Momentary Lapse Reviews and Awards
Here's what reviewers have to say about Momentary Lapse:

(Jamie Martin)
gave Momentary Lapse 3 1/2 hearts out of five...

Coffee Time Romance (Cheryl Rovang) gave Momentary Lapse 4 coffee cups out of five ...

Every ordinary day has an extra ordinary moment in it. Routine, mundane, tasks take on a new life when they are thrown into a different world. Having your child taken away and then kidnapped was not how Lydia Pisani would have envisioned her day.

Lydia Pisani is just another mother doing for her children as best she can, since her husband died the previous year. Her mother helps out when she is able, but not often enough. When Lydia sees her seven-year old child sleeping peacefully on the couch after her tonsillectomy, she makes a decision to leave her there while she goes to the day care to pick up her younger son. This momentary lapse of judgment changes her life and the lives of her children forever.

Ms. Larsen weaves a story of a mother’s love against the cold, impassionate court system, and self-righteous people. This story was gripping. It held me long after I closed the book on the last page.   We all know someone who has gone through ‘the system’ and not come out the better for it. This book explores the dynamics of relationships and emotions. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good dramatic read.

Momentary Lapse's first "professional" review -- by A Romance Review website --        
(Translation:  4 1/2 roses out of a possible 5!!)

Lydia Pisani joins the ranks of single mom when her husband suddenly dies. She balances working full-time, managing a sullen seven-year-old, and a very active three-year-old, as well as can be expected.

However, on the day that her daughter Angela has her tonsils removed, Lydia makes a sudden decision that will change their lives forever. They return home after surgery for what Lydia hopes will be a relaxing, girls-only afternoon while her son Markie is at daycare. Angela, still suffering from the after effects of surgery, falls into a deep sleep on the couch. Lydia decides that it would be a shame to wake her daughter for the short time it will take to bring Markie home.

When she returns home half an hour later, it is to see her daughter being put into an ambulance. How could one small choice have caused some major consequences? In the following chapters, you’ll follow Lydia as she fights the social services department to prove that she really isn’t a negligent mom. She’ll also have to deal with her overbearing in-laws who think they know what is best for Lydia and her children.

I was expecting a quick read when I picked up this book. However, I wasn’t holding out hope for a best-seller. I was very surprised when I found it almost difficult to put the book down to do necessary things. As a mother myself, it was so easy to relate to what Lydia was going through. I often found myself thinking, how many choices do I make a day that could possibly be a momentary lapse in judgment. I’ll be sure to keep my eyes open for Larsen’s previous book Whispers Of The Heart.

Momentary Lapse was featured in fellow author Jewel Stone's July newsletter to her fans, so check it out here!

Momentary Lapse is featured in the June issue of Romantic Times Book Club magazine-- page 7! 

And here's what my readers had to say:

I stayed up until 2:15 last night to finish!  Great book! 

Great characters!  I was so mad at Lenore Pasini.  I could totally relate to Lydia's apprehension each time she faced her because that's EXACTLY how my mother-in-law behaves; intrusive, caddy, judgmental, and crosses the line when speaking to her grandchildren about her daughters-in-law.  I also grew irritated with Angela's manipulating behavior.  I feared how it would affect the outcome since they were "in the system".  I liked that, as a reader, I was in her head throughout the book.  I liked the inner-battle that Lydia had w/ the "childish" thoughts, jealousy of the social worker, and such.  I don't know about you, but I can sometimes relate to having thoughts, when dealing with my children, that make me think, "how childish am I being?"  I loved that she struggled with certain conversations with Angela.  It reminds me of the way I can pinpoint the the exact moment when my child stops listening...eyes kind of glaze over and she focuses on something behind me!  Or, when I can see that I'm just not getting anywhere, and have to forfeit. 

I thought you made good use of descriptors.  I was able to visualize Brookhaven, the schools, shelter care, Lydia's walk, Pamela's office, etc. 

I give Momentary Lapse TWO THUMBS UP!
 - Erica, Illinois

I loved your new book.  The other one was good but this was great!  I couldn't put it down.  Anyway, I just wanted you to know how much I liked it.  Keep up the good work!!  P.S.  I identify with all the Pennsylvania landmarks...know them all.
-- Georgean F, Bloomington, IL

I read Momentary Lapse in 3 days!   You can really turn a phrase.  There were several phrases in particular that really touched me, the way you worded them.  I meant to write them down so I could specifically recite them to you.  I'll have to go back and find them and respond on your website.  They're phrases that conjured up vivid, colorful images in just a few words.
-- Kim O, Bloomington, IL

Last month I read the book MOMENTARY LAPSE by Laurie Larsen.  It was written in the first person.  This one grabbed my attention from the first page and lasted to the end.  Laurie really did a good job.  The story is very emotional and a very good plot.  It is about a single mother with two kids.  She was trying her best to be all for her kids, and do all the right things.  She was/is a good mother.  Mother made a wrong solution for her dilemma, which raised a lot of questions.  I was asking myself what would I do in her place, and how quick is everybody to judge!  If you have small children I think you should read it, yes it is written in the first person but it is not confusing like some other books I have read. I don't think you will be disappointed.
                            -- Ivka V, Mays Landing, NJ -- reader review posted on Romance Junkies website
 

I'm thoroughly enjoying the book.  You have a real style that is fast becoming all your own.
-- Jim T, Winter Park, FL
 

I just finished your book Momentary Lapse.   As the mother of an angry child, your book really hit home.  I really enjoyed it.  Best of luck in the future.
--- Robin L, Concordville, PA

I just finished the book last night, and it was GREAT!!! :)  It was really good.  I kept wanting to shake (or slap) Lydia, and tell her to get a backbone!!!  But then, in the end, everything turned out great!  I can't wait for your next book to get published.
--- Shawn S., Bloomington, IL

This is quite different from your first book.  I like it!!  You got my attention right away and I had to finish reading it. I look forward to your next book.
--- Gail K, Winter Park, CO

I bought your book last week and finished it on the airplane and loved it!  Next I'm going to check out your website.  I love cops in romance books.  I really enjoyed it.
-- Jody L, Charlottesville, VA

I read Momentary Lapse in two days and didn't want it to end. It is a fast read and it moves along so well. Fantastic job, Laurie. The research that you did seems to be right on target. The whole concept of the book is intriguing.  Congratulations.
                                                      -- Carol P, Bloomington, IL

Your book is an excellent read!  I really had a hard time putting it down so I could do a few constructive things around here.  Excellent story, and I do enjoy happy endings.
                                                          -- Joyce P., Bloomington, IL                                                         

I just finished your 2nd book, Momentary Lapse.  Wow, what a great story!  I didn't want it to end.  Thank you so much for autographing it for me.
                                                            -- Jackie B, from Wisconsin Rapids, WI

I finished reading your book, Momentary Lapse, and I absolutely loved it.  I couldn't put it down!
                                                           -- Marci T, Concordville, PA

Laurie, I loved your book!  I took it to my daughter, Mary, last week-end.  She was so happy to get it as she liked the first one so much!         -- Betsy L, Bloomington, IL

I LOVED it.  I read it in two days.  At least 3/4 the first day.  My eyes were getting crossed I was so tired, so I had to finish it the next day.  I loved all the twists and turns.  It was neat to picture the areas, like Melvin Drive, etc.  You really did a lot of research for this book.  I liked the way you went back and forth with the characters' thoughts, such as what Angela was feeling, etc.
                                                            -- Jean L, Brookhaven, PA  (the town the book is set in...)