WELCOME TO LAST CHANCE by Hope Ramsay

When Jane arrives in Last Chance, South Carolina with $5 in her pocket and a whole lot of nasty on her heels she is determined to lay low and keep away from the goons after her erstwhile 'manager' and try again to build her life back up from bedrock. The self-help tapes provided by Dr. Franklin Goodbody assure her that all she needs is an open heart to opportunity and a strong visualization of her future. When she finds a job at the local salon, she feels blessed, and although she still longs for the dream of her singing career, she knows it's moved farther away than ever. Doctor Goodbody's positive affirmations didn't have any advice about men like Clay, though. The very last thing she needs is a man, however kind and sexy, to complicate things.

Clayton P. Rhodes figures he has what they call a hero complex. Often enough the women in his life hand his heart right back to him once he helps them back on their feet. What is he supposed to do with a pretty woman who refuses to be rescued, despite obviously needing it? He knows how these things go, he saves them, they are grateful, and forever after they consider him a friend. He has enough on his plate watching out for his high school pal Ray Betts and running the hardware store for his uncle. Jane has secrets, and the kind of secret his brother the sheriff is interested in and no matter how sexy the package, he knows trouble when he sees it walking toward him in high heels.

Hope Ramsey has created a great new series headed by WELCOME TO LAST CHANCE. Not only are the two main characters compelling and fun but as you read the entire town of kooky but very real people become part of your life. Clay's father who sees angels and runs the mini golf course Golfing For God (complete with Noah's Ark and a 20-foot statue of Jesus) is a favorite of mine but far from the only person whose story I want to hear. I can hardly wait until I can visit Last Chance again.

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SUMMARY

Yes, our town is way off the beaten path, but strange, wonderful miracles happen a lot around here.

I've owned the Cut 'n' Curl beauty shop for years, and I've seen folks come for a visit, then stay for a lifetime. Take Jane–that pretty firecracker of a girl who just arrived in town. I would swear she's running from something. She came with only five dollars in her pocket but she's worked real hard to make a fresh start. She's turned my son Clay's life upside down without even realizing it.

And thank goodness for that! Ever since Clay left his country western band, he's played everything too safe. He needs to take a chance on Jane. Besides, the more he tries to keep his distance, the more he'll realize that he and Jane are singing the same tune.

But I should quit ramblin' and go check on Millie's permanent wave. Next time you're in Last Chance, be sure to swing by. We've got hot rollers, free coffee, and the best gossip in town.

EXCERPT

So I guess you want some answers, huh?" Jane hunched up her shoulders, looking like a little girl who needed a big hug, and who didn't really want to talk about it.

Clay leaned harder against the door frame and pretended his feet were super–glued to the landing. Darn straight, I want answers. "Nope," he said aloud, and knew himself for the ultimate fool.

"If you want to tell me about it, I'm happy to listen," he managed to say between suddenly numb lips. "Otherwise it's none of my business." Which was true, but hadn't he made it his business just a short while ago?

Something changed in her face and he got the feeling either he'd surprised her or he had screwed things up again. He hoped it was the former, but he had this awful feeling it was the latter.

She bit her bottom lip and shook her head. It was a pretty weak denial. But he was a pretty weak man.

He pushed away from the door frame and unhooked his hands from his belt loops. The minute he cupped her jaw in his hand, he knew he'd burned all his bridges. There was no way back across this river.

The heat of sexual awareness flowed through. He pulled her head into his chest, and she sagged against him as he held her up. His anger dissipated; his frustration disappeared; his doubt evaporated. He cupped the back of her head, the texture of her hair silky against his palm, as he drew in a deep breath, filling his head with her spicy scent. Every fiber of his being told him this was the right thing to do. . .