Second Chances

Destiny's Desire #1

by Kathy Ivan

A firefighter in Denver, Ryan Jackson still grieves the loss of his brother who died almost two years earlier on Christmas Eve. He thought he'd gotten past the loss until he began having dreams about his dead brother. In the dreams his brother asks him for something—impossible. Ryan's wife, Rose, knows something's wrong. For the last several months Ryan's grown more withdrawn and distant. She loves him and knows he loves her, but doubts begin to creep in. She's determined to find out why her husband is withdrawing from her and win him back—no matter the cost. An early Christmas gift, an unexpected trip and haunting dreams. Can the love shared between Ryan and Rose overcome grief and guilt and lend a little magic for a second chance at happiness?

Genres: Contemporary Romance, Romance, Contemporary, M F Romance, Holiday, Paranormal

114 pages, Paperback

First published November 8, 2012

About the author

USA TODAY Bestselling author Kathy Ivan can’t remember a time when books and reading weren’t a part of my daily life. I was blessed with a mother who instilled the love of reading in me at a young age. That progressed into a passion for the written word in all forms, which led to my writing. Every day I have new stories and new ideas roaming through my brain, the characters chomping at the bit for their turn to be front and center and have their story told. Today that love of storytelling translates into my desire to write and share my stories with others. I write in many genres, but I’m currently concentrating on romantic suspense and paranormal.

My day job is about as uncreative as it gets. I do medical transcription, spending numerous hours at the computer each day trying to decipher the mumbled, garbled and often unrecognizable words the physicians are dictating, in an effort to make a complete and comprehensive patient record. It’s almost as bad as trying to read their handwriting!

Born and raised in Miami, Florida, I’ve lived in various places throughout my youth, from California to Hawaii and back to Florida (Key West), before finally settling in Texas. I make my home outside Dallas, Texas with my spoiled black lab (Missy).

I am a member of Romance Writers of American and the Dallas Area Romance Authors (DARA), where I’m an active member; you can find me at the local meetings each month.

That’s about it off the top of my head. I love talking with other readers and writers, so feel free to contact me.

Reviews

[Buffy Kennedy · Rating 2 out of 5]

The premise for this book caught my eye, but its execution fell short for me. The plot line had me confused as to exactly who was supposed to be reunited and to what end. The dreams show that Ryan’s brother needed something from him and that it was “now or never”. I never did catch why that was and when the request was fulfilled, you almost couldn’t tell. I just didn’t really see the point of that part.

I appreciated that sex in this book was more sensual than straight up erotic and was more about love than just sex for the sake of sex. They’re married so that makes sense, but I still appreciated it. There was a predictable part, but it had little to know impact on the story and was kind of abrupt in its placement within the plot.

There were little things that didn’t quite add up to me though, and several errors such as misused words and missing words entirely that got to me after a while. Overall this book was just a little weird and nonsensical to me in the long run.

Second Chances has an intriguing premise and if you are looking for a story about soul mates and closure in grief, give this one a shot. Ultimately it just didn’t captivate me.

[Nancy Steinle gummel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Second Chances by Kathy Ivan is a cute paranormal story about love conquering grief. Ryan is a fireman with Jake. Ryan is married to Rosie. His brother Terry and his new bride were killed on their honeymoon when a car hit black ice killing all three. Ryan has grief feeling it's his fault because he and Rosie gave them a combined wedding/Christmas present by giving them the gift of the get away. Ryan has been dreaming of Terry for months. Not nightmares but good feeling dreams. Terry is telling Ryan he can come back on the anniversary of his death which is Christmas eve but he wakes up before Terry can tell him. Will Ryan learn to forgive himself? And what is the secret Rose has yet to tell Ryan.

[InD'tale Magazine · Rating 2 out of 5]

“Second Chances” is a thoughtful story of love, loss and recovery. However, perhaps because of its brevity, it doesn’t quite succeed in getting the strong emotions across with the depth that is desired and needed, making the great “conflict” seem somewhat unnecessary.

Full review in March 2013 issue of InD'tale Magazine.

[Shilpa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Totally weird!

