Falling Again

Second Chances #6

by Peggy Bird

Investigative reporter Fiona McCarthy is following a hot story. Rumor has it a white supremacist group, financed by the deep pockets of a local businessman, is moving into Portland. In Washington, D.C., to attend a wedding, she wants to find out if her connections on Capitol Hill can give her leads to find the name of that person.

Nick St. Claire is an internationally known photojournalist. He’s also the “baby brother” of Fiona’s good friend, Amanda. Just back from a rough overseas assignment, he runs into Fiona on his home turf in DC and decides to follow up on their meeting six months before in Portland.

In spite of her doubts about his motives and her irritation at the rather large dose of self-confidence he possesses, Fiona goes to dinner with him. One dinner turns into two, which becomes a weekend in his bed. Back home in Portland, she writes Nick off as a bit of fun on vacation and buries herself in her story. Then Nick arrives in Portland on assignment and makes it obvious he wants more than a fling.

But when her story and his assignment dangerously intersect at a mysterious cabin in the Mt. Hood National Forest, their relationship is tested. Can their feelings for each other survive her need to get the story and his to frame the perfect shot? Or will the bad guys wreck not only the peace of laid-back Portland but also the chance of happily-ever-after for Nick and Fiona?

172 pages, ebook

First published January 27, 2014

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

[InD'tale Magazine · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Falling Again” has nearly every element of a good romance!

Read full review in the 2014 April issue of InD’tale Magazine.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A definite 4 star read. Peggy never fails to make us fall in love.

Fiona McCarthy hopes she’s going to break a huge story about white supremacists funded by deep pockets in Washington, DC but feels as if she’s chasing shadows until she gets word that the Mayor of Portland has nearly been killed in an assassination attempt. Now the shadows are beginning to get nervous. When a handsome young man, who just happens to be one of her best friends’ younger brother, shows up and makes her feel things she shouldn’t, she tries to resist but he just doesn’t want to seem to accept no as an answer, and she’s not sure she really wants him to.

Nick St. Claire has been infatuated with the lovely redheaded Fiona since chatting her up at his sister Amanda’s wedding. Now he’s in DC for a photo event and learns from his overprotective, and nosy, sister that Fiona is in town, too. How lucky for him, since he’s been unable to think of anyone but her since the wedding encounter that left him wanting to get to know her better.

These two come together, they mesh well, but neither seems ready to pursue more but decide to take a chance anyway. Thank goodness. But when the story that Fiona is investigating threatens their safety, all bets are off, and even though Fiona believes she’s capable of taking care of herself, Nick isn’t about to allow her safety to be jeopardized.

FALLING AGAIN, the last Second Chances novel by Peggy Bird is a wonderful farewell to a fabulous cast of friends and lovers. FALLING AGAIN provides us with a very sexy hero in Nick and a gutsy, no nonsense heroine in Fiona – just the way we like ‘em. Our sexy, falling in love while denying it couple are joined by some of our other favorites, Amanda and Sam, as well as Margo and *sigh* Tony. We get a bit of drama, danger, and angst as bad guys try to do our heroine in and poor Nick comes away with some boo boos. Nope, I’m not telling you any more than that. You’ll have to read this amazing, wish I was in Fiona’s shoes, romance that makes you truly believe that Second Chances at love can really happen. I hope so because I could use some falling in love in my own life.

I highly recommend FALLING AGAIN, book six in the Second Chances series by Peggy Bird to everyone who has read the first five, to everyone who hasn’t tasted the delight of this series yet, and to everyone in between. Come to the Second Chances series and fall in love with six wonderful couples who experience wonderful second chances at falling in love. You’ll never want it to end either. I can’t wait to see where Peggy takes us next.

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

[Shalini Ayre · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fiona McCarthy is a hardworking, fact-finding determined journalist. Working for the Willamette Weekly, she's investigating a political story that has a nasty undercurrent. One that involves white supremacists and her inquisitiveness is surely leading her down a path of trouble.

