This Second Chance

by D.L. Finn

Newly married Rachael Battaglia finally had it all. The only detail that stained Rachael’s perfect wedding was a gift she received. It was the exact present that her late ex-husband had given her on their wedding day — a snow globe. That marriage was not what she had envisioned, and she endured years of his abuse and charm until one night she escaped with two kids and one on the way. Now Rachael was headed to Hawaii with an amazing man and her chance at happiness. Unbeknownst to Rachael, she had an Angel on her side, although this Angel might not be able to save Rachael and her family from the evil that surrounded them. This is a tale of love, past relationships, things unseen, and redemption. Will Rachael find her happy ending, or will this evil thing get its way?

Genres: Fiction

Paperback

Published May 1, 2022

About the author

D. L. Finn is an independent California local who encourages everyone to embrace their inner child. She was born and raised in the foggy Bay Area, but in 1990 she relocated with her husband, kids, dogs, and cats to Nevada City, in the Sierra foothills. She immersed herself in reading all types of books but especially loved romance, horror, and fantasy. She always treasured creating her own reality on paper. Finally, surrounded by towering pines, oaks, and cedars, her creativity was nurtured until it bloomed. Her creations include children’s books, adult fiction, and poetry. She continues on her adventure with an open invitation to all readers to join her. You can learn more about Ms. Finn at her website: www.dlfinnauthor.com , or email her at: d.l.finn.author@gmail.com

Reviews

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Second Chance is the first book I've read by DL Finn. I discovered the author via her blog and decided to read one of her novels this summer. After perusing all the descriptions, this one seemed like the best fit. Falling somewhere between a contemporary fiction family drama and metaphysical / paranormal novel, it brings lots of emotions and character depth. In terms of paranormal, this is less about ghosts and more about what happens to someone after (s)he passes away and has unfinished business.

Rachael's first husband was a monster. After their divorce, he died and finally seemed to free Rachael from all the drama in her life. She raised their three children alone before falling in love with a new man. On her wedding day, strange things begin to happen, reminiscent of her first wedding. Her eldest son seems to have a vendetta against his mother for whatever transpired with his father. The younger two children are happy for their mother and her new romance. The story then flips to Ed, Rachael's ex-husband who is watching her from The Great Beyond (I say that because I don't want to give away any spoilers). He's been tapped to protect Rachael from a lurking shadow monster with evil intent. From there, the drama unfolds and Rachael discovers what's been happening all around her family.

Finn has a clever plot. While the paranormal aspect isn't a traditional read for me, it worked well with the story. It added mystery and suspense, especially when readers knew what the evil creature was intent on doing and how Rachael was completely unaware. Toss in the mean ex-husband who seems to have learned his lesson, readers are caught in the middle of a three-way face-off, attempting to determine whom to trust and root for. It made for a very solid read in terms of guesswork, character development, and pulling emotions related to death, pain, memories, and heartache.

I like Finn's direct writing style. There are imagery and ethereal components, to help with the concepts of afterlife, drama, and the good vs. evil plot, but at its core, this is a story about lost love, forgiveness, misunderstanding, and changing bad behaviors. Not everyone can turn the corner, but the few who do have an opportunity to truly do something wonderful with their lives. It's a great lesson, but don't let my review spoil anything. Figuring out who's on Rachael's side and who is against her will be very important to this plot. I think you'll enjoy this light but complex read. Happy Reading!

[Jessica Jesinghaus · Rating 4 out of 5]

Check out this review, and many more, on my blog https://jessjesinghaus.wordpress.com

3.5 out of 5 stars

Abuse, in all its forms, takes a heavy toll. In This Second Chance, by D.L. Finn, we meet Rachael on her wedding day. This is her second chance at happiness, a marriage to a wonderful, loving man; unfortunately her special day is shadowed by memories of her first marriage to an emotionally and physically abusive man. Even before the wedding, strange events and foreboding feelings plague Rachael, and those things only intensify when Rachael and Tony head off on their Hawaiian honeymoon. It seems someone is stalking the newlyweds, but is it a flesh and blood person or could it be the ghost of Rachael's ex Ed seeking revenge? And who are the mysterious beings watching over Rachael and her family? Will her supernatural guardians be strong enough to protect her from evil?

