No Second Chance

No Second Chance by Award-Winning Author Maggie Toussaint

 


Publisher: Muddle House Publishing
This title is being reissued.
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Available Formats: eBook
Digital:
Hope Farrier rescues unwanted horses, but she’s saddled with debt. Without help she’ll lose Second Chance Farm, the first home she’s ever known. An endowment brings the promise of future relief and the presence of shrewd business manager, Devlin Temple. Trouble is Devlin has his dreamy blue eyes on more than her bottom line.

Playboy Devlin Temple lays a trap for the thief that’s fleecing his company. When his cousin sets his cap for Devlin’s job, Devlin needs Hope’s help to secure the CEO position. In her arms he finds the solace he craves, but their blossoming romance prompts the thief to raise the stakes.

Will Devlin and Hope pay the ultimate price for love?

Proceeds from this book will benefit a real life horse rescue farm in Lisbon, MD. Day’s End Farm Horse Rescue rescues horses from all over the country. Their mission: Fostering compassion and responsibility for horses through intervention, education, and outreach. Visit www.defhr.org to find out more about this worthy cause.

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Reviews

bookcover_ofthe_year
No Second Chance won the Stepping Stones Magazine cover contest in August 2008.
Click here
for more information.
Thanks to artist Kimberlee Mendoza for creating such an award winning cover.
“What a totally fabulous read this was! … It’s been a long time since I’ve read a book totally in one sitting, but I just couldn’t put this one down. It is an exciting romantic suspense novel with some sensual content that is presented as a natural part of the story line. Toussaint makes the struggles and heart wrenching challenges of animal rescue work come alive through Hope, a brave and likable character who has overcome much personal adversity already in her life. Fears that she learned early haunt her, making her current situation all the more poignant. Devlin is a man with a good heart who is allowing the stresses and problems of his mother’s company to take over his life. Unlike many workaholic characters, Devlin is immediately endearing for his honorable motivations of love for his mother and desire to keep the family business stable during this time of transition and trouble. This book is a keeper for me.” — Crystal at CK2SKWIPSANDKRITIQUES, Five stars and a Recommended Read

“As romance novels go, this one is very good. Usually when reading books with horse references in them, I am driven nuts by the silly things the authors include that do not make sense to a real horse person. Maggie Toussaint, formerly of Frederick, obviously knows one end of a horse from the other. The book comes complete with handsome hero, a damsel in distress, a little mystery and a happy ending! The plot was very good and a little twist at the end was a nice surprise. A great gift for the romance lover in your life.” Caroline Del Grosso, THE EQUIERY

“…The plot is tight, slowing down in the right places to allow the reader to breath before picking up again. Hope is a likable heroine. She’s down to earth and has a hard-driving work ethic. She’s loyal to the ones she loves. Devlin is a little more complicated. His motivation is his family and his family is TES. Devlin’s not used to having deep feelings, and Hope can’t help wondering if his attraction to her is genuine or if it’s motivated by her owning a piece of his company. The supporting cast compliments Hope and Devlin well. Maggie Toussaint paints a wonderful visual of Hope and Devlin’s world using a good economy of words. Her love scenes are tasteful and not overly graphic, making the story sweet and sensual. Toussaint has an easy writing style that engages the reader. NO SECOND CHANCE is a riveting romantic suspense that keeps the reader on the edge of their seat.” —Steph at Classic Romance Revival

“Wonderful, exciting and suspenseful story. I read it all in one sitting because I just had to find out who the villain was and why he wanted to harm the heroine Hope and her mistreated horses refuge. She was a caring and generous person who was prepared to make great sacrifices for the animals she loved.

Devlin the hero, was wealthy, handsome, everything a hero should be. I have to confess I didn’t like him over much for the first few pages, but I soon fell in love with him, just as Hope did. A man who was so caring and worried about his mother’s wellbeing, well it didn’t take long for me to have a change of heart.” — Margaret Tanner, author of THE TROUBLE WITH PLAYBOYS

“I’m glad I took the first chance to read No Second Chance. Caught up in their story, I read the whole book in one sitting. If you have a quiet evening to curl up with a good book and you enjoy suspense, horses, Cinderella stories or all three — this book will satisfy.” —LONG AND SHORT REVIEWS

“…an enjoyable story with a likable couple and intriguing situations.” — Sandra Garcia-Myers, ROMANTIC TIMES

“…NO SECOND CHANCE is a fabulous contemporary romance with an intriguing social issue involving the rescue of horses; in fact the book proceeds are being donated to the real Day’s End Farm Horse [sic] rescuing mission. The story line is fast-paced from the onset and never slows down until the final confrontation…” — Harriet Klausner, reviewer

“…NO SECOND CHANCE has equal parts of suspense and romance with no indication who the thief could be (Ray seems a little too obvious). Devlin and Hope are both likeable characters, and the story moves along at a good pace. It is a tale that will please most contemporary romance readers.” — Marilyn Heyman, ROMANCE REVIEWS TODAY

“Five Stars! NO SECOND CHANCE by Maggie Toussaint is a suspense driven ride through the urban Baltimore boardroom and the pastures of rural Maryland. As Hope and Devlin race to discover the unknown villain attempting to ruin both their businesses, sparks of the very best kind fly between them. I loved the unique backdrop of Second Chance Farm, a rehab. farm for old or injured horses. A great read!” – Victoria Daniels, author

“NO SECOND CHANCE sparkles and sizzles from the boardroom to the bedroom to the barn. Hope and Devlin team up on a dangerous journey to save their respective businesses while a determined villain tries to destroy them. A fast-paced story you’ll want to stay up all night reading.” – Liana Laverentz, award winning author of JAKE’S RETURN

“Corporate Boardroom meets Country! Suspense keeps you turning pages, romance keeps your heart pounding. You’ll be glad you picked up No Second Chance by Maggie Toussaint.” – M.K. Trent, author of LOCKING HORNS

“Suspense…steamy romance…a surprising twist…No Second Chance has it all. Maggie Toussaint writes a heart-warming tale that will keep you riveted and rooting for her heroine – right to the very last page.” – Karna Small Bodman, thriller author of GAMBIT

Extras

 

Excerpt

Someone was watching her.

Hope Farrier’s nerves pinged as her mount skittered across the riding ring. The prickle of awareness that slid across the back of her neck wasn’t going away.

She glanced over at the dense hardwood forest that bordered her farm. Nothing unusual there.
The thin chestnut snorted and tossed his head up, tugging the reins from her hands. “Easy, Jocko,” she crooned. “It’s all right.”

Someone was out there. She was sure of it. After another lap around the ring she had Jocko at a slow trot and risked another glance at the perimeter. No one by the woods, but a tall man in a dark business suit stood by the barn.

A business suit. Old fears resurfaced. Men in suits came from foster care. From funeral homes. From foreclosing banks. Men in suits were bad news.

He raised a hand in greeting.

She shivered. Who was he? What did he want at Second Chance Farm?

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