[Janejellyroll · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a very short paranormally themed romance. The brevity, for me, kept it from making much of a connection.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

A super sexy romance that's a little on the sappy side with a surprise paranormal twist that I definitely didn't see coming. Ryan is haunted by the death of his brother and sister-in-law because he feels he contributed to the accident that took their lives. His wife Rose is willing to do anything to restore their close and loving relationship because Ryan has been withdrawn and she suspects the worst. The character of Quinton Chase was especially intriguing to me so I'm looking forward to learning more about him in the next book in the series.

[Vickie Chaisson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Second Chances by Kathy Ivan is a sweet short novel about a brother grieving for his brother who was killed in a car accident. Ryan is a firefighter and his brother was a doctor. This story is about growing, guilt, love and forgiveness. Ryan and Rose his wife have a very loving relationship that is being tested by the grief and guilt Ryan feels regarding his brothers death. Ryan feels guilty because his brother and wife were killed in the trip they got them as a wedding present.

Ryan has been having dreams nightly where he sees and talks to his brother. Terry even admits to his brother that he knows he is dead but he has a favor to ask of him. Needless to say Ryan has not told his wife about the Dreams because she is afraid she won't believe him. Rose lives her husband and would do anything to keep him happy. The paranormal aspects of this story I am sure are hard for people to imagine. But if you believe you will see your loved ones again they didn't bother me. I enjoyed this book and would give it 4 and a half stars because I was entertained.

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ryan is haunted by a dream where his dead brother comes to him nightly and it is making accepting his death, which he blames himself for so much harder to come to grips with in Second Chance. Rose, Ryan's wife loves her husband and knows he loves her but she feels him slipping away from her and can't seem to stop it.

Giving his brother a Second Chance helps him find peace in a strange twist of fate with a little help from his friend and a strange inn keeper. Although not based on reality Second Chance is a delightful story about faith and finding peace.

[Rosemary · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a free book that I received from Instafreebe.and the first book from this author. This is a very sad story about how loss can affect all the people who are left behind after a loved one dies. This story tells of that loss from different characters views. I liked how the author brought in an unusual character,..a "fate keeper" who has the ability to reconnect the lost lives and their loved one,so that they can all heal. I didn't care for the graphic sex scenes,(been there done that) so I skipped those.and the story was fine with out them. Good book with a great storyline.

[Sue Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a short story but very interesting. A new ideal for a story, one I would like to read more of. New guest of course, to keep it interesting. But I LOVED this story. And didn't guess the dream before he tells it, she got me, USUALLY I can guess the answers, but not this time. And I certainly never guessed his wife finale ideal.

[Linda Rimer-Como · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a quick read and I found it to be really cute. Ryan is having trouble dealing with loss and guilt. Can a strange request from beyond be the answer! Love will always find a way! Enjoyed the story and recommend you don't miss out.

I voluntarily read and reviewed this book, all opinions expressed are my own.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars
A true paranormal romance.

"Love was a strong emotion, probably one of the strongest there was, and he prayed theirs was strong enough to endure the events to come."

*Received the book for free through Goodreads First Reads*

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unbelievable but wonderful

This story is so touching. It covers heartache and pain of loss while having humor and lots of hot sex. Will definitely look for the next book in this series.

[Rhonda Ziglar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Second Chances by Kathy Ivans.....What a heartfelt story that has a interesting storyline. This book will hit all the emotion buttons. I loved Ryan and Rose and seeing there stories be told. Kathy Ivan pulls us into the story and you feel like you know the characters.

[megan wykle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great short read. I loved Rose and Ryan. Great well characters with a good storyline. I liked the paranormal element of the story.
I voluntarily reviewed this book and was not compensated in any way.

[Glenda Bettin · Rating 5 out of 5]

really enjoyed this book, hope to see more of her books out

[Heidi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads.

It was a nice little short story, a very quick read.

[Karen Alfero · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

Excellent

Great plot...kept me intrigued and on the edge of my seat...can't wait to see what is in store for Jake

[Renee · Rating 2 out of 5]

Weird