Second Best

Twins #2

by Cris Anson

Second Best Cris Anson Personal demons. There s no escape. Nowhere to hide. Ask Jack Sutcliffe. They re lessons he learned the hard way along a road pitted with failures and disappointments. But he s fighting back. Desperately. Learning from his past to be a better man. For the woman he loves. For the son he never knew he had. And while those around him have forgiven him his sins, Jack discovers forgiving himself is the hardest step of all. Mother of three, businesswoman and widow Monica Burke has no time for love after a husband who betrayed and deserted her. Until the soul-deep hunger and desire she sees in Jack s eyes cracks an opening in the hard shell encasing her emotions. In Jack she sees the good man he s always wanted to be. But nothing worth having comes easy. Especially love. A shocking incident shatters Jack s fragile comeback, forcing him to make a choice that will devastate him to his very soul. Too late, Jack will learn the meaning of family. Too soon, Monica will learn the meaning of sacrifice. "Note: " Second Best "is the sequel to" First to Die." While enjoyment of "Second Best" would be enhanced by reading the books in order, "Second Best" can be read as standalone. Reader Advisory: This book contains explicit sex scenes. Publisher Note: Previously published elsewhere under another title but has been revised for Cerridwen Press."

316 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 20, 2008

About the author

I write erotic romance because I firmly believe that life doesn't stop at the bedroom door. I had a deeply romantic relationship with my husband of 22 years, and I want to celebrate his memory in my writing. After he died, it took me a long time to come out of my grief, but parts of him -- his honor, courage, optimism, tenacity, and lust for life -- live on in all my heroes. They’re all alpha men, as well.

And I write erotic romance because I feel you're never too old to give or receive love. Many of my stories have older heroines who dazzle younger men, and I wouldn't mind being such a heroine in real life. But that's another story...

I'm a member of Romance Writers of America, Liberty States Fiction Writers, and EPIC - the Electronic Publishing Industry Coalition. I’ve written for Ellora’s Cave since signing my first contract in 2004. I love gardening, and grow peonies (my friend calls them the “floozies” of the flower world), dahlias and other showy flowers. I play the piano occasionally, listen to classical music almost all the time, and sometimes dance to music only I can hear. And I read, read, read. I hope you do, too.

Reviews

[Glenda Castillo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is Jack's story. First born, and therefore oldest twin brother to Simon who's story can be found in the previous book, First To Die, Jack is trying so hard to be the man his father was, but deep down doesn't believe the evil in him will allow it. Although this book can be read on its own, without reading the first book I'm so glad I did read them in order. Ms Anson inserts enough backstory throughout this book to get the non-series reader through the rough parts ... You'll appreciate Jack's complete lack of self-worth better by reading First to Die first. This is the second Cris Anson book that produced tears, no, this one actually had me almost crying at the end. Great writing, pulled me in so deep that I'm writing this review at 1:51am (knowing there's work in a few hours) just because I couldn't stop reading until I was done!