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THIS TIME LOVE is
the revised and rewritten edition of a 1986 Silhouette Intimate Moments.
Though I haven’t read the original version, it is evident that this book
has been updated and modernized. Fans of Elizabeth Lowell, a New York
Times bestselling author, will be quite pleased when the pick up a copy
of this engaging book.
Seven years ago, all
of Gabe Venture’s dreams were washed away when the young woman he
loved, Joy Anderson, did something Gabe considered unforgivable. Gabe’s
life has been unraveling ever since. Though Gabe was betrayed by Joy, he
decides to take some time away from his pressing job as a global
journalist to try and understand why he has never been able to put Joy
out of his heart and mind. He does this by visiting the place where he
fell in love with her, Lost River Cave in New Mexico. Imagine Gabe’s
shock when he finds out that Dr. Joy Anderson is heading the
explorations of Lost River Cave.
Joy Anderson has no
place to hide. She’s just found out that Gabe is coming to do a major
article. As a cave explorer and guide, Joy is about to be forced to
spend quite a bit of time working with Gabe. Joy never, ever expected,
nor wanted, to see Gabe again.
Joy’s never forgiven
Gabe for leaving her in her most desperate time of need, and Gabe has
mixed feelings when he sees Joy. When Gabe left Joy, he thought she
aborted their child, and without being able to forgive her for such a
thing, is trying to find a way to make peace with himself and move on.
Gabe soon finds out that Joy’s life was shattered when he left, and that
he is a father. She never aborted his baby. He lost his love, now he
ecstatic about being a father, and hopes against hope that this time
he’ll find the love and the life with Joy that he so desperately needs.
THIS TIME LOVE is a
duel exploration – the discoveries in Lost Cave are spectacular, while a
maelstrom of emotions between Gabe and Joy are being explored - love,
despair, abandonment, betrayal and anguish. This emotional tug of war
seems hopeless at times, as the past seems too painful to explore.
I found THIS TIME
LOVE to be incredibly educational in the area of cave exploration. Ms.
Lowell is to be commended for what must have consisted of hours upon
hours of research for all the various facets of caves. I never knew such
beauty existed, and the descriptions were utterly amazing. Readers of
THIS TIME LOVE will find the passion and the love (though long-denied)
between Gabe and Joy to be palpable and convincing. For a thoroughly
captivating read that has an incredibly touching love story, this is a
book that is not to be missed.
Reviewed by Robin
Taylor for The Road to Romance
January 22, 2004 |
