A Time to Tell [Paperback]

A gripping family drama. This is a tale of a now aged and disabled grandmother who is dependent on her family for all her needs. We are moved backwards and forwards in time as Cara reminisces about her own personal secret. As disturbing events take over in her granddaughters life she begins to think how her own actions and secrets have affected others in her family and have maybe had implications on the present situation. The characters each have their own family problems kept secret from the rest of the family- an accurate description of many of todays families who try desperately to cover up their own traumas even from their own loved ones. I thought it was a very good depiction of todays complicated family lives and a very common english trait of not talking to loved ones for fear of upset or shame.

Set in the UK between the early 1950s and the present date, the story follows young Cara Hughes and the events which unfolded due to choices she made early in her life. Cara grew up in the small town of Huddlesea. Everyone knew everyone else. But Cara fell in love with Freddie, a stranger to the area, and a brief love affair began. It ended in tragedy and Cara jumped off Stoneleigh Cliffs, an attempt at suicide. Needless to say, Cara lived; a few months later she married Billy Edwards. Cara and Billy raise three children. Ben is the first. Cara was never sure if Ben's father were Freddie or Billy and she never told another her suspicions. It did not matter. Catherine and James were the names of their other two children. All is quiet, until Billy died due to wrecking his car. (Here I must skip quite a bit for fear of giving away spoilers.)

Ben married a lady named Margaret and had two daughters, Penny and Jemima. Ben was often in a rage and abused his wife. Before the girls were ten-years-old, Ben pushed his wife down the stairs. Believing Margaret dead, he ran, leaving his family behind. (Now I must skip again for the fear of giving possible spoilers away.)

Penny married David, who was abusive to her verbally, mentally, and physically. By now Cara had been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis for about thirty years. Cara had lived with Penny and David, in an upstairs room, for five years. When David hit one of their kids for the first time, Penny decides to take the children and go into hiding. Cara's estranged sister, Gloria, took over her care. Secrets began coming from all sides. Everyone seemed to have dark secrets, hidden away, never to see the light of day. But Fate brings everyone slowly together. The full truth from each person will be told, no matter how ugly. Finally they all must face the fact that it was time to tell.

**** There are many characters to keep track of in this story. I resorted to writing down names, relations, and notes. It was the only way I could keep everyone straight. My synopsis only touches the main names; however, there are about to twenty people for readers to meet and comprehend. It can be overwhelming at times. The story does not simply follow the lives of the key players. The story jumps to the past very often, giving flashbacks so readers may fully understand what is happening in the current date. My main problem with the story is that the character of Cara seemed a coward through the entire book. She is fast to give advice, insisting it be taken, but when faced with very similar circumstances, Cara is unwilling to take her own advice.

All-in-all, this story shows how important family can be, even when the worst happens. It shows that even though some lies are told and truths are hidden in the name of protecting loved ones, those same lies and omissions can come back with devastating effects. It story also shows that it is never too late to find love. Maria Savva writes tales that will remain in her readers' minds for a long time after they finish the story. ****

Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.

Family secrets abound in this saga, which spans more than fifty years of the life of Cara Hughes. Beginning with the trauma of her first romantic relationship and her subsequent attempted suicide, the story traces the circuitous journey through marriage, motherhood, illness, old age and the interaction that occurs along the way.

Her relationship with her sister is strained due to an incident that occurred while Cara was a teenager, and she suddenly finds herself having to face the past when the two are thrown together after years of animosity. As the layers are peeled away, dark secrets start revealing themselves until the truth is finally out there.

Cara's children and grandchildren also have tumultuous lives, into which not only rain shall fall, but also abuse, illness and even more secrets hidden from each other and the rest of the dysfunctional family circle.

A bit long-winded in places, and with some uneven dialogue, this novel has so many characters that you may need to make notes to keep them straight. However, it succeeds in reinforcing the concept of the strength of the family unit even in times of adversity, and that first love, never, ever, ever dies.

Rated: 3.5 stars

Amanda Richards