Synopsis: To Louisa, the idea of hope is just that. An idea. After a chance encounter Louisa’s Cinderella story begins, and no fairytale is complete without a Prince Charming – enter handsome, charismatic gentleman, Damien. As he falls to her feet, Louisa prepares herself to ride off into the sunset. Before Louisa can say ‘happily ever after’ the dream she never asked for, disintegrates into a nightmare. The girl, who once upon a time, couldn’t even conceive the notion of hope, has to find some for herself. Cinderella has to slay her own demons from now on, starting with Damien ….

Louisa never failed to fascinate everyone with her natural ability to flirt dangerously with her surroundings, drifting through the rainforest like a woodland nymph dressed in neon greens and blues. She glided gracefully along the slippery, wet pathways, in and out of the trees and foliage, blending in as if she were part of the greenery, with her flaming red hair draped over her bare shoulders. She looked like a mythical creature.

Feather Stone’s Review:

What a thrill to be the first to post a review of Second Chances. I was fortunate to receive an ARC of this novel. This is an unbiased and honest review.

Phoenix Rainez is an author I recently discovered. I have a feeling that her writing career is about to take off to become a sensational author. Over the past year I have followed her journey in writing Second Chances. What impressed me is that she ensured the manuscript was thoroughly edited. Phoenix Rainez has the drive and character to produce only the very best.

About Second Chances – I don’t regurgitate the plot in my reviews (sorry). Suffice to say that Second Chances takes the reader on a journey of two people as they navigate their emotions during their personal journeys, and during a relationship charged with romance and ‘snakes’. It’s a story of betrayal and despair. It’s a story how one can fall into a deadly pit with no way out, unless they find the courage to transform themselves, becoming what they thought was impossible.

The book cover. Amazing. It is impossible to just glance at this book cover. Immediately, a reader wants to pick it up, get a closer look. It shouts intrigue and romance.

As I fell into the plot of Second Chances, my first reaction was that this is a sweet romance story. Then Phoenix Rainez turned up the heat – a lot. Oh my! I was hooked. As the plot moved on, I felt the darkening the mood. As the crisis enveloped me, I went without sleep to get to the last chapter. I had to. The characters had become so endearing, so real, that I needed to know how the hell they were going to resolve their troubles. Then Phoenix turned out the lights. OMG! Survival became paramount.

Loyalty, passion, honesty, betrayal, abandonment, cruelty, love, grief, joy, intimacy, loss are some of Second Chances key words that come to mind. The best key word, though, is ‘shock.’ Shock as a feeling expressed by the characters; and shock I felt as I turned each page. Shock, then despair or delight. My emotions were on a roller coaster in every chapter.

I truly loved this book. I give five stars for novels that have great characters and have a plot that keeps me reading in one sitting. Second Chances has all this. Phoenix’s skill as a writer provided me with great descriptions of scenes. I felt the depth of the characters’ emotions. I held the heroine in my arms as she wept; I charged at the man causing her such pain. I was there.

Was there anything that could have been better? Not much. The quick changes in point of view made me a bit dizzy at times, but not enough to lessen my enjoyment of the story.

Thank you, Phoenix, for the honor letting me read a free ARC of Second Chances.

About the Author

Born and raised in Zimbabwe, and now living in England. I’m a wife and mother of two wonderful daughters and four adorable young grandchildren. I’m an incurable romantic and love long walks on a sandy beach at sunset. I am obsessed with the colour purple and a total chocoholic. Poetry is my first love and passion and I’ve been writing poems since the age of ten. My family and friends kept encouraging me to write and publish my first book and I am so glad I have finally achieved this goal. It is by no means my last book either, as I have many more romantic stories to tell.

Excerpt:

The feeling of her body surrendering to his touch excited and scared her all at the same time. She felt as if the essence of her life and soul were captured by his and united as one. There was no more her or him, just an infinite being of pure singularity