Here’s to finding love in any
place, at any time!
This collection of eleven short
stories of chance romance reflects the hope that comes with the first bloom of
romance, whether you find it in your youth, midlife, or the twilight years.
We dedicate Stories of Chance Romance to all the women who face breast cancer and to the teams of family, friends and medical professionals who support them on their journey.
Like so many woman, we have been closely and personally touched by this disease. Roxy was diagnosed and successfully treated in 2010—the same year Brenda lost her very dear friend, Mary Beggan, to breast cancer.
All authors’ profits from the
sale of this anthology are being donated to advance the research, education,
diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer.
Book Information
Release Date: September 28, 2012
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Anthology (11 short stories)
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Who doesn't go for a nice, sweet romance with a happy ending? How about eleven romances with happy endings? This is a collection that is simple to read and basically clean. No sex scenes, and no profanity (at least that I remember). Each story is just long enough to whet your appetite for more. But alas, there is no more. The writing style was simple and sweet. Yes, there were some sappy love stories, but it was a nice change of pace.
Still not convinced this book is for you? Read on, and I just might be able to change your mind.
The sun is bright,
The grass is green,
Everything's normal,
As it's always been.
You look in the distance,
You look straight ahead,
And all you can think
About is your bed.
Then all at once
A flickering ray
Of hope is there
Oh, what can you say?
You saw him in school,
You saw her downtown,
She went to the store,
A rescuer she found.
The ordinary's gone
Struck between the eyes
Romance is here now
There's no more lies.
Look at the sunset
For the first time in years
You are in love
It's cast out your fears.
You never can tell
What one day will bring
Stories of chance
Romance now will sing!
That's the idea of the book in a nutshell. If you are looking for a quick, sweet read, this is definitely for you!
I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I was not financially compensated, and all opinions are 100 percent mine.
Still not convinced this book is for you? Read on, and I just might be able to change your mind.
The sun is bright,
The grass is green,
Everything's normal,
As it's always been.
You look in the distance,
You look straight ahead,
And all you can think
About is your bed.
Then all at once
A flickering ray
Of hope is there
Oh, what can you say?
You saw him in school,
You saw her downtown,
She went to the store,
A rescuer she found.
The ordinary's gone
Struck between the eyes
Romance is here now
There's no more lies.
Look at the sunset
For the first time in years
You are in love
It's cast out your fears.
You never can tell
What one day will bring
Stories of chance
Romance now will sing!
That's the idea of the book in a nutshell. If you are looking for a quick, sweet read, this is definitely for you!
I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I was not financially compensated, and all opinions are 100 percent mine.
View all my reviews
Excerpt
From A CLASS OF HIS OWN
Gina headed to the Big Ridge High gymnasium, thrilled to find herself back in Montana, and at her old alma mater, ten years after graduating. Amidst the bobbing helium balloons and dim lighting, she could still make out the sign welcoming everyone to the reunion.
Anticipation tickled her insides. Thanks to email, she’d kept in touch with many of her old buddies and couldn’t wait to see them again. Luanne, Conner, and Kirstin—the four of them had stuck together like honey on bread—done projects, endured gym class, and dreamed of a future when they’d grow out of their awkwardness.
And Gina had. Braces off, she’d opted for laser surgery and pitched the glasses, and her beanpole body finally had some curves. She’d been on her share of dates—even had a marriage proposal—but hadn’t found Mr. Right. In spite of all the years that had passed, she still measured men by her high school crush.
Adam Reinheart.
He sure had her heart.
Two years older, he’d been unobtainable at the time—tall and tanned, with curly brown hair, and boyish dimples that made him irresistible to the girls.
And he had a bright future. His father, who owned one of the local gas stations, hoped Adam would attend a prominent university.
Would she still feel the same magic when she saw him?
Someone tapped Gina’s shoulder and she twirled around. Ten years hadn’t changed Kirstin one bit. She still had the same mischievous eyes, and let go with the same contagious laugh as the two hugged.
Quickly, they caught up on the intervening years—Kirstin’s two children and Gina’s small catering business.
“Who’s all here?”
“The whole gang,” Kirstin told her. “Luanne...and Conner. You should see him now—just back from a tour of duty as a medic.”
“How about...Adam?”
“Reinheart?”
Gina’s shoulders slumped when Kirstin frowned. “He didn’t come?”
“Oh, he’s here all right. Follow me.” Kirstin led her across the dance floor, as Say My Name by Destiny’s Child segued into Breathe by Faith Hill.
Through the parting crowd, she saw him—looking about as scrumptious as a man could. Maybe he had a little less hair on top but the sight of him still made Gina’s heart do a flip.
“Adam,” Kirstin yelled over the music. “Do you remember Gina?”
“I sure don’t.” Adam’s gaze wandered over Gina’s orchid-colored halter dress. A slow smile spread across his lips.
Having made the introductions, Kirstin turned to leave. Gina reached for her, nervous to be left alone with her teenage idol.
But Kirstin just winked. “Three’s a crowd,” she said, before disappearing into the dancing throng.
Squelching her nerves, Gina looked up at Adam and willed herself to speak. “The last time we met, you were heading off to university.”
“I did a year.” He gave a lazy shrug. “Why sweat it? I’ll inherit the gas station one day.” His eyes made another sweep of her dress.
Gina was starting to wish she’d worn a sweater. She crossed her arms over her chest. “So, you’re working there now?”
He laughed as though the idea was absurd.
“How do you spend your days then?”
Another shrug. “I hang out. Watch TV.”
Gina’s lips quivered, her smile cracked. She was proud of her achievements, her work ethic. What had Adam accomplished? Was this the man she’d wasted so much time dreaming about?
“So, Jenny,” he said, grabbing her arm with a clammy hand. “Wanna dance?”
She shook him off with a quick backward step. “The name’s Gina. And no thanks.”
Desperate for air, she fought her way to the exit. One moment, she was weaving through bodies.
The next, she was spun around, locked in a man’s embrace.
About to protest, she looked up, and into, the kindest eyes she’d ever known.
“Conner?”
He laughed. “You recognized me.”
“Hardly,” she admitted. Connor had always seemed frail as a teen. Not anymore. This man was solid, his biceps firm. When he smiled, it lit up the room.
“How are you enjoying the reunion?”
Gina shook her head. “It’s...”
What could she say? Different than I expected?
“It’s been an eye-opener,” she told him, finally. “How about you?”
He took her hands in his. “Seeing you again has made my evening.”
Her cheeks heated. Was her old pal flirting with her? “You were always a good friend, Conner.”
“I wanted to be more than that.”
How had she overlooked him in high school? He was smart, caring and, through the passing years, had acquired the kind of confidence that made a man truly attractive.
“Gina, would you like to dance?”
“I’d love to.”
Three songs later, he held her tight and whispered in her ear. “Great reunion, don’t you think?”
“The best,” she murmured, right before he kissed her.
Excerpt
From A CLASS OF HIS OWN
Gina headed to the Big Ridge High gymnasium, thrilled to find herself back in Montana, and at her old alma mater, ten years after graduating. Amidst the bobbing helium balloons and dim lighting, she could still make out the sign welcoming everyone to the reunion.
Anticipation tickled her insides. Thanks to email, she’d kept in touch with many of her old buddies and couldn’t wait to see them again. Luanne, Conner, and Kirstin—the four of them had stuck together like honey on bread—done projects, endured gym class, and dreamed of a future when they’d grow out of their awkwardness.
And Gina had. Braces off, she’d opted for laser surgery and pitched the glasses, and her beanpole body finally had some curves. She’d been on her share of dates—even had a marriage proposal—but hadn’t found Mr. Right. In spite of all the years that had passed, she still measured men by her high school crush.
Adam Reinheart.
He sure had her heart.
Two years older, he’d been unobtainable at the time—tall and tanned, with curly brown hair, and boyish dimples that made him irresistible to the girls.
And he had a bright future. His father, who owned one of the local gas stations, hoped Adam would attend a prominent university.
Would she still feel the same magic when she saw him?
Someone tapped Gina’s shoulder and she twirled around. Ten years hadn’t changed Kirstin one bit. She still had the same mischievous eyes, and let go with the same contagious laugh as the two hugged.
Quickly, they caught up on the intervening years—Kirstin’s two children and Gina’s small catering business.
“Who’s all here?”
“The whole gang,” Kirstin told her. “Luanne...and Conner. You should see him now—just back from a tour of duty as a medic.”
“How about...Adam?”
“Reinheart?”
Gina’s shoulders slumped when Kirstin frowned. “He didn’t come?”
“Oh, he’s here all right. Follow me.” Kirstin led her across the dance floor, as Say My Name by Destiny’s Child segued into Breathe by Faith Hill.
Through the parting crowd, she saw him—looking about as scrumptious as a man could. Maybe he had a little less hair on top but the sight of him still made Gina’s heart do a flip.
“Adam,” Kirstin yelled over the music. “Do you remember Gina?”
“I sure don’t.” Adam’s gaze wandered over Gina’s orchid-colored halter dress. A slow smile spread across his lips.
Having made the introductions, Kirstin turned to leave. Gina reached for her, nervous to be left alone with her teenage idol.
But Kirstin just winked. “Three’s a crowd,” she said, before disappearing into the dancing throng.
Squelching her nerves, Gina looked up at Adam and willed herself to speak. “The last time we met, you were heading off to university.”
