Second Chances

Second Chances #1

by Dale Mayer

Go ahead. Take charge of your life. Move forward…if you can…

Changing her future means letting go of her past. Karina heads to a weekend seminar and discovers the speaker is the person she needs to move on from. But she soon realizes bigger issues are facing her…

Brian has moved on, at least he’d believed he had… until he sees Karina in his audience…and realizes he’s been lying to himself.

Passion pulls them together, love binds them together, but a revengeful enemy determines to keep the two apart…and destroy them both.

Genres: Romance, Suspense, Romantic Suspense, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Ebooks

503 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 16, 2013

About the author

Dale Mayer is a USA Today bestselling author best known for her Psychic Visions and Family Blood Ties series. Her contemporary romances are raw and full of passion and emotion (Second Chances, SKIN), her thrillers will keep you guessing (By Death series), and her romantic comedies will keep you giggling (It's a Dog's Life and Charmin Marvin Romantic Comedy series).

She honors the stories that come to her - and some of them are crazy and break all the rules and cross multiple genres!

To go with her fiction, she also writes nonfiction in many different fields with books available on resume writing, companion gardening and the US mortgage system. She has recently published her Career Essentials Series. All her books are available in print and ebook format.

To find out more about Dale and her books, visit her at http://www.dalemayer.com. Or connect with her online with Twitter at www.twitter.com/dalemayer and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/dalemayer.author. If you like Dale Mayer's books and are interested in joining her street team, sign up here - https://www.facebook.com/groups/40238...

Books by Dale Mayer

Psychic Vision Series
Tuesday's Child
Hide'n Go Seek
Maddy's Floor
Garden of Sorrow
Knock, Knock...
Rare Find
Eyes to the Soul - fall/winter 2014

By Death Series
Touched by Death - Part 1 - Free
Touched by Death - Part 2
Touched by Death - Full book
Haunted by Death
Chilled by Death - fall/winter 2014

Second Chances...at Love Series
Second Chances - Part 1
Second Chances - Part 2
Second Chances - Full book

Novellas
It's a Dog's Life- romantic comedy

Charmin Marvin Romantic Comedy
Broken Protocols #1
Broken Protocols #2
Broken Protocols #3

New adult/adul crossover Books
In Cassie's Corner
Gem Stone (a Gemma Stone mystery)

Design Series
Dangerous Designs
Deadly Designs
Darkest Designs

Family Blood Ties Series
Vampire in Denial
Vampire in Distress
Vampire in Design
Vampire in Deceit
Vampire in Defiance

Non-Fiction Books
Career Essentials: The Resume
Career Essentials: The Cover Letter
Career Essentials: The Interview
Career Essentials: 3 in 1

Reviews

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

There were parts of this book that I liked a lot. Unfortunately, knowing who the bad guy was from the get go made the tension stutter a bit. That said, there were parts that were chilling just because you could see the bad guy unraveling a piece at a time. Huh. Maybe I take back my earlier statement. The bad guy meltdown is a different type of tension but it's tension all the same.

So. Karina and Brian. Karina. And Brian. I was seriously impressed that Karina was able to let go of her anger over what Brian had done years earlier. See, I have this vengeful streak and I still hold grudges from a couple of lifetimes ago (WHAT'S THAT? YOU WERE A VIKING IN A FORMER LIFE? VIKINGS PILLAGED MY VILLAGE AND I MUST DESTROY YOU THROUGH THE AGES! ALSO, VALHALLA IS TOTALLY GOING TO BE OUT OF REACH ONCE I'M THROUGH WITH YOU, VILE CREATURE!) (thoughts like these are why I'm not allowed to watch Viking movies on the SyFy channel anymore) (seriously) so her willingness to set aside her pain and explore their budding relationship was intriguing to me.

Brian was... very sensitive to her feelings. Which, given his chosen occupation, makes sense. However, it seemed like he brushed aside Karina's rather valid fears about stalker guy on more than one occasion. Not cool, Brian.

Hot sex, big emotions, and a guy with a sharp, pointy thing. ALL THESE THINGS ARE GOOD.

To recap: Creepy bad guy is creepy, I will destroy you if you were a Viking in a former life, and this book entertained me.

