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Second Helpings: A Humorous Contemporary Novel Paperback – April 20, 2020

by Linda Wood Rondeau (Author)
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 22 ratings
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Can her marriage be saved?

Today is Jocelyn Johnson’s forty-fifth birthday. Unhappy with her marriage of twenty-two years, she has planned a noonday tryst with her talk-show cohost. A phone call from her college daughter, a peek into her teenaged son’s journal, a sick preschooler, a Goth daughter’s identity crisis, a middle-school son’s prank, and her husband’s inflamed suspicions, not only interfere with her hopeful birthday plans but throw her family into more chaos than a circus on steroids.

In desperate need of counsel, Jocelyn invites a Christian, her guest from her morning talk-show segment, to dinner. However, the evening holds little promise of calm. In the midst of bedlam, a forgotten faith rekindles causing Jocelyn to rethink her life and her marriage.

You will laugh and you will cry from the first page to the last as you journey through the day’s events and Jocelyn’s search for Second Helpings.

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  1. Print length
    200 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publication date
    April 20, 2020
  4. Dimensions
    6 x 0.46 x 9 inches
  5. ISBN-10
    195197042X
  6. ISBN-13
    978-1951970420
  7. See all details
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Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Elk Lake Publishing, Inc. (April 20, 2020)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 200 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 195197042X
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1951970420
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 12.8 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 0.46 x 9 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 22 ratings

About the author

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Linda Wood Rondeau

Linda Wood Rondeau

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Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

A former Selah Award winner, and Carol Awards finalist, Linda Wood Rondeau writes to demonstrate that our worst past, surrendered to God, becomes our best future. Her books are inspired by her many years as a social worker, why her voice hits home with complex characters who walk off the page, and why readers relate to her non-fiction as well.

Humor, another guarantee in a Rondeau book, is also prevalent in her non-fiction. Readers will also enjoy her website blog, Snark and Sensibility:http://www.lindarondeau.com

The author is a breast cancer survivor and a recovering food addict. A Toastmaster graduate, she enjoys speaking to groups about her experiences as well as the writing life. The author loves to hear from readers. You may contact her through her website, www.lindarondeau.com, on Facebook, Goodreads, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, Linked In, or via Elk Lake Publishing.

The author is also a writing consultant, The First Hundred Pages, and details are on her website http://www.lindarondeau.com.

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
22 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Michael R Emmert
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful story with beautiful writing
Reviewed in the United States on December 1, 2022
Verified Purchase
This was the first story I've read by Linda Rondeau, and it was lovely. The story kept me engaged all the way to the end. Her writing was smooth and precise. The MC's internal monologue kept me hooked and made it clear what was happening. I couldn't put it down.
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C. Brown
5.0 out of 5 stars A Book of Light and Fun for Today's Families
Reviewed in the United States on May 5, 2020
Verified Purchase
What an eye-opening book! So many times we take things for granted in our lives (whether married or not) but this book will remind you that we are so blessed in many ways and most of all with our families and God. Author Linda Rondeau strikes a true note of reality when she pens the problems in a modern family. Misunderstandings, rebellious young people who are trying to find their way, temptations, and more are prominent in this tale. But that's not the least of it. The reader will smile at the mistakes, laugh out loud at some of the antics of the young people, and the take the mother has to them.

Amidst all of this is a ray of light that opens this family's hearts. You'll not go wrong by giving this book a read. Recommended highly!
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Kindle Customer
3.0 out of 5 stars Nice book
Reviewed in the United States on June 18, 2020
Verified Purchase
This book is a somewhat humorous story about families, relationships and difficulties. There are many current topics touched upon. The inspirational message is found amidst the chaos. This book was supplied to me through #Celebrate Lit for me to read and review. The review includes only my personal thoughts.
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Amazon Customer David Whipple, minister of sr adults.
5.0 out of 5 stars Great family drama, humor and God's loving patience.
Reviewed in the United States on May 9, 2020
Verified Purchase
A great story of family dysfunction which turns in to a wonderful conclusion with a encouraging future for all, due to one beautiful friend and visitor who helped everyone see each others life through spiritual eyes. A great read that most everyone will relate to through their or some one else's lives
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TLG
5.0 out of 5 stars A Fun Read!
Reviewed in the United States on April 26, 2020
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I love all of Linda Rondeau’s books! In this book I found myself wanting a “Naomi” in my life, too. Friends that can speak truth and wisdom in love. ❤️ Realizing that life is not always perfect, but can be perfectly messy...Second helpings are always a good thing. 😉
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Deana
4.0 out of 5 stars Family in Crisis
Reviewed in the United States on July 22, 2020
After reading this story I feel like I have run a marathon. The author takes us on a whirlwind look inside a family that is in chaos. Jocelyn is the type that wants her children to still need her even though some are becoming adults. I was exhausted reading everything she tried to accomplish in a day. What I realized is that Jocelyn is unhappy with her stagnant marriage and tries to find other ways to make herself still feel needed.
Larsen is busy with his practice as a psychiatrist. He sees clients everyday with problems, yet he doesn’t seem to grasp the dysfunction his family is in. Each child seems to have some conflict going on but for me I thought it was Jocelyn overreacting to everything. Larsen does his best as a father but lacking in the husband department. The author demonstrates how we get complacent in our marriage and start to have wandering thoughts. Not everyone will fall for that trap but the enemy knows our weakness.
I found it very interesting that Jocelyn worked at a radio station and had a talk show. It was no accident the day she has a special guest who happens to be just what Jocelyn needs. Naomi is endearing, patient and is gifted with words that speak directly to your heart. I was a little upset when Jocelyn invited her over for dinner and then ignored her most of the evening. While Jocelyn bounced between kids and their problems, Naomi has divine appointments with members of the family. The story is fast paced but it has a great message.
I loved how the author shows us what happens when we leave God out of our lives. A marriage can be in danger of dissolving, a child could feel unloved or a rumor could destroy trust. The book mentions that there is humor in the book, but I didn’t find any humor at all. What I did find was a story that shows us to accept each other, never give up and above everything else invite God to be part of your life.
I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my opinion.
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CathW
5.0 out of 5 stars Lots of suspense
Reviewed in the United States on May 14, 2020
Verified Purchase
This book pulls you right through. Initially I was concerned by the level of turmoil, but Linda made it exciting and realistic, if chaotic at times.
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Zanne
5.0 out of 5 stars Laugh and cry!
Reviewed in the United States on April 24, 2020
This story serves up the salt and vinegar of real family problems, but is heavily sweetened with wit and laughter. I was hooked from the very beginning by the true-to-life troubles of Jocelyn and Larsen’s large family and the added challenges of high-profile careers. Not only are their lives filled with grit and tears, but this story has a deep, psychological edge to it that kept me wondering—what would I do if I were in their shoes?

Jocelyn is a radio host, with a show devoted to parenting problems, and her husband Larsen is a psychologist. With this combination of career fields, you’d think they’d have it all together—but they don’t! Joselyn struggles with the disappointments of lost dreams, a lack of intimacy in her marriage, and the exhausting demands of five children. If this sounds serious, it is, but you’ll find yourself laughing at every turn by the comical way Jocelyn looks at life. Larsen on the other hand is practical and serious and comes off as a know-it-all. Though he appears to have all the answers, he has no cure for his wife’s feelings of emptiness and inadequacy. While Joselyn struggles to fix and rescue her children, Larsen has a hands-off approach to parenting. His constant psychological advice annoys Jocelyn (and annoyed me too) and she sees it as his way of escaping any true emotional connection. As the couple grow further apart, Joselyn seeks comfort in a co-worker, Derrick. He’s a seductive, good-looking man who seems to be the only one who understands her.

Just when the writing is on the wall for a family meltdown, (and I’m beginning to dislike Jocelyn's choices) the story takes a swift turn. A prominent guest is scheduled to appear on Jocelyn’s radio show, but at the last minute, he cancels. Now, in a tight spot, an unconventional and unqualified guest, Dr. Hartley, is rushed in. Steeling herself for a radio disaster, Jocelyn finds her guest to be much more than she expected. As the interview unfolds, Dr. Hartley’s words not only penetrate the airwaves but find their way into Jocelyn’s heart and later her home.

This is the kind of story that creeps into your heart and mind, and without announcing it, gently shows you how to become a better person, partner and parent—it did for me!
Charming and clean--Linda Wood Rondeau’s books do not disappoint. A Second Helping is a breath of fresh air.
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