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Colorado Billionaires #1
The Wedding Wager
Kevin Wake hates being rich. He despises everything his father stands for, but he can’t abandon his kid sister and baby brother. Their future is tied to his own. When his father threatens to rob them all of their mother’s legacy, Kevin takes bold action to protect what should be theirs.
Megan Mully is out of the hospital at last. But she’s homeless, jobless, broke and alone. Love is the last thing on her mind. Kevin is just a means to an end. She never expected him to steal her heart!
Megan Mully is out of the hospital at last. But she’s homeless, jobless, broke and alone. Love is the last thing on her mind. Kevin is just a means to an end. She never expected him to steal her heart!
198 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 30, 2012
575 people are currently reading
1555 people want to read
About the author
Regina Duke
84 books263 followersUSA Today Bestselling author Regina Duke lives in Northern Nevada with her canine companions, and she's hard at work creating a new novel for you to enjoy!
Regina says, "I've walked the beaches of Spain, shared a Mexican shower with a four-inch-long cockroach, and heated my 10th floor British walkup hotel room by running hot water in the bath! Back home in Nevada, I write mostly sweet contemporary romance, with some cozy mystery and soft science fiction. I sometimes write dog books and share credit with my alter ego, Linda White."
You can also view Regina's websites at www.reginaduke.com and www.lindalouwrites.com.
Happy reading!
Regina says, "I've walked the beaches of Spain, shared a Mexican shower with a four-inch-long cockroach, and heated my 10th floor British walkup hotel room by running hot water in the bath! Back home in Nevada, I write mostly sweet contemporary romance, with some cozy mystery and soft science fiction. I sometimes write dog books and share credit with my alter ego, Linda White."
You can also view Regina's websites at www.reginaduke.com and www.lindalouwrites.com.
Happy reading!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 196 reviews
August 5, 2014
This was a standard premise of marriage due to need... an inheritance. We get the couple who each have a burden... they are marrying to get out from their situations and over the course of the book, fall in love.
What was the most surprising of this story was the care and understanding the author had for the secondary plot line; the main character's siblings. He was doing all of this to protect them. Both children had been acting out... the teenage sister was living in the form of a vampire- yup, fully costume, yellow contacts and dressed in black. She was role playing to such an extreme, her mother and dad thought she may be having mental issues. The younger brother was focused solely on computers and his tablet. Would not go out and play like a regular 8 year old... always had an electronic game in his hand. What he really wanted, he wasn't allowed to have... the controlling father forbade it.
What became more interesting to me was the impact the love interest Megan had on Kevin's siblings. She came from a strict upbringing. She was not use to wealth. She study social work in College and understood exactly how to breakthrough these walls the kids had erected. It was a thing of beauty.
So, for me, the transformation of the teenager and young boy was the draw of this tale.... which just goes to show... you never know what will impact you from a book.
What was the most surprising of this story was the care and understanding the author had for the secondary plot line; the main character's siblings. He was doing all of this to protect them. Both children had been acting out... the teenage sister was living in the form of a vampire- yup, fully costume, yellow contacts and dressed in black. She was role playing to such an extreme, her mother and dad thought she may be having mental issues. The younger brother was focused solely on computers and his tablet. Would not go out and play like a regular 8 year old... always had an electronic game in his hand. What he really wanted, he wasn't allowed to have... the controlling father forbade it.
What became more interesting to me was the impact the love interest Megan had on Kevin's siblings. She came from a strict upbringing. She was not use to wealth. She study social work in College and understood exactly how to breakthrough these walls the kids had erected. It was a thing of beauty.
So, for me, the transformation of the teenager and young boy was the draw of this tale.... which just goes to show... you never know what will impact you from a book.
July 6, 2014
I liked the idea, and part of the execution. And some things about the characters really bothered me. For instance, Kevin grew up around money and even though he went to forge his own path away from his domineering father, everything seems brand new to him. But only some of the time. One minute, he was assuming his "old role" and seemed to be comfortable with his money, and then other times he seemed totally affected by his wealth, which doesn't fit in with someone who's been raised rich his whole life. However, his inability to understand how crippling debt could be for Megan, was believable.
As for Megan, there were moments when she just seemed so naive, and somewhat immature, for someone who also forged her own path away from her parents. There is no way she has seen so much poverty, worked 2 jobs, and struggled financially, but still has this all encompassing need for her mother. Or doesn't know how to express herself like a real adult when faced with conflict.
I won't go so far as to say the writing was bad. I'm sure this author's other works are fine. I'm just really particular about characters behaving in believable ways.
As for Megan, there were moments when she just seemed so naive, and somewhat immature, for someone who also forged her own path away from her parents. There is no way she has seen so much poverty, worked 2 jobs, and struggled financially, but still has this all encompassing need for her mother. Or doesn't know how to express herself like a real adult when faced with conflict.
I won't go so far as to say the writing was bad. I'm sure this author's other works are fine. I'm just really particular about characters behaving in believable ways.
August 4, 2015
I need to stop reading those free kindle ebooks. They frustrate me, because the beginning is so good and the plot has so much potential, but it's always really badly written!! and boring!! and so damn unrealistic it makes me want to rip my hair out.
damn.
damn.
July 20, 2016
A variant on the classic billionaire needs a bride in less than a month story.
For reasons which remain murky Kevin's mother is estranged from his father but can't divorce him because of a vicious prenup. Her family has an historic inheritance clause which requires the male heir to be married by the age of 25. Kevin's mother is apparently in poor health and is afraid that if Kevin isn't married in time she will die and Kevin's father will deliberately squander the lot and destroy the ancestral farm to boot. Apparently Kevin's father has already run through the unentailed wealth.
Kevin allegedly hates his family's wealth and has been trying to live from his own toil until the family drama forces him to take a wife.
Megan is a regular Pollyanna. Her parents are Christian missionaries in Guatemala. Her father is a throwback to the nineteenth century and is all fire and brimstone and refuses to pay for his daughter's college. Instead her mother has scrimped and saved since Megan was young to get together $5,000 to help her. Megan was in a car crash when she arrived in Denver (I think, the city is irrelevant anyway) and has spent months in hospital. She is thousands of dollars in debt and has no job and no possessions other than what is in her handbag - in a cruel plot twist all her worldly possessions were in the car and damaged beyond repair in the crash.
Megan answers a rather vague and suspicious (to me) advert in the help wanted ads from Kevin and, inevitably ends up agreeing to marry Kevin (platonically) to help him secure his inheritance and save his younger brother and sister's future - again this seemed a bit far fetched, especially since the father keeps threatening to send the sister to Swiss finishing school. The mother doesn't appear to be all that ill later in the book and I question whether instead of sending Kevin money each month which he never used she couldn't have sent him money every month and told him to put it aside for his brother and sister's education (just a thought).
Anyway, they join Kevin's family at the homestead and Mary Poppins Megan soon charms the sister and brother because clearly a 20 something virgin has more idea of how to parent children than a woman who has brought up three children. Having said that, Megan's attitude seemed normal and Kevin's mother appeared odd - she was a strange piece of characterisation both victim and Wicked Queen.
Anyway, that was a bit vitriolic for what was an inoffensive pleasant story with no surprises. It's well written and fast-moving, just read with your critical function on pause.
For reasons which remain murky Kevin's mother is estranged from his father but can't divorce him because of a vicious prenup. Her family has an historic inheritance clause which requires the male heir to be married by the age of 25. Kevin's mother is apparently in poor health and is afraid that if Kevin isn't married in time she will die and Kevin's father will deliberately squander the lot and destroy the ancestral farm to boot. Apparently Kevin's father has already run through the unentailed wealth.
Kevin allegedly hates his family's wealth and has been trying to live from his own toil until the family drama forces him to take a wife.
Megan is a regular Pollyanna. Her parents are Christian missionaries in Guatemala. Her father is a throwback to the nineteenth century and is all fire and brimstone and refuses to pay for his daughter's college. Instead her mother has scrimped and saved since Megan was young to get together $5,000 to help her. Megan was in a car crash when she arrived in Denver (I think, the city is irrelevant anyway) and has spent months in hospital. She is thousands of dollars in debt and has no job and no possessions other than what is in her handbag - in a cruel plot twist all her worldly possessions were in the car and damaged beyond repair in the crash.
