This Time Forever

by Kathleen Eagle

RITA Award Winner for Best Single Title Contemporary Novel

She’d helped convict him of a crime he didn’t commit.
Now she wants his help adopting the son he never knew he had.
Seeking refuge in a world not her own, Susan Ellison follows her conscience to the reservation of the Lakota Sioux, hoping to heal the wounds of her ravaged heart.
Sentenced to life in prison, former rodeo champion Cleve Black Horse seeks freedom and justice.
Two lonely outcasts separated by culture, stubborn pride and prison bars, their destinies are joined by a shared duty to a helpless child — and by the blossoming of a bold and magnificent love that a cruel, intolerant society forbids.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Native American, Westerns, Fiction, Indian Literature

404 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 1, 1992

About the author

Kathleen Eagle published her first book, a Romance Writers of America Golden Heart Award winner, with Silhouette Books in 1984. Since then she has published more than 40 books, including historical and contemporary, series and single title, earning her nearly every award in the industry. Her books have consistently appeared on regional and national bestseller lists, including the USA Today list and the New York Times extended bestseller list.

Born in Virginia and raised "on the road" as an Air Force brat, Ms Eagle earned degrees from Mount Holyoke College and Northern State University. She taught at Standing Rock High School in North Dakota for 17 years.

Eagle's work is often singled out by book reviewers for its exceptional quality and appeal. THE NIGHT REMEMBERS was a Chicago Tribune Notable Book. SUNRISE SONG, THE NIGHT REMEMBERS, THE LAST TRUE COWBOY, and WHAT THE HEART KNOWS made the Library Journal "Five Best Romances of the Year" list. BookPage listed WHAT THE HEART KNOWS among its "Top Six Romance Picks" for 1999. THE LAST GOOD MAN was a finalist for the 2000 Minnesota Book Award for Popular Fiction--the only Romance so honored thus far. YOU NEVER CAN TELL was named to RWA's "Top Ten Favorite Books of the Year" list. She is an RWA RITA award winner.

Kathleen Eagle lives in Minnesota with her husband, who is Lakota Sioux. The Eagles have three children and three grandchildren.

Reviews

[Linda (NOT RECEIVING NOTIFICATIONS) · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you enjoy contemporary Native American romances and are looking for something with a bite, try THIS TIME FOREVER. Not necessarily an easy read, it starts out with misfortune: someone was killed. Cleve Black Horse was tried, convicted and sent to prison for a murder he did not commit. He was the wrong person in the wrong place at the wrong time.

To make matters worse, the one person on the jury that he thought might have some compassion; that he hoped would understand he didn't do it, voted him guilty. But what Cleve didn't know was that the jurist believed he was innocent. Unfortunately, she succumbed to peer pressure and that guilt would stay with her for a lifetime. The name? Susan Ellison.

One hundred pages in and roughly two years go by. Kathleen Eagle doesn't spare the reader. This is not a light, fluffy read with an immediate HEA. And it was not meant to be. On the inside of a state prison, Cleve was doing his best just to survive. At the same time, Susan, who was a nurse, meets death in a different way.

A young, pregnant Native American was in an accident. The hospital staff couldn't save her but a tiny preemie survived. Susan doesn't think, she just does. She calls him Sam. As if he were her own, she spent every available moment in the special nursery and talked, touched, fed and changed his diapers. Not out of the woods for a long time, the two of them passed numerous hurdles. Together.

Befriending Sam's aunt and official guardian, Vera, Susan continued taking care of Sam's needs when he was able to go 'home'. Vera had her hands full with a flighty husband and her own six children. She didn't want Sam. Vera approved of Susan's interest to officially keep him. Except a tribal judge would not allow a white woman to adopt a Native American child.

The story didn't stop here and as you probably suspect, there was more to Cleve and Susan. I have to be honest and tell you that early on I thought this story would become a depressing mess. After all, it was advertised as a romance and those first one hundred pages took a toll. But don't give up, it gets better. The author pushed the envelope and didn't make anything easy for Cleve, Susan and Sam. Prepare yourself because by the time you finish the story you will probably feel drained. But in a good way. ;-)

[Julz · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 rounded up

Fantastic story. The hero's a "half-breed" "no-good cowboy" who has spent his life riding rodeos. On the way to a show, he hitches a ride with the wrong person at the wrong time and ends up being accused of murder. The heroine is on the jury that sends our hero to prison for the crime. You don't see that plot often, do ya?

