The Second Best Time

by Lisa April Smith

The title for The Second Best Time comes from a Chinese “The best time to plant a tree was twenty years ago. The second best time is now.” And it suits a story of three people at a crossroads in their lives. Jack Caine (aka Jack Morgan), former lothario and sometime con man, now the owner of a successful gallery in the UK; his daughter Charlie (Charlotte) Morgan Francesco, 32 and an art consultant; and new to the series, Kat (Kathleen O’Connor Shironsky), 24, and a street-smart, unemployed bookkeeper. Dying of cancer and worried about his immortal soul, that rascal Jack confesses his long list of sins to Rev. Nigel. The stunned but sympathetic clergyman convinces Jack that his most heinous sin was perpetrated on his daughters, who believe that he committed suicide. Both men agree that seeing their father reopen wounds by suddenly reappearing, only to die a painful death shortly after, would cause additional harm. Filled with guilt and remorse, Jack swears to see to it that his beloved daughters are content, safe and protected, but anonymously. Typical of Jack, the plan he hatches is as convoluted and ingenious as it is entertaining. Seated on a park bench, struggling to find the courage to face social condemnation by leaving a miserable marriage to a husband with MS, Charlie meets Kat, whose boss just was arrested by the FBI for tax evasion. But losing her job is the least of Kat’s problems. Savings account emptied, three months behind on the rent, her husband has mysteriously disappeared. The mismatched pair – tall, elegant art-expert and accidental sleuth, Charlie – and Kat, the pretty, scrappy, 5th of 8 children – join forces to overcome adversity and fight crime with brains, grit and humor. And yes, along the way, some attractive gentlemen help provide the sizzle. The Second Best Time is the 3rd in the “Charlie Series,” which began with Exceeding Expectations and was followed by Paradise Misplaced.

282 pages, Paperback

First published January 15, 2016

About the author

Lisa April Smith is the award winning author of "Dangerous Lies," "Exceeding Expectations" first in the 'Charlie' series, "Paradise Misplaced," second in the series and her latest, "The Second Best Time," third in the series - launch date 1/1/2016- all in the genre she playfully calls “Suspense with Sizzle." But perhaps one reviewer succinctly said it best: “Lisa April Smith’s books have the pace and heat of Jacqueline Susann and the style and sophistication of Dominick Dunne.”

Her fourth book, "Forgotten Tales of China," is her first venture into historical fiction, and has received reviews. Epic in scope, it skillfully blends scientific data with Smith’s acknowledged gift for storytelling.

Reviews

[Valley Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

[Note: I received an advance copy from the author.]

Charlie walked out on her cheating husband an emotional wreck with no clue. One feisty, no-nonsense gal from Brooklyn and one ruggedly delectable artist out in Arizona may be just what she needs to blast her forever out of her comfort zone and put her life back on track. And if her “late” father, Jack Morgan, would only stay dead and buried, yet another chunk of her despair could finally rest in peace. Jack, however, is on a mission to position his soul for absolution.

“The Second Best Time” is a powerful revelation of how exceptionally fragile relationships are. In a crazy world exploding with change and promise, Lisa April Smith wrangles faith, desire, fear, and random hilarity into a captivating tale filled with surprises and some fabulous new characters. I absolutely loved Kat and her clan. They are a hoot! Wild times are definitely ahead for Charlie with this bunch!

[Diane · Rating 2 out of 5]

didn't know this was a series book until I got to the end of the book! I didn't like the book and would not read the rest of the series.