My Review And Giveaway Of Highest Stakes By Emery Lee

Product Description from Amazon.com
"The breathtaking origins of thoroughbred horse racing
A tale of drama, danger, thwarted love, and retribution set in the high stakes gentleman's world of 18th century horse racing, where fortunes could be won... and lost...
She's lonely and neglected, but she knows horses...
Charlotte Wallace is orphaned and alone until a sympathetic stable boy takes her under his wing and teaches her everything about thoroughbred racing. In the process, the two discover in each other a love destined to be thwarted at every turn...
If only he could, he'd take her away with him forever...
Robert Devington has tried everything to persuade Charlotte's uncle to allow them to marry. Then an ill-fated friendship, a scandal in the making, and one desperate act of folly rob them of their love and his livelihood... Dead set on retribution, all Robert's hopes are hanging on one small horse-his only chance to reclaim his land, his dignity, and his love, against all odds..."
Excerpt from Amazon.com
"Robert Devington was growing more anxious by the moment. Once more he scanned the crowded and bustling paddocks. The call had already sounded for the first race in which Charles Wallace was to ride the gray mare, White Rose. The filly was entered in this particular race, a one-hundred-guinea challenge for maiden five-year-olds, young horses that had yet to win a race. It was a single four-and-a-half-mile heat, ten-stone weight, and about to start with her rider yet nowhere in sight. With barely a quarter hour remaining to present the horse and weigh in, Robert was in an agitated quandary. Audibly cursing, he pulled the blankets from the mare's back, just to put them back on again. He considered the only alternatives before him: to deceive the racing judges by presenting the horse in Charles's stead and committing an act of fraud; or do nothing and risk both the forfeiture of Sir Garfield's entry fee-no paltry sum by any standard-as well as this fine young mare's best chance to win a race, a circumstance that would do nothing to improve his standing with his beloved's uncle. His future with Charlotte was nearly a hopeless cause to begin with. He could scarce afford to fall afoul of her guardian's temper. Robert searched the milling crowd for the last time, desperately seeking a glimpse of Charles Wallace. Still none, blast it all! His last hope now dashed, he cursed with greater vehemence and led the horse out of her paddock to commit an act of fraud for the sake of love."

This debut novel by life-long history buff, equestrian, and romantic, Emery Lee, tells the tale of horseracing, war and unrequited love in 18th century England and Colonial Virginia. It takes place from 1742 until 1751 and tells the well researched story of lowly stable hands to upper class Lords and Ladies. This tale is full of intrigue, suspense and the ins and outs of horseracing which is very competitive amongst the upper classes in England and most anyone in colonial Virginia. Fortunes are won and lost and lives can be destroyed because of the losses. Marriages are arranged not for love but for horses and duels are still fought and honor is lost. There are a few chapters devoted to war with the French and there is mention of the bloodbath that was Culloden but it is not the main focus of the story. The characters are very well written and details of the time period are true to form. Love can turn to hate in a blink of an eye, misunderstandings abound and retribution is sought. Racing and breeding the perfect horse with the best of blood lines can be obsessive. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and hope that there will be a sequel... hint hint. If you are a fan of historical fiction involving horseracing then you should read this book. Romance and history at it's best. Besides that the cover is great. This book was released April 1st. 2010 by Sourcebooks who provided my review ARC.

About the author:
Emery Lee is a lifelong equestrienne and history buff who resides in the Upstate region of South Carolina with her husband of twenty-seven years, two teenage sons, a little dog with a big attitude and her two horses.
Her debut novel THE HIGHEST STAKES, SOURCEBOOKS April 2010 release is an epic tale of passion, intrigue and horse racing.She is represented by Kelly Mortimer of Mortimer Literary Agency and is a member of the Historical Novel Society, Romance Writers of America and Georgia Romance Writers.

Credit: A race on the beacon course at Newmarket, c.1750 (oil on canvas), Wootton, John (1682-1765) / Fitzwilliam Museum, University of Cambridge, UK / The Bridgeman Art Library International

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