Rip Ryder’s Second Chance is a novel of high school sweethearts who reunite to rekindle a rare passion and confront the past.
As teens, Noelle Evelyn and Rip Ryder fell deeply in love. Their passion seemed to defy the odds of disapproving parents, youth and unforeseen obstacles…until high school graduation rolled around. One drunken night changed the future.
Years later, Noelle returns to Second Chance after the death of a friend only to face the lingering ghosts of her past. The memory of Rip has haunted her every day since they broke up. Her life might have moved forward, she’s now a single mom of a toddler, but her heart stays frozen in a time when love was all that mattered.
Noelle has carried a secret to protect others that will unravel. Will the demons of the past draw them together, or rip them apart again? Will an endless love endure the pain? Rip was willing to do anything to protect the only love he’d ever known, but can he save her?
Rip Ryder's Second Chance is the last installment of the series. This book will have you cheering for Noelle and Rip as they face demons from their past, and a secret that has lingered too long.
Time became a cage, imprisoning both
in the awkward moment as they stared at each other through the screen.
For that
moment he could still see her as a teenager, greeting him at the door with a
smile that got him in the center of his bones.
Their
gazes were locked.
Rip
feasted his eyes on the only woman he’d ever loved. The only one he’d wanted to
marry and have a kid with. She was even more beautiful than he remembered and
he wished she wasn’t. Her hair that he thought looked the same didn’t at all.
It was still dark brown but now had lighter streaks of caramel and a few faint
strips of blonde. Not one line appeared on her face that proved fifteen years
had passed. She had flawless skin. Her blue eyes—the color of the early morning
sky—turned a shade darker.
She wore
a white T-shirt and cutoff jean shorts, and she was barefoot. Her toenails were
painted a bright purple. Her favorite color, at least as a teen. He couldn’t
believe he remembered. He also remembered her smell. A mixture of cotton candy
and vanilla that now floated through the mesh wire and warmed him from inside
out. He practically salivated like the kid.
Her
figure, once slender and athletic because she ran cross country, had blossomed
into more curves than should be legal. Delicious, remarkable curves that made him
practically moan. He felt a bit ridiculous considering she was a holding a
child—her child.
And she’s
probably married, he reminded himself.
“Rip?
What in blue heavens are you doing here?” she asked as if no time had
transpired between them. The gentle pitch of her sweet voice reminded him of
summer days down at the lake where they’d explored each other.
Hurt
rendered him silent.
He
opened his mouth, searching for his voice that was lost.
He
probably looked damn ridiculous standing on her front step staring.
His
throat ached. His heart squeezed. She shifted the child onto the other hip,
closest to the screen as if to place a wall between them.
“I’m
sorry I didn’t call first. I have some news.” He finally managed to spit out.
The entire series:
Connect with Rhonda Lee Carver
Facebook: www.facebook.com/rhondaleecarver.author/
Twitter: www.twitter.com/RLCarver
Instagram: www.instagram.com/rhondaleecarver/
Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/rhondaleecarverauthor/
BookBub: www.bookbub.com/profile/rhonda-lee-carver
Street Team: www.facebook.com/groups/471259293018665/
Newsletter: Subscribe here
Congrats on your upcoming release, Rhonda!
ReplyDeleteThank you
ReplyDelete