What do you think?
Rate this book
Mari Why I needed to Return from The Future
What if you discovered that your greatest potential for self-realization and happiness was with a woman living over a hundred years before you were born?
Earth, 2184 AD. Ben Ecclestone, advanced arbitrator, has been trained to keep the peace and to help others fulfill their most heartfelt desires. Offered the opportunity to be Earth’s new ambassador in an enlightened and distant world, Ben embarks on his first interworld mission.
When disaster strikes, his ship crashes through time and space to Brisbane, 2020 AD. Stranded in a city of skyscrapers, digitally-connected loneliness, and rampant dissatisfaction, Ben doesn’t expect to meet a woman like Mari. She is young, vibrant and passionate—with a mysterious past. He’s a confirmed bachelor. Together they discover a depth of connection beyond his wildest imaginings.
Abducted back to his own era by the History Rescue Unit, Ben grasps one desperate chance to return to Mari. But traveling back to the past could unravel the time thread and threaten the lives and wellbeing of billions.
What is the secret of Mari’s true identity and origin? And will Ben bow to the greater good—or reclaim a love beyond compare?
Earth, 2184 AD. Ben Ecclestone, advanced arbitrator, has been trained to keep the peace and to help others fulfill their most heartfelt desires. Offered the opportunity to be Earth’s new ambassador in an enlightened and distant world, Ben embarks on his first interworld mission.
When disaster strikes, his ship crashes through time and space to Brisbane, 2020 AD. Stranded in a city of skyscrapers, digitally-connected loneliness, and rampant dissatisfaction, Ben doesn’t expect to meet a woman like Mari. She is young, vibrant and passionate—with a mysterious past. He’s a confirmed bachelor. Together they discover a depth of connection beyond his wildest imaginings.
Abducted back to his own era by the History Rescue Unit, Ben grasps one desperate chance to return to Mari. But traveling back to the past could unravel the time thread and threaten the lives and wellbeing of billions.
What is the secret of Mari’s true identity and origin? And will Ben bow to the greater good—or reclaim a love beyond compare?
- GenresRomance
219 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 21, 2019
1 person is currently reading
3 people want to read
About the author
Winfried Sedhoff
10 books5 followersDr Winfried Sedhoff is a Family Physician with a special interest in mental health and over 30 years clinical experience. He works and lives in Brisbane, Australia.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
May 14, 2019
The family physician and counselor Dr. Winfried Sedhoff makes his foray into the world of science fiction with this engrossing, page-turning book. The late twenty-second century Ambassador and Arbitrator Benjamin Ecclestone returns to the present Brisbane (2020) in Australia after his space ship, Noretian Craft, explodes due to malfunctioning. Unable to return immediately, Ben decides to explore the city and meets lovely Mariana Jenkins there. The duo feel a strong pull and fall in love making Ben unwilling to return to his far-future home. But the authorities in the futuristic human colony are wary of Ben’s stay in the past, fearing he might jeopardize the future by alternating the past. But that’s just the beginning of problems for the couple who has no intention to stay away from each other.
Sedhoff writes with the flair of a veteran author, skillfully merging elements of science fiction into a tender love story and a dash of philosophical insights. As the story moves forward, Sedhoff’s simple narrative and the accessible prose style successfully delivers the tension of the situation he has set up in his protagonists’ lives.
Ben's re-entry into the social life is delightfully constructed as he is introduced to the hassles of the year 2020. Sedhoff describes the setting and background in a simple, impressive details combining his scientific know-how with his thirst for the metaphysical. By setting his novel both in the present and a bright, optimistic far-future with its offer of ultimate, hopeful transcendence for humanity, Sedhoff spins a clever scenario which is as positive as it is original.
The characterization, even the ancillary characters, are thoroughly constructed and Sedhoff’s acute understanding of the human nature (with his experience working as counselor) not only gives his characters a depth but also a steady, alluring quality to their persona. Ben and Mari, the main protagonists are nicely sketched and highly realistic.
While the reader can glimpse echo of insights from Sedhoff’s earlier work (non-fiction: The Friendship Key to Lasting Peace, United Communities, Stronger Relationships, Equality, and a Better Job), their inclusion makes for an essential part of the theme of the book. The philosophical insights nowhere come out as forced in the narrative and offer a thought-provoking quality to the narrative. The shocking revelation toward the ending paves the path for the second book. A Fascinating read!
Sedhoff writes with the flair of a veteran author, skillfully merging elements of science fiction into a tender love story and a dash of philosophical insights. As the story moves forward, Sedhoff’s simple narrative and the accessible prose style successfully delivers the tension of the situation he has set up in his protagonists’ lives.
Ben's re-entry into the social life is delightfully constructed as he is introduced to the hassles of the year 2020. Sedhoff describes the setting and background in a simple, impressive details combining his scientific know-how with his thirst for the metaphysical. By setting his novel both in the present and a bright, optimistic far-future with its offer of ultimate, hopeful transcendence for humanity, Sedhoff spins a clever scenario which is as positive as it is original.
The characterization, even the ancillary characters, are thoroughly constructed and Sedhoff’s acute understanding of the human nature (with his experience working as counselor) not only gives his characters a depth but also a steady, alluring quality to their persona. Ben and Mari, the main protagonists are nicely sketched and highly realistic.
While the reader can glimpse echo of insights from Sedhoff’s earlier work (non-fiction: The Friendship Key to Lasting Peace, United Communities, Stronger Relationships, Equality, and a Better Job), their inclusion makes for an essential part of the theme of the book. The philosophical insights nowhere come out as forced in the narrative and offer a thought-provoking quality to the narrative. The shocking revelation toward the ending paves the path for the second book. A Fascinating read!
October 27, 2019
This tale of a time traveller coming back to a little way in our future is an understated romance, nicely set in Australia. The writing style is light and digestible and some nice gadgetry is described. In particular I am not used to seeing time manipulation gadgetry on a small scale, like today's IOT (which they don't appear to use in the future) with a healing device that can put a person's injured ankle in another time stream so it can use weeks to heal there and a few hours here.
We also get the explanation that once time meddling exists, there is no benefit to one planet's race going back in time to destroy another planet's race before it had found time travel; as a third race would notice and do the same to the first race. Er... I don't think that would work. If race A destroyed the race B, race C would not remember they had existed. The author uses this to explain that everyone has to try to get along. The end has an obligatory time twist.
While I like a lot of the content, the action consists of a few moments of driving, and otherwise it's watching news, having conversation, hiding information and sharing personal stories. I don't see what makes a guy with absolutely no sense of humour attractive to the modern lady, unless of course the average Aussie bloke has even less? She reads and he doesn't and they can't hold a conversation about books. He's not familiar with much of her culture and doesn't offer anything about himself.
Some strong language occurs, but otherwise the tale is suitable for mature teens. I would have liked the story better if the narrator had made himself useful - to anyone - but he's just an observer.
I read an e-ARC from Net Galley. This is an unbiased review.
We also get the explanation that once time meddling exists, there is no benefit to one planet's race going back in time to destroy another planet's race before it had found time travel; as a third race would notice and do the same to the first race. Er... I don't think that would work. If race A destroyed the race B, race C would not remember they had existed. The author uses this to explain that everyone has to try to get along. The end has an obligatory time twist.
While I like a lot of the content, the action consists of a few moments of driving, and otherwise it's watching news, having conversation, hiding information and sharing personal stories. I don't see what makes a guy with absolutely no sense of humour attractive to the modern lady, unless of course the average Aussie bloke has even less? She reads and he doesn't and they can't hold a conversation about books. He's not familiar with much of her culture and doesn't offer anything about himself.
Some strong language occurs, but otherwise the tale is suitable for mature teens. I would have liked the story better if the narrator had made himself useful - to anyone - but he's just an observer.
I read an e-ARC from Net Galley. This is an unbiased review.
September 12, 2019
MARI, Why I needed to Return from the Future is an engaging and truly interesting time travel romance novel that gave me more than I expected. This story is told in the premise of a flashback/story being told to another. The author begins the story with Ben being "captured" by the HRU (History Rescue Unit) and taken back to the future - his timeline. He's desperate to get back to the woman he loves who lives in the past, but at what cost? He knows the implications of his choice could alter and/or destroy the lives of billions of people...but it seems that he is bent on taking this course. He has one opportunity to convince a young woman who is new to the institution of his story and for her to argue on his behalf to the person in charge to allow him to go back. Can he convince her? And if he does...what wil the consequences of their actions be?
This book captivated my attention in ways that I didn't think that it would. When the author started this story the way that they did I was sure that I would muddle through and not end up being captivated by Ben's story. Turns out...I was wrong. The way that Ben tells his story quickly captivated me, even in the duller moments of where not much is really going on. Seeing our world through his futuristic eyes...it's just wow and a bit saddening. You really get to see how isolated we are in this "history" in comparison to his futuristic life of where the world has changed so much and become much more than it is in our present. The romance that builds and blooms in this story is the type that I like. It's not rushed and comes together in an organic way. Ben is constantly told by the others who are from the future but are just there to observe, to blend in. They label him as a threat to the current world. I couldn't help but notice throughout the story the small ripples that he made in unsuspecting ways. At times they made me cringe because he was told "don't stand out," but yet he does.
There isn't much that I don't like about this book. I will admit that there were times when I honestly wanted to smack Ben because he was so focused on what it is that he wanted. I kept wanting someone to ask him...should your desires outweigh the billions of lives that could possibly be impacted? I just wanted that question to be constantly asked. Haha! I appreciate that the author gives me a nice little variety of characters in this book, but never loses the focus of the storyline.
There is quite a bit going on under the surface with this book because the author is quick to have a character point out that something isn't right and that Ben should have been gone long before. Which means some form of sabotage or someone with their own ulterior motive. This book is more than just a time travel romance and I think that is what really hooked me in. For that reason I am rating this book 4.5 out of 5 stars. If you like science fiction novels and time travel then I think that this book would be an interesting choice to make.
This book captivated my attention in ways that I didn't think that it would. When the author started this story the way that they did I was sure that I would muddle through and not end up being captivated by Ben's story. Turns out...I was wrong. The way that Ben tells his story quickly captivated me, even in the duller moments of where not much is really going on. Seeing our world through his futuristic eyes...it's just wow and a bit saddening. You really get to see how isolated we are in this "history" in comparison to his futuristic life of where the world has changed so much and become much more than it is in our present. The romance that builds and blooms in this story is the type that I like. It's not rushed and comes together in an organic way. Ben is constantly told by the others who are from the future but are just there to observe, to blend in. They label him as a threat to the current world. I couldn't help but notice throughout the story the small ripples that he made in unsuspecting ways. At times they made me cringe because he was told "don't stand out," but yet he does.
There isn't much that I don't like about this book. I will admit that there were times when I honestly wanted to smack Ben because he was so focused on what it is that he wanted. I kept wanting someone to ask him...should your desires outweigh the billions of lives that could possibly be impacted? I just wanted that question to be constantly asked. Haha! I appreciate that the author gives me a nice little variety of characters in this book, but never loses the focus of the storyline.
There is quite a bit going on under the surface with this book because the author is quick to have a character point out that something isn't right and that Ben should have been gone long before. Which means some form of sabotage or someone with their own ulterior motive. This book is more than just a time travel romance and I think that is what really hooked me in. For that reason I am rating this book 4.5 out of 5 stars. If you like science fiction novels and time travel then I think that this book would be an interesting choice to make.
September 3, 2019
Title: Mari Why I Need to Return From the Future
Author:. Winfried Sedhoff
Publisher: Winfried Sedhoff
ISBN: B07T2WXH3B
Buy Link: https://www.amazon.com/MARI-Why-Neede...
