Customer Reviews

Ghost Of A Chance (Zebra Debut)

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(1)
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Ghost of a Chance is a fast-paced, witty novel that is sure to entertain. The characters are down-to-earth, and by the end of the novel, they feel like friends (or sometimes annoying co-workers). Flo Fitzpatrick also does a wonderful job of creating the kind of chemestry that really does go on back stage in a theatre production. If you've ever been in a high-school play or community theatre production, you'll love this book!

Kiely Davlin really should be going to New York casting cattle calls, but when her friend Lida Rose is hired to direct a remake of a 100-year-old melodrama, Lida Rose cons Kiely into helping--both as an actress and as choreographer. Kiely knows that Lida Rose has matchmaking plans, but Lida Rose always has matchmaking plans and there's no way Kiely is moving back to Dallas permanently. Still, Lida Rose needs a favor and a paying job sounds like a great way to spend the summer.

Once in Dallas, Kiely discovers that Lida Rose wasn't kidding about the sexy men on the stage--all of them apparently straight. The sexiest of them all is Rafe Montez--who plays the villain and who just might have been typecast--what, exactly, is he doing all that snooping for? Did I say the sexiest? Well, that doesn't include the ghost of the former villain, shot dead in the theater on opening night half a century before, the last time the play was run. That ghost seems interested in Kiely, which would be nice if he wasn't quite so dead--and he didn't need to warn her so often that something terrible was about to happen.

Author Flo Fitzpatrick combines a strong chick-lit and humor feel with paranormal elements and romance to delive a strong story. Her writing kept me smiling as Kiely stumbled from misadventure to misadventure, the play got in worse and worse trouble, and interfering owners, her friend Lida Rose, and curious newspaper reporters glommed onto the so-called curse the play labors under. Fitzpatrick clearly knows and loves the theater and dance, and these elements add richness and texture to the novel.

GHOST OF A CHANCE was a surprisingly mature novel for a first-time novelist. Fitzpatrick doesn't mind breaking the rules (how many times are authors told to stay away from the theater, to keep the hero and heroine on the page at all times, and to definitely ensure that the heroine doesn't do evil things like drink?), but her rulebreaking adds up to a really superior novel. Well done--I'll look forward to reading her next book.

I met the author online through her writing (notes, not books) and almost at once thought "I can't WAIT to read her book."

It's such a relief to know that her wit, charm and laugh-out-loud lines fill the heart of her story too. The setting of a small town theater's production is perfect (for a production of "Bad Business on the Brazos" a wonderfully campy play). First person is perfect, too. A delicious combination of mystery, ghost story and chick-lit with a heart.

This was, without a doubt, one of the wittiest books I've ever read. Kiely is a fantastic heroine--hilarious, smart, and very 'authentic.' Rafe is an equally-worthy hero--very sexy, too. The clever plot never failed to surprise me with all its twists and turns, and the satisfying end left me laughing AND crying! This is one expertly-crafted, well-cast novel you won't want to miss. Hard to believe it's the author's debut book. I'm eagerly anticipating Ms. Fitzpatrick's next novel!

Flo's debut novel has something for everyone--mystery, romance, and wonderfully written humor. The suspense will keep you turning pages, not to mention the budding romance between Kiely, the heroine and choreographer of the play, and Rafe, the handsome hero who reprises the role of the villain in the play. The characters are quirky and the dialogue sparkles. Can't wait to read more by this new author.

Whether you read mysteries, romances or paranormals this book has something for you. Told in the first person it is a fun, and lively book.
The characters are great. The spunky, dancer protagonist (Kiely) falls for the mysterious actor (Rafe) who is playing the villan in the remake of a one hundred year old play. Unfortunately, the legendary curse on the play still seems to be active. Fortunately, the last victim of the curse (or his ghost) is doing his best to keep Kiely on her toes.
Even as old cast members join the show and a new victim falls to the curse, Kiely (with the ghost's assitance) manages to solve the mystery and get the guy. :)

What I liked about the novel was the fact that it had the perfect amount of humor to carry the story along. I felt it reminded me a bit of The Nanny at many different points but that's really what I enjoyed most about it.
I think I would have liked it more if the mystery of the story were harder to decipher but over all it was a nice relaxing and entertaining read.

This is a great, hilarious read. Forget trashy, slushy romance, this is a comedy romp with some love interest on the side. Horror stories have more sex and romance than this book! The heroine is a great character with some snappy asides and life observations. I'm not a romatic novel reader normally, but I have to confess that I used to work with the author's husband and I always promised to read her work. Well he left the firm I work at, and then I happened across the book (wish I'd got his wife to autograph it - she feels like a rising star) and having just finished my latest stack decided to give it a whirl. What a pleasant surprise. I couldn't put the book down. This is really great beach book material. The plot is hilarious, the characters are a hoot and in all you kind of feel you're at an old time musical hall. Read it. I promise you won't regret it.

After reading Hot Stuff by Flo Fitzpatrick and enjoying her bright writing, I just had to snag this one. And I am glad I did (and thank you Amazon Prime for free speed ship!!). Fitzpatrick has an easy, Chit-Lit, breezy humor that is great fun to read and clearly marks her as a writer to watch.

Kiely Devil has been on tour for nine months, so she is really looking forward to a little down time in the Big Apple. Only, her best friend from hell Lida Rose Worthington has plane tickets for waiting for her at the airport and she has to take the next flight to Dallas. Frankly, I'd shoot any friend that did it to me, but it makes a fun premise! Once there, things don't get any brighter. Lida Rose informs Kiely she has to perform in the remake of the classic (must have missed that one...lol) "Bad Business on the Brazos". See it's the One Hundredth anniversary gala event and Lida Rose is in charge. Kiely is worn down by the one-woman force Lida Rose, especially when she tossed in three-meals-a-day of the best Tex-Mex, so she agrees. As fast as you can say Pace Salsa, Kiely is trodding the boards under Lida Rose's direction.

The East Ellum Theatre where the production is being put on is rumored to be haunted by one Don Muller. An actor, he was killed on stage a half a century ago. Kiely scoffs at the notion of Don's ghost still trips the light fantastic before the flood lights, until she comes face-to-face with him! As the play's rehearsals go along, Kiely slowly begins to inquire in to what really happened to poor Don fifty years ago. Suddenly "things" begin to happen to Kiely. Pray could it be someone doesn't want the riddle of Don's death solved?

Kiely also falls for Rafe Montez, playing the role our dear departed Don played fifty years before. While he won't believe in ghosts - men are never good about these things!! -
he does see things are happening to Kiely that calls for his protection, which he is only too eager to provide!

Fitzpatrick is a delight at weaving this amazing tale of paranormal, off-beat Sleuth and sexy romance. She vividly brings to life the frantic backstage madness of a play being produced. It's funny, it's sexy.

Fans of Katie Macalister should check her out.

Ghost of Chance is a light-hearted romp with some moments of suspence, a nice weekend read. Smooth prose, enjoyable characters-- I can't ask for more.