It’s
summertime (even though the weather here in Michigan lately has been more
Fall-like), and time for great light entertainment, book-wise. The latest book
on my list that falls into that category is ‘Welcome to Last Chance’ by Cathleen Armstrong.
more
Fall-like), and time for great light entertainment, book-wise. The latest book
on my list that falls into that category is ‘Welcome to Last Chance’ by Cathleen Armstrong.
Here is the
synopsis of this novel:
She’s
learned you can’t count on anyone – but she didn’t count on landing in Last
Chance.
The
red warning light on her car dashboard may have driven Lainie Davis to seek
help in the tiny town of Last Chance, New Mexico, but as she meets the people
who make this one-horse town their home, it’s her heart that is flashing bright
red warning lights. These people are entirely too nice, too accommodating, and
too interested in her personal life – especially since she’s on the run and
hoping to slip away unnoticed.
Yet
in spite of herself, Lainie is increasingly drawn into the small-town drama and
to a handsome local guy with a secret of his own. Could Lainie actually make a
life in this small town? Or will the past catch up to her even here in the
middle of nowhere?
Here is the
biography of the author:
CathleenArmstrong lives in the San
The most
interesting aspect of this book was to see the transformation of Lainie through
the love of Christ through his people. Here is an example of her mindset
shortly after she arrived in Last Chance; she is referring to Elizabeth, the
lady who opened her home to this stranger:
“I’m not sure how much I can pay. It
took nearly everything I had to get this far.”
“We can worry about that later. Let’s
just say that for the next week or so, you’re my guest. After that, well, we’ll
see.” Elizabeth led the way back to the living room, pointing out the bathroom
and the kitchen as she went.
Lainie didn’t bother to look. She had
other things on her mind. Clearly, Elizabeth was a soft touch. If she could be
talked out of a week’s rent that easily, what else might she come up with if
she were handled just right? Lainie smiled a sweet but tragic smile when
Elizabeth turned around. (pp. 32-33)
Elizabeth
was a great example of how to live for the Lord, and how to view the world
through God-colored glasses. She made that clear to Lainie that same first day:
Lainie knew she would feel more
comfortable if Elizabeth didn’t keep dragging God into everything, but she
smiled anyway and tried to answer in kind. “Well, I hope he doesn’t disappoint
you this time.”
“Disappoint me? Honey, I’ve been
disappointed by a lot of things in my time, but never, never, never has it been
by anything God has done. Don’t you give that another thought.” (p. 33)
I also
loved how Elizabeth exemplified how to right a wrong and settle a dispute:
Left in the vestibule, Lainie turned
to Elizabeth. “Why did you ask her to forgive you? She was the one acting like
a jerk, not you.”
Elizabeth tucked her Bible a little
more securely under her arm, slung her purse over her shoulder, and led the way
to her truck. “Because I was in the wrong, that’s why. I was angry and
judgmental, and instead of trying to set things right, I jumped into the fight.
I should have done that.”
“But Juanita started it!”
Elizabeth smiled at her. “You sound
like one of my greatgrandkids. It doesn’t matter who started it. I’m only responsible
for what I say and do. And I needed to ask for forgiveness.” (p. 209)
Overall, I
enjoyed this book. I was not overly ‘wowed’ by it; it was a pleasant
This book
was published by Revell, and provided by them for review purposes. Available
August 2013 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker
Publishing Group.
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