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A Time To Keep
NO TIME TO LOSE
As a successful financier of an old Kansas family, Jason Kenyon had it all - wealth, respect, power. The one thing he lacked was time. He found himself in the middle of his life, alone, and with no sense of purpose. And then he met Lauren Howard who showed him there was time left ahead.
But Jason wouldn't rival his brother for Lauren's affections. A scandal could destroy Jason's political future and tear the family apart. Yet Lauren brought to him a passion he thought he would never again experience. If he could only get beyond the twenty years that separated them and dare to love...
As a successful financier of an old Kansas family, Jason Kenyon had it all - wealth, respect, power. The one thing he lacked was time. He found himself in the middle of his life, alone, and with no sense of purpose. And then he met Lauren Howard who showed him there was time left ahead.
But Jason wouldn't rival his brother for Lauren's affections. A scandal could destroy Jason's political future and tear the family apart. Yet Lauren brought to him a passion he thought he would never again experience. If he could only get beyond the twenty years that separated them and dare to love...
250 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published May 1, 1987
2 people are currently reading
57 people want to read
About the author
Curtiss Ann Matlock
62 books122 followersCurtiss Ann Matlock is the author of 40 novels. With over 7 million copies in print worldwide, her books have earned rave reviews, spots on the USA TODAY bestseller list and numerous awards.
Born in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, into a family of avid readers, Curtiss Ann began reading before entering first grade and was writing vignettes while still in elementary school. Her writing career began in her early thirties, with publication of two small, warm-hearted articles about her life, for which she received a total of $100. She was so enthused at this success that she immediately started writing her first novel. She also enrolled in the professional writing program at the University of Oklahoma, studying under the distinguished writer and teacher Jack Bickham and bestselling mystery novelist, Carolyn Hart. In her second year of study, Curtiss Ann experienced the dream of selling the first novel she ever wrote, a romance, to Harlequin Books.
Told with a strong Southern voice, her insightful stories portray the uncommon valor of everyday people and the humor, heartbreak, and shining graces of small-town life. In 1999,Lost Highways was published by Mira Books. The book was nominated for a RITA Award in women’s fiction and began the warm-hearted and funny series about the lives of the beloved characters in fictional Valentine, Oklahoma. The sixth book of the Valentine series, Sweet Dreams at the Goodnight Motel, was a 2005 Oklahoma Book Award Finalist.
Chin Up, Honey, number seven in the series, was released May 2009.
Curtiss Ann currently lives with her family and assorted pets in rural south Alabama.
Born in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, into a family of avid readers, Curtiss Ann began reading before entering first grade and was writing vignettes while still in elementary school. Her writing career began in her early thirties, with publication of two small, warm-hearted articles about her life, for which she received a total of $100. She was so enthused at this success that she immediately started writing her first novel. She also enrolled in the professional writing program at the University of Oklahoma, studying under the distinguished writer and teacher Jack Bickham and bestselling mystery novelist, Carolyn Hart. In her second year of study, Curtiss Ann experienced the dream of selling the first novel she ever wrote, a romance, to Harlequin Books.
Told with a strong Southern voice, her insightful stories portray the uncommon valor of everyday people and the humor, heartbreak, and shining graces of small-town life. In 1999,Lost Highways was published by Mira Books. The book was nominated for a RITA Award in women’s fiction and began the warm-hearted and funny series about the lives of the beloved characters in fictional Valentine, Oklahoma. The sixth book of the Valentine series, Sweet Dreams at the Goodnight Motel, was a 2005 Oklahoma Book Award Finalist.
Chin Up, Honey, number seven in the series, was released May 2009.
Curtiss Ann currently lives with her family and assorted pets in rural south Alabama.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
June 11, 2009
On my hunt for May/December romance reads I came across this little charming book that was a reissue from the Harlequin Silhouette Intimate Moments line. Boy I'm glad I came upon this line! Right away it read like it could be a 50s movie starring a young Audrey Hepburn and an older William Holden and then I realized it had a very Sabrina type of feel to it even though the story was different.
Lauren Howard is a young women recovering from a car crash that ended in her gravely injured and ending her brother's life. She blames herself for it and for losing out on a rising dancing career. Despite the accident, Lauren keeps her compassion and strength while she works as a secretary for one of her mother's friends. She even continues dating a certain man who will lead her into the path of a man whose brother will soon capture her heart...
Jason Kenyon is a big business banker born of privilege. He lives in high society and living although he would much rather sit on the outside observing things around him. He hasn't dated much since his wife died, instead he's thrown himself into work and has shut down in a way. Until one day he sees a woman in a white coat across the way of his building. He tries to run and catch her but misses her. As fate would have it, he meets her again later as she is introduced as the date of his younger brother, Tony.
I loved the characters in A Time to Keep! Jason and Lauren are very much alike even from the start as they are more fitting as outside observers. They stand out from the surrounding characters like a splash of color against a black and white painting and their relationship builds from mild attraction and friendship to full on romance with ease.
Tony is the polar opposite as the younger brother. An extrovert all the way as the author describes him engaging the dinner party as "He was like an endearing small boy, who greedily took all the cookies and knew no one would scold him". While Jason is described to "hold an aura of quiet power. He didn't say a lot, but seemed content to sit back and observe, even prefer it".
