Today, I’m introducing a sweet online friend.

Jill Weatherholt is the most encouraging, friendliest, kindest, sweetest person I have EVER known. One day I hope to meet her in person. I just know that we’d chat and laugh and that it would feel like we’ve known each other forever.

Jill’s a huge fan of NaNoWriMo. She’s participated the last few years and her debut book, Second Chance Romance, recently released with Harlequin’s Love Inspired line. So, for all my writer friends who are on the fence about writing during what has to be the crazy-busiest month of the year or who have debated entering pitch contests like Harlequin’s So You Think You Can Write contest, go for it! Here’s a little about Second Chance Romance and then let’s chat.

The Cover Story

Jackson Daughtry’s jobs as a paramedic and part-owner of a local café keep him busy—but the single dad’s number one priority is raising his little girl with love and small-town values. And when his business partner’s hotshot lawyer niece comes to town planning to disrupt their lives by moving her aunt away, Jackson has to set Melanie Harper straight. When circumstances force them to work side by side in the coffee shop, Jackson slowly discovers what put the sadness in Melanie’s pretty brown eyes. Now it’ll take all his faith—and a hopeful five-year-old—to show the city gal that she’s already home.

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Let’s Chat

Life has been yanked out from under Melanie Harper, and for the last year she’s slogged through a dark season, burying herself in her job. Jackson Daughtry struggles with trust issues, particularly with the female species. But you can’t help but admire and appreciate the single dad who dotes on his daughter, Rebecca, and is grateful for the support of the generous, compassionate people of Sweet Gum, where friends and neighbors come together to help when times are tough.

I enjoyed witnessing Melanie’s transformation from tightly wound attorney, focused solely on her job and her goal to move her Aunt Phoebe back to DC, to a woman who appreciates the warm and caring residents of the “valley,” including the handsome paramedic who rescued her. And Jackson? He was solid and sturdy in his faith and in his role in life and in his community, and reminded me so much of my own real life hero. 🙂

Country versus city made for some fun sparring, and big city lawyer pitted against small town dad in their battle over what was best for their beloved Phoebe. With a subtle faith element, Second Chance Romance embraces a big life question:

Why do bad things happen to good people?

“Sometimes bad things happen we don’t understand, but God knows…He’ll make it all good in the end.”

A sweet girl, a kind hero, a matchmaking aunt, all collide with a determined lawyer in Second Chance Romance, taking you on a journey that’ll leave a smile on your face when you reach the end.

Something to Ponder: Sometimes, like Melanie, we allow our identity to get so wrapped up in our job/career, that we lose our real selves in the process. How do we retain a sense of self outside our job?

Disclaimer: A free copy of Second Chance Romance was provided to me by the author with no expectation of a review, favorable or otherwise. This review is my fair and unbiased opinion, and other than the free book, I was in no way compensated.