Title: 'Till the End of Time
Author: Sabra Brown Steinsiek
Published in November 2004 by Whiskey Creek Press
Genre: Contemporary Romance
IBSN: 1-593-74179-0
Taylor Morgan is a successful theatrical actor. He has the perfect family, a loving wife, Laura, and three daughters. The oldest two daughters are happily married themselves. His youngest daughter, Annie, is a senior in high school. She just made the bold announcement that she is going to change her name, because no one with curly red hair should be named Annie, and go straight to an acting career instead of going to college. Even though that it what Taylor did when he was Annie’s age. Taylor knows how hard it was for him when he was first starting out and he does not want that kind of life for his little girl. Taylor and Laura discuss the issues that Annie brought up and both agree that not going to college is not an appropriate choice for Annie. The only time that Taylor and Laura do not see eye to eye is when Laura has to be out of town on assignments.
Taylor is dismayed when Laura announces her next big assignment. The Times has asked her to go to Bosnia to write a story about how life has changed there in recent years. Not only is she excited about going, but she is also taking Chris, one of her son-in-laws, to obtain photographs for her article. Taylor realizes that this is an excellent opportunity for both Laura and Chris, but being separated from Laura for almost a month is not something that he is looking forward to. If it was only an issue of being separated, Taylor could handle that better, but with them going to a country that has been notorious for war and strife, he fears for their well being. Once Laura and Chris leave, they stay in touch daily with phone calls and emails, but Taylor still urges them to finish up so that they can be home in time for Thanksgiving. When Taylor gets a phone call from Laura’s military escort that there has been a car bombing and Laura was in the building that was demolished, his entire world comes crashing to stop.
Twenty some years ago Laura covered for another reporter and it was the best thing that she had ever done. When she interviewed Taylor Morgan, they hit it off. Now they are an old married couple getting ready to go on a cruise to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary. When the Times approach Laura about going to Bosnia, she knows that this is a chance of a lifetime. She jumps at the opportunity and takes her son-in-law with her to obtain the photographs that she will need. While in Bosnia, they find themselves spending a large amount of their time in the one of the many orphanages there. Both Chris and Laura are enamored with Rhen, a little 5-year-old child that resides in the orphanage. While coming back from a trip to the zoo with Chris and Rhen, Laura runs into a dress shop to look at clothes for her granddaughter at home. The day has been peaceful and the bond with Rhen has been growing stronger for both Laura and Chris. The peace that they have enjoyed is shattered by a car bomb that explodes in front of the shop that Laura is in. Chris’ shoulder is broken, Rhen has some cuts and bruises, but when Chris tries to find Laura in the rubble, he blacks out and is taken to the hospital.
Laura wakes to total darkness. Her body is stiff and sore. It takes her a few minutes to remember what had happened. She does not understand why she is along in the dark instead of in the hospital being cared for. She is concerned about both Chris and Rhen. The first few days, she fades in and out as her body attempts to heal itself. Luckily, she had no serious injuries that required medical care. When her captors finally provide her with information, she is devastated to realize that her family was informed that she was killed in the explosion. She struggles to deal with her sorrow about what her family is going through, especially Taylor. The one thing that is required from her captors to guarantee her safety, is not something that she is willing to give. She knows that she will never be free to return to her family because her captors will never trust her not to reveal their location. As the hopelessness of her situation becomes obvious to her, her will to live diminishes a little more everyday.
Til the End of Time by Sabra Brown Steinsiek is a love story that encompasses the importance of family, standing by your convictions, and surviving a devastating lose. Taylor feels that his life is blessed with his wife and his family and the love that they all share for each other. When the news of Laura’s death reaches him, he grapples with the overwhelming grief and despair that he feels. He knows that he must remain strong for the rest of the family, but when you feel as if your heart has been ripped out of your chest, that is a little hard to do. Laura wakes after the explosion to a nightmare situation. She is being held in an unknown location and no matter if she writes the articles that her captors are demanding or not, she will never see her family again. The hopelessness that she feels eats away at her little by little, until she can barely continue. The most important mission in her life is letting her family know that she is alive, but unless a miracle occurs, she will never be able to succeed.
Ms. Steinsiek has created a tale that takes you from one end of your emotions to another. I found myself pulled into the grief that the family was feeling when Laura was killed. To know that your loved one is gone and you will never get another chance to see them again is heart wrenching. Taylor goes through the motions of getting on with his life, but he comes to realize that holding yourself back is not always enough. As her captors badger Laura to write for them, she holds strong to her convictions and will not surrender her beliefs. The question of whether Taylor and Laura will ever be reunited is one that can only be answered by picking up a copy of ‘Til the End of Time from Whiskey Creek Publishing.
Yours Sincerely,
Annmarie
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