-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal

[Christa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unbound was my first experience with a book by Dale Mayer. I liked the main character, Karina, and I thought there were quite a few good secondary characters such as Mark, Susan, and Sandra.

Karina has lost her job and attends a motivational seminar to help her decide how she can change her life for the better. The seminar is given by a man, Brian, with whom she shared a night right after college that ended in a broken heart for her. The seminar ends up being life changing for Karina, and as she moves ahead with new plans for her future, she makes new friends and begins a relationship with Brian. Their already complex situation is further complicated by a man who blames both Brian and Karina for the problems in his life. Karin and Brian must decide whether they have a future together while being pursued by a dangerous man.

Although I enjoyed most of the characters and liked the premise of the book, parts of it moved slow for me. I received this ARC through Netgalley.

[Joan · Rating 1 out of 5]

I read the first 6 chapters of this book which came in an 11-book bundle of "romances." I hardly know how to review this. It seemed to be written fairly skillfully, speaking of structure and editing; but it just failed to come across as remotely relatable. I can't recall ever reading anything while being so extremely aware of writing techniques. I just felt manipulated. The internal dialogue of the characters, the dialogue, the descriptions and narration - everything seemed so false and overdone. The wording was chosen to influence reader perception and create mood. That's true of all writing, of course, but somehow, in this book it was offputting to me. I just got tired of it and went on to the next book in the bundle.

[Sorcha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Changing her future means letting go of her past. Karina heads to a weekend seminar and discovers the speaker is the person she needs to move on from. But she soon realizes bigger issues are facing her...
Brian has moved on, at least he'd believed he had… until he sees Karina in his audience…and realizes he's been lying to himself.
Passion pulls them together, love binds them together, but a revengeful enemy determines to keep the two apart…and destroy them both

After a one night stand at the end of college, that ended badly when Brian walked out the following morning, Karina has spent the next 10 years hurting.

Since panicking and leaving, Brian has become a successful life coach and has got married, had a child, and got divorced. Karina attends one of his weekend sessions, to put the past behind her. Little does either of them realise, the chemistry is still strong and hasnt diminished like Karina had hoped.

Their relationship takes a step forward, but only for it to be jeopardised by Ian, a man from their combined past, who blames Brian for his current issues, and who extends his harassment to include Karina. The rest of the book covers Karina and Brian working out their relationship, whilst being threatened by Ian. The last third of the book does pick up when the harassment comes to ahead, and both Brian and Karina are left physically and emotionally damaged.

There are several sex scenes, which are "sexy" enough - whilst not the most explicit I've read, are a little raunchier than some people would like to read, so best to avoid if you dont like this kind of scene. They dont get into bed with each other immediately, even when Karina is living in Brian's house and it's so clear to everyone around them that they are so in lust with each other. Karina is still hurting from him walking out on her 10 years previously, and Brian is still confused about his feelings and a little scared of commitment to Karina specifically (he also feels guilty for having walked out).

This book does not have the feeling of a Mills and Boon romance novel (of which I have read many, and intend to read more) and does not follow the rigid M&B guidelines. It therefore flows differently to a M&B and I'm not sure whether this is a good or a bad thing.

For a book that is so character driven, some of the supporting characters are not fleshed out as much as they could be - for example, Mark, as Brian's best friend, is there at the important times, but is noticeably off scene for much of the book. There is a brief reference to his brother having an accident but it's not mentioned again, and Mark always seems to be available (and well presented) whenever Brian needs him. There is no further reference to the brother at all. Brian seems to have a reasonable relationship with Marly, his ex wife, to the point that he rings her up at difficult emotional points and she willingly gives reasonable advice. There is no reference to how they have managed to survive their divorce so well (and why they split up in the first place), and there is little to no discussion about what Karina feels about the spectre of the ex-wife - though she seems to get on fine with the daughter.

So I'm in two minds about this book - it was an enjoyable and easy book to read and a good premise decently executed. However in writing this review, I've realised there are as many things "not quite there" as there are decent points, therefore cant give it as high a star count as I would otherwise. (this is actually a 3.5 star review)

However, I am already looking at other books by this author in order to read her other works.

[Jeannie Zelos · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unbound. Dale Mayer.

ARC supplied by Netgalley.

