Rake's Wager

Penny House Novel #1

by Miranda Jarrett

The Rake's Reform

Cassia Penny runs a fashionable gaming house in Regency London. Her inspired style has always set the fashion…which is just the sort of talent Richard Blackley needs.

Blackley is a self-made millionaire, determined to establish himself as a proper London gentleman. When Cassia loses a wager, he collects by demanding her services to refurbish his decrepit estate�but finds her beauty the most gracious adornment his home could have.

Now, as she transforms the old house, she transforms Richard, as well. The unlikely pair are drawn together�until an old secret from Richard's past reappears. Will it tear them apart…or unite them forever?

Genres: Romance, Historical Romance, Historical, Harlequin, Historical Fiction

304 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published February 1, 2005

About the author

aka Susan Holloway Scott

Reviews

[Susan Ross · Rating 2 out of 5]

Richard Blackley, who rose from poverty to extreme wealth, is, frankly, not very likeabe. He gets Cassia, a talented unofficial interior decorator, to restore the estate he won on a bet. Set on marrying for status he ignores his growing feelings for Cassia although he does end up bedding her. Cassia runs a gaming house with her 2 sisters. Profits go to charity.
Throw in an illegitimate ten-year-old who crosses the ocean to find his father and an evil villian who happens to be nobiity and there’s your sotry.

The child is in the story for such a short time that I don’t think it added much.

I know Harlequin has a formula but I think they need to give writers more autonomy. This story had potential to be better.

[Donna · Rating 2 out of 5]

What I learned from this book centers on it being a "category romance". These are "series" romance books written to very specific publisher guidelines including length, style, and sensuality level.

This was a "Harlequin Historical Regency". It was a one-night read. First kiss at page 100, second kiss at page 200, major complication on page 250, happily ever after on page 300.

[Laura Thomas · Rating 3 out of 5]

First time reading this author, liked the story and characters, not for the pure at heart regency readers because it doesn't follow the rules. Three daughters of a clergyman inherit a gambling house [where the house winnings support charities] located on Bond street in London. All three are beautiful and talented the oldest managing, middle chef, youngest decorating and so the story begins.

[Lizzie · Rating 3 out of 5]

An okay read, with the usual expected outcome with a bit of intrigue in the middle.

[Michelle]

Rake's Wager
Miranda Jarrett
Harlequin Historical Regency
291 pages
copyright: 2005
isbn: 0-373-29340-2

The Rake's Reform

Cassia Penny runs a fashionable gaming house in Regency London. Her inspired style has always set in fashion...which is just sort of talent Richard Blackley needs.

Blackley is a self-made millionarie, determined to establish himself as a proper London gentleman. When Cassia loses a wager; he collects by demanding her services to refurbish his decrepit estate--but finds her beauty the most gracious adornment his home could have.

Now, as she transforms the old house, she transforms Richard, as well. The unlikely pair are drawn together--until an old secret from Richard's past reappears. Will it tear them apart...or unite them together.

[Sumit · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5
It is a splendid read. I am happy i got the chance to finish it....some three years back i started with this novel but couldn't complete it. Now I did it and it feels really relieving- it was fun reliving it in a way:)


'Sometimes it's best to leave everything to chance' :) :) Right Guys!!!!