I loved Ms. Matlock's way with words, description and characterization. I found myself wrapped up in their lives and rooting for them all the way as the story went on. I even was emotionally involved in ole Felice there who wanted to get her grubby, social climbing claws into Jason (and I didn't like her one bit).
I can't say I blame her. Jason is a dreamy hero and although he isn't "grr, me man you woman" all out Alpha, he's a quiet man but definitely not a pushover. He takes care of Lauren when she suffers a fall and although she wants to do things herself, he's quick to take things over and urge her to relax (with a nice gruff edge of urgency). He tells people what's what in a manner that gets the point across. Lauren is the same way which cements their perfect match.
I wish Ms. Matlock would have taken the time to show more of the dialogue and scenes. Sometimes it felt jumped and jarring when you're in one scene and then she describes their location in the next paragraph. Thankfully it's not a common occurrence in the book and considering it's a category, the time frame and focus is more quick.
In any event, this was a great read I'm definitely adding to my keeper shelf. I wish Harlequin would put all of their backlist in ebook format rather than focusing just on the current releases. There's a lot of goodies and considering the publishing company is going into its 60th year anniversary this year, it's a great way to celebrate their legacy.
Lauren Howard is a young women recovering from a car crash that ended in her gravely injured and ending her brother's life. She blames herself for it and for losing out on a rising dancing career. Despite the accident, Lauren keeps her compassion and strength while she works as a secretary for one of her mother's friends. She even continues dating a certain man who will lead her into the path of a man whose brother will soon capture her heart...
Jason Kenyon is a big business banker born of privilege. He lives in high society and living although he would much rather sit on the outside observing things around him. He hasn't dated much since his wife died, instead he's thrown himself into work and has shut down in a way. Until one day he sees a woman in a white coat across the way of his building. He tries to run and catch her but misses her. As fate would have it, he meets her again later as she is introduced as the date of his younger brother, Tony.
I loved the characters in A Time to Keep! Jason and Lauren are very much alike even from the start as they are more fitting as outside observers. They stand out from the surrounding characters like a splash of color against a black and white painting and their relationship builds from mild attraction and friendship to full on romance with ease.
Tony is the polar opposite as the younger brother. An extrovert all the way as the author describes him engaging the dinner party as "He was like an endearing small boy, who greedily took all the cookies and knew no one would scold him". While Jason is described to "hold an aura of quiet power. He didn't say a lot, but seemed content to sit back and observe, even prefer it".
I loved Ms. Matlock's way with words, description and characterization. I found myself wrapped up in their lives and rooting for them all the way as the story went on. I even was emotionally involved in ole Felice there who wanted to get her grubby, social climbing claws into Jason (and I didn't like her one bit).
I can't say I blame her. Jason is a dreamy hero and although he isn't "grr, me man you woman" all out Alpha, he's a quiet man but definitely not a pushover. He takes care of Lauren when she suffers a fall and although she wants to do things herself, he's quick to take things over and urge her to relax (with a nice gruff edge of urgency). He tells people what's what in a manner that gets the point across. Lauren is the same way which cements their perfect match.
I wish Ms. Matlock would have taken the time to show more of the dialogue and scenes. Sometimes it felt jumped and jarring when you're in one scene and then she describes their location in the next paragraph. Thankfully it's not a common occurrence in the book and considering it's a category, the time frame and focus is more quick.
In any event, this was a great read I'm definitely adding to my keeper shelf. I wish Harlequin would put all of their backlist in ebook format rather than focusing just on the current releases. There's a lot of goodies and considering the publishing company is going into its 60th year anniversary this year, it's a great way to celebrate their legacy.
May 1, 2018
3.25 stars
Not bad but very dated. Hero is a 48-year old banker who was widowed ten years ago. The heroine is a 28-year old recovering from a bad accident that took her brother's life. The hero notices her right away and then meets her at a family function where she is his brother's date. The age-gap between them is also significant and then there is cunning sister-in-law who has positioned herself into his life. The hero's brother isn't much of a barrier since the heroine isn't dating him, but the hero keeps his distance. Even when they do start getting closer the hero maintains that distance because he wants to be sure of what he wants. The heroine confesses her love but the hero still unsure walks away. Of course there is a reconciliation, words of love are exchanged, a proposal, a minor hiccup and HEA. I guess I was looking for a more passionate read.
Not bad but very dated. Hero is a 48-year old banker who was widowed ten years ago. The heroine is a 28-year old recovering from a bad accident that took her brother's life. The hero notices her right away and then meets her at a family function where she is his brother's date. The age-gap between them is also significant and then there is cunning sister-in-law who has positioned herself into his life. The hero's brother isn't much of a barrier since the heroine isn't dating him, but the hero keeps his distance. Even when they do start getting closer the hero maintains that distance because he wants to be sure of what he wants. The heroine confesses her love but the hero still unsure walks away. Of course there is a reconciliation, words of love are exchanged, a proposal, a minor hiccup and HEA. I guess I was looking for a more passionate read.
September 25, 2009
Modern
January 29, 2015
4.5 It showed it's age a bit, but a totally enjoyable read.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews