The Earl and the Spinster

The Blue Rose Romances: The Culpepper Misses #1

by Collette Cameron

Formerly titled Brooke: Wagers Gone Awry

An angry earl. A desperate spinster. A reckless wager.

For five years, Brooke Culpepper has focused her energy on two things: keeping the struggling dairy farm that’s her home operating and preventing her younger sister and cousins from starving. Then one day, a stern-faced stranger arrives at their doorstep and announces he’s the dairy’s new owner and plans on selling the farm. Though she’s outraged, Brooke can’t deny the Earl of Ravensdale makes her pulse race in the most disturbing way.

Heath is incensed to discover five women call the land he won at the gaming tables their home. He detests everything about the country and has no desire to own a smelly farm, even if one of the occupants is the most intelligent, entrancing woman he’s ever met.

Desperate, pauper poor, and with nowhere to take her family, Brooke rashly proposes a wager. Heath's stakes? The farm. Hers? Her virtue. The land holds no interest for Heath, but he finds Brooke irresistible, and ignoring prudence as well as his sense of honor, he just as recklessly accepts her challenge.

In a winner-takes-all bet, will they both come to regret their impulsiveness, especially when love is at stake?

Though this book can easily be read as a stand-alone, most readers prefer to read the series in order.

Genres: Historical Romance, Romance, Historical, Historical Fiction, Regency, Regency Romance, Amazon

352 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 30, 2015

About the author

Join my private reader group, right here on Goodreads!
Here's the link: Goodreads Group➡️➡️
https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...


USA Today Bestselling author Collette Cameron® is renowned for her captivating, humorous, and heartwarming Scottish and Regency historical romance novels. With over 65 published titles, over 1.6 million books sold around the world, and multiple writing awards to her credit, Collette is a well-known author in the world of historical romance.

Readers love her witty and relatable characters including daring rogues, dashing scoundrels, and the strong and spirited heroines who capture their hearts. From the rugged highlands to the refined drawing rooms of Regency England, Collette’s novels will transport you to another time and place, where love and adventure are just a page away.

Collette’s Sweet-to-Spicy Timeless Romances® are the perfect escape for readers looking for romantic escape, poignant inspiration, engaging humor, and entertaining stories.

Based in the Pacific Northwest, Collette is surrounded by the lush greenery and rainy skies that inspire her writing. She dreams of one day splitting her time between the Pacific Northwest and Scotland. In the meantime, she indulges in her love of all things cobalt blue, dachshunds, chocolate, and of course, crafting her next historical romance.





Want a FREE book?
Join Collette's VIP Reader Club: bit.ly/TheRegencyRoseGift

Be the first to know the latest news, contests, releases, and enter her giveaways!

Follow Collette on Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/colle...

Follow Collette on Amazon: http://amazon.com/author/collettecame...

Follow Collette on Instagram: https://instagram.com/collettecameron...

Follow Collette on Pinterest here: http://www.pinterest.com/colletteauthor/

Reviews

[Topastro · Rating 2 out of 5]

The romance was unconvincing and weak, the plot and characters were aimless and nothing progressed in a natural way. I liked Brooke's devotion to her family and her determination to save her farm. The interactions between Heath and Brooke, when they actually interacted, were enjoyable but most of the time Health was knocked out or recovering in bed. Their relationship seemed progress off page and that is the exact opposite of what I want in a romance. I do think that the amount of secondary characters was overdone and they took away from the story.

I know all the B names of the sisters/cousins were made to be cute and fun but it made it hard to remember who was who. I'm not a stickler for historical accuracy but Brooke, Blythe, Brette, Blaike, and Blaire was a bit of a reach. The Earl and Spinster started out really strong but this was not the best first impression from Collette Cameron for me.

[Gerbera_Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Despite the bet trope used many times, I found this book funny and refreshing. There were moments when I could feel Brooke's despair at the situation she and her family were as well as the moments when Heath behaved like an arrogant boor but at the same time this book showed familial bonds and how they can soothe and comfort in times of trouble.

Heath having grown up in a cold household with distant parents has no desire for comfort nor belief in love and devotion. He is sarcastic and egotistical in the beginning. He like all the characters in the book at times is hilarious. The subsequent events that span barely 8 days change him profoundly when he sees what a caring family looks like and sees what he has become. He lets Brooke into his heart.

Brooke is the head of the Culpepper family. Everybody depends on her. She is strong, smart and is not afraid of hardships. But when their family home is lost in a game of cards, and the new owner shows up on their doorstep - the gloves are off. She will do anything to keep her family safe. And thus starts the unwitting and at times unpolished 'courtship' masquerading as a bet to win Brooke and deal with the parcel of unexpected relations.

Even though the mutual feelings developed quickly, I liked that both MCs questioned their own feelings and that of each other. They talked to their friends, sought advice. It was still relationship in progress but with the understanding that feelings ran deep between Heath and Brooke.

And the book was so funny. The Culpepper family is full of stubbornness, sass and sharp wit. Those girls are cheeky, brave and full of surprises. This was low heat romance but so well-written, I couldn't stop reading till I finished. This book was a very good find today! I recommend it!

