"There's someone hiding a dangerous grudge in this small town"
Reviewed by Sandra Wurman
Posted November 23, 2012
Romance Contemporary
First let me let you in on a secret -- I've never met a Jodi
Thomas book that wasn't absolutely dog eared from being
read so many times. They are all like warm cozy friends
that just beg to be taken back down from the book shelves
and revisited. When given the opportunity to read or review
a Thomas book I grab it with gusto. CHANCE OF A LIFETIME is
destined to become one of my favorites and I'll wager that
it will be yours as well. Thomas managed to interweave a
host of stories and characters in this wonderful
contemporary tale infused with humor and mystery. The pages
come alive as you are invited into the world of people who
live in small town Harmony.
Who would have thought a library could hold not only a
wealth of knowledge but secrets as well. As a centerpiece
of a community the library is a place people go to for many
reasons and it would appear that the Harmony
library has its share of stories to tell -- no pun intended.
The librarian Emily Tomlinson's life appears to be an
open book with the inhabitants fully aware of the tragic
and violent attack fifteen years ago when she was just a
teenager. A teenager who happened to be in the wrong place
at the absolute wrong time. In her memories of the event
all she recollects is that her best friend Tannon Parker
wasn't there for her, such a breach of faith it would form
a chasm between the two that was impossible to bridge.
Tannon it appears harbors his own nightmares of that
evening. He remembers getting there too late to stop the
attack but his memories go even further. As time goes on he
realizes that Emily didn't fully realize the events of that
night and no one should reopen those barely healed wounds.
Tannon has unfulfilled dreams of his own -- those dreams
and wishes included Emily and a desire to get back a
normal, fulfilled life hopefully with someone who cares for
and about him.
Emily still has an aversion to being out past dark. And her
life has definitely stalled into a comfortable
nonthreatening routine that borders on loveless and
downright boring. Well that's all about to change and
change is supposed to be good for the soul.
There's someone in this quiet little town that has a grudge
against the towns lawyer Rick Matheson. Rick thinks of his
practice as barely existent and yet he is continually being
put in harm's way with no clues as to motive or person of
interest. These accidents are not minor in any way. Luck
has been on Rick's side as he has survived life threatening
injuries. He barely recuperates from one "accident" when
there is another attack. Law officials are taking note of
these attacks and have decided Rick needs protection.
Moving into the local bed and breakfast seems a logical and
hopefully safe place where Rick won't be alone and at
the same time hopefully not put others in jeopardy. The
Matheson's are lifelong residents of this little town and
they are working behind the scenes to guard Rick even if he
is reluctant to admit to the danger.
There's something about small town living that is very
compelling. Knowing all your neighbors should make you feel
safe and yet in CHANCE OF A LIFETIME, Thomas effectively
casts doubt on
that belief. There's a huge cast of characters in her
latest book too numerous to mention much less give any
insight into but heed my words this is a masterfully
written story about a group of people who will grab hold
from beginning to end. You almost dread finding out if any
of them is the culprit.
SUMMARY
Emily, the local librarian, has started a writing group, but as the group stumbles through both the fiction and reality of their lives, they’re learning much more than how to write. But Emily suddenly has other things on her mind when a friend from her past shows up in Harmony's library. Now she must deal with a secret she’s kept for fifteen years—a secret that changed her life and threatens to shatter her future. Meanwhile, new lawyer Rick Matheson thinks he’s in charge of his world until accidents start happening all around him. Just when he realizes someone is trying to kill him, he meets a beautiful U.S. Marshal named Trace Adam. Now that the marshal has given him an even stronger reason to go on living, he must learn to take a chance on life to dream bigger—and love better—than he ever has before...
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