Lost Time: Family Ties

by Maretha Botha

A love triangle remains the topic of many romantic tales, but when it occurs within families, someone always gets hurt, and there's seldom a winner. Two sisters - twins - adore the same man. Can familial love be strong enough to move those involved to make sound choices or will unforeseen circumstances control the outcome?

21 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 5, 2018

About the author

Maretha Botha - Children's author/illustrator and self-confessed bookworm, chocolate and black coffee addict, animal and bird lover, occasional gardener. Her children's (9-12) series of illustrated books called, "FAUNA PARK TALES" is based on "African Adventures of Flame, Family, Furry and Feathered Friends" a September 2013 GOLD MEDAL WINNER on Authonomy, a HarperCollins writers' website.

She has published four children's books via LionheArt Publishing House.
https://myBook.to/FlameHope
https://myBook.to/Friends
https://myBook.to/OrphansPlight
https://myBook.to/Trails

She has also written three short stories:
https://myBook.to/Evergreens
https://myBook.to/LostTime
https://myBook.to/FamilyFound

Her author pages are:
https://facebook.com/flameandhope.co.uk
http://www.amazon.co.uk/-/e/B00MOORJAO

Reviews

[Rox Burkey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Author Maretha Botha creates a touching story of twin sisters, Magdalene and Nelle, who haven’t seen each other in years. They are different, like light versus dark in both temperament and love. Nelle lets her jealousy rule her actions as she secures her victory.

Lost Time begins with Nelle and David headed toward their solicitor to settle the estate. I liked the foreshadowing that Maretha created. It compelled me to read on.

Perhaps we can move on with our lives . . . settle down somewhere?’ She smiles. David has an uncanny knack to make me feel better, but I need to stop looking in my rear-view mirror. I want to forget the past and move forward, not make David’s life unpleasant every time I vent my frustrations. He’s an innocent party here, she thinks, shaking her head as if trying to expunge all her negative moods.
Nelle turns to David and pecks him on the cheek. ‘I was thinking about the difficulties of asking for time off, having to face Matron’s disapproval and her sour face – even for family matters – but, I suppose, I’d face her again should we plan another extended mountaineering trip – for at least six months or more – in future? It was worth it, don’t you agree, dear David?’

Families have deep-seated emotions revealed in this story. Nelle and her sister may have a chance to work through their issues during this trip finally. Waiting for the right moment to discuss a problem can create a more significant challenge than the problem itself.

I recommend this to readers who like seeing family dynamics in action. Reading about these sisters made me reflect on my sibling relationship. I have enjoyed several of Author Botha’s writings. She leverages succinct writing and dialogue to make this another good story. Check it out.

[Balroop Singh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lost Time: Family Ties by Maretha Botha is an eloquent comment on relationships, which rest on brittle threads of trust and truthfulness. The story of two sisters is told from the perspective of Nelle and highlights human imperfections, so common within families. It is very obvious that David is a weak character and Nelle takes advantage of his flaws, refuses to make peace with her sister but a shock awaits her! How would she handle it? Would she be able to overcome the guilt within her?

This story has the potential of being developed further; it ends at an ambiguous note but I would like to know more about Nelle, the ugly duckling of the family. Such characters are the anchors of a good story and she possesses all those traits. The title is symbolic and well-chosen.

[Joy Lo-Bamijoko · Rating 4 out of 5]

This a very beautiful and touching story. If only Nelle had opened up to her twin sister, Magdalene, she would have found a gentle and forgiving soul. But then she, Nelle was the dark soul, always looking for ways to outshine her sister.

She was the beautiful one, but her sister was the gifted one. They were different in their appearance as they are in their skills, but they loved each other, or at least, Magdalene loved her jealous and scheming twin sister.

Life deals with us differently if only we will accept our fate and move on with it.

[Karen Ingalls · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting story of twin sisters in love with the same man. The story takes place on a two hour train ride and initially I did not understand the premise of Nellie's feelings about her sister. Some of the dialogue between Nellie and her husband, David seemed silly and trite, but in other situations true feelings were expressed.
I have enjoyed Maretha's other books so I was a little disappointed. There were no editing issues.

[TMDGReviews · Rating 2 out of 5]

Twin sisters' relationship with each other and romantic entanglements with the same man could weave a captivating web. The description enticed me to read the book. Finding how one sister truly views the other proved interesting. The dialogue confused at times, and the reader is put inside different characters' heads within the same scene. Nelle didn't appear to have any redeeming qualities.

[D.L. Finn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two sisters love the same man, but only one gets him. Nellie carries many emotions from winning the man, David, who is her husband. She relives her past on a trip to see a lawyer. This is a quick read full of guilt, anger and some love.