The Hourglass by Sharon StruthPublished: April 26, 2013Publisher: Etopia pressPages: 430Received: for honest review (blog tour)Buy Now: AmazonCan forgiveness survive lies and unspoken truths?
Until Brenda McAllister’s husband committed suicide, she appeared to have the ideal life: a thriving psychology practice, success as a self-help author, and a model family. But her guilt over her affair with Jack’s best friend prevents her from moving on. Did Jack learn of her infidelity? Was she the cause of his death?
The release of Brenda’s second book forces her into an unexpected assignment with arrogant celebrity author CJ Morrison, whose irritating and edgy exterior hides the torment of his own mistakes. But as she grows closer to CJ, Brenda learns she wasn’t the only one with secrets—Jack had secrets of his own, unsavory ones that may have led to his death. While CJ helps Brenda uncover the truth about her husband, she finds the path to forgiveness isn’t always on the map.
The Hourglass is a great contemporary romance that is filled with mystery and lots of emotion. I found the pacing of the story to be bang on and the characters to be quite enjoyable.
Brenda is exactly how I see a widow a year after her loss - still trying to put the pieces back together and wanting to move forward with her life, but just needing a gentle nudge from a friend. In her newly single life, Brenda decides she is not going to put up with crap from anyone, because life is too short.
At first CJ comes across as the kind of guy that I would avoid for fear of making him angry over the tiniest thing. But as I got to know his character, I came to realize that he was hiding behind all of his anger and self hatred for a very long time.
"One of my favorite quotes is from Dorothy Parker. She wrote, 'Four be the things I am wiser to know: idleness, sorrow, a friend, and a foe. Four be the things I'd been better without: love, curiousity, freckles, and doubt.'"
When the two main characters meet for the first time and realize they will be working together on a new assignment, the room couldn't get any colder. Their frostiness and attitude can be felt miles away. After spending much time together for work, Brenda realizes that CJ isn't who he portrays to be - there is someone else hiding behind his facade and her psychology skills have helped her to figure out what makes him tick.
The chemistry between them starts to heat up and allow you to see that maybe they can have another chance at love. Their relationship develops with alternating sweetness and raw emotion. I like to think they help each other to let go of their guilt and deal with their sorrow, by pushing each others limits.
And lastly, I loved the symbolism of the hourglass. So sweet once you get to the end of the book.
About the Author:
Novelist Sharon Struth believes you’re never too old to pursue a dream.
The Hourglass, her debut novel, received first place in the Dixie Kane
Memorial Contest and second place in the Golden Heart. She writes from
the friendliest place she’s ever lived, Bethel, Connecticut, along with
her husband, two daughters and canine companions.
I'm glad that you enjoyed this book - it's at the top of my TBR list!
ReplyDeleteThanks for being on the tour.
It was really good. Hope to see more from Ms. Struth.
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