A Second Chance

by Dana K. Ray

A PAST SHE CAN'T FORGET . . . A FUTURE HE REFUSES TO ACCEPT . . . Raven will do just about anything to forget a horrific event from the past that still haunts her. Forced to attend church because of a promise she made at a party, she is immediately attracted to the young, handsome preacher, but is unconvinced of his promises of a better life. Matthew has everything planned out until Raven walks into his church and turns his life upside down. Repulsed by her lifestyle, yet fascinated by her beauty and charm, he finds himself drawn to her by a force he can’t explain. Raven and Mathew’s unlikely friendship leads them through escalating troubled waters that threaten to doom their growing relationship. Will they survive to learn valuable lessons of grace, forgiveness and love?

352 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 23, 2016

Reviews

[Paula Phillips · Rating 3 out of 5]

Growing up Raven, went along to church and followed the Christian life but then tragedy struck close to her and her life went downhill from there as she blamed God, where was he and why did he let this happen - we know, the same lines that people always say when they have lived the Christian life and want a cop-out and they turn and blame God. During this time Raven turned to a life of partying, drinking and drugs. One evening at a party, to shut her friend Travis up she agreed to go to church with him on the Sunday. The next day, Travis knocks on the door bright and early - ready to take Raven to church. Not going back on her promise, she reluctantly agrees but when she gets to church and sees the new pastor Matthew - he is like a Greek God. Not only that, some of his sermons have seemed like they are made especially for her. As the book goes along, we read as Raven and Matthew feel a strong connection but are both sort of repulsed by each other's life choices as for Matthew - a Pastor can't be seen hanging out let alone dating a party girl as he has a reputation in the community to uphold and has to be seen as following God's word. Can Raven and Matthew get through their ups and downs and prove that their love for one another is real and in the process - they may just change each other for the better? A Second Chance was a good edgy Christian Fiction novel where sometimes in order to learn to forgive ourselves and move forward and find our way back to God - we all just need a little push back to the correct path and if we really do want to make a change - we will continue down the right path and not steer onto the same mistakes avenue.

[♡ Jeri's Book Attic ♡ Jeri the Romance Bibiliophile ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

“A Second Chance” by Dana K. Ray was an unusual book for me to read. As I usually do not read “Christian” books.

For those of you who are not aware of the difference, I would like to point out : “A book about a preacher does not necessarily need to be a Christian book” – let me name one of my latest favorites in that department as an example – that would be “Lust is the Thorn” by Jen McLaughlin.

Those two books have similar subjects, yet they could not be any more different even if they tried.

“A second Chance” has a story to tell that is powerful and interesting and I am sure it will attract many readers, but I believe also that if the author would use the Christian focus of the book a little more subtle that this book would attract even more readers.

Raven and Matthew were interesting characters and the author manages to involve the reader in the internal struggles that both of them have to overcome in order to have a relationship with each other.

I liked that the book talks about forgiving without the preacher being a “perfect” human. While on hand I would like to think that the society has developed from mediocrity, I on the other side believe that the picture the author drew is not too far off from reality (sadly so)

[Kaylee Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best author out there! The single greatest stand alone book I have ever read!

[Kristyn - Reading to Unwind · Rating 3 out of 5]

Let me start by saying I really did enjoy reading this book. I am not overly religious, but I think you can take the religion portion for a grain of salt as their is also other topics covered in the book. I think the major takeaway was how someone can overcome so much adversity and become a stronger person. I also enjoyed reading about the budding relationship that developed in the book between Raven and Matthew it was interesting to read about both of their insecurities since they were so vastly different in my opinion.

I loved the growth that Raven experiences throughout the book. The author did a great job in developing her as a character and she really came into her own over the course of the book. Raven constantly had self doubts that she was able to overcome through her new found faith. Raven was able to develop a new support system for herself and change her life around, but it was not an easy task. I would have liked to know more about Raven's past as well, it was sort of skimmed over I felt after being mentioned a million times. I also would have liked to get a better feeling of the relationship with Raven's mom and sister before and after all these life events.

I enjoyed getting to hear the two dialogs of Raven and Matthew. They both had different upbringings and life events occur for them. They both also could never deny they had feelings for one another when they had internal dialog. It was a great love story to read since you got to hear both perspectives.

Things I didn't really love was the story itself. I felt like way to many thinks took place in Raven's life over what seemed like a short period of time for her to be fine and stable. It was sort of like after the first time she went to church everything changed and then another two major life events happened. I felt like it just covered to many crazy events and became longer to read. I felt like one major life crisis would have been enough to go into and the book to be great. I also felt to with so much going on it went from one big thing to the next to quickly.

I would suggest this as nighttime read. It was easy to follow along in the book and I felt like there were points that you could stop and think about what you were reading; you just needed time to digest.

I received a copy of this book from YA Bound Book Tours for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of this book.

[Cheryl Whitty · Rating 4 out of 5]

To me this story was about two young people learning to grow, and realise what is important in life.
At the beginning off the book, we see a reluctant Raven going to church with her friend Travis.
As soon as she sees and hears Mathew speak, she feels he is speaking to her.
Raven has suffered a very traumatic experience, and this sets on the right path.
The right path is never easy and although Raven struggles it makes her a stronger person.
Mathew knows where his life is going, and has it all mapped out.
Then he meets Raven, and can’t get her out of his mind.
Mathew thinks he needs a certain type of woman to succeed in his ministry.
It was heart-warming to see Raven grow into the lovely young woman.
Raven and Mathew together really works, but Mathew needed more growth.
It not a pretty read as Raven deals with some heartbreaking events.
If you want to find out more? There only one thing to do buy and read the book.
I would recommend this book to young Adult readers
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

[Lindsay Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I took this book on vacation with me and had a hard time putting it down. It is an amazing book about grace and forgiveness. A great read for anyone who has ever struggled with choices in life, and for anyone who has a pasts they wish they could forget. And a reminder to wait for God's perfect timing. I got teary eyed at times because the characters are so relatable. I hope this author writes more books in the future. I would recommend it to anyone.

[Christy Decker · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Second Chance is a tale of redemption, forgiveness and love. Dana K Ray does a wonderful job of pulling us as readers into this world of Raven, a broken and wounded soul who meets Matthew, a seemingly perfect preacher who she can't help but be drawn to. I loved getting to know these characters and enjoyed this story. I can't wait to read more from Dana K Ray!

[Irene Onorato · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dana K. Ray writes true-to-life, gutsy stories that are relevant in today's world. A Second Chance is an excellent read. A real page-turner. I highly recommend it.

[T Frederick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Refreshing

Beautiful story that delves into real, hard life. Challenging and uplifting with faith and scripture woven throughout in a meaningful way.