“I did a year.” He gave a lazy shrug. “Why sweat it? I’ll inherit the gas station one day.” His eyes made another sweep of her dress.
Gina was starting to wish she’d worn a sweater. She crossed her arms over her chest. “So, you’re working there now?”
He laughed as though the idea was absurd.
“How do you spend your days then?”
Another shrug. “I hang out. Watch TV.”
Gina’s lips quivered, her smile cracked. She was proud of her achievements, her work ethic. What had Adam accomplished? Was this the man she’d wasted so much time dreaming about?
“So, Jenny,” he said, grabbing her arm with a clammy hand. “Wanna dance?”
She shook him off with a quick backward step. “The name’s Gina. And no thanks.”
Desperate for air, she fought her way to the exit. One moment, she was weaving through bodies.
The next, she was spun around, locked in a man’s embrace.
About to protest, she looked up, and into, the kindest eyes she’d ever known.
“Conner?”
He laughed. “You recognized me.”
“Hardly,” she admitted. Connor had always seemed frail as a teen. Not anymore. This man was solid, his biceps firm. When he smiled, it lit up the room.
“How are you enjoying the reunion?”
Gina shook her head. “It’s...”
What could she say? Different than I expected?
“It’s been an eye-opener,” she told him, finally. “How about you?”
He took her hands in his. “Seeing you again has made my evening.”
Her cheeks heated. Was her old pal flirting with her? “You were always a good friend, Conner.”
“I wanted to be more than that.”
How had she overlooked him in high school? He was smart, caring and, through the passing years, had acquired the kind of confidence that made a man truly attractive.
“Gina, would you like to dance?”
“I’d love to.”
Three songs later, he held her tight and whispered in her ear. “Great reunion, don’t you think?”
“The best,” she murmured, right before he kissed her.
Brenda M. Collins has wanted to write romance
since she was twelve years old. At the age of twenty, she spoke to an editor in
Toronto, Canada, who expressed an interest in her story; however, she soon
realized it takes more than an idea to be an author. She joined a number of
writing groups to learn about ‘the craft’ and completed two mystery
manuscripts. To help her fellow writers develop strong business skills, Brenda
has published articles, and delivered workshops to hundreds of writers, on
career planning, professional networking and presentation skills. Her most
recent article, entitled How to Improve your Presentations, is in the 2013
Writer’s Market (Brewer, R.L., ed. F&W Media Inc. p. 153).
Brenda’s debut novel, WITCH IN THE WIND, starts with a murder, but comes to life with witches,
warlocks, a canine familiar and a magical dimension called The Otherland. For
upcoming titles in The Otherland Chronicles, and other stories, keep an
eye on Brenda’s website www.brendamcollins.com and
follow her on Twitter.
Brenda M. Collins
Website: http://brendamcollins.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/bcollinswriter
Roxy Boroughs got the acting bug in elementary school, creating
skits at recess and performing them for the class, thanks to her very indulgent
teacher. She went on to study theater in university, met the love of her life
there, and spent many years performing in movies, commercials and on stages
across Canada and the US. Soon, portraying one character wasn’t enough. She
wanted to be them all. So she poured her years of drama experience into writing
plays and novels.
Look for her award-winning
romantic suspense ASTRANGER’S TOUCH, as well as its sequel, A STRANGER’S KISS, along with a sweet,
romantic comedy called CRAZYFOR COWBOY. Find her on Facebook, Twitter and her
website http://www.roxyboroughs.com/.
Website: http://www.roxyboroughs.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/RoxyBoroughs
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Roxy-Boroughs/209937022429302?ref=hl and http://www.facebook.com/roxy.boroughs
Stories of Chance Romance: http://amzn.com/B009J2KCLM
Follow the entire tour here.
Follow the entire tour here.
The authors will give away Kindle copies of Crazy for Cowboy by Roxy Boroughs (a sweet romantic comedy) and Witch in the Wind (a sweet paranormal/fantasy romance) by Brenda M. Collins. One each at every stop! Comment for your chance to win!
Thanks for hosting us today, Ruth. And thanks for your lovely comments about our anthology.
ReplyDeleteThank you for hosting Roxy and Brenda today!
ReplyDeleteA great review, ladies. You should be proud.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Lynda.
ReplyDeleteA great book and tour for a great cause. Thanks ladies.
ReplyDeletee.balinski(at)att(dot)net
So nice of you to drop by and comment, Joanne. Thanks so much.
ReplyDeleteThank you to Joanne, Lynda and MK for taking the time to drop by and, of course, to Ruth for her review and the lovely poem - it also captures that first rush of hope and joy that comes with romance.
ReplyDeleteGreat review, Ladies. Well done.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by Louise!
Delete