No Time to Regret

Bob Ruthers is leading the life he always dreamed. He has a loving wife, a wonderful daughter and a beautiful home in the suburbs of Long Island. He is proud that he has steadily advanced in life, and he is enjoying all the benefits of his success. He believes that nothing can mar his happiness until suddenly, an unexpected occurrence threatens the things he has taken for granted and cherishes. Memories are revived of a long-suppressed event, an illicit affair, which, if revealed, could destroy everything he holds dear and compromise all that he values. Bob is faced with the most difficult decision of his life. Should he admit to the secret he has been guarding all these years? Should he confide in his wife? Will she hate him? Should he protect his family at the expense of others? He realizes that his decision might destroy someone's life. But who should it be? Should he destroy a life to protect his own?

This compelling story highlights a human moral dilemma. Can we divorce ourselves from the unforeseen consequences of our past actions, or must we accept responsibility for them regardless of the cost?

Lynne List, PhD, is a retired Professor Emeritus who taught at the undergraduate and graduate levels after a career as a classroom, reading teacher and reading consultant.

She coauthored one college textbook and authored another herself. She has published numerous educational articles. In addition, she has been included in 13 "Who's Who" volumes. Her avocation is theater and bridge. She wrote three plays one of which took first place in a new playwriting competition and had a successful staged reading in a professional theater. In addition, she acted in and directed many shows. Her second avocation is duplicate bridge; a game she loves and plays frequently. This is her first novel.