Today, we're exciting to join ATOMR for A.J. Sand's blog tour of A Fighting Chance. For our stop we have the book details, a review, and a tour wide giveaway. Enjoy!
Released February 4, 2014
Purchase Links: Amazon
My Thoughts
Jesse Chance is a bastard.
And that’s all he heard his entire life growing up once news got out that he was the illegitimate child of womanizing ex-con, Henry Chance.
Stuck in Glory, Texas, a town too small to escape the sins of his parents, Jesse turned into exactly what everyone expected him to be: a lover of liquor and women, and so good with his fists, he became a teenage champion of the secret underground fighting rings that float around the South, while doubting the only people who ever believed he could be more, his ailing mother, and his girlfriend, Drew Hallisay.
But determined to make his mother’s dying wish come true, he enrolled in a college on the East Coast, far away from his past. Jesse Chance is reborn into a new life, and set on keeping Glory, Texas--and Henry Chance--in his rear view.
Until a visit from his father in the middle of the night changes everything.
Forced to return to Glory to prevent a tragedy, Jesse is soon back on the fighting circuit with Drew's help and facing the history he was so desperate to escape, the part of him he would prefer to hide.
As he slips back into his old ways--Henry Chance's ways--he finds himself torn between the guy he was and the one he’s been struggling to become. And in a world dead set on betting against you, can you ever really overcome your past… or your destiny?
My Thoughts
Jesse Chance has crafted a nice life for himself after leaving his hometown of Glory and his high school girlfriend Drew behind over four years ago. He was a fighter that both loathed and loved being in a fighting ring, which was the only place his father ever took notice of him. After his mother dies, he packs up and leaves his hometown to finish school and begin a new chapter. Years later, he’s just about to graduate from college and go on a trip of a lifetime with his college girlfriend and best friend, when it all takes a turn the night his father comes looking for him.
Jesse learns that Henry has landed into some trouble that has him owing thousands of dollars because of a business deal gone south. The people he owes are now threating his younger step brother who’s only ten years old, and Jesse can't stand by to see it all fall apart. Despite his father never being there for him, he makes a choice to go back in the ring to settle his father’s debt and protect the brother he never really knew. When Drew comes into the picture to help him train and manage his fights, they realize their old feelings for one another are still burning strong. However, they might not get out alive when they discover that the fights are cartel-sponsored and the people his father owes want him dead.
I loved the underlying messages that were shared throughout the story. Jesse’s mother fought hard to teach her son that he never let himself be defined by who decided to love him or how people treated him. There were evident discriminations he faced coming from a small down, being the product of an affair and being African American. It was inspiring to see him make something of himself, but at the same time never let go of his roots and beliefs that grounded him. It broke my heart to see how his father treated him, and I struggled with Henry Chance from the beginning of the novel. But despite how his father disregarded him, Jesse came to his rescue when there was nothing there in return for him.
“I didn’t like the idea of fighting, but I wanted something – anything – about me to warrant his acknowledgement. The first time I climbed into the ring, on a really stupid whim, he stood front row. He saw me again that night, and he never took his eyes off me.”
Overall, I have to say it was Jesse’s solid character that made this story phenomenal and impactful. He fought hard inside and outside of the ring to protect those he cared for and make sure he lived by his mother’s guidance. Jesse’s life was marred with constant struggles, but he never let that stop him from breaking free from what held him back and making a good life for himself in the end.
I struggled a bit with the secondary characters, especially the dead beat dad Henry and college girlfriend Lydia. However, I was impressed with how Jesse handled these negative forces in his life. In the end, I was happy with the decisions Jesse made and the conclusions he came to as a result of going back into the ring to fight for someone that never really loved him.
Great story that was balanced with an original plot, worthy characters and heartfelt moments. Well done.
Jesse learns that Henry has landed into some trouble that has him owing thousands of dollars because of a business deal gone south. The people he owes are now threating his younger step brother who’s only ten years old, and Jesse can't stand by to see it all fall apart. Despite his father never being there for him, he makes a choice to go back in the ring to settle his father’s debt and protect the brother he never really knew. When Drew comes into the picture to help him train and manage his fights, they realize their old feelings for one another are still burning strong. However, they might not get out alive when they discover that the fights are cartel-sponsored and the people his father owes want him dead.
I loved the underlying messages that were shared throughout the story. Jesse’s mother fought hard to teach her son that he never let himself be defined by who decided to love him or how people treated him. There were evident discriminations he faced coming from a small down, being the product of an affair and being African American. It was inspiring to see him make something of himself, but at the same time never let go of his roots and beliefs that grounded him. It broke my heart to see how his father treated him, and I struggled with Henry Chance from the beginning of the novel. But despite how his father disregarded him, Jesse came to his rescue when there was nothing there in return for him.
“I didn’t like the idea of fighting, but I wanted something – anything – about me to warrant his acknowledgement. The first time I climbed into the ring, on a really stupid whim, he stood front row. He saw me again that night, and he never took his eyes off me.”
Overall, I have to say it was Jesse’s solid character that made this story phenomenal and impactful. He fought hard inside and outside of the ring to protect those he cared for and make sure he lived by his mother’s guidance. Jesse’s life was marred with constant struggles, but he never let that stop him from breaking free from what held him back and making a good life for himself in the end.
I struggled a bit with the secondary characters, especially the dead beat dad Henry and college girlfriend Lydia. However, I was impressed with how Jesse handled these negative forces in his life. In the end, I was happy with the decisions Jesse made and the conclusions he came to as a result of going back into the ring to fight for someone that never really loved him.
Great story that was balanced with an original plot, worthy characters and heartfelt moments. Well done.
4 Suns
About the Author
A.J. Sand grew up an only child whose parents bought her many, many books to keep her busy, so it was only natural that she would start writing her own stories. She is the author of “Documentary,” “Remake” and “Recklessly.” She lives just outside of Washington, D.C.
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A.J. Sand grew up an only child whose parents bought her many, many books to keep her busy, so it was only natural that she would start writing her own stories. She is the author of “Documentary,” “Remake” and “Recklessly.” She lives just outside of Washington, D.C.
Author social media links:
Be sure to enter the tour-wide giveaway for a chance to win the following:
(1) $25 Amazon gift card, (1) copy of A Fighting Chance on either Kindle or Nook, and (1) Wantable gift card or one-time accessories box (U.S. Only giveaway) – all for one person winner
Thank you for reviewing A Fighting Chance!
ReplyDeleteVery nice review! Sounds like a book I need to read! Thanks for the giveaway! Would love to win!!!
ReplyDeleteLook forward to reading. Thank you for the giveaway.
ReplyDeleteLooks interesting! Thank you!
ReplyDelete