Megan answers a rather vague and suspicious (to me) advert in the help wanted ads from Kevin and, inevitably ends up agreeing to marry Kevin (platonically) to help him secure his inheritance and save his younger brother and sister's future - again this seemed a bit far fetched, especially since the father keeps threatening to send the sister to Swiss finishing school. The mother doesn't appear to be all that ill later in the book and I question whether instead of sending Kevin money each month which he never used she couldn't have sent him money every month and told him to put it aside for his brother and sister's education (just a thought).
Anyway, they join Kevin's family at the homestead and Mary Poppins Megan soon charms the sister and brother because clearly a 20 something virgin has more idea of how to parent children than a woman who has brought up three children. Having said that, Megan's attitude seemed normal and Kevin's mother appeared odd - she was a strange piece of characterisation both victim and Wicked Queen.
Anyway, that was a bit vitriolic for what was an inoffensive pleasant story with no surprises. It's well written and fast-moving, just read with your critical function on pause.
September 21, 2017
Interesting premise to the story. The main guy character is given an ultimatum to find a bride before he's 30 (and he doesn't have much time) and the girl is recovering from a long hospital stay with no where to go and no one to help her. They find each other and put on their show to prove to everyone that they really do love each other and will get married and somehow it works!
September 10, 2018
I like this, easy to read love story.
January 23, 2016
What would you do to get out from under a crushing and massive debt? That's the dilemma facing Megan Mully who is finally released from the hospital after a horrific car accident. She's homeless and jobless and desperate--never a good combination. When she answers an ad for a companion, she meets millionaire Kevin Wake. He has a problem with a deadline and Megan is the perfect answer. Kevin agrees to help Megan with her debt and she agrees to Kevin's request to become his "temporary" wife.
This is a sweet marriage of convenience story. Megan is a saucy character with a mind of her own and how she handles Kevin's quirky family is quite unique. I loved Kevin's sister and how Megan interacted with her. The author definitely gave some thought to developing the secondary characters. They help flesh out an already enjoyable story. If you're looking for an romance with a few twists along the way, you'll definitely enjoy this one. It's a quick read, but will definitely put a smile on your face. It's a delightful way to spend a lazy afternoon.
This is a sweet marriage of convenience story. Megan is a saucy character with a mind of her own and how she handles Kevin's quirky family is quite unique. I loved Kevin's sister and how Megan interacted with her. The author definitely gave some thought to developing the secondary characters. They help flesh out an already enjoyable story. If you're looking for an romance with a few twists along the way, you'll definitely enjoy this one. It's a quick read, but will definitely put a smile on your face. It's a delightful way to spend a lazy afternoon.
July 31, 2014
A fun read, a little bit predictable but it was fun none the less. I liked the siblings and how Megan charms them. I liked that in spite of being raised in life a privilege Kevin still knows the value of people and possessions and the difference between the two. I like that he isn't one of those men that can't say how he feels. I think Kevin's ease with his feelings is the biggest surprise of the whole story. I liked a lot about the characters and that is what pushes this from ordinary to 4 stars for me.
May 13, 2014
Another freebie barely worth the money. Does anyone write romance with believable plots any longer?
Megan and Kevin enter into an arrangement because he needs a wife and she has massive hospital bills to be paid.
The nugget in this one is the little sister and brother. The sister is hilarious with her fascination with vampires.
As for the plot (contrived), the attraction (never see it), the story ... it's okay but not really a story I'd recommend.
Megan and Kevin enter into an arrangement because he needs a wife and she has massive hospital bills to be paid.
The nugget in this one is the little sister and brother. The sister is hilarious with her fascination with vampires.
As for the plot (contrived), the attraction (never see it), the story ... it's okay but not really a story I'd recommend.
September 22, 2012
Loved this book. Light reading and fun!
September 24, 2012
Funny, the little sister kills me
November 24, 2012
Fun, easy read along the likes of Pretty Woman: fantasy millionaire meets poor girl, working relationship becomes something more. Just a fun little romance.
December 4, 2012
A sweet book. Easy to read and upbeat. I enjoyed reading this book.
September 20, 2017
Delightful kindness over meaness
Megan Mully has had some tough times and overcome some serious challenges. She's having to start over, with basically only her drivers license and $40 to her name. So when she answers an ad to be a personal secretary, she's desperate for the job. The "job" sounds as sketchy when explained as when she read the ad. But Kevin Fineman Wake is young, handsome, earnest and also desperate. He needs to be married in a week to protect his mother's family inheritance from his greedy, grasping and mean father. He needs Megan to marry him, now. She needs to eliminate her crushing debt. Can they negotiate a solution? Can they help his family, including his eccentric mom, sister & brother, overcome their own fears and suspicions and stop his father's power grab? Can they learn to work together and find strength and love to overcome the evil that faces them? Fortunately Megan breathes fresh life into the Fineman Ranch. Her honesty, integrity and empathy ignites Kevin to do what's right. Wonderful story of goodness overcoming greed and love conquering all.
Megan Mully has had some tough times and overcome some serious challenges. She's having to start over, with basically only her drivers license and $40 to her name. So when she answers an ad to be a personal secretary, she's desperate for the job. The "job" sounds as sketchy when explained as when she read the ad. But Kevin Fineman Wake is young, handsome, earnest and also desperate. He needs to be married in a week to protect his mother's family inheritance from his greedy, grasping and mean father. He needs Megan to marry him, now. She needs to eliminate her crushing debt. Can they negotiate a solution? Can they help his family, including his eccentric mom, sister & brother, overcome their own fears and suspicions and stop his father's power grab? Can they learn to work together and find strength and love to overcome the evil that faces them? Fortunately Megan breathes fresh life into the Fineman Ranch. Her honesty, integrity and empathy ignites Kevin to do what's right. Wonderful story of goodness overcoming greed and love conquering all.
March 3, 2018
Fun Mildly Suspenseful Clean Romance
This is a sweet basically clean romance with a fast-paced easy flow to it. And although the plot has been done many times, the way the story was written just drew me right in. These two were like babes in the woods in anticipating their adversary’s moves. I really enjoyed the way Ms. Duke wrote this as a mildly suspenseful rescue-each-other romance, as well as the clever dialogue that provided not a few smirks and giggles.
Other things I liked: Clever dialogue, a few interesting twists, the main characters drew on inner strength to resolve conflict, Megan was a think-outside-the-box kinda gal, Tyson’s family support, the easy flow of the story, and that most of the characters grew emotionally by the end.
What I didn’t care for: wishing the primary “bad guy” got more of a comeuppance.
This is a sweet basically clean romance with a fast-paced easy flow to it. And although the plot has been done many times, the way the story was written just drew me right in. These two were like babes in the woods in anticipating their adversary’s moves. I really enjoyed the way Ms. Duke wrote this as a mildly suspenseful rescue-each-other romance, as well as the clever dialogue that provided not a few smirks and giggles.
Other things I liked: Clever dialogue, a few interesting twists, the main characters drew on inner strength to resolve conflict, Megan was a think-outside-the-box kinda gal, Tyson’s family support, the easy flow of the story, and that most of the characters grew emotionally by the end.
What I didn’t care for: wishing the primary “bad guy” got more of a comeuppance.
September 11, 2022
I know this has taken me forever to read and finish if you look at my time line for this book. However, this book was sweet, short, and quick read. If you have a few hours of downtime or waiting for a plane to catch I would read this book.
So these two people meet by one needing some one to help with medical bills and the other needs to find a wife in order to keep their family's money and farm. Megan and Kevin dad' are pretty crappy, though Megan's dad is alot better than the Kevin's dad especially at the end. The beginning both really were unsure how the relationship will go and at the end they fell in love. I really love Kevin's brother and sister, because it shows the struggle of a 14 year old and 8 year old from what a family thinks of them. Then shows what a person from outside thinks of what the kids really needed.
