Blessed Twice (Paperback)

by Lynn Galli (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
The problem with starting over in another state after losing your partner is that your new friends don't understand why you can't just get over it. They never saw how you were together, how much you loved her, how she was your life. They only see a number: three, as in, the number of years since she died. That's all the evidence they need to begin pressuring you to get back out there again. It doesn't matter that you've told them to back off. No, they feel it is their duty to butt into your life and ambush you with blind dates.

This wasn't a predicament Briony Gatewood anticipated when she relocated for tenure at a prestigious university. Yet after a year with her new friends, they've ceased being merely concerned and moved on to obnoxious. As if being fixed up wasn't bad enough, the dean at her college just volunteered her to teach a potentially career damaging class. Along for the experimental course is the socially challenged M Desiderius, a fellow professor who won't ever win a faculty popularity contest. But as they start working together, Briony begins to understand M's aloofness and is intrigued by the shy, brilliant, passionate woman. Enough so that she's starting to believe her friends when they say it's time to move on. And M, as complicated as her past has been and reticent as she seems now, may be the perfect person to help Briony finally heal and love again.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

There were about a million other things I could be doing right now. Playing tennis, reading a mystery, working out, talking to my son at camp, whitewater rafting, banging my head against a low hanging beam, and all would be more pleasant than my sixth blind date. Cripes, Caroline knew a lot of women. A lot of women who were so wrong for me.

This one's name was Polly, and she worked as a court clerk. After her third cup of coffee, I could sum up Polly's personality with one word: drama. Or issues. Or get me the hell out of here, please!

"And then I was, like, `what do you think you're doing with my stuff, loser?' I mean, can you believe she was, like, walking out on me and expected to take the one and only gift she, like, bought me in the entire three months we'd been together? I was, like, `you didn't even pay me rent for three months, you're not taking my Maroon 5 with you.'" Her pretty green eyes stared expectantly at me, asking me to agree.

Still stuck on some of the other intimate details she'd shared prior to talking about a massive blowout over a piece of plastic that costs twelve dollars, I merely nodded then shook my head. I didn't know if she expected me to say, "Yes, I completely agree, even though you're a loon," or "No, that's just awful, especially since there's no way you could ever replace such a priceless item. Unless, of course, you walked into any music store, or better yet, downloaded the songs so no one could walk out of your life with her love and your CDs."

"You're so easy to talk to," she jabbered on after I'd apparently given the appropriate response. "I can't believe Caroline never introduced us before. I'm having so much fun."

Yeah, because drinking coffee is a riot a minute. I really had to come up with some way to make Caroline stop.

"So, like, what's your story?" She paused long enough to make me think she actually wanted an answer.

Well, I've never used the word "like" as a verbal pause; I've never moved in with someone after only one night together; and I've never considered a CD worth the effort of an argument. Oh, and I now deem dating a soul draining experience.

"Briony?"

I looked up and felt my stomach plunge as swiftly as if I'd been pushed out of an airplane. M stood beside my table, iced coffee in hand on her way out. She was in casual clothes, showing a hint of midriff at the hem of her shirt, the start of envious calves under her capri pants, and just the barest promise of cleavage beneath the v-neck collar.

"Hi there, M." I hoped she caught the relief in my tone. Wow, she looked good. No makeup today and her hair was a little more chaotically styled but wickedly attractive. Beyond, actually, more like hot. Yes, hot suited her just fine. Why wasn't I on a date with her? Oh, crap, Polly. "This is Polly. Polly, my friend and colleague, M."

Polly must have picked up on my blatant interest in M, because the next thing I knew, she was telling her, "We'd invite you to join us, but we're on a date."

I didn't know who cringed more, me at the idea that this could really be counted as a date or M at the rude dismissal. My eyes snapped up to hers in apology. Before I realized what I was doing, I made the ASL sign for "help." It was one of a few words I'd learned for when my son spent time with his hearing impaired best friend. This was the first time I'd ever used it, and I never imagined I'd be using it for evil instead of good.

"Pardon the intrusion, but I thought we said three o'clock?" M asked me with the perfect amount of urgency and innocence. "I grabbed a table up front and left all the lecture notes and business plans there. It's a few hours of work, and I've got plans tonight, but if you need a little more time, I understand."

"Is it three already?" I brought my wrist up to check the time on my watch. "Gosh, I'm sorry, Polly. I didn't mention this work thing because I never thought we'd still be here. You just made the time fly by." Two hours that I'll never, ever get back.

She beamed at my compliment but disappointment showed through. "Caroline said you were a workaholic, but we can work on that." She reached for a hug, which I made lightening quick, and finally, the sixth date on my path through hell was over. Polly banged through the coffeehouse doors with all the drama she'd expressed during her diatribe.

"Thank you for saving me."

"Think nothing of it." M said it like she believed it when I was considering erecting a life-sized shrine and lighting a candle every night. Her eyes darted to the door as her customary introversion returned. "Nice running into you, Briony. Enjoy the rest of your weekend."

"Tell me about those plans you mentioned," I blurted before she could disappear.

"I lied," she admitted with a shy smile. "I figured if I didn't give a limited window of time, she might think she could get us to postpone our work meeting."

Strangely, I felt more relief hearing this than getting out of my date with Polly. "So, you've got nothing going?" When she shook her head, I smiled and stepped toward her. "You do now."

I couldn't think of a better way to spend my Saturday than with this beautiful, enticing woman. Not really a date, but far better than anything my friends could set up for me.

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Outskirts Press (August 11, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1432730517
• ISBN-13: 978-1432730512
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #57,588 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Blessed with another wonderful book by Lynn, August 23, 2008

By	P. Sloss (Ankeny, IA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I've never posted a review on Amazon yet but Lynn's latest book, Blessed Twice, has compelled me to do so. I have read all of Lynn's books and this one is her best in my opinion. It still contains her wonderful sense of humor and we get to visit with some of the Virginia Friends. But it also gives us a different dimension as we see both Briony and M struggle and then deal with the healing process of the issues they face through patience, compassion and love. You can't help to also fall in love with Briony's son Caleb as you witness his wonderful friendship with Hank, a friend who has his own special needs.
As with any Lynn Galli book, she gives us humor, a wonderful storyline where I couldn't put the book down until it was finished and the sex scenes in this book were more special with Briony trying to deal with the loss of her 1st partner and M discovering love for the first time. Plus the added bonus about this book is I was educated about a real life issue as we follow M through her healing process. I laughed, I cried and I loved the support and understanding provided by Jessie, Quinn and Willa to both Briony and M. If you haven't read the previous books by Lynn, I don't think you need to read them first as Lynn does a great job of quickly explaining the role these 3 Virginia friends played in the previous books. But I strongly encourage you to read them as I've enjoyed them all.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Her Best Yet, August 26, 2008

By	VorRead - See all my reviews

I'm a huge fan of Lynn Galli's and would read anything she writes, but I didn't think she could top Uncommon Emotions. I was wrong. Blessed Twice is funny, poignant, honest, a little startling at times, but wonderful overall. Like all of Galli's offerings, there's nothing typical about this romance. The hilarious dating scenes are worth the price of the book alone. And as always, any visit with the friends in Virginia is an enjoyable read.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another excellent Galli novel, September 11, 2008

By	Reading Junkie (United States) - See all my reviews

Lynn Galli has graced us with another winner. "Blessed Twice" tells the story of Briony Gatewood, a character from one of Lynn's earlier novels, "Imagining Reality." Briony is a widow; her partner died in a rock climbing accident several years ago, so she and her son move to Virginia for a new start in life. At the university, Briony meets the enigmatic M. That's right, M. And not the M from James Bond, either!

M is a most interesting character. Seemingly cool and aloof with her colleagues, she shines in the classroom with her students. Briony and M are roped into team-teaching a summer graduate class, and Galli takes it from there.

As Briony's friendship develops with M, the VA friends set her up on a series of disastrous blind dates. More and more, Briony realizes that she wants and desires M.

M is not sure she can reciprocate. She's toting her own personal baggage, traumas from the past which have colored the present and jeopardize her future with Briony.

I have to hand it to Galli. She's come up with another solid novel of longing and love.

Kudos, gal! You sure deserve it.