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Accomplished Ladies #1
The Wager: A Pride and Prejudice Variation
Librarian Note: Alternate/new cover edition for ASIN# B00QL46VDY.
When Mary visits Charlotte at Hunsford, she meets Major Carleton Quartermaine, a brash relation to Lady Catherine de Bourgh. "Carley" sees a side of Mary she's always kept hidden, and he utterly disarms her when they sing a duet together.
The attention is unexpected and thrilling, but can prim Mary give her heart to a man she cannot trust?
When Mary visits Charlotte at Hunsford, she meets Major Carleton Quartermaine, a brash relation to Lady Catherine de Bourgh. "Carley" sees a side of Mary she's always kept hidden, and he utterly disarms her when they sing a duet together.
The attention is unexpected and thrilling, but can prim Mary give her heart to a man she cannot trust?
197 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 19, 2015
17 people are currently reading
54 people want to read
About the author
L.K. Rigel
36 books179 followersLK Rigel is the author of the Apocalypto series:
Space Junque, Spiderwork, and Firebird; and the Wyrd and Fae series: Give Me, Bride of Fae, Fever Mist, and A Glimmering Girl.
Her My Mr. Rochester (Jane Eyre Retold) a retelling of the Gothic novel set in a future utopia.
Her short story Slurp is included in Deadly Treats, an anthology edited by Anne Frasier from Nodin Press. Rigel's writing has also appeared in Literary Mama and Tattoo Highway.
She lives in California.
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Space Junque, Spiderwork, and Firebird; and the Wyrd and Fae series: Give Me, Bride of Fae, Fever Mist, and A Glimmering Girl.
Her My Mr. Rochester (Jane Eyre Retold) a retelling of the Gothic novel set in a future utopia.
Her short story Slurp is included in Deadly Treats, an anthology edited by Anne Frasier from Nodin Press. Rigel's writing has also appeared in Literary Mama and Tattoo Highway.
She lives in California.
sign up for notice of new releases
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
March 15, 2017
“The best proof of love is trust.” Joyce Brothers
This was a clean read, moved quickly and was off canon. Our POV was from Mary. We are in her head as she appraised, evaluated, and had an opinion on everything that was happening at Longbourn with her parents and her sisters. She watched and listened and then considered what motivated their actions. She saw the inner person and had feelings and emotions of her own. She judged a bit harshly only to later realize perhaps Jane and Lizzy were correct in their opinions in the first place.
“In finding love, I think it’s important to be patient. In being in a relationship, I think it’s important to be honest, to communicate, to respect and trust, and to strive to give more than you take.” Kina Grannis
It was she that went to Hunsford to visit Charlotte, and it was at Rosings Park that she met Major Carleton Quartermaine. I don’t think she was the same after that meeting. I remembered him from another book by Bedlow, Darcy and Elizabeth: Fair Trade. Major Carleton Quartermaine was the son of Sir Lewis de Bourgh’s sister. That made him another nephew [by marriage] to Lady Catherine and cousin [through marriage] to Darcy and Georgiana, Richard and Anne. Let’s just say that after Darcy and our dear Colonel Fitzwilliam… Major Quartermaine is next in line for hotness. I love this guy. Talk about the air leaving the room when these three guys walk in. OMG!!
I do have to say that the disjointed feeling never left the story. I was constantly questioning… what??? There were scenes where I wasn’t clear how we got there, what the characters were doing and what was going on. I was a little put off as Mary overheard the conversation that was so upsetting to her. We were in the dark with her as well. This was a serious trust issue between Mary and the Major. What was the actual wager all about? We were completely left out of that scene. Later, there was an attempt at an explanation, but I was still confused.
The darkness or shadow, the maudlin thoughts of our Mary at the first of the story, soon blew away and the rest of the book was lighter in tone as we followed events that lead to Mary’s HEA. I loved the scenes between Mary and the Major, his choice of words and how he attempted to romance her. When he sang with her… swoon worthy. OMG! I loved the part where he sang to… oh, sorry, that would be a spoiler.
This book is a stand-a-lone so there was no cliff hanger. It is followed by Not Romantic which is the story of Charlotte.
This book was a free offer on Amazon and is an honest review.
This was a clean read, moved quickly and was off canon. Our POV was from Mary. We are in her head as she appraised, evaluated, and had an opinion on everything that was happening at Longbourn with her parents and her sisters. She watched and listened and then considered what motivated their actions. She saw the inner person and had feelings and emotions of her own. She judged a bit harshly only to later realize perhaps Jane and Lizzy were correct in their opinions in the first place.
“In finding love, I think it’s important to be patient. In being in a relationship, I think it’s important to be honest, to communicate, to respect and trust, and to strive to give more than you take.” Kina Grannis
It was she that went to Hunsford to visit Charlotte, and it was at Rosings Park that she met Major Carleton Quartermaine. I don’t think she was the same after that meeting. I remembered him from another book by Bedlow, Darcy and Elizabeth: Fair Trade. Major Carleton Quartermaine was the son of Sir Lewis de Bourgh’s sister. That made him another nephew [by marriage] to Lady Catherine and cousin [through marriage] to Darcy and Georgiana, Richard and Anne. Let’s just say that after Darcy and our dear Colonel Fitzwilliam… Major Quartermaine is next in line for hotness. I love this guy. Talk about the air leaving the room when these three guys walk in. OMG!!
