Happenstance

"After they returned from their break, Josh found it difficult to concentrate on the lecture. It took a real effort not to turn around and gaze at her...Linda waved as she left the room. Josh followed and watched her get into an old Buick with her boyfriend. He experienced another pain in his already battered heart."

A traumatized air force staff sergeant finds a second chance at life-and love-in Daniel Santoro's emotional debut novel, "Happenstance."

It is the summer of 1969 and Sergeant Josh De Luca learns his only brother is killed in combat.

Despite his parents' desperate pleas for him to leave the military, Josh still has one last assignment in California before completing his tour of duty.

While taking a course at a local college, Josh meets Linda, a twenty-two-year-old student whose overbearing mother and controlling boyfriend fuel her desire for independence.

As they get to know each other, Josh slowly begins to embrace his life. But an aircraft accident, as well as a violent confrontation with Linda's boyfriend, threatens to destroy Josh and Linda's chance at romance before it can start.