Stevie‘s review of Gambled Away: A Historical Anthology by Molly O’Keefe, Rose Lerner, Joanna Bourne, Jeannie Lin & Isabel Cooper
Historical Romance Anthology published by Kindle Unlimited 31 May 16
I’ve been trying to read more anthologies this year, as a way of discovering new authors, but that does mean I’m ending up with an even longer To Read list of full-length novels, as I discover yet more authors and series I want to investigate further. This collection of stories in which one or other of the main characters is won in a game of chance by another character is no exception.
The anthology opens with Rose Lerner’s Regency tale of vicar’s son and aspiring designer of follies, Simon, who wins a weekend with the mistress of his preferred gambling den in a game of cards, and so takes her with him to a house party in order to win himself some peace and quiet in which to work. Maggie, however, feels that Simon doesn’t value her enough as a person – and his ‘friends’ (who act like nothing of the sort) look down on her as she attempts to honour her recently discovered Jewish heritage. I really felt for Maggie and wish there’d been a longer story for her to properly grow into herself and for Simon to discover himself as someone more deserving of her. Not the strongest story of the set, but I already have a bunch of the author’s novels vying for my attention at the moment.
Jeannie Lin’s story is set in an era and a part of the world of which I know little, although now I’m keen to find out more. Fortunately, this tale serves as an excellent introduction to both the society of that part of Chinese history and the world of Lin’s Lotus Palace series, which I now hope to catch up with. Lady Bai is a fine character, and not just because much of the plot revolves around her disguising herself as her brother – at first to explore areas of the city forbidden to her as a woman, then later to solve a crime.
Isabel Cooper’s story also involves crime, but this time the criminal is also the heroine. Sam runs small-time cons in Depression-era California to try and save her family’s farm one debt at a time, before a supernatural encounter opens up the opportunity for her to steal enough in one fell swoop to get everything she needs – and she couldn’t have picked a more deserving victim either. Another author for me to check out further.
Molly O’Keefe sets her tale a little earlier in the history of the United States – this time in the years following the Civil War. James and Helen both fought on the Union side, but seem to have lost themselves in the aftermath – James to addiction, and Helen to drugged captivity with a Svengali-like figure watching her every move. I don’t read many Westerns, but I love the atmosphere of this one, even if the characters’ situations feel a little too bleak at times.
We return to England for the final story of this book by Joanna Bourne, set amongst the slums and criminal gangs of late 18th Century London. Aimée, an émigré escaping the aftermath of the French Revolution, tries to keep herself and the street children safe, while also becoming fascinated by Gideon, the rich adventurer who bursts into her life in search of his kidnapped sister (who doesn’t particularly want to be rescued until she can track down a lost ‘treasure’ of her own). Another author and series I need to investigate further.
All in all, a great introduction to a group of authors (and some characters) that I most definitely plan to read more of as soon as I manage to fit a few more hours into my day.
Grade: B
Summary:
Get revenge. Pay a debt. Save a soul. Lose your heart.
Spanning centuries and continents, five brand-new novellas from beloved historical romance authors tell the stories of men and women who find themselves wagered in a game of chance and are forced to play for the highest stakes of all: love.
“Gideon and the Den of Thieves” by Joanna Bourne
London, 1793 – Soldier of fortune Gideon Gage has come home from halfway around the world, fully prepared to face down a ruthless gang to save his sister. But there’s one member of the gang he could never have been prepared for: fascinating Aimée, driven from her own home by the French Revolution and desperately in need of his help.
“Raising The Stakes” by Isabel Cooper
California, 1938 — When the flute she won in last night’s poker game unexpectedly summons an elven warrior bound to her service, two-bit con artist Sam takes quick advantage. With Talathan’s fairy powers at her command, her shakedown of a crooked preacher is a sure thing…but would she rather take a gamble on love?
“All or Nothing” by Rose Lerner
England, 1819 – Architect Simon Radcliffe-Gould needs someone to pose as his mistress so he can actually get some work done at a scandalous house party. Irrepressible gambling den hostess Maggie da Silva would rather be his mistress, but she’ll take what she can get…
“The Liar’s Dice” by Jeannie Lin
Tang Dynasty China, 849 A.D. — Lady Bai’s first taste of freedom brings her face to face with murder. A dangerous and enigmatic stranger becomes her closest ally as she investigates the crime, but can she trust her heart or her instincts when everyone is playing a game of liar’s dice?
“Redeemed” by Molly O’Keefe
Denver, 1868 — After agonizing years in the Civil War’s surgical tents, Union doctor James Madison has nothing left to lose. But when beautiful, tortured Helen Winters is the prize in a high-stakes game of poker, he goes all in to save her—and maybe his own soul.
Read an excerpt.