I do have to say that the disjointed feeling never left the story. I was constantly questioning… what??? There were scenes where I wasn’t clear how we got there, what the characters were doing and what was going on. I was a little put off as Mary overheard the conversation that was so upsetting to her. We were in the dark with her as well. This was a serious trust issue between Mary and the Major. What was the actual wager all about? We were completely left out of that scene. Later, there was an attempt at an explanation, but I was still confused.
The darkness or shadow, the maudlin thoughts of our Mary at the first of the story, soon blew away and the rest of the book was lighter in tone as we followed events that lead to Mary’s HEA. I loved the scenes between Mary and the Major, his choice of words and how he attempted to romance her. When he sang with her… swoon worthy. OMG! I loved the part where he sang to… oh, sorry, that would be a spoiler.
This book is a stand-a-lone so there was no cliff hanger. It is followed by Not Romantic which is the story of Charlotte.
This book was a free offer on Amazon and is an honest review.
February 18, 2022
Entertaining
A little slow at first, it gains moment and grasps the interest and attention. I liked and enjoyed this version of Mary. And I loved Lieutenant Colonel Quartermaine! A recommended read.
A little slow at first, it gains moment and grasps the interest and attention. I liked and enjoyed this version of Mary. And I loved Lieutenant Colonel Quartermaine! A recommended read.
July 26, 2023
A re-read of a Pride and Prejudice variation where we read about the circmstances that lead to Mary beinge invited to visit Hunsford where she meets Major Quartermaine, a relation of Lady Catherine's late husband. Events make her think less of the Major, but can there be a happy ending for this shy and prim Bennet daughter.
Thoroughly enjoyed this story, just wished Mary story's could have been a longer. I liked this Mary and the new character.
Another enjoyable re-read.
Thoroughly enjoyed this story, just wished Mary story's could have been a longer. I liked this Mary and the new character.
Another enjoyable re-read.
January 4, 2021
A re-read of a Pride and Prejudice variation where we read about the events that lead to the circumstances of Mary being invited to visit Hunsford where she meets Major Quartermaine, a relation of Lady Catherine's late husband. Events make her think less of the Major, but can there be a happy ending for this shy and prim Bennet daughter.
Thoroughly enjoyed this story, just wished Mary story's could have been a longer. I liked this Mary and the new character.
Thoroughly enjoyed this story, just wished Mary story's could have been a longer. I liked this Mary and the new character.
February 17, 2022
I don't wish to know about male mc's prowess, hear his thoughts regarding the barmaid's ample bosom, or why he would rather not bed her but a prostitute. T.M.I! And the author wants me to believe that he will be a good match for Mary? Whatever. For all I know, they're singing bawdy ballads together by the end of the story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 26, 2017
Not bad
I wasn't sure if I would care for this retelling, but it was worth reading. I do wish the writing was a bit clearer. Some sentences needed to be read more than once for me to make sense of them.
I wasn't sure if I would care for this retelling, but it was worth reading. I do wish the writing was a bit clearer. Some sentences needed to be read more than once for me to make sense of them.
September 21, 2020
The sweet story centers on the Bennet middle sister, Mary. Her love story with Carly Quatermain has its ups and downs. The political troubles of the day play a part. I would have liked the book to be longer with more depth given to the characters.
December 21, 2020
This started out slow for me, but the second half picked up. To such an extent that I finished it in the treadmill and had no idea 30 minutes had gone by.
March 24, 2017
free kindle book
March 19, 2017
I was thrilled that Mary learned so much!
I love Jane Austen's works! I also love reading variations and sequels. This was a good story. I really liked this Mary, and that she got such a wonderful HEA.
I love Jane Austen's works! I also love reading variations and sequels. This was a good story. I really liked this Mary, and that she got such a wonderful HEA.
January 3, 2016
I love books about the 'other' characters in P&P and of the Bennett sisters I particularly love books about Mary so I REALLY loved this book. If you are looking for a Darcy/Lizzie story this is not for you since it is told entirely from Mary's viewpoint, although it ties in very nicely with the authors book based on Charlotte Lucas (which I also enjoyed greatly). Her suitor, Carley Quartermaine, is absolutely gorgeous and Mary is both vunerable and spirited. I have read the last couple of pages, where Carley returns after Mary believes she has lost him, over and over again, with a huge smile on my face :)I cannot recommend it enough
March 6, 2022
Cute story. Everything at the end felt very convenient which was a little annoying, but I enjoyed it over all. And I always love a story where Mary Bennet gets to be happy and in love with a man that deserves her.
September 26, 2015
Mary's story
Nice plot, slightly different perspective of Mary. I would have liked if it was a little longer but it was still satisfying.
Nice plot, slightly different perspective of Mary. I would have liked if it was a little longer but it was still satisfying.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews