Formerly titled Brooke: Wagers Gone Awry (Conundrums of the Misses Culpepper, Book 1)An angry earl. A desperate spinster. A reckless wager.For five years, Brooke Culpepper has focused her energy on two things: keeping the struggling dairy farm that’s her home operating and preventing her younger sister and cousins from starving. Then one day, a stern-faced stranger arrives at their doorstep and … stranger arrives at their doorstep and announces he’s the dairy’s new owner and plans on selling the farm. Though she’s outraged, Brooke can’t deny the Earl of Ravensdale makes her pulse race in the most disturbing way.
Heath is incensed to discover five women call the land he won at the gaming tables their home. Their guardian made no mention of his beautiful, impoverished wards, nor did he reveal that he forced Brooke to send him the dairy’s proceeds or he’d evict them. Heath detests everything about the country and has no desire to own a smelly farm, even if one of the occupants is the most intelligent, entrancing woman he’s ever met.
Desperate, pauper poor, and with nowhere to take her family, Brooke rashly proposes a wager. Heath’s stakes? The farm. Hers? Her virtue. The land holds no interest for Heath, but he finds Brooke irresistible and ignoring prudence as well as his sense of honor, he just as recklessly accepts her challenge.
In a winner takes all bet, will they both come to regret their impulsiveness, especially when love is at stake?
Buy the first book of The Blue Rose Regency Romances: The Culpepper Misses historical series for a romping, emotional, and romantic adventure you won’t want to put down.
Though this book is part of a series, it can easily be read as a stand-alone.
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Enjoyable
At least it was a free book. The author appeared to go step by step with the HR formula that was totally uninspired. Even the dialogue was tepid. Issues included the totally unbelivable reaction that ALL the characters had to each other. Why did the butler conk the Earl on the head? Why did Humphey return that day? What was the motive of the sinister cousin? Give me a break. I have another Free book from this author, which I think I’ll dump. Rather spend my reading time on something better constructed.
good read
This was a lovely historical. I loved how they started as enemies but couldn’t fight their attraction. The sisters/cousins were great and I loved how supportive they were.
A wonderful regency romance from Collette Cameron. I thoroughly enjoyed it. It’s a fun, witty story with five beautiful ladies and three handsome rakes. This is Heath and Brooke’s story, and a wonderful introduction to the ladies Culpepper. I highly recommend this book, and I really can’t wait to read the rest of their stories.
Having just read this story I must proclaim it delightful, funny and romantic. A pure pleasure to read. Of course with a happy ending being the kind I like. Of all the romance stories I’ve read the question frequently comes to mind of why do all these couples question love when it happens? Why can’t they just admit, accept and trust that it is what it is? It would save them so much time soul searching and torment. Sometimes I feel like shaking them until their obstinate heads rattle. But then I tell myself that if they did accept it early in the story then there wouldn’t be much of a story. Thank you Collette for this cute romantic tale.
This is the only book I have read by this author, but I would be willing to read another. Brooke started well, the plot was set up, the characters drawn, then it seemed like someone told the author that she needed to move it along. The final 20 pages or so seemed to be forced. I don’t mind sex scenes if they integrate with the story logically, but this one seemed to be out of character for the heroine, and the hero for that matter. ” Sure we’ll marry, then hop directly into bed, don’t mind my sisters and your friends. “. Seemed awkward.
One of the better examples of the regency romance genre. Entertaining, with a nice strong heroine.
This book was fun to read. Perfectly romantic in the sense that there’s attraction at first sight. I’d have liked a little more character development ,which can be accomplished in a romantic novel, but that could just be me.
Pleasant, stupid, mind candy. Very nice formulaic escapism. If I could do half stars I’d give it 3.5.
The Misses Culpepper…sisters & cousins who live on the dairy farm that was owned by the father of the oldest Miss Culpepper & her sister. Upon the father’s death the farm is inherited by a distant relative who becomes their guardian. This guardian has no use for the girls or the farm & “allows” them to live there with Brooke, the oldest, in charge & their only allowance being half of what the dairy brings in (which isn’t much).
Brooke Culpepper, the oldest of the Culpepper misses, loves running the household & the farm. She doesn’t like the fact that females cannot inherit property & she is at the mercy of a distant relative. Thankfully, he doesn’t want anything to do with the farm or the girls which allows them to live somewhat in peace. Well, except for the fact that they barely have enough money to live on. Each of the girls does something to supplement their income, sewing, music lessons, etc and their loyal servants continue to work for them without pay.
Heath, the Earl of Ravensdale, a confirmed rogue wins a dairy farm in a game of cards. Not something a man about town has any real interest in so he decides he will check the property out & put it up for sale. After traveling to the farm in horrendous weather he is none to happy when he arrives & finds 5 women living there.
An old dog, undeniable attraction & a series of loyal servants “trying” to help, an improper proposal & wagers going the wrong way can this couple find a happily ever after? Will the winner of the bet hold true to their end of the bargain?
I received this book as an ARC in exchange for an honest review….I absolutely LOVED this book!!! Collette Cameron has the unique ability to put you in the characters shoes. She makes excellent use of first person…especially with the little “thoughts” each character has (these cracked me up!). Along with the wager between Brooke & Heath that involves Freddy, the dog, had me laughing & yelling out loud. She also sets up the next story with the some of the secondary characters & it’s going to be explosive. Anxiously waiting for the next story!
Brooke takes care of her sister and three cousins. They live on a simple cattle farm and produce cheese. She just wants to provide for her family and has come to terms with being a spinster. Her other cousin inherited the title and farm when her fathers passes and takes the rents but pays no attention to these ladies. When her nasty cousin losses the property to Heath the Earl of Ravendale she tries to think of way to “win” her farm back. Heath having no desire to own a farm falls for Brooke instantly. During their time together he gets hurts and she nurses him back to health. She tells him she will do anything to retain her farm. He wants her period so a wager is formed. Brookes dog must corral the cows into the barn. If she wins she gets the farm, if she loses she will become Heath’s mistress for a year. Well in true Cameron fashion they each get what they want…A lot of laughs with these girls and I “wager” the next Culpepper tale will be just as fun!
who will win?? when Brooke is faced with losing everything she and her “quartet” consisting of her sister and 3 cousins have, will she make good on her wager to become a mistress or will she win and own the farm she has struggled to survive with for the last 5 yrs. Collette Cameron has done it again with a terrific story, full bodied characters that you can’t help but fall in love with. An A+ winner!!