A Brief Moment in Time
by Jeane Watier
Description
One regrettable night, one foolish decision, and Gavin McDermott's life changed forever. Now after nearly eighteen years incarcerated for murder, Gavin is a different man. When a rehabilitation program begins, he is fascinated by the innovative ideas and finds himself falling for his counselor. But the lines of reality blur as he discovers that the teacher he's come to know as Kate exists only in his mind.
Psychologist, Kathryn Harding dreams of transforming the nation's penal system. When her program finally gets approval, her team begins a trial at Swenton Prison. One of the inmates intrigues Kathryn with his spiritual maturity, and a knowing that defies reason. She is drawn to Gavin McDermott in ways that surprise her. But just when she admits her true feelings for him, their time together is cut short by a startling revelation.
Adele watches helplessly as her best friend lies in a coma. With Kathryn's family planning to remove life support, Adele grieves the tragic loss. But when her friend utters the name Gavin, Adele is convinced there is still hope. Mysterious clues point to an inmate at Swenton, and in a desperate attempt, Adele contacts Gavin. She is convinced that Kathryn and Gavin have rendezvoused in another realm but has no idea if Gavin is aware of the connection. Nevertheless she is determined to solve the mystery if it means saving Kathryn's life - and time, as she knows it, is running out.
Excerpt
Strict routine ruled the lives of the prisoners at Swenton. The morning bell sounded, bringing them back to the harsh reality of their incarcerated world. For once, Gavin was glad to re-enter that world. The one he’d just experienced in his dreams was a greater hell by far. He’d awoken in a sweat, having run from something much too frightening to remember.
At breakfast, announcements were made for the day. A rehabilitation program was being initiated at Swenton. Prisoners within two years of their parole were being “encouraged” to attend. Incentives were being offered to those willing to participate in the program. What it boiled down to in Gavin’s mind was that those who didn’t attend would have to work longer hours. It didn’t sound like incentive to him, just another form of coercion.
The program began that morning with nearly forty in attendance in the prison auditorium. The men around Gavin were whispering about the so-called rehabilitation being offered. He heard the usual scoffing, some obviously against the idea, others asking questions. The room went silent, however, as a woman walked onto the stage.
She was fortyish, Gavin guessed, and not unattractive—just somewhat plain looking with her hair pulled back a little too severely in a bun. She might have had a decent figure as well, but it was covered in a coat-style dress that gave very little indication of what was underneath. Nevertheless, judging by the men’s response, she may as well have been Madonna. Gavin noticed her blush slightly as she cleared her throat to begin.
Speaking loudly over the still-audible whistle, jeer, or muffled comment, the woman introduced herself as Kathryn Harding. She then listed her qualifications, to which Gavin didn’t really listen; he was much more interested in the conversations going on around him.
She’ll have her work cut out, he mused. No one’s taking her seriously.
As she continued, a few words and phrases caught Gavin’s interest. Others around him must have heard too, because the room became quiet.
“This is an innovative approach,” she was saying, “developed by some of the leading psychologists in the country. With this methodology we don’t use labels, except to say that we’re all teachers and all students. There is no therapist or patient. No murderer, no criminal, no victim. We are all equal—human beings who have chosen different experiences in life.
“Our goal will be to help you see yourself free of those labels. And once free of them, you can begin to see yourself as anything you want to be.”
Gavin was riveted to her words. They were completely different from what he’d been expecting, and they affected him deeply. He felt torn. He wanted to dismiss them as outlandish, impossible even, yet part of him wanted to believe they were true. Commonsense argued that it wouldn’t matter how he saw himself; people would always look at what he had done and label him as a murderer. He could hide from it. He could pretend otherwise, but he couldn’t change what was.
She went on to describe the program, which consisted of group sessions and individual counseling. In addition, she would be choosing four to six men to work with for an extended period, those particular men being chosen according to the proximity of their parole, their record of behavior, and their participation in the group and individual sessions. Her plan was to continue to work with those men once they were fully released.
Gavin wasn’t sure why, when he had serious doubts about the validity of the woman’s claims, but for some reason he wanted to be a part of her little experimental group. Moreover, he sensed he would be.
The woman introduced her colleagues, two men and another woman who would be working with her in the program. Sessions would be starting the following week, and groups and times would be posted in the dining hall.
The prisoners, glad to have missed an hour of work, were dismissed to go to their jobs. Gavin listened to the chatter as the men made their way to the industry area. Some were still making crude jokes about the women they had just seen, while others challenged the effectiveness of the rehabilitation program.
Gavin was caught up in his own introspection—a mixture of thoughts and feelings composed of Ryan’s words, his own unsettling dream, and the strange, enticing things the woman had just shared.
“The only thing I need to rehabilitate me,” Stubby interjected, “is a good woman and a place to call home when I get out of this shit hole.”
Several others agreed by nodding or grunting. Although somewhat primal, Gavin couldn’t disagree with the sentiment. Stubby, along with many of the other inmates Gavin had gotten to know, had learned their lesson. They wouldn’t be repeating their crime. In a sense, they were already rehabilitated. They were not the same men they’d been ten or twenty years before.
Gavin wasn’t either. He hardly knew the foolish kid he’d been seventeen years earlier. That kid was long gone—or at least he’d thought so—until he’d met Ryan, until that dream had made it all seem so real again.
Review
I do A LOT of reading, and much of it revolves around the concepts that Jeane touches on. Much of this reading I do is non-fiction, so it was absolutely refreshing to read a fiction book that ties all these concepts into a truly amazing story. There are not enough novels like this! I could not put it down!!! I am typically not the fastest reader, but I finished this book in two days, because I could not wait to see what was coming next. I can't wait for more of Jeane's brilliant work to come out!!!
About the Author
Jeane Watier lives in Alberta, Canada. She has been studying the principles of Law of Attraction for many years, particularly the teachings of Abraham-Hicks. She is no stranger to the emotional issues she writes about. Having suffered with depression for many years, it was her desire for well-being that led her to learn and apply the principles of Law of Attraction that changed her life and brought her the joy she now experiences.
In 2006, Jeane was inspired to began writing. A truly magical experience, the words flowed through her fingers and onto the computer screen almost faster than she could type. The result is a trilogy of self-help novels that intertwine heartwarming stories with practical teachings. Her trilogy includes Life's Song, A Song of the Heart, and Hearts Reunited.
Her book, A Brief Moment in Time, won a gold medal for visionary fiction in the 2012 Independent Publishers Book Awards. An elusive romance, shifting realities, and paranormal twists entertain the reader while subtle truths resonate with their inner knowing.
Jeane's latest release is Soul Mates. You can read all about it in my previous blog post.
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