Can she put her faith in the one man who captivates her, body and soul, or are some wounds too deep to heal?
After a wild storm forces her to take shelter in a small town inn, Dana Nelson thinks that all she has to worry about is a brief stay before she heads back to the city. She gets far more than she bargained for…
The last thing she expects is to run into an old flame, and even worse, the man who broke her heart twelve years ago. She’s sure that the only thing remaining between them is a strong attraction for another.
She can’t be more wrong…
The more time she spends with Vince Reynolds, the more she begins to believe she can trust him again. But, can she put her faith in the one man who captivates her, body and soul, or are some wounds too deep to heal?
Excerpt
She released a breath, shaking her head at the way her heart raced. It was infuriating that the man still affected her. She’d thought Vince was out of her life for good. She slashed a brush through her thick, shoulder-length mane of flame red curls, and told herself to relax, that the past couldn’t hurt her anymore.
A soft knock could be heard then and with a frown, she went to the door.
Vince stood on the other side. His wavy, dark brown hair was ruffled, as if he’d mussed it with his hands, a habit of his she remembered quite well.
He sighed, didn’t speak for a moment. “I’m…so goddamned sorry, Dana.” His dark eyes were strangely haunted. “I’m sorry.”
She tried to block his view of her nightgown. “For what?”
“You know what for.”
Dana froze, her heart skipping a sick beat. He was apologizing now? After all this time? “It doesn’t matter now,” she said in a hoarse tone.
“The hell it doesn’t. You don’t think I know you, Dana? I know what it looks like when you’re hurt. And that look you gave me downstairs nearly killed me. Those blue eyes of yours always did.” He rubbed at his chest absently, and she looked at the movement like his hand was a foreign object.
She doubted part of what he said, and wondered if he was trying to appear more considerate. Why couldn’t he stay mean? She could hate him easier. “Fine. You said your piece. Now go away.”
She began to shut the door, but he blocked it with his hand. Even as she gasped, he shouldered his way inside and kicked the door closed. He reached for her when she would have backed away, his lips blocking her protests. It was a mistake, a total mistake, she thought in a stunned instant. But, the lure of his mouth was too strong, and she sank into his kiss anyway, whimpering as his tongue swirled over hers. His dark flavor was too enticing. Her breath caught up in her throat, and her body began to burn, to come alive. She remembered the passion between them very well. If she was totally honest with herself, it had been missing with Finn.
“You’re mine,” he muttered hoarsely against her mouth. “I should never have forgotten that.”
Caught between his body and the wall, she could hear the remorse in his tone, but her mind just seemed to stop working. None of it seemed to matter as he kissed the hell out of her. His heat was familiar, so welcome close to her body, and she curled up to it. His arms encircled her and there was a sense of safety, not danger. When his mouth moved over her throat, her eyes closed automatically.
Professional Reviews
The power of love - Five Stars
By Pamela on November 14, 2015
Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase
You need to know three things about me right away: 1. I'm a romantic type of person; 2. I believe in forgiveness of people always. That's just part of how I was raised; and 3. I believe in the power of love! With those three things written, this SECOND CHANCE HEART was the perfect short story for me to read and love! Our main character happens to run into her true love after feeling like she had been dumped by him years before. In the few pages of this quick-reading short story, Lavender weaves their stories together quickly and succinctly enough that you feel totally satisfied with the outcome. No spoiler here, but "happily ever after" is the way I like romance novels to end!
This was my first read by this author. I'm not usually a romance novel kind of girl, but I will be reading more of her work. I was grabbed right away and the story progressed quickly, and then it was over. I want more! Thank you, Marie Lavender, for sharing your talented writing.
Great short read packed with emotion - Five Stars
By Crystal M on October 19, 2015
Format: Kindle Edition
I was given an ARC of this book for an honest review.
What happens when you run into the one that destroyed your heart many years later? Dana Nelson comes face to face with the man who ripped out and stomped on her heart 12 years ago.
Vince Reynolds knew he wronged the one woman who had been with him since they were kids. Can he get her to talk to him again? Can he make her see his side now, after all this time?
This is a very short read, but there is so much drama and romance in it, that all you want is for the story to continue. You develop a bond with the characters and want to know more about them and what happens. Great story, great characters and great writing, definitely 5 stars for me.
Perfect! - Five Stars
By JenacideByBibliophile on October 19, 2015
Format: Kindle Edition
Disclaimer: This book was sent to me by the author, Marie Lavender, for an honest review.
This short story has the right amount or romance, innocence, regret, and forgiveness to leave you completely satisfied. Not only does this author do a fantastic job of condensing some major emotions into only thirty-five pages, but she writes with a straightforward purpose to make the reader feel pain and forgiveness all at once.
This short story starts off with our main character, Dana Nelson, running into her ex-boyfriend Vince. As soon as she spots him, Dana feels an intense wave of emotions run through her. Not only had they been friends since they were little, eventually becoming high school sweethearts, but Vince had cheated on her when they were in college and had severely broken her heart. Now, years later, Vince is trying to make up for his mistake and earn Danas forgiveness. Dana is forced to decide if she can move on from Vince and their past, or if she can forgive the man that broke her heart.
This story was sad and romantic all at once! This is a story many people can relate to, unfortunately, and I think the author does a great job of capturing how hard it is to forgive someone who has cheated on you. The author got the emotions in that moment perfectly! How sickly you feel just thinking back to the memory, and how your emotions go back and forth between anger and thinking about bittersweet moments from the past.
This is one of those short stories where you can appreciate its length and the content, without needing for the story to go on because it is perfect the way it is. This is a great read if you are looking for something romantic, as well as if you have been through the hardships of learning to forgive. Definitely give this one a chance!
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