When happily ever after is the name of the game, gamblers must risk it all in this emotional conclusion to Christina McKnight’s bestselling Craven House Series.
WAGERS GO AWRYPayton Samuels has always known she wants more out of life than being the youngest daughter of the ton’s most disreputable family. While her siblings are content to bet their future happiness on marriage, Payton learned … siblings are content to bet their future happiness on marriage, Payton learned early on from her mother that love is fleeting and leads only to disappointment. She’s got a different plan: she’ll work as a governess for Baron Ashford’s children, but only long enough to win her fortune at one of his infamous masked gaming parties. When she loses big, Payton sees her chance at an independent life go up in flames–until Lord Ashford surprises her by paying her debts.
WHEN LOVE IS IN THE CARDS.
Since the tragic death of his wife, Damon Kinder, Lord Ashford, has been a man made of ice. His determination to never be hurt by love again runs so deep that he can’t even connect with his children. When they quickly take to Payton, he thinks he’s found a solution: she’ll give them the affection and support he can’t. As he spends more time around Payton, his heart begins to defrost, and he can’t stop thinking about the captivating governess.
But every seasoned gambler knows that eventually, luck runs out. Can two souls so burned by past loves forge a new future together?
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An engaging story of hope when all seems lost, Christina McKnight delivers a heartfelt tale. Payton Samuels has been disappointed in life. She lost her mother at a young age and her siblings go their own way. Becoming a governess for Damon, Baron Ashford’s two children, she is determined to attend some of his gaming parties and make her fortune. As plans go, it definitely did not work out! Losing terribly she is surprised that Damon bails her out. But she also falls in love with her charges and tries to draw them closer to their father. Feeling a broken man after the death of his wife, Damon has tried to keep his feelings tightly bound due to not wanting to care too much and lose again.
As attraction slowly builds between the two, can there be a future for them? Can each let go of their old emotions and learn to trust and open their hearts? Another great addition to the Craven House series that can be read as a standalone. But don’t miss the other books in this series because they are just as amazing as this one.
Payton Samuels has her life plan. Move out from under the constant loving control of her siblings, and start an independent life. For that she needs work, so she takes a job as a governess. The family she works for have a big problem that maybe she can help with. Her gambling will hopefully help with the funds she will need when it’s time to move on.
Damon Kinder, Lord Ashford is still suffering from the death of his wife four years earlier. He shuts himself away from everyone, even his children. The only time he mixes with society is at the card playing evenings he runs at his house. Even then he hides behind a mask.
A very emotional romance between lonely people. Wonderful characters that you will instantly fall in love with. This book is part of a series of stand alone stories. All of the ones I have read are just as good as this one. I have loved them all and can’t wait to read the rest of the series.
I found this book to be a very enjoyable read. It would have been nice if I had read the first books in the series, but it didn’t impact my enjoyment of this book. I found the characters easy to relate to and particularly the small children and the way they handled their pain and had a major part in bringing the hurt adults together. I found them adorable. The book was written with a lot of feeling and had a nice amount of suspense to keep you turning the page. An added bonus for this reviewer is that it is a clean read. After reading this book, I now want to go back and read the ones before. Although we are told that each sister gets her HEA, there is enough mystery to have me wanting to read their stories. I received this as an ARC and would differently suggest this book for a relaxing, enjoyable read.
As Regency romance novels go, this book was a departure from the norm, however I found it difficult to relate to, especially compared to other books that I have read by this author. The language and flow of writing in this novel are good and the story is easy to read but the plot itself was somewhat awkward. The main characters had a strange relationship and although I enjoyed Payton’s relationship with both the children and Damon, the Baron was not a person to draw one or make a woman feel safe, despite his concern for Payton. There was a certain amount of suspense and tension in this story, all of Payton’s own doing. Although this book is part of a series and characters from previous books appear in this one too, it is nevertheless a standalone and can be read as such. The epilogue was enjoyable and finished the novel off well and being clean, it can be read by most age groups. I received a copy of this book for free as a gift and this is my honest and voluntary review.
This book four in the Craven House Series and it is Payton’s story. She is a governess to two small children who have lost their mother. Joy and Abram have been let run wild by their father who is still mourning the loss of his wife Sarah. He has shut everyone out until Payton becomes governess of his children. Damon figures out he has been wrong to shut the children out and maybe, just maybe he kinda likes the Gambler.
The Gambler Wages Her Baron by Christina McKnight is an emotional conclusion to “Craven House series”. But can be read as a stand alone.
Well crafted with charming and engaging characters. A gentleman of ice meets a lady with a warm heart and gambling issues, in this compelling and emotional story. The storyline is filled with heartbreak, brokenness, struggles, learning to trust, and finding a second chance at love. The children just added to this fabulous story. Payton Samuels and Damon Kinder, Lord Ashford are a fascinating couple, the chemistry between causes sparks to fly off the pages. Emotional roller coaster but well worth the time to read. Another must read by the talented Christina McKnight!
Rating: 4.5
Heat rating: Mild
Reviewer: AprilR
This is a sweet, heartwarming and entertaining story. Damon is an emotionally broken man, lost in his own world and indifferent to the rest of life. Payton is a strong, independent and caring woman who is trying to live her life on her own terms. Payton is hired as the governess for Damons two children, thinking that she will work there temporarily then move on to find her dream. But she soon finds herself totally immersed in the family’s sad situation, and falling in love with both the children and their seemingly cold hearted father. It’s a beautiful story of love and angst.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. This is my honest and voluntary opinion of it.
I think this is my favorite in this series! A man of ice just needs a little melting and Payton is just the warm heart that can do. You know when children are involved that its going to be a fun time. I was hooked from the start with her in the closet and couldn’t wait to see what she did. The spark between them will leave you breathless and so will the words between them at times. Theirs is an intense story from his heartbreak and protecting her to her gambling and the fight in her.
Payton has her eyes on a better path, but she just doesn’t know the end is so close. She will win you over right away with how she doesn’t hold back and loves the children. I loved when she realized that she had found the right path.
Damon is a shattered man that thinks he is protecting his kids and himself by being a man of ice. Don’t be fooled by him at first because he will melt your heart once you hear his story and get to know him. I loved when he opened his heart again even if he didn’t know it.
I can only imagine what these children will be like when they are older.
Payton is tired of being tied down by scandal. Deciding to break free could be the best decision she’s ever made or the worst mistake of her life. Damon comes into her life at a time when her world is falling apart. He lost his heart a long time ago. Death has a way of taking the light out of a person. When Payton comes into his world, she starts to melt the ice around his heart. She becomes the glue that holds his family together and the spirit that reawakens his soul. McKnight enthralls with her tales of courageous heroines and brooding heroes. Hidden within that tried and true formula is a tale of love, built on hope, rescued by faith. The Gambler Wagers Her Baron is a sure bet.
Payton Samuels has always known she wants more out of life than being the youngest daughter of the ton’s most disreputable family. While her siblings are content to bet their future happiness on marriage. She’s got a different plan: she’ll work as a governess for Baron Ashford’s children, Abram & Joy, but only long enough to win her fortune at one of his infamous masked gaming parties. When she loses, Payton sees her chance at an independent life go up in flames until Lord Ashford surprises her by paying her debts. Since the tragic death of his wife Sarah, Damon Kinder, Lord Ashford, has been a man made of ice & so lost in his grief that he can’t even connect with his children.
This is the fourth book in the Craven House series but could be read on its own, however the series is so good I’d recommend reading the whole series. The characters are well developed & are so likeable especially the two little terrors Abram & Joy who stole the book. Damon is still grieving Sarah but Payton gradually opens his eyes to the fact that life goes on & it’s possible to love again. Payton is a mature for her age and by caring heals the Kinder family. A lovely read that I read in under a day. I’m so looking forward to Garrett’s story as how he acted with the children was lovely.
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
The Gambler Wagers Her Baron by Christina McKnight is a fabulous historical romance. Ms. McKnight has once again delivered a well-written book. The characters are stellar, I love them. Payton goes to work as a governess to earn money for her gambling. Damon has been ignoring his children since his wife died. Payton and Damon’s story is filled with drama, humor and spice. This book too me a chapter or two before I really got into the story, but it was well worth it. I enjoyed reading The Gambler Wagers Her Baron and look forward to reading more from Christina McKnight. The Gambler Wagers Her Baron is book 4 of the Craven House Series but can be read as a standalone. This is a complete book, not a cliff-hanger.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
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The Gambler Wagers Her Baron, Craven House Book #4 by Christina McKnight
I received this book from the author for an honest review.
I have been so waiting for Peyton’s book. She was the baby of the family and the secretive one, so I wanted to know how this hard woman would fall or more who would win her heart. I admit I loved seeing her soft side emerge and caring for 2 lost souls much like herself as a child. She is the perfect person to take care of these troublesome kiddos for sure. She can handle the spunk and hurt they feel over the loss of their mother and subsequent father.
Damon is lost without his wife. He can’t imagine a day without her and yet here he is living while she is no more. He is so afraid of screwing up his kids, he hides from them not realizing that is what is screwing them up. Damon is beyond frustrated when the new governess is not able to handle his children and yet she also will not stand down from him when he gives a dictate.
When Damon discovers a “secret” side to his new governess he is beyond interested in her but seeing her care and support for his children makes his heart seize up. He should be the one caring for them and yet she is. He should be the one comforting their night terrors and yet she is the one they come to.
I loved the dynamic of the two. Damon and Pey are prefect matches for each other. She will not allow him to hide from his duties as a father and he shows her that loving a man is more then just giving up your freedom to live in a cage. The love match is a slow burn because they are both from different stations in life and different places. He has no idea of the heartbreak she has felt in her life and she comes to understand what losing is wife has done to him and his children.
Garrett!! Oh Garrett!! I am so ready for your book. Seeing you with the kids made my heart melt like jelly….seriously I love him so hard and I can’t wait to see some woman make a proper gentleman outta him.
I really liked the story of Payton with the children. Becoming the parent to them that they needed when their father emotionally abandoned them after his wife died. I loved how both he and the children changed during the book. I understand her reasons for gambling yet it almost seemed a slight addiction at times. The only thing I didn’t like and drove me nuts reading the book was the constant “in your face” referencing Damon’s late wife Sarah and how he loved her and felt responsible for her death. I felt that should have been mentioned less and we still would have known his feelings. I did like the references to the rest of Paytons family and their updates, I just hope at some point we get Garrett’s happy ending! Thank you for the ARC, I was glad I got to read this so quickly!