Amazon Maggie Toussaint's website Category:  Romance Publisher: The Wild Rose Press ISBN-10:  1601541627 Pages: 192 Copyright: December 2007 ISBN-13: 9781601541628 Hope Farrier rescues unwanted horses, but she’s saddled with debt. Without help she’ll lose Second Chance Farm, the first home she’s ever known. An endowment brings the promise of future relief and the presence of shrewd business manager, Devlin Temple. Trouble is, Devlin has his dreamy blue eyes on more than her bottom line. Playboy Devlin Temple lays a trap for the thief that’s fleecing his company. When his cousin sets his cap for Devlin’s job, Devlin knows he needs Hope’s help to secure the CEO position. In her arms he finds the solace and support he craves, but their blossoming romance prompts the thief to raise the stakes. Will Devlin and Hope pay the ultimate price for love? This romantic suspense is my second published book. The title won a cover contest in January 2008 and will be in the running for cover of the year in early 2009. Proceeds from this title are being used to help Days End Farm Horse Rescue in Lisbon, MD. Visit their website at http://www.defhr.org Excerpt Someone was watching her. Hope Farrier’s nerves pinged as her mount skittered across the riding ring. The prickle of awareness that slid across the back of her neck was a warning. She glanced over at the dense hardwood forest that bordered her farm. Nothing unusual there. The thin chestnut snorted and tossed his head up, tugging the reins from her hands. “Easy, Jocko,” she crooned. “It’s all right.” Someone was out there. She was sure of it. Another lap around the ring and she had Jocko at a slow trot. She risked another glance at the perimeter. No one by the woods, but a tall man in a dark business suit stood by the barn. A business suit. Old fears resurfaced. Men in suits came from foster care. From funeral homes. From foreclosing banks. Men in suits were bad news. He raised a hand in greeting. She shivered. What did he want at Second Chance Farm?

Review by Harriet Klausner
In Maryland, Hope Farrier, owner of horse rescue Second Chance Farm, sees the “Suit” and knows that denotes something bad is about to happen to her. The Suit Devlin Temple, acting CEO of Temple Equine Supplements, informs her that his firm will no longer donate supplements to her rundown operation; they will change their charity to the fancier Homes for Ponies. She pleads with him to give her more time so he allows her three weeks more of deliveries.

Devlin is worried about the firm that his dying mom made so successful; as someone somehow is stealing funds. He assumes his rival for the CEO position cousin Ray, who married Devlin’s fiancée Claire, is the culprit, but so far has not proved it. His mom informs her son, Hope and the board of directors that she is giving her stock to Hope and also placed the horse farm owner on the TES board in lieu of her. She asks Devlin to fix Hope’s financial problems. He agrees to all because he would do anything for his dying mom. However, as Devlin and Hope fall in love, someone, most likely Ray, sabotages her operation almost killing the horses.

NO SECOND CHANCE is a fabulous contemporary romance with an intriguing social issue involving the rescue of horses; in fact the book proceeds are being donated to the real Day’s End Farm Horse [sic] rescuing mission. The story line is fast-paced from the onset and never slows down until the final confrontation. Although the clever diabolical villain proves unbelievably insane during the final altercation, readers will appreciate this strong tale as Maggie Toussaint provides a deep character driven drama.
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Review by Romance Reviews Today
NO SECOND CHANCE – Maggie Toussaint
The Wild Rose Press - www.thewildrosepress.com
ISBN: 1-60154-162-7 (print)
February 2008
Romantic Suspense

Near Baltimore, Maryland - Present Day

The Second Chance Farm is a rescue center for old and mistreated horses. Hope Farrier runs the farm on a shoestring, always looking for donations. Devlin Temple, who is temporarily heading up Temple Equine Supplements (TES) in his mother’s stead, drops by to tell Hope that his company’s donations of equine supplements will no longer be available, but Hope begs him to supply the supplements for three more weeks to give her time to hold her open house and to find another donor. Devlin agrees. Suddenly, firecrackers go off nearby spooking the horses. What could that be all about? Hope has no idea that someone has evil plans for her and her dilapidated farm.

Devlin’s mother, Lillian, has supported The Second Chance Farm and intends to continue until her dying breath. Ill with cancer, she tells Devlin and Hope that she has changed her will giving money and some of her TES stock to Hope with the stipulation that Devlin will manage The Second Chance Farm. Lillian also would like Hope to vote Devlin in as CEO of TES. Both Devlin and Hope are stunned -- the stock is worth millions of dollars. Although Devlin is attracted to the beautiful redhead, he isn’t too sure he wants to give part of his inheritance to her!

Someone has skimmed money and is sabotaging TES; Devlin is trying to find the culprit. Someone also continues to stalk and create malicious mischief to harm Hope and her horses. Could Devlin’s cousin, Ray, who wanted to be CEO, be behind it all?

Although Devlin and Hope are strongly attracted to each other, Hope vacillates -- should she or shouldn’t she get involved with Devlin? Her sister Paige tries to discourage her because of Devlin’s reputation as a playboy, and Hope gets warned off by his former girlfriends. Will Devlin break her heart? She is totally dedicated to her horses. As Devlin and Hope get acquainted, the thief is operating behind the scenes, causing a lot of trouble and getting angrier when things don’t go his way. Devlin is concerned about Hope and wants to protect her. Secondary characters help move the story to its conclusion: Lillian, who wants her son to find the right woman; Myrna, who is interested in her boss more than her secretarial duties; Ray who is jealous of Devlin; Ray’s wife, Devlin’s former fiancée, wants him back; and the person in the shadows is willing to cause havoc and worse.

NO SECOND CHANCE has equal parts of suspense and romance with no indication who the thief could be (Ray seems a little too obvious). Devlin and Hope are both likeable characters, and the story moves along at a good pace. It is a tale that will please most contemporary romance readers.

Marilyn Heyman
http://www.romrevtoday.com/


REview by CK2sKwipsandKritiquesBookClub
Second Chance Farm is a rescue home for unwanted horses. Hope Farrier and her sister are struggling under mortgage debt and the crush of financial demands that the rescue operation creates. One of her long time supporters is dying of cancer, and she bequeaths Hope an immediate gift of company stock worth millions for Second Chance. She adds strings to her gift by requiring that her son, Devlin, become Hope’s business manager and asks Hope to evaluate Devlin’s character and work expertise. She believes that Hope will decide to be an advocate for Devlin in his bid for CEO of his mother’s company. About this time, Hope begins to experience a series of dangerous “accidents.” While sparks fly between them, Devlin and Hope race to discover who is the cyber-thief draining the company of funds and who is endangering Hope and Second Chance Farm.
What a totally fabulous read this was! I was first captivated by Maggie Toussaint’s book trailer for No Second Chance which can still be seen on her website.
The film of the wild horses running is just beautiful and the suspenseful teaser about the story suggested that it was just my kind of read. And it certainly was! It’s been a long time since I’ve read a book totally in one sitting, but I just couldn’t put this one down. It is an exciting romantic suspense novel with some sensual content that is presented as a natural part of the story line.
Toussaint makes the struggles and heart wrenching challenges of animal rescue work come alive through Hope, a brave and likable character who has overcome much personal adversity already in her life. Fears that she learned early haunt her, making her current situation all the more poignant. Devlin is a man with a good heart who is allowing the stresses and problems of his mother’s company to take over his life. Unlike many workaholic characters, Devlin is immediately endearing for his honorable motivations of love for his mother and desire to keep the family business stable during this time of transition and trouble.
This book is a keeper for me, and while I reviewed the eBook, I plan to purchase the print version for my personal Keeper shelf. I encourage others to check this one out; not only is it a great read, but it is benefiting a good cause. Ms. Toussaint is generously donating proceeds of this book to Day’s End Farm Horse Rescue in Lisbon, MD. Find out more about this wonderful horse rescue operation at www.defhr.org, or check out Ms. Toussaint’s website.
Reviewed by Crystal, a recommended read
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