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Take a Chance on Me (Mass Market Paperback)

~ (Author) "Emma gasped when she entered the exam room, though she couldn't say which of the two creatures there alarmed her more..." (more)
Key Phrases: little mutant, maxi pad, Thomas Tobin, Emma Jenkins, Scott Slick (more...)
4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (48 customer reviews)
Price: $7.99 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. Details
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Take a Chance on Me + Knock Me Off My Feet + He Loves Lucy
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Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Donovan (Knock Me Off My Feet, etc.) returns with a frisky caper centered around a tiny hairless dog known as a Chinese Crested. Thomas Tobin-an undercover investigator of paid "hits"-discovers little Hairy trembling near the body of a key informant. Feeling responsible for the man's death, the usually cynical Thomas takes Hairy home, then consults animal behaviorist Emma Jenkins to help fix the dog's decidedly weird behavior. Emma responds immediately to Thomas's blinding sex appeal, but her recent divorce and her adoption of her best friend's orphaned daughter leave her with little energy for romance. Despite painful baggage of his own, Thomas is less ambivalent. The discovery that Hairy may hold a clue to the murder gives him an excuse to hire Emma again. Meanwhile, Emma's shady ex-husband Aaron-the murderer Thomas is seeking-re-enters their lives in a dramatic way. The early revelation of Aaron's guilt undercuts the suspense, but the book's comic sharpness picks up the slack. The humorous interactions among Thomas, Emma and Emma's quirky family give the book a golden warmth as earthy as its rural Maryland setting. But there are also enough explicit erotic interludes to please readers who like their romances spicy.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.


Review

"...Donovan has created a vastly entertaining romance...All the right ingredientts...absolutely fast, fun and sexy read!" -- ,The Road to Romance,

"Donovan blends humor and compassion in this opposites attract story. . .Delighttfully entertaining, TAKE A CHANCE is a guaranteed good time." -- ,Old Book Barn Gazette,

"Donovan's blend of romance and mystery is thrilling." -- ,Booklist,

"Fun, fast and sexy." -- Lori Foster, bestselling author on Knock Me Off My Feet,USA Today,

"Hilarious...full of sass and sizzle." -- Julie Ortolon, bestselling author,USA Today,

"If ever there was a hysterically funny pairing, Thomas and Hairy are it....Donoovan laces sexy and sizzling fun with humor." -- ,RT Bookclub magazine (4 1/2 stars),
See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

  • Mass Market Paperback: 352 pages
  • Publisher: St. Martin's Paperbacks (August 18, 2003)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0312983751
  • ISBN-13: 978-0312983758
  • Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 4.2 x 1.1 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (48 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.com Sales Rank: #20,175 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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More About the Author

Susan Donovan
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Front Cover | First Pages | Surprise Me!
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Inside This Book (learn more)
First Sentence:
Emma gasped when she entered the exam room, though she couldn't say which of the two creatures there alarmed her more. Read the first page
Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
little mutant, maxi pad
Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Thomas Tobin, Emma Jenkins, Scott Slick, Big Alpha, Miss Marple, Aaron Kramer, Rugby Boy, Thomas the Tongue, Carroll County, Wit's End, Monty Python, Simon Slickowski, Leo Vasilich, Rebecca Weaverton, Regina Massey, Bright Eyes, Federal Hill, Mother Nature, Velvet Mild
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Customer Reviews

48 Reviews
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Average Customer Review
4.5 out of 5 stars (48 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Warm, funny, tender, sweet - a wonderfully enjoyable read!, August 8, 2003
I had so much fun reading this book! Susan Donovan is a new author for me and this is my first book by her (though it's actually her second - Knock Me Off My Feet is her first). She has a great sense of humour and a nice way with characters - I laughed out loud often reading this book!

Thomas Tobin works on a Maryland State Police task force and poses as a hitman for hire. Given his line of work (not to mention his personal experiences), he's got little faith in human nature and figures everyone has a dark side. He discovers his best informant dead and his weird little dog nearby. He takes the dog, "Hairy", home with him only to discover that he has some serious behavioral problems and soon finds himself in the office of vet/animal behaviorist Dr Emma Jenkins. He finds Emma very attractive in an open, fresh farm-girl way, but he fights it since he's vowed never to get involved with another woman after his last disastrous relationship. But he can't help his attraction and winds up sending out some serious mixed signals!

Emma has recently divorced a husband who was unfaithful, reckless with money and who never really appreciated her. She's working hard to keep her practice afloat and she's also become guardian to 12 year old Leelee, the daughter of her wild, reckless, and now deceased best friend. And now the most gorgeous man she's ever seen has waltzed into her life, but he leaves her so confused, she's not sure he's worth the effort (is he a moron, a nut or Mr Right?). But when he tells her he believes that Hairy may have witnessed the murder, and asks her to help him look for clues, she can't resist. And while working on the case, they fall for one another but will old patterns repeat or is this finally the real thing?

Being born and raised in suburban Maryland and currently living in Baltimore City, I thoroughly enjoyed having the state and city featured as the setting for this book and knowing the areas she references I could picture the action. The disco references at the beginning of each chapter were very cute and well used (especially when you find out about Hairy's special talent!) and any book that details a dog's inner dialog is bound to be a hit with me! Hairy is a terrific character - just as important to the story as his two-legged counterparts! Thomas and Emma are appealing characters and a great couple. Leelee is both street smart and vulnerable as she tries to figure out her place in Emma's life and whether Thomas is a threat to her new found family. An author to watch and a book that is highly recommended! I'm off to read Knock Me Off My Feet next!

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10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars You'll be hooked if you take a chance, May 20, 2005
By Tracy Vest (Northern California) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)      
You gotta love a book where the author makes a hairless dog one of the main characters (who has his own dialog and everything), and names him "Hairy."

When burly undercover investigator Thomas Tobin shows up at veterinarian Emma Jenkins animal behavior clinic, Emma is taken aback that such a hunky man would own a Chinese Crested (bald except for a striking fluff of white hair on his head). But she tries to help him with the skittish dog.

Turns out that Hairy was owned by a flamboyant informant who is found dead, and Hairy is the only witness.

Both Thomas and Emma were burned in previous relationships, and Emma is still paying for her disastrous marriage. She recently became the guardian of her best friend's daughter, and is not sure she has time for a man in her life. Of course, that soon changes.

Donovan cleverly names each chapter (and the title of the book) after disco tunes. As the story unfolds, the reason becomes clear. Part romance, part police procedural drama, and part animal planet fodder, it is a delightful read and will keep you hooked until the very last page.
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars I took the Chance!!!, August 29, 2004
By Carol (Florida) - See all my reviews
This was my first Susan Donovan. It was most entertaining and I laughed all the way thru. The banter back and forth was so funny. It was a light read and a good laugh. I finished it one way to Atlanta!!!!

Yes, I will try to find more of SD when I need to brighten my day!!!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Loved the Chapter Titles!
This was such a fun book. Who'd have thought that a story about a dancing, Chinese Crested would turn out so funny? Read more
Published 8 months ago by romance junkie

5.0 out of 5 stars take a chance- and be romanced!
I'm a huge S.D. (Susan Donovan) fan, and this books is one of the reasons why! When you combine the hit man, hairless dog, and full cast of characters you get a contemporary... Read more
Published 10 months ago by she reads

5.0 out of 5 stars Steamy, Fun, and Unforgettable!
Take a Chance On Me is my first Susan Donovan book. It won't be my last! It combined elements of romance, suspense, humor, and family dynamics to make a near perfect romance in... Read more
Published 15 months ago by Krista Lyn

4.0 out of 5 stars A good read, but has some flaws
This is the first book I've read by Susan Donovan. I'm a big fan of Jennifer Crusie's books and this looked very similar. Read more
Published 16 months ago by Colleen Laughlin

5.0 out of 5 stars What else can you ask for??
I loved this story! It was perfect for me. I especially like that Donovan does not perfect her female characters. All sizes and sorta all ages, it's wonderful! Read more
Published 19 months ago by Dawn

4.0 out of 5 stars Pretty good
I liked this book, but was hoping for something a little less "Harlequin"-y and more like Jennifer Cruisie or even Janet Evanovich. Read more
Published 21 months ago by D&L Mom

5.0 out of 5 stars Loved it...
This is my favorite Susan Donovan. Emma and Thomas are well written and endearing characters. Parts of the story are told through the eyes of a hairless toy chinese crested, so... Read more
Published on June 23, 2007 by Lori Funkhouser

5.0 out of 5 stars creative
i really liked this one. the romance has some creative, different scenes. i liked the lead characters a lot. the dog is funny, but too much of a character for me.
Published on March 6, 2007 by schatz

5.0 out of 5 stars Not for the faint of heart -
It certainly took Thomas and Emma an awful long time to get to the first sex scene in this book - Chapter 15 out of 20. Read more
Published on January 27, 2007 by kellytwo

5.0 out of 5 stars If you NEEd to laugh, read this book!
This book has everything a great contemporary romance should have: drama, suspense, intense emotions, well-written love scenes, complicated family dynamics, a great dog and roll... Read more
Published on June 10, 2006 by A. Sweatt

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