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Taking Chances
What happens when the 'one that got away' wants you back? Dane walked away from Myra four years ago, thinking he wasn't the man she needed. But time has only proven one thing - she's the woman he needs. Myra has moved on with life and healed the hurt Dane's leaving caused, but one look at him and those feelings come back. Can she trust him with her heart again or will he take it and run?
Dane Gunther walked away from Myra four years ago. She was a single mom with a son and being together meant taking her away from her family to follow his career 2,000 miles away. Back then he didn't think it was fair to take them away from everyone they knew and he wasn't sure he had what it took to me the man they needed.
Myra Patterson was devastated when Dane left without the decency of a reason. She's moved on with life and has been able to push him into the 'friend zone'. That's easier said than done when suddenly he isn't just an old friend online. When the real thing is in front of her, buried feelings come screaming back. Falling for Dane isn't an option, she knows it will only lead to heartbreak when he leaves again. But his charm and the ways he ignites old feelings makes it harder to resist.
Dane has to win Myra back even if it's the last thing he does. While trying to help with the family business and deal with a strained relationship with his mother, Dane's real focus is proving to Myra he is the man she needs.
But even if he gets his chance, will Moira believe in him long enough to open her heart again?
TAKING CHANCES is the first book in the SMALL TOWN series. Meet this group of small town women who love men with big ... hearts!
Dane Gunther walked away from Myra four years ago. She was a single mom with a son and being together meant taking her away from her family to follow his career 2,000 miles away. Back then he didn't think it was fair to take them away from everyone they knew and he wasn't sure he had what it took to me the man they needed.
Myra Patterson was devastated when Dane left without the decency of a reason. She's moved on with life and has been able to push him into the 'friend zone'. That's easier said than done when suddenly he isn't just an old friend online. When the real thing is in front of her, buried feelings come screaming back. Falling for Dane isn't an option, she knows it will only lead to heartbreak when he leaves again. But his charm and the ways he ignites old feelings makes it harder to resist.
Dane has to win Myra back even if it's the last thing he does. While trying to help with the family business and deal with a strained relationship with his mother, Dane's real focus is proving to Myra he is the man she needs.
But even if he gets his chance, will Moira believe in him long enough to open her heart again?
TAKING CHANCES is the first book in the SMALL TOWN series. Meet this group of small town women who love men with big ... hearts!
230 pages, Paperback
First published March 4, 2012
1 person is currently reading
170 people want to read
About the author
Amy O'Neill
10 books37 followersAmy O’Neill (real name Amy Miller) lives in Southeast Michigan with her son and two rambunctious dogs. She has been writing for over 20 years, but never had the courage to put her work out there until she completed FINDING HOME. Now, Amy has over a dozen more books that she is working on and will be publishing several a year.
In addition to writing romance, Amy works full time as a receptionist for Corporate America, but dreams of the day when writing is her career. She enjoys being a girly girl and watching her son grow into a man.
In addition to writing romance, Amy works full time as a receptionist for Corporate America, but dreams of the day when writing is her career. She enjoys being a girly girl and watching her son grow into a man.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
August 29, 2014
4.5 Stars
“What the hell is he doing here? ” We, the reader can surmise by this opening line that Myra Patterson is not too happy to see Dane Gunther at a friend’s house on a summer Memorial Day backyard BBQ. She should be upset too at seeing him because of the way he had broken her heart. Four years ago after she fell in love with him he broke her heart and moved 2000 miles away. I was prepared to dislike him too. When it was revealed that Liz had followed him and they had gotten married I was prepared to hate him.
But he appeals to our weak side, explains that he was too scared to love Myra that his feelings were too strong for him to handle and that caused him to bolt. Myra feels bad for him when he can’t find a place to stay and rents him the apartment above her gym.
He wants her in his life again but she is stronger now. She has her son Danny to look after. He was also devastated when left them. She can’t let him hurt the two of them again. She is not counting on how stubborn he is or how strong his feelings for her are as he slowly woos her with attention.
It does not take long for her feelings to come crashing to the surface again. But she is smarter this time, things are going to go according to her rules. She will not be hurt again.
Like I said I was prepared to dislike Dane right off the bat, he broke her heart, left her son as well, and then went on to get married. He had all the characteristics of a creeper in my opinion. BUT, I admit that he is a changed person when he returns to town. He thinks about others first, he brings her flowers, takes her mini putting and plays air hockey with her.
She is holding tough to her resolve to keep him out but it is oh so very difficult.
The author did a great job of detailing the struggle between these two former lovers. In amongst all the loving she throws in some unexpected twists and turns, a spitefull ex-husband and a crazy-assed mother. I was certainly riveted as I watched the story unfold.
