To Wager the Marquis of Wolverstone

Wicked Wagers #2

by Bronwen Evans

Book Two in the Wicked Wagers trilogy - NEW COVER

They Say Revenge is Sweet…

Marcus Danvers, the Marquis of Wolverstone, is renowned for his cynical demeanor. It's rumored that long ago, a beautiful woman broke his heart. Now he lives life for pleasure. He’s the consummate, handsome rake. If anyone tries to get too close—let’s just say his bark is as bad as his bite. That is, until the beautiful, as she is deceitful, Contessa Orsini re-enters his life with a wager he cannot resist. When he wins, he’ll have Sabine exactly where he wants her—in his bed and at his mercy.

Forced to return to England and avenge her father’s death, Sabine knows the one person who can help her is the only man she has ever loved—Marcus. The man who hates her with as much passion as he once loved her. But Marcus doesn’t know that by winning the wager he’ll also be getting his revenge. For there are some secrets best left buried…

A long novella, 39,500 words, 130 pages. Edited by Caroline Fuller

Genres: Historical Romance, Romance, Historical, Regency, Novella, Historical Fiction, Regency Romance

150 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 26, 2012

About the author

USA Today bestselling author, Bronwen Evans grew up loving books. She writes both historical and contemporary sexy romances for the modern woman who likes intelligent, spirited heroines, and compassionate alpha heroes. Evans is a three-time winner of the RomCon Readers’ Crown and has been nominated for an RT Reviewers’ Choice Award. She lives in Hawkes Bay, New Zealand with her dogs Brandy and Duke.

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Reviews

[Mariana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reread. I did not like it as much as the first time. I do not like stories where the heroine feels she must keep secrets and Martyr herself to protect the man she loves. I prefer relationships with trust and honesty.

[*MariaA* · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ummmm...intense! This is the kind of book that you remember and enjoy reading it again and again. I loved MARCUS'S intense electrifying jolts of emotions that were jumping out from the book,like he was spitting venom in the beginning. Bronwen delivered the dialogues perfectly to display his hurt feelings.The chemistry between the characters ,dialogues,pacing all was good.
Would recommend friends to gie it a try,infact the whole series.

[Monique · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ten years after she broke his heart, Miss Sabine Fournier – now the widowed Contessa Orsini – asks Marcus Danvers for his help. Marcus, Marquis of Wolverstone has never stopped loving her but he is dying for revenge because of what she did to him. Sabine needs him to enter a card game and destroy the man who ruined her father, and ultimately caused her parents’ death. Marcus accepts on one condition: that she becomes his lover for as long as he wants her, and she accepts because she will do anything to avenge her parents. TO WAGER THE MARQUIS OF WOLVERSTONE is a long novella with very complex characters, a fabulous heroine: Sabine is strong, determined; I loved her, and Marcus is wonderful as well. The villain is one of the most despicable characters I have ever seen, but he’s also very realistic, which is why he is so appalling. TO WAGER THE MARQUIS OF WOLVERSTONE is action-packed, it’s very intense and dramatic, and very, very well written. A great read!

[Edwina " I LoveBooks" "Deb" · Rating 1 out of 5]

I don't find anything romantic about a young lady of 18 being raped, which resulted in her becoming pregnant. This is not a good story line. Sabine's life with the man she loved the Marquis of Wolverstone "Marcus" lives have been ruined and they have now been separated for 10yrs. Sabine pretended to elope with another man so her unborn child would not become Marcus' heir, because he was not his son. Sabine did the honorable thing, but it destroyed her and Marcus' life because he didn't know why she had abandoned him and their love. So Sad!! Ten years later they seek revenge against the man who destroyed their relationship. Marcus is very excepting of Sabine's son. That's not the problem for me, the story is in need of a good editor. Plus for me I am so sick of authors writing about abuse and rape. I would like to ask Bronwen Evans why a story about rape? I don't know how she thinks this could be romantic, especially with today's ,so many women and children being raped, abused and murder. Sorry I cannot recommend this book and I am so glad It was free. Unless I know for sure Ms. Evans other books don't contain violence to women I won't read anything written by her.

