Customer Reviews

Leave It to Chance: A Novel

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Her mom calls Sierra Montgomery to tell her she just inherited an old horse from Miss Libby. Sierra explains to her mom that she is struggling to feed and shelter her three children so what is she going to do with a horse after losing her job and her ex philandering spouse's child support checks bounce higher than a basketball. She hides the fact that horses frighten her

Although her kids want to take a Chance on the aptly named horse, Sierra decides she must sell the ancient steed. However, she fails to close the deal so her mom finds a place where Chance can stay and even buys his feed. The stable owner, landscaper Ross Morgan offers to buy Chance from Sierra, but something about the horse makes her hesitate especially since her oldest child raging Braden has found a friend in the horse and in Ross who becomes the father the lad desperately needs at this time. While Ross and Sierra are attracted to one another, both agree the kids come first, Chance second and then them.

This is an engaging inspirational family drama in which a mother and her three kids feel abandoned by God and a rat of a husband-father until Chance and then Ross come into their lives. The key to this enjoyable tale is the ensemble cast is full blooded with issues and doubts that make them seem real (can't say human as Chance is quite a title character). Fans will appreciate Sherri Sand's fine tale of a horse leading people to each other and back to God, who has time for everyone.

Harriet Klausner

A worn out and beaten old gelding horse...it could just be the turning point in Sierra's life. "Leave It to Chance" is a deftly written romance novel where a beaten old horse finds his way into the possession of a woman who fears them and wants to be rid of him - if only at most to pay for a month's rent. A handsome stranger and runner of his own Landscaping business shows up and offers to buy the horse, and allow Sierra's three children visitation rights to the old gelding, and seems to be open to helping Sierra with her financial troubles. Sierra, with bad experiences with attractive men, is reluctant. Can Sierra get over her phobias to help her family? "Leave it to Chance" is highly recommended for romance fans and community library fiction collections.

I admit it, I'm one of those horse crazy girls who never really grew out of it. So when I found out that Sherri Sand's new book contained romance AND a horse, I was hooked.

Leave it to Chance is a sincere story of a single mom struggling to keep her children's world from falling apart. Financial problems abound, and even though Sierra believes that God exists, she's convinced He's got bigger things to worry about than her. This feeling is only reinforced when all her efforts to move her family forward seem to fail.

Sand has written a lovely first novel. She really nails the mother/child dynamic here, not only with Sierra and her children, but with Sierra and her own mother. Unique secondary characters and a hunky hero with issues of his own round out the novel and make it a truly wonderful reading experience. I highly recommend this book, and look forward to future offerings from this talented new author.

The story centers around a single mom of 3 named Sierra Montogomery. She is struggling emotionally (because of her husband's betrayal and divorce) and financially (loss of her job and her husband's support checks are bouncing) then she finds out she has inherited a horse name Chance. Great...just what she needs. Her kids really want the horse and because of so much disappointment in their lives of late Sierra struggles with a decision to keep or sell the horse. Her fear that something will happen to her children, like happened to her friend growing up, helps her decide to sell. After the deal falls through her mother finds a place to board chance and buys his hay. The place just happens to be owned by one very handsome fellow, landscaper/rancher named Ross Morgan. They are attracted to one another at first meeting and her oldest boy takes to Ross right away.

Will the scars of the past prevent Sierra from allowing her budding feelings for Ross to grow? Will she continue to be distrustful and count only on herself or will she learn to to seek God's help and allow those who love her to help?

This was such a GREAT story. I found ALL the characters so endearing. They were so well drawn that it was as if they were my friends too. I loved Sierra and her humor. Everyone liked her and you can see why. Ross was a great hero and Sid felt like he was a favorite uncle. I'm sure lots of us could identify with having a mom like Sierra's. She was great!

I highly recommend this story. I'm looking forward to other things by this author in the future.

Leave it to Chance was a fun, quick read, but the book wasn't a stand out for me. I enjoyed the characters, even if the story was a little bit predictable.

