Second Chance Father

Willow's Haven #2

by Renee Andrews

The Widower's Fresh Start 

After losing his family, Jack Simon moved to the remote Alabama woods to be alone. But when an uncommunicative boy appears on his property, everything changes. Dedicated social worker Elise Ramsey explains the boy is an orphan with autism who lives in a nearby children's home. The beautiful woman seems so hopeful about young Cody's kinship with Jack, and despite his vows to never be a husband or father again, Jack can't help being drawn into both their lives. But can the rugged recluse truly open his heart again and chance loving the woman and boy who've come to mean so much to him?

Genres: Love Inspired, Romance, Harlequin

209 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2017

About the author

National Readers' Choice Award and RT Reviewers' Choice Award winner Renee Andrews spends a lot of time in the gym. No, she isn't working out. Her husband, a former All-American gymnast, co-owns ACE Cheer and Tumbling. She is thankful the talented kids at the gym don't have a problem when she brings her laptop and writes while they sweat. When she isn't writing, she's typically traveling with her husband, bragging about their two sons and new daughters-in-law or spoiling their grandchildren.

Renee is a kidney donor and actively supports organ donation. In 2013, she, her husband and their oldest son competed as team Hello Kidney on the American Bible Challenge to raise money for living donors and to raise awareness for the need for living donors.

If you are considering becoming a living donor, ask her about how you can also save a life by sharing your spare! Or check out the “living donor” section of her Web site, http://www.ReneeAndrews.com She welcomes prayer requests and loves to hear from readers! Write to her at Renee@ReneeAndrews.com

Renee Andrews on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AuthorReneeAn...
Renee Andrews on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/reneeandrews

Books by Renee Andrews
Her Valentine Family – February 2011
Healing Autumn’s Heart – October 2011
Cake Icing, Butt Budder and Tea Lids - October 2011
Picture Perfect Family – March 2012
Love Reunited – October 2012
Mornings with Jesus 2013 – September 2012
Heart of a Rancher – January 2013
Profiled – February 2013
Bride Wanted – July 2013
Yuletide Twins – November 2013
Mornings with Jesus 2014 – December 2013
Mommy Wanted – January 2014
Small Town Billionaire - September 2014
Mondays with Jesus 2015 - October 2014
Daddy Wanted - February 2015
Baby Wanted - August 2015
Family Wanted - September 2015
Mondays with Jesus 2016 - October 2015
Mondays with Jesus 2017 - October 2016
Second Chance Father - December 2016
Child Wanted - July 2017

Reviews

[Phylis Carpenter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book. Got to meet the group from Willow's Haven again then we met Jack, Cody and Elise. I liked how Cody doesn't speak but uses flash cards and is quick to learn new topics. His walk in the woods where he met Jack and started learning new things.

Overall the book could tug at your emotions and it was a hard read to put down. Love the Willow Haven books so far.

[Kimberly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Yet again, another book sold me with just a glance at the cover. I thought it was such a cute sweet family picture. While I loved the cover, the story was sorta 'meh' . I mean I liked it, but it didn't wow me, but held my attention enough for me to finish it. I felt like Jack and Elise's feelings for one another formed too quick to me. Within the first meeting between the two, bother were attracted to one another. To me, it was very believable, or not to me as I sometimes see attractive men every other day, but I never have 'feelings' for them upon seeing them. I guess I am not fan of fast paced instance romances in books. I like for them to build over time. But other than that, the characters were pretty likable.

Jack, a 32 year old man, who is living in solitude like a lumberjack in the woods trying to escape the pain and grief of losing his family in a tragic plane crash. He wants nothing to do with his former life, he just wants to be left alone. Elise, a 28 year old woman who works and lives to help children with autism get adopted or fostered into loving homes. She has a kind heart and often has a habit of trying to fix people and their problems which stems from her dads struggle with Asperger's and her deceased husbands struggle with depression. When she seeks Jack's sadness in his eyes, she wants to help him, connect back to his faith, but he refuses as he felt Hod let him down when his family was taken away. Cody, a 11 year old boy who is autistic, who Elise is currently trying to help, stumbles upon Jack in the woods, has a big impact on Jack as he reminds him of his son. Seeing Cody's timidness and unwilling to communicate, he wants to help him - and Elise - to get him adopted.

