Chances [Paperback]

Jackie Collins (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 21, 1995

The novel spans six decades, where the high stakes are on big money, dangerous sex and irresistible power. From the casinos of Las Vegas to the streets of New York, chance was the name of the game, and everybody took them.

--This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

With over 400 million copies of her books sold in more than 40 countries, and with some twenty-three New York Times bestsellers to her credit, Jackie Collins is one of the world's top-selling novelists. Both CHANCES and its sequel Lucky were adapted as a six-hour miniseries for NBC television, starring Nicollete Sheridan and Sandra Bullock. Her most recent novel, Drop Dead Beautiful, was published in June 2007. Ms. Collins lives in Los Angeles, California. She recently signed a deal with Fremantle TV to create original TV programs and telenovellas, and she is currently working on a new novel, Married Lovers, about sex, power, money and relationships. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 599 pages
• Publisher: Pan Books (July 21, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0330266632
• ISBN-13: 978-0330266635
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 4.4 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (51 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,216,419 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Jackie Collins has been called a "raunchy moralist" by the late director Louis Malle, "Hollywood's own Marcel Proust" by Vanity Fair magazine and "the Victor Hugo of our time" by Simon Doonan in the New York Observer. With over 400 million copies of her books sold in more than 40 countries, and with some twenty-two New York Times bestsellers to her credit, Jackie Collins is one of the world's top-selling novelists. She is known for giving her readers an unrivaled insiders knowledge of Hollywood and the glamorous lives and loves of the rich, famous, and sometimes bad! "I write about real people in disguise," she says. "If anything, my characters are toned down -- the truth is much more bizarre."
Jackie Collins started writing as a kid, making up steamy stories her schoolmates paid to devour. Her first book, The World Is Full of Married Men became a sensational bestseller because of its open sexuality and the way it dealt honestly with the double standard. After that came The Stud, Sinners, The Love Killers, The World is Full of Divorced Women, Lovers And Gamblers, Chances, and then the international sensation, Hollywood Wives -- a #1 New York Times bestseller, which was made into one of ABC's highest-rated miniseries starring Anthony Hopkins and Candice Bergen.

The Stud and The World is Full of Married Men were also filmed -- this time for the big screen. And Jackie wrote an original movie, Yesterday's Hero, starring Ian McShane and Suzanne Somers.

Reader's couldn't wait to race through Lucky, her next book -- a sequel to Chances -- and the story of incredibly beautiful, strong woman, another New York Times number one.

Then came the bad boys of Hollywood in the steamy Hollywood Husbands -- a novel which kept everyone guessing the identities of the true-to-life Hollywood characters.

Jackie then wrote Rock Star -- the story of three rock superstars and their rise to the top, followed by the long-waited sequel to Chances and Lucky -- Lady Boss -- tracking the further adventures of the wild and powerful Lucky Santangelo as she takes control of a Hollywood studio.

Both Lucky and Chances were written and adapted for NBC television by Jackie, who also executive produced the highly successful six-hour miniseries Lucky/Chances, starring Nicollette Sheridan and Sandra Bullock.

In 1992 she produced and wrote the four hour miniseries, Lady Boss, which became another huge ratings success for NBC. Lady Boss starred Kim Delaney. Next came American Star, a love story, which the Los Angeles Times described as "classic Collins."

And then the dangerously close to the truth Hollywood Kids -- a story of power, sex, danger and ambition among the grown offspring of major celebrities.

In 1996 Vendetta -- Lucky's Revenge was published -- and became an immediate New York Times bestseller.

And then in 1998, Thrill!, a psychological thriller for the nineties, in which Jackie created her signature mix of unputdownable characters.

In the summer of 1998, Jackie hosted her own daily television show, "Jackie Collins Hollywood." A combination of fun, style and interviews, Jackie talked to everyone from George Clooney to RuPaul!

After that she wrote L.A. Connections -- a four-part serial novel published one per month -- Power, Obsession, Murder and Revenge.

In 1999 came Dangerous Kiss -- the return of Lucky Santangelo in a bestselling novel about relationships, addiction, fear and lust.

In the year 2000, Lethal Seduction became the first bestseller for Jackie Collins in the new millennium. This tale of erotic suspense and glamorous intrigue featured Madison Castelli, a character first introduced in the L.A. Connections series.

Hollywood Wives -- The New Generation became a blockbuster bestseller in 2001, following in the footsteps of the original Hollywood Wives. Hollywood Wives -- The New Generation featured a brand new cast of characters and a totally fresh perspective on how women pursue power, love, sex and success in Tinseltown today.

