‘Last Chance Christmas’ by Hope Ramsey

STORY:

Dear Reader,
I’ve been wishing for a miracle for my oldest boy, Stone, and this Christmas my prayers might just be answered!

Her name is Lark, and she’s here in Last Chance, looking into her father’s past-and stirring up a whole mess of trouble without meaning to. As the chief of police, Stone sure has his hands full trying to keep up with her. Ever since his wife died, Stone’s put everything into raising his daughters and dodging the Christ Church Ladies’ Auxiliary matchmakers. And it’s clear Lark has been through some trouble and could use a place to finally call home. I only hope Stone can let go of the past soon enough to keep her . . .

Goodness, I need to stop talking and finish up Jane’s highlights so we can make the town tree-lighting. You come back by because the Cut ‘n’ Curl’s got hot rollers, free coffee, fresh-baked Christmas cookies-and the best gossip in town.

See you real soon,
Ruby Rhodes

REVIEW: Lark Chaikin’s career as a Pulitzer Prize winning photojournalist had her witness many horrors from war to natural disasters. She grieves deeply the loss of her father and is determined to fulfill his last wish of deposing his ashes on a mini-golf course in the town of Last Chance, South Carolina.

The simple task turns into a major headache as the town’s Chief of Police, Stonewall Rhodes, tells her that she can’t do that without getting the permission from the people who are in charge of the place.

Stone Rhodes has more in common with Lark than even he’ll admit to. He’s still grieving the loss of his wife in a car accident and it looks like he’s given up on moving on with his life. One of his girls, Haley who has survived the accident, has had a hard time forgetting the incident as well.

There are many issues that come to the surface as these two slowly fall in love and solve the mystery of their connection.

If you’ve read this series from the start, you’ll no doubt welcome Stone’s happily ever after, but if you’re like me, and this is your first time wandering around this town, you might feel a bit lost…

Ms. Ramsey maintains an even pace and takes us, along with Lark, on a journey of discovery that at times will make you laugh and cry, but in the end, I think I would have liked it even better if I read the earlier books in this series. Because this was a part of the series, it left me lost from time to time but I did enjoy the suspense and characterization of many people I’ve met through this story, especially the heroine.

For never reading Hope Ramsey’s ‘Last Chance’ series I was pleasantly surprised by this novel. It had a bit something for everyone. If you like mystery, well you had it. If you’re into inspirational stories, you’re in luck too. If you’re into contemporary romance, guess what? You’re in luck as well.

Book provided by NetGalley

*Will give the print copy away to one US commenter.