Customer Reviews

Providence: Once Upon a Second Chance

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Chris Coppernoll has hit a home run with his debut work of fiction Providence: Once Upon A Second Chance. Chris has deftly crafted a tale of the complexities of of the Christian walk, exploring how we can do great things for the Kingdom of God while still struggling with our human weaknesses and failures. I found myself drawn into the world of Providence, it's places and characters seem so real and are thoughtfully developed. At the close of the book I was rewarded with the warm satisfaction of an unexpected and yet gratifying ending. There is nothing better than to come to the end of a good read and long to continue on.

Chris' biggest challenge now will be to find a way to top one of the best fiction releases of 2007.

In a braid of past and present, Chris Coppernoll weaves the coming of age of a young man and the unraveling of the grown man who now lives with the consequences of his past. Not often does there come along a book this powerful and haunting.

I met Chris at our local book club where he came as a guest of a member. We hadn't read his book, but he told us about it. Fascinated by his synopsis and wondering if he could pull it off as a writer, I took a copy. He pulled it off, all right. In spades.

Providence is a book you'll long remember, even after you've turned the last page. A master of first person narration, Chris digs deep into his characters' psyches and gives you the full depth of their emotions, all without leaving Jack's point of view.

Providence is one of the best books I've read--ever. Powerful, poignant and utterly satisfying. This reviewer gives it her highest recommendation. It's a 5-star read.

Chris Coppernoll's debut novel, "Providence" was a very pleasant surprise. A bittersweet tale of lost love and a search for significance, Mr. Coppernoll has penned an enjoyable and poignant novel.

Jack Clayton comes from more than just a broken home--more like a shattered one. After divorce destroys his parent's marriage, a drunk driver takes the life of his younger sister. From that point on, Jack and his mother, whom he calls Marianne, become strangers.

So when Jack finally leaves his hometown for college, accompanied by his childhood friend Mitchell, the relief he feels radiates off the pages. Soon Jack settles into life at college...until he finds love. Then things begin unraveling once again.

Flash to the present day: now a best selling author and pastor of an amazing outreach to the poor, Jack is asked to pen his life story. But to do so is to dredge up the past, and to deal with the shadows of regrets that have haunted him.

What results is a gorgeous story of a young man's journey to the God who has loved Him with an everlasting love. This novel did not go the direction I expected, but each plot twist followed a pattern that was both poetic and insightful.

I found this story to be both refreshing and entertaining.

As an added treat, since Jack's past takes place in the 1980's, each chapter opens with a lyric from a hit song of the 80's...and I recognized at least 90% of the songs...I'm not sure if that's a good thing, but it WAS fun!!

How does Jack's story end? You'll just have to read it for yourself, and it is a journey you won't want to miss. This is quality fiction and I look forward to seeing what is next from Mr. Coppernoll.

"Providence" is subtitled "Once Upon a Second Chance" and for good reason...as we serve a God of second, third, fourth, and infinite chances to get it right for Him. Mr. Coppernoll certainly got it right on his first time out! I'm voting this the Best Debut of 2007!

This is a well crafted romance novel with a Christian theme. It's intelligently written, exposing the author's capacity for deep and reflective thought. And the book contains enough surprises, twists and turns to keep the pages turning. It's back and forth time sequences compel the reader on. There's no doubt it's a story of redemption and hope. Thoughtfully and well executed, with plenty of metaphors for the experienced reader, it also will appeal to those who just want to go to a place that satisfies the emotions. It drips with imagery and the cold winters of Providence are almost palpable as are the cold hearts of lost souls. These feelings are contrasted by many warm and cozy venues out of the wintry blasts of the weather and life. If you want to just experience a good old fashion lump in your throat while reading and end the book with a satisfying "that was a good read" look no further than this book.

I can't wait for the next novel from this writer. Here is a great story from a first time Nashville-based novelist. If you love Nicholas Sparks, a moving love story or just good writing....pick this up. Spread the word - Coppernoll is an author to watch!

Jack Clayton Campus Missions office staff member couldn't believe his name was associated with a scandal! How did this happen? Why did people want to know so much about him and his past? He didn't ask to be famous. He just wrote the stories of the poor in Norwood. Why couldn't they accept the fact that he didn't do interviews? In the past Jack had many skeletons. I loved it when Jack says "I don't have a few skeletons. I have enough to build a whole skeleton army, and I'm not about to parade them down main street."

The simple life that's all he ever wanted, a waitress shows him her Time magazine; she wants him to sign it. He takes a look, he's on the front cover - Person of the Year? Him? There must be some mistake all he did was write "Laborers of the Orchard" a non-fiction book that sold 18 million copies. Now Arthur his publisher wants him to write his Memoris; he says this is the thing to do. Arthur is already pre-selling it and it's not even written. Jack felt torn. Digging up the past was not what he wanted to do but he sensed that the Lord had other plans for him. The Lord's ways are not our ways Jack was finding out.Jack Clayton tries to explain this to Arthur when he says "Are there issues in your personal life, things you find particularly challenging that you scarcely have strength to face privately? Things you might speak about with a counselor or a clergy man? Now picture working through your issues in front of the whole world, surrounded by Journalists and cameramen. I don't want to go there, do you?"

A dilemma for Jack the pain of unveiling the past; he'd be reviewing things done in his youthful immaturity, things he would rather forget than announce to the whole world! Yet Jack felt this nudging from the Lord to dig and tell. He wanted to be faithful to do His will. He knew that God would forgive him for what he had done - already had. But can he forgive himself?Then an encouraging word in the middle of Jack's storm. "Do something about today. It's the only day we truly have. And if you'll make this day matter for the things Christ taught us you'll be doing what He wants you to and live with purpose. You won't have regrets". Now that was something Jack could hang onto as he faced writing of this Memories, facing the deep pain of the past, the media and Arthur his publisher.

I loved how Chris Coppernoll quickly drew me into Jack Clayton's world and his circumstances. I really enjoyed the hometown feel of the story. I liked how Chris portrayed his characters in the book. They were believable and honest. I cared about them and the town of Providence right from the start. I was encouraged by the many inspiring messages in this book like the one I just quoted. Chris has them throughout the book. You will love Providence the town Chris created, the people that live there and this book.

Book Club Servant Leader
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Chris Coppernoll is a a breath of fresh air to Christian fiction and will be around for awhile. With Providence he tells a story that covers emotions from happiness to sadness. To also include music throughout the story adds to the understanding of how the story and music can relate to someone's path in life. The characters come alive for you as you read the story. This is a story you will not forget for long while. Christian faith, hope, forgiveness, and love com through this story and do all work together to tell a fabulous story

I've run across very few Christian romance novels that would appeal to a guy -- but "Providence" by Chris Coppernoll is at the top of the list.

Jack Clayton, author of a New York Times mega-best seller on helping the poor and a Time Magazine "Man of the Year," has been asked by his publisher to write his own personal story. Jack doesn't want to do that, for a lot of painful reasons. And the most painful of all is the love he walked away from 20 years before.

But the people on the staff of the ministry where he works convince him to write the book. And the writing gets complicated with a nasty, largely untrue newspaper story about Jack that goes viral. He ends up solving both problems by getting the erring reporter to work with him on the book. The book will untangle his past, but lead Jack in unexpected directions.

Most contemporary Christian fiction, and especially romantic fiction, is written and read by women. "Providence" is different. It captures almost exactly a guy's experience in college and after and the ways a guy thinks about relationships.

It also captures the hunger for love that's in every guy's heart. It's a great story.

I liked Chris' book "A Wonderful Fall", but I LOVED this story....I found myself drawn immediately into the story and seeing God's redemptive grace in Jack's life, and the amazing road that took him to that point....you'll find yourself cheering for him and won't be able to put it down until the surprising and happy ending!

How do you explain that an author's first novel is a home run? I am a "wannabe" author and I read for storyline and creativity, and if it touches my heart, even better. Just finished "Providence: Once Upon a Second Chance" by Chris Coppernoll, and this book does it all. It's a story of the past, present and hope for the future of a 40 year old man whose Christian ministry might be rocked by his past. Coppernoll weaves the story of Jack Clayton's life - the present intermingled with the past in this literary home run. This is a love story - between family members, friends, men and women, and of the unfailing love of a God who knows our failures.

One of the extra special `features' is that each chapter begins with lyrics to a song from the 1980's. Realizing I knew these songs was one thing, but I think it draws the reader into the story and there is an added connection. Providence is a first person narrative and each character is brought to life with great dialogue and reflection. The reader knows the characters, roots for them and weeps with them. Jack's childhood has been shattered by divorce and the death of his sister before he is 16 years old. He leaves for college with his best friend Mitchell wanting to leave the past behind and to take on the world.
Twenty years later Jack is recognized for his role in a ministry to the poor, not as the single man whose past threatens to destroy his work.

I highly recommend "Providence" - God might use this book to remind you of His unfailing love for you and that He is the God of second chances.