Once Again, Now [Paperback]

Charmaine Gordon (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 2005

Suddenly widowed at age 59, Kate Harris emerges from a dark year of mourning and tried to find her place in the world. Can she learn to be an independent woman and find happiness, or will forces beyond her control derail her attempts to put her life back together.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A novel of hope...A suspenseful story, with engaging characters...I couldn't put this book down." -- Maura Teitelbaum, Literary Agent, Abrams Artists Agency

"A riveting tale of loss and the power of love to inspire growth...a real page turner." -- Jenny Kalsner, former Columnist, Canadian Flight Magazine

"Not every writer can so deftly draw upon life's trials and joys and weave them into compelling, fascinating fiction." -- Sandra Pesmen, JOurnalist, Career News Service

"Suspense mixed with romance...a vacation book just right for a long trip, the beach, a cruise..." -- Ellen Belitsky, Writer

"This is one of the best books I've read in a long time... looking forward to the author's next book." -- Wilma Frana, WordMuseum.com

About the Author

Charmaine Gordon, a writer and an actress, has starred in tv, film, and theatrical productions. She resides in Pearl River, NY.

Product Details

• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Moo Press (November 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0972485384
• ISBN-13: 978-0972485388
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,918,178 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Years of experience as an actor on daytime drama. Stage, spokesperson and commercials plus writing sketches for Air Force shows helped prepare me for the wonders of a writing career. Of course, I didn't realize it at the time when immersed in the written words of others, that I was like a sponge, soaking up how to construct a scene, write dialogue, and paint the setting.

My writing effort came later when I wrote a two page story, sent it to son, Paul who commented, "Cool. Can you write ten pages?" Seemed impossible but the story poured from my fingers and seventy thousand words later, I typed The End.

I kissed my acting career goodbye, leaving on a high note with the lead in an Off Broadway play, "The Fourth Commandment" author Rich Knipe. It was great fun and time to move on. Movies like "Working Girl", "Road to Wellsville" and having the pleasure of Anthony Hopkins company at lunch, working with Mike Nichols in "Regarding Henry" and singing outside with Harrison Ford, crying with Gene Wilder over loss on another set, When "Harry Met Sally" with the whole gang singing It Had to Be You. Lots of fond memories. My first job as stand-in leg model for Geraldine Ferraro in a Diet Pepsi commercial with Secret Service men guarding her and her daughters. A sweet time.

One last memory and a funny one at that. A casting call went out for an actor with a Betty White voice. Talent in the tri-state area scouted and I was the only one who fit the bill. A voice-over accomplished for a nutrious drink for seniors; another credit added to my resume. I smile every time I see and hear Ms White on television and recall yet another sweet time.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful first novel!, November 8, 2005

By 

Armchair Interviews (Minneapolis, MN) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Once Again, Now (Paperback)

Kate Harris lives in Westchester County, New York. At 59, she has two children and has been a widow for almost a year. She was dependent on her father, then on her husband Bob. When Bob died she felt at a loss as to what to do with her life, and who she was.

Kate meets Mac McCord at a party in March, a gorgeous, strong, formidable security expert. They fall madly in love. As her romance with Mac develops, he learns to play tennis with her, and she learns to shoot, a hobby of his. She also takes computer classes, and decides to pursue a career in the travel industry. They marry in October, and travel to the Middle East for their honeymoon. Then they return to a flurry of activity--as they sell her home and find a new one. Her new job at a travel agency is put on hold, as she is just too busy.

It turns out Mac had already bought the house of his dreams, and fortunately Kate loves it, too. Mac of course adds tons of security to the house, in addition to a shooting range and a workout room. On the one-year anniversary of the day they met, they are planning a house warming party and start their busy day with an early morning run, when their lives are shattered by a drunk driver veering onto the footpath.

Her children and Mac's daughter are there to support her, and so is her long-time friend Ron Turner, an attorney who recently lost his wife to cancer and is dealing with his own grief. Kate faces true evil at the terrifying conclusion of the book, and discovers who she has become, and how strong she really is.

Armchair Interviews says: This is an inspiring and romantic story of one woman's path to self-knowledge and self-sufficiency--a superb first novel.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a beautiful love story, August 19, 2009

By 

C. Engelman - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Once Again, Now (Paperback)

This is not your typical 2nd chance love story - it's about a woman's 2nd chance at living life.

Gordon did an absolutely amazing job and the reader really shares ALL of the emotions. It is a wonderfully woven tale.

Hope to see more of Charmaine Gordon.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Novel About an Emerging Woman, August 9, 2009

By 

Chelle Cordero "Combining Passion & Suspense" (NY, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Once Again, Now (Paperback)

After a 40-year marriage ends with the death of her beloved husband Bob, Kate Harris finds herself, for the first time in her life, having to make her own decisions without a man to tell her what to do (first her father, then Bob).

She realizes she needs to discover herself - school and new skills, a new job, a new and exciting romance. Kate enters this new life with an incredibly sexy man, Mac McCord, and a blended family - her son and daughter and Mac's daughter and their significant others.

The journey is almost idyllic until once again, Kate must dig deep to find her inner strength because her very life depends on it.

This is honestly a can't put-down book - and I did stay up until the sun rose because I had to know what happened next. I cried, I cheered, and I am grateful I had the chance to read these inspiring book.