What Are the Chances: A Novel

by Kenny Rogers, Mike Blakely

Country music legend Kenny Rogers teams up with Spur Award–winner Mike Blakely for a rousing tale set
in the heyday of Nashville

It’s 1975, and Ronnie Breed’s chart-topping rock band has just self-destructed.

He opts to return home to Texas and reinvent himself as a solo act. Enter Dan Campbell, Ronnie’s cousin. Dan wants to televise a Texas Hold ’Em tournament…and Ronnie could never say no to his cousin. As celebrity spokesman for the poker tournament, Ronnie is soon recruiting world-class gamblers in illegal card games and trying to put together a country band to win a Nashville recording contract. Then things start to get weird—hidden cameras, secret high-stakes side-bets, a visit from the FBI. Ronnie begins to wonder if he will end up with the girl of his dreams in the Country Music Hall of Fame…or broke and lonely in some prison cell. What are the chances?

320 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2013

About the author

Kenneth Ray Rogers was an American singer, songwriter, actor, record producer, and entrepreneur. He was a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame. - Wikipedia

Reviews

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Disclaimer: this book was received as part of a Goodreads Giveaway. This is no way influenced my review.

Review:
I really enjoyed this book. There was enough details about all of the characters so you really understood their motives. From someone who isn't from Texas, and is not a huge country music fan, the details provided about the lifestyles of both Texas and country music made the book more enjoyable, and allowed the reader to feel a part of those cultures. It's an easy read, and a fun read.



Spoiler:
I only wish that there were more details in the last chapter about how all the cons did the cons. I felt it stopped just short of a full wrap-up. How did Dan pull the switch so fast? What about the camera men, or the players? How did they go from the poker table to the hospitality room so quickly? I felt that I needed just a little but more details...

But other than that...Great book!

[Sharon Chance · Rating 5 out of 5]

“What Are The Chances” is a lively, fast moving story that shows the ins and outs of the music industry as well as the world of poker and gambling. Rogers admits in the beginning of the book that he came up with the idea during the days of filming “The Gambler” movies, and worked with Spur-Award winner Mike Blakely to develop this modern-day version of a gambler who has a voice of gold.

This was a fun read – fast paced action, interesting characters, and fun looks at different areas of the country, including Houston and Gilley’s, Galveston and the Flagship Hotel, Nashville and Music Row, and Fort Worth and the Stockyards. Readers can almost envision a made-for-TV movie as they fly through the pages. Light and entertaining, “What Are The Chances” is a nice way to spend a weekend afternoon of reading.

[Joyce Yanney · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fast paced enjoyable read about the music industry and world of gambling. Interesting characters with detailed information of different areas of our country. Lifestyle of Texans and their country music. This was a fun read. I highly recommend this book.

[Jan Sikes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting account of what I am sure are "true" incidents in the music world and gambling. Fast paced and an easy entertaining read. Anyone who loves music or is a fan of Kenny Rogers will enjoy this book.

[Justin Anthony · Rating 5 out of 5]

It did get a little long at times but I really enjoyed this book. It starts off as a con, finishes as a con, but it was good enough for me to forget, get caught up in the story, and really enjoy the end.

[Diana Petty-stone · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting story about a character very similar to Kenny Rogers who helps create a gambling scam. Lots of action and fun.

[Kenneth Flusche · Rating 5 out of 5]

A quick read, a little different adventure based in 1975 Texas.