Reviewer: Teresa Fallen Angel
Blurb:
What if you discovered that your greatest potential for self-realization and happiness was with a woman living over a hundred years before you were born?
Earth, 2184 AD. Ben Ecclestone, advanced arbitrator, has been trained to keep the peace and to help others fulfill their most heartfelt desires. Offered the opportunity to be Earth’s new ambassador in an enlightened and distant world, Ben embarks on his first interworld mission.
When disaster strikes, his ship crashes through time and space to Brisbane, 2020 AD. Stranded in a city of skyscrapers, digitally-connected loneliness, and rampant dissatisfaction, Ben doesn’t expect to meet a woman like Mari. She is young, vibrant and passionate—with a mysterious past. He’s a confirmed bachelor. Together they discover a depth of connection beyond his wildest imaginings.
Abducted back to his own era by the History Rescue Unit, Ben grasps one desperate chance to return to Mari. But traveling back to the past could unravel the time thread and threaten the lives and wellbeing of billions.
Total Score: 5/5
Summary:
The thought of time traveling into the past to observe is one that is brought up in many scientific conversations. Could going into he past change the time line changing the future completely? Ben was sopposed to be a bridge between the Earth of his time and an alien race, but everything changed when the space ship crashed stranding him in the past. Luckily their were people form the future to help him, but being stranded left him confused and along. That is until he met Mari, a young woman who helped him learn to fit in. Now Ben has a decision to make: leave everything he knows and make a new life on what for him is almost an alien world.
This was a fascinating story that bridged the future and the past showing that humanity may survive if we find a way to overcome our differences and love one another.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Author:. Winfried Sedhoff
Publisher: Winfried Sedhoff
ISBN: B07T2WXH3B
Buy Link: https://www.amazon.com/MARI-Why-Neede...
Reviewer: Teresa Fallen Angel
Blurb:
What if you discovered that your greatest potential for self-realization and happiness was with a woman living over a hundred years before you were born?
Earth, 2184 AD. Ben Ecclestone, advanced arbitrator, has been trained to keep the peace and to help others fulfill their most heartfelt desires. Offered the opportunity to be Earth’s new ambassador in an enlightened and distant world, Ben embarks on his first interworld mission.
When disaster strikes, his ship crashes through time and space to Brisbane, 2020 AD. Stranded in a city of skyscrapers, digitally-connected loneliness, and rampant dissatisfaction, Ben doesn’t expect to meet a woman like Mari. She is young, vibrant and passionate—with a mysterious past. He’s a confirmed bachelor. Together they discover a depth of connection beyond his wildest imaginings.
Abducted back to his own era by the History Rescue Unit, Ben grasps one desperate chance to return to Mari. But traveling back to the past could unravel the time thread and threaten the lives and wellbeing of billions.
Total Score: 5/5
Summary:
The thought of time traveling into the past to observe is one that is brought up in many scientific conversations. Could going into he past change the time line changing the future completely? Ben was sopposed to be a bridge between the Earth of his time and an alien race, but everything changed when the space ship crashed stranding him in the past. Luckily their were people form the future to help him, but being stranded left him confused and along. That is until he met Mari, a young woman who helped him learn to fit in. Now Ben has a decision to make: leave everything he knows and make a new life on what for him is almost an alien world.
This was a fascinating story that bridged the future and the past showing that humanity may survive if we find a way to overcome our differences and love one another.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 18, 2019
Time travel and temporal paradoxes are trending in today’s speculative fiction works. This story fits nicely into that realm, but the narrative sets its own unique path. The real themes of this book include the importance and power of introspection, relationships and love. The author has an agenda and points to make. Essentially, self knowledge will teach us the importance of community, but even beyond such a revelation is the realization that love exerts a power over us that will not be denied. Also, there’s another truth, destiny will have its way.
In the not too distant future time travel is discovered. Fortunately, or perhaps because the universe deems that only a species that has reached a certain critical level of awareness, humanity knows that with this knowledge comes equivalent responsibility.