I've read and really enjoyed some of Dale's paranormal novels, and thought I'd see how the transition to a non paranormal work went. I hadn't read the excerpt about it being a new genre for Dale but its very accurate as when I was reading this book I felt unsure whether it was a romance with thriller elements or a thriller with romantic elements. I felt it didn't really work that well for me, as I'd have preferred a slant more to one way or the other. With it being so clearly balanced between two genres I was waiting for the romance to start, but it seemed very, very slow burn and even when Karina and Brian did get together there didn't seem any passion between them, just a steady burn romance. Maybe I've been reading too much romance and the slow steady stuff just isn't for me? Then there's the Thriller element. I felt either the police were spectacularly inept, or Ian had become very professional very quickly as he didn't seem to have any previous history in the criminal world...

Anyway that's my crits – now for what I did like. As ever Dale's characters are really well rounded and feel genuine. I loved the way Karina had such passion with Brian when they were at uni – its a shame IMO that Brian became so ...uptight? Staid? I guess his experiences had led him to that but I'd have loved it if his feelings for Karina were let loose a little more. Still, life changes us all doesn't it and clearly Dale saw Brian's life experience making him this way. Karina – that memory of the night with Brian had shaped so much of her life too – and obviously when meeting him again she still felt the same towards him. I felt for her so much, she seemed to be putting in so much work into their relationship, where Brain was so slow and cautious. I'm glad she persevered. Then there's her friends – a great group of people and a huge support when she needed them. Ian – what can I say about him? He seemed to have a screw lose from the start, and I enjoyed the way Dale shows us just how much psychological damage a breakup can do. The only fault I have with the thriller element was as I said – Ian going from a seeming normal law abiding man to a very clever manipulator. I found that hard to believe, and would have enjoyed the thriller element more if I didn't keep thinking “ how did he know how to...” given that we haven't been told of any previous history in that field. I just feel the police would have walked all over someone inexperienced, and of course the novel needed him to fool everyone. Apart from that the thriller element balanced really well for me, with a slow build of tension working up to a life threatening finale. I did enjoy the psychological element – I like novels that look into the “whys” of people behaviours and what influences them.

Editing and quality of writing is spot on, and priced at £3.38 for 234 pages is around average for value.
Stars: I'm still mixed over how I feel about this novel – I enjoyed lots of it and yet my caveats over the parts I've mentioned overshadows some of that. Its better than a three star and yet doesn't quite make it as a four for me. So its a three and half. Of course what I don't like others may and perhaps if you want a thriller without in-your-face, passionate sex, then this is for you :) We all love different things in books thankfully.

[Amy R · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was surprised with this book. It started out pretty tame, not much action or suspense happening (I was expecting action since I knew it was a romantic suspense), just the build-up of relationships. I got a little frustrated with the hero, Brian, during this time. He was nice, but wasn't really going after Karina like he wanted her. Luckily, about the time I was REALLY frustrated with him and wondering if he was going to be like this through the whole story, Brian's friend Mark stepped in and said to him exactly what I was thinking. Boy am I glad he did. Things really started to take off after that.

Karina impressed me. After her first encounter with Brian at the beginning of the book my heart broke for her. I couldn't believe he did what he did! Karina attended one of his conferences and it showed real strength to face him after so many years and such heartbreak. Karina not only made a great impression on Brian but she also made some great friends who helped her change her life. Karina really went after her dreams which is why I admired her so much. She became more confident and bold with her feelings too, which served her well in her relationship with Brian. I love reading about stories like this. They are so motivating!

Karina and Brian were in a good place in their lives and riding the high of getting reacquainted with one another when an enemy from their past surfaces and is determined to punish them for his own unhappiness. Enter the suspense part of the book. Dale is good at writing creepy guys that even while knowing it is just a book, you can't help but look over your shoulder or scout out the cars around the parking lot.

Dale did a great job of keeping my interest in Unbound with a good balance of romance and suspense. There were twists, turns, ups and downs. Just when I thought the book was coming to an end something else happened that caused me to gasp. The ending of the book was absolutely perfect. It tied up everything left that needed to be said and gave me that warm and happy feeling that we all love in a romance book. If you are looking for a romantic suspense book with passion and a strong, motivating heroine, I recommend you try Unbound!