[Jonel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cameron’s writing sets the tone and the scene of this story perfectly. She develops the world for her readers, without taking away their ability to imagine themselves into the story. I love the fact that this Regency romance doesn’t take place amidst London’s ton scene, but rather in a rural setting. This twist causes more plot twists than readers could fathom, while still remaining true to the regency romance genre. I love the unique feel of the novel combined with the real romance within. This novel doesn’t careen around at a breakneck pace, nor does it stagnate. Everything pieces together perfectly.

The characters in this novel and their interactions with one another make this novel even better. The main characters are a hoot. Not only is their romance sweeter than anything I can remember seeing in a regency romance, as individuals they’re amazing characters. It floors me how this author has thrown convention to the wind while developing these two without actually going outside the bounds for the time period in question. They are such unique and caring individuals that you can’t help but love them. I love how Cameron develops more than just the main couple for readers to get to know intimately. One thing I will comment on, however. I’d love to know exactly what happened to Cousin Sheridan. I assume I know, but it wasn’t spelled out for the reader. In all honesty, it’s neither here nor there with respect to the plot and Sheridan is a slimy eel, it’s more for curiosity’s sake.

Ok, it’s confession time. This novel caused me to burst into tears in the lunchroom at work. It’s fraught with emotional upheaval & this novel may be emotional, but it’s also extremely comical. And I love the fact that I have a suspicion as to who’s story comes next. Can’t wait! My final thoughts boil down to this: Read it! Read it! Read it! If you enjoy romances at all, this is a must read novel.

Please note that I received a complimentary copy of this work in exchange for an honest review.

[Trish R. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just as good as the first time I read it..

Love, love, loved Heath and Brook. What a great story. There wasn’t any murder or mystery or anything like that. It was just a love story, which I’ve begun NOT to like very much but occasionally I still read one and hope for the best. It had a little less than 300 pages but it was so interesting it felt like it was over way too soon. Ms. Cameron is a hit or miss author for me but this series is a definite hit. She says all her books will be on audible soon so I'll definitely be looking into that. Especially if Stevie Zimmerman narrates.

Brook was one selfless and brave woman, and didn’t take any crap from anyone. Heath was such an arrogant goof I couldn’t wait for him to be brought down. LOL

I liked the other players a lot; Blythe, Brette, Blaire and Blaike, Leventhrope, Hawksworth, and poor old Duffen. I liked the dog, Freddy, too. I did not like Sheridan, what an absolute jerk he was.

There was sexual attraction in this story and a nice bedroom scene very near the end of the book. And, there was very little swearing.

As to the narration: Again Stevie Zimmerman was awesome. Every man sounded like a man and she read with such emotion: laughing, whispering, crying, yelling, you name it and she did it. Wonderful narration!

[Debbie McCreary · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful start to the new series Conundrums of the Misses Culpepper! Brooke Culpepper has ran her dairy farm and taken care of her sisters and cousins since the death of her father 5 years ago. Their guardian has allowed this, until he lost the farm to Heath, Earl of Ravensdale. Upon winning the dairy farm, Heath heads to the farm prepared to sell it and move on. Then he meets the beautiful Brooke, her sisters and cousins! Realizing after the sale of the farm they will have no where to go, he forms the plan of making Brooke his mistress. No plan is foolproof, special when the humorous interference by sisters, servants and an old pet dog. When a wager is made between Brooke and Heath, which will end with Brooke being his mistress or not, the romantic tension keeps building. Add a friend of Heath's and the guardian returning, and you have the formula for a wonderful book. The end results for a spinster Brooke and a confirmed bachelor Heath rounds up this 5+ first book in a new series. Collette has the unique ability of writing laugh out loud humor and great secondary characters on her books.

[Jennifer · Rating 2 out of 5]

1.5 stars rounded to 2. This is my least favourite of Cameron's books to date because I simply disliked the H. He's a pretty bad guy and doesn't deserve the title of H. He redeems himself, sort of, toward the very end of the story, but spends most of his screen time acting like a huge jerk.

The love between the MCs wasn't convincing. I liked the h and found her to be a strong character, but couldn't understand why a person as convicted as she was would fall for someone who was so lacking in conviction. I did not like her weakness around him simply because of chemistry and lust. Ugh. My favourite character is this book is Leventhal. He was fun and not annoying at all.

All the drama in this story, aside from the set up, felt very manufactured. None of is was followed through to the end and that was disappointing. It almost felt like a half hearted attempt on behalf of the author to inject some conflict into the story.

[Connie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Esherton Green, Cheshire England

April 1822

Brooke Culpepper, age 23, has a heavy load on her slim shoulders. Since her parents passed away five years ago, she has been tasked with caring for her sister, Brette, and her three cousins, Blythe, and twins, Blaike and Blaire. In addition, she has the responsibility of running their Esherton Dairy Farm. Money is very sparse and she has to do all she can to try and make money to buy a new bull for their cows, otherwise there will be no more new calves. The five ladies are all beautiful, blue-eyed blondes and each of them works hard to raise money via selling herbs, fruit and vegetables, sewing, and giving piano and voice lessons. Their own food supplies are minimal and their clothes are nearly thread-bare, but they are happy being together.

When Brooke’s father died with no male issue, the estate passed to a distant cousin, Sheridan Gainsborough. In those five years, the girls have never seen him even though he is also their guardian. He is simply a greedy man who has “allowed” them to remain at the farm for half of the profit from it. To prove Sheridan’s stupidity, he loses the property in a gambling wager to Heath, the Earl of Ravensdale. Heath hates country life, preferring city life and his constant stream of kept women, whom he insists that they be clean and disease-free.

Heath travels to Esherton Green to investigate his new property finding five beautiful women inside. Arriving in the midst of a violent storm, he is soaked. The Dairy Farm is but a few miles from his good friend’s home where he had been staying. Tristan, the Marquis of Leventhorpe, is another confirmed bachelor. Heath comes across as a jerk only interested in making a deal with Brooke that she become his new mistress and in exchange, he will let her family continue to live at the farm. But when Heath goes missing after leaving Esherton Green, Leventhorpe arrives to investigate and finds Heath has been knocked out and drugged. How could this have happened? It is necessary that Heath stay at the farm to recuperate and Leventhorpe refuses to leave him.

Brooke is forced to pay out what little money she has for a physician to attend him, in addition to feeding him what little food they have. How will this all turn out for the ladies?

I loved this story and don’t want to give away anymore spoilers. Suffice to say that readers are going to fall in love this series. The characters are written perfectly. I cannot wait for the next books in the series to see what is in store for each of the ladies.

[Netasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wagers gone Awry Is the beginning of the new Regency series by Collette Cameron. It is the ups, downs, foibles, follies and triumphs of the 5 beautiful Culpepper women who just trying to keep their heads above water and exist in an era that even though women did all the work they did not retain all the benefits.

In this 1st book we find that because Brooke and her sister Brette along with 3 orphaned cousins are women when their father/uncle passes without (a male) issue, the home they have always know and guardianship of their very selves pass to a Male cousin that they have never met nor has he ever taken any interest in the estate except for what monies he can get out of it, in the meanwhile beggaring it and these brave women into almost penury.

Unbeknownst to them cousin Sheridan has even gambled and lost all the un-entailed property that they need to keep their meager money making ventures afloat. On the same day that they receive notice from their cousin telling them of his loss at cards and that if they wish to remain in their home they are to continue to pay rent, even now without an ability to do so. The new owner has arrived to assess his 'winnings' towards selling them. Heath, the Earl of Ravensdale is immediately smitten with the eldest Culpepper Miss, Brooke, and envisions how he can set her up in town as his mistress. He then sees the rest of the Culpeppers Misses and thinks what a reaction 4 diamonds of the first water would stir in the le beau ton if they were properly dressed, jeweled and be-feathered. But he is here to sell out not daydream about replacing his cheating ex-mistress, nor having a laugh at the le beau mond. He doesn't need any more property and he is dismayed when he finds out that what he thinks he won may be the first wager gone awry...(does he dare a second with the beauteous Miss Culpepper?)....I will leave it there for all of you read what happens next.

You will not be disappointed in getting this and if I am any judge, the next in this series. Laugh out loud or wipe a tear. Cheer for the Hero/Heroine and boo/hiss at the villains. Ms. Cameron has a way of keeping you involved with her characters. I cant wait for the next saga in the Culpepper ladies. I feel like the Culpepper corgi Freddy wiggling and panting (but no thoughts of a certain Earl's boot).

I was given this ARC for my honest POV and in no way received any compensation.

[Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

“The wisest of gamblers have this in common: They quit while they are ahead.”

I loved Brooke! She is more life-like than any other character I have read about yet. Collette did an amazing job with her. Brooke is strong, responsible, ladylike but with a bit of sass in her, and best of all so normal. The fact that she has so many burdens and hardship she tries not to falter. Like anyone else they get to her and she has a good cry every now and then. Who hasn’t been there?! The most appealing quality about Brook is her ability to make due with what she has. She has provided a life on little for herself and sister and cousins. Most importantly they all seem very happy with the little they have because they have each other. I think that is the best message that Collette has expressed. It’s not what you have but who you have.

Heath comes across as the type that no matter what he does he looks good doing it. You can’t fault Brooke for being attractive to him even though he posses the threat of ruining their lives. The chemistry between the two is great and I love how Heath eggs her on and irritates her, even when it’s not his intention. I think the funniest thing about Heath was his reaction to seeing all five of them standing at the door the first time he arrives to the farm. The thoughts that go through his mind about showing them of to the ton made me chuckle too.

With all Brooke has shouldered for five years and how much she is responsible for I was so happy to see her happy ending! It’s nice to see how much a strong attraction can make you realize that it’s not just lust but love when you realize you might have to do without the other person in your life. Collette Cameron has written a great story with so many relatable characters that you cannot help but to feel like part of the story.

[Jessica Daniels · Rating 1 out of 5]

I need to stop downloading free Kindle books. It seems that even when the author is a popular bestseller, and the description is up my alley, there's still a wide array of ways to be disappointed. In this instance I think it boils down to thickness, maybe? When I started reading romance -- even as a tween, reading beloved Sunfire romances written for my age group -- I was only ever interested in books at least 1.5-2" thick. This was a general rule of thumb, of course, but in my experience the thicker books told a more thorough, fleshed out story. Plots of the thinner books were always flimsy to me, hurried and lacking depth. And that was my general feel reading this one. Of course, being on Kindle I have no idea how thick the book is, but I imagine this one is not very. Once I actually committed to reading it, disappointment and all, it went very quickly and not in a good way. Just as it seemed we were getting to the end of Act I, I looked down to notice the book was 90% finished. The book had already skipped over DAYS in a -- no lie -- 8 day courtship, which is frankly unacceptable, but to end just as it was really getting started? I can't tolerate that. There were characters and pairings that intrigued me, and moments I enjoyed, but they were never given a chance to flourish. It felt like writing an essay in high school where you realize halfway through that you've been overly ambitious in your setup, feel entirely overwhelmed, and then whiff on the ending with what amounts to, "and yada yada yada, they lived happily ever after." Why would I set myself for so much unfulfillment?

[Bree Wolf · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of those books that don't come alone very often. Everything about it was just right. Scarily perfect even! Brooke and her sister and three cousins are amazing women, each unique in her ways despite their similar appearance (two of the cousins are even twins!). They live in reduced circumstances and make the best of a difficult situation. Strong. Determined. Clever. Simply inspiring!
Heath, on the other hand, was a bit of an "arse" in the beginning. He thinks only of himself and seeks the easiest and fastest way to rid himself of the girls' dairy farm he happened to win in a wager...at least until he meets Brooke. Sparks fly immediately, and over the course of a week (a very intensive week!), they slowly get to know one another and start to care for the other (for both, this is most inconvenient!). The way their relationship grows is incredibly sweet...and oh so hilarious! Loved the scene when old Freddy (what kind of a dog was he again?) tried to herd the cattle back into the barn! A wonderful start to a strong series! Can't wait to start on the next one!

[AnnMarie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Earl and the Spinster is the first book in The Blue Rose Romances: The Culpepper Misses series by Collette Cameron. It was formerly titled Brooke: Wagers Gone Awry.

After Brooke Culpepper's father passed away 5 years ago the dairy farm and all that came with it became the property of a distant male relative. He has no interest in the place, or in Brooke, her sisters and cousins who all live there who he is now guardian of. He is happy to let them run the place and live there on the proviso that Brooke sends him half of the profits every quarter. If she is late with her payments, or worse still, doesn't send any then he has told her he will sell the property and he doesn't care what happens to them. It's hard work for Brooke keeping the place running especially as she has little profit with which to maintain the place, but she and her family love it there and do all they can to keep things running smoothly. It, therefore, is a huge shock when one day a man arrives on their doorstep to inform them that he is the new owner of the dairy farm and is going to sell it.

That man is Heath, the Earl of Ravensdale. He actually won the farm in a game of cards. He wasn't told anything about the women living there, just that there was a tenant that was way behind on rent payments who needed to be evicted before the sale could take place. So, yes, the women were shocked when he arrived at their home, but no more shocked than Heath was to discover them there. He was absolutely gobsmacked too when he realised that all 5 women were absolute beauties, especially Brooke.

Despite the fact that he could take their home from them Brooke can't help but feel an attraction to Heath. The feeling is mutual. She tries to convince Heath to let her and the girls stay on as they have done, running the place and sending him the profits. But he has no need of the money or another piece of land. He doesn't want the women to end up on the streets though, and thinks of ways that he can sell the place but still be able to help them. It crosses his mind that he could set Brooke up as his mistress. Before he even has the chance to make the offer, Brooke comes up with a wager that she is sure will win them the farm. If she wins he will give her the property if she loses then she will give him her virtue. He knows it's a terrible wager but she convinces him to agree to it.

Who wins, and what are the consequences, what of the absent guardian, will he get away with the initial wager that has caused so much trouble for Brooke? You will have to read the book to find out.

I loved this story, and I especially loved how much I disliked Heath to begin with, only for him to redeem himself so that I liked him a lot by the end. Brooke and the girls are all wonderful characters, and I look forward to reading each of their stories as this series continues. Heath's friends are great, and it's a real hoot reading about one in particular who really annoy Brooke's sister. In fact, there are some fabulously funny moments throughout the whole book that had me laughing out loud which was wonderful.

[Samantha Minter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. From the very first pages, the story grabbed me and kept on drawing me in. This is a fairly short book, less than 200 pages. I had starting reading this book around 5:30 am at work (I’m a night-shifter) and really didn’t want to stop reading but I when faced with the choice of staying at work and reading or going home. I chose to go home. I’m sure some of you will understand what I’m talking about. However, I did leave Wagers pulled up on my Samsung Note Tablet and managed to read bits while waiting for my car to warm up, while I was in the drive through and when I was stuck behind a school-bus that made a million stops. I have never been as happy to be stuck behind a school bus as I was that day. Once I was home and had played with my dogs a little while, I went back to reading. Before I knew it I was finished and had been up over 24-hours ( I had gotten up around 10:30 am the day before).
As I said above, I was hooked from the beginning. This is a powerful story about family sticking together through the toughest of times, rolling up their sleeves and doing what needs to be done to provide for each other and above all, loving each other and those around them.
Miss Brooke Culpepper is our heroine and the oldest of the Misses Culpeppers. She runs her family’s dairy farm, manages the lands and cattle and looks after her sister and her 3 cousins and does so much more.
On the day our story begins, you see right from the start as to how bad things are for the Culpepper women and their home. They are all struggling not only to keep a roof over their heads, but to have enough to eat and stay warm. Then, as if that isn’t bad enough, everything gets worse when a letter arrives from their cousin that changes everything.
Heath, Earl of Ravensdale, is our hero. He is wealthy, handsome, arrogant and emotionally scarred from his childhood (although I’m sure if you were to ask him, he would vehemently deny that last statement). He arrives in the middle of a horrendous storm, on horseback, so of course he’s soaked to the skin and cold and grumpy. He complains to himself the entire way there and even more when he gets to the Culpepper “estate”. He is immediately taken with Brooke’s beauty, then he’s stunned when he realizes that there are four more beauties in residence as well.
Over the course of that afternoon, Heath begins to feel a myriad of different feelings. Anger at the rain, himself, the butler and the evil cousin. Guilt over many different things. Lust and desire for Miss Brooke Culpepper. Envy over the sister’s and cousin’s strong bond (although he won’t admit to that either). Humbled that even though these 5 women had very, very little, they were sharing with him all they had.
Now, of course there is a wager, hence the name, but I’m not going to give it way. You will just have to read the book to find out what give Wagers Gone Awry it’s name. I will say that what the outcomes of the wager would be are pretty predictable. However, the actual event surrounding the wager is not! Very unusual. I loved it
This book is full of emotion and Collette Cameron does an excellent job of drawing the reader into those emotions. You feel the fear, the worry, the dismay, the guilt, the sadness, the grit, the determination, the laughter and the love that is flows from the pages of this book to the reader. I am glad that I was able to make it home before I got to far into the book because I was crying not too long into the book. And let me tell you, I do not cry pretty. **Mini-Spoiler Alert**Then there is a scene where Miss Blythe Culpepper and Heath’s friend, Tristan were walking back from a funeral that had me laughing so hard, I could barely breath.**End of Mini-Spoiler** Now, I know you are thinking “Funeral? What funeral?” Read the book and you will find out. Reading Wagers Gone Awry is also the only way you are going to learn just who Freddie, my favorite character, is and see if you can figure out which characters that I wanted to slap the crap out of a few times throughout this book. Now, if you love a great story full of emotion, wonderful supporting characters, an evil family member and an H&H that you will love, Wagers Gone Awry is a Must-Read Book.

Did I mention that Wagers Gone Awry is also the first book in Collette Cameron’s new series, Conundrums of the Misses Culpepper Series? No!? Well, then. Wagers Gone Awry is the 1st book in the new series Conundrums of the Misses Culpepper Series, brought to us by Collette Cameron. Therefore, more of the wonderful Misses Culpepper adventures are to come. I can’t wait!

[Suzanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brooke Culpepper's father died five years ago leaving her to run Esheriton Estate. The heir Sheridan Gainsborough inherited the property and had allowed Brooke, her sister, and her three female cousins to live there while they run the dairy and send him half of the profits. Brooke and the young women did all sorts of things to raise money and make ends meet but they never had enough money. The house was falling apart, anything of value was sold long ago, and the women wore out of fashion dresses that did not fit. All five of the girls were thin from lack of food and hard work. The few servants that remained were loyal and had no place to go. The dairy farm was in a remote location and they had no social life. However, the young women were lovely and generous and the family was happy.

Sheridan Gainsborough had lost gambling with the Earl of Ravenwood. The Earl demanded payment and Sheridan was out of funds so he signed the Esheriton Estate over to the Earl to cover his debt. The Earl set out on horseback in a storm to advise the tenants to vacate as he was selling immediately. The Earl arrived tired and wet but was overcome with what he found. Five beautiful women who were in dire straits. He was angry that Sheridan had left them in this state of poverty. However, the oldest Brooke touched something in him. Brooke grew up at Esherton and wanted the Earl to accept some proposal that they might stay. The Earl demanded something of value and the only value he could see in this run down Estate would be having Brooke as his mistress. Ravenswood promised to return the next day with his proposal. One of the servants who remembered promising Brooke's father, the old master of Edgerton, that he would look after the women. Duffel was to bring Lord Ravenwood's horse around. Instead he tricked him, hit Ravenwood on the head and locked him in the dovecote.

The Marquis of Leventhorpe had expected Ravenwood to return for dinner. When the Earl did not come, he went to Edgerton to ascertain what had happened. A search was conducted and the Earl was found with a severe concussion. He was brought into the house and placed in the master bedroom to await the doctor.

