Book Review: The Highest Stakes by Emery Lee

Synopsis: (From the Publisher)

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...

My Review:

Robert Devington, a groom in Sir Garfield service, has a passion for racing horses and an even grater passion for Sir Garfield's niece, Charlotte Wallace. Robert constantly petitions Sir Garfield for Charlotte's hand in marriage but to no avail. No matter how hard Robert tries to make himself worthy, he is always viewed as a lowly stable boy of no consequence. As a young man with no prospects, he must find his own way in life in order to gain favor with Sir Garfield and convince him that he is the best man for Charlotte...

After forging his way in life, Robert returns home decorated as a hero of war and Captain of the Horse Guard. With a hopeful heart, he seeks out Sir Garfield in another attempt for Charlotte. Unfortunately, Roberts hopes are dashed when he learns that Sir Garfield has his own selfish plans for Charlotte's future...

Charlotte and Robert are desperately in love and are determined to find a way to be together. Forgoing all consequences they embark on a plan, that if successful, will give them the future they dream of. Just when they can finally see the finish line to their problems, disaster strikes. With an unthinkable betrayal, self-fish actions and threats of death, Robert and Charlotte's path to happiness is more treacherous then ever...

With The Highest Stakes, Emery Lee has given the reader a highly detailed and researched plot. While reading this novel, there was never a time when I knew what was going to happen next. Unexpected twists kept you guessing until the very last page. There are just a couple small issues I had with the book, the first being the times when writing became a little dry with the abundant equestrian detail. The detail of the horse racing was great, it was just the history and lineage of horses that became a little overdone. That being said, any of the dry moments were quickly forgotten when the intricate plot became intense. Also, I felt the end was a little abrupt. I did love the outcome, but after such a long and intense journey to reach happiness, the ending was pale in comparison. Overall, this is an enjoyable and intriguing read that will keep the readers attention through it's 500+ pages. 

A Little Extra:

 Be sure to read the enlightening guest post by Emery Lee: 

The Sport of Kings from Genesis to Zenith.

Book Review: Island of the Swans by Ciji Ware

 

Synopsis: (From the Publisher)

Re-issued in its original full length, this acclaimed and bestselling romantic historical novel by award-winning author Ciji Ware tells the true story of passionate and flamboyant Jane Maxwell, the 4th Duchess of Gordon (1749-1812). In love since childhood with Thomas Fraser, when she hears that he's been killed in America, she marries the Duke of Gordon with disastrous results. But Fraser, very much alive, returns to England to claim her love.

In addition to telling a heart-wrenching love story, Island of the Swans also paints a fascinating portrait of a powerful and controversial woman and the tumultuous era in which she lived. Patroness of poet Robert Burns, advisor to King George, painted by Sir Joshua Reynolds, Jane Maxwell was a towering figure in her own time and is an unforgettable heroine.


My Review:
In this epic story of tragic love, the life of Jane Maxwell the 4th Duchess of Gordon is reviled to us in a spectacular way. Rich in historical accuracy and detail, Jane Maxwell comes to life as you read her story.

Jane Maxwell was a child who loved adventure, this was quickly apparent in one of the opening scenes, when we find Jane pig racing with her little sister through the center of town. Of course her mother was very displeased after finding out about the race and the horrible accident that occurred afterward. Jane and her mother never saw eye to eye on anything. While Jane wanted a happy life full of love, her mother only cared for titles and riches and aimed to use her daughter to obtain them. Thomas Fraser, Jane's best friend and childhood sweetheart, was the main obstacle in her mothers grand aspirations for Jane's marriage. Jane cared little for her mothers displeasure of Thomas; and being very opinionated and stubborn, Jane secretly agreed to marry Thomas as soon as possible. Unfortunately their happy secret would not come to pass. Due to plotting between Jane's mother and Thomas's Uncle, Thomas was soon sent to America as a solider. Soon after Thomas left, Jane received the heartbreaking news that Thomas had been killed in battle.

Jane threw herself into deep mourning for Thomas and completely disengaged from all society. Only when Alexander, the 4th Duke of Gordon, offered her his friendship and felt sympathy for her heartbreak did she begin to live again. Things moved quickly between Jane and Alex; and with her mothers constant pushing, a wedding was soon underway. Everything seemed wonderful for the newly wed couple as they embarked on their honeymoon and traveled to Gordon Castle. Alas, their bliss was short lived. Jane soon received a letter informing her that Thomas was still alive and on his way back to Scotland and her...

A tragic love triangle quickly ensued, with its intensity never seeming to cease. Spanning two decades, we read about the immense hurt they cause each other and their constant struggle for reconciliation.


