In the Land of Second Chances
by George Shaffner
Published by Ballantine Books
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Reviewed by Andrea Sisco
George Shaffner, author of In the Land of Second Chances is one creative and talented man. He's not only written a whopper of a good novel but he perfectly captured the unique voice of a female. And that's a tall order for most men.
Ebb, Nebraska is a lot like most small towns in America. Neither the people nor the town itself has changed much over the years. Everyone knows everyone else and their business.
Wilma Porter is the owner of the Come Again Bed and Breakfast. She's been a long-time resident and is one of those people who is "in the know." Her best friend Loretta Parson is the owner of Bold Cut Beauty Salon and the only black woman in town. Then there is Clara Tucker Booth Yune who has been unlucky in love and says only two words--yes and no. Calvin owns the town department store that is nearly bankrupt. His daughter Lucy is dying and grandfather Clem is estranged from his former son-in-law and granddaughter. And Clem wants to take over Calvin's store.
There's a lot of trouble brewing in Ebb and it looks like things are changing. Those changes could destroy Ebb's way of life. Wilma prays for a miracle that arrives in the form of a self-proclaimed salesman who calls himself Vernon L. Moore, a seller of "games of chance."
Vernon spends six days in Ebb and during that time changes minds, fixes broken hearts, saves fortunes, secures the community and helps people find hope. His motto is "uncertainty is the spice of life." And Vernon certainly spices up the lives of the residents of Ebb, Nebraska.
Armchair Interviews says: This is the first novel in Shaffner's trilogy. I will be excitedly waiting for the next two installments. Shaffner mixes down-home attitudes with quirky characters, blends them up, and serves us wisdom, humor, faith and hope. It is "feel good" reading at its best.