This Second Chance is not your typical paranormal romance. It's a clean romance, light on the heat, however there is no question that Rachael and Tony are soulmates. Filled with themes of redemption and penance, the characters all face significant challenges both on the earthly plane and in the afterlife. I applaud author D.L. Finn for tackling such a difficult subject as domestic abuse and the impact it can have on families, even long after the abuse ends. The concept of evildwels was an interesting take on the nature of evil, and made for a disturbing obstacle Rachael's angelic guardians must overcome. So many lives intersect and collide in dramatic ways which might feel contrived, until you remember there's an angelic influence impacting them all. The story flows at a steady pace and, although the dialogue can sometimes feel a tad repetitive, it was a highly enjoyable read filled with hope and promise.


**ARC Copy Reviewed for Readers' Favorite**

[Mark Bierman · Rating 5 out of 5]

The supernatural meets the mortal in this tale of redemption. When Rachael marries Tony, she believes that life will only get better for her and her two children, but nothing could be further from the truth. Something doesn’t want them to ‘live happily ever after’, in fact, it doesn’t want them to live at all.
D.L. Finn does an excellent job of delving into some of our deepest fears and greatest hopes. At several points in the story, I found myself stuck at the crossroads between sympathy and contempt for some of the antagonists. To me, this is the mark of well-rounded characters.

[Sally Cronin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is about good and evil and how it lives side by side within individuals, with the choices we make, the only barrier between them. We all like to believe in second chances, but not everyone deserves them. However after suffering an abusive marriage, Rachael and her children are now being offered a new life with a wonderful man who would move heaven and earth to ensure their happiness.

When an evil spirit is also moving heaven and earth in search of revenge, it is a fight for survival for this new family and those they love. It will need the power of redemption and forgiveness, and a helping hand from a higher power to overcome the dangerous entity hunting them.

The past is entangled in the present, and unraveling the mystery of why the family has been targeted moves at breakneck speed towards the explosive climax.

The author has done an excellent job creating the two worlds inhabited by the characters who are bound to each other in desperation and in hope. There are elements of a number of genres including romance, paranormal and thriller and it is action packed from start to finish. A recommended read.

[Teagan Geneviene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another wonderful volume from D L Finn. Don't miss it.

[Jan Sikes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this story from D.L. Finn. It took many twists as it unfolded. Rachael finally has a chance for real happiness and love. It is her second marriage and she has three children from the first. Her ex-husband was abusive, physically and verbally, and he died drunk in a car crash. But, Tony Battaglia could not be more opposite. He is kind and loving and accepts Rachael's children as his own. On their wedding day, an eerie gift is delivered that shakes Rachael, but it is only the precursor of things to come. When someone breaks into their hotel room and cuts all their clothes into shreds on their honeymoon, Rachael and Tony are worried. But, Ed, Rachael's ex-husband and father of her three children, is being given a second chance on the other side to right his wrongs and he is watching over them. Eddie, their oldest son, headed straight down the same path his father took in life, drinking, doing drugs, stealing and making a complete mess of his life. When a car accident leaves him in a coma, he and his father join forces to defeat a strong "evildwel" that is hell-bent on destroying Rachael and Tony Battaglia and the children. With the help of a beautiful angel, Zelina, they accept the challenge. I love how this author wove otherworldly personalities in with humans. She has a keen insight into the psyche of an abusive individual. And when the evildwel stated he was going to Washington D.C. to get involved in politics, I couldn’t help but shake my head. If you love a good romance with Angels, Demons and spirits, you'll love this story.

[Maretha Botha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Choices and Consequences
“This Second Chance” by D.L.Finn is the second book I’ve bought and read by this amazing author. This is the story of Rachel, a widow and Tony Battaglia. There future life seems perfect on their wedding day, except for one small blemish - Rachel receives a small snow ornament which looks exactly like the one her first husband, Eddie gave her when they got married!
The plot moves at a very comfortable pace from this moment on as many strange things begin to happen to the newly weds on honeymoon inHawaii and back home - things which will keep you on the edge of your seat!
Pluses for me: Solid, believable dialogue; excellent descriptive scenes, some are real hair raisers for me: exciting action; tender moments between husband and wife, their kind, loving manner with their two teenagers, their cat and new little dog - all become part of this thriller. If you like the idea of a guardian angel, you’ll enjoy this story just that much more AND the universal theme of good ultimately triumphing over evil because love is the strongest bond of all is the underlying message for me, especially because Rachel suffered abuse at the hands of her first husband. This story about true love, making better choices the second time around and finding redemption make for a wonderful exciting read and if you enjoy a touch of the supernatural world, I am sure you’ll like reading this highly recommend book.

[Linnea Tanner · Rating 5 out of 5]

"This Second Chance" by D. L. Finn is a paranormal suspense with a unique twist about redemption and transformation. We are first introduced to Rachel who has a second chance for happiness after an abusive relationship with her now deceased, ex-husband. As she gets ready for her second wedding with a kind-hearted man, she discovers a broken snow globe that she received by her ex-husband. She shakes off the bad omen as nothing more than a coincidence. Other foreboding events occur during her honeymoon, signaling that she is dealing with supernatural forces that could threaten the lives of her new spouse and children from her previous marriage. Unbeknownst to Rachel, a shadowy evildwel lurks near her with malicious intent.

Author D. L. Finn skillfully uses the point of view of various characters, both human and supernatural, to add to the layers of suspense. As everyone's past histories weave together, the story deepens into a metaphor of how evil can encompass a person and turn him or her into something that is abusive and destructive. Ultimately, the tale is about hope of atoning yourself by understanding yourself.

"This Second Chance," is recommended for readers who enjoy suspense with a deeper, heartfelt theme of redemption and transformation.

[Jacquie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rachel is starting over after an abusive first marriage. Her new husband, Tony, is kind, caring, and devoted to her children- in short, perfect. Unfortunately, someone doesn’t want her to be happy and sabotages the newlywed couple’s honeymoon in a series of frightening incidents.

Deciding to cut their Hawaiian trip short, Tony takes his bride home to the house her kids renovated while they were gone. It should have been the start of a wonderful life together, instead it’s the beginning of a reign of terror.

They say you can never really bury the past and D.L. Finn uses this concept in an unexpected way in this gothic thriller.

Rachel’s abusive ex-husband dies in a drunk driving accident and is given a chance at redemption if he can stop a dark spirit called an Evildwel from destroying his family with the help of a benevolent angel. His son, Eddie, started down the same soul-destroying path Ed traveled, but thanks to his father’s intervention Eddie learns the truth about the past and seeks to correct his mistakes. If they can overcome the Evildwel.

While this book covers a dark matter, the overlying concept is one of forgiveness and love. I give This Second Chance 5 brilliant stars!

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[Charles Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

In This Second Chance D.L. Finn combines Romance and Paranormal Thriller and in return the reader receives a wonderful experience.

The story is about a ghost, Ed, who is given the opportunity to make up for his horrible behavior to his ex-wife and children. The catch, he has to stop two evildwels; one that is trying to take over his oldest son, the other that is attempting to kill his ex-wife, their children, and her new husband. On top of that, there’s an Angel who is overseeing this, but gives Ed very little information or help on what he’s supposed to do.

The suspense of this novel is at a pretty high level, though I was a little let down with the climax, but I can’t blame that on the author, the world she created is amazing, I’m a bit desensitized when it comes to Thrillers. I was expecting a harder punch with the evildwel at the end, but what she shows is softer and more beautiful.

I recommend This Second Chance by D.L. Finn, and give it 4 out of 5 Stars.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

With a touch of the paranormal and the hope of redemption for many of the characters, author D.L. Finn has written a book that you will thoroughly enjoy.
Rachel and Tony deserve a second chance at happiness, but the fate of their future lies in the hands of forces beyond their control. On Rachel's wedding day she receives an unexpected gift with instructions to "open now". A gift that brings back memories of the abuse she endured in her first marriage. Who would want to upset her on her wedding day? Little does she know that a battle has been waged between good and evil, and her family will be pawns in this violent confrontation. The theme of "second chance" will resonate throughout the book and it is not only Rachel and Tony's happiness and well-being that is at stake.

[Mae Clair · Rating 4 out of 5]

A tale of family relationships and redemption, with a paranormal thread. As Rachel begins life with new husband, Tony, she receives a gift that reawakens the trauma of her previous marriage. That gift sets the stage for a paranormal battle in which Rachel receives unlikely help.
I enjoy books that carry the theme of second chances and redemption, and D. L. Finn handled that aspect well in creating a tale with characters you care about, and providing an intriguing path for their journey, especially by weaving in the realm of the supernatural. The varied plot threads tie together beautifully at the ending, for a well-conceived and satisfying conclusion. If you enjoy the nuances of family bonds and drama, you’ll find this an engaging story!

[Yvette Calleiro · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story. It focuses on how abuse affects so many people differently, but it puts a paranormal twist on the story by allowing the deceased abuser an opportunity to redeem himself. Each character was solid and believable, even the antagonists. There were times when I wanted to reach into the pages and force the main character to listen to her daughter, but since I couldn't, I just gritted my teeth and waited for her to come to her senses. lol!