[Carol Cork *Young at Heart Oldie* · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second novella in the Wicked Wagers series and, whilst I enjoyed it, I did have some issues with the heroine’s actions which affected my final star rating.

This was much darker than the first book with its theme of revenge. For ten long years, Marcus has never forgiven or forgotten Sabine’s cruel betrayal of his love. He had been willing to sacrifice everything for her. When Sabine, now Contessa Orsini, a rich Italian widow, asks him for help in exacting revenge on the man who ruined her father and caused her parents’ deaths, he sees a way of gaining his own revenge…she will become his lover until he tires of her.

I could almost taste the anger and bitterness in Marcus’s crude and cruel words when Sabine approaches him at Lady Somerset’s ball and I thought this was such an evocative description.

His fury swarmed around her like a smothering sand storm— abrasive and deadly.

I really felt for Sabine. All her dreams destroyed and then forced to keep terrible secrets in order to protect those she loved. The only light in her lonely life over the past ten years has been her son, Alfredo…he gave her the will to live. I admired how much she loves her son despite the circumstances of his birth and will do anything to protect him. She has never stopped loving Marcus and I could feel the intense pain caused by his harsh words. It was heart-breaking to know that she longed for something she knew could never have…

Tenderness, love and his heart.

When it comes time for Marcus to take his personal revenge on Sabine, he doesn’t feel elated as he imagined he would. It is evident that he still has deep feelings for her.

He’d forced her to her come to him like a whore— bought and paid for.
“Bloody hell,” he muttered.
A sharp pang of regret sliced through him. What he wanted was for her to come to him of her own accord. To tell him she’d made a mistake all those years ago and that he was the only man she’d ever loved. Then he wanted to start to learn how to believe in her and trust her again.

He even gives her the option to leave but, of course, she chooses to stay. I enjoyed how they talked first and how the love scene was a combination of tenderness and raw sensuality.

I did have issues with Sabine’s actions where the villainous Lord Gower was concerned. It was almost a TSTL (too stupid to live) moment when she gloats over her success in causing his financial ruin, only to have him turn the tables on her and gain the upper hand. She took some foolhardy decisions which not only put her own life in danger but also the lives of those she loved, the one thing she had always been determined to avoid. I just wanted her to tell Marcus the whole truth and let him handle it!

I did like Lady Amy Shipton very much. She’s beautiful and intelligent but also compassionate and refuses to marry Marcus when she knows his heart lies elsewhere. She is deserving of her own Happy Ever After to a man worthy of her love.

FAVOURITE ROMANTIC QUOTE:

“I’m truly the luckiest man in the world now. I’m living proof that love conquers all; that love, with time and forbearance, overcomes all wickedness.”

Overall, although I did have some issues as mentioned above, I did enjoy this book but not as much as To Dare of Duke of Dangerfield.

REVIEW RATING: 4/5 Stars

Wicked Wagers series (click on the book covers for more details):



This review is also posted on my Rakes and Rascals Blog:

https://rakesandrascals.wordpress.com...

[Dee Deacon Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

Madly in love with Marcus Danvers, the Marquess of Wolverstone, Sabine Fournier was looking forward to the perfect life. Until 1 fateful night when things go horribly wrong. Forced to break it off with Marcus she goes on to become the Countess Orsini.

Marcus Danvers, the Marquess of Wolverstone has given his heart & soul to the beautiful Sabine Fournier...that is until she throws him over & elopes with Comte Orsini. Now he is considered an ultimate rakehell...using women for his own pleasure (although he is not totally selfish - he makes sure they receive pleasure also).

Ten years later Sabine goes looking for Marcus to help her get revenge on the man who destroyed her parents. Marcus can't believe that Sabine has the gall to ask a favor of him; however, he did care about her parents. He eventually agrees but on his terms - his payment for helping her - she's to become is lover for as long as he wants to use her. Realizing how much Marcus hates her Sabine agrees, hoping to at least have a few good memories to carry with her when she returns to Italy with her son. Marcus is hoping this will get Sabine out of his system once & for all.

