Another fine tale from the Texas Grooms series is presented here, but if you have not read any previous stories set in Turnabout, Texas, don't worry. The folks are friendly and you can pick up the gossip fast. SECOND CHANCE HERO opens in April 1897 as Verity Legett, a widowed mother, shepherds her little girl down the street to her friend's dress shop. A shop nearby has been taken over and reopened as a saddler by a newcomer, Mr Cooper. Verity knows nothing about him, but she's well aware that men come to Texas to escape their past. She'd better not get familiar.

Nate Cooper has noticed Verity before. Not so much in the street, in her respectable widow's weeds, but her beautiful singing voice in church. The services are uniting the disparate settlers into a community. Nate reacts instinctively to save Verity's daughter from a wagon, and the relieved mother tends to his wounded arm; her late husband was a doctor. They'd better introduce themselves at least! What they don't share may come back and break the growing friendship apart, however. Verity's husband was killed by an armed robber - and in an unrelated bank robbery, Nate was captured and sent to jail. He's done his time and resolved to make money the honest way. But would a decent woman ever want anything to do with him?

What with stray dogs needing homes, a festival and children's play, piano lessons and dewberry picking, Turnabout seems a fine and lively place. Morals are strict and ladies guard their reputations fiercely. The heart has its own seasons though, and love creeps in when some people least expect it. I enjoyed the gentle tale and can recommend this as a worthy addition to the historical romance series.

If you are interested in reading about life in these times, or if you want a romance based on characters and strengths, Winnie Griggs has a flair for the way real people would behave and react. Her settings are always lively and full of local flavour. SECOND CHANCE HERO tells of interpersonal conflict rather than strong drama and by the end our heroine has to make two major decisions about her life. Lovers of sweet romance in historical settings will have a fine time figuring out what they would do in Verity's dainty shoes.

Book Summary

Winning the Widow's Heart

To help his dying sister, Nate Cooper once broke the law— and he paid a heavy price. 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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