The Forgiving Hour
Setting: Idaho, 1999
Twelve years ago, Claire Porter thought her entire life was over when she learned that her husband, Dave, was having an affair with a young college student. Following their divorce, Claire started over, including changing back to her maiden name of Conway.
Claire now feels pretty good about her accomplishments. She has raised a wonderful son, Dakota; enjoys her work; and finally has a new love. When Dakota informs her that he is engaged, she looks forward to meeting his fiancée, even as she wonders if 31-year-old Sara Jennings is too old for her "little" six-foot-plus boy.
Secrets never stay buried long, and only God can help Claire find forgiveness when betrayal comes back to haunt her.
Reviews
Readers won’t be able to put down this novel. Its theme is adultery — not just the betrayal but the lasting effects and the need for restoration. Hatcher’s entertaining story uses biblical principles to show how ‘real’ people can survive, and truly recover from, the devastation of adultery. The book contains wisdom and enough heart to make it worthwhile reading for every woman, including those who’ve experienced or caused adultery’s pain. — CBA Marketplace
Every once in a while a book comes along that challenges your thinking, changes your perspective, yet entertains and satisfies you at the same time. THE FORGIVING HOUR is such a book … Popular historical author Robin Lee Hatcher debuts on the inspirational scene with an amazing book, clearly blazing her own way and setting her own fine standards with a life-changing book that readers will read over and over again. — RT Book Review (Top Pick & 4 1/2 Gold rating)
Hatcher uses her well-honed skills to craft a compelling story of betrayal and forgiveness that will leave readers both emotionally drained and spiritually satisfied. — Library Journal
When I first heard the premise of this book, it sounded like a bad soap opera rip off, but then I read it. It’s a shame they don’t make television dramas with this quality. Very real characters in a heartbreakingly painful situation make FORGIVING HOUR come alive and fly. Everyone has experienced bitterness and betrayal akin to what is portrayed herein, and hopefully can be helped along the road to finding the peace each of these characters seek. Both Ms. Hatcher’s first contemporary and first inspirational, this is a brilliant, moving book that shows there is hope and joy on the other side of the storm. — The Romance Reader’s Connection
A stunning novel with an unthinkable dilemma for the protagonist … Robin Lee Hatcher’s fine novel, The Forgiving Hour, still impacts me nearly 15 years after I first read it. — Rel Mollet, Novel Crossing