So these two people meet by one needing some one to help with medical bills and the other needs to find a wife in order to keep their family's money and farm. Megan and Kevin dad' are pretty crappy, though Megan's dad is alot better than the Kevin's dad especially at the end. The beginning both really were unsure how the relationship will go and at the end they fell in love. I really love Kevin's brother and sister, because it shows the struggle of a 14 year old and 8 year old from what a family thinks of them. Then shows what a person from outside thinks of what the kids really needed.
October 6, 2021
ABSOLUTELY ADORED THIS BOOK
Kevin looking for a bride to inherit his family fortune puts out an ad and hopes for the best. Megan just replied from the hospital need to find a job and finds the ad. When thes two meet they get into the whole situation and come to agreement. After they get back to his family ranch Megan meets his sister Karla and brother Keegan and as she gets to know the rest of family she falls in love with them all even Kevin, but with his over bearing father will they be able to fulfill the terms or will they fail? An amazing read with so many emotions, a whole of twist and an unexpected love they both never saw coming. Can't wait to read more from this author.
Kevin looking for a bride to inherit his family fortune puts out an ad and hopes for the best. Megan just replied from the hospital need to find a job and finds the ad. When thes two meet they get into the whole situation and come to agreement. After they get back to his family ranch Megan meets his sister Karla and brother Keegan and as she gets to know the rest of family she falls in love with them all even Kevin, but with his over bearing father will they be able to fulfill the terms or will they fail? An amazing read with so many emotions, a whole of twist and an unexpected love they both never saw coming. Can't wait to read more from this author.
September 5, 2023
Maybe 3.5 stars
When I started this, I wasn't sure I was in the mood for a chick-lit book. For the most part, I enjoyed it. I got a little frustrated at the "boy loses girl" part of the story, but it wasn't TOO bad. There were a lot of holes in the story. Things that just didn't quite make sense and were never fully explained. However, you kinda know what you are getting when you read this kind of a story, so I wasn't overly stressed by it.
I loved the fact that it was clean, and I liked it well enough to get the next couple of books in the series. (On Kindle, there was a book set of 3.) They aren't narrated, so I have no idea when I will read them, though...
When I started this, I wasn't sure I was in the mood for a chick-lit book. For the most part, I enjoyed it. I got a little frustrated at the "boy loses girl" part of the story, but it wasn't TOO bad. There were a lot of holes in the story. Things that just didn't quite make sense and were never fully explained. However, you kinda know what you are getting when you read this kind of a story, so I wasn't overly stressed by it.
I loved the fact that it was clean, and I liked it well enough to get the next couple of books in the series. (On Kindle, there was a book set of 3.) They aren't narrated, so I have no idea when I will read them, though...
January 8, 2024
A closed door Marriage-of-Convenience romance which I've got for free from Amazon many years ago.
The book was fine - kind of average from a romance perspective. Nothing particularly special here which was a shame. We didn't spend a lot of time with the couple after the first half and they proceed to "I love yous" too quickly for my taste. This is not bad - but nothing to write home about either.
The romance takes a backseat to the family drama with the hero's siblings. The kids were cute so I'm adding another 1/2 star to the book. The rest was ok, kind of average. I won't be reading the rest of the series.
The book was fine - kind of average from a romance perspective. Nothing particularly special here which was a shame. We didn't spend a lot of time with the couple after the first half and they proceed to "I love yous" too quickly for my taste. This is not bad - but nothing to write home about either.
The romance takes a backseat to the family drama with the hero's siblings. The kids were cute so I'm adding another 1/2 star to the book. The rest was ok, kind of average. I won't be reading the rest of the series.
June 9, 2017
What absolute crap! Grammatical errors everywhere, a completely ridiculous plot! What a waste of time! I am so glad that I didn't pay any money for this! I stopped reading after the first few chapters and wish I hadn't even read that far.
Do not be fooled by the blurb. The premise had such potential but this book is terrible.
The two main characters are completely clueless. There is no way that a girl who had to forge her own way in life is that stupid. And who talks to themselves out loud like that?
And the so called "rich" bachelor was a complete moron.
Do not be fooled by the blurb. The premise had such potential but this book is terrible.
The two main characters are completely clueless. There is no way that a girl who had to forge her own way in life is that stupid. And who talks to themselves out loud like that?
And the so called "rich" bachelor was a complete moron.
August 7, 2024
Megan Mully was forced to start over. She had just been released from her six-month stay at the University of Washington Medical Center where she was recovering from a terrible car accident. Frail, unemployed and homeless, Megan desperately searches the Want Ads for a job. As this story progresses, Megan Mully is forced to make a questionable arrangement that leads her to Colorado and another struggling family trying to cope. This enjoyable book was filled with very interesting characters and a fast-paced drama with a few surprises along the way. Good Read!!!!
May 20, 2019
KEVIN needs a bride, quickly, so that he can claim his inheritance. MEGAN needs money to pay off her extensive medical bills. Their relationship begins as simply a business arrangement, but rapidly becomes more ... especially when Kevin sees how Megan interacts with his eccentric teenage sister and his withdrawn little brother.
I appreciate a good, clean, contemporary romance. I will definitely be adding more of Ms Duke's books to my To-Read list.
I appreciate a good, clean, contemporary romance. I will definitely be adding more of Ms Duke's books to my To-Read list.
August 8, 2019
Not for me
I found the dialogue to be quite bland and forced. The storyline seemed extremely rushed and I found myself skimming just to get it over with. I didn't like the characters or how they reacted to the situations they found themselves in. I honestly couldn't really get into the story at all. Honestly, I doubt I would read anything else by this author. The writing style just doesn't do it for me.
I found the dialogue to be quite bland and forced. The storyline seemed extremely rushed and I found myself skimming just to get it over with. I didn't like the characters or how they reacted to the situations they found themselves in. I honestly couldn't really get into the story at all. Honestly, I doubt I would read anything else by this author. The writing style just doesn't do it for me.
November 22, 2017
Really good. Strongly recommend it.
Reality check. It's about life and what happens when you're not looking. Very real. Changed my mind a few times, didn't except what happened a few times. Nice to b
Reality check. It's about life and what happens when you're not looking. Very real. Changed my mind a few times, didn't except what happened a few times. Nice to b
October 4, 2018
Whilst this is perhaps not the most realistic of books, it was a good short read. It was easy to dip in and out of, without losing hold of the plot. The chapters are short which makes it easy to read, and I found myself wanting to keep reading "just one more chapter".
November 13, 2019
⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2. Enjoyable light romance. The characters were likable and I love the heroine’s interaction with the hero’s family. The story was predictable but relatively low angst. Overall it was an easy, entertaining read.
March 7, 2020
A fun read, a little bit predictable but it was fun none the less. Marriage due to need... an inheritance. We get the couple who each have a burden... they are marrying to get out from their situations and over the course of the book, fall in love.
June 30, 2023
Read it in one day...couldn't put it down...
This is one of the best books I've read in a long time. Good, clean drama and fun. Believable characters...twists in the plot. Thanks so much.
This is one of the best books I've read in a long time. Good, clean drama and fun. Believable characters...twists in the plot. Thanks so much.
August 16, 2017
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This was an excellent read. The character development was extraordinary and the intrique was definitely compelling.
Recommend this contemporary romance to anyone!
.
This was an excellent read. The character development was extraordinary and the intrique was definitely compelling.
Recommend this contemporary romance to anyone!
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July 2, 2017
Kevin needs to be married before his 25th birthday to get access to his trust funds and ensure his siblings safety. He needs a ready made bride and advertises for an assistant. Meghan has huge medical bills after a car crash, sees the ad and applies.
They didn't count on falling in love.
I love Kevins sisters vampire act. Great addition to the book. I enjoyed this book, it's sweet and makes you go awh.
They didn't count on falling in love.
I love Kevins sisters vampire act. Great addition to the book. I enjoyed this book, it's sweet and makes you go awh.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 196 reviews