Second Chances Series by Melody Carlson

Jayne Morgan has a lot to learn about love. Harris McAllister has a lot to learn about tolerance. When they meet they have lots to teach each other. Jayne feels betrayed when her fiancé suddenly dumps her for his high school sweetheart just weeks before the wedding. She'd love to leave Paradise, Oregon, but she’s signed a teaching contract and the kids in her classroom need her.

Dora Chase is an eighty-year-old widow whose family finds her frustratingly independent. Her son no longer trusts her judgment and constantly pressures her to sell her rural home and rundown farm to a huge computer firm. When a young stranger shows up, Dora is suspicious, but before long Armando Garcia wins her trust. And Armando supports Dora's independence, causing the conflict within her bickering family to escalate. Dora's son abhors Armando's interference and is determined to send him away... moreDora Chase is an eighty-year-old widow whose family finds her frustratingly independent. Her son no longer trusts her judgment and constantly pressures her to sell her rural home and rundown farm to a huge computer firm. When a young stranger shows up, Dora is suspicious, but before long Armando Garcia wins her trust. And Armando supports Dora's independence, causing the conflict within her bickering family to escalate. Dora's son abhors Armando's interference and is determined to send him away. He suspects the charming young man is running from something or someone. And he's not far from wrong. The unlikely friendship that grows between the elderly widow and the young man with a past leads them both on a journey toward hope, healing and forgiveness. less

First there are shades of sorrow, then shades of hope. Will Gwen find shades of light? When her only child leaves home for college, widowed Gwen Sullivan discovers just how lonely an “empty nest” can be. How will she adjust and fill her empty days? At the urging of friends, Gwen takes a job with an interior designer—whom she soon discovers to be domineering and jealous of Gwen’s creativity. Suddenly she’s stuck doing menial tasks... moreFirst there are shades of sorrow, then shades of hope. Will Gwen find shades of light? When her only child leaves home for college, widowed Gwen Sullivan discovers just how lonely an “empty nest” can be. How will she adjust and fill her empty days? At the urging of friends, Gwen takes a job with an interior designer—whom she soon discovers to be domineering and jealous of Gwen’s creativity. Suddenly she’s stuck doing menial tasks. When a sleazy client starts to harass her, Gwen begins to wonder if she’s cut out for the working world. She eventually meets Oliver Black, who gives her an opportunity to use her decorating skills, and suddenly Gwen sees herself in a more confident light. But Oliver is a man of many secrets, and Gwen wonders if she can trust her heart to him. less

Emma Davis is determined to break out of the isolation she's created for herself as the sole caretaker of her elderly grandmother. Although she's always been the "practical" one, a spur-of-the-moment visit to a travel agency sets her on a journey far from her small-town home... moreEmma Davis is determined to break out of the isolation she's created for herself as the sole caretaker of her elderly grandmother. Although she's always been the "practical" one, a spur-of-the-moment visit to a travel agency sets her on a journey far from her small-town home. A breathtaking cruise begins to soften the shell around Emma's heart as she learns to open herself up to new experiences and newfound friendships, but it isn't until her arrival in Papua, New Guinea, that Emma begins to truly realize her identity as a child of God. Amid the lush landscape of the tropical island, Emma regains her sense of purpose by caring for three motherless children, and befriending their father, Josh Daniels, whose own eyes reflect a haunting and painful memory. Can the love Emma has discovered help conquer Josh's tainted and bitter past? less

Cassanda Maxwell has had a life filled with pain. Her mother died too young, her father is an abusive alcoholic, and she’s a misfit everywhere she goes. After being shuttled between various foster homes, Cass struggles to find her identity and finds herself caught up with Scott Jones (aka “Sky”) and his group of friends who start a Jesus commune in California. But before long, the group is more interested in pot and sex than they are spiritual growth... moreCassanda Maxwell has had a life filled with pain. Her mother died too young, her father is an abusive alcoholic, and she’s a misfit everywhere she goes. After being shuttled between various foster homes, Cass struggles to find her identity and finds herself caught up with Scott Jones (aka “Sky”) and his group of friends who start a Jesus commune in California. But before long, the group is more interested in pot and sex than they are spiritual growth. Once again, Cass finds herself trapped in unhappiness—and she longs for escape. Will Cass find the life and love she craves on a California commune—with the charismatic Sky and his followers? Or can she fulfill her dreams—and find her real future—with her childhood friend Joey? less

FOR A YOUNG WIDOW, THE STONE MANSION SHE ONCE DREAMED OF OWNING, OFFERS THE PROMISE OF A NEW BEGINNING. After the death of her husband, Kestra returns to her hometown of Port Star. With the purchase of her childhood dream house – a stone mansion along the rocky Oregon coast – it appears she has found a way to rebuild her life. Kestra begins to transform the old house into an elegant, yet charming restaurant... moreFOR A YOUNG WIDOW, THE STONE MANSION SHE ONCE DREAMED OF OWNING, OFFERS THE PROMISE OF A NEW BEGINNING. After the death of her husband, Kestra returns to her hometown of Port Star. With the purchase of her childhood dream house – a stone mansion along the rocky Oregon coast – it appears she has found a way to rebuild her life. Kestra begins to transform the old house into an elegant, yet charming restaurant. But as the renovations begin, a mysterious stranger moves into her caretaker’s cottage… and eventually into her heart. Suddenly life is full of promise and new opportunities, until a contractor’s jealousy threatens Kestra’s new romance. Formerly titled: “Wise Man’s House” less