About the Book

Book: Dial S for Second Chances

Author: Linda Shenton Matchett

Genre: Contemporary Christian Romance

Release date: July 14, 2023

Can years of hurt and misunderstanding be transformed into a second chance at love?

Jade Williams agrees to be on the high school reunion committee because the-one-that-got-away is out of the country and won’t be home in time to attend the festivities. Now, he’s not only home but joined the committee. Is it too late to back out or can she set aside forty-five years of regret and pretend she isn’t to blame for her broken heart?

One of the downsides of being rich means fielding requests for money and favors. But when an old high school buddy contacts Derek Milligan to be on the reunion committee as just one of the gang, no strings attached, he can’t resist. At the first meeting, he’s dismayed to find himself sitting next to his former high school sweetheart. He should be angry. Instead, he’s attracted. Can he risk his heart a second time?

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About the Author

Linda Shenton Matchett writes happily-ever-after historical Christian fiction about second chances and women who overcome life’s challenges to be better versions of themselves.

A native of Baltimore, Maryland, she was born a stone’s throw from Fort McHenry (of Star-Spangled Banner fame) and has lived in historical places all her life. She is a volunteer docent and archivist at the Wright Museum of WWII and a former trustee for her local public library. She now lives in central New Hampshire where she explores the history of this great state and immerses herself in the imaginary worlds created by other authors.

More from Linda

Dear Reader:

I was honored to be asked to participate in the You’re on the Air multi-author project and jumped at the chance for the letter S because I love a good second-chance romance. Probably because of my own.

Thanks to my dad’s job we relocated numerous times during my growing up years, and to my horror, we got another transfer in the middle of my junior year in high school. Not only would I be leaving friends behind, I was also dating someone rather seriously (spoiler alert – my parents did NOT care for him!). So, a few weeks after we arrived in Maryland when this guy at church asked me out, I stated I was not dating anyone, least of all him.

He finally convinced me to go out with him on a one-shot deal. If I had a terrible time, he’d never bother me again. Drat! I had a great time! J We dated through high school but broke up a couple of times through college. Finally engaged in our senior year, things looked good until they didn’t, and I broke off the engagement two months before the wedding.

His response? “I’ll be here when you’re ready.”

And he was. I came to my senses in September, and we married in October of that year. We celebrated our 41st wedding anniversary last year.

Dial S for Second Chances is about high school sweethearts who reconnect at their 45th reunion, and I had a wonderful time stepping back into the 1970s during my research. Yes, I’d lived the decade, but it had been a while! One of the things we did during high school was attend concerts. My husband-to-be introduced me to the fledgling contemporary Christian music scene, so I created a playlist as inspiration. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lGBLgJnORx8&list=PLlRXWNqXm5gxmOm7FIiO-nWyanyIKukeu

Enjoy this blast from the past!

Linda Shenton Matchett

Interview with the Author

1)What does success as an author look like to you?

My author career is a ministry, so I feel successful when a reader tells me they enjoyed my book, they learned something, or the story moved them in some way.

2)Which character did you connect to best in this book?

Jade is totally me. The story is a variation of my own happily ever, and I experienced the angst and indecisiveness she does, so I was able to write those scenes with little problem! She’s also very independent and stubborn which are two traits of mine (sometime to my detriment).

3) What is your favorite Bible verse or life verse?

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. I tend to run ahead of God, and this verse keeps me grounded, especially when I remember all that the prophet Jeremiah went through. Known as the “Weeping Prophet,” he served for fifty years and experienced strong opposition (including plots against him), imprisonment, and personal struggles. No matter how bad things get, God is sovereign and in control.

4)What is your vacation spot?

Anywhere in the mountains. We regularly visit Lincoln, NH which is in the White Mountains, and Wilmington, VT which is in the Green Mountains. Both are a couple of hours drive from our house so it’s easy to get there for a weekend. But we’ve also visited mountains around the U.S. I find the majesty of mountains awe-inspiring.

5)If you could have one book or piece of art or music on a deserted island, what would it be and why?

I love the works of Dutch painter Vincent Van Gogh and have several prints in my office at work and at home as well as computer wallpaper. It’s tough to pick a favorite but probably Café Terrace at Night. It’s vibrant, and I love imagining what the people are talking about.