Novel Books, Inc. Linda Bleser's website Category:  Romance Publisher: NovelBooks, Inc. ISBN-10:  1931696020 Type: Fiction Pages: 270 Copyright: Jan 1 2001 A romantic comedy set against the exciting backdrop of Atlantic City, THE CHANCE YOU TAKE follows Meg Taylor on a hilarious journey along the Boardwalk with a three-year old, a meddling mother, and a blind date who won't go away. Before the final chip falls, Meg learns that taking a chance on love is the biggest gamble of all.

Romantic Times (4 Stars)
Linda Bleser writes a poignant, yet humorous romance of two people coming to terms with their pasts, so they can accept the joys of the future.

Meg Taylor is a young widow with a three-year old daughter, Steffie, and she's still mourning the loss of her husband. Her mom Birdie feels it's time for her to move on with her life, but Meg has no desire to go on the blind date Birdie has arranged - until she meets Brad Kendall. Even though Brad is immediately attracted to Meg, memories of a past loss haunt him and he doesn't want to become involved again.

Meg is drawn to Brad, but a chance remark about children at the end of their first date deters her. When Brad turns up at the condo Meg, Steffie and Birdie are borrowing for a vacation, Meg is surprised and irritated. She soon comes to realize how badly she has misunderstood Brad and all he has to offer.

THE CHANCE YOU TAKE is a wonderful sweet story with unique twists that set it above the average. Birdie has some fascinating ideas of how to lay to rest a beloved husband and Steffie is an adorable addition to the story. Don't miss this one. - Susan Mobley

Sharpwriter (4 Stars)
Meg Taylor has been widowed for three years and is thoroughly fed up with her mother’s continual attempts at match making. When Birdie comes up with yet another suitable man, Meg refuses, once and for all, to put up with her infuriating, though well meant, interference.

However, Birdie, also a widow, is a force to be reckoned with. Determined and delightfully eccentric, she arranges an ‘accidental’ meeting with the gorgeous and very eligible Brad Kendall, a software programmer. Meg quickly tumbles to her mother’s ruse, but she is attracted to Brad and despite her misgivings, agrees to several dates with him.

Three year old, Steffie, Meg’s daughter, gives Brad the thumbs up and it seems as though the affair is destined to set sail upon a calm sea to reach a sizzling destination. But when Meg overhears an absent-minded comment of Brad’s, she mistakenly assumes that he dislikes children. As her life revolves around Steffie, Meg refuses to have anything more to do with Brad.

Convinced that Brad is the right person for Meg, Birdie hatches an amazing plan to dispose of her late husband’s cremains via – wait for it - gambling machines, and to get Meg and Brad together again. As we follow the foursome’s fortunes, we see Birdie striking the jackpot in more ways than one; Steffie shaping up for a possible career in showbiz, while storms and misunderstandings continue to threaten Meg and Brad’s happiness.

I found the background of this novel refreshingly different, and the gently flowing humour a relaxing good read. - Kaye Kelly