This was an excellent and moving book. There are so many emotions felt as you read Jane's story. It was told in such a captivating way that you find yourself lost in the characters struggle for happiness and love. This is definitely a book I could see as an epic movie; right up there with Gone With the Wind. In the authors note at the beginning of the book, we are told that a full-length biography of Jane Maxwell does not exist. Therefore, I definitely have to give a huge thank you to Ciji Ware for bringing the historical figure of Jane Maxwell to life in such a remarkable way.
 

A Little Extra:
I have been able to interview the very talented Ciji Ware; and she has some wonderful things to share with us about Island of the Swans! Please check it out here.

Book Review: Outlander by Diana Gabaldon

Synopsis:  (from the publisher)

Unrivaled storytelling ... unforgettable characters ... rich historical detail ... these are the hallmarks of Diana Gabaldon's work. Her New York Times bestselling Outlander novels have earned the praise of critics and captured millions of readers.

Here is the story that started it all, introducing two remarkable characters, Claire Randall and Jamie Fraser, in a spellbinding novel of passion and history that combines exhilarating adventure with a love story for the ages....

The year is 1945. Claire Randall, a former combat nurse, is back from the war and reunited with her husband on a second honeymoon — when she walks through a standing stone in one of the ancient stone circles that dot the British Isles. Suddenly she is a Sassenach — an "outlander" — in a Scotland torn by war and raiding Highland clans in the year of Our Lord ... 1743.

Hurled back in time by forces she cannot understand, Claire is catapulted into intrigues and dangers that may threaten her life ... and shatter her heart. For here she meets James Fraser, a gallant young Scots warrior, and becomes a woman torn between fidelity and desire ... and between two vastly different men in two irreconcilable lives.

My Review:

The Second World War has ended and we find Clair and her husband Frank reunited at last. On holiday in Scotland they pursue their own adventures. While Frank is immersed in researching his family genealogy, Clair takes a trip to Craigh na Dun to look for some unique plants to add to her collection. It is there that Clair happens to touch a stone from the mysterious circle formation and is suddenly transported back to 1745 Scotland!

Clair is captured by some members of the Mackenzie Clan, who can not decide weather she is a whore or distressed lady (due to her lack of clothes/20th century outfit). They take her to their dwelling at Castle Leoch. Here she is deemed a "guest" by the leader of the clan, though Clair does not fail to notice the wary and suspicious feelings of everyone around her. Since Clair was a former combat nurse (though no one knows it), she is always stepping up to heal anyone who is injured or ill. Her knowledge of medicine is shocking to most, especially because she is a woman. She gains some friends through her knowledge but also some enemies...it's just one more thing to make her stand out as an "Outlander". 

After a while, Clair is sent with some clansmen on a journey across the Scottish Highlands with the goal of delivering her to her own English people. Unfortunately for Clair, the English Captain Randall is also suspicious of who she really is. He is a vulgar man and she quickly makes an enemy out of him with her hot temper. She escapes his wrath with her group of escorts and they flee back to the safety of Castle Leoch.

Through all of this Jamie Fraser, a red-headed stubborn clansmen, listens and tries to make Clair feel welcome. He too is enemies with Captain Randall and promises to protect Clair at all costs. Clair always seems to get into trouble (usually by trying to run away) and Jamie somehow always manages to save her, followed by him loosing his Scottish temper at her. They finally end up in such a mess that they have to runaway together, barley escaping with their lives. They become closer then they ever thought possible, but Clair struggles with knowing that somewhere her husband of the future is looking for her. 

In their travels Captain Randall Captures Jamie, and Clair begins a frantic search for him.  She finally finds out where he is, and also learns that he is sentenced to die in just a few days. Clair manages to gather some loyal Clansmen together and attempts a rescue mission to save Jamie. When they find Jamie, hidden in a dark dungeon cellar, Captain Randall had already done his worst. Clair is distraught at seeing Jamie so broken, he is dying and she does everything in her power to save him...but will it be enough? And if it is enough, should she stay with this man whom she has grown to love, or go back to her husband in the future?...



I could have written this review with one word....AWESOME....it was just that good! I absolutely loved this book. During the first 200 pages not a lot happened, but it held my interest and I was never once saying "get on with it". After those first 200 pages the book blew up with action and suspense that never stopped. Every time one dramatic scene stopped, another crisis started. I especially loved the continuous clash of tempers between Clair and Jamie; it gave me a lot of laughs. The Scottish accent writing did not bother me at all, it was done very well (just be sure you know that "Ken" means "Know" when you read it, it confused me once or twice, LOL). My only complaint is how much detail there is when informing the reader of what Captain Randall did to Jamie. What he did in the first place was bad enough, but then we were told three more times in great detail what occurred. Besides that little point, everything else was excellent. The book was 850 pages long and I felt like I only read 200...now that's saying something! This book had everything you could want, suspense, romance, humor and so much more. I just briefly touched on what the book was about up above, it does not even come close to what awaits you inside. I definitely look forward to reading the rest of the series!