is stellar and the plot is one of the more intriguing I've read in a while. It's a superbly-paced, mystery-sci-fi, 'reverse' whodunit story of courage and redemption with a dash of romance and a bit of legal thriller stirred in. And it somehow manages to be perfectly balanced and not do too much.

My one grouse with it is that: as much as the author tries to emphasise that money isn't everything, the way the plot unfolds seems to directly negate that. Relationships are restored and mistakes are corrected with an offer to invest in one's company, or a simple wardrobe upgrade - all made possible by the lead character's windfall. Although this might be an over-simplification, it was what the story-line boiled down to in my subconscious. However, I especially loved the thought nuggets about living for the eternal.

This is a great book that I definitely recommend. It gets 4.4 stars from me. Many thanks to Revell and Mr Bunn for a complimentary copy via NetGalley. These opinions are mine.

This fast paced and intriguing story is a winner. Who hasn’t thought that they wanted a do over? Mr. Bunn captivates the reader from the first chapter with the premise of being able to go back and try and correct the wrongs with the character, Ethan. As the story progresses the reader finds out more about Ethan, his brother, sister-in-law and ex-wife. In addition the who done it subplot, keeps the reader engaged and turning the pages.

This is the first title that this reader has read from Mr. Bunn but it will not be the last. Recommended to readers who like fast reads, mysteries and a book that makes you begin to be a little introspective. This book however, is unique unto itself but with leanings towards mysteries and relationships. It is highly satisfying.

I received an ARC ebook from NetGalley and the publisher, Revell, in exchange for an honest review.