Benjamin has reached the level of time travel ambassador with years of training behind him. He is sent on a mission to the past, mostly to observe and try to understand events. But his placement is botched because of an accident among those who were to deliver him. He has to be placed somewhere while things are straightened out and he can be extracted. Don’t tamper, don’t get involved, avoid creating any temporal ‘waves.’ Just keep a very low profile.
But destiny will not be denied. At a restaurant he meets a waitress, Mari, who will cause havoc with Ben’s intensions and create more like a tsunami in the temporal fabric. It’s a case of Love versus Universal Order.
From this point Mari becomes an integral part of the story and her life turns out to be somewhat more involved and complex than even Ben’s.
In the not too distant future time travel is discovered. Fortunately, or perhaps because the universe deems that only a species that has reached a certain critical level of awareness, humanity knows that with this knowledge comes equivalent responsibility.
Benjamin has reached the level of time travel ambassador with years of training behind him. He is sent on a mission to the past, mostly to observe and try to understand events. But his placement is botched because of an accident among those who were to deliver him. He has to be placed somewhere while things are straightened out and he can be extracted. Don’t tamper, don’t get involved, avoid creating any temporal ‘waves.’ Just keep a very low profile.
But destiny will not be denied. At a restaurant he meets a waitress, Mari, who will cause havoc with Ben’s intensions and create more like a tsunami in the temporal fabric. It’s a case of Love versus Universal Order.
From this point Mari becomes an integral part of the story and her life turns out to be somewhat more involved and complex than even Ben’s.
May 22, 2019
In this exciting, absorbing tale set in the present and a futuristic universe, Dr. Winfried Sedhoff chronicles the love story of Mariana Jenkins and Benjamin Ecclestone. The explosion of the Noretian Craft, a late twenty-second century space ship, leaves Benjamin Ecclestone, the Arbitrator and Ambassador in the futuristic human colony, stranded in Brisbane, Australia in the early twenty-first century. After meeting Mariana Jenkins, Ben discovers that love can be found in the most unexpected of places. Finding himself unwilling to return to his universe, he is met by resistance from higher officials from future who have different notions about Ben’s stay in the past. But the administration there is not the only hurdle the lovers have to face.
Sedhoff skillfully creates two intricately detailed parallel universes with equal conviction. Unlike most SF stories, the emergence of humanity as a winner in the futuristic universe is definitely no end-product of any catastrophic occurrence. Mari’s job as a counselor and Ben’s position as an arbitrator provides Sedhoff with a first-class opportunity to explore his philosophical insights about creating a meaningful friendship and its role in generating united communities, and at the same time accentuates his sincerity about creating a better world for the humanity.
Sedhoff’s unique premise, tight plotting, and a breathless pace create a thought-provoking, enjoyable read that fans of sci-fi fiction won’t want to miss. A thoroughly absorbing Sci-fi page-turner with a dash of philosophical insights.
Sedhoff skillfully creates two intricately detailed parallel universes with equal conviction. Unlike most SF stories, the emergence of humanity as a winner in the futuristic universe is definitely no end-product of any catastrophic occurrence. Mari’s job as a counselor and Ben’s position as an arbitrator provides Sedhoff with a first-class opportunity to explore his philosophical insights about creating a meaningful friendship and its role in generating united communities, and at the same time accentuates his sincerity about creating a better world for the humanity.
Sedhoff’s unique premise, tight plotting, and a breathless pace create a thought-provoking, enjoyable read that fans of sci-fi fiction won’t want to miss. A thoroughly absorbing Sci-fi page-turner with a dash of philosophical insights.
September 8, 2019
A powerful story of love that transcends time! I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The story starts with an ambassador from the future, Ben, being stuck on a mission in the past. He meets a woman who captures his attention like no one else ever has. When he continues to be stranded in this time, he spends more and more time with Mari, until he knows he can't leave her. It makes for a suspenseful, interesting story, with him adjusting to things in this past time that are completely different in the future. He is on edge, knowing he will have to go back to his job in the future...but he doesn't want to. The events that happen next, as he's snatched back through time, make for a crazy story, and an emotional one. I loved the book and what happens as the story unfolds. It's such a believable tale, and one that really makes you think about some deep things, and what life really means. I highly recommend this book, "Mari, Why I Needed to Return from the Future."
