Forty-year-old Deanie Johnson is a divorcee with two grown children. While having dinner with a friend one night in Seattle she meets a mysterious woman who asks what she would give up for a second chance at love. The next morning she wakes up in Regency England.
Reece Rayborne, Lord Pembroke, has a very unfaithful wife, Abigail. She's made him the laughing stock of London with her cheating ways. And he has a limp from defending her honor in a dual.
When his wife wakes up from accident as a different person he gladly accepts the change. And when Deanie finds herself in Abigail's body she decides to use the chance to show Reece that love can bring happiness instead of pain.
A Second Chance by Julia Templeton is a very interesting story. I enjoyed the way Ms. Templeton approached time-travel, using what I saw as a fairy godmother to transport Deanie back in time. A Second Chance is a very interesting story that will transport the reader away from reality.
Shame on Me by Eve Jameson
Blair Masters is a private investigator. Right now she's working on a case that involves her older brother, Josh. Someone is blackmailing Josh, who is a candidate for the state legislature. Blair is determined to find the culprit.
Zack King is Josh's best friend. Zack is also fresh from a ten-year stint with the Navy SEALS. Josh asks Zack to see if he can find the identity of the blackmailer. Zack is also the man who took Blair's virginity on the night of her senior prom, and then disappeared into the military without a word.
When Blair and Zack run into each other in the course of their investigations sparks fly. Zack wants Blair but she refuses to forgive him for disappearing from her life. And Zack is determined to get back into her life, and her bed.
Shame on Me by Eve Jameson is a spicy tale. The tension between Zack and Blair sparked on the first few pages of the story while they were stuck in a closet and stayed lit until the last page. I thought Ms. Jameson expertly showed Blair's emotions on seeing her first lover again. I also enjoyed the hint of mystery that was mixed into the storyline.
Undiplomatic Relations by Ashley Ladd
Major Kady Elliott is a loyal member of the Federation in the 26th century. When she witnesses the heartless massacre of children by Emperor Lukas she decides to join the rebel forces against him.
The only problem is that the rebels are led by Admiral Shane Trigilio, who left the Federation four years ago, and was Kady's lover.
When Kady goes in search of Shane the two end up crash landing on a moon. Kady tries to tell Shane that she wants to join the rebels but Shane does not trust her. But Kady submitting to his every whim will go a long way toward rebuilding his trust.
I thought Undiplomatic Relations by Ashley Ladd was a fun read. Kady is a very feisty character who fought against her basic instincts to help prove to Shane that he could trust her. And Shane is pretty luscious.
Joyfully Reviewed, Amelia
Deanie is down on men. After her husband left her for a younger woman, she's dedicated herself to taking care of her twenty-something kids and just trying to get by. But a part of her yearns to find love again. Little does she know that a little old woman will lead her to her destiny.in Regency England!
When Lord Pembroke, Reece, discovers his wife has died, he's ecstatic. Finally he can put her philandering ways behind him and try to lead a staid and unemotional life. Unfortunately, his happiness is short lived. Abigail wakes up. but yet, she's not Abigail. She talks and acts different, and, most surprising of all, she seems to care for Reece! What has changed? Will Deanie ever get back to modern day Seattle .will she even want to after experiencing life with Reece?
Julia Templeton fashions a story of redemption and second chances for both Reece and Deanie. Their attraction is instantaneous but Reece is fighting against temptation. He won't lose his heart to his cruel wife again. Watching these two come to grips with two different realities is at times frustrating, amusing, and tender. These are two determined individuals who deserve the happily-ever-after they are working towards.
Chances Are has a little bit of everything for the romance fan. Historical, contemporary, and sci-fi makes for a fun read. This is a strong collection well worth the reader's time and money.
Sarah, Fallen Angel Review
4 Angels!
SECOND CHANCE by Julia Templeton
Forty year old, divorcee Deanie and her friend Karen's shopping trip turns into a fiasco when they stop by an Italian restaurant where they see Karen's husband with his intern. While in the bathroom so that Karen can compose herself, they encounter an odd old woman who asks them what they would give up if their soul mates were just beyond the restroom door. Next thing they know, they're in Regency England. Karen is a servant, but Deanie finds herself in the much younger body of Reece Rayborne's unfaithful and cold wife Abigail. Will he give Abigail a second chance? What will happen when Deanie and Karen are given the chance to return back to her own time?
Julia Templeton puts an interesting spin in this time-travel story by having more mature heroines with well-established lives. I loved Deanie/Abigail's determination to win over Reece, even though he has every reason to hate Abigail and not give her another chance. While this story is hot and great fun to read it leaves you with a question in your mind - would you give up everything you now have for the chance at true love with your soul mate?
Romance junkies, Chrissy
Rating: 4.5
