Synopsis When Stella Jo Chandler gets an offer to work at the Second Chance Ranch celebrity rehab facility right after graduating from Texas A&M, she’s tempted to turn it down. She wants to help real people with real problems, not spoiled celebrities going on vacation for publicity. But growing up on her family’s ranch left her with a love of horses that draws her to the opportunity. How bad can babysitting a bunch of strung out celebrities be? What she didn’t count on was being roped into a tangled mess with infamous rocker and three-time rehab drop out Van Ransom on her first day. And she sure didn’t expect to feel the overwhelming attraction that pulls her to the man who has more issues than she can count on both hands. Like the hotel rooms and tour buses he’s famous for trashing, the havoc he could wreak on Stella’s heart would be irreparable. Van isn’t at Second Chance for publicity or because he’s suffering from “exhaustion”. He’s on the brink of destruction, and he needs the kind of help Stella isn’t sure she can give. But without her, he'll lose everything. Because he’s on his last second chance. |
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Review
This was my first Caisey Quinn book and now I want to read the rest of them. I really loved this book. While this book was about second chances, it didn’t have to do with second chances in love but in life. Both Van and Stella have had struggles in life, Van with addiction and Stella with feeling love and acceptance.
Van and Stella meet while Van, lead singer to one of the top rock bands, goes to rehab. He has no choice. He is signing a new contract with a new label and it is a stipulation. If he doesn’t, he’s out of the band. But he’s a bad boy rocker. He feels that he’s no worse than any other rock gods.
Stella is fresh out of college. She has the choice to going home and working on her parents ranch or working at Second Chance Ranch rehab facility. It might not be her dream job but its better than going home. Home is someplace where she never felt wanted, especially by her father.
What I really loved about this story was that they were willing to help each other. They were patient. They know they want each other. Their chemistry is so hot, I thought the book would burst into flames. But if they give in, Van could be kicked out, which would mean his career would be over, and Stella could be fired. But eventually they just can’t hold out any longer and WOW! It’s explosive.
To me, Caisey did a great job in how they came together. She didn’t push, they wanted each other but she made sure they knew the consequences and didn’t just throw caution to the wind, immediately. I love when authors make characters hold back. You get to see a side of characters you wouldn’t always see.
She also respected Van’s addiction. He said more than once, that he could relapse. He would do everything possible not to but no one is perfect. He’s not automatically healed coming out of rehab. She made it very real.
~Katie
Van and Stella meet while Van, lead singer to one of the top rock bands, goes to rehab. He has no choice. He is signing a new contract with a new label and it is a stipulation. If he doesn’t, he’s out of the band. But he’s a bad boy rocker. He feels that he’s no worse than any other rock gods.
Stella is fresh out of college. She has the choice to going home and working on her parents ranch or working at Second Chance Ranch rehab facility. It might not be her dream job but its better than going home. Home is someplace where she never felt wanted, especially by her father.
What I really loved about this story was that they were willing to help each other. They were patient. They know they want each other. Their chemistry is so hot, I thought the book would burst into flames. But if they give in, Van could be kicked out, which would mean his career would be over, and Stella could be fired. But eventually they just can’t hold out any longer and WOW! It’s explosive.
To me, Caisey did a great job in how they came together. She didn’t push, they wanted each other but she made sure they knew the consequences and didn’t just throw caution to the wind, immediately. I love when authors make characters hold back. You get to see a side of characters you wouldn’t always see.
She also respected Van’s addiction. He said more than once, that he could relapse. He would do everything possible not to but no one is perfect. He’s not automatically healed coming out of rehab. She made it very real.
~Katie
Character Casting
Caisey Quinn's Top 10 Must Haves
I get asked about my writing process and where I write so I wanted to share my Top Ten MUST HAVE’s for writing sessions!
1. My MacBook Air (& its charger)– It’s light and travels well!
2. My headphones/ear buds – Because not everyone in the library/bookstore/coffee shop wants to hear my Spotify book soundtrack apparently.
3. A pen & notebook – Yes, I write lots of things out by hand still! Call me old (weirdos) fashioned! #iprefervintage
4. My iPhone – The notes app is my friend!
5. Bottled water – So I don’t dehydrate
6. Iced coffee – So I can stay awake
7. My reading glasses – For years I got migraines while typing, until I started wearing them! #lifesaver
8. Snacks – Sometimes it’s chocolate, or granola and dried fruit, or a protein bar, just something so I don’t get hunger headaches.
9. Pepcid Complete – Not kidding. My characters give me indigestion. Or it could be number 6…
10. Excedrin Migraine – Are you sensing a theme with the headaches yet? Hours at the computer and looong nights make this miracle drug very necessary. I might be slowly destroying my liver or something, but writers gotta write! ;)
So there is my complete (and very unglamorous) list of writing session must haves!
