Date Published: June 9, 2026
Publisher: Clay Bridges Publishing
Sometimes, the second chance we truly need is the one we give ourselves.
Ginny Carmichael feels trapped in her abusive relationship until an otherworldly visit ignites her determination to break free. With her baby daughter in tow, she embarks on a courageous road trip that not only takes her away from danger but also leads her to unexpected kindness, genuine connections, and profound forgiveness.
Along the way, she meets a compassionate waitress, a spirited aunt, and ultimately her estranged mother, who may hold the key to her healing. As Ginny approaches her destination—and the truth about her worth—she discovers that escape was never the destination. Wholeness was.
Second Chance Highway is a poignant tale of faith, friendship, and the path to restoration and redemption, and is the sequel to the award-winning Always Think of Me.
Is There a Message in Your Novel That You Want Readers to
Grasp?
Every person has a purpose and an intrinsic worth, despite
what the world might think. It’s natural to revisit regrets, but those moments
are chapters—not the whole story—of who we are and who we can become. Real
transformation begins with forgiveness. We must bravely release the burden of
old wounds, offering forgiveness to others and, perhaps most importantly, to
ourselves. When we let go, we create space for renewal, growth, and
possibilities we never imagined.
Is there anything you find particularly challenging in
your writing?
Writing is always challenging. However, the most difficult
part for me is marketing. With so many titles vying for attention, breaking
through can be and is challenging for me. That’s why I appreciate venues like
yours, where I can introduce myself to potential readers. Thank you!
How many books have you written and which is your
favorite?
I’ve written two novels and two short stories, along with my
blog posts and a monthly letter to subscribers. I can’t offer a favorite. To
me, that would be like having a favorite child, and we all know that doesn’t
turn out well! I’ll let the readers decide.
If You had the chance to cast your main character from
Hollywood today, who would you pick and why?
This is a tough question! To answer it, I found myself
searching the Web for pretty, blonde actresses in their twenties. Of all the
photos I saw, Halston Sage—an actress I was unfamiliar with—reminded me the
most of Ginny Carmichael. Her eyes aren’t as vividly blue, but she projects a
fresh innocence that I had pictured in my mind when I created Ginny.
When did you begin writing?
I started writing goofy little stories as soon as I learned
to read in the first grade. Within two years, I knew I wanted to be a writer
when I grew up. Although I began writing fiction later in life, I earned a
living as a journalist and communications consultant, most recently for NASA.
How long did it take to complete your first book?
It took nearly five years to write Always Think of Me.
I’d always envisioned writing a novel one day, but could never think of a
story. An unfortunate tragedy inspired my first book, which, in turn, laid the
foundation for Second Chance Highway. What I soon learned when I began
the first book is that writing a novel is far more difficult than I’d ever
imagined. It must have rewritten that book a million times.
Did you have an author who inspired you to become a
writer?
Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird inspired me, but
my first-grade teacher is the person who encouraged me to write. It just shows
you how important a good teacher can be in a kid’s life.
What is your favorite part of the writing process?
Capturing the basic story is the first part. The fun begins
in the finessing. I like rewriting.
Describe your latest book in 4 words.
Please forgive me, but I couldn’t boil the book down to four
words. I think this phrase—The hardest roads can lead to the greatest
blessings—captures this book well.
Can you share a little bit about your current work or
what is in the future for your writing?
Coming-of-age stories—like To Kill a Mockingbird, The
Catcher in the Rye, and A Separate Peace—have always inspired me, so
I’m taking a stab at writing in that genre. With the recent release of Second
Chance Highway and a house full of company, I haven’t worked on the
manuscript in what feels like weeks. But this week, I’m determined to dive back
in.
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