Alas, not all goes as planned. Will Marcus get Sabine out of his system? Will he be able to let her go once he's had her? Will Sabine be able to survive letting him go again? Will Sabine be able to tell him exactly what happened ten years ago & why she had to let him go?

Another excellent book by Bronwen Evans. I had read her first book in the series earlier in the day (they are both novellas) & immediately started on this one & couldn't put it down until I was finished. This story was full of suspense & angst & will have you going back & forth for who you root for. Anxious to start the 3rd story To Challenge the Earl of Cravenswood.

Although these can be read as stand alones I would encourage readers to read the entire series! Ms. Evans has quickly become a favorite author!

[KP Pryce · Rating 2 out of 5]

I enjoyed Daring the Duke of Dangerfield, so I was looking forward to reading the next book in the series - but this one was not on a par with it at all.
First, the writing wasn't up to scratch. There were far too many instances when I had to stop, reread then scan ahead just to work out who was talking or whose POV we were in.
And shining - as in her eyes or his eyes or even the sun were shining is NOT spelled SHINNING!!!

Then there were the unrealistic 'you are kidding me' moments - the highly unrealistic actions the h takes.

I liked Marcus, the H. He was well written, and his character had loads of life and substance. But the h? Meh.

It also beggared belief that the h's father, after knowing full well the villain's role in destroying the h's future, would then turn around and invest in the villain's business! Excuse me?

And 10 years later, the h has the brains to devise a plan to get her revenge on the villain, to put that plan into action, and then with all the cards in her hand, not only betrays to the villain her part in his downfall, but then places herself unprotected in a situation where he can confront her; AND goes to pieces when he does, thereby giving all the power back to him!

I like the sound of Henry, so I might read the next instalment, but it won't be soon. I need to get over the disappointment of this one first.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sabine thought her life was going to end up like a fairy tale. She was in love with Marcus Danvers, the Marquis of Wolverstone, and had high hopes she was going to marry him, which would be a huge jump in station for her. But they both loved each other and nothing else mattered. So when Sabine suddenly elopes with a Comte, Marcus is stunned and it quickly turns into anger. Anger that has simmered for ten years and he has done whatever he can to extract the blond beauty from him mind. When the lovely widowed Sabine turns back up in London, he is determined to prove to her and himself that they are through. But when Sabine asks for his help to help avenge her fathers death by winning a card game, he finds himself unable to resist and tosses out his own wager into the mix. If he succeeds in the card game, Sabine will become his mistress. As much as Sabine wants to refuse, she has to agree as nothing is more important to her than guarding the secret she holds closest to her heart. What follows is delightful romance that proves that true love will conquer anything.

Bronwen Evans is quickly become a favorite author of mine. She seems to have a talent for mixing heated romance with topics that are hard to experience. As the secret Sabine is hiding is what she believes to be shameful, I thought I had it figured out as the clues were dropped but it still had a bit of a twist to it that I always appreciate. Sabine has grown into a strong woman that will stop at nothing to protect what is most dear to her and if that means keeping the truth from Marcus, than she will no matter the cost. Marcus thought he had distanced himself enough from his young love but that is all quickly thrown away when he actually starts spending time with her again. He tries to uncover the truth about her elopement and it isn't until he is almost hit on the head with the answer before he can see the truth and it just might be too late to save Sabine. This was another enjoyable longer novella that is filled with passion and heat but also shows how revenge can be sweeter when happiness is achieved instead of a hurtful end. We get to see a bit of the previous couple from To Dare the Duke of Dangerfield and we get just enough of a glimpse of what is too come in book three, one that I am anxious to read! If you are looking for a revenge romance that is based on true love and the true love conquers over the revenge with plenty of steam, this is a great novella for you! 4 stars

Thanks so much to Bronwen Evans for providing me a copy with this ebook!

[Tam · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a more somber tale than it's predecessor. You think it's going to be about a battle of wills but instead it is about regret, facing the past and choices made to protect those you love.

I finished this (it is a long novella) but it was afterwards when things about the book started to annoy me.

WARNING SPOILERS

Things like:
- Sabine plans the downfall of our villain, buying up his markers, finding out about his bets and his finances, what you assume is quite a bit of research and planning and it all falls to pieces in a SINGLE conversation between the two.
- Sabine's father invests with Gower! Given what happened and he knew this why on earth would he give the man money. I don't care how good an opportunity it was there are some things you don't do.
- If Sabine ever trusted Marcus for a second rather than "protecting him" which for me came off as a lame way around facing the issues rather than dealing with them, this whole matter could have been sorted in a short space of time without all the drama.

I'll read the next installment in the series as it's about Henry and I like his character. This book was a different style than the first and I think wasn't as good.

[Sababa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Maria for this awesome recommendation. Reading this, brought back memories of Almost Heaven. They both have similar plots in the sense that Marcus and Sabine loved each other, but due to misunderstanding they were separated for ten years. But I would never have guessed the reason Sabine left. And Marcus, I could feel his pain on every word he said to Sabine.
Characters that I loved -
Marcus' mother, the woman knows everything!
Amy, a brilliant debutante and I want to read her story!
Both of Marcus' friends! They were very loyal friends.
But it ended to quickly! I wish I could read it a bit longer.
I would recommend it strongly to anyone looking for a short, bittersweet romance!

[Toula · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a regency Historical Romance Hero is Marcus who is an Marquees and Heroine is Sabline
Years ago the Marques fell in love with a french Aristocrat. He thinks she betrayed him and he has been a rogue since then hoping out of one bed to
another. He is on his way to a ball when his
friends (the duke and the Earl)
warn him that Sabline is back in town. He
thought of using her . He sees her and is still
captivated by her still. Sabline needs his help.
She wants him to play cards against a
gentleman and win big and destroy him The
Marques will under one condition. He does play
cards and a lot happen. After the card game he
finds out why Subline left him and why she
wants the other gentleman destroy. Subline has a son. And the Marques has questions.

[Yui · Rating 4 out of 5]

2nd to The Wicked Wagers Trilogy. So far nothing in the 2books annoyed or disappointed me. It has mystery, action and romance. Neither too long nor too short. This 2 out of 3 books is the best historical romance I've read so far. Until this, Jude Deveraux has been my favorite historical romance writer but honestly as much as I love historical romance, it isn't the historical places but rather the manner, culture and people that draws me so this genre and I've found all my preferences in Brownwen Evans.

[Mey Buentipo · Rating 4 out of 5]

The 2nd book of this series. I loved it. From the start to finish. Too bad it is a novella, it would be more exciting and thrilling if it is a novel. Nevertheless I felt the author covered everything. The plot of the story is same book of HR I read. I already know what happened to heroine from chapter 2. What I liked about this story are the characters of the h/h. I really felt the emotions that each dialogue the h/h have. I also felt the frustration for the heroine to just the truth!

I enjoyed reading this. I can't wait for the last book. Hoping it will good as the first 2 books.

[Olga Schipani · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just finished reading this book. Loved it. Strong characters, good story lines. Kept me interested from beginning to end. First book I've read this author but it won't be the last. Looking to reading the rest of the wager series and her other books. If you haven't read any of her and love romance I recomend that you this book. Giving this book 5 stars. Again very engaging read.

[Tisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Bronwen ! I love this entire series. The only negative issue of mine is that The action chapter at the end was a bit to long for me. Though I'm grateful for the wedding scene. And the interaction between the ladies. And how Mind Amy wax. I'm just a romantic at heart. These books 📚 are the o oh romance & life I have in my lonely existence.

[Shelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVE THESE BOOKS THEY ARE GREAT. WICKED WAGERS IS MY FAVORITE SERIES THEY ARE THE BEST. AMAZING

[Tamara Gill · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book and I just LOVED Marcus. Oh, he was a lovely hero. I'm now off to buy the other novellas in the Wicked Wagers series.