1. My MacBook Air (& its charger)– It’s light and travels well!
2. My headphones/ear buds – Because not everyone in the library/bookstore/coffee shop wants to hear my Spotify book soundtrack apparently.
3. A pen & notebook – Yes, I write lots of things out by hand still! Call me old (weirdos) fashioned! #iprefervintage
4. My iPhone – The notes app is my friend!
5. Bottled water – So I don’t dehydrate
6. Iced coffee – So I can stay awake
7. My reading glasses – For years I got migraines while typing, until I started wearing them! #lifesaver
8. Snacks – Sometimes it’s chocolate, or granola and dried fruit, or a protein bar, just something so I don’t get hunger headaches.
9. Pepcid Complete – Not kidding. My characters give me indigestion. Or it could be number 6…
10. Excedrin Migraine – Are you sensing a theme with the headaches yet? Hours at the computer and looong nights make this miracle drug very necessary. I might be slowly destroying my liver or something, but writers gotta write! ;)
So there is my complete (and very unglamorous) list of writing session must haves!
Author Interview
How did the idea for Van & Stella’s story come to you?
My husband and I were looking at places to vacation and we came across this ranch in Texas (The Wild Catter) and it looked so secluded and private that I thought it’d make a great rehabilitation facility for celebrity types. I already knew that I’d write about one, but it was the model for the Second Chance Ranch.
How many books are planned for the Second Chance series?
Four definitely, possibly two additional ones. Each one is a stand alone with different characters that somehow incorporates the ranch.
How is this series different from your previous Kylie Ryans series?
It’s a lot grittier and sexier. In Kylie’s series, her career was as much a character as she was, but in this series there’s more focus on addiction and darker, more personal issues.
What was the hardest part about putting out something new and different than what your readers were used to?
The fear that everyone would hate it! Or that they’d think I was just jumping on the erotica bandwagon. I always knew I would write something darker and sexier, more adult than New Adult, after Kylie’s series, but not all of my readers were expecting that leap. Fortunately they held my hand the whole way! I am very blessed to have such loyal and precious readers!
What’s your favorite part about being an indie author?
Having so much control over the cover, the formatting, the price and the release dates.
Least favorite part?
Being responsible for making decisions about the cover, the formatting, the price and the release dates. ;)
What’s one thing that readers might find surprising about you?
I write my books out of order! I always thought I was doing it wrong, writing scenes this way, until I met several other writers at retreats that did the exact same thing.
What can we look forward to from you?
There will be a surprise release this summer that’s a part of the Keep Me Still world, and Falling for Fate this fall, which is the next book in the Second Chance series.
Fast Five
Coffee or Tea? Sweet Tea please!
Chocolate or Vanilla? Definitely chocolate!
Billionaires or Cowboys? Cowboys
PC or Mac? Mac, but that’s a recent change.
Night Owl or Early Bird? Definitely a night owl ;) It’s the only time I can get any work done!
Thank you so much for having me!!
My husband and I were looking at places to vacation and we came across this ranch in Texas (The Wild Catter) and it looked so secluded and private that I thought it’d make a great rehabilitation facility for celebrity types. I already knew that I’d write about one, but it was the model for the Second Chance Ranch.
How many books are planned for the Second Chance series?
Four definitely, possibly two additional ones. Each one is a stand alone with different characters that somehow incorporates the ranch.
How is this series different from your previous Kylie Ryans series?
It’s a lot grittier and sexier. In Kylie’s series, her career was as much a character as she was, but in this series there’s more focus on addiction and darker, more personal issues.
What was the hardest part about putting out something new and different than what your readers were used to?
The fear that everyone would hate it! Or that they’d think I was just jumping on the erotica bandwagon. I always knew I would write something darker and sexier, more adult than New Adult, after Kylie’s series, but not all of my readers were expecting that leap. Fortunately they held my hand the whole way! I am very blessed to have such loyal and precious readers!
What’s your favorite part about being an indie author?
Having so much control over the cover, the formatting, the price and the release dates.
Least favorite part?
Being responsible for making decisions about the cover, the formatting, the price and the release dates. ;)
What’s one thing that readers might find surprising about you?
I write my books out of order! I always thought I was doing it wrong, writing scenes this way, until I met several other writers at retreats that did the exact same thing.
What can we look forward to from you?
There will be a surprise release this summer that’s a part of the Keep Me Still world, and Falling for Fate this fall, which is the next book in the Second Chance series.
Fast Five
Coffee or Tea? Sweet Tea please!
Chocolate or Vanilla? Definitely chocolate!
Billionaires or Cowboys? Cowboys
PC or Mac? Mac, but that’s a recent change.
Night Owl or Early Bird? Definitely a night owl ;) It’s the only time I can get any work done!
Thank you so much for having me!!