In 2002, New York flash, L.A. trash and a Mafia don met head-on in Deadly Embrace, a sexy tale of dangerous passion and suspense featuring heroine Madison Castelli that was both a prequel and a sequel to her adventures in the bestselling Lethal Seduction.

2003 marks the return of Jackie Collins to prime-time television with a brand-new two-hour CBS TV movie Jackie Collins' Hollywood Wives: The New Generation, starring Farrah Fawcett, Melissa Gilbert, Robin Givens and Jack Scalia and produced by Collins. And in December 2003, comes her twenty-third novel, HOLLYWOOD DIVORCES, a sizzling, glam-drenched novel of lust, infidelity and revenge featuring all-new characters navigating Hollywood's treacherous trail of divorce.

Ms. Collins lives in Los Angeles, California. Her hobbies are photography, soul music, and exploring exotic locations so she can write about them later.

There have been many imitators, but only Jackie Collins can tell you what really goes on in the fastest lane of all. From Beverly Hills bedrooms to a raunchy prowl along the streets of Hollywood; from glittering rock parties and concerts to stretch limos and the mansions of the power brokers -- Jackie Collins chronicles the real truth from the inside looking out.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fabulous intro to Jackie Collins!, November 13, 2000

By 

"angibaum" (Southern Illinois, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Chances (Mass Market Paperback)

I've wondered for a long time just what the hubbub was surrounding Jackie Collins' books. I finally decided to investigate for myself, and since I enjoy reading fiction that involves the Mafia, I settled upon _Chances_, the first book in the Santangelo family saga. Wow! What a read! Suspense, steamy sex, violence, intrigue... it's all there. I found myself with a giant crush on the tough Gino Santangelo, and I came to admire his headstrong daughter, Lucky. Collins creates quite a memorable cast of characters in this novel. Some reviewers have noted that the story seemed "dated," as this book was published in 1975, but I thought this was an unfair criticism. Afterall, all the great works of literature are "dated." Not that I'm equating this book with great literature, but I thought this made the book even more appealing... giving the reader (who, like me, might have been very young in the 70's) a glimpse into that era. If you're a fan of Mafia-esque novels, and you're looking for a book that will immediately draw you in and carry you away, this is one I would recommend. I could hardly put it down! Now, I'm getting started on the sequel because I just don't want the journey to end!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A 10 Star Read..., October 22, 2004

By 

Steph B. "chicprincesspetite" (NY | NJ) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Chances (Mass Market Paperback)

I remember as a young girl growing up, my mother used to read Jackie Collins' books. I used to sneak them to my room and try to read them, but I would never get past the 1st chapter because she would always catch me and snatch it away, saying I wasn't "old enough" to read books like this... Boy was mom right! At age 10 I would NEVER be able to appreciate "books like this".
CHANCES by Jackie Collins is one word -UNPARALLED. Never before have I read a novel so gripping and full of emotion... it is to the point where someone tomorrow can ask me "what is your favorite book?"... and instead of my answer being "too many to name"... I will respond "Chances".

Meet Gino Santangelo - mob boss, father, business man, player, friend...he is all of these things and more. Gino had a very tough life growing up. His mother left him and his father when he was just a young boy and his father lashed out by turning into an abusive monster. He went from home to home, where he toughened up, got smart and vowed to never be like his dad. Collins' takes us through his entire life, never missing a beat. We watch him grow, and become one of the most successful casino and hotel owners. But then an unfortunate event takes place banning Gino from America. Who will take his place? In comes Lucky his stunning daughter, who is a carbon-copy of her father in every way imaginable. She is determined to be bigger and better then her old man.

In this book we are also introduced to Carrie, a woman who was forced into prostitution at the tender age of 12, paving the way for the unfortunate circumstances she had to suffer through.
Both Carrie and Gino's stories ones to always remember. Compelling, and out of this world, CHANCES is really a 10 star book. I will definitely be picking up the 2nd book in the Santangelo saga.

Bravo Ms. Collins!!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars When it comes to revenge, there's only on word Santangelo., September 1, 1999

By 

"starinc" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Chances (Mass Market Paperback)

Chances is a non-stop action. If you like sex, murder, intrigue, love and lust, the Santangelo Family for you. Gino the Ram who is almighty and powerful and a up and coming star Lucky Santangelo who has yet to begin her adventures. I have read all of Jackie Collins books except her latest LA Connections which will be next. But if you want to start at the beginning of the Santangelo Family saga, Chances is where I got hooked. ENJOY IT I did.