The Second Chance Boutique

"Utterly charming and sigh-worthy."—Josie Silver, #1 New York Times bestselling author of One Day in December A heartwarming story about the power of the perfect dress—and the perfect love—to change your life. Francesca Delaney has a knack for matching a bride-to-be with the wedding dress of her dreams. Her shop, The Whispering Dress, is no ordinary bridal boutique. Every gown is vintage, and the wedding dresses seem to share their stories with Francesca, pointing to which woman needs them next. Fran credits her success to two rules: never covet a dress and never sell a dress that led to a doomed marriage. But then she finds a beautiful 1950s couture floor-length gown, and her obsession threatens win out. The owner, however, would quite like the dark past of the dress to remain hidden forever... The Second Chance Boutique is a beach read perfect for fans of Danielle Steel and Josie Silver, promising that the romance of a wedding day can provide a second chance stronger than any dark past.

This book examines the iconic presence of second chances in everyday life. David Newman explores its various iterations in popular culture, commercial marketplaces, religion, intimate relationships, education, criminal justice, and human bodies. He analyzes how this concept—as a cultural aspiration, driver of policy, and lived personal experience—has become part and parcel of our individual sense of self and our collective national identity. While the rhetoric of redemption is familiar and ubiquitous, Newman uncovers the costs and constraints of second chances, paying particular attention to the factors that affect judgments of deservedness. Informed by an array of data sources including personal interviews, mission statements of nonprofit recovery agencies, images in popular culture, stories from the news, plot summaries of novels, and scriptural texts, Newman frames the second chance experience as the quintessential cultural paradox: a concept that simultaneously represents the pinnacle of our shared hopes for renewal and our deepest suspicions about the intransigence of human nature.

Named by Reader's Digest as one of the Best Romances of ALL TIME A charming story of a wayward family heirloom, second chances, and true love. A perfect, feel-good summer read! Jess has always loved taking chances, but after a terrible accident, she's ready for a quieter life. No more unsuitable boyfriends or unsafe adventures. More time with Tim, her dependable boyfriend who seldom surprises her. More time with family, like her ailing grandmother, Nancy, who wants Jess to bring home the lost vintage necklace that has been in their family for generations. The delicate moonstone pendant features a flutttering butterfly, and some say it has a history of leading its wearer to her soul mate. Jess isn't sure about that, but the necklace belongs to the Taylor women, and she's determined to bring it home. All Jess has to do is bid on it at a local auction. But when a rival bidder outplays her and sweeps the necklace off the table, Jess finds herself face-to-face with a charming straanger who has his own reasons for wanting the necklace. He might be willing to part with it, if Jess will have dinner with him... Desperate to bring back the necklace before her grandmother's health gets worse, Jess has no choice, even if her boyfriend objects. She has to bring the necklace home, no matter what it does to her own happily ever after...

Their first love might be their last. But only if they don’t ruin it. Again… The last thing Cole Blackwell wanted was excitement. After sixteen years in the military, all he needed was peace, quiet, and a fresh start. A run-in with a teenage thief was not on his agenda. Neither was a reunion with the woman who broke his heart. But fate apparently had other plans for him… Analise Taylor learned the hard way that happily ever after endings aren’t for everyone. Not that she has time for romance, anyway. Being the single mom of a troubled teen is already more than she can handle. But all it takes is a chance encounter with Cole to make her question everything… When a plan to help Analise’s son leads to a date, Cole and Analise discover the spark they once had burns brighter than ever. But when all is said and done, is their bond strong enough to keep them together? Or is their second chance at love as doomed as their first? Second Chance Wedding, book 2 in the Blackwell Brothers series, is an angsty, emotional, contemporary romance featuring flawed but lovable characters dealing with real-life issues and a guaranteed HEA. Download today and get ready to escape to this sweet small town with Cole and Analise.

When it rains, it pours—or so it seems in and around the small town of Dalton, Iowa. Sometimes, destruction accompanies the rain. The same can be said of passion. In Lisa Smelter's latest book, A Second Chance for Happiness, readers are treated to not one, but three, love stories. That is indeed a downpour of high interest, affection, and heartbreak. Carlos Santos, one of Lisa's favorite characters, makes a surprising return. He plays a key role in the lives of Dalton's residents; one in particular is the widowed Jenny. Meanwhile, the formerly engaged Shaun and Trish can't seem to solve their dilemma. However, a storm tosses them together, and they get a second chance for happiness. Will they take it? The good neighbors of Dalton need a scorecard to keep track of the possible marriages in town. Will a high school infatuation evolve into the perfect romance for a beautiful shy woman with a slight imperfection and a humble hunk of a man whose loyalty may cost him the love of a lifetime? Mary and James will take readers along their journey to discover the answer. This is the Iowa connection to those memorable characters in Lisa Smelter's highly popular Love in Litton series.