*reviewed by Monica
“What the hell is he doing here? ” We, the reader can surmise by this opening line that Myra Patterson is not too happy to see Dane Gunther at a friend’s house on a summer Memorial Day backyard BBQ. She should be upset too at seeing him because of the way he had broken her heart. Four years ago after she fell in love with him he broke her heart and moved 2000 miles away. I was prepared to dislike him too. When it was revealed that Liz had followed him and they had gotten married I was prepared to hate him.
But he appeals to our weak side, explains that he was too scared to love Myra that his feelings were too strong for him to handle and that caused him to bolt. Myra feels bad for him when he can’t find a place to stay and rents him the apartment above her gym.
He wants her in his life again but she is stronger now. She has her son Danny to look after. He was also devastated when left them. She can’t let him hurt the two of them again. She is not counting on how stubborn he is or how strong his feelings for her are as he slowly woos her with attention.
It does not take long for her feelings to come crashing to the surface again. But she is smarter this time, things are going to go according to her rules. She will not be hurt again.
Like I said I was prepared to dislike Dane right off the bat, he broke her heart, left her son as well, and then went on to get married. He had all the characteristics of a creeper in my opinion. BUT, I admit that he is a changed person when he returns to town. He thinks about others first, he brings her flowers, takes her mini putting and plays air hockey with her.
She is holding tough to her resolve to keep him out but it is oh so very difficult.
The author did a great job of detailing the struggle between these two former lovers. In amongst all the loving she throws in some unexpected twists and turns, a spitefull ex-husband and a crazy-assed mother. I was certainly riveted as I watched the story unfold.
*reviewed by Monica
December 28, 2012
3.5 Stars.
This was only a .99 cent book so I didn't have high expectations. However, I found that I did like the story despite some incredibly cheesy dialogue, numerous grammatical and spelling errors and some odd contradictions.
The story is a cute romance and I was pleased that the heroine, Myra, didn't immediately cave and run back to Dane the moment he returned to town. I liked that she made him work to win her back after he'd made some poor decisions and left her. They really do end up being a great couple.
I love the group of friends and family that connect Myra and Dane- it truly captures the small town life- everyone knows everyone and their business but in this case, the friends and family are like rocks to lean against when something is wrong but also there to put in their 2 cents when it's wanted and sometimes, when it's not. They are all really strait forward with each other and tell it like it is which created a great dynamic for the relationships.
I was a little confused as to how Dane could compare his ex wife, Liz, to his psychotic (literally) mother, Doris, in one chapter and then toward the end, compare her to Myra, someone with a kind and forgiving heart. When I read the two contradicting traits, I was thinking: so, um, Liz is bipolar or what?!?!? Dane's mother really did go crazy and try to murder his family and Liz definitely had some moments but I didn't get a psychotic vibe just a bitchy one. Yet, Dane compares Liz to his mother and then makes another comparison to Myra who is the polar opposite of Doris, stating that he could see how Liz and Myra were similar. Huh?!?! I just didn't get it.
Anyway, the romance was good, not forced but also not rushed. With a little refining, the story could be really good but for a bargain read, not bad at all.
This was only a .99 cent book so I didn't have high expectations. However, I found that I did like the story despite some incredibly cheesy dialogue, numerous grammatical and spelling errors and some odd contradictions.
The story is a cute romance and I was pleased that the heroine, Myra, didn't immediately cave and run back to Dane the moment he returned to town. I liked that she made him work to win her back after he'd made some poor decisions and left her. They really do end up being a great couple.
I love the group of friends and family that connect Myra and Dane- it truly captures the small town life- everyone knows everyone and their business but in this case, the friends and family are like rocks to lean against when something is wrong but also there to put in their 2 cents when it's wanted and sometimes, when it's not. They are all really strait forward with each other and tell it like it is which created a great dynamic for the relationships.
I was a little confused as to how Dane could compare his ex wife, Liz, to his psychotic (literally) mother, Doris, in one chapter and then toward the end, compare her to Myra, someone with a kind and forgiving heart. When I read the two contradicting traits, I was thinking: so, um, Liz is bipolar or what?!?!? Dane's mother really did go crazy and try to murder his family and Liz definitely had some moments but I didn't get a psychotic vibe just a bitchy one. Yet, Dane compares Liz to his mother and then makes another comparison to Myra who is the polar opposite of Doris, stating that he could see how Liz and Myra were similar. Huh?!?! I just didn't get it.
Anyway, the romance was good, not forced but also not rushed. With a little refining, the story could be really good but for a bargain read, not bad at all.
May 7, 2014
Great book-really enjoyed it.
Read
October 7, 2018Great read
Really enjoyable read. Great plot twist and characters.
Thoroughly recommend reading this and her other stories.
Best way to chill out, a good book, a cup of tea and a comfy seat.
Really enjoyable read. Great plot twist and characters.
Thoroughly recommend reading this and her other stories.
Best way to chill out, a good book, a cup of tea and a comfy seat.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews