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

If a reader were to ask you what author you are like, what would you answer?

Great question! I hope they would say my books are like Elizabeth Camden’s who writes historical fiction. I always learn a lot when I read her books; they are incredibly well-researched (unsurprising since she is a research librarian by profession), and the protagonist has an unusual profession.

If you could travel back in time, what time period would you go to?

Difficult to choose! Am I allowed to go to two time periods? I would love to experience the Old West during the late 1800s and the American home front during WWII. Research can only tell you so much.

What is your favorite hymn and why?

“It is Well with My Soul” by Horatio Spafford. Not only are the words and music uplifting, but the story behind the song is also moving. Mr. Spafford lost his four daughters when their ship sank on the way to England. The telegram from his wife Anna who survived the tragedy simply said, “Saved alone.” He took a ship to England to meet her, and it is said he wrote the words when they were passing by the spot where his daughters were lost.

What inspired you to write this book?

I was asked to participate in a multi-author project of contemporary stories in which the characters call a Christian radio station for advice. I love second chance romances, so snapped up the letter S, but struggled a little bit with the plot. About that same time, I was working as a catering manager, and we were preparing for reunion weekend. I realized that would be a perfect set up. It also allowed me to work in a bit of history (albeit recent – 1970s) which was very fun!

Share with me a few of your favorite things.

Mountains, kayaking, watching a snowstorm from inside the house, music, reading, visiting historical sites, volunteering at the Wright Museum, bingeing chick-flicks on the couch with my husband, and the annual reunion of my siblings.