A Snowball's Chance
by Holly J. Fuhrmann

Rated 3.0
ISBN# 0-9655340-1-4
Copyright 1997
Reviewed 7/30/97 by Pam

"A Snowball's Chance" by Holly J. Fuhrman, is an interesting story. Sensing a new author while reading scenes that were just a little forced at times, I wasn't sure what to expect.

Poddy Harper, a twenty-five year old school teacher, doesn't date much and spends most of her time between the pages of a book. Tending occasionally to her alcoholic step-father and enjoying the occasional visit from her brother who has a career in the military, Poddy feels her life is ok the way it is. After some pressure from her brother, P.D., Poddy ventures out of her shell into the "real" world. He believes she can't possibly be happy spending nearly all her time alone.

Beginning with her step-father, a man who does nothing but drink and watch T.V., Poddy threatens to leave him to fend for himself. Finally, breaking through his shell, she sees some potential beneath the sloppy, alcoholic exterior.

After playing a game called Good Thing/Bad Thing, in which her students tell about one good thing and one bad thing from their weekend, Poddy learns more about little Tessa than she cares to admit. She then takes quite a forward step in sticking up for Tessa, who she feels is in desperate need of more attention from her father.

Taking it upon herself to bring her observations to the attention of Tessa's father, Poddy goes to his work and prepares herself to tell him just what she thinks. Mr. Murdoch, Sam, appears to be such a stern man. He is very large in size and even with Poddy's very small frame, she stands up to him. First, they exchange angry words, and then suddenly they part with smiles upon their faces and a grand new plan of turning Tessa into the happy child she should be.

I had two problems with this story. The first being a lack of explanation when it came to the bonding and growing friendship between Sam and Poddy. Specifically, at the end of chapter one, Poddy was giving Sam a piece of her mind, then suddenly they were all smiles. Then with the start of chapter two, it was already Christmas and they were the best of friends exchanging gifts. I wanted to hear more about how they became such close friends. Just telling me they were good friends was not enough.

Problem two was reading all the cliches, and this story was filled with them. I am not big on this when it comes to reading a romance. I want to hear sensual, vibrant, colorful words only an author could compose.

The storyline itself was very plausible. I could picture Sam and Poddy wanting more than their hearts were feeling and the devastating kiss when they realized romance was not to be between them. I loved Poddy and Sam's first meeting, too cute, and definitely romance material.

There is something of a twist here when Scott, Sam's brother comes on the scene. He is to be the real "hero" of this story. He was a hard hero to love. Sometimes I liked him and other times, he seemed a little shallow.

All-in-all "A Snowball's Chance" is an entertaining story. It's just not one that will really stay with you for a long time to come.