Brooke helped him out of his jacket and helped him lie down in the bed. She realized that this man was causing feelings to surface that she had buried long ago. Brooke was 23 and on the shelf. She had accepted this along with her responsibility to care for the young women and run the estate.

The doctor ordered that Ravenwood remain in bed a week. The Marquis refused to leave him alone so he stayed also. Sending to his estate for food supplies and servants the house became packed and suddenly food, candles,and servants were abundant.

Ravenswood continued to pursue Brooke for his mistress. An old friend of Brooke arrived from having traveled to America. Years ago he had asked Brooke to marry him and she declined. Upon hearing that Brooke had gone down to visit, Ravenwood crawled out of bed in sockfeet and open shirt boldly announcing to the man visiting that Brooke was his mistress. Brooke was getting really fed up with him. Of course Ravenwood passed out and the visitor left thinking the worst of Brooke.

Fun thing continue to happen in this full house. This book is full of details and unexpected happenings. Brooke and Ravenwood make a wager.I want to tell you how it ends but it's is a romance and does have a HEA.

I received this book as an ARC from the author. I really enjoyed reading this and suspect some of the wonderful characters the author has created will appear in subsequent books.

[Dee Deacon Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Misses Culpepper...sisters & cousins who live on the dairy farm that was owned by the father of the oldest Miss Culpepper & her sister. Upon the father's death the farm is inherited by a distant relative who becomes their guardian. This guardian has no use for the girls or the farm & "allows" them to live there with Brooke, the oldest, in charge & their only allowance being half of what the dairy brings in (which isn't much).

Brooke Culpepper, the oldest of the Culpepper misses, loves running the household & the farm. She doesn't like the fact that females cannot inherit property & she is at the mercy of a distant relative. Thankfully, he doesn't want anything to do with the farm or the girls which allows them to live somewhat in peace. Well, except for the fact that they barely have enough money to live on. Each of the girls does something to supplement their income, sewing, music lessons, etc and their loyal servants continue to work for them without pay.

Heath, the Earl of Ravensdale, a confirmed rogue wins a dairy farm in a game of cards. Not something a man about town has any real interest in so he decides he will check the property out & put it up for sale. After traveling to the farm in horrendous weather he is none to happy when he arrives & finds 5 women living there.

An old dog, undeniable attraction & a series of loyal servants "trying" to help, an improper proposal & wagers going the wrong way can this couple find a happily ever after? Will the winner of the bet hold true to their end of the bargain?

I received this book as an ARC in exchange for an honest review....I absolutely LOVED this book!!! Collette Cameron has the unique ability to put you in the characters shoes. She makes excellent use of first person...especially with the little "thoughts" each character has (these cracked me up!). Along with the wager between Brooke & Heath that involves Freddy, the dog, had me laughing & yelling out loud. She also sets up the next story with the some of the secondary characters & it's going to be explosive. Anxiously waiting for the next story!

[Bonnie Raymond · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wagers Gone Awry by Collette Cameron
Brooke Culpepper is still unmarried at the age of 23 which makes her a spinster. It has been five years since her father's death when Brooke gave up any thought of marriage and accepted the responsibility of raising her younger sister Brette and their three orphaned cousins, Blythe, Blaike, and Blaire. This was complicated by the current law which only allowed the next male heir to inherit. Since her father had no sons to inherit Esherton Greene, his estate in Cheshire England, the property passed to Brooke's cousin Sheridan Gainsborough. Sheridan also became the legal guardian of the four younger Misses Culpepper. Unfortunately cousin Sheridan's only interest in them is to demand the lion's share of any small profit earned on the estate as rent or he would evict the struggling family. With family like that you don't need enemies. Sheridan ends up gambling and losing the unencumbered part of the estate and lands to the Earl of Ravensdale. The Earl has been told that the tenants are behind in their rent, which he later learns is a lie. He rides from London to tour his new property and inform the current tenants that they must vacate the premises. When the Earl arrives at Esherton Greene in a driving rainstorm he is determined to rid himself of the estate at the earliest opportunity but his resolve fades from the moment he lays eyes on the 5 stunning Culpepper women and he must come up with a new plan to rescue them from their pitiful circumstances.

Wagers Gone Awry is Book One in the Conundrums of the Misses Culpepper Series. I love this book! I found it to be well written and the story engaging and paced in a way that will leave you swearing to read "just one more page" before turning out the light to sleep, but an hour later, you're still reading. It's been years since I read a Regency Romance but after reading Wagers Gone Awry, I feel as if I have renewed an old and dear friendship and I look forward to reading the rest of the books in this series when they are released. I was provided with an ARC for my review but the title is scheduled for release April 7, 2015. Buy it. You won't be disappointed.

[Njkinny (Njkinny's Blog) · Rating 4 out of 5]

http://www.njkinnysblog.com/2015/04/w...

Wagers Gone Awry intrigued right from the time I heard about it. The blurb and the cover are interesting and made me start on the book right away.

This being my first book by Collette Camron, I loved her writing style and fell in love with this story and its characters. The plot is well conceived and executed and Collette managed to keep me hooked to the book right till the end.

The characterization is admirably done and I loved the Culpepper Misses, especially Brooke who is also the heroine of this book. She is responsible, selfless, feisty and completely loyal to her family. She sacrificed her own happiness to look after her sisters and has managed to keep her family afloat through sheer hardwork. In comes, Earl of Ravensdale and her life is thrown in chaos. I loved Heath, the Earl of Ravensdale. He is incredibly handsome and also a man who has been hurt and still learning the his true nature. His interactions with Brooke were both intense but also sometimes scandalous, romantic, humourous and heartily emotional. I absolutely loved all the other characters in this book and am now eager to read more about them. I hope Collette comes with their stories soon.

The story is engaging, simply and yet interestingly written and keeps the reader guessing right till the end and then leaves us wanting more and with a stunning happy smile on our face.

All in all, Wagers Gone Awry is very entertaining and I strongly recommend it to everyone. 4.5 out of 5 to it and I look forward to reading more from the author in the future.

I received an ARC copy of the book from the author and the tour organizers and I am very thankful to them. The above review is my honest and unbiased opinion and in no way in influenced.

[JoRead · Rating 3 out of 5]

Brooke’s real conundrum starts when she’s notified the dairy she’s been taking care of since her father’s death has a new owner and she, her sister, and cousins will probably have to live on the street once he takes possession of it. She’s been living in almost poverty because most of her earnings have been sent to her cousin, the heir and previous owner of the dairy, who did not only not take care of his family but apparently he’s now lost it all to a stranger in a wager.
The story in itself wasn't bad as it was well detailed and I could tell where it was going without being predictable, however I never really did connect with the main characters and the beginning of the story dragged on for too long and nothing of too much interest happened for quite a few chapters. I will admit there were moments that made me laugh but at other times there was too much brouhaha going on and everything sounded too far-fetched (yes, I know it’s a fiction book but it just didn't feel plausible).
Obviously this is the first in the series and we can tell whose story will be next. I have high hopes for these series, not only because this is an author I like but because some of the secondary characters sounded very much to my liking.

++ I was gifted an advance copy of this story from the author in exchange of an honest review ++

[Charlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ms Cameron has done it again. I just loved the Misses Cullpepper's. Lots of sugar and spice and a little of what my grandmother would say,piss and vinegar too.

The story starts out with the eldest Cullpepper, Brooke trying to figure a way to keep her families dairy farm afloat. She has been running the farm since her father passed away several years ago. She is also taking care of her sister and 3 cousins. 5 young ladies running a dairy farm. They live very meagerly because a distance cousin inherited the estate and they pay him half the profits just to live there. Anyway the properties that is not entailed the rogue cousin looses in a bet to the Earl of Ravensdale who comes to call to take possession. This is when all hell breaks out. He's greeted by 5 Greek goddesses. What's he to do? Well how he deals with this is really very diverting. And of course there's still one more bet and it definitely goes awry. Thoroughly enjoyed this story though I have to admit that I wasn't paying attention and when I turned the last page I was upset that it was the end. I was so engrossed that I didn't want the story to end. My only consolation is that I'm looking forward to the other Misses Cullpepper's stories being told.

[Joann Maggio · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wages Gone Awry⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Written by Collette Cameron
(Conundrums of the Misses Culpepper #1)

Our heroine Brooke Culpepper takes total responsibility for her sister and cousins upon her fathers death. She is charged to maintain the family dairy and farm. Her distant cousin, however, becomes their guardian and she must share her merger farm profits with him.

It is quite the shock when Heath, Earl of Ravensdale arrives at the farm and announces he is the new owner having won the farm in a bet with her cousin.
Heath is just blown away at the terribly poverty these five women have suffered. He is immediately attracted to Brooke and she is charmed but skeptical of him.

It is a bet between Heath and Brooke that finds them at the altar. Heath first proposes the idea of Brooke being his kept mistress but he realizes he is in love with her and asks her to marry him.

This is the perfect historical romance. Ms Cameron knows just how to ignite her characters bringing them to life. This author peppers her story with humor and sorrow which reaches your heart. Ms Cameron is a remarkable storyteller.
I would highly recommend this book.

[Trish R. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great read..

Love, love, loved Heath and Brook. What a great story. There wasn’t any murder or mystery or anything like that. It was just a love story, which I’ve begun NOT to like very much. It had a little less than 300 pages but it was so interesting it felt like it was over way too soon. And I have to admit there really isn’t enough dialogue for me but I can suffer when the story is good.

Brook was one selfless and brave woman, and didn’t take any crap from anyone. Heath was such an arrogant goof I couldn’t wait for him to be brought down. LOL

I liked the other players a lot; Blythe, Brette, Blaire and Blaike, Leventhrope, Hawksworth, and poor old Duffen. I liked the dog, Freddy, too. I did not like Sheridan, what an absolute jerk he was.

There was sexual attraction in this story and a nice bedroom scene very near the end of the book. And, there was very little swearing.

