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UNLUCKY AT CARDS . . .
Cool-headed and ravishingly beautiful, Brandy O'Neill knew how to hold her own with the riverboat gamblers on The Pride of New Orleans. But she met her match in Rafe Morgan when she bet everything she had on three queens and discovered that the wealthy plantation owner had a far-from-gentlemanly notion of how she should make good on her wagers.

LUCKY IN LOVE!
Disillusioned with romance, Rafe wanted a child of his own to care for, without the complications of a woman to break his heart. Now a full house had given him just the opportunity he was looking for --- he would force the lovely cardsharp to marry him and give him a child before he'd set her free. But a firecracker-hot wedding night and a glimpse into Brandy's tender heart soon made Rafe realize he'd been luckier than he ever imagined when he won . . . The Lady's Hand!!

400 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1996

50 people are currently reading
198 people want to read

About the author

Bobbi Smith

71 books514 followers
After working as a department manager for Famous-Barr, and briefly as a clerk at a bookstore, Bobbi Smith gave up on career security and began writing. She sold her first book to Zebra in 1982. Since then, Bobbi has written over 40 books and several short stories. To date, there are more than five million of her novels in print. She has been awarded the prestigious Romantic Times Storyteller of the Year Award and two Career Achievement Awards. Her books have appeared on numerous bestseller lists. When she's not working on her novels, she is frequently a guest speaker for writer's groups. Bobbi is mother of two sons and resides in St. Charles, Missouri with her husband and three dogs.

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5 stars
140 (49%)
4 stars
72 (25%)
3 stars
48 (16%)
2 stars
21 (7%)
1 star
4 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
223 reviews5 followers
August 29, 2016
Good story.

It was a good story, if a little predictable. It was also well written and I liked the characters. The actions and language of the characters fit the time, so it was good by historical standards. So I highly recommend this book as an enjoyable read. SQ
Profile Image for Valerie.
Author 1 book2 followers
August 24, 2022
I had this several years ago in AZ but it got left behind and when I got this second copy I made sure I could get to read it. I am not disappointed it was a very good read. The tension of the characters reasons for their marriage kept the story moving, right up to the pot when they both realized that they truly loved each other and discarded the original arrangement.
Profile Image for Terryan.
742 reviews
April 2, 2019
I liked this story, it kept me interested. It's about hate, then trust and opening up your heart to the joys of love.
Profile Image for Brett Bickham.
Author 1 book2 followers
January 3, 2026
Another great book by Bobbi Smith! I am guilty of judging other people that I don't even know. This story makes me realize how wrong that is. We don't know what we don't know. I am also guilty of class racism. The class system has been around since the beginning of time. Why should one class think they are superior to another class?

It was so refreshing to read a book with the main characters were from two different classes and yet had the highest respect for each other. Their only setback was a big one, pride. Proud people keep secrets to protect themselves from hurt and pain. They figure as long as the painful past is kept in the past, they can create the life they want for themselves.

We should all just be ourselves. Along with that, we should not assume others are guilty of past betrayals done to us.

As most romance novels, similar to sex with a new partner, we know it's going to have a happy ending, we just don't know how it's going to get there!
12 reviews8 followers
August 16, 2016
Oh, dear

I find it difficult to take seriously any novel purporting to be historical which has a blatant disregard for historical accuracy. The characters seem to be contemporary in their manners and dress without any mention of a time travel device. The heroine's gowns are form-fitting? In the Antebellum South? The informality of social interactions is just as silly. This novel is just not worth it.
Profile Image for Jeene Hobbs.
558 reviews1 follower
August 26, 2016
Pre-Civil War steamboat gambler romance

"We were playing cards, and he won not only the poker game, but my heart as well."

This novel originally published in 1996 was a great read. It is set in an era and local that I don't read very much. Brandy is spunky and self sufficient. Rage is damaged goods but handsome and considered desire able. Neither want to marry so marrying each other seems like a good idea.
Profile Image for Laura J..
424 reviews9 followers
August 17, 2016
very simple writing style

A fast, easy read where everyone believes in happily ever afters but has some flaws. The H acts like a cad and takes after his despicable mother for the first half of the book. The h and her mother through kindness and warmth win his affections; why he wins the h's affection is a bit harder to understand.
Profile Image for Cindy Woods.
1,058 reviews20 followers
June 21, 2015
Exceptional

Very well written and presented. Although, I didnt like Rafe very well, and felt his action swarms and deceitful, it ended well. I rarely give five stars but felt this author wrote a fine romance novel that I'd highly recommend to other readers.
31 reviews
June 24, 2016
So Good

I was picturing Rhett Butler in my mind as I read about Rafe and Brandy. It was such a good story.
Profile Image for Diana Woodward.
349 reviews
August 20, 2016
Lady luck

Great story and hard to put down. Beautiful love story of Love found, Love lost and then Love found. Friends made and lost with new friends that is more like a family.
124 reviews3 followers
September 11, 2016
Nice reading

A good love story, entertaining, cute and flamboyant. I enjoyed reading it. I recommend it to romantic readers both women or man
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews

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