Second Chances

by Angela Kelman

If you got handed a second chance in life would you take it? Would you use it to help a stranger avoid a life of abuse? Tom Dukesfield (Duke) gets just that when his eyes fall upon Eleanor Main (Ely) in the queues to the other side. Both lives have ended at the same moment in time. But, under different circumstances, could they both have survived?

‘Second Chances’ follows Tom and Ely as their diverse paths cross and intertwine, creating a bond more important than her years of fear and his years of escapism. Thus, allowing them to find new strengths within to take them on the right path.

*Contains some adult content*

178 pages, ebook

First published June 12, 2012

About the author

Angela Kelman, wife, mother and haribo addict lives with her family in Aberdeen, Scotland. It was here where she grew up, studied and achieved her diploma in Photography. She has always been interested in art, but didn't think about writing until her youngest of two boys began nursery, bringing with it some spare time (whatever that means). She caught the writing bug quickly.

When not being a full time mum, she is a part time child minder. In her 'spare time' Angela writes short stories and in 2011 won the August competition on Writers billboard with KNOWING JACK. This story can be found in Mullins Collection of Best New Fiction. She has now got other short stories in the charity anthologies - Out of Darkness and A festive Feast.

SECOND CHANCES was the first novel Angela Published in summer 2012. She has now published her second, an Urban Fantasy - THE KYLO, Kate's journey, Part one - a step away from reality. Part two is due to be out summer 2013.

Reviews

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

I give this book 4 and a half stars, the other half was only lost due to typos (yes, I know, harsh but hey...). I'm not sure whether it's classed as chick lit or whatever, but I definitely think it had more meaning to it than your average love story.

Firstly, I could not put it down. I was hooked from the beginning as it started off that the two main characters were in some kind of limbo- I love stories that take it beyond real life. I just had to continue until I finished, and near the end I was thinking 'nooooooooooooooooooooo' when something happens. However, I'll not say anymore about that. I will say though that the 'afterwards' part was probably unnecessary. It was nice to see what happened to the characters in the end but sometimes stories need to just end on a striking sentence to leave the reader with their own thoughts.

The themes were dealt with subtly and great care was taken; the book broached a delicate topic. I thought the story unravelled excellently and I can only praise the writing style. Not too arty farty where you have to take ten minutes to comprehend each sentence, but it wasn't without its creative metaphor or punchy sentence structure.

All in all, a very good read. Just a shame it ended so soon. Or maybe it was a good thing, otherwise I'd never get any work done today! I highly recommend it :)

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was intrigued by the premise of this book: two people are given a second chance at life. There were so many directions it could have taken, it had my attention already.

I started reading the free sample and was disappointed when it got to the end; I had to read the rest. The characters are well developed and likable, with both good and bad traits and I recognised many characteristics in people I see in life, they felt very real. The pace was perfect,making my Saturday particularly unproductive as I couldn't stop reading!

I loved the story and there were a few surprises, I felt myself really cheering on the characters.

The domestic violence theme was done in a very tasteful and sensitive, 'non preachy' way, and I think it highlights many aspects of the subject that people wouldn't ordinarily see.

Look forward to more from this author.