The hero was seriously poor and wasn't really husband material but you rooted for him anyway. The heroine was a Mary Sue but she had her weaknesses that made her real.

There are a lot of tough topics in the story: prejudice, racism, poverty, disability, but I never felt weighed down. The book didn't need a rich and perfect hero to complete the story. It was actually refreshing to have a more realistic male lead...relatively speaking, that is, since I'm sure there's not a lot of half-breed has-been rodeo stars who are sent to prison for murder and end up with a juror who happens to want to adopt his disabled son he had no knowledge of.

Now that I've more or less just embellished the book synopsis, I'll just say that this one comes highly recommended but not for the usual WTFery. It's just a really good, well told story.

[Sometime · Rating 3 out of 5]

Second read, still liked it. This time around I noticed that this book is a lot about Cleve and him running away from the "Indian" part of himself. He takes a long time (almost the entire book) to finally get some perspective and grow up. He spent a most of his life drifting from town to town, riding in rodeos, never having a meaningful relationship. The pacing in this story is very slow and the romance is very slow burn. His connection with Susan is complicated but she is a good person who has made mistakes and wants to be better. I loved little Sam, and respect Susan for wanting to take care of him. We will never know how much progress he can make since the book ends before he is done growing up. But with Cleve and Susan in his corner, he'll be just fine. This is a great book about Native American life, the justice system, prejudice, figuring yourself out, and love. I thought the romance actually played a very small part in the story. Mostly the romance is Cleve pulling himself together and Susan patiently hoping that he will.

Safety neither virgins, not sure about ages but the H is early 40s, h must be a young 30. I got frustrated with the H at times because for being so old, he sure acted like a kid sometimes. The H has wandered around the rodeo circuit and it sounded like he got around plenty with women. The h left a 5 year relationship with a deadbeat boyfriend who cheated on her and used her. Both were celibate after meeting.

OW drama: Baby Sam is most likely Cleve's son, the mother died in a car accident but she said he was the father. (She was just a ONS that he knew from the rodeo) This might be a sticky point for some readers since Susan wants to adopt the baby as a single mother. There is also a bit of internal musing by the H about all the women he's been with over the years.

Susan is a nurse and wants to raise and adopt Sam but can't because she's a white woman. She loves that baby and approaches Cleve to try to get him to sign his rights to her. She isn't romantically interested in Cleve although she is attracted to him. None of the OW drama bothered me because Susan doesn't see Cleve that way until much later in the book.

3.5 stars. I really enjoyed this book. A lot of the first part takes place during the trial. Most of the second part is during Cleve's time in prison. This is where the story really got interesting for me. This was a slow burn romance and very well written. Some interesting stuff about prejudice and life on a reservation.

[Miss Rail · Rating 2 out of 5]

❝ He lifted his head and looked down at her. "You know how long I've been waiting to do that?"
"How long?"
"Since you were sitting on that jury. The only one who really listened to me. I wanted to kiss you for that and for the color of your eyes.❞

Good writing but this slow burning romance wasn't a winner for me.
I enjoyed the general idea behind the plot, not so much the execution expecially toward the ending.
Great message behind the heroine's fierce love for a child with special needs no one thought could even survive. That is the best thing about this book.

Susan feels remorse for Cleve's conviction but she's not certain of his innocence and she's able to move on with her life until their paths cross again.
Her love for a native american premature baby brings her back into Cleve's life because he could be the baby's father.

Susan finds herself drawn to the baby and spends every available moment in the special nursery with little Sam.
Sam's official guardian, his aunt Vera, welcomes Susan's intentions to adopt him because she already has 6 children of her own.
Unfortunately, a tribal judge would never allow a white woman to adopt a Native American child and Susan's only chance is finding Sam's biological father.

I had issues with the MC, more with Cleve than Susan.

Cleve's bitterness and distrust toward Susan is understandable but his reactions and thoughts where the boy was concerned didn’t help with the already not so good opinion I had of him.

Other things are also responsible for the low rating I gave to this book:

► Cleve asks Susan if she wants to know if he used a condom with the baby's mother but he doesn’t actually say more...what is the point of that conversation?
He just wants to be cruel because she allowed his conviction but there's a child's life at stake!

 ► Cleve tries to bargain with Susan in order to get laid and I was disgusted throughout that conversation!

►  The baby's custody is given to Cleve without DNA testing so, in the end we aren't even sure he's the biological father.

► All the "friends" Cleve makes in prison are soon forgotten except for Jimmy whose death and role in the story felt pointless to me.
The author doesn't reveal Cleve's close inmates's crimes because, from the hero's prospective, his priority is survival.
Even so, she ends up throwing hints here and there that Jimmy is in prison for pedophilia while making him act like a "puppy" that needs the hero's protection and guidance...
It's a very difficult subject and I really didn't like how the whole situation was addressed.

► The ending is abrupt and leaves many questions unaswered.
Cleve doesn't use his supposed ability in dealing with young people to do something important with his life and the way he reaches the conclusion he loves the heroine felt underwhelming. I could not feel his love for Susan, at all.

► The actual killer Ray Smith is never found.
Another thing left unanswered that made the suspense I enjoyed at the beginning, pointless.

Overall this book disappointed me even if the author writes about ethnic discriminations and life in prison very convincingly.
She also does a great job writing about Susan's decision to adopt Sam and her feelings for him.

❝ He sipped his coffee and watched the fish for a moment, remembering. "He has funny eyes."
"Sam?"
Staring at the aquarium, Cleve nodded.
"They're not like yours. And yours aren't like mine, but we can all see."
She spoke like a teacher. In fact, she reminded him of Mrs. Taggert, ninth grade English. Nice lady, as he remembered, even though he'd raised hell in the back of the room whenever he'd had a chance. But she'd always been the soft voice of reason. Like Susan.
"Because of the damage to Sam's brain, there are some connections that are either weak, or they just aren't there. So parts of his body, especially his muscles, aren't getting the message to function properly. Physical therapy has done wonders, and the doctors are hopeful."
"Hopeful of what?"
"Not that he'll be capable of doing everything a normal person might do, but that he'll continue to grow and develop. At first, we just hoped he'd survive."
She meant hang on, Cleve thought. Like Grandpa. "That's not enough. There has to be a reason to survive. You need something to live for."
"And who's to say what that should be? Maybe he lives to be part of our lives. Sam has things to teach me." She smiled. "Maybe even you. Nobody can promise he'll ever walk or talk or ride a horse. We just keep working, and he keeps surprising us."
"So you don't have any idea what he's going to be like."
"I know what he's like now. I'm willing to take him as he is.❞

I love Susan's relationship with Sam and the strenght that keeps her fighting for her little boy.

⭐ 2 Stars ⭐

~ MY RATINGS ~
Writing: 3 /5
Plot: 2.5 /5 I think the premise is interesting but not well "executed", neither the murder mystery nor the romance.
Hero: 1.5 /5 Far from dreamy (in my opinion of course)
Heroine: 2.5 /5 a bit too naive and kind of a pushover where the hero is concerned but AMAZING with little Sam.
Secondary Characters: 2 /5
MC's chemistry: 2 /5 The romance didn't "do it" for me.
Steam: 2 /5 They become intimate toward the very end, only one sex scene described (EXPLICIT).
Triggers: Author writes about sensitive topics like ethnic discriminations, having a child with serious disabilities, hard life in prison. A secondary character commits suicide.
Recommended to: Contemporary Romance Readers looking for a story about a Native American man, ethnic discriminations, wrongful incarceration, adoption/adoptive children.

Are you looking for a specific mix of ingredients for your next read?

[Ana · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was more enjoyable than What the Heart Knows. There was a sense of suspense and I really liked how realistic the plot and resolution were. Also, the tense relationship between white people and Native Americans was explored with a lot of tact, sensitive topics like incarceration were realistically depicted and the book even touches on racism and homophobia. But I have the same problem: the characters were one-dimensional. Nothing about them surprised me. Anyway, this was highly readable.

p.s. You can tell this was written in the '90s because there are words here that are no longer acceptable.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book from Netgalley. This is a digital copy of a book originally published in 1992. This is a Belle Bridge publication.
Cleve Black Horse was a one time rodeo champion. But, he had fallen on hard times and was cash strapped. He was traveling to a rodeo in hopes of earning a little money when his truck broke down. He was given a lift by a man and then later after a few bar stops and a few beers they picked up a stranger and the next thing Cleve knows the owner of the truck is dead and stranger is gone and Cleve is the number one suspect.