When I first started reading this book, I didn't realize that it would be a part of a series. I'm glad that the author chose to make a series out of it because I love the angels and how they are helping the humans come to peace with their lives. I look forward to reading the next book in the series. :-)

[DLM Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Captivating and honest

This venture away from the innocence of her other books really drew me in. The real life situation of past and current abuse that exist within the story really captured my empathetic side. But the drive to move on and find the good in life kept me hoping for the best outcome on all sides. The evil entity that exists within the story leaves enough to the own imagination that one's own fears can be wrapped into the description. I highly recommend it.

[Karen Ingalls · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rachel has a second chance at love and happiness. Tony who has never married has fallen deeply in love with Rachel. It is a perfect love story! Then evil spirits step in and try to destroy their relationship, kids, and them. The oldest son has made some poor decisions, incorrectly blames Rachel for many things, but his choices have brought an evil spirit into his body.
A well-written story with twists and turns, but the author holds the story together. An enjoyable read.

[Vashti Quiroz-Vega · Rating 5 out of 5]

I actually read the 2nd book in the series ‘The Button' before reading 'This Second Chance.’ Although I enjoyed ‘The Button' as a standalone, after reading Book 1 it makes much more sense to read the books in the series in chronological order.

Ed was not a good man when he was alive. He drank too much, was abusive to his wife Rachael and a horrible example to his kids. He misled his oldest son Eddie, who followed in his footsteps and influenced him to hate his mother. However, after his death, Ed had to watch his life and his bad deeds over and over, and he learned the error of his ways, understanding how much he had hurt his wife and kids. Ed knew they didn't deserve the pain and suffering he put them through and wanted to make amends.

Several years after Ed's death, Rachael fell in love again. Tony was a good man who loved her and her kids. On their wedding day, everything was going great until a gift she received made her blood run cold. From that moment on, things began to take a turn for the worse. But Rachael had a guardian angel, although she didn't know it, and this angel was determined to help her.

The angel Zelina intended to save Rachael and her family. She assigned Ed's ghost as Rachael's protector, especially since an Evildwel, a demonic entity that used wicked people's evil energy to do terrible things, was after her and her family bent on destroying them. This was Ed's chance to make up for all the harm he had done while he was alive. Zelina knew he would make every effort to keep his family safe and earn his redemption. From this point on the paranormal war between good and evil commenced.

The author hooked me from the beginning and kept me captivated to the end with all the action, mystery and clever plot twists. The characters were so real and relatable. I especially loved Rachael, Tony, Ed, Kelly and Hank.

This is a story of romance, family dynamics and redemption with a paranormal element. I highly recommend it.

[Eichin Chang-Lim · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book opens with a scene moments before Rachael's, the main character, second wedding. While invisibly observing the spectacle, there are dialogs between an angelic being, Zelina, and a soul without a body, Ed, who is Rachael's deceased ex-husband. A thick, dark mist called evildwel is inconspicuously flowing at the corner of the room. Readers can sense the intensity of the plot and are drawn into the mysteriousness of the story instantly. All the characters are well-developed. For example, Rachael's daughter, Kelly, is intrigued by the supernatural and ghostly realm, which seamlessly ties into the plot's critical element as the story gradually unfolds.
The narrative drama as a whole is well-crafted; however, this book encompasses various dimensions, and it is hard to characterize a defined genre. The story involves romance (intensive passion between the two main characters, Rachael and Tony); suspense (the readers keep wondering how the characters will manage the unsolved events); action (the heart-racing battles between the devil and angelic-supported souls); and tender love in the forms of siblings, friendships, and pets.
The essence of the story is three-fold. First, it encourages the woman to find the strength to defeat abusive relationships. Secondly, it incites those who have strayed away from the right path to ascertain the courage to repent and make it right. Most importantly, the author repeatedly proclaims, "Love is stronger than hate," and "love can conquer everything!" With love, one can find reconciliation, forgiveness, peace, restoration, and liberation. Do not be afraid to face the wrongdoings and assume a second chance to make it right and attain happiness.
No major editorial issues are noted. There are redundancies in the storylines. For example, Tony's father's criminalities are retold more than once (or twice), which impede the pace. However, the redundancy is not a huge ordeal, just worthy of mention here. I recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of a clean, multi-genre tale of devil vs. angel, heinous vs. love, and malicious vs. good.

[Patricia Furstenberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Second Chance is a contemporary fiction drama with a touch of paranormal, an emotional read.
When Rachael finally hopes that her troubled past is behind her, strange things start to happen - and on her wedding day.
D.L. Finn does a superb job of playing with our natural fears and hopes. DL Finn has her reader poised between sympathy and contempt for some of characters whose lives intersect in dramatic ways under an angelic influence impacting them all.
An enjoyable, fast-paced read filled with hope.