Book Beat - Welcome to Last Chance by Cathleen Armstrong

When Lainie Davis's car dies, the little town of Last Chance, New Mexico is truly her last chance. She has an angry ex-boyfriend on her tail - and no money to fix her car. Lainie takes a waitressing job at the Dip 'n' Dine, but as a tough, wounded city girl, she rubs a lot of people the wrong way - and yet brings out the protectiveness in others.

Meanwhile Ray is running his late father's bar - but only until his brother Steven can take over. He can't wait to leave this town and pursue his art.

I love a good small-town story, but they often veer into cheesiness. Not Welcome to Last Chance. Cathleen Armstrong has seasoned her town with a healthy dose of hot chili! The town and its people become a character all their own.

Welcome to Last Chance gives us a warm but never sentimental view of small town life, sprinkled with characters full of quirks and faults—all seen through the eyes of a tough but fragile heroine. Cathleen Armstrong has crafted a story to cherish. A wonderful debut novel. I can't wait for the second book in the "A Place to Call Home" series.