Second Chance Hero by Winnie Griggs
Publisher & Release Date: Love
Inspired Historical, May 1, 2015
Time
and setting: 1897 Turnabout, Texas
Genre:
Historical Western Romance
Length:
281 pages
Heat
Level: 1 Sweet Heart
Rating: 3.5 Gold Crowns
Winning the Widow's Heart
To help his dying sister, Nate Cooper once
broke the law—and he's regretted it ever since. Now the ex-con turned saddler
hopes for a new beginning in Turnabout, Texas. So when Nate saves a young
widow's daughter from imminent harm, he's shocked to be called a hero.
Single mom Verity Leggett leads a safe
life, avoiding danger and excitement at all costs. But her daughter's rescuer
Mr. Cooper seems like a perfectly responsible—and handsome—man she can rely on.
But when his secrets come to light, will Verity be able to get over his past
and see Nate for the caring man he's become?
Texas Grooms: In search of their brides…
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Vikki’s
Musings
I have been a fan of Winnie Griggs for quite some
time, so when I found Second Chance Hero on Net-Galley I
immediately requested it. As I expect with one of Ms. Griggs books, she puts me
in the moment of a small western town at the end of the 19th century.
I love her ability to do that.
Verity Leggett is a young widow with a five-year-old
daughter. When Joy disappears from her friend’s dress shop, she rushes outside
only to see Joy chasing after a little dog. She screams the child’s name and
her daughter freezes as a horse and wagon come barreling toward her.
Then the saddler next door to the dress shop shots
past her as he dives for the child pushing her out of the way. Once she knows
Joy has not been harmed, she realizes that Mr. Cooper did not come out of the
near miss as well. Her medical training kicks in, and she checks Nate for
injuries. When she discovers he has a deep gash on his arm and his ankle is
swelling. She insists on getting him to her uncle’s clinic.
Once the doctor stitches his arm and determines that
his ankle is not broken, but badly sprained, Dr. Pratt suggests that he remain
in the clinic overnight for observation. While Verity helps get him settled, Nate
cannot help noticing how pretty and sweet smelling she is, but a man like him
could never hope to gain the affections of a woman as upstanding as Verity. His
past would always stand in the way, especially when he finds out how her
husband died. But the heart does not
always agree with the mind.
Is it possible for a cautious widow and a man with a
checked past to fall in love and find their ‘happily ever after, or will Verity’s
fears keep the walls around her heart firmly in place?
Winnie Griggs has penned a sweet romance, and I fell
in love with Nate’s character right away. While he may have had poor judgement years
ago, he is now a man who deserves a second chance at life. His tender heart and
his helpful attitude made him one of the most endearing heroes I have read of
in a while.
Unfortunately, as the story progressed I found
myself liking Verity’s character less and less. She comes across as too
sanctimonious and too quick to jump to conclusions before getting all the facts
for my taste. While I had empathy for her losses, it did not outweigh her
judgmental attitude toward Nate. In fact, I do not understand how a nice man
like Nate could fall in love with her. Yes, she does have some good points like
her desire to help the children prepare for the upcoming festival, but those
traits were just not enough for me to like her character.
Nonetheless, it was an enjoyable read. The story
line drew me in, and the pacing is steady. I liked all the other characters in
the book, especially the little girl, Joy. I also enjoyed the dog, Beans, a
great deal. He added a bit of humor and liveliness to the story. If you enjoy
western romances with a heart-warming hero, then you will enjoy Second
Chance Hero. Happy reading!