Susan, a nurse, gets selected for jury duty. She is determined to take her job seriously and tries to do what she thinks is the right thing. She is not convinced that Cleve murdered anyone and wants to vote "not guilty". But, she is the only one holding out. Eventually, she is bullied into a guilty vote.
Cleve is sentenced to life, then some. But, the paths of these two people are destined to cross again.
Susan tries to put the trial behind her. One night an accident victim arrives at the hospital. The young woman is 6 months pregnant. The girl dies, but they are able to save the baby. The baby's only relative is an aunt , Vera, that has a house full of her own kids and off again, on again relationship with her husband. Vera knows that she can not care for a special needs child. So, when Susan becomes attached to Sam, Vera supports her intention of adopting the baby.
However, there is a big hitch. The judge on the reservation is adamant that the child be raised by his own people and not a white woman.
Vera finally confided to Susan that her sister named Cleve Black Horse as the father of her baby. Now Susan needs to get Cleve to acknowledge the child and help her become Sam's mother.
So, Susan begins to visit Cleve in prison.

This novel holds nothing back when dealing with the stark realities of prison life, racism, and life on a reservation.
Although Cleve and Susan are form vastly different backgrounds, and Susan was partly responsible for Cleve's wrongful imprisonment, the two form a friendship. With little Sam's needs and best interest at the center of their relationship they work together to overcome their fears, learn to accept the hand they were dealt and find love and contentment as well as personal growth and maturity. Sam, Cleve and Susan get their happily ever after, but not all loose ends get tied up, which is more realistic and fits this book's tone. But, have no fear, if you read this book, you will love it. Overall a solid A

[Jessie Gussman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can I admit that I skimmed through the courtroom scenes? Does it make me shallow that when I pick up a romance, I want a...romance? It seems kind of unbelievable that I would give five starts to a book that I skimmed through parts of, but the rest of the book was just that good.

[Shelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one is a tough one for me to rate. There was a lot to like, but some that wasn't good either. The storyline was interesting and I thought the first half of the book was the best. I know other reviewers didn't agree, but I didn't really like the two main characters together, so that is probably why I didn't like the second half as well. I thought Susan was naive and kind of whiny, so I really wasn't feeling the relationship.

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read! Eagle doesn't shy away from writing about the tough stuff. Racial prejudice, jury misconduct, prison brutality and rape, a developmentally challenged orphan baby, hardscrabble life and poverty and hopelessness on the rez. Makes me want to say in my most annoying, whiny old lady voice "they don't write 'em like they used to." Ahem.

[Malika-Liki · Rating 5 out of 5]

one of my ever ever ever best books.
I kove Kathleen Eagle, her sensivity, her style, the fact that she writes so well about "normal " people struggling along their journey to find peace and acceptance and love.
I love everything in this book, the storyline, the heroes, the end? thank You so much Kathleen Eagle.
A true Jewel.

[Mia Fisher · Rating 5 out of 5]

My all time favorite Kathleen Eagle book - she brings this story to live from beginning to end!!!

[Marlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the kind of book that you remember forever! This is the kind of writing that is spectacular and heartfelt! This is the type of story that makes you smile, cry and recall those special in your own lives. There’s a special child born too early; a rodeo cowboy caught in the wrong place; and, a shy kind of nurse that stands out among many who know her. An Indian, a wakan handicap child known to the tribes as “sacred people,” and the love of Grandma, that are examples of life more precious than I can write here in this review. I loved this story and want to follow the lives of those in it but I reached The End.

[Terryan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wasn't to sure about this book. I liked some parts and others I wasn't really that interested in so started skipping pages. He's a half breed modern day cowboy who is accused of a murder he didn't commit. She is a nurse a was on the jury that found him guilty. A premature baby is born when his mother died and it is assumed he was the father. She wants custody so visits him in jail. This is how they eventually meet and form a friendship. HEA ending.

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

I will definitely be reading more books by Kathleen Eagle. Not only was this book interesting and informative regarding native American culture, but well written. I hate when books are poorly edited.😑

[Kathleen Chojnacki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kathleen Eagle is one of my favorite authors. I’ve never beeen disappointed with any of her books. I like how she includes the real way of life of an Indian reservation. I’ve always been very interested in Native Americans, so I get some reality with an awesome love story. Wonderful story!

[Juli · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 and 1/2 stars. Not emotional enough and I didn't buy the characters' attraction to each other. Cleve's story was interesting, though.

[Mum · Rating 2 out of 5]

Normally I like this author but I didn’t buy the story. It was too far fetched.

[Em]

dnf

[amelia · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I say I'm obsessed... this was incredible. I didn't love the first book by Kathleen Eagle I tried but I'm so glad I gave this a shot because it's in my top ten of all time.

[Deshay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another favorite from years past that I decided to re-read. For some reason, I didn't connect with the story like I had in the past. But it is still on my keeper shelf.

[Teri-K · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an unusual and amazing story. It opens with Cleve Black Horse's broken down pickup and a night that turns into a nightmare. Nurse Susan Ellison is on the jury that convicts Cleve of murder. She tries to put him, and her doubts about the murder, behind her until the day he's brought into the ER after being shanked in the prison showers. That same day Susan meets a woman whose sister has died while her premature baby lived. The lives of the baby, Sam; his Aunt; Susan and Cleve begin to intersect and the reader is drawn into an unforgettable tale.

There are a number of things that really ring true in this story, including Susan's disappointment with herself and Cleve's loneliness. Sometimes my heart hurt reading about these two people. I've done some mentoring in prisons, and though I'm no expert that part of the book felt well-researched and realistic. As did the general prejudice against Indians. However there's plenty of happiness, too. When Cleve takes Sam for his first horseback ride there isn't a sweeter picture anywhere.

This story deals with guilt of many kinds, forgiveness, opportunity and love in the way that few books do. I first read it several years ago and never forgot it. Rereading it I'm finding it just as moving.

[Julie Barrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Time Forever by Kathleen Eagle
cleve finds a dead body in the mens' room and the hitchhiker is gone. he is a rodeo cowboy and
got a flat tire, bashed his front end of the truck and walked to the town. he got a ride and they
stopped at a bar. he had a few beers and tried to get somebody to tow his truck in to fix. the other
guy had a bunch of money and made sure everybody saw it. they pick up a hitchhiker and after a few more beers stop by a rest area and use men's room. cleve waited in the truck for them, 3 hours later he wakes up and find dead body of the driver. his cell won't work so he drives the truck to nearest town to notify the police.

susan is on the jury. she hears his story and tries to figure out what happened with only his testimony. she is an emergency nurse who spends a lot of time in neonatal unit, she's in love with 2 lb infant there and follows him to his next Indian home. later he is released and she is attempting to adopt a child.

Love to read about Indian traditions.

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another wonderful story by Kathleen Eagle.
Susan, an emergency room nurse is selected to be a juror in a trial where half native Indian Cleve Black Horse is convicted of first degree murder. Fate seems to intertwine Cleve and Susan's life as they are brought together by a shared duty to a helpless child.
Romance blossoms, although forbidden by a heartless, intolerant society, and cannot be destroyed.
Many topics are covered in this story: prejudice, racism, poverty, courtroom drama and romance and each is well told.
I look forward to reading many more of Ms. Eagle's novels.

[Sheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great book, and so very unusual. The premise is absolutely gripping. You're the only person on a jury who believes the defendant is not guilty. The other jurors are contaminated with racial prejudice. But you begin to doubt yourself when they constantly hammer you, the lone holdout. And you cave. Then feel guilty for the rest of your days.

Can you imagine a romance developing between the lone juror and the defendant? Well, that's Eagle's book. I really, really liked it. There's so much more to the book than it's premise. A winner.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

A man who is half native American is wrongly charged with murder. One of the jurors is a young nurse who believes he is innocent. She gives into pressure from the other jurors and finds him guilty.
There is a lot more to the story but it emphasizes the prejudices people have towards native Americans and the reservations they live on.

[Melindannk · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

Not my normal read by any stretch of the imagination, but sometimes I think you need those books that aren’t the norm to really appreciate all types of writing. This book was a character driven book about life with a touch of romance. I loved it. I love character driven books so this fit right in with what I like. Also the HEA was perfect for this book.

[KG · Rating 5 out of 5]

Culture clash

An awkward swerve into some heavy territory. Not bad awkward - more like how sometimes conversation or intimacy can be rough when you are first getting to know someone. As far as the romance aspect goes, this was level-headed adult instead of starry-eyed teen. The writing felt Spartan, quiet and vast. Enjoyable. Thought provoking.

[Christa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always enjoy books by Kathleen Eagle, and this one was no exception. Cleve Black Horse and Susan were both great characters, and I enjoyed the relationship that developed between them. The storyline was enjoyable and kept me interested.

[Maureen Hlavacek · Rating 4 out of 5]

Engaging story and well developed characters. I thought this would be the usual chick book, but found the plot engaging and characters complex. There was good sexual tension between the main characters and well developed descriptions of environment and struggles along with a satisfying ending.

[Maxine Clemons · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good reading....very relaxing, totally spellbinding.

Written to hold your attention to the end and wish for more. really holds the imagination captive. would recommend as a good read.