ABOUT THE BOOK:A stunning new novel of betrayal and forgiveness from The New York Times bestselling author.
Thirty-four-year-old Eleanor Murray is consumed with guilt for causing the accident that paralyzed her sister—and for falling in love with her sister’s husband. But when her boss offers her a part-time job caring for his elderly aunt, Helena, Eleanor accepts, hoping this good deed will help atone for her mistakes.
On the barrier island of Edisto, Eleanor bonds with Helena over their mutual love of music. Drawing the older woman out of her depression, Eleanor learns of her life in Hungary, with her sister, before and during World War II. She hears tales of passion and heartache, defiance and dangerous deception. And when the truth of Helena and her sister’s actions comes to light, Eleanor may finally allow herself to move past guilt and to embrace the song that lies deep in her heart…
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MY REVIEW:
The Time Between by Karen WhiteMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
The Time Between by Karen White is a 2013 NAL publication.
This is the first book by Karen White I’ve read that was not a part of the Tradd Street series. So, I had no idea what to expect, but I was pretty sure I was in for a real treat, and I was right!
This is an amazing story, so full of emotion and poignancy, my heart ached with grief,
but, was also filled with hope for the opportunity of second chances, stemming from acceptance and forgiveness.
Karen White has such a beautiful prose and writing voice and boy can she weave a story!
Years ago, Ellie and Eve were involved in an accident that nearly killed Ellie and left Eve paralyzed. Now, Ellie only answers to ‘Eleanor’ and the brave, devil may care girl she once was died the day of the accident, never to be seen or heard from again. She plays the martyr, caring for her sister and mother, while carrying a torch for her brother-in-law, Glen.
She gave up on her dream of attending Julliard, stopped playing the piano when her father died, and is now on the cusp of becoming a bitter woman, filled with guilt, regret, resentment, anger, and self-loathing, constantly beating herself up.
But, when her boss, Finn, tosses her a lifeline by way of a moonlighting job, caring for his elderly aunt, Helena, who has given up the will to live, Eleanor jumps at the chance.
What develops from there will change Eleanor’s life profoundly as she gets to know Helena and learns of her tragic past, while slowly falling in love with Finn and his precious daughter, Gigi, and uncovers a stunning mystery in the process.
The relationship between sisters is a predominant theme in the novel, exploring the connection and the complexities of that familial relationship, which, despite real tests and challenges, is an unbreakable bond.
Forgiveness is also a key theme of the story, as Eve and Eleanor come to terms with the past, accept the life they have been given and learn to let go of the resentments that have lain between them far too long.
The world war two thread is so tragic, but Helena’s grudging willingness to tell Eleanor the story leads to an epiphany for both women.
While, initially, the story was a little depressing and kind of heavy, which had me a little worried, the veil of gloom slowly lifts and the relief is almost palpable when everything finally clicks into place and everyone enjoys a healthy process of healing, and from there are able to continue forward with life with a renewed sense of hope and happiness.
This is an impressive novel, which highlights this author’s ability to write across different genres with a literary prose that perfectly captures the southern accent and flavor which so enriches the characters, while adding in diversity and realistic fiction.
I’m so glad I discovered Karen White!
GET YOUR COPY HERE:
https://www.amazon.com/Time-Between-Karen-White-ebook/dp/B00C5WZ272/
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-time-between-karen-white/1114036091
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
I grew up being a voracious reader and it was a natural step to turn my interest to writing. I have published award-winning and bestselling novels including my latest release THE NIGHT THE LIGHTS WENT OUT published by Penguin Random House in April, 2017. This is the book I'm calling my "Steel Magnolias" meets "The Girl on the Train." Spanning from the Depression era to modern day, it's a story of three very different women, and the true meaning of friendship.
I write what others have termed "grit-lit"--southern women's fiction, as well as a contemporary paranormal mystery series (The House on Tradd Street is the 1st book in the series) set in Charleston, South Carolina. All of my books are set in the US South, and feature a female protagonist at a crossroads in her life.
I live near Atlanta, Georgia with my husband, two children, and two of the cutest Havanese dogs, Quincy and Sophie. Readers may recognize Quincy as General Lee in the Tradd Street series.
Happy reading!
For more about me and my books, please visit my website at www.karen-white.com or connect on social media: Facebook: Facebook.com/karenwhiteauthor, Twitter: @KarenWhiteWrite, Instagram: @KarenWhiteWrite and Pinterest: KarenWhiteBooks.