The thing I liked best was the aspect of learning to trust God and live in relationship to him (not just following a religious set of rules) even though he isn't a safe God. (Of course, for the sake of the story - all was well and ended well)

Leave It to Chance by Sherri Sand is a terrific book about how God can use what seems like bad circumstances to turn our entire lives around. Sierra Montgomery is a single mom facing unemployment and possible eviction by the end of the month when she inherits a horse named Chance. Sierra's three children immediately fall in love with the horse, especially with her mother's interference. Ross Morgan, a landscaper with some extra pasture land, agrees to board the horse for Sierra, but soon all of the Montgomerys are working their way into his life and his heart. Sand writes with a good deal of humor and heart. I couldn't help but ache for Sierra as she struggles to take care of her children inspite of no money and an absentee father and meddling grandmother. Chance brings Ross and Sierra together, as well as providing an outlet for the children's love and hope. God works several miracles through one old horse by the end of the novel. It's a wonderful read.

LEAVE IT TO CHANCE is a delightful read. Though it follows a typical formula: a boy, a girl, and a horse, Sands does well in updating the formula with the modern day trails of a messy divorce, a rebellious teen, and a frazzled single mom.
Sierra Montgomery is doing her best to make ends meet after losing her job and having her child support checks bounce. Then, out of nowhere, she inherits a horse, an animal she is deathly afraid of. Knowing she has no intentions of keeping the horse, she runs an ad and hopes to make enough money to pay the next month's rent. When her three kids find out she is selling the horse, they are devastated. When the deal falls through, and her ex-husband sloughs off just one more weekend with his kids, Sierra realizes her kids cannot face another disappointment, and against her better judgment, decides to keep the horse. Her take charge mother arranges to have Chance boarded with Ross Morgan, a landscaper that happens to be single and gorgeous. There is an immediate attraction between Ross and Sierra, but she has no room in her life for more complications . . . or so she says.
I enjoyed LEAVE IT TO CHANCE enough to ignore the predictability of it. Sands creates some wonderful characters in Sierra's best friend, Elise and Ross' father figure, Sid. Ross is your typical good guy hero that you can't help but fall in love with. LEAVE IT TO CHANCE is a quick read that keeps you turning pages, waiting for the time that Sierra will finally admit her feelings for Ross.

I've got to be honest. When I first heard the premise of this book, I was more than skeptical. A boy, a girl and a horse. Sounds like a cheesy, teeny-bopper romance - right? I mean, didn't we all dream about having horses and rugged men to come along and reign in our wild, independent spirits with their charm and devastatingly good looks? But then we grew up.

"Leave it to Chance" FAR exceeded my expectations. I couldn't put it down! Yes, it has a boy, a girl and a horse, but the story is much more complex than that. And Sherri's writng is fantastic. Her characters are intricately developed. Their struggles are relevant, and their faith is tried. I anticipated a predictable storyline, but instead was pleasantly surprised with each twist of plot and character's choice.

The book is filled with endearing characters. My favorites: Elise, Sierra's best friend; a fun, quirky chick and one of very few people Sierra has seen exhibit a sincere, uninhibited relationship with God, and Sid, the hunky landscaper's neighbor and father-figure; an ornery grandfatherly type who challenges everyone around him to be their best and believe the Truth. It's a great read!

Sherri Sand's "Leave it to Chance" was a delectable read. Devouring fiction is a part of this writer's life, so I go through a lot of books. But this one stands out. Why? Sherri's characters are well drawn, her plot well paced. I enjoyed the romance thread most, but I'd have to say the other elements joined forces to advance the story so well I could barely tear myself away. Her prose was fresh and her story well-handled. Great job, Sherri!

Sierra Montgomery is barely making ends meet. She has three kids to raise, and her ex-husband can't be bothered to help. Then she inherits a horse of all things. A real, live horse named Chance--the last things she wants. Sierra had a bad incident with a horse when she was young, and has been afraid of them ever since. However, it would break her children's hearts if she sells Chance. A friend recommended Ross Morgan, who has an empty barn and pasture. Ross reluctantly agrees to board the horse, but Chance proves to be more trouble than he's worth. He can open any gate, and with a pasture full of grass, plenty of good hay and grain, his favorite snack is Ross' most expensive landscaping plants. Ross can't get rid of the horse though, because he has a fondness for Sierra's kids. And maybe for Sierra. Leave It To Chance is a warm-hearted, tender love story. Sherri Sand uses humor and a strong faith message, combined with a clever, tightly written plot to keep the reader turning those pages. Recommended.