Second Chances

by Valerie Maarten

Kadi Crowe has spent her entire life believing in her father's innocence, even after he's served his 20 year sentence. But when another young girl is discovered brutally murdered shortly after his release, her father is the prime suspect. She knows he's innocent, but can she prove it?

Dain McKnight waited for the day when he could finally wield his own brand of justice on the man who was convicted of murdering his sister, 20 years ealier. It will be the only justice befitting a cold-blooded killer.

Then a chance meeting with Kadi slowly begins to sow the seeds of doubt in his mind. But, is Dain's growing feelings for Kadi stronger than his hatred for her father? Or will his disdain deny any of them the hope of second chances?

Genres: Contemporary Romance, Romance, Fiction, Drama, Contemporary

235 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 5, 2010

About the author

Let me introduce myself...

I have been writing ever since I discovered that letters made sounds and a combination of letters made words. It wasn't until recently that I decided to share my work with the public at large.

The only thing I love more than writing, besides the obvious (God, family, life and country), is reading. As you will soon learn, I have an eclectic taste in what I read and what I write. There isn't a romance genre that I will pass up. I've recently began reading suspense and paranormal romance and have dabbled in the vampire series.

But one day, I'm going to reach in my storage bin or previously unpublished work and dust off that masterpiece I've been working on.

Until then...

Reviews

[T. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! Second Chances was a very moving book! Ms. Maarten wrote the characters brilliantly. She wrote scenes so well that I went through quite a bit of tissues reading on my lunch breaks at work. The events that occurred in her story, if they were real (non-fiction) world are shocking and horrible. They are still those things but I continued on because I felt for both Kadi our heroine and Dain our hero. Most of the secondary characters were good, I felt for them too, but not as strongly as for Kadi and Dain. I had to re-read the last few chapters because by that point in the story I was terrified of the villain, Bobby, and I was afraid Ms. Maarten would have him do something to our girl Kadi so I skimmed. Yes, I'm a wuss. She wrote Bobby so well, I was sitting at lunch with my arms around myself only letting go to turn the page on my Kindle. Sigh. When I got to the end without bloodshed, I went home and re-read the end so I could write this review. It was a very good book. I enjoyed weeping over it, being terrified by parts of it, and loving Dain, Kadi’s knight. I do recommend this.

[Lia Fairchild · Rating 5 out of 5]

Second Chances is a captivating story about two people whose lives were torn apart by tragedy and what happens when the two are brought together by fate. Kadi Crowe grew up in horrible foster homes when her dad was sent to prison for the murder of Dain’s sister. Dain spent his life harboring resentment and planning revenge on Kadi’s father. Can these two overcome an impossible situation and find happiness? Read the book and find out, because you won’t be disappointed. The author writes beautifully. She does a wonderful job of portraying emotion as well as developing likeable characters that you will instantly connect with. Second Chances is the second novel by Valerie Maarten. She also wrote Gift of Joy which I now plan on picking up.

[Shanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one I can honestly say I loved!! I fully intend to find the rest of Ms. Maarten's work!! The characters were unforgetable, the storyline kept you guessing yet so informed, the range of emotions are so powerful, and once I started it I couldn't stop!! This book will be in my library for many years to come and it will be one of those that I'll re-read many times over! The phrase "Everyone deserves a second chance" takes on a whole meaning

[Melissa Herman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent Read!!

[Nicky · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought this book would have been more about revenge from the blurb but there is virtually no revenge aspect.. Kind of a bummer if your in the mood for a revenge story. (like I was) The story started out and I had a little bit of a problem liking the heroine. Again in the blurb it says that she has spent 20 years believing in her father's innocence. But she hasn't. I felt so sorry for her father (and I'm hoping maybe there could be a little romance in his future :) Maybe with the H's mom) Onto the suspense part of the story. The real killer was SUPER obvious and not one person had an inkling?! The heroine is one of those TSTL types where she Confronts the known serial killer. She knows what he is capable of but yet she goes to his workplace ALONE where there are no other customers to confront him. Saying that she knows he is a killer and what he's done. Threats ensue and then she is on the run. Stupidly. You were just threatened by a serial killer so it's a very smart thing to jump to conclusions and jump out of a window. Then walk around town. Also she jumped to so many conclusions regarding the Hero, I don't know where she came up with them. I literally talked to the Kindle at one point.

