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Marsha R. West
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SECOND ACT (The Second Chances Series Book 1) Kindle Edition

by Marsha R. West (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 25 ratings
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When a member of the board of a non-profit arts agency in Fort Worth turns up dead, the homicide detective assigned to the case looks at everyone involved in the organization, including the Executive Director.
Addison Jones Greer, divorced mother of two teens, is the Executive Director of Cowtown Theatre. When a board member is found in the costume room murdered, suspicion rests on everyone involved with the theatre, including Addie. She has angered some board members because she wants to fire the Artistic Director. Although she’s warmed him several times, he continues to go over budget for productions.
Mike Riley, Fort Worth homicide detective, hates that he caught this case. His sister-in-law dragged him to a theatre fundraiser where he met Addison, the first woman he’s wanted to pursue a relationship with in a long time. Not about to happen now.
Addison hasn’t ventured into romance since she caught her now ex-husband in their bed with his secretary. As a result she doesn’t do trust. How could she trust someone who seems determined to think she’s capable of murder? Or worse, thinks her kids might be involved.
SECOND ACT is Book 1 of the Second Chances Series. We meet four women, now in middle age, who’ve been friends since they met at summer camp after second grade. Whether they realize it or not, they all need a second chance.
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  1. Book 1 of 3
    The Second Chances Series
  2. Print length
    363 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publication date
    March 26, 2015
  5. File size
    1.6 MB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  9. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Marsha R. West, writes Romance, Suspense, and Second Chances. Experience Required. MuseItUp Publishing released her first book, VERMONT ESCAPE in July 2013 and TRUTH BE TOLD, in May 2014. Marsha formed MRW Press LLC to provide a print version of her books. VERMONT ESCAPE is available at Amazon in pint or from her in person. SECOND ACT, The Second Chances Series, Book 1, follows up with a secondary character from VERMONT ESCAPE and begins a four-part series. Find out more at www.marsharwest.com She'd love to hear from you.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00UY66N9W
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ MRW Press LLC; 1st edition (March 26, 2015)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ March 26, 2015
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1.6 MB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 363 pages
  • Page numbers source ISBN ‏ : ‎ 0996147519
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 25 ratings

About the author

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Marsha R. West

Marsha R. West

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Romance, Suspense, and Second Chances. Experience Required.

The theme of Marsha’s 10 romantic suspense books is always second chances. She has a four-part series titled The Second Chances Series. She believes in Happily Ever Afters. Her husband picked up a plaque for her on one of their several trips to Maine that states her philosophy exactly. "Everything will be all right in the end. If it’s not all right, it’s not the end." The Heroines and Heroes in her books are in their 40s and 50s with their parents and children often playing supporting roles.

Marsha, a retired elementary school principal, is also a former school board member and theatre arts teacher. She lives in Texas with her supportive lawyer husband. Their two daughters presented them with three delightful grandchildren who live nearby. They share their home with Charley, a Chihuahua/Jack Russell Terrier mix. Her 8th book, TAINTED, a standalone, released fall of 2020. She'd love to hear from you and would appreciate reviews.

Contact her at marsha@marsharwest.com. Sign up for her Newsletter here : https://marsharwest.us16.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=189168308aef0448d91e6b406&id=3d84cdc4de and Blog on her website: https://authormarsharwest.wordpress.com/ and follow her on these social media sites.

https://www.facebook.com/?ref=tn_tnmn

https://www.twitter.com/Marsharwest @Marsharwest

https://wordbyword.net/blog/

https://www.pinterest.com/marsharwest/

https://www.instagram.com/marsharwest

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
25 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers enjoy the well-developed romantic suspense story with passion-filled love scenes. They find the characters believable and multidimensional, with a detestable villain. The book is a great read that keeps readers engaged until the last page with fast-paced action and twists.

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Suspense levelCharacter developmentReadabilityPacing
9 customers mention "Suspense level"9 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the well-developed romantic suspense in the book. They find the story engaging from start to finish with its fast-paced plot and plenty of twists and turns. The love scenes are passionate and the characters are fully developed. The book introduces an intriguing new series that appeals to anyone.

"...The action happens quickly and so does the sexual attraction. A great mystery even though you know from the beginning who the bad guy is!..." Read more

"...This story was set in Texas (though some of her other books are set in Maine or Vermont) and I enjoyed how the location spiced an already savory stew..." Read more

"I thoroughly enjoyed the mystery of Second Act written by Marsha West and looked forward to my reading time each evening...." Read more

"...love, but fearful to step into that situation again,and the story gets oh so interesting...." Read more

6 customers mention "Character development"6 positive0 negative

Customers find the characters well-developed and believable. They appreciate the multidimensional protagonists and villain.

"...The story pulled me in right from the start. I like books with great characters, and the characters were all believable and human in their strengths..." Read more

"...All of the characters were well-developed and believable. I also liked that Ms. West brought in characters from her other novels...." Read more

"...Well-drawn characters and the backdrop of community theater make this a must-read book." Read more

"...at its best...likeable, multi-dimensional protagonists, a truly detestable villain, well-developed secondary characters, fast-paced and filled with..." Read more

6 customers mention "Readability"6 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's readability. They find it engaging, with likeable protagonists and a good series that keeps their interest until the end.

"...A great read. Looking forward to more Marsha West books!" Read more

"...the beginning of this novel, the author drew me in and kept my interest until the last page...." Read more

"I love a good series!..." Read more

"...drawn characters and the backdrop of community theater make this a must-read book." Read more

4 customers mention "Pacing"4 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's fast-paced action and twists. The pacing keeps them turning the pages.

"...Is there any way to reconcile with her Goth daughter? The action happens quickly and so does the sexual attraction...." Read more

"...story line kept me guessing what would happen next and the pace kept the pages turning...." Read more

"...The action was fast paced and there were so many twists and turns...." Read more

"...a truly detestable villain, well-developed secondary characters, fast-paced and filled with enough twists and turns to keep us reading well into..." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Kim Janine Ligon
    5.0 out of 5 stars Love finds a way
    Reviewed in the United States on August 26, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    Addison Greer is flying as fast as she can. Running a theater, mothering her 18 year old twins, trying to keep her personal and business finances in the black. Her ex is pain who ignores their daughter while lavishing praise on their son. Why is she so attracted to the Detective brother in law of one of her board members? Why is Jonathon Harding so interested in her? Is there any way to reconcile with her Goth daughter? The action happens quickly and so does the sexual attraction. A great mystery even though you know from the beginning who the bad guy is! A great read. Looking forward to more Marsha West books!
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  • Fran Turner
    5.0 out of 5 stars An enjoyable read
    Reviewed in the United States on October 21, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    Second Act is not my usual book style to read, but after corresponding with Marsha West on another topic, and discovering that she is an author, I couldn’t wait to read one of her books. I was not disappointed! The story pulled me in right from the start. I like books with great characters, and the characters were all believable and human in their strengths and failings. As a reader I felt like I was right there in the story. The story line kept me guessing what would happen next and the pace kept the pages turning. This story was set in Texas (though some of her other books are set in Maine or Vermont) and I enjoyed how the location spiced an already savory stew. More recently I have found myself reading book styles that are different than I have in the past. It can be hit or miss. This was a hit and I'm looking forward to reading other works from Marsha West! PS, I’m reading “Act of Betrayal” now and am finding it engaging for all the same reasons as above.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Susan B.
    5.0 out of 5 stars SECOND ACT (The Second Chances Series Book 1)
    Reviewed in the United States on April 28, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    I thoroughly enjoyed the mystery of Second Act written by Marsha West and looked forward to my reading time each evening. From the beginning of this novel, the author drew me in and kept my interest until the last page.

    I liked Addison Greer, the protagonist, and could easily relate to her. All of the characters were well-developed and believable. I also liked that Ms. West brought in characters from her other novels. The action was fast paced and there were so many twists and turns. When things were finally settling down, then something else happened for this reader to worry about.

    Second Act (The Second Chances Series Book 1) was an appropriate title. The book was filled with second chances for everyone. I look forward to the next novel in this series.
    One person found this helpful
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  • WF Fan Club
    5.0 out of 5 stars I love a good series!
    Reviewed in the United States on May 30, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    I love a good series! Marsha West hooked me from the beginning in this story of a hardworking woman struggling to balance raising two teenagers on her own with keeping a local theatre from going under. Add to this a treacherous employee, a murder in which she’s a suspect, and a love story with the man investigating her and you’ve got one hell of a story! I highly recommend you check this out. I’m ready to read the next one.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Janet Glaser
    5.0 out of 5 stars A Fabulous Villain to Hate
    Reviewed in the United States on August 9, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    Ms. West reveals the bad guy early on. With her excellent storywriting skills, I was reminded of the villains in the old silent movies. I wanted to hiss and boo everytime he appeared in the book. He became more and more detestable. But if we learn who the bad guy is so quickly, then what's left of the story. Plenty! Throw in a romance for people yearning to have a second chance at love, but fearful to step into that situation again,and the story gets oh so interesting. Well-drawn characters and the backdrop of community theater make this a must-read book.
    One person found this helpful
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  • GMR
    4.0 out of 5 stars I enjoyed it!
    Reviewed in the United States on August 8, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    I have read Marsha West's two other books, and Second Act is a story that I think most people will be able to relate to. The story also heald my interest from cover to cover. I enjoyed it!
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  • Ellis
    5.0 out of 5 stars Good suspense and a romance to cheer for
    Reviewed in the United States on November 4, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    Addison Greer is handling her problems, from her troubled daughter to the out-of-control artistic director at the theater she manages, until a theater board member is murdered. Then the cop she’s recently met and become attracted to is assigned the case. The problems compound with realistic conflicts and escalating danger. I stayed up late to finish this book. It’s a good suspense story with a romance to cheer for.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Njkinny's Blog
    4.0 out of 5 stars Love in the Second Act! :)
    Reviewed in the United States on April 22, 2015
    Second Act by Marsha R. West is the first book in The Second Chance Series. This was the first book by Marsha that I read and I am so happy that I got introduced to her. It is always exhilarating to meet new authors that write so well that you fall in love with their books. This is what happened when I read Second Act by Marsha R. West.

    The cover is intriguing with the creatively showcased woman on a stage with some blood spatters and a man's hand mysteriously shown in the background with a gun. The blurb is interesting and coupled with the cover, it made me itch to pick up this book to read and review!

    The plot is simple and some may say even predictable. The villain is shown right from the start but despite this, the story rushes towards suspense, mystery, thrill and the excitement of a chase with the bad guy. Add a heartfelt second chance romance with a rugged hero and an independent heroine, this book had it all to interest me which it did, right till the end.

    Marsha's writing style is simple and she shows her knowledge of the theater and the settings where the story is set. The chapters are divided such that they arent too long and always leave us eager to know what will happen next.

    The characterization is expertly done. The villain shows his face right from the start but despite this, catching him is proving difficult. He isnt very cunning but still very cautious and covers his tracks every time. Watching the hero try and catch him while he throws suspicion on others was very fascinating. The hero, Detective Mike is a true lawman with his quiet strength. His character made me love him and I, very partially, sided with him all through the story. :)

    Addie is an independent woman trying to run her theater while also providing for her two kids. Her ex left her scarred and she hasnt felt any romantic feelings for a man since but this changes when she meets Mike. Both Mike and Addie try to fight their feelings and it was interesting and very entertaining to see them run in different directions.

    Other characters like Addie's children, Mike's family and the theater characters also added charm to the story and I would like to meet them and read their own stories in Marsha's future books.

    All in all, this was an entertaining novel that kept me hooked right till the end. Everyone got what they deserved and I was pretty satisfied with the end and am now eager to read the other books in this series. 4.5 out of 5 to Second Act and recommended to lovers of suspense with a sensual romance.

    This review is also available on my blog Njkinny's World of Books & Stuff
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Top reviews from other countries

  • N. N. Light
    5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant romantic suspense!
    Reviewed in Canada on June 25, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    Backstabbing is commonplace in theatre, but murder? A board member is murdered, and poor Addie is the number one suspect. Oooh, I love a juicy romantic suspense. Add in the setting and the cast of characters being a part of a community theater, and it has all the makings of an unputdownable read. I love everything about Second Act, from the gripping plot to the setting to the budding romance to the loathsome creative director to the murder. I couldn’t stop reading this book and neither will you.

    Let’s start with the characters. I connected with Addie right away. She’s a divorced mom trying her best to revive the local theatre while raising two teen boys. She’s sworn off love but there’s something about Det. Mike she can’t resist. She’s also dealing with a truly horrible person at work who makes her life miserable. The more I read, the more my heart went out to Addie. The rest of the characters are so well-written and add depth to the overall story.

    Marsha R. West is a prolific author who writes romantic suspense readers clamor for. Her ability to balance suspense and romance is second to none. Her writing is filled with emotion, making it easy to connect with the characters. I enjoy each of her stories, each one better than the last.

    If you love romantic suspense, pick up Second Act. Brilliant from start to finish, this book will leave you satisfied.

    My Rating: 5+ stars
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