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Second Chances by Dale Mayer
Second Chances...at Love Series Book One
Karina has loved Brian for a long time. When he breaks up with his longtime girlfriend, she sees her last chance to get near him before they leave the university and go on with their lives. The night starts out like she hopes but ends with him leaving...without so much as a farewell wave.

Brian Saunders regrets something he did ten years ago. One night with Karina had him so shaken that he left her. And now ten years later he is a well known motivational speaker and of all the women in the world to be sitting in his audience is Karina. As beautiful as ever. Could there possibly be any hope for a second chance?

Ten years ago there was a third person in Karina and Brian's life, only they didn't realize it. As that person's life falls apart a decade later, the blame gets laid at their feet. Can these two have a second chance when the dark shadow of the past is closing in on them?
**Sexual content and language
http://justjudysjumbles.blogspot.com/...

Merged review:

Second Chances by Dale Mayer
Second Chances...at Love Series Book One
Karina has loved Brian for a long time. When he breaks up with his longtime girlfriend, she sees her last chance to get near him before they leave the university and go on with their lives. The night starts out like she hopes but ends with him leaving...without so much as a farewell wave.

Brian Saunders regrets something he did ten years ago. One night with Karina had him so shaken that he left her. And now ten years later he is a well known motivational speaker and of all the women in the world to be sitting in his audience is Karina. As beautiful as ever. Could there possibly be any hope for a second chance?

Ten years ago there was a third person in Karina and Brian's life, only they didn't realize it. As that person's life falls apart a decade later, the blame gets laid at their feet. Can these two have a second chance when the dark shadow of the past is closing in on them?
**Sexual content and language
http://justjudysjumbles.blogspot.com/...

[VEL · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC received from NetGalley for an honest review.

This was my first book by ths author. I'm at two minds with my review in this book, there are so many elements that I really liked and the flip side where I didn't like much.

I loved the two main characters, Karina a greatly well balanced individual. She has secretly been in love for two years, with Brian, since her University days. They have a one night stand, where Karina believes this is the start of her future, only to find Brian had left with no further contact. The story begins after ten years when they both meet again at a seminar held by Brian. The chemistry between Karina and Brian was spot on. I would have liked a bit more alpha male coming through from Brian, just to give this book that little bit of edge. There are parts where they are together, the chemistry is building, but the scene would fall just that little bit short, just needed that bit where you feel that ....ahhhh from Brian for being that little bit alpha male sweetness! Also, the introduction of their career paths some how didn't come across as convincing, not quiet fitting in with the story line. There is also the element of a crime suspense, but again I needed abit more insight from this character, Ian. He seems to suddenly appear as the evil person but we don't get to really understand his behaviour or thought processes or his back ground history.

Overall I really did enjoy this romantic thriller, there are plenty of bits that grip you and small parts that just needed tweaking. Hence a 4* star from me.

[Crystal Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was unsure of how Dale was going to be able to write a second chance romance with the suspense aspect thrown in there. Combining both of those genres could either be done in an amazing way or to where the story just doesn’t make any sense.

At first when I was reading this, I was pretty sure that it wasn’t going to work out. But I will be the first to admit when I am wrong. With the way that Dale was able to combine both genres it was amazing to read! There was just the right amount of the suspense to where you get sucked into the romance part, and the suspense will pop back in, so that you don’t forget about it completely.

There was many parts of this book were I was on the edge of my seat waiting to see what happened next, and other parts where I couldn’t stop laughing at what was said.

“Let me get this straight. You want me to write him a note giving him permission to resume your sex life?”

There were also parts where it seemed as though it seemed to drag on a little bit, with the details that were shared. Some aspects of the book did come off as boring as well. But there was enough balance in the whole story that you just wanted to find out what was going to happen to everyone.

The character’s themselves were well written. You could tell the different types of personalities that were going on between everyone. It also showed the way that all of them cared about each other.
I personally can’t wait to read more from this author and I will be sure to recommend this book to my friends!

[Kiezha · Rating 3 out of 5]

An ARC was provided to me by Netgalley.

This was my first Dale Mayer novel, and from a look at the other novels, it's a new genre for the author, romantic suspense. I'm not sure the transition has quite been made.

The suspense portion of the novel is lacking--you know from the beginning who the villain is, so the suspense is actually pretty minimal. And, while maybe I've been reading too many romance novels, the romance side of things was almost peripheral, painted with very broad strokes & certainly not what I would classify as "sexy romantic suspense". The devils is in the details when it comes to believable sex scenes and the author comes up a little short, in my opinion.

I never really did understand the connection of the title to the story...there's certainly no "Fifty Shades" kind of action here.

The end is very witty & sweet, a nice HEA with an epilogue following. The copywriting seems professional with little to no typos. This is a polished novel, just lacking heat between the characters and intrigue on the mystery side.

[Jeanie Jackson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Edgy stalker tale with a wonderful romance. Karina and her friends have just been laid of so she decide to attend a highly recommended seminar even though she has a little history with the man who created the program and is taking the motivational circuit by storm. It doesn't take long for him to notice her and through the session their relationship warms up, but that isn't all Karina gets from the session. It turns our that Brian reputation as a life evaluation coach is well earned and she uses the time as a springboard for a new business.

Unfortunately for them, there is someone else interested in them and not in a good way!.

Totally loved it! I read this book in the collection, Romance Superbundle 2: Second Chances.

[Black Butterfly · Rating 3 out of 5]

VERY ANGSTY READ, MAIN CHARACTERS WERE BACK-N-FORTH SO MUCH I WANTED TO SHAKE THEM. ESPECIALLY BEING STALKKED BY A REALLY CRAZY, CREEPY, METHODICAL IN HIS PLOT FOR REVENGE ON BOTH OF THEM. KARINA SPENT A LOT OF TIME DRINKING LARGE AMOUNTS OF COFFEE, I WONDERED HOW SHE COULD EVEN FUNCTION IN SUCH A CAFFEINE FILLED STATE. I ENJOYED THE BOOK EVEN THOUGH IT WAS SORTA SLOW GOING. ONE THING I JUST COULDN'T UNDERSTAND WITH ALL THEY WERE GOING THROUGH, WHY DIDN'T ANYONE THINK TO HAVE CAMERAS AND SECURITY INSTALLED. I'M JUST SAYIN'! ;]

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good read. I wasn't immediately caught up in the story line though. As the story progressed I enjoyed the book more. There was enough suspense to keep me interested too. When I think of how to evaluate the book I'm a bit torn. Overall it was a good story, although I did not like the ending (too abrupt) and I had a bit of trouble understanding the struggle between the main characters' relationship. But, really I did want to keep reading and liked the time spent.

[Wendy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unbound is my first novel by Dale Mayer.
A one night stand with Brian, the man she has been in love with for two years, has left Karina heartbroken. Ten years later they meet again at a seminar held by Brian and the spark, once again, ignites. They struggle to not only build a relationship but also to deal with an infuriated man, from their past, who blames Brian's seminars for his wife ending their marriage.
Unbound, a romance, is a quick read with a touch of suspense.

[Jeannine Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a sweet love story. It was an easy read compared to some books that I've read but I felt like it needed a little bit of work with the writing at times, the conversations seemed uncomfortable, stiff and awkward. But overall I enjoyed it.

[Michelle Baldwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it .... I love the way dale writes it's a pleasure to read .....her books are great value and never let me down I always know I'm not going to sleep till I've finished them because I can't put them down lol.... Hope there's more come in this series

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books I've read in awhile. The first pet left me hanging so much I went and bought the second book, which I rarely do. I just fell in love with the characters and wanted them to find happiness.

[Amanda Muller · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good suspenseful read! How everything came together in the end for Brian and Karina was great.

[Shelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am amazed at the variety of Dale's writing. Loved everyone so far!

[Kelly]

Hearts on Fire

[Amanda Astbury · Rating 1 out of 5]

Disappointing, no where near as fabulous as The Psychic vision series

[Juliana Botha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!!!!

[Jenny]

Good suspense with a dose of romance. Some cussing, but not overly gratuitous.

[Virginia · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Rajni Vashist]

Karina and Brian, Romance, passion, suspense, chilling, hot hit,let go off past, past is past Enjoying and Entertaining.