[Widya Rahardja · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the second book of Wicked Wagers series

Another hero with another past, though this time not as dark as Harlow's, Marcus might be the hero that I have no feelings for. I don't like nor dislike him, I just... don't care about him. True, his past is so sad where his one and only love left him to marry another man and he still carried that love for her for ten years. So when she came back to his life to ask for help, there's no other way but to force her to be his lover, for the time being, to gain his revenge to the woman who left her ten years ago? Really, he could hold grudge very well

But that doesn't mean I think that his action is unreasonable. I just think that asking her to be his lover as his bargain to help her, when he knew what troubled her and for what reason (well, basically the general reason) she asked his help, I don't think it fits for him to ask her of that. It was disturbing that becoming his lover is the only revenge plot he ever had in his mind for Sabine, the heroine that he loved for all his years

Sabine also frustrated me a little. I know her secret could ruin Marcus' life, but maybe she should have talked to him before deciding on anything? Maybe it was my modern mind talking, and that it wouldn't work back then in the era they're living in, but I would prefer them to sit down and talk. Marcus definitely love her enough to carry a torch for her for ten years, and still desire her above everything, so she should have told him the truth rather than letting him hear it when it's so late in the game. The end result is the same anyway, so why bother waiting for ten years to reunite?

Even though I complaind a lot, that doesn't mean I don't enjoy the book. I do enjoy it, and a lot as well. I don't mind the plot in general because it's interesting and short enough for me not to get too frustrated since it's over so soon. If it was longer, I might rant longer and my disatisfaction might run longer as well

Overall ratings: 3 stars

[Margaret Watkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having loved and lost, Marcus Danvers, the Marquis of Wolverstone has vowed never to give his heart to another. However, when the very woman who broke his heart suddenly appears in his life once again, begging a favour, he is intrigued despite a deep antagonism towards her. In an attempt to protect Marcus, Sabine, the Contessa Orsini, regrets the pain she caused him, but when the chance comes to avenge the past, Marcus is the perfect person to aid her. Although Marcus does succeed in his quest, things do not go according to plan, and it takes a gentle, softhearted girl to see through the subterfuge to bring two lovers back together. Marcus appears to be a stoney hearted man, but discovering the truth leads him to do everything in his power to protect Sabine. With the help of his stalwart friends, Marcus sets out to win his fair lady's hand once again. As part of a series, characters from the other books appear in this one too but it does come a very successful close.

[Shan ~A~ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am a historical romance lover and this book wasn't bad, but I honestly didn't connect well with the characters in this book. Especially Marcus.

I know that it was a different time, but he should have known that she was an innocent, and been a bit suspicious of her turn about.

I kept expecting him to still have the letters, and since he was curious what she was about, finally read them to see what her father could have been writing him about.

[Yana · Rating 1 out of 5]

1,5 stars

I almost DNFed this but I was almost at the end... so what I didn't like:
- too melodramatic;
- repetitive;
- the heroine gets stupider and stupider;
- the heroine is annoyingly self-sacrificing - M'am, Marcus is a grown ass man, maybe talk to him so he can make HIS own choices;
- it is almost immeiately apparaent what the big secret is so it gets annyoing when it is teason so much;
- prose was not the best.

[Danielle Carpenter · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story starts out rather slow, but it is daring in its approach to reduce someone to ashes. The Countess is quite the daring woman for her century. The Marquis loves a wicked wager and this is one he can get into. Unfortunately, while getting revenge, the heart still beats for each other. This is a wager everyone or no one will win, except the reader.

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book about Sabine and Marcus. These two were in love years ago and she left unexpectedly and Marcus didn't know why. He finds out ten years later. Nothing was as it seemed and Sabine was a strong woman to put up with everything that had happened to her.

[Pavithra · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found her way too keen to hide the truth from him for his protection, which annoyed me. Where's the faith in your partner? It is a pretty tired story device, but I like that she'e pretty daring/stupid at times.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

TW: Sexual assault

This book was super angsty and I loved it. The biggest problem was the revenge plot. It made absolutely no sense and was terribly carried out, but everything else was so dramatic that I could overlook it for the most part.

[Ruchika Mahajan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short and enjoyable

[Patricia Perez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome

Book two was so good. The sacrifices made for love 💘💘. Can't wait for more.A definite must read.Get your copy today 😀

[Lauren · Rating 2 out of 5]

Okay

[Lyn Sweetapple · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting concept of both using each other for what turns out to be the same end.

[Rachel · Rating 1 out of 5]

My notes from reading this in 2015 say just “offensively bad”