Believing Again

Second Chances #5

by Peggy Bird

As the youngest woman ever to make detective in the Portland Police Bureau, Danny Hartmann has racked up an impressive record. It doesn’t keep her warm at night, but it does make up for feeling she’s somehow disappointed her family with her career choice. Called to the scene of the murder of a homeless veteran in a transient camp, Danny doesn’t expect it to be anything other than another case she clears.

Then she meets the man who made the 9-1-1 call and everything changes.

Jake Abrams, a volunteer doctor at the Veterans Medical Services Clinic, doesn’t have much faith in anything other than his work and the vets he cares deeply about. Not shy about voicing his opinions, even to the cops investigating the murder of one of his patients, he annoys Danny with his snarky remarks.

However, working the case, she has to rely on Jake to help her find her way around the transient camps under the bridges and in the city’s huge wilderness park. As they work together, their attraction becomes mutual and passionate.

But Jake has demons. Like the vets he cares for, he carries scars both mental and physical from his service in the National Guard in Iraq. He fears Danny will turn from him in disgust when she discovers them. She’s afraid his experience in Iraq makes it impossible for him to love someone who does what she does for a living.

When the murderer of the homeless vets comes too close to Jake, it’ll be up to Danny to save his life. It’ll be up to their love for each other to save them both.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Fiction

161 pages, ebook

First published September 30, 2013

About the author

Born in Philly, raised in the suburbs, I moved to the Northwest as an adult and, other than a year in England and a couple years in Montana, have happily lived here ever since.

My work life has been more complicated. I was a nurse, political staffer, lobbyist, association executive and community affairs consultant before I followed my passions to writing and art glass. Not as much money but a whole lot more fun.

In 2012 my life changed dramatically when several of the books I'd started out writing as mysteries were contracted for publication by Crimson Romance. Since June of that year I've had six books in the Second Chances series released as ebooks and trade paperbacks and a second series, A Holiday for Romance, begun.

Some of the characters in my books share my love of glass art--there's a gallery owner and a kiln-formed glass artist, a glass jewelry artist who has better luck making perfect beads than I do and, in the first Holiday for Romance book, a glass blower. It's an enjoyable way to share my love for glass art through my other love, writing.

All of the books take place primarily in the Pacific Northwest where I live but sometimes Philly, where I grew up. slips in. It's easy writing romances in such a beautiful setting!

I love to hear from readers so feel free to contact me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/peggybirdauthor
or Twitter: https://twitter.com/peggybirdwrites

Reviews

[Jill · Rating 3 out of 5]

****I was given an ARC of this book for my honest review****
Believing Again is the 5th book in the Second Chances series by Peggy Bird, so I have come into this series rather late. However I did not feel lost or confused, you can definitely read this as a stand alone.
Jake and Danny, two people with a few issues to overcome. Both feel the connection with the other but because of certain feelings Danny is hesitant to follow through on her feelings.
This was a quick romance with plenty of steam. I found myself enjoying it even though the issues between the couple seemed to annoy me after a while. Danny's issue with a man accepting her for her work and trusting her not to get hurt, I felt that she was a little unreasonable. I wished a few times that she could see outside the box.
However this was a problem that I could overlook and I ended up quite enjoying the romance and the background mystery. 3 stars

[Robyn Neeley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I only started reading this series, and I'm so glad that I did! In "Believing Again," Danny Hartman is a strong Portland detective heroine who falls for Jake Abrams, a surgeon whose own experiences lead him to a passion for helping veterans with PTSD.

When some of the homeless veterans his clinic serves are targeted and killed, Danny and Jake come together and when they do ... Wow! Super chemistry. No spoilers here, but any scene with a spa jet bath is going to be fun!

What I loved, loved, loved about this book is that Peggy Bird has taken a plausible plot and turned it into a spicy, suspenseful romance. As Danny struggles to let go of some of her independence and let someone in,Jake's facing some demons of his own. There's one particular scene were you can't help but wonder if Jake can really accept Danny's work and what she does, but at the same time are touched by his reaction, realizing just how much he loves her, and ultimately what caused him to react the way he did.

The "whodunit" element is surprising and satisfying, too.

I highly recommend "Believing Again." It was my first book in the Second Chance series, and now I'm looking forward to reading the others.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 and 1/2 stars for this one with a great mystery running through a wonderful romance and poignant theme.

BELIEVING AGAIN by Peggy Bird is a poignant, action-filled, suspense romance that unlike the others in the series that are truly second chances at love, this one takes us through the beginnings of love, only to have it fall apart but then gives this matched pair a second chance at love in the end. Jake and Danny together is a match made in heaven. Each is stubborn, sharp-witted, and accepting of each other’s fears yet individuals with their own way of looking at the world. Jake reminds me very much of one of my favorite heroes created by Peggy – Tony Alessandro from TOGETHER AGAIN. Like Tony with Margo, Jake isn’t willing to give up on Danny and their happily-ever-after. Once he decides that she’s the only woman for him, he will stop at nothing, including giving her up, to prove to her that they are meant to be together. This endears Jake Abrams to me in a way that other hero-types can’t. Actions really do speak louder than words.

The suspense of the murder mystery behind the romance keeps the story tight and the reader on the edge of their seat as Danny and Sam try to find out who is shooting up the homeless camps and why the victims are all Jake’s patients. The clues are there but I was still surprised. That’s a good thing.

I highly recommend BELIEVING AGAIN, book five in the Second Chance series by Peggy Bird for anyone who loves a good suspense story, the thrill of falling in love, and experiencing those first moments in a love affair as well as the fear that it’s not going to work out. Thankfully, it does and you’ll love the way it ends. Jake is one patient man and so sensitive, you just want to hug him - all the time.

***eARC provided by author in exchange for an honest and unscripted review.

[Lisa Filipe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh Peggy, how you always have a way of making me fall in love with your heroes, especially when they don't make the BEST first impression, as Jake happens to accomplish in BELIEVING AGAIN. He is going to have a tough time getting Danny to surrender, but it was certainly fun to watch!



Not only do we get a romance with BELIEVING AGAIN, but Peggy shines light on a huge issue that our Veterans face when they come home from war, and they have trouble returning to their everyday life. What happens to the ones who have no family? or home to return to? It's a sad issue and I was happy that Peggy took the time to acknowledge these men and women who are forgotten.



As always with a Peggy Bird romance, the heroine is feisty, the hero a bit broody and boy do we get some Very Sparkly Fireworks! Pick it up today!!

[Jodean · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about Detective Danny Hartman, who works for the Portland Police department with her partner Sam and Doctor Jake Abrams, who is a thoracic surgeon, who works with veterans with PTSD at a clinic he works at. The two are put together when someone is targeting vets from Jake's clinic in homeless camps and killing them in drive by shootings. I like romance stories that are more than just girl meets boy, girl and boy fall in love, girl and boy live happily ever after. The backdrop of the book with the police investigation elevated a romance story to a new level.

I enjoy police stories and for the longest loved Milo Sturgis and Alex Delaware in the Kellerman police thriller genre, though at times they took themselves a bit too seriously and I didn't enjoy where the author took some of the core characters, but the relationship between partners Danny and Sam reminded me of that same relationship in Kellerman books. The author was able to keep the readers attention with trying to unravel who is targeting veterans in the homeless camps. What was a bit disappointing was how this plot gets resolved. I felt the author had a good idea that was never fully developed and brought to life. Even with the lacking resolution the writing was top notch and makes me want to see what else the author has done.

The relationship and romance of the story was surprising real and interesting at the same time. It was nice to see people in their 30's with established careers that for various reasons still were not great in the relationship department. This is true to life, relationships take time and it was nice to see this romance develop in a realistic time line and fashion. It was not just hey we meet 5 minutes ago and are now madly in love and moving forward with a wedding and future. This relationship was built on mutual respect, chemistry and two people who enjoyed each others company. I so loved seeing the getting to know each other part of any story. Those little growing closer moments over cooking for someone for the first time, having a couple of dates, asking questions about each other and learning about each other with each weekend and date that passes. Honestly a refreshing and real love story that I truly felt sad when I got to the end. I want to peek more into this story and these two quirky, flawed and such interesting characters the author has brought to life on the page for their readers. No one is perfect and neither is Danny and Jake, but those imperfections made them not perfect people but perfect for each other. I would highly recommend this book and I cannot wait to read more from this author.

[Renee Entress · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.3 Star Review – Believing Again

I recommend this book.

I enjoyed this book by Peggy. This book includes passion, heartache, and murders.

If you have not read the below I would recommend reading those books first.
Beginning Again (Second Chance #1)
Loving Again (Second Chance #2)
Together Again (Second Chance #3)
Trusting Again (Second Chance #4)


Portland Police detective Danny Hartmann is on a new case where homeless veterans are being murdered. Sam, her partner, and her are investigating and interviewing people at the crime scene.

Dr. Jake Abrams is the 9-1-1 caller and also the victim’s doctor. Danny and Jake butt heads right from the start. He likes her and finds out from her partner that she is single.

As Jake and Danny start dating and growing closer they realize they both have some issues to work out. Jake has demons from his military deployment. Danny has issues with the way Jake thinks he needs to protect her. She is a cop and knows how to protect herself.

As more veteran’s fall victims to the killer they realize that the thing they all have in common is Jake being there doctor. So who could be behind the murders and why Jake’s patients and not the other doctors in the clinic?

When Jake tries to save Danny but lets the killer get away in the process Danny is about to beat him down. She decides that he is just not for her.

Is there anyway Jake can win her back? If he does will he end up doing exactly the same thing if the opportunity comes up? Will they be able to chase down the killer? Who is the killer?


Jake is a very sweet guy and just right for Danny. Jake has some insecurity that Danny helps him to overcome. Danny needs for Jake to realize that she can take care of herself and that she does not take unnecessary risks. I found the book to be a good read.

[The Suburban Eclectic · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cop investigating shootings in and around Portland’s homeless shelters trades jabs and heated looks with a hot doctor. Yes, cops need love too. We know attractive, single docs are going to get some play so I was happy to see that the protagonist and heroine is a strong, beautiful woman who just happens to carry a gun. Rest assured this is no simpering, silly Sally just pretending to chase bad guys, Danny is the real deal. She has a tough exterior, but I liked that the author showed her sensitive side when her relationship with Jake reconnects her to her spiritual roots. I enjoyed the vet/PTSD angle brought to life by Dr Jake. He is a well rounded character that is brawny but has a vulnerability that is believable and relatable. Believing Again is book 5 in the Second Chances series and while it is a stand alone there is some cross over. Her partner, Sam, is a hold over from Loving Again and the banter between the two provides believable back story.
Believing Again does lose a bit of steam when it delves into the police investigation side. I found Jake’s active involvement into Danny’s work unbelievable. I know his work with the homeless vets was meant to provide cover into why he would be at an active crime scene, but cautioning your not quite girlfriend, who happens to be a police detective, into why she shouldn’t be going places alone is a bit of a stretch. Despite being a plot point, I don’t think anyone with any common sense (let alone a badge) would invite a witness into her home. Also not calling for back up is a big no no and unrealistic to boot. Because this is a romantic suspense novella I was expecting a to see the whodunit play out more rather than a sum up report at the end. In spite of is formulaic nature I enjoyed Believing Again and will definitely check out more from this series.

[Ceecee · Rating 4 out of 5]

First, I’d to like to pass along that it’s stated in the Dedication that a portion of the proceeds from this book will be donated to organizations serving veterans in the Portland area.

Danny and Jake are incredible people that have an astounding amount of integrity, generosity, and compassion. Although they started off on the wrong foot, their attraction to each other takes precedence over their initial blunder. As the investigation of the murdered veterans starts producing leads, however, they begin to have a difficult time.

Jake suffers from PTSD, a few insecurities about his physical scars, and a little bit of the He-Man syndrome. I found him to be the perfect hero, though. He’s a veteran, a surgeon, volunteers at a clinic, and makes rounds to the homeless. How much more of a sweetheart could you want? Like many men, he just gets a little worried about the woman he’s falling for. Although he has every reason to fear for Danny while she’s on the job, he takes it a little too far.

Danny’s entirely too independent to allow Jake to interfere with her responsibilities as a detective, but she’s already allowed him to interrupt her life. Just like Jake, I admired this character for her bravery, her big heart, and her boldness. I know from experience that it’s not easy being the only woman in the workforce, and she handles herself expertly. I did get a little annoyed that as a detective, she didn’t know more about PTSD, or the homeless vets. This was easy to overlook, though, since everything else about her is so likeable. She stands her ground when necessary, and listens to her heart exactly when the time is right.

This was a touching story that’s interweaved the thrill of a mystery, a sweet romance, and a sad reality, into a beautiful literary tapestry. The ending answered my questions, and the killer wasn’t very easy to peg. There’s a wonderful scene where a family tradition, of which I’m not accustomed, is explained beautifully and with intricate detail. I am both impressed and touched by the perceptive manner in which the author translates the plethora of problems our veterans face every day. I’m intrigued, and will follow this author from now on. Great book!

[Danna Iuliana · Rating 1 out of 5]

Good story, good characters but the heroine. She was so much in her head and so in love with her job I didn t feel her connection to Jake. She was a bitch from start to finish. She realized she was unreasonable but she still didn t get over her herself. I didn t understand why the hell was Jake the one to apologize after her stupid unsimpatethic behavior. Horrible heroine ruined the whole book for me. This was my first read by this author and my last. The way she writes her female charachers like they can do no wrong ...urg

[Peggy Bird]

Read it, wrote it. More interested in what other's think.

[Peggy Bird]

Read it. Wrote it. Want you to read it, too.

[Alexia Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great book in this series. I love how strong and independent the heroine is and how the hero respects her for it.