A Time to Forgive

by Darlene Gardner

When Connor Smith has to unexpectedly care for his nine-year-old niece, he isn't prepared. In fact, he's overwhelmed. Blending their lives poses one problem after another until Jaye's violin teacher throws them a lifeline. Abby Reed not only knows how to get through to his niece, she also makes an impression on him. Soon their time together means everything to Connor -- and the tragedy his family faced a decade ago begins to have less power over him...

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0373713606
• ISBN13: 9780373713608
• Release Date: July 2006
• Publisher: Harlequin Special Releases
• Length: 304 Pages
• Weight: 0.32 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 4.2" x 6.6"

Customer Reviews

A Time to Forgive

A TIME TO FORGIVE by Darlene Gardner July 15, 2006 Rating **** (4 stars) Connor Smith and Abby Reed's lives had crossed once before, many years ago, in a very tragic way. In A TIME TO FORGIVE, the two find themselves involved in a relationship, not realizing who the other really is until it is too late. Ten years ago, Connor's brother J.D. was murdered by Drew Galloway, the half brother of young Abby Reed. J.D. had a promising future, cut short by circumstances that everyone thought was clear cut. Connor never forgot the young man that killed his brother, and was now serving time in prison. Connor's mother was also filled with hate for the young man that took the life of her younger son, letting this hate consume her to the point where she couldn't get past it. Her entire life was about J.D.'s death, and making sure Drew never got out of prison. When Connor and Abby meet again, it is through his niece Jaye, whose own mother abandons her without any notice. Connor of course agrees to take in his 9-year old niece, a young girl who is distraught and acts out and misbehaves in school. Abby Reed, Jaye's music teacher, sees potential in the young girl, and tries to help out. Abby initially thinks that Connor is Jaye's father, making Abby angry at the fact that his attitude was not very fatherly, as if Jaye was someone he didn't have to be responsible for. Once they clear the air and she realizes Connor is Jaye's uncle, Abby begins to understand the situation and slowly finds herself attracted to him, while she bonds closely with Jaye. Connor does notice that Jaye's behavior changes for the better because of Abby's influence. But what happens when Connor moves on with his life, because his career is in full swing and he is about to take a job offer in New York? A TIME TO FORGIVE had two major themes going on at once, that of the death of J.D., and the theme that revolved around Jaye and her feelings of abandonment. While at first it seems that maybe too much is going on at one time, the novel works on these various levels. The tension mounts when Connor and Abby finally discover who the other person really is, giving this novel a very high level of energy that keeps pace until the very end. Abby knows she shouldn't be involved with Connor. Connor is conflicted because of the hate he feels for Abby's brother, and the growing love he feels for Abby. The fact that she's related to Drew Galloway makes her the enemy, and it takes a lot of logical reasoning for the two of them to get past their history. What was interesting was finding out the truth behind the murder, because Abby felt deep down that her brother was innocent of the crime, and that he could never hurt anyone. And Connor was so sure his brother was the perfect person, not realizing that there were circumstances that may have led to his death. A TIME TO FORGIVE was an enjoyable read. This reviewer was surprised to note that this was only Darlene Gardner's second Superromance. S

fascinating family drama

In Silver Springs, Maryland, Abby Reed meets Connor Smith, uncle to one of her students Jaye. The pair feels an instant attraction and now believes in love at first sight. Nothing could go wrong for this duo as they are compatible and so much in love, a miracle for Connor whose heart has been filled with hate for the past ten years However, as Abby and Connor continue to see one another, they soon learn a tragic link ties their families together; that connection caused Connor's bitterness. A decade ago Abby's then teenage half-brother Drew Galloway killed Connor's seventeen years old sibling J.D. Drew was given twenty years with the possibility of parole after ten. Drew is up for parole and Abby wants to be there for her sibling who is not the monster that Connor believes he is. Connor wants him to at least serve his full sentence. Will love be enough to bring two people and two families past a tragedy that haunts all of them or will the past kill the future? A TIME TO FORGIVE is a fascinating family drama in which the star-crossed lead couple argues over whether J.D. was a paragon and Drew a monstrous cold blooded killer. Most entreating is Connor's other family members, his mom, sis, and niece, as the death of their blood has filled their hearts with acrimony and thus no one has truly been there for one another until Abby entered their lives. Fans of complicated relationship tales will want to read Darlene Gardner's fine tale as readers will wonder whether Connor picks love or hate. Harriet Klausner