In the Land of Second Chances

Vernon Moore

by George Shaffner

In Ebb, Nebraska, things are pretty much as they were fifty years ago–aside from that coffee shop–and that’s just the way folks like it. Plucky Wilma Porter is the proprietress of Ebb’s only Bed and Breakfast, and she knows everything there is to know in the mental state of Clara Tucker Booth Yune, a rich recluse who says only two words at a time; the gossip at Loretta Parson’s Bold Cut Beauty Salon; and the sad series of events that have led poor Calvin Millet to the edge of desperation. Calvin is the owner of Millet’s Department Store, a village mainstay for generations, but many fear that it–and the downtown–won’t survive his terrible run of bad luck.

Wilma prays for a miracle to save Ebb’s special way of life, but she’s surprised when it arrives in the form of a traveling salesman, if that’s what he is. Vernon L. Moore claims to peddle games of chance, but he sticks his nose in odd places and says things like, “uncertainty is the spice of life.” He is welcomed nonetheless, because he seems to have the power to change minds, save fortunes, and fix broken hearts.

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary, Religion, Book Club, Adult, Adult Fiction, Philosophy

336 pages, Paperback

First published October 15, 2004

Reviews

[*The Angry Reader* · Rating 2 out of 5]

I made it to 50% and gave up. I’m not blaming the book. I like nicey-nice reads. Probably more than the next guy. But this gave me a toothache.

[Gayle · Rating 1 out of 5]

One of the dumbest books I've ever read.

[Richard · Rating 3 out of 5]

In the Land of Second Chances by George Shaffner A novel, set in a rural town Nebraska. A traveling salesman shows up with seemingly powers to persuade and help people learn to get along. He is only there for 6 days but he has a great influence in the lives of the people. The story is told through the eyes of the woman proprietor of the town’s only Bed and Breakfast. Everyone seems to be intertwined in the story. Everyone knows what is going on in the lives of everyone else. I liked the book but there were too many references to body parts and the language was strong in some places. It could have been a better book without the bad language. The message is strong of “being kind to one another” and “striving to have a positive influence in the lives of people around you. I liked the following quote about the salesman’s lack of television watching: When asked why he didn’t watch TV he said: "I used to, but not anymore. Too much violence, too many commercials, too many artificial ‘reality,’ and too much repetition, especially too much repetition. I prefer the radio and a good book. When I listen to the radio or read a book, the song or the story appears in my mind. I can read in silence, too. There’s a lot to be said for silence.” P. 205

There were some other gems pronounced by the salesman. So, not a bad book. Just too much peppered language and innuendo.

[Georgene Ingwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Best book I have read in a long time. Evolve from blind faith to reasoned faith? Would a benevolent God let a child die of disease? A small town philosopher tries to reason it all out. I laughed and I cried. Have we all become meaner? Is there hope? After reading this book, I think there may be.

[Katharine Holden · Rating 1 out of 5]

Forced. Arch. Self-conscious writing.

[Lisa Rossi · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sappy with an expected happy ending.

There are better ways to spend three hours. I keep reading, thinking that it HAD to get better. I was wrong. Move on past this book.

[Judy · Rating 3 out of 5]

An enjoyable read overall, one the author clearly means for readers to ponder one of the biggest issues of life: is there life after death?

That's a pretty heavy question, and one that Calvin Millet is required to face. Calvin's life seems to be falling apart: his young daughter is terminally ill; the department store he owns in the small town of Ebb, Nebraska, is failing, and even his house was hit by a tornado. Calvin's woes may have brought the mysterious Vernon Moore to town. Dressed in expensive clothes and claiming to be a traveling salesmen selling games of chance, Moore's arrival is big news in the little town. Slowly, as he befriends the townspeople one by one, he manages to bring out the best and the most hopeful in those who need it most.

[C.J. Prince · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is FORGETTABLE. I forgot I'd read it and found it as I sorted through a stack of books to take to a second hand store. I found this note inside:

~a man's voice for a female character
~moralistic
~lack of authenticity; dialogue doesn't ring true
~a fantasy but telling not showing
~all his characters say "if it was..." instead of "if it were..."
(One or two characters OK but not everyone)

I would not have finished this book if it weren't for a book club.

The main character is meddling even if it is for the "good."

Moore's actions are manipulative.

I do not regret reading it.
I cannot recommend it to others.

