Customer Reviews

A Chance at Love

5 star:		(29)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Loreli Winters was part of the mail order brides, but she was far different from the other contigent brides. See, Loreli was a self professed gambler. Girlfriend had been taking care of herself since she was a teenager. She had seen alot in her life and knew how to deal with people.

When the brides stopped in the small town of Loreli found her self the target of twin girls BeBe and DeDe. They were looking for a new mama. The girls took an instant liking to Loreli and told her about their desires for her to become their new mama. Loreli felt she wasn't mama material, but was honored by the twins wish.

Loreli escorts BeBe and DeDe home and they told their uncle who was their legal guardian now that they wanted Loreli to become their mama. Of course Jake, the hog farmer didn't want any part of this brazen, independent female. Loreli definitely didn't want to become anyones wife much less stay on a hog farm. Jake however,wanted the girls to be happy.

Jake proposed to Loreli that she be the twins mama for one year, and he would continue to look for a more suitable wife during that time and Loreli agreed. From that point on noone's life would ever be the same.

I loved this book! Beverly Jenkins is a wonderful writer who always gives you a history lesson. She didn't short stop on this one. Loreli was funny and I found myself laughing out loud at some of the happenings in this book. The characters were vivid and I could visualize every scene.

If you've never read a Beverly Jenkins book now is a good time. I would recommend any of her books. I would have to say that my FAVO-RITE to date is TOPAZ. (Count for me Chica!) LOL

I am still looking for the original Beverly Jenkins. The one whose first African-American historical romance "Night Song" made me wait with baited breath for more. In my humble opinion the quality of writing and the development of her characters has continually gone down since Night Song. The whole premise of this book was wrong to me. The characters were not believable and the dialogue was stilted at best. I am an *avid* reader. I can read 2-3 books on a good day. In addition to other genres and non-fiction titles, I have been reading romance novels for about 10 years now. Beverly Jenkins's first novel Night Song was the FIRST romance novel by an African -American woman that I had ever read. I have purchased every single one of her books since. But since like the first two, I have been increasingly disappointed. This one was a big disappointment. Save your money and go check it out from your local library.

The thing that Beverly Jenkins gives us in her books is the ability to dream, to see Black family dynasties of old unfold. Her previous novels let you chronicle African-American history while still engaging you in a good love story about two characters as they try and put together a relationship.

Beverly Jenkins will always get my vote for her reasearch and presentation of AA history. The lawmen, doctors, reporters, abolitionists, businessmen, etc. spoke to you as they fell in love and took you into their world and showed you a realistic glimpse of living in those times. In *some* of her previous books, the characters jumped off the page. You felt what they felt, you saw it through their eyes -especially the love scenes. Face it, a big draw for this book market. A Chance at Love failed on all these accounts. The dialogue was poor. The story line was unbelievable. It seems that everyone else thought the twin's precociousness (sp.) was sooo cute, not I. It was unbelievable to me. The love scenes were impersonal and cold. At first funny, then disappointing as you realized that ~that~ was it.

I applaud Ms. Jenkins for taking a chance and choosing the man to be the seduced and the woman to have the experience. I applaud her also for using a woman "with a past" as her heroine one who wasn't the supposed parogon of virtue, but unfortunately, for this story...it didn't work. I think the requests from fans for *MORE* overrode the time needed to develop the characters and storyline fully.

Just my opinion. I will look for her next book to see what she gives us in the future and hope for....more. Just because you have a niche market and fan base who will buy anything with your name on it doesn't mean you should just give them 'anything' with your name on it. Keep at it and Good Luck!

This JB story is centered on Loreli Winters. Her character was introduced in both Topaz and Always and Forever. Coming in on the wagon trail full of mail-order-brides, Loreli hadn't planned on staying in Kansas long at all. She in fact was headed to San Francisco {but never made it}. The story starts off with Two 8-year-old twin girls asking her if she would be their new mama, since quite a few of their friends has new mama's, they wanted one as well {This part in the book is just too cute for words}. The girls are called Dede and Bebe; their mother having passed away the year before, the girls now reside with their uncle Jake Reed. Jake having refused to look for a wife among the mail-orders brides; the twins took it upon themselves, to see if they could fine themselves a mama.

