In the game of love… rather see him die, Georgiana blurts out that he’s her fiancé. She’ll nurse the hateful man back to health and make him vow to leave and never return. The man who wakes up, though, is nothing like the heartless rogue Georgiana thought she knew…
You have to risk it all
He wakes up with no memory of being assaulted—or of who he is. The bewitching beauty tending him so devotedly calls him Rob and claims she’s his fiancée even as she avoids his touch. Though he can’t remember how he won her hand, he’s now determined to win her heart. But as his memory returns and the truth is revealed, Rob must decide if the game is up—or if he’ll take a chance on a love that defies all odds.
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I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
On 9-24-19 Caroline Linden presents us with book 3 in the Wager of Sin series, When The Marquess Was Mine. Lady Georgiana Lucas doesn’t like the Marquess of Westmoreland, he’s said nasty things about debutants, and specifically her. Robert Churchill-Gray is your typical bachelor with too much money and time on his hands. Ms Linden employs a favorite plotline of mine, amnesia. Without giving away too much of the plot, I will say that Rob is beaten up & left for dead. Enter Georgiana, who takes care of him, saves his very life, and lies to everyone about his identity. He can’t remember who he is and that he is a jerk. This situation allows both characters to press the restart button, get to know each other without preconceived notions getting in the way. Along the road to his recovery, as they get to know each other, they start to realize that neither is what’s expected. I love that they’re given a chance to play things out, no compromising scenes or reputation saving engagements. Their relationship seems more real, not forced. I liked both of them, separately and together. I was invested in their happiness and that’s a very good thing.
#WhenTheMarquessWasMine #TheWagersOfSin #CarolineLinden #HarperCollins #Romance
Rescuing the Marquess of Westmorland from thugs that would have killed him, Georgiana Lucas makes a decision on the fly, one that she does not regret but she certainly has no idea how to get out of the situation she created. Having been at the receiving end of Rob’s caustic comments. Georgiana has no love for the man, but she could not with all conscience, allow him to die. This delightful, well-written Regency romance kept me enthralled throughout and as Rob slowly comes to himself once more, one can only applaud his change in attitude. Georgiana discovers a man she can truly love, the only problem is that she already has a fiancé. As the truth about her own fiancé and brother emerge, Georgiana is more determined than ever to live life on her own terms, despite the potentially high cost of losing everything she ever dreamed she wanted. One cannot help but fall in love with the rakish Rob despite his past escapades. Georgiana’s kindness also touched a spot in my heart as she struggles with the fallout from her prevarication. Characters from previous books in this series appear in this one too, but it is nevertheless a standalone and comes to a happy and well thought out close. I received a copy of this book as a gift from Edelweiss and this is my honest and voluntary review.
I loved this story. Georgiana was darn near perfect! Fairly confident woman, she didn’t let others dictate to her, was strong willed, and not squeamish to boot! Rob was pretty much a jerk before he got coshed on the head and almost beaten to death, but the change he went through was awesome! It was great watching them fall in love and the steps he went through to win her hand. This story is not to be missed! Thank you so much for the advanced copy, this book was well worth me staying up until 4am to finish! (My husband was ready to kill me 😀 )
4.5 stars rounded up
Robert Churchill-Gray, the Marquess of Westmorland is an unabashed rake, but when he spends a wild night with his friends at the Vega Club and ends up winning the deed to a house owned by Sir Charles Winston, his life changes in ways that he could not even begin to comprehend!
Sir Charles spreads it about the Rob cheated and those rumors make it to his mother, who insists that Rob make things right! Rob has no intention of keeping the house, but is annoyed that Winston is blackening his name, he decides to return the deed to Winton’s wife and make it known what her husband did!! But when he is just a few miles from the house, he is attacked and violently beaten.
Lady Georgiana Lucas is visiting her friend Kitty, Lady Winston in Derbyshire when the letter comes from Sir Charles saying that there was some trouble in town and that if the Marquess of Westmorland shows up at the house, they are not to let him in!! Georgiana can only imagine what kind of trouble the marquess has caused, she is not acquainted with him, but she doesn’t like him because she has overheard him making cutting and snide remarks about herself and her friends, and she has even given him the nickname the malicious marquess. Bored of being cooped up in the house, Georgiana goes out riding and when she finds a man unconscious on the road, beaten beyond recognition, she refuses to leave him and brings him back to the house. It isn’t until he has been cleaned up a bit, that she recognizes him, she knows that Kitty has a vicious streak and worries he will die if he doesn’t get help, so she lies and says he is her betrothed Viscount Sterling. She immediately regrets her lie and worries what will happen when he wakes and tries to kick them out of the house!
But when Rob wakes, he has no memory of who he is or why he was in Derbyshire, he believes that Georgiana is his betrothed and thinks he is lucky to have such a wonderful fiancée. Georgiana wants to tell him the truth, but worries that it might cause a setback, but when his brother comes looking for him, she knows her time is up and she must tell him the truth.
Rob overhears her conversation with his brother – and his memory comes rushing back. He is upset to realize that Georgiana has lied to him, but is even more upset to realize she is not his betrothed. The next day she explains everything and they form a plan to have him leave without revealing who he is – he still doesn’t remember why he was in Derbyshire, his brother Tom has told him what happened, but he doesn’t know why he decided to go to the house in the first place. He also wonders why he and his friend Heathcote were gambling so deep, something tickles in the back of his mind that he and Heath were gambling as part of a mission to help Heath’s uncle, but these things are just not clear. They all agree it would be best for Rob to return to his family home and Georgiana will return to London. He doesn’t want things to end, but she is engaged and is not willing to jilt Viscount Sterling.
Georgiana has come to care for Rob, but she has loved Viscount Sterling her whole life – hasn’t she? When she returns to London, she begins to question her feelings for Sterling and his devotion for her.
Rob can’t seem to forget about Georgiana and wonders if he gave up too easily. When his father encourages him to follow his heart, he goes back to London, but the road to HEA is never easy and these two have more going against them than most couples…
This is a nicely paced, well written story with very likeable characters, witty banter, warm love scenes, a truly vile villain, long suffering chaperones, great secondary characters and cameos with Sophie and Wade as well as Lord Phillip, my only real complaint is that I did feel like the villain got off a little too easily. But overall, I enjoyed this story and would be happy to recommend. This is the third book in the series, but it can be read as a standalone without issue.
*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that was provided to me by Edelweiss and the publisher.*
When The Marquess Was Mine is a wonderful story that brings back characters from previous books. I love that I got to “see” old friends again while making new friends.
Without giving away the whole story, this one is high on my favorites list because I knew a happily ever after was coming but wasn’t sure how the “spy” problem the Marquess was working on for a friend would be solved. I liked that Ms. Linden incorporated characters from her previous books to help with solving the problem. While this book has the romantic scenes, it also has spirit and friendship that makes you feel warm while reading. I loved how Georgiana’s old flame stayed friendly rather than becoming an enemy after she chose to end that relationship. The Marquess, I wasn’t a hundred percent sold on and that may be because I missed something. He seems like stand up guy from most perspectives. However, the cutting remarks he made about Georgiana and her friends don’t stay within the built character of other aspects of his life. It threw me off to making me think that maybe he was playing a different persona int he ballroom to help further his “spy” career. Not entirely sure though. . . Regardless, I would highly recommend this book.
I did receive a free advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion. All thoughts and opinions above are my own.
I really enjoyed this book. The characters were interesting and entertaining. I like that the relationship was developed slowly and they were friends before they became lovers. Their courtship in the country was one of favorite parts of the book. I like the way his amnesia was portrayed. It was more believable than other books have portrayed it. He slowly remembered things instead of everything coming back all at once. Familiar things and people brought back more memories than trying to remember on its on. Rob’s brother Tom was a great supporting character, and I hope we see more of him in the rest of the series. I hope he gets his own book. I would like to know about Will and his wife as well. I really liked their brotherly banter and interactions. I liked how other characters from this series made appearance and helped the story along. The ending was well written. The resolution to the situation with the Winston’s was interesting.
4.5/5
What a wonderful story! I think it’s my favorite of this series thus far!!
While it’s a solidly good story (maybe a bit far fetched in spots), it’s the lovable characters who really shine here. Lady Georgiana has a lesson about being quick to judgment about Lord Westmorland (Rob), while Rob, with the reputation of being a notorious rogue, becomes decidedly more approachable after a head injury leaves him with amnesia. But it’s the fun these two have being together and how they bring out the best in each other that really captured my heart. Georgiana has an adventurous streak, and rather than trying to subdue it, Rob encourages and feeds it. She also becomes more independent-minded and willing to stand up for herself and others as she gains confidence. Such a great couple!
Thoroughly enjoyed this one!
This novel was a deliciously fun romp of a read!
Main male character gets in accident and has amnesia- main female character is saving her best friends home from being taken away from her (her looser husband lost it in a card game), by main male character who has amnesia- not an unusual plot but it was a really good read anyway!
Kind of unrealistic but a fun read.
Caroline Linden’s When the Marquess was Mine is the third novel in the Wagers of Sins series. It features socialite Georgiana Lucas and Rob, the Marquess of Westmoreland. I adored the well-paced romance that developed between Georgiana and Rob; loved the couple’s conversations and their chemistry sizzled. There was one slight problem—Georgie was engaged to someone else!
Sir Charles Winston has joined a card game at the Vega Club. He’s in over his head at a game of loo, wagers his home and loses to it to Robert Churchill-Gray, the Marquess of Westmorland. Georgina Lucas is enjoying a long visit with her friend Kitty in the country; the visit is interrupted when an urgent letter arrives from Kitty’s husband. Sir Charles has written to his wife to warn her that the Marquess may arrive at their country home-and warns her not to let him in.
Georgiana tells Kitty that the Marquess would not travel to the country to evict them-he’s too busy gambling and drinking in London. Georgiana is surprised to find Westmorland beaten, bloody and left for dead. She brings him to Kitty’s home and tells everyone that he’s her fiancé, Viscount Sterling. This ruse worked because Rob is suffering from amnesia. Loved that this plot twist put Georgiana and Rob is close company; Georgiana realized that she had misjudged Rob and was falling in love with him. Caroline Linden’s descriptive writing shines as the couple falls deeply in love.
The arrival of Lord Thomas Churchill-Gray adds another layer to the complex storyline. Thomas has been searching for his brother. He confronts Georgiana and they agree to meet the next day. Rob recognizes his brother and understands that he is not Georgiana’s fiancée-he’s the evil Lord Westmoreland!
Loved the complication of Georgiana’s engagement to Sterling played in the novel. I had wondered if he was a fictional character because he was mentioned, but not seen. Sterling and Georgiana’s step brother, Alistair are keeping a secret that threatens her financial security. Loved that Georgiana’s friend Sophie devised a fabulous plan to bring down Alistair at the Vega Club. The conclusion to the novel is perfectly paced – and full of tension and intrigue. Tempers rose as the pot increased with each deal of the cards, fortunes were wagered and accusations were made when the winner claimed the pot.
I highly recommend When the Marquess was Mine! Kudos to Caroline Linden for creating an original story filled with passion, intrigue and a bit of wagering! And the conclusion is perfect for the couple—just perfect!
Review originally published at Romancing Romances.
I received an eARC at no cost from the author, and I am leaving a voluntary and honest review. Thank you.
3.75*
Caroline Linden has become one of my go-to authors. Her books are always romantic and amusing, and this one was no different.
The main trope that’s present in the book is amnesia, and it’s a trope that sometimes it works, and sometimes it doesn’t. Here, I think it worked perfectly.
Georgiana is a sweet girl, who saves a man’s life by saying he’s her fiancé, instead of the man the family she is with hates. Lord Westmorland – Rob – is a rake/rogue, and he won a house in a bet. But he’s not a bad guy so, to make sure the house is never lost again, he decides to give it to the man’s family, so that they know what happened, and can keep their property safe. But Kitty, Georgiana’s friend, has been warned that a bad man is arriving at her house to kick her, and her family, out of their home. And Kitty is fierce, so she has all the guns ready to protect what’s hers.
When Georgiana finds a man beaten almost to death, she decides she can’t leave him to die in the street, and gets him to Kitty’s house, and when she sees his face, and discovers that he’s Lord Westmorland (and she was the only one there who had actually met him), she knows she has to lie to make sure Kitty will help him. And, because Rob was beaten in the head, he loses his memory for some time.
Georgiana tends to Rob, and when he wakes up, they start spending more time together, and… I’m sure you can guess what happens. Georgiana and Rob’s love is something at risk, because she’s engaged to someone else, so when Rob’s brother comes to get him, and Rob’s gets his memory back, they come up with a plan, and decide not to see each other again. Of course, days past, and they keep thinking about each other.
There are some family problems regarding Georgiana’s family, and this is more developed at the end of the book. There’s also some mystery that is mostly dealt with at the very end of the book, so it’s not very important throughout the book, but it does drive the story at the end.
It’s a sweet story, with romance and funny moments, with a rakish hero, and a sweet heroine who finds her voice.
*ARC provided by publisher via Edelweiss+ in exchange for an honest review.*
This is the first time I’ve read Caroline Linden and I loved her classic writing style with polish and clean language. The plot was highly enjoyable and captivating, it kept me intrigued until the end.
Lady Georgiana Lucas was under the guardianship of her half brother, who was cruel, heartless and wanted nothing to do with her except controlling her fