The Marriage Wager Mass Market Paperback – November 5, 2013

The Marriage Wager involves a widow who meets her match in an unexpected way. This story moves a bit slowly but by the middle of the novel finds a good pace.Lady Emma hates gambling, her late husband was a prolific gamester taking her to the continent, blowing all her money and now ironically she is back in London trying to keep herself and her servant afloat by gambling. She recognizes her younger brother (who does not know her as she has been gone awhile) losing badly and finds the man responsible for “taking” her brother’s money.Lord Colin meets Lady Emma and she is absolutely livid, questioning his character because she believes he has fleeced her sibling. Emma sounds like a virago; she interrupts, is shrewish, jumps to conclusions and is not that likable in these opening chapters. For some reason, Lord Colin likes her and pursues her.The two end up in a marriage that both are determined to be one based on respect not on deep feelings other than friendship. Colin is incredibly patient with Emma trusting her when she keeps secrets from him. She is stubborn and has a tendency not to believe in her hero. This couple is passionate though and they form a strong bond by the end of this story.

I first read this book as a paperback years ago when I lived in California. I loved it and I became a great fan of Jane Ashford. The story is as interesting and sweet as I remembered and I'm glad I added it to my Kindle library.

I have never read any of Ms Ashford's novels before but I enjoyed this one. It was a bit slow in spots but was extremely readable and entertaining. Some parts were a bit of a stretch considering the time period ( girls were NOT given that much freedom in that period and would never have gone to a masquerade with a male outside of their own family), but that is certainly poetic license, in my opinion. I would recommend the book for a rainy afternoon.

This book had everything we read recency romances for: a beautiful heroine in distress, handsome hero, misunderstandings, eventual happy ending. It was a nice way to while away an afternoon, but a week later I already had to skim the book to remind myself of the plot. Still, I put it in my collection of "good historical" because it was a more enjoyable read than many in this genre.

I bought this book because I have liked some other stories Jane Ashford wrote. She does write well, wonderful similes, but all the elegant prose in the world will not make an unbelievable story better.

there is nothing about the author or the book i would not recommend.someone looking for a great reading would enjoy

I can't believe I've been reading Regency romances for 20 yrs and have just stumbled upon Jane Ashford. Well-written, good plots and interesting characters make her books a pleasure to read. 3 down and more to go!

different & entertaining