Book Review (XLVIII) Gambler's Choice by Linda Nghtingale

Blurb:

Becca McQuaid came to England to find the perfect horse but instead met a darkly mysterious challenge in Austen Heath, Baron of Hampton. She’s determined to buy Austen’s stallion Gambler’s Choice. He’s determined not to sell, but the rivals are thrown together by an accident that leaves Austen with a broken leg and the threat he’ll never ride again.

Austen Heath has the title, heritage and manor house…but not the fortune. Becca is wealthy. Her charms are irresistible, but he believes she’s shopping for a Ladyship to go with her money. He has another reason to hold the sexy blonde at arms’ length—the unexplained disappearance of an old friend everyone thinks was his lover. When her body is discovered on his property, he becomes a suspect in her murder.

Then the killer begins stalking Becca. Who is the slayer haunting Hampton Hall? Is it the Baron of Hampton himself?

 

My Review

I stayed up until the wee hours of the morning finishing Gambler’s Choice. There are many things I loved about this novel that I don't even know where to start. On top of a truly well-rounded story I met some pretty clever characters.  The plot is well-developed and the characters are easy to get to know.

Becca and Austen kept me turning the pages. I found them not only likable characters, but their personalities refreshing. Outwardly, they appear as opposites in all aspects of their lives and as the story unfolds, the reader is left with the pleasant discovery of just how alike these two really are.

The author takes the reader on an intimate journey with Becca and Austen and a wonderful cast of secondary characters, Gambler’s Choice included, adding a dimension to the story while entertaining the reader.

And even though you'll be drawn in by the characters, the action will keep you going. There are many twists and turns, and new directions that this story takes. But I don’t want to give any of it up. You must experience the delight yourself by reading the book. I will add only a few quotes from the book to give you a hint about the characters:

Rebecca McQuaid from Virginia.  She was tall, slender, blonde and blue-eyed—in four words his,( Austen’s ) dream woman. Daddy was a lobbyist and Momma old Virginia aristocracy.

Becca had found that the best way to protect her heart was to play spoiled little rich girl. She was looking for a horse to fall in love with and help mend her broken heart.

Baron Austen Heath, “was as hot as a firecracker on the Fourth of July.” First, he rides like he was born on a horse. Second, he’s gorgeous and is a Baron. There are a lot of rich fillies lining up to buy that title and the neat male package that comes with it.”

The chemistry between Becca and Austen is almost palpable. The only problem is that “The man had more women than a tree had leaves” – Patti, Amy, Laura, Julia and many more.

Add to this a beautiful horse – Gambler’s Choice, a ghost, a murderer, threats on Becca’s life and you get an enthralling story.

Will Becca manage to master her fear at being threatened both by ghosts and living beings? Will  she get what she came for to England? Will Austen find out the truth about missing Julia? How can this affect his feelings for the rich American girl? I won’t tell you more to leave you discover the murderer by yourselves.

Gambler’s Choice is well written, keeps you wondering what will happen next. Fans of contemporary romance with a sprinkle of mystery, suspense and a superb horse will binge it. I highly recommend this fast-paced, page turning tale and can't wait to read more of Linda Nightingale's stories.