JB Yanni Explores Time Travel, Grief, and Family in Her Acclaimed Time Benders Series
JB Yanni, author of the Time Benders series, combines history, science fiction, and emotion to create compelling narratives.
A Deep Dive Into Her Creative Process, Inspirations, and Themes of Faith and Loss
JB Yanni discusses her Time Benders series, blending time travel with family dynamics, grief, and faith while offering relatable characters and emotional depth.
JB Yanni, the inventive author behind the Time Benders series, has captivated readers with her unique blend of science fiction and profound human experiences. The series explores themes of time travel, history, family dynamics, and the emotional challenges of grief. Yanni’s writing, which seamlessly combines elements of adventure and emotional depth, invites readers on a thrilling journey through time, while simultaneously offering a deep exploration of faith, fate, and the complexities of the human heart.
Yanni’s approach to storytelling is rooted in her belief that time travel is the ultimate adventure, and her deep fascination with history has led her to incorporate real historical events into her books. In an interview with Reader’s House, she explained that the Time Benders series is shaped by her vision of the human race’s last great adventure—time travel—and the profound impact it can have on family relationships, especially when those relationships are tested by loss.
The series centers around the Fitzgerald siblings, whose distinct personalities and challenges are reflective of real-life experiences. “Ken, Deb, Joe, and Kim are bits and pieces of me, my siblings, cousins, and friends,” Yanni shared. The siblings’ journey through time is not only a fascinating exploration of historical events, such as the assassination of JFK and the Civil War, but also an emotional one that revolves around their grief after the loss of their parents. Yanni’s personal connection to the theme of loss and family is evident in her writing, especially as she draws inspiration from her own experience caring for her mother during her battle with Alzheimer’s disease.
“JB Yanni’s ability to weave time travel with profound emotional themes makes her storytelling captivating and deeply resonant.”
In Time Benders and the Machine, the siblings wrestle with moral and spiritual questions as they navigate time travel and attempt to change the past. Yanni hopes readers will reflect on their own faith, choices, and the lessons learned from even the most challenging events in life. “I want readers to realize that there are lessons and growth in even the worst events of our lives,” she explained.
The blending of historical elements with fictional time travel is one of Yanni’s strongest suits. “I really wanted to blend actual history with this time travel,” she said, emphasizing the importance of making the story feel realistic, even in its most fantastical elements. Yanni’s meticulous research, often spent in the library poring over old maps and photos, ensures that the historical accuracy of her books remains intact.
As Yanni continues to weave together the complexities of time, history, family, and personal growth, the Time Benders series stands as a testament to her remarkable storytelling ability and emotional depth. Her work resonates deeply with readers, particularly those who are drawn to stories about family, faith, and the impact of loss.