May 26, 2019
After crash-landing of his spaceship in early twenty-first century in Brisbane, Australia, Benjamin Ecclestone, the arbitrator of the late twenty-second century, meets lovely Mariana Jenkins and falls in love. But his stay in the current century is temporary. Despite his reluctance to go back to his time, Ben is forced to leave. There is still hope for the lovers to get united, but shocking revelations turn their worlds upside down.
Sedhoff develops the futuristic settings in great detail and his characterization shines. Ben is a peculiar mix of high intelligence and intense emotions. Mari is equally convincing. With Sedhoff’s skilful depiction of alternative worlds in different centuries, the engrossing narrative, and interesting characters, the book is sure to please the aficionados of morally serious sci-fi.
Entertaining and absorbing novel.
Sedhoff develops the futuristic settings in great detail and his characterization shines. Ben is a peculiar mix of high intelligence and intense emotions. Mari is equally convincing. With Sedhoff’s skilful depiction of alternative worlds in different centuries, the engrossing narrative, and interesting characters, the book is sure to please the aficionados of morally serious sci-fi.
Entertaining and absorbing novel.
September 11, 2019
Very interesting concept as usual where one is sent back in time to find out what happened to the past in order to fix the future or help alter it positively without creating too many referrals. Once that is forged, someone I see takes a step out of the ordinary and helps. Wants to be able to do something without expecting anything in return. That’s in result falling in love. Two characters who have no clue how One thing leads to another and possibly leaving that one is the Time traveler. What’s the time traveler is brought back to present time, he has left his love to deal with what? He’s not sure but he knows that he left her needing his support and now that he can’t live without her. Very touching story, HEA, no cliffhangers as far as I can see very interesting tale.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 6, 2020
Absolutely hooked from chapter 3 and I didn't want to put the book down!
'Mari, Why I Needed to Return from the Future' blends together a romantic narrative that unfolds like a detective unravelling a case - oh and by the way, the protagonist is a time traveller!
The romantic theme hooked me in emotionally while the detective-like account of the narrative kept me on my toes as everything unfolded. Meanwhile, the time-travelling aspect added excitement as well as the reflective insights on the psychology of our current society as communicated through the protagonists humorous and playful observations.
I'm not a typical sci-fi, romance or detective genre reader by any means. But, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I'm planning to read it again soon!
'Mari, Why I Needed to Return from the Future' blends together a romantic narrative that unfolds like a detective unravelling a case - oh and by the way, the protagonist is a time traveller!
The romantic theme hooked me in emotionally while the detective-like account of the narrative kept me on my toes as everything unfolded. Meanwhile, the time-travelling aspect added excitement as well as the reflective insights on the psychology of our current society as communicated through the protagonists humorous and playful observations.
I'm not a typical sci-fi, romance or detective genre reader by any means. But, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I'm planning to read it again soon!
September 14, 2019
Ben and Embassador from the future is sent to the past and falls in love with Mari. He gets stuck in the past and embarks on quite the journey, but not one with the parameters of his job. When he is suddenly swiped from the past and brought back to the future, he realizes he needs to be sent back to the past to fulfill his destiny with her. Interesting and intriguing read
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 18, 2022
I received a free copy via Netgalley in exchange for a honest review.
This is not normally my sort of read.
The characters lacked depth and it just felt unrealistic.
The characters had nothing in common and it left me underwhelmed.
This is not normally my sort of read.
The characters lacked depth and it just felt unrealistic.
The characters had nothing in common and it left me underwhelmed.
September 10, 2019
This is a new Author to me and all I can say is WOW! A well written story with a very good storyline. I did not see that ending happening. This book is a must read.
April 18, 2020
In a word, boring.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews