From #1 New York Times bestselling author Fern Michaels—one of the most beloved authors of our time—comes a gripping new novel filled with heart and hope, as a young woman wrongly found guilty of murder receives the gift of a second chance...
On the eve of her retirement, Georgia attorney Mikala Aulani is as vivacious and vibrant as ever, eagerly anticipating a happy future with her partner, Ben. But if Kala has learned anything in thirty-five years of practicing law, it's that the truth can always surprise you. And when Adam Star turns up at her office, confessing to the long-ago murder of his wife, Kala must return to a notorious case that has never stopped haunting her.
Ten years have passed since young nurse Sophie Lee was accused of murdering her wealthy patient, Audrey Star. Kala defended Sophie and had no doubt of her innocence—or of Adam Star's guilt—but the prosecution convinced a jury otherwise. Sophie was convicted on a Tuesday—the day on which every significant event in her life, good or bad, seems to happen. Now, on the verge of his death, Adam exonerates Sophie and also leaves her a huge fortune in atonement.
Released from prison, Sophie retreats to Kala's house and tries to evade the media frenzy that surrounds her. Kala is determined to help her client make her way back into the world and adjust to her new wealth and freedom. Yet for both, there are still revelations in store—about the nature of redemption, the strange workings of fate, and the power of forgiveness. And most of all, about the secrets that hide in every heart—even those we think we know best.
A Letter from Fern Michaels for B&N
Like most writers, when I start thinking about writing a new book I let my mind wander all over the map until something clicks. In the case of Tuesday's Child, I overheard a young couple's conversation outside a drugstore and it gave me an idea. They were fighting and the boy kept saying over and over, “why won't you give me a second chance?” Having been around the block more times than I care to remember, I thought he didn't sound the least bit sincere. I guess the girl didn't think so either because she kicked his shins and ran off. That same evening I saw a homeless man on television thanking a stranger, plus everyone in the whole world for helping him by giving him a second chance. He sounded sincere to me. I started thinking about second chances and what they mean to different people and, boy, did I come up with a bunch of wild scenarios.
I thought about my own past; what would I do if someone said I could unring the bell on something that happened way back when, all would be forgiven, and a fresh start granted. I mean, really THINK. If I did, would that mean my life as I knew it would be different? Would my life be better, or worse? Would I gamble on something like that, or keep my life as I know it today? I have to say, it was a real mind bender because I could not come to a decision.
As a writer I can do many things. I can create something out of nothing. I can make characters do whatever I want them too. I can create situations, good and bad. I can punish characters, or praise them, marry them, or divorce them, kill them, make them rich or poor, create friendships, burn down houses, create car crashes, et al…all in the name of fiction and entertainment. Writing fiction means making up stuff, and with all that in mind, I decided to explore what a second chance could mean for a character I created in Tuesday's Child named Sophie Lee.
I invite you to read Tuesday's Child and meet Sophie Lee between the pages. I also encourage those of you reading this letter to ask yourself, what YOU would do if given a second chance…
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