- Hardcover: 373 pages
- Publisher: Thorndike Press; Lrg edition (June 2002)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0786241306
- ISBN-13: 978-0786241309
- Product Dimensions: 22.5 x 15.8 x 3.2 cm
- Shipping Weight: 581 g
- Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
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Product Details |
Product Description
From Publishers Weekly
Redundant repartee and flat characters do little to enliven this formulaic, Regency-era romance. Mary Gates, the eccentric spinster of Lyford Meadows, will do anything to save Edmunson, her faltering horse farm, especially if it means beating neighboring breeder Tye Barlow at his own game. When Lord Spender's horse, known around the parish as The Stud for his impeccable racing history, comes up for auction, Mary bids well beyond her means to keep Tye from owning the horse. In a desperate attempt to seal the deal, she creates a fictitious fianc‚ and convinces Lord Spender that her betrothed is wealthy and well connected. Despite her long-held resolution to remain independent, Mary hastens to London to secure herself a rich husband. Predictably, Tye, who has a complicated history with the infuriating beauty, follows her. London is very removed from their simple life at Lyford Meadows, however, and the two sworn enemies cannot help but see each other in a new light. With the exception of Mary and Tye, who share a few poignant moments, Maxwell's (The Marriage Contract) characters are as personable as puppets, and her story is only marginally less mechanical. This familiar tale will leave readers hungering for something more original.
Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
--This text refers to the Mass Market Paperback edition.From Library Journal
Independent, unconventional, and marriage-averse, Mary Gates will do anything to own the one stallion she knows will restore her family's stables to their former glory. She even bids money she doesn't have a rash action that soon has her off to London to find a rich husband who can foot the bill. But Tye Barlow, her rival for the horse and her family's longtime adversary, follows her to England to make sure she doesn't succeed. There, they end up finding love and a logical solution to their problem. Despite the obvious conclusion, Maxwell's engaging characters, exceptionally well done dialog, unexpected plot twists, and lively writing style make this fast-paced journey memorable and well worth the trip. Noted for skillful writing, dry humor, and an uncanny ability to create realistic, imperfect characters, Maxwell (The Marriage Contract) is gaining a following, and her well-crafted Regency historicals are some of the best on the shelves.
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Mass Market Paperback edition.
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Mass Market Paperback edition.
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First Sentence
Every English village had to have at least one eccentric-and Mary Gates, the old squire's daughter, was Lyford Meadows's. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt | Back Cover
Every English village had to have at least one eccentric-and Mary Gates, the old squire's daughter, was Lyford Meadows's. Read the first page
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Most helpful customer reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Mary wins The Studand a horse too,
By "klpepsi" (Indiana) - See all my reviews
This review is from: The Wedding Wager (Mass Market Paperback)
Mary Gates wants this stud in her stables. The Stud is a prime piece of horseflesh up for auction in her hometown of Lyford Meadows. The entire town's male population will be in attendance to witness who places the winning bid. Mary believes this horse is just what she needs to bring her stables back to full operating glory of the past. The town views Mary's independent and willful behavior as quite eccentric, including her normal attire of donning men's breeches. And her desire to win the horse may also have something to do with her constant battles with her neighbor and rival, Tye Barlow. Tye is just as determined to win, because it would secure his stable's future as well. And he believes he has a good shot with the amount of money he's willing to bid. In the end, Mary outbids him but he's suspicious, because he knows there's no way she could own that kind of capital. Mary's winning bid is well beyond her means, but she makes up a fictitious, wealthy fiancé, and then convinces the seller she needs a little time to make her payment. The independent Mary, who never intended to settle down, sets out for London and the marriage mart to snag herself a rich husband. Tye discovers where she's gone, and follows with the intention to foil any possibility of her paying for the horse. Their complicated history resurfaces, as well as their desire for each other, which of course has always been there in the form of a battle of wills. Together, they may discover the real prize isn't the horse, but their love for each other. I've read three or four novels by Maxwell, and this is my favorite so far. I enjoy romances that involve the battle of wills, which is done well here. Although, I did think Mary's obstinance over her independence did go on a little too long, but that's only a minor issue. Even though there's not much new here for a romance story, I still found it refreshing and the witty dialogue probably had a lot to do with that. Mary and Tye were both headstrong characters and well matched for each other. There's nothing heavy-duty about this story, it's a nice light, recommended read.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Witty, Fun and Exuberant,
By Trisha A. Howell "Howell Canyon Press author" (Los Angeles, CA, United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)
This review is from: The Wedding Wager (Mass Market Paperback)
Tye and Mary are delightful characters--very likable, feisty and well suited to each other--in this very fun and fast-paced Regency romance. The warmth, wit and lust for life characteristic of all Cathy Maxwell romances is evident here and makes this winning novel a charming read.
4.0 out of 5 stars
More than one stud in this story,
By
This review is from: The Wedding Wager (Mass Market Paperback)
I enjoyed this offering by Cathy Maxwell. In this story a woman who is basically trying to save her family horse breeding ranch does what she must. She feels that all she is worth is what she is able to do to the home she knows. So one day she sets out to buy the "stud" of the areas for her horses and ends up in a bidding war with one of her neighbor. Who she shares a past with.She ends up bidding more than she can handle and to get the rest of the money she goes to London to find a husband. What she doesn't count on is an embarrassment from her past showing up as well as her neighbor Tye. What ensues is a great romance story!
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