Secrets & Second Chances

by Janice L. Dick

Abby MacGuire and Joel Pickett find unexpected refuge in the town of Happenstance when a pre-Christmas storm disrupts their plans. Abby never allows anything to alter her course, but in these last days of her pregnancy, she’s forced to admit she can’t fight the weather.

Sandy Fitzpatrick III, former Happenstance resident, returns from Ireland with his PhD in Forestry. He is accompanied by an intern named Cal, a sprite of a woman with the personality of a feral cat. Everyone, except Bear, steers clear of her. He has dealt with feral cats before.

When a traumatic incident takes place, triggered by long-held secrets, friends team up to help Abby and Joel. With Christmas only days away, it seems the Living Nativity won’t come together in time. But what seems like another disruption may be the very thing the people of Happenstance need.

Relax into your favorite comfy chair with a cuppa, and revisit the quirky and well-loved regulars in Happenstance as new friends are introduced into their midst.

Secrets & Second Chances is the fourth novel in The Happenstance Chronicles.

Genres: Fiction

148 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 1, 2023

About the author

Janice writes both historical fiction and contemporary cozies. Her two historical trilogies are The Storm Series and In Search of Freedom Series. The contemporary books, three so far, are the Happenstance Chronicles.

Besides writing, Janice loves to teach and mentor, sharing with others in a mutually beneficial manner.

In 2016, she received the first Janette Oke Award, presented by Inscribe Christian Writers Fellowship.

Janice lives on a farm on the Canadian prairies with her husband. They have three married children, their spouses, and eleven amazing grandkids.

Reviews

[Sheri Hathaway · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read all of Janice Dick's books. I especially love the characters in the Happenstance series. None are perfect, all must conquer a demon, all are healing, and all are lovable. In this book, Abby and Joel are abruptly guided across a bridge and into the little town of Happenstance by a storm. Their unique situation slowly reveals itself throughout the book as they encounter and are affected by the residents of this uniquely quaint little town. They stay much longer than they planned and work their way into the hearts of the other people living there. Cal also enters the story and causes a pivotal turn in events. The themes of caring for others, healing, and forgiveness work their way through the book.

[Tracy Krauss · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved how this book rounded out the previous stories. Yes, it centres around new characters who inadvertently find themselves in the town of Happenstance, but we also get to catch up with several other of our favourite characters, including Sandy, a quirky Irishman we haven’t seen since Book 1. You’ll want to read this series in sequence, but I predict that once you’ve read Book 1, all the rest will be on your TBR list as well!

[Janice Dick · Rating 5 out of 5]

My tenth book. I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed working with the characters.

[Johnnie Alexander · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Happenstance Chronicles is a delightful series. I'm a huge fan of the stories, and this latest story is fun Christmas-time read.

[TransparentFilter · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a sweet little town with sweet people. A nice diversion from reality. It makes you miss Jan Karon's series.