Younger brother of Amanda St. Clair (glass designer/artist extraordinaire) Nick, is a talented photojournalist and good-looking to boot. He's back in the US and it seems Fate has dealt him a good hand.

Thrown together in DC, or so Fiona believes, they find themselves on a date following on from their last meeting in Portland six months previously. They have a great time. Much to Fiona's surprise and fear - could this gorgeous man really be interested in her?

Returning back to Portland Fiona tries to forget the dates she had with Nick - it was just some holiday fun wasn't it? Focusing on her story she's surprised to learn that Nick is back in Portland. Keen to see Fiona again, Nick re-works his assignments to be near her - even if it means dealing with an over protective (or nosy!) sister.

When their paths cross on Mount Hood National Forest things take a dangerous turn. What's behind the mysterious cabin that they came across on a trek? Can Fiona find the answers she's looking for without endangering the people around her. Or worse prevent her and Nick having a happy-ever-after?

The final installment of the 'Second Chances' series is brimming with passion, drama and love. Fiona, whilst a self-assured journalist is less so when it comes to love - a case of once bitten twice shy. Nick has his work cut out for him in gaining not only her love but her trust. Drama unfolds slowly building to a nail-biting semi-conclusion. The 'real' conclusion is will Fiona and Nick find their dreams with each other?

A great ending to a great series. Bird manages to carry the characters met in the first book all the way through to book six without losing any integrity, feeling or realism. Fiona and Nick are a charismatic couple, charming and intellectual. The writing continues to be effortless and the author conveys a strong, engaging story. It's sad to see a well written series end, but it's been a gratifying, enjoyable and love-filled journey. A highly recommended read.

[Musing · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've said it before and I'll say it again. I love Peggy Bird's writing. Her attention to detail. Her depth of emotion. Her very real and believable characters. Everything. Stunning. Falling Again was another example of excellence.

Two career-focused characters attempt to dodge inevitable love. It's not an original plot line, but with the enviable ability to create enthralling and captivating stories, you will love Falling Again. The two main characters became embroiled in a cleverly constructed and detailed story involving a white supremacist group, financed by the deep pockets of a local businessman in Portland, Oregon.

Bird's strength includes credible, witty and fast-paced dialogue. I thoroughly enjoyed the repartee between gorgeous, persistent and sexy photojournalist, Nick St Claire, and sassy, level-headed and beautiful investigative reporter, Fiona McCarthy. He had never really considered love, whereas she had had her self-confidence shattered by a former beau. His interest confused her. Her genuine beauty and friendship beguiled him. Their journey was sweet but also very emotional. Yes, it made me cry. Sop!

Falling Again was a light suspense romance. Bird balanced the two superbly providing a wonderful romance, an intriguing mystery, and a terrific addition to a much-loved series. I often want to dig a little deeper into the suspense aspect, but that is me.

The six books of the Second Chances series could be read as standalone books, but I highly recommend you start from the beginning, Beginning Again, if you haven't already read the others. The calibre of writing and the stories themselves are fabulous.

Five stars all the way.

I was privileged to receive an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Roseanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a slow start for me. I am just not that into politics or the news. Once that stopped being the focus, and the relationship bloomed, the mysterious hate group surfaced the book was unstoppable. I could not stop reading until everything unfolded. I wished there was more character development and more backstory of all the past occurrences which led them to not want to fall again. I thought Fiona was shallow and didn’t really grow even at the end. She was supposed to have gone to Tacoma to get sorted out, but instead she just avoids everyone. I would have like to have more of a HEA with the couple, instead of just them getting back together. Maybe flash months and have them married or ? I think the end just fell flat. I did like how Nick was written, and did seem to develop a bit more than Fee. While I think certain things could have been better, I did enjoy this book . The suspense of who is really the bad guy was awesome, and well thought out.

Reviewed By Confessions Of A BookLovinJunkie Blog

[Peggy Bird]

Last of the series I wrote. Have you read any of them?