Throughout their many meetings, Jack grows attached to Cody and Elise, though he fights it as he doesn't to to feel or care for another being and have them tragically taken away again. But in the end, his feelings for Cody and Elise win out and he gives in to them.

Another character that I thought was cute, was little 4 year old Naomi. The way she was written and how she told Elise that she loved her from the moon and back was just too cute.

That being said, as I liked the book, I don' think I'd read it again. I'd lump it into the 'one read and done' category as I feel I already experienced everything that there is to experience with the first read.

[Joan O'neill · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked this book up at the library and really loved it. Now I want to read the other books in the series . Loved the story the characters and for sure the spiritual lesson 💕💕💕

[Bettys Welt · Rating 5 out of 5]

so sweet

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Possibly the best Love Inspired book I have ever read. Jack's story was heartrending, and the bond between him and Cody was awesome. Great message in the book also. Loved the book

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a great book. The children were adorable. The lessons you can take away from this book are wonderful.

[Sheila · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was ok, if a little depressing. Three different people losing their families.

[Annette · Rating 4 out of 5]

2nd from the series was an enjoyable read. The young man with different abilities was very heartwarming

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely not my usual genre, there are aspects that weren't my norm, but overall, the book is great! Well written, interesting characters, a little mystery, and the perfect amount of descriptive language, my only "complaint"...and I wouldn't really call it that...is that the ending was a bit abrupt. I can see where it came from, but would have liked more: a scene with Cody and Jack discussing Elise (after the IEP) and perhaps one with them discussing Thanksgiving dinner. Even without these scenes, the story is excellent and different, the characters likable (when they are supposed to be:-)), and the underlying message clear. I'd highly recommend this to everyone!

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I Loved this beautiful heartwarming book! I enjoyed the story from page 1 to the end. It was so beautifully written with wonderful characters and a believable story line. I was swept up right away and enjoyed getting to know everyone and loved the entire story. I felt God throughout the whole book and the story makes you realize just what an awesome God we have. Thank you Renee Andrews for another great Christian read.

[Harlequin Books]

"There are many emotional scenes that will have the reader quickly falling in love with the characters, particularly Cody. Cody accurately depicts the challenges associated with working with autistic kids, but also the pure joy that comes along with it. There are numerous situations that will tug at the reader’s heartstrings. Andrews does a great job of educating the reader about autism and the educational aspects surrounding special needs students. The characters clearly demonstrate how God is always there, even in life’s storms" (4 1/2 stars TOP PICK! @ RT Book Reviews).

Miniseries: Willow's Haven

[Bonnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Second Chance Father by Renee Andrews. Jack Simon's wife and children were in a plane crash two years ago. He is a director of religious movies. He buys a cabin in the middle of no where to get away from people. He finds out there is a children's orphan within walking distance to his cabin. One day an autism boy, Cody, comes near his cabin. Jack is making furniture for his cabin. Cody doesn't speak since his parents died. Elise Ramsey is in charge of Cody at the orphanage. This is a very good real.

[Dannielle Peters · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Book Was So Amazing! I Love That This Father Got To Be A Father Again! Autism Is A Very Real Disease And This Really Helped Me Fell Closer To My Cousin With Autism. I Suggest This Book To All Readers.

[erin herrington · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was so amazing, Jack and Elise are so good together, and Cody stole my heart.... My Dad loved old cars, and I do too, so it was cool to read about a character who was like that!

[Sheri Jesse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quick, easy read. This is a very uplifting story and one that will tug on your heartstrings.

[Harlequin Books]

received 4 1/2 stars TOP PICK! @ RT Book Reviews
Miniseries: Willow's Haven

[Becky Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it. I suggest reading it with a box of tissues at hand as it made me cry.

[Sparrow12 · Rating 5 out of 5]

good plot