As to the narration: Again Stevie Zimmerman was awesome. Every man sounded like a man and she read with such emotion: laughing, whispering, crying, yelling, you name it and she did it. Wonderful narration!

[Jimnlori · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this historical romance was full of fun. What started as fun wagers that could benefit both Brooke and Heath along with Brooke's sister and cousins instead became something that all who were involved were not expecting.
Heath didn't want to own property in the country. His goal was to see what he had won in a bet, get all parties moved and then sell the property for the highest possible amount and get on with his life.
Brooke was barely scraping by with what she could make running the dairy and she still had to make sure that she gave her cousin half of her income every month for the rent. Little did she realize that he had lost the property in a bet and now they were all homeless and without any means to live.
From the moment Heath and Brooke meet there is a spark, but is it because of the situation they all find themselves in or is there actually an attraction there that no one wants to admit?
I'm definitely looking forward to reading more books in this series.

I was given an ARC for an honest review. All conclusions are mine and mine alone.

[Katherine Bone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wagers Gone Awry is a Regency romance packed with captivating punch and witty dialogue! Heath, the Earl of Ravensdale really has no idea what he's getting into when he wins a bet at the gaming tables. His winnings? A dairy farm in the country. Highbrow Heath wants nothing to do with country life and sets out to put the dairy farm he's acquired on the market and be all the richer for it. But when he rides out to inspect his prize, he meets Brooke Culpepper, a 23 year old 'spinster', and her beautiful sister and cousins. All at once, everything he sets out to achieve goes awry. Desperate to keep her dairy farm, Brooke offers another wager — herself — an offer Heath cannot refuse. What happens next is a FABulous twist that will leave readers smiling all the way to The End. Couldn't put this book down!

[Sonja Morton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so excited to learn that Collette Cameron was writing a new series. I loved her last series and was sad when it ended. The first book in the Misses Cullpepper's series does not disappoint. I love a strong heroin that can take care of herself and Brooke Culpepper is defiantly a strong women, she just lives in an era where the laws dictate that a man needs to be in charge. Of course that is what makes a story interesting to read with all of the challenges that it creates. Collette has the ability to put you in the characters shoes and send you into their world with her colorful and descriptive writing style. I loved the humor and was engaged throughout the book. I can't wait for the next book in the series.

[Janice Hougland · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the High jinks in this cute story about Brooke Culpepper, her sister and cousins (their names all beginning with a “B”!) and Heath, the Earl of Ravensdale, who won the house and lands (Esherton Green)the women lived in, in a card game wager against the women’s unscrupulous guardian. This author has a marvelous sense of humor and writes such delightful Regency romances with all the twists and turns the courtships of that era entail. I can highly recommend this newest romance by Ms. Cameron!

A pre-published copy of this book was given to me by the author in exchange for an honest review.

[April · Rating 5 out of 5]

#1 in the "Culpepper Regency" seried set in 1822 England. A "conundrums of Misses". A new series and that looks to be an awesome series. A wager to win a favor, forfeiture of body, soul and possibly heart. Written with humor, passion, and romance. The Culpepper Misses are lovable, witty and precious. An incomparable bunch of ladies. Witty and a true romantic tale. Another hit for Ms. Collette! Once again, Ms Collette has brought fans of Historical Romance, a tale that is witty, passionate and a treasure to read. A keeper and a must read.


* Received for an honest review from the author *



Rating : 4.5
Heat rating : Mild
Reviewed by : AprilR, Courtesy of My Book Addiction and More

[Lesia Chambliss · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful regency romance from Collette Cameron. I thoroughly enjoyed it. It's a fun, witty story with five beautiful ladies and three handsome rakes. This is Heath and Brooke's story, and a wonderful introduction to the ladies Culpepper. I highly recommend this book, and I really can't wait to read the rest of their stories.

[Sharon Eikenberry-Deary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brppme

When the Culpepper woke was left to there own defenses after Brooke's father passed they were at there own devices. Her cousin who was in charge bet the farm in a card game. Heath won the bet and so goes Brooke bets Heath to keep the land and cattle. While the agreement was lost she now has to marry Heath. They left for London and Heath dressed the girls in beautiful gowns for a ball

[Nola Arganbright · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic

I loved the book. Strong women for sure! A great plot and an easy flow for the reader. I look forward to more of the series.

[Dottie · Rating 5 out of 5]

After the death of her father, Brooke Culpepper is struggling to make ends meet on her family dairy farm while providing for the welfare of herself, her family and servants. Poorer than a church mouse, she's forced to make sacrifices so that she can pay her cousin (the heir of the property) rent.
But one day Brooke receives a message from the cad of a cousin that he's sold the property. Later it's revealed that he actually lost the farm in a high stakes poker game.
Enter Lord Ravensdale... The man who won a bet, but never counted on the stakes he'd wager to win Brooke Cullpeppers heart.
Brooke will stop at nothing to keep from losing her family's home, even if that means that she must enter into an illicit affair with Lord Ravensdale. Will she become a fallen woman to save her family's legacy?