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Chances
In 1876, rough and tumble Denver is full of challenges for outspoken female telegrapher Sarah Donovan. Determined to make her mark, she arrives in the male-dominated town and marches head-long into the fight for women's suffrage and any other cause she can find. She doesn’t expect to face the fact that she hides behind causes to avoid her own vulnerability nor does she suspect she will find her strength by opening her heart and risking love.
When Sarah delivers a telegram to the wrong person, she must apologize to staunchly conservative undertaker Daniel Petterman. Despite his relief that Sarah has also rescued his young daughters from local hoodlums, Daniel can't hide his distaste for the suffragist. His careful, pensive approach to life's problems is at complete odds with Sarah's radical assertiveness, and he fears she will corrupt his daughters with her progressive crusading.
Unexpectedly discovering themselves on the same side of local politics, they develop a grudging respect for one another. Sarah's fiery disposition forces Daniel's hidden passions to the surface as the smoldering attraction between them erupts. Amid political turmoil, they find time to experience the delights and complications of ice skating on a frozen creek, dancing at a noisy German beer hall, and impromptu kisses.
Their growing relationship of trust and love is blind-sided when Sarah's resentful coworker maliciously accuses her of using the telegraph to solicit men. Rumors explode, threatening Sarah's reputation, career, and her standing in the suffrage association. When the gossip spreads to include Daniel and his daughters, Sarah must confront the allegations head-on. A violent suffrage riot, prostitution charges, and runaway trains force Daniel and Sarah to make life and death decisions about the chances they are willing to take on love and on themselves.
When Sarah delivers a telegram to the wrong person, she must apologize to staunchly conservative undertaker Daniel Petterman. Despite his relief that Sarah has also rescued his young daughters from local hoodlums, Daniel can't hide his distaste for the suffragist. His careful, pensive approach to life's problems is at complete odds with Sarah's radical assertiveness, and he fears she will corrupt his daughters with her progressive crusading.
Unexpectedly discovering themselves on the same side of local politics, they develop a grudging respect for one another. Sarah's fiery disposition forces Daniel's hidden passions to the surface as the smoldering attraction between them erupts. Amid political turmoil, they find time to experience the delights and complications of ice skating on a frozen creek, dancing at a noisy German beer hall, and impromptu kisses.
Their growing relationship of trust and love is blind-sided when Sarah's resentful coworker maliciously accuses her of using the telegraph to solicit men. Rumors explode, threatening Sarah's reputation, career, and her standing in the suffrage association. When the gossip spreads to include Daniel and his daughters, Sarah must confront the allegations head-on. A violent suffrage riot, prostitution charges, and runaway trains force Daniel and Sarah to make life and death decisions about the chances they are willing to take on love and on themselves.
327 pages, Hardcover
First published January 22, 2008
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56 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
February 20, 2008
More than just a love story, Chances is not a typical romance novel. This satisfied reader highly recommends Chances as a thought-provoking tale about a spunky suffragette and a seemingly boring Denver undertaker who both have a lot to learn about taking Chances on love and life.
Obviously meticulously researched, Chances is set in Denver during the suffragist movement. Nowak skillfully brings to life the busy downtown historical Denver and weaves a fair and balanced view of the issues of the times without sounding preachy. Women readers will be inspired by the spunky heroine, Sarah, and male readers will likely be impressed as they are reminded of the strides women have made in gaining the right to vote.
But what readers will come away with most about this book is a lovely story peopled with well-drawn and interesting characters. The characters' journeys to find their rightful places in a changing world will resonate with modern readers. And as the characters discover what really matters about themselves and each other beyond the outer trappings of life, readers will find themselves moved and inspired.
Obviously meticulously researched, Chances is set in Denver during the suffragist movement. Nowak skillfully brings to life the busy downtown historical Denver and weaves a fair and balanced view of the issues of the times without sounding preachy. Women readers will be inspired by the spunky heroine, Sarah, and male readers will likely be impressed as they are reminded of the strides women have made in gaining the right to vote.
But what readers will come away with most about this book is a lovely story peopled with well-drawn and interesting characters. The characters' journeys to find their rightful places in a changing world will resonate with modern readers. And as the characters discover what really matters about themselves and each other beyond the outer trappings of life, readers will find themselves moved and inspired.
October 23, 2019
This is an entertaining story with great historical references and setting. The characters are well developed and you want to root for them.
February 24, 2016
My word. That wasn't the book I was expecting, which is a good thing. But I am not sure I liked ALL of the book that it turned out to be. It was well-researched, intelligent, didn't take the reader for a fool (all things I kinda think are mandatory in my day job but don't always get in my 'off-duty' reading choices) but it was also a bit under-powered when it came to characterisation of the two main characters in relation to their, well, relationship. I can see what motivated them as human beings but I wasn't always clear about why they liked each other. Support, yes. Admire, yes. But not always the more nuanced bits of reaction and response that spell r.o.m.a.n.c.e. in a novel. Big fan of the attempt, not entirely the same level of fan of the execution in places.
August 8, 2011
I read this book about a year ago, after I met Pamela Nowak at the first RomCon in Denver. I loved this book instantly. Sarah is so sassy and fun. Struggling to make it in a mans world where she is looked down on by everyone, men and women, but she doesnt give up, she proves her worth! I have now read this book 3 times and it will get read many more times over the years.
I saw Pamela again this year at the second RomCon in Denver, and now I am getting ready to read Choices. I cant wait to start it.
I saw Pamela again this year at the second RomCon in Denver, and now I am getting ready to read Choices. I cant wait to start it.
February 29, 2012
This historical romance was predictable and a bit didactic, but I enjoyed learning something about the suffrage movement in Denver in the late 1800s - an event about which I knew nothing. The romance between the passionate, spunky heroine and the upright undertaker was expected, but I cheered anyway.
June 6, 2008
Couldn't finish. STUPID!
January 18, 2011
A sassy young girl in the 1800's learning to take a stand against gossip and campaign for the suffrage movement in a "man's world"
January 13, 2014
Definitely a romance, formulaic, but characters do get fleshed out, and the history is interesting.
August 15, 2017
A page-turner through and through.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews