A Game of Chance by Lauren Linwood-a review
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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date January 8, 2014
Gambler Jed Stone journeys to California to track down Simon Morgan, the man responsible for his best friend’s death. Arrested for robbery and murder upon arrival, Jed is shocked to see his face on a wanted poster. He escapes before his hanging, unaware that the man guilty of those crimes is the twin brother he never knew existed. In a case of mistaken identity, Jed acquires the most famous whorehouse in San Francisco in a rigged card game his twin is meant to win.
Lily Frontiere takes over running Lucky Lil’s from her dying mother, the house madam who shielded her by sending her away to boarding school. Lily’s intelligence and astonishing resemblance to her mother help in her charade, but she’s entered a world she knows little about. She clashes with the handsome stranger who turns up with the deed to Lucky Lil’s in hand, yet she is attracted to the charming risk taker.
Jed asks Madam Lil to stay on as he learns the business and is fooled by Lily’s performance until he stumbles upon the real Madam Lil and learns the truth behind Lily’s deception. His admiration for Lily blossoms into love.
But Simon Morgan seeks both Lily’s hand and ownership of Lucky Lil’s—and he will go to any means to possess both. Will Jed foil his nemesis while bringing his outlaw brother to justice and win Lily’s love?
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Lauren Linwood’s western romances are the things of legend! She has written some flavorful and exciting stories and A Game of Chance is the latest in this body of work.
The story begins with a look into the past of 1845. Cara Lee, a young lady, is dying in childbirth, her cruel actor husband, Gordon, only wants the baby to ensure his inheritance from his grandfather Max. He is actually cold and cruel to the poor dying girl and leaves as soon as the mid-wife hands him the baby boy. He doesn’t even stay to comfort her as she dies or see to her burial.
However, the fate’s turn on him, as soon as he leaves, poor Cara Lee gives birth to another baby boy. The mid-wife does not know the father’s name or where to get in touch with him about the second son. Not a great mother figure, but at least she kept the lad and instilled in him a sense of right and wrong! His only gift from his mother was a gold locket with her initials.
We then go into the future, about 1870, with Jed Stone in a Stockton jail, awaiting trial for a crime he did not commit. However, the face on the wanted poster, which read “Wanted Cal Hart” for murder, rape and robbery, was clearly his face.
Thus begins this intriguing tale of intertwined lives, it really is a small world at times! Ms. Linwood has taken the lives of very different people and intertwined them into an exciting tale of fortune’s won and lost and true love in its many forms.
Jed manages to escape the jail and heads for San Francisco. There he chances to meet “Lil”, the famous madam of Lucky Lil’s Sporting House (whorehouse and gambling, but a nice one). Lil has made her house famous and no longer “services” the customers, but charms them as the “ladies” take care of business. Jed is saved from the Stockton sheriff taking him back to Stockton by “Lil”; who he finds out is not actually Lil, but her daughter Lilly. Lilly, who favors her mother greatly, has been acting as Lil while her mother is actually upstairs ill and slowly dying.
Ok, that’s all the spoilers! It’s an exciting tale of intrigue, misunderstanding, and twisted fates. Will Jed and Lilly fall in love, and can it work? Will he finally meet his cruel and absent father and his villainous twin brother? There is also an element of revenge for the death of his old friend, Louis, by a cheating gambler.
Ah, this is one story you must read for yourselves, and I guarantee it’s a tale worth the reading. Many trials and hardships await…the righting of old wrongs and much, much, more!
I personally found this a 3 glass at a time (of wine, of course) book! Very hard to put down, the characters are well done and loveable (at least the good guys); the villains are hate-able and pathetic! Just what a good western should be. Enjoy everyone, I certainly did!
Copy supplied by the author.
Reviewed by Georgianna
I haven’t read a western since many years ago. That was made into a movie, but can’t remember the title. Lol. Thus was a fabulous review Georgi, which sounds like a nice change to read.
Maybe you’re thinking of 3:10 to Yuma, Barb. That’s one of my favorite westerns, and they’ve made two film versions of it.
Thanks to Sandy at The Reading Café for hosting me today. She’s been so kind to me. And to Georgi–I’m so happy that you enjoyed Jed & Lily’s story. I count you as my #1 fan!
Thanks Lauren, you write really great “little lady” LOL!
Thanks, Georgie! I may just have to put you in a book sometime soon…
That would be a hoot! LOL
Fabulous review, Georgianna! I am a fan of this genre and this one sounds very exciting. Count me in! 🙂
I’m like you, Carmen – I just love a good western historical! I hope you’ll enjoy Jed & Lily’s story.
What’s not to love…this one is great Carmen!
Great review Georgianna.
I have to tell you, Fran, that when I read Georgi’s review – it put a huge smile on my face. She’s read and reviewed all three of my historical romances, and I value her and her sweet words.
Thanks Fran, these are such good “get aways” for the mind! Love visiting the places she writes about and makes so realistic!
Great review Georgianna. Sounds like a sweet storyline. Congrats to Lauren.
Thanks so much, Sassy. I had a blast writing this one. It’s amazing how close you can become to your characters as they come to life.
It’s a little scary at the end, but what’s romance without a little danger…just love a man that can save his woman!
Very nice review Georgianna. I haven’t read a western romance in years-except the few my mother had (harlequin) years ago 😉
Give this one a try, EF! I like to think of it as a western with a twist since it’s set in the very cosmopolitan city of San Francisco. It’s not your usual western in that sense.
It’s definitely unusual, but I really like the setting! You did a great job Lauren!
Wonderful review Georgianna. Always love an historical romance.
Congratulations to Lauren on the new release.
Thanks, Alicia! This is my 3rd historical. Maybe 3rd time will be the charm.
So far I think all three have been more than charming! I like a good story, whenever it is!
Interesting review Georgi. I can’t say i’m a Western type of reader but I can say for those who are will totally enjoy your read Lauren .
I can say I am happy to know that it is one of the nice Whorehouse & Gambling Places ,’snort’ this made me smile when I read it .
there were whore houses and then there were some that were actually “nice” to the girls that worked there…they were few and far between, I’m sure. A girl’s gotta make a living…right?! LOL
Hey, Lori – That’s the fun of being an author. I can make it a “nice” whorehouse, and my hero can make a change in the lives of those who live there!!
Great review georgianna. Sounds good and I do enjoy a good western from te to time
Yeah, most of the time I enjoy my shifters and vamps…but I do love a well written western, and this is one!
I can’t help but love the Old West, Marcie. It seems larger than life and can make for great heroes and heroic situations. And I’m with Georgie – you can tell a good story in any era.
Great review. I’m not into residing much westerns, but you made this sound good.
Bran – I just tried to write a fun & interesting love story. I think a romance can be set in any time period. This one also takes place in San Francisco, so it’s really the time in history and not a typical western since most of is in the city!
Bran, it’s such an interesting story…the time period is written really true to life from the clothes and more. The story is timeless…as most love stories are.
Wow a western, and a historical. I have not read a western in a long long time.
GAB – Try this one and if you like it? I have another western Georgie loved – Outlaw Muse!
Oh yeah, I’ve love all your westerns so far. As I said, I’m a sucker for a good love story and yours are among the best I’ve read. The characters are real, and the plot and storyline are excellent!