In the Land of Second Chances

September 13, 2004
When a traveling salesman mysteriously appears in smalltown Ebb, Nebr., he quickly settles in at Wilma Porter's Come Again B&B and sets about solving all the problems plaguing Ebb's small social circle in this chatty, earnest novel. While no one fully believes that the impeccably dressed Vernon Moore has truly come to sell games of chance (there are no prospective buyers, for one thing), they are eager to keep him around for excitement and advice. Through a series of conversations over Wilma's down-home cooking, and at Calvin Millet's Department Store—a family establishment fast falling prey to bankruptcy and Wal-Mart takeover—Mr. Moore pitches philosophy and faith to Ebb's residents. During Mr. Moore's six-day stay, Millet develops plans to save his store and gains courage to discuss death with his terminally ill daughter; a rich investor chooses his community over himself; and a lonely divorcée finds romance. Busybody Wilma makes for a spunky narrator, but in this story of odds and uncertainty the stakes fall short. The conceit—hotshot stranger comes to town to talk sense to backward rural folk—is hoary and diminishes the otherwise colorful characters, especially when Mr. Moore's shaky logic and platitudinous pontificating go unchallenged. Agent, Dystel & Goderich Literary Management.

August 1, 2004
The Come Again Bed and Breakfast, run by spunky narrator Wilma Porter, provides the setting for this unusual and affectionate first novel. Wilma describes the economically depressed town of Ebb, Nebraska, whose small-business owners depend on Calvin Millet's failing department store to protect them from hostile takeover by Wal-Mart and other monster franchises. Financial vultures circle as Calvin's emotional and monetary resources are tapped by the crises surrounding his daughter's life-threatening illness. Enter self-proclaimed traveling salesman Mr. Vernon Moore, who checks into the B&B and proceeds to charm people with his good looks, probing questions, and straightforward philosophy of "Reasoned Faith." As the townfolk observe Mr. Moore gently probing their pain and helping them sort through what he calls the "Paradox of the Benevolent God," everyone agrees that he must be selling more than he claims. This cross between " Touched by an Angel " and " The Five People You Meet in Heaven" is a self-help novel that inspires hope by depicting likable down-home folks who overcome adversity with faith. (Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2004, American Library Association.)