Jake finds out that Loreli's occupation is a professional gambler. Knowing for sure that she is not the God fearing, law abiding women that he wants and the girls need. He rejects the idea of her being their mother and his wife instantly. The twins, however, have other ideas. The girls become attached to Loreli and no other woman is good enough to become their new mama, so Jake reluctantly propositions Loreli; he wants her to become the twins' mother and his wife for one year, until he can find a more suitable bride. Things progress from there and the two develop feelings for one another that can't be denied but there are forces at work bent on keeping them apart. One of those forces shows up in the form of an ex-lover of Loreli's. He proves to be the deciding factor for the break-up of the Jake and Loreli {but not for reasons you might guess...I'll let you read it for yourselves to find out what happens}. Not wanting to give too much away love prevails and the two come back together become a family.

I though the story was a good read. The like it when an author allows the man to play hard to get in a love story sometimes. We always hear about how the man has to win the woman over but it was the other way around in this story. The ending I though was a bit rushed or it could have been that I just didn't want the story to end; either way you will enjoy this story.

This is one of the most beautiful love stories that I have ever read. I was alittle hesitant about purchasing it because it is a historical romance but it turned out to be an excellent read. Loreli was awesome, the twins were breath-taking, and last but not least, their uncle (and eventually Loreli's honey) was "just a good man." Beverly Jenkins is a great writer and I would recommend this book to anyone who would like to read an excellent and well put together love story. I am looking forward to reading more of her books.

In 1884, Loreli Winters travels as part of a contingent of Black mail order brides. However, unlike the rest of the females, Loreli has no intention of marrying anyone nor live in the small Black community of Hanks, Kansas. She signed on for the adventure of going west and plans to continue on to California.

Two little girls, Bebe and Dede learn that Loreli is not intending to be anyone's mother, and decide she will be their new mama. Loreli worries about the twins being by themselves so she insists on escorting them home. She meets their Uncle Jake Reed and both mutually agree that matrimony is not in either of their plans. However, neither one realize yet how far two desperate matchmaking preadolescents will go to make Loreli their new mama. As they protest a little bit louder then necessary, inside their hearts Jake and Loreli are falling in love.

When one reads a Beverly Jenkins historical romance, the flavor of the era from a different perspective freely flows through a wonderful tale. A CHANCE AT LOVE is a chance for the audience to learn about American Blacks in the 1880s yet while doing so inside a strong engaging novel. The story line is vividly descriptive, but also provides fully developed characters. Fans the author's previous books will relish Loreli finally as the lead and know she met her soul mate. The twins with their actions somewhat steal the show, but the real strength of this story remains the period piece that displays the immense talent of Ms. Jenkins.

Harriet Klausner

I feel in love with Jake when he first come on to the scene. I man that love someone else kids without looking back has my heart. A man that feels it is his job to protect his family no matter what. Loreli has over come alot to become a classes woman that what take any miss off of anybody(male or female). A woman that will speak her mind. I am glad that Ms. Jenkins decided to do a story about Loreli a woman that is not perfect in the eyes of society but she still has a heart of gold. I love the way Jake was willing to learn from Loreli, his was such a goooood student. I starting reading and I didn't but it down until it was finished. I tried to stopping reading but everytime I did there was a new twist or it start getting hoooottter. Ms. Jenkins has done a wonder job as usual. Keep them coming. I really enjoy them all. My blessing to you and your family.

It has been one year since I found out that Loreli Winters would receive her own story, and it was well worth the wait. Ms. Jenkins has given us another masterpiece filled with so many wonderful characters and scenes so vividly worded it's as if you are watching them on the big screen. Sometimes you can anticipate a story for so long that when it finally comes it's a let down. But I'm proud to say that A CHANCE AT LOVE, just like all of Beverly Jenkins books are worth all the anticipation and NEVER disappoint.

Is it just me, or does it seem like the quality in plot, characterization, and story line of Ms. Jenkins' books has been diminishing since "Topaz", "Always and Foreever" and "Through The Storm"? After reading "Before the Dawn", I was throughly dissapointed and I thought that this book would more than make up for it. However, it didn't. The plot seemed underdeveloped and the book had more love scenes than it did an actual storyline. Do yourself a favor, pass this book by or, if you must read it, get a used copy, it's not worth paying full price for. What happened to the REAL Beverly Jenkins? Inquiring minds want to know!

I loved reading this book. I like the history of the Black Indian. Wonderful. Jake was a hard man, but Loreli changed all of that. The children were a delight and knew what and who they wanted. You can't go wrong with reading this book. It is exciting

This is a great book. Beverly Jenkins is a creative genius! This book features an experienced heroine, unlike Beverly's previous books. You will not be able to put this book down once you start reading it! The characters are exciting and interesting. The plot has a surprising twist. Buy it!