Second Wind

Women of Whitfield #2

by Darlene Deluca

When a devastating tornado rips through the small town of Whitfield, Dana Gerard’s home is reduced to rubble and her well-ordered life to chaos. In the wake of the disaster, she finds herself in financial straits and confronted by challenges that test her limits.

With support from longtime friends, Dana begins the daunting task of rebuilding, but that’s not her only worry, and may be the least of her concerns. Change greets her from all directions – at work and within her own family. At a crossroads, Dana is forced to see her life with a new vision and to trust the one person she’s determined to push away.

326 pages, Paperback

First published January 8, 2015

About the author

Books . . . chocolate . . . tea.
These are a few of my favorite things. Combine them with a sunny summer day, and perhaps a beach or pool, and call me happy!

Books have always been a part of my life, and reading has always been a favorite pastime. In my childhood bookworm days, I'd hide away for hours with Trixie Belden or Laura Ingalls Wilder. These days, I read as much as I can, making it a priority to carve out time for my latest book club read. I love curling up with a cup of tea and getting lost in a good story.

A few years ago I decided to sit down at my computer and give voice to some stories that have been rattling around in my head for a long time. That launched me into the world of fiction writing, specifically the world of romance. So far, my completed novels and works-in-progress fall into the genres of women’s fiction, contemporary romance, and mainstream with romantic elements.

My novels are about people and their relationships – what brings them together, what keeps them apart, what brings them joy or annoys the hell out of them. My intent is to bring to life interesting and ‘real’ characters that you, the reader, can relate to in real-life situations that combine a little fun, plenty of drama (with perhaps a tear or two), and big helpings of friendship, love and self-discovery, and will leave you either cheering or sighing with a satisfied smile as you turn the final page.
And just so you know . . . I like a happy ending.

Reviews

[Toni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Darlene did it again! You might as well plan not to sleep because once you start reading Second Wind, you won't be able to put it down! The action begins on the very first page and continues throughout the book with many twists and turns. The characters are so real, I felt like I truly knew them. The story made me laugh, made me cry and had me cheering Dana on from start to finish. True to form, Darlene gave the book a heartwarming ending. Read it!

[Kim Bryant · Rating 5 out of 5]

She did it again

I laughed and cried and wished I was Dana. I feel like these ladies are friends of mine! Can’t wait for Mary’s story. I NEED MORE NOW! Thank you Darlene😘

[Carlyn Engstrom · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Women of Whitfield series has stolen my heart. These are women I wish were in my circle of friends. I've enjoyed Claire's and Dana's stories, and I'm excited to start Barefoot Days, the 3rd book that focuses on Mary's story.

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nurse, mother, friend - Dana enjoys a fulfilling life, and looks forward to her children's adulthood as her two elder ones complete their educations and move into careers. Her youngest, well, he's not quite ready to launch, and it's not clear where or when he'll do so - and Dana takes that in stride, just as she has done before with crises at the hospital and losses in her life. But a tornado delivers a gut punch when it devastates her town and her house, bringing with it more issues on top of the old ones.

I loved Dana and her friends, found her family by turns endearing and completely annoying (and always interesting!), and was eager to find out how this strong woman, stressed past what she thinks she can handle, finds strength in herself, with the help of friends, family, and her own good sense.

'Second Wind' is riveting as she moves through enough new challenges to take anyone's breath away. Ms. Deluca understands friendship and being a mom, and Dana's story speaks to me about inner strength, and about finding our way through life's transitions.

Great writing, great people - and a great reminder about how we need a little help from our friends (and return it tenfold!)

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was given an electronic copy of this book for an honest review. Dana, a nurse at a local community hospital, helps her friends and neighbors through the aftermath of a devastating tornado. As her life seems to collapse around her, she finds strength despite the adversity she faces. Just when she thinks that all is lost, a little romance comes her way. This book was a quick read, with a well paced plot and great characters. I found myself rooting for Dana, as she is the kind of person that deserves a little happiness. This series has limitless potential, as there are stories that can be told. I look forward to reading more by this author in the future.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this second book in the Women of Whitfield series as much as I did the first one! It's so great to read stories that focus on women's friendships. I could easily relate to Dana, the main character, and the trials she faced. From menacing midwestern weather, to challenges with her children, to learning how to date again after many years, to caring for an aging parent, to changes in her career, Dana must navigate through them all, and relies on her friends for support. I will look forward to reading the next book in this series to hear the story of another one of these strong women!

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Darlene's 2nd book in a trilogy didn't disappoint me as a women's read. She writes of strong women overcoming everyday obstacles. I love how her love of family, friends and career make there way in her stories. I hope to gain some of Dana's strength. I especially love how the characters in this book never used their misfortunes as an excuse to give up, rather they stayed focused on family and jobs.

[SueK · Rating 4 out of 5]

Second Wind is my second read by Deluca. Once again, I found this book from the Women of Whitfield series to be engaging and enjoyable. I’m especially fond of the study of women’s friendships as they have reached that empty nest phase of their lives, yet still involved with adult children, grandchildren, and holding down jobs and community work.

Deluca does an excellent job of setting up the stressors of the situation in life, without making it too overwhelming to read. I’m looking forward to the next book.

Actual rating 3.5 rounded up because I love stories of female friendships.

[Pypa · Rating 2 out of 5]

I enjoyed the first installment in this series immensely so I decided to read this one. Sadly, I didn't enjoy it at all. It didn't feel like the same person wrote it. It's not a deal breaker though. I'm going to read the next one and I hope it will remind me of how wonderful A Storm Within was.

[Jane-Elyse · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second of the Women of Whitfield trilogy did not disappoint in any way. I loved getting back to this circle of strong, capable, loving friends. Living in the Midwest, I also know the terror and destruction of tornadoes, and Deluca's on-target story-telling puts the reader into the midst of the whirling emotions of fear, loss, and survival. As in the first book, these characters will grab your heart.

[InD'tale Magazine · Rating 3 out of 5]

The premise of this novel is good - the classic story of a woman whose life is torn apart by natural disaster and her battle to rebuild it back up again.

Read full review in the 2015 September issue of InD'tale Magazine.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoy the Women of Whitfield series. I can relate to these women! Can't wait for the third book!