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book. Some people are probably going to pick it up, think "Inspirational" and put it back down, and they'll be missing a treat. It's funny, unconventional and moving, with a lot of feisty ladies who have no compunction about stating their opinions. This is not an "angel with a magic power" story about miraculous healing. It is about good (and may maybe not so good) people coming to terms with difficult situations, reasoning thir way to hope, as it were.
This is the first of what are now three titles about the same town and I expect to enjoy the others as well.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

Didn't know what to think of this book at first. It's about a traveling salesman who stops in this little town and ends up helping most everyone in the town with their problems. It has some Christian beliefs in it ... don't want to spoil it with telling too much. In the end, I loved it. It made me laugh out loud in several parts; plus, uplifted me in others. Definitely looking forward to reading another of his books.

[Doreen A Curry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoughtful reading!

This book was different; strong characters and many keen insights. It was a very thought provoking read and will require some quiet time to assimilate it's life lessons.

[MARSHA GODSEY · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

The characters in this book are quirky and the plot twist will make you think. Reading it was a nice change of pace.

[Becki Ahrendt · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was really looking forward to this read as the other reviews were really positive. However, I found this book more of a persuasive advertisement for reincarnation that dragged on and on. I did not enjoy much of the book and found the story (outside of the reincarnation talk) predictable.

[Brenda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I sort of enjoyed this book. It's about a traveling salesman who came from who knows where (a great mystery) to a small town. He had only his great philosophies of life to sell to the citizens of Ebb, Nebraska. I wondered if the book would have garnered five stars if the foul language were removed. Alas, I'll never know, because it really got in the way of truly enjoying the message it might have meant to convey. I did have a problem with the reincarnation bit, far-fetched to me. Since it was only barely touched on, I ignored it. But coming back to earth as a seal? First novel, not terribly bad. It could have been outstanding.

[Mmtimes4 · Rating 2 out of 5]

Wilma Porter owns the Come Again Bed and Breakfast, which is the only B&B in Ebb, Nebraska. You may think Im' exaggerating, but his town is perched on the sad edge of a slippery slope. I went to church and wished to God that I could help in some way, but He sent us a salesman. That's right, a salesman. At least that's my theory. You be the judge.

I love how this book told the story of small town characters and their lifes. You feel like you are right there in the community. I didn't care for the philosophy the salesman offers instead of real faith and I also didn't care for the ending. The ending really influenced my opinion of the book.

[Audry · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was an ok book. There's too much swearing in it. If it just had the regular 'd' and 'h' in it, I could have enjoyed it more, but it had to have 'f' in it, too, which took a lot away from the book. The characters didn't sound like themselves using that word. Too bad. Vernon Moore is like an angel, and then we find out he's not, because he leaves a woman pregnant in the end. As if being single and pregnant is leaving her better than before. There's lots about reincarnation in this book.

It's a good thing we know about the Plan of Happiness. Yes, she will get to live the rest of her life out, but as a girl, not a seal. Seriously.

[Becky · Rating 2 out of 5]

Spiritually based books are not my favorite. After reading, I don't know if I'm suppose to believe that the traveling salesman was Jesus/God? He appeared 6 days before Easter and disappeared Easter morning.

[Nikki · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was quick read. I enjoyed this book. It had an interesting way bringing the reader through a side door to ponder some basic truths and how one arrives at 'faith'.

[Jennie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ugh, it was horrible. Was interesting enough at the start but got ridiculous with pseudo philosophy. I actually went back to see if it was supposed to be a Christian book and I had missed it.

[Judy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very philosophical. There are many questions about what God wants us to do, what we think we should do, second chances. The setting is Ebb, Nebraska, a small town with few businesses and no fast food restaurants. A distinguished gentleman, Mr. Vernon Moore, presents himself at the Come Again B&B, owned by Wilma Porter. Mr. Moore says he's a traveling salesman. I think people and their options are the business that he's in. Calvin Millett has had a difficult life. He was married and has a little girl, Lucy, who is very sick. Doctors don't even know what's wrong with her. She's 11 years old and keeps getting sicker and weaker. Before Lucy got sick, Calvin's wife, Lucy's mother, just up and left without a word. It's odd, because Calvin's mother-in-law did the same exact thing to her husband, just up and left one night. Clem Tucker, Lucy's grandfather, hasn't been exactly the grandfatherly type. He's figuring out a way to get controlling interest in Millet's, Calvin's family's store. Millet's is what keeps Ebb, Nebraska going. But Millet's isn't doing so well. Farmers aren't buying because it's planting time, so they're spending their limited resources on seed and farm equipment. Calvin isn't the only one who's having problems. There's Loretta, the town's beautician and likable sexpot. She also just says whatever is on her mind, no filter. Then there's LuLu, the town vet, and Doc Wiley, who lost his wife to breast cancer. No one is exactly jumpin' for joy happy in Ebb. Mr. Moore has become quite the talk of the town. He well mannered, well groomed, well dressed. He drives an expensive car, has an expensive looking watch and pricey clothes. He's had conversations with Wilma, Calvin, Loretta, Clem and Doc Wiley, just to name a few. With Mr. Moore around, people have to look deep inside themselves to see who they are, how they got that way and what they can do to change into a better person. This is not the story I thought it was going to be. It's a much better story, in fact. I hope you like this book as much as I did.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of insights and food for thought. (3.75 stars)

Some fave quotes.

“She kept her head down as if she had found her Lamaze spot in the middle of her steno pad. This is something all natural birth mothers know how to do when you are under pressure. If you men will pay attention, you can sometimes see us taking slow, deep breaths through our noses, and then exhaling quietly through out mouths. Of course, you usually don’t pay attention”

……

“When I was a young man I discovered that being on time was important but nearly impossible- that I was always either early or late. I also discovered that there were two kinds of people, the early people and the late people, and that the early people, especially drill sergeants, were constantly aggravated by the late people….I decided to join the early people. My life has been less stressful ever since.”

…..

There are four kinds of people in the world. The first are people who need assistance to survive: the young, the elderly, the sick, the poor. The second kind are those who take care of themselves. The third kind are people who care for themselves and others too. They are the lifeblood of society: giving parents, genuine leaders; people who devote their lives to medicine, law enforcement, fire fighting, national defense and charity. Of all the people on Earth, they are the essential ones, because they take care of those who cannot care for themselves.
Sadly, though there is a fourth kind. They are the people who take from others to survive. They are the weakest among us: criminals, con men and regrettably, many of our nations leaders.”

[Mycala · Rating 2 out of 5]

Where do I even start. Well, let's try here - the idea that all women in this town are divorcees who left their husbands and the men in this town have all been dumped or never married... there is not ONE married couple in this small town!? In a book that thumps you over the head with probability?

Then there's the matter of Wilma's narrating voice. She doesn't come across as real bright in how she thinks or reacts to things. I also love the not-so-subtle part about how the women's gossip hotline in the town keeps everyone in tune with every conversation that everyone else has. By the way, nice touch with the mail carrier opening people's mail to read it and share the contents with the town busybodies. Stroke of genius, that.

And my god, these polarizing women vs. men comments. I just can't. I hate generalizations and lumping people into groups. Gah. Why did I finish reading the book? Because I had to see how it was going to wrap up.

You're right. It's absolutely plausible that the town moneybags guy who has never cared about anyone other than himself his entire life is going to change his outlook because some well-dressed outsider has drifted in to town for six days. Yeah, no.

Of course the mute sister is going to snap out of her quiet reverie to lay into her brother and then go back to just saying "yes" or "no".

The idea that a woman manager of a department store would make sure only to improve the cosmetics section... what?

Also, Lucy does die. I'm not sure how some people consider that a happy ending.

Whatever.

[Linda Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Vernon Moore arrives in the small town of Ebb, Nebraska (population 2,000) and claims to be a traveling salesman. But that doesn't make sense. Mr. Moore drives an expensive car, wears fancy designer clothes, and doesn't seem all that interested in selling his games of chance. Instead, he is more interested in meeting people and hearing about their problems. The one with the greatest cross to bear is Calvin Millet. His wife abandoned him and their dying daughter, his house was destroyed by a tornado, and the bank is getting ready to call in the loan on his department store. Calvin has reached the end of his rope and only plans to hold on until his little girl dies. Mr. Moore is there to offer other options. The primary narrator of the story is Wilma Porter. She owns the Come Again Bed and Breakfast where Vernon Moore is currently staying. Wilma knows everything about everyone in her small town. She is one of the many divorced women living there and has built a large circle of ladies who share that condition. Some of them are quite intrigued by the mysterious Mr. Moore. I must confess that I expected this book to deal with magic instead of philosophy and religion. But I enjoyed reading it in spite of the fact that it wouldn't be something I would normally select.

[Hillary · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not really sure how to rate it. It was a fine read and had a decent story, but it wasn't really memorable or captivating for me personally. Just a nice, quiet book that was not a strenuous read.

I thought the concept of proving God is real through reason and logic was interesting, as was the viewpoint of life after life (in a reincarnation sense rather than a resurrected sense). As a mother, I did not like to read about a little girl with a critical illness, but as that was one of the main story lines, I took it for what it was and didn't get to emotionally involved with it.

Overall this was a "clean" book, although it does contain swearing and alludes to intimate relations but never in detail.

Would I recommend? Meh, I wouldn't NOT recommend it, but with so many other books to read I would probably recommend others before this one. It fulfilled it's purpose for me, which was to provide a story to read at bedtime that wouldn't get me so hooked that I HAD to keep reading late into the night.

Also, halfway through I found out this is part of a series. I thought it was a stand alone book. I wonder if I would appreciate it more if I read the prequel?

[Zosma Leonis · Rating 3 out of 5]

I just did not know what to make of this book. The voices of the characters are very well-written, I could hear the Midwestern small-town twang in so much of the dialogue and narration. And if the book had been a story of small-town life, I probably would have loved it. But this is the story of how Vernon Moore comes to this small town and allegedly changes the lives of so many of its residents. Moore's origins are a mystery, as is what he's actually doing in the town. But while he's there, he manages to convince several residents to have hope in the existence of God and an afterlife, all through using rational thought and mathematical probability. Knowing that Shaffner has also written a non-fiction book on the same subject made me feel as though I'd been tricked into reading a lecture. Nonetheless, the book is well-written and, for the most part, a pleasant way to read about the author's philosophical ideas. Still, I would have liked to see more about the characters, not to say some character development that could be explained by something in addition to the revelations from the entire town's new best friend, Vernon Moore.

[Book Concierge · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5***

In Ebb, Nebraska, life is slow, and people are nice. There is no big box store, and no fast-food chain restaurant, though they do have a Starbucks. That’s the way they like to live. Wilma Porter runs the Come Again Bed-and-Breakfast, and also is a founder of the Quilting Circle, which is comprised of virtually every woman in Ebb. And then, on the first day of Spring, Wilma gets a call from a Mr. Vernon Moore who wants to rent a room for a short while. He says he is a traveling salesman, but he doesn’t seem to be selling anything. Still, his presence makes a difference in this community.

I was completely charmed by the residents of Ebb, and by the mysterious Vern Moore. I really enjoyed the philosophical discussions he engaged in. And I loved that the women of the town really ran the place, despite the local real-estate mogul thinking HE runs things.

This little book made me think while it entertained me. It’s a wonderful fable about hope and faith and community.

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having lost the foundation provided by blind faith, humon must find a replacement because a vacuum does draw all sorts of this to fill it. In six days, Vernon L. Moore provides (sells) the replacement to the principles in the town of Ebb, Nebraska, population 1,998, at least until December. What he sells, because after all, he claims to be a traveling salesman, is Reasoned Faith. This foundation is built of the paradox of the Benevolent God, Unfairness Corollary, as well as the paradox of life after life. In the end only thing that is certain is uncertainty, which Mr. Moore claims is the spice of Life. Using these arguments, the logic embedded in them gives the town and its inhabitants the critical ingredient to living life to its fullest--Hope.

[Lizzann · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enigmatic salesman of games arrives in a small Nebraska town and changes the character and makeup of the town. He is selling "hope" to a man who is on the brink of losing his only daughter to a terminal disease. He proffers the proof of the paradox of the Benevolent God. With the hope that there is "life after life" death is not to be feared. The life that is allotted to to each of us should be lived fully.

A main theme is choice and the decisions we all make due to our free-will. "The test of adulthood is not to be paralyzed by the absence of a good alternative; it is to have the courage to make the least worst call" (p155) This message rings true as we head into an election year where so many are saying that they will throw their vote away.

[Gloria Bailey · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an odd book and I can't really sum it up very well. A traveling salesman named Vernon Moore comes into town and stays for 6 days. Those days make up most of the book as well. The town is Ebb and it has only about 2000 residents in it. Everyone knows each other and there is little violence, etc.

Vernon manages to talk to the main characters about the fact that there is a benevolent God and this gives enough hope to people that they make decisions for the good of the people and not just themselves.

[Marjorie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved this story as it was engaging and the characters were very interesting. However, the author really needed to send this book to a proofreader prior to printing. It has a lot of typos that would have been caught by a proofreader. I would have given this more stars had it not had so many errors. I'm training as a proofreader now and I know I could have improved this copy considerably.

That being said, the story was interesting and it was a very positive outcome that really helps lift the reader since there often seems to be so much negativity in the world.