For a Short Time

by Lori Lapekes

Keri has no idea who she really is anymore. Raised in the Midwest, where catching frogs and shovelling manure is common practice, then spending several adult years traveling the country and hob-nobbing with celebrities and the elite, Keri returns to her roots. She now lives in her sister`s basement, wondering just who she really is anymore. After a peculiar meeting with the Quinn cousins, Keith and Jeremy, Keri is determined to capture Keith`s attention. An actor, a tall, compelling man, elusive, even abrasive at times, Keith is particularly intriguing to a woman like Keri who is accustomed to capturing the heart of any man she`s ever wanted. Yet it was Jeremy, the humble cabinet-maker and owner of a misshapen dog named Scalawag, who leaped into a bon-fire to rescue a scrap of an old coat that had sentimental value for her. Following two episodes with the facial disorder, Bell`s Palsy, and after Jeremy has moved out of state, possibly to run from his heartbreak over her, Keri finally realizes not only who she really is??but who she needs to become. But is it too late?

303 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 1, 2010

About the author

Born in the small town of Wayland, Michigan, Lori has been writing since she was about 10 years old. Raised in the country with goofy siblings, a few strange neighbors, and many animals, Lori has cemented her own “quirkiness” through a series of unusual factory jobs and a two-year stint in art school. Presently she works as a graphic artist, while at long last realizing her true dream of becoming a published author of off-beat, Midwestern novels. Acknowledging that most people who hear voices in their heads are called schizophrenic, she knows that when these voices are put to paper and assigned names, the creator of these characters are then labeled…writers! Lori believes her novels will especially resonate with people in “fly-over” country. Lori grew up and spent most of her life in the small town of Wayland, Michigan. She now lives in Grand Rapid, Michigan, with her ball-obsessed German shepherd, Maddy, a three footed cat named Tippy, and the formerly Mr. Starvin’ Marvin the marvelous kitty.

Reviews

[Randy]

I have known Lori Lapekes for 20+ years. We dated back in the late 80's - start of the 90's. I know she has been writing a multitude of different drafts and they were all very good. Falling Stars (Now "as longas the grass shall grow) Mystery of Skull Mansion, The Old Silo, and now "For a Short time" I will admit, being a guy, i'm not much into "romances" but Lori's book is so very down to earth, with relatable quirky characters, who are probably excerpts of people we've all known in our lifetime. Anyone from the midwest will surely relate to this book on many levels.

Lori is a very talented, dynamic writer. I would highly recommend the book to anyone who enjoys reading, and if if you don't, this book will start you on that path to reading more. I hope she publishes many many more.

[Kattie]

This was an interesting quick read that got me though jury duty. The story was interesting, the characters were relatable, but there were a few nuances that stuck with me. I understood the appeal of Keith, but not the duration, especially after seeing other romances Keri had with attractive men. I felt that Jeremy's family had just been glossed over, and since they were not taken from him all at once, that there could have been more explanation and background given to the story there. There were times when Keri was her own psychiatrist, both a good and bad one. Someone of her character, at least initially, wouldn't have judged her actions as she did. I would be interested in other works from this author, since this was a first novel for her and I am interested to see her growth.