The storyline flowed fairly well until later on in the story where things were mentioned and then dealt with behind the scenes. That didn't really work Especially for the real serial killer's arrest. How did it go down? What exactly happened since the last time his POV happened? Just alot of things left undone or in this case dealt with behind the scenes and it didn't work for me.

[Sibel Hodge · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sincer her father was convicted of murdering twenty years ago, Kadi Crowe has had a hard existence. She hasn't dared herself to feel emotion or love in the environment that she was thrust into through no fault of her own. When her father is released from prison, and another similar murder takes place, she sets about trying to prove his innocence.

Dain McNight has been festering with revenge ever since Kadi's father was convicted of his sister's murder. His only life centres around his work, with no time for personal relationships. Now that he's been released, he want's to give out his own death penalty! But when he meets Kadi on her crusade, he doesn't plan on his feelings for her. Now both of them have a second chance in life...

This was well-written and full of suspense. I felt myself rooting for both Kadi and Dain, who were damaged by uncontrollable events in their lives. The idea of having a second chance is something that we should all believe in!

[McKenna · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an emotional read. If readers are looking for a heavier book this is one for them. Father of heroine has spent 20 years in jail for a crime he didn't do. Now his daughter whose life truly sucked comes back and wants to get to know him again but there are so many layers to get through first.

Parts of the books I found unbelievable, but there were times where I felt sucker-punched. The author really brought out some raw emotions on this one. Pet Peeve: The Cover makes this book seem like its a lighthearted romp on the beach. It is not. That doesn't mean I liked the book any less just a warning as we all should never judge a book by it's cover.

Will I read more from this author. Definitely!

[Hyacinth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of those "don't put it down until it's over books". Little Kadi's life was tragically altered when her babysitter Hanna was killed and her father accused. Marteen's skillful portrayal of what happens to Kadi well make your heart bleed for her, then clap as she makes strides to conquer her fears and live life, a life she didn't think she was entitled to have. In walks Dain and then it gets popping! It's been a while since I've read a happily ever after story. It was refreshing.

[Jo Notary]

SOMETIMES WHEN YOU ARE FACED WITH THE REALITIES OF LIFE 26 Kadi Crowe has spent her entire life believing in the innocence of her father, convicted of murder. But could she prove it? ONLY TO BE BURDENED BY THE HARSHNESS AND BITTERNESS OF HATRED 26 Dain McKnight waited for the day to come when he could wield his own brand of justice. The only justice he believed fitting for a cold-blooded killer. MERCIFUL FATE WOULD STEP IN AND OFFER SECOND CHANCES 26

[Sue · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kadi is a young woman whose father was found guilty of murdering her babysitter and unjustly does time for a crime he didn't commit. She sets out to prove his innocence and meets Dain, the brother of the murdered girl. Sparks fly as they try to figure out their relationship - if there could ever be one at all, as Kadi digs to find out who was the real murderer. I enjoyed the beginning and middle better than the end - which seemed kind of rushed. Otherwise would have given it a 4.

[Ey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Second Chances is a very intense yet enjoyable story. Amazing how the lives of so many people can be destroyed by mere chance. Valerie is such a talented author, if you aren't careful you will find yourself so engrossed you will forget the story is fiction. The romance, suspense, and thrill of it all will have you flipping pages faster than you can read. I highly recommend Second Chances.

[Syl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Second book I have read by author. Once you start book you can not put it down. Good plot. Looking forward to more by author.

[Lady Raven RAVE! · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was a good read for me personally like the characters and the plot to the story.If your not sure give the book a try yourself. Also a little different for me.

[Mitzi]

Free Kindle book June 7, 2012.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

this book was a nice story and kept my attention. Maybe I'm a little too picky but it would have been nice if there weren't so many typos!