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Teachers of Diamond Projects School
Second Chance
He was tall and lean, even with a bulletproof vest under his shirt.
Zoey peered up into eyes as blue as Lake Michigan on a summer afternoon.
Zoey Pappas grew up in a one-stoplight farm town. Now she’s landed her dream job as the fifth-grade teacher at the urban Diamond Projects School, but can she handle it? Zoey knows her cows, but she’s never dealt with students from drug-infested, crime-ridden communities. Her Greek family wants her to stay home and earn her M.R.S. degree, but Zoey is determined to prove herself. The muscled Irish cop who’s been assigned to work with her as the Drug Awareness teacher isn’t helping matters either. He’s too efficient, too cocky, and too…handsome.
Ever since Officer Gavin Corrigan pulled Zoey’s car over on her first day of school for driving the wrong way on a one-way street in a neighborhood known for violence, he’s been captivated by her. But so much—too much?—stands in the way, including the heavy weight of his difficult family and the secret blame he carries.
As the two are thrust together in the concrete jungle, where everyone needs second chances, will Zoey and Gavin find their own second chances…together?
Teachers of the Diamond Projects School: Diamonds in the Tough.
Reality, Reflection, Romance.
“A moving story of hope and heroism, with characters as warm and real as the people next door.”-Lynn Austin, teacher, speaker, multi-Christy Award recipient, author of Wonderland Creek.
“Second Chances does an excellent job of sharing with readers some of the challenges deaf children face in school and in life. Definitely a worthwhile read!”-Karen Gross, MHS, CCC-SLP Deaf/Hard of Hearing Program, Eisenhower Coop.
“A heart-warming story of a rookie teacher’s first job in a tough Chicago public school.”-Judy Bodmer, author of When Love Dies and What’s in the Bible for Mothers.
“This down-to-earth fictional romance about a caring teacher and a police officer/chaplain does not shy away from the tough current times we live in.”-Connie Cameron, inspirational columnist, speaker, coauthor of Stories of Faith and Courage from Prison.
Zoey peered up into eyes as blue as Lake Michigan on a summer afternoon.
Zoey Pappas grew up in a one-stoplight farm town. Now she’s landed her dream job as the fifth-grade teacher at the urban Diamond Projects School, but can she handle it? Zoey knows her cows, but she’s never dealt with students from drug-infested, crime-ridden communities. Her Greek family wants her to stay home and earn her M.R.S. degree, but Zoey is determined to prove herself. The muscled Irish cop who’s been assigned to work with her as the Drug Awareness teacher isn’t helping matters either. He’s too efficient, too cocky, and too…handsome.
Ever since Officer Gavin Corrigan pulled Zoey’s car over on her first day of school for driving the wrong way on a one-way street in a neighborhood known for violence, he’s been captivated by her. But so much—too much?—stands in the way, including the heavy weight of his difficult family and the secret blame he carries.
As the two are thrust together in the concrete jungle, where everyone needs second chances, will Zoey and Gavin find their own second chances…together?
Teachers of the Diamond Projects School: Diamonds in the Tough.
Reality, Reflection, Romance.
“A moving story of hope and heroism, with characters as warm and real as the people next door.”-Lynn Austin, teacher, speaker, multi-Christy Award recipient, author of Wonderland Creek.
“Second Chances does an excellent job of sharing with readers some of the challenges deaf children face in school and in life. Definitely a worthwhile read!”-Karen Gross, MHS, CCC-SLP Deaf/Hard of Hearing Program, Eisenhower Coop.
“A heart-warming story of a rookie teacher’s first job in a tough Chicago public school.”-Judy Bodmer, author of When Love Dies and What’s in the Bible for Mothers.
“This down-to-earth fictional romance about a caring teacher and a police officer/chaplain does not shy away from the tough current times we live in.”-Connie Cameron, inspirational columnist, speaker, coauthor of Stories of Faith and Courage from Prison.
170 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2013
26 people are currently reading
25 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
February 16, 2026
A heart warming reminder that love and community can be found even when all seems bleak. Zoey draws you in from the first page and you can’t help but come to care for her. I found myself mourning with the adversity she faced, and celebrating her accomplishments as if they were those of a friend. Cleo guides you through Zoey’s first year of teaching with her masterful prose and storytelling ability. Each page left me wanting more, I couldn’t put it down. You’ve done it again Cleo!
July 4, 2022
Cleo Lampos weaves together another great story where the components of disabilities, gangs, inner city travesties, a frightened young teacher, and romance all mingle together. The author draws on her personal experiences in an inner-city school, bringing real life and authenticity to a captivating story. I love this author!
March 17, 2017
This is the story of Zoey Pappas, a young woman of Greek decent from a small town, who wanted to make a difference in the lives of children, so instead of working in her family’s restaurant, she became a teacher in an urban Diamond Project’s School in Chicago.
It’s also the story of Chicago Police Officer Gavin Corrigan, who’s involved in the school’s drug awareness program, and in a drug rehab program for adults. In his spare time he’s a jail Chaplain.
These two unlikely people come together in their faith in God and their love for the underdog. It’s a sweet story of hopes and dreams, of fears and failures, and of second chances.
The author has a way of drawing you into each of their stories that keeps you turning the pages. Granted, there are some formatting issues with the ebook version, but they don’t detract from this wonderful story. And because it’s a book about Christian values, the characters do pray, and they also quote from the Bible, but it all blends in with the context of the story. This is another heartwarming novel from master storyteller, speaker, and author, Cleo Lampos.
It’s also the story of Chicago Police Officer Gavin Corrigan, who’s involved in the school’s drug awareness program, and in a drug rehab program for adults. In his spare time he’s a jail Chaplain.
These two unlikely people come together in their faith in God and their love for the underdog. It’s a sweet story of hopes and dreams, of fears and failures, and of second chances.
The author has a way of drawing you into each of their stories that keeps you turning the pages. Granted, there are some formatting issues with the ebook version, but they don’t detract from this wonderful story. And because it’s a book about Christian values, the characters do pray, and they also quote from the Bible, but it all blends in with the context of the story. This is another heartwarming novel from master storyteller, speaker, and author, Cleo Lampos.
December 16, 2020
Loved it
Felt as i was right along side the author. Great book. Tense moments when the officer was injured and it was a surprise that Molly was his sister.
Felt as i was right along side the author. Great book. Tense moments when the officer was injured and it was a surprise that Molly was his sister.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews