Lucky

Harmony #2

by Staci Stallings

Kalin Lane had his dream in hand. Then, on the cusp of mega-stardom, Kalin’s world crashed down around him in a hail of stupid choices. Five years later, Kalin is back, reaching for his dream once again; however, time hasn’t erased his past. Will the lessons of the past be enough to save him from himself this time around?

Danae Scott thought she was headed toward the future every girl wants. However, in one night that belief is ripped into unrecognizable shreads. Devastated and confused, Danae is an anguished mess when an angel trips over her. Does this angel have the answers she didn’t even know she needed?


One man,
One woman,
One night that changes everything.

Genres: Romance, Christian Fiction, Christian, Christian Romance, Fiction, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance

Kindle Edition

First published July 21, 2006

About the author

A stay-at-home mom with a husband, three kids and a writing addiction on the side, Staci Stallings has numerous titles for readers to choose from. Not content to stay in one genre and write it to death, Staci’s stories run the gamut from young adult to adult, from motivational and inspirational to full-out Christian and back again. Every title is a new adventure! That’s what keeps Staci writing and you reading. Staci touches the lives of people across the globe every week with her various Internet endeavors including:

Spirit Light Books–The Blog:
http://spiritlightbooks.wordpress.com/

Facebook Author Page at:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Spirit-...

Staci’s Ebook Romance Stories:
http://ebookromancestories.com/

Follow Staci on Twitter: @StaciStallings

Reviews

[Loraine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable faith-filled contemporary romance.

[Bibliophile · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lucky

Lucky
You've got mail...
Danae Scott has a perfect future all planned out for her. In one night her confidence is shattered. Out of the ashes of that night she discovers who GOD intended her to be.
Kalin has been given a second chance in a world where few get a first chance. Having blown it the first time, he doesn't feel deserving of success the second time around.
Meeting Danae on the worst night of her life seems to be a matter of unlucky timing. Monumental shifts in both of their lives are set in motion. To get where they are going, they need GOD and their friendship helps keep their eyes focused on Him. Beautiful Christian romance at its best.

[Cathy Bickerstaff · Rating 3 out of 5]

Being yourself

The best part of this book was how Kalin taught Danae to be herself, work for her own goals instead of being what everyone else expected her to be. She only lacked student teaching to become a teacher, only she didn't want to teach, she wanted to be a doctor.
She was dating a guy she really didn't like because their families expected them to marry.
After she decided to become a doctor, she and Kalin encouraged each other to let God guide them instead of trying to control everything themselves.

[MARY WILSON · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this story!!

I love this heartwarming and wonderful story!! Kalin and Danae meet by chance but it was God's plan! Danae lives her life for everyone else. Kalin has a troubled past. God knows they need each other.

[Debra Shipley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lucky

Loved it!!!!!!!!
Staci has done it again and again!
Her stories are so easy to get involved and wish the book would go on...

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an absolute dream of a story! All of the elements of a magnificent story full of hope, love, and life are alive and pulsating within the pages of this book! There is nothing that feels fake or contrite about these characters and the transformation that they are undertaking. In fact, the emotions and thoughts that ran through my mind as I read this beautiful story were of how real it all felt. The complex inter-workings of one life throughout various situations weaving into another life that is walking a similarly complex path which resulted into a truly touching and life alternating journey left me shaking my head in awe at just how plausible this could be in real life. I was left with such inspiration and encouragement to even imagine that God that can take the bad in our life and turn it around for such mind-blowing good. There is no other explanation for what God can do. He will blow our minds and bless our socks off if we will only take our hands off the wheel and let him take over control of our lives. I dare you to let Him prove His goodness to you! You will be anything but disappointed.

Kalin Lane lived a life once where his wildest dreams come true. He was on top of the world, and he was king. But as the saying goes, what goes up must come down, and he came down hard. Now, he has to try and pick up the pieces of his shattered life, but this time, he has brought along the true Creator of his dreams. This time, he is building his dreams the way he should have the first time around. Danae Scott has lived her life according to the plans of those around her. She has never thought to follow her own heart, and she certainly has never entertained the idea of being excited to live life with a deep joy and a heart full of love. Doing what was expected of her and pleasing those around her was the only reward she ever craved, but after meeting Kalin, she finds herself wanting to break free of the chains that are keeping her from spreading her wings and fly. When her decisions start to make waves, will Danae have the courage to keep working towards the life she wants, or will she settle for the life that everyone tells her that she needs?

Words cannot express the magnitude of the depth and completeness that we find growing between Kalin and Danae. While their hearts begin to reach out and touch the other, they unknowingly become a huge source of encouragement and stability in the other’s life. Their simple yet heartfelt words over email become a lifeline of love, hope, and joy that forms a foundation of a precious friendship and later something much deeper. As with all relationships, they had secrets and pasts that they had to deal with in order to move forward, but with time, love, and God’s gift of forgiveness, they found that nothing is impossible to overcome. “Impossible” is just trying to life without God.

This story will bring hope and light and encouragement to hearts that are desperate for a reason to keep going. The honesty and purity with which this story radiates with every word will pull people in and hold them captive to a love and a hope that they are in desperate need of. No matter how hard we try to convince ourselves that we know what’s best for us, the faster our dreams will slip through our fingers. It’s only when we choose to see who is really in control that we will finally achieve the dreams that He has put into our heart. He will make a way where there seems to be no way, so chase after the true King, and your feet will not falter. Instead, you will find yourself flying up to the heights of the heavens and beyond.

This is the first book that I have read by Staci Stallings, and I have to say that she has been given such an amazing and exquisite talent that she can claim me as a dedicated fan. We are blind as we walk through each day of our life, and she has come to realize that while we will always see life looking through a dimly lit glass, we can put our full trust and hope in God to lead us safely through each step of our journey. His dream for you and me far outshine our brightest goals, so trust your heart and life to Him and watch the impossible come to life before your very eyes.

[Iryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book ‘Lucky’ is a great story centered on love but more importantly woven around characters that struggle with their past, present and future.
The author knows just how to weave the intricacies of the story – it is like you are watching a movie and waiting patiently not to fast-forward it! How she does it – beats my imagination! I guess that is what they call – TALENT!
The arrangement of the story line is just superb – considering the patterned arrangement of the emails inflow not to talk of the ideas infused into it – you just feel the emotions right with the character! And it is so simple to read and so divine to understand!
The story line and reactions of the characters to real life situation is as I would put it WOW – Look at this “Yes, he had messed up. Yes, she was furious about that. But there was no doubt he was indeed trying to make up for the mistakes he had made and trying to do it better this time. Swiping at the tears, she laid her fingers on the keyboard and typed the first message she had sent him three months.” It is so beautifully put in and you seem to feel along lines of the character – you see a way to resolving situations in a manner of arranging or looking at facts as they are and understanding the personae and the reasons given for an act! A paragraph that makes the reader sit-up and unwind over certain past situations and wishing one can unwind! God, Staci, Tell you what? You did a beautiful work there!
Also the imagery given each time you see “twisting the wristband,” an unconscious act of Kalin hits the button across as the reader meets a real life character! One really emotional person who though great but REAL – this unconscious act of Kalin talks about his inner tumults and struggling!
One of the major subject matter I think in the book is accepting a person for who he is I think is in this book. Even though the author used the protagonist (Danae) to air this fact, you see when it came to reality in her action, she simply backed off. But at the point of reconciliation, that was what she had to face and I think it is to drive home the message when she said: “I see now that you are Kalin, and that if I love some of you, I have to love all of you—the past, the present, and the future.”
And another theme is that a person can truly change and remained so when love and faith is placed on him! How much the world will be a better place if that can be driven to all men!
Take my hands off the wheel.
The author has a way of pulling the reader to be a part of what seems to be happening as he reads along! That I say is a PLUS Staci. You know – I really caught myself saying ‘Wow-oh with Danae! Thanks for making our little world interesting as we read your books. And I had a real laugh when I read ““Dear Lord, If I’m ever stupid enough to let him go again, would You please slap me?”
And by the way, the reason it took so long to reply was because I went back to read the COWBOY through in two day and it was just Wow!

[Sandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book had a good plot and was a good, clean read; however, I felt that it was more like a sermon than a fiction romance, and I found reading the endless email messages between Danae and Kalin rather excessive making the book much longer than it needed to be.

I felt that the relationship between Danae and her mother could have been developed more, and Lily's relationship with Kalin and with Danae could have been developed more to make the story more meaningful.

I found the portion of the story about Danae and Brandt interesting and I liked the twists in the plot as this developed and changed. I also enjoyed Kalin's career development with all it's twists and turns and I think it was interesting and well done, as was his struggle with doing 'the right thing'. This was a quote that I particularly liked: “Sometimes life takes detours we didn’t see coming.” She sat, looking at her hands for a long moment. “I want you to know, I know how much courage it took for you to write that letter, to contact us. It couldn’t have been easy. But I know what a difference you can make in her life, what a difference you’ve already made. She needed that… that connection, that bond.”

Stallings, Staci (2011-01-03). Lucky: Contemporary Christian Romance Fiction (The Harmony Series, Book 2) (pp. 293-294). Spirit Light Publishing. Kindle Edition.

The book had a happy ending, and I would be interested to know how Kalin's and Danae's life will work out with all the obstacles which will stand in their way as they both manage their busy careers.

I liked Book 1 in this series - Cowboy - much better. I received both books free as part of a promotion. Thanks to Staci Stallings for good, clean reading.

[Cathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was provided with a copy of "Lucky" by the author through Crossreads.com in exchange for my honest review.

I enjoyed reading the story of Danae Scott and Kalin Lane so much. Kalin is trying to make a comeback in the music industry after being away for 5 years. He had blown his big opportunity 5 years previously when he got caught up in drugs and alcohol. He has cleaned up his act and found God.

Danae is finishing up her final year of teaching college. She is so unhappy and has no idea that the choices she is making in her career and her future are what is making her feel this way.

Both Danae and Kalin find each other when they both need someone desperately to be there for the other and support them in the choices they make.

Staci Stallings is a wonderful writer. The following quote from the book is a prime example of this: "It was like his mind opened up to soak in the chord progressions and the way the notes fit together. It was like playing a symphony he had never heard before". So powerfully written.

In the end both Danae and Kalin find their way in life and to each other.

This is a book that I definitely recommend.

[CeCe · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF.

After reading a bunch of erotica that were complete and utter crap, I was in a mood for a nice and clean romance. However, I just could not get into this story. I could not connect with the heroine. That is not to say you will not. It is just my opinion and notes as to why I did not connect.

Her boyfriend, almost fiance, cheats or makes-out with the maid of honor at her friend's wedding. The heroine Danae, knew that her boyfriend was kind of a slim. He liked to drink and was pushing her to have sex with him. Well she finds her boyfriend, with the maid of honor and she is devastated. I did not buy the reasons for her being devastated. The hero is comforting her and that is where I stopped. She just appeared weak to me. Her boyfriend was an obvious jerk and I did not understand why there was so much inner dialogue about finding a guy that had money. The heroine's sister found a guy that had money. Danae's boyfriend had money...who cares?!?!?

Plus, the story had a lot of inner dialogue for me. I found myself skimming to get to the point.

Written in dual povs, third person.

[Teresa Snyder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although this is the second book in The Harmony Series, it really has little connection to book one. Ashton Raines, hero in book one, was mentioned a couple of times, but that's the only "connection." We'll, that and both books revolve around country music.

That would also be my only negative comment regarding the book. I fell in love with Ashton (Timothy) and Beth in book one, and was hopeful to read more about them in book two. There was mention of Ashton's "three" daughters, which made me smile. *sigh*

Okay, what can I say about Lucky? Five stars is really not enough for this book. I really connected with Kalin and Danae. I felt the connection. The emotions. The love. The big, WOW! Didn't see that coming! I stayed up until 3:00 am to finish this book. And the epilogue. Big smile.

The theme of this book: "When you get to the end of everything you know, and you're about to step off into the darkness, one of two things will happen. Either you will step on something solid or you will learn to fly ..."

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the love story between Kalin and Danae, and watching it slowly develop. I loved the contrast between what love should be and what love is not. What I loved more was the mini-sermons in the emails between them that are sure to inspire every person that reads this book! Whether it's reaching for the dream that God gave you, wanting to be the door instead of a window, living another person's dreams for your life, trying to take the wheel of the bus from God and drive it yourself or settling for good when God wants to give you the best... we have ALL been there and can see a different way through this book. Just reading this book has me looking for the x-better while accepting that God may have me where I am now to get ready for it... just by reading a sweet love story! Does some of this review sound cryptic? Read this story and it will make so much sense! I was given a copy of this book for my honest review.

[Kari Trumbo · Rating 5 out of 5]

It seems odd to say that a rising star musician can make a “real” character, but in this case, I believed it. Staci’s characters are always well-developed and you find yourself liking them right away. The conversations are genuine. I love that her stories are not the typical one-Christian-meets-non-Christian-and-saves-the-day stories. Her stories, even though they are fiction, tell the real story of Christianity, that without Him, we are nothing. I am not a Christian because I am better than everyone else, I am a Christian because I have failed, and need Him more than anything.

I also connected very personally with this story because part of it reminded me of my own relationship beginning with my husband. I found myself smiling at phrases and feelings that I thought I had forgotten.

[Jan Farmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

First I must say that i was sent a copy of this for review purposes but that has not affected this review. I started this book the day I received it but could already tell I was going to enjoy it. When i picked it back up on Friday evening I had read about 10%. I never really put it down after that. I had to read it to the end and even a crick in my neck and eye strain did nothing to dampen that mood. It was a fantastic read. I enjoyed it so much that I went on line Saturday and ordered The Cowboy and finished it the next day also. I am not sure if I can describe the feelings reading this book brings out but I can tell you that you will read it again & again and never get tired of the story

[Faith · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading "Cowboy" and then reading the excerpt from "Lucky", I really wanted to read "Lucky", but couldn't spend the money on it. So when I got an email asking for people to review "Lucky", I jumped at the opportunity, got my copy, and read it in less than a week. I think it only took me about 3 days to finish it and that was only because I had to work at least one of those days.

The only issues I had with "Lucky" were some personal preferences with some of the choices Danae and Kalin make and some of their Christian beliefs.

Overall, I really enjoyed reading "Lucky" and look forward to reading more books by Staci Stallings in the future

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Rose Helg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good Book.

This was a good book, actually. I was slow at first, put it down a couple of times, but always came back to it for some reason. Glad I did. Like I said it was slow at first, but after a couple of chapters, it stated to get real interesting. She really got into the people and God. This book really taught me something about God believe me are not. You have to be able to wait to see what he want you to do and where he leads you. The two characters were good. When you get to know them. Thank God he taught her to do what she want to do but not what others wanted her to do. The ending was good also.

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't say enough how much I LOVE Staci's books. The emotions I felt in this book were rich with hope, longing, joy, peace, heartache and ultimately faith. Kalin is our knight in shining armour. He rescues our heroine at her most vulnerable, humiliated state. Our heroine, Danae has lived her life according to what others think she should do. Our hero helps her to see this and to have the courage through God's help to pursue her dream. Their relationship development through e-mail was beautiful and romantic. Love this book! ! Definitely a keeper and one to be read again!

[Cayla · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've read books by Staci Stallings before and I've always been pleased. This book, however, isn't anywhere near as good as the other ones I've read. It's okay. It passes. But it's not spectacular.

Kalin and Danae are both wonderful characters--they sound very down to Earth and God-centered. Brandt, Tara, Lily, etc are all good additional characters for the story. Everything flows just fine, but I just could not love this book as much as I've admired Stallings' past works.

I'd advise you to read the book for yourself. You might like it. You might not.

[Kath · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is at least the 4th book of Staci's that I have read. I love her characters, connections and the ability to share love without intimate details. She also provides a solid Christian presence within her stories that feel real without being preachy. The Harmony series is my favorite so far because I can hear the music with the details she shares. The only thing that would be better is to witness the harmonies she describes in person.

[Tonja Saylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading Lucky, by Staci Stallings. They story was so sweet, but it was full of spiritual warfare. The story developed quickly, but the relationship between Danae and Kalin developed slowly -- which wasn't a bad thing. The reader learned both of their personalities and I found myself cheering for things to work out between them. This is a beautiful story of redemption and love!

[Cici · Rating 4 out of 5]

A rebirth story

This is the story of the rockstar who had it all and then lost it all. The young woman who thought she had it all. They meet one night when they are both vulnerable. They have so much to learn from each other. They are both so fragile individually. But together they fly.

[Lynda Knapp · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an inspirational story!

I was inspired by both Kalin and Danae. Their love and support and encouragement for each other throughout this book gave me warm fuzzies. To learn to forgive for past mistakes was only one of the God moments in this book. I definitely recommend and can't wait to read more by this author.

[Rena Terrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome

If we would take the time to develop a friendship with someone first. Plus have Jesus as the pilot it would save us from a lot of heartache. This was a wonderful story about friendship, love and forgiveness.

[Michelle Pendl · Rating 5 out of 5]

God loves us all no matter our pasts

Beautiful story that kept me entwined and interested to keep reading. Love reading of faith and love and obstacles that people learn to live through.

[Jeanne S. Denison · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a good read!

There are a few books that speak directly to your relationship with God. This is one of them. The characters are compelling and easy to identify with.

[Ila · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a good story telling about two young people and how they help each other to grow spiritually and to find direction in the world. A sweet romance, too.

[Debby · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't usually write comments but I really wish I could give this book more than 5 stars! I can see myself reading this again. Great book with a great message!

[Corlia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really inspiring book with great dialogue, the end is just very predictable. I really enjoyed this book.

[Stephen · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good... So deep.

[Pamela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good

This is an excellent book with an important message in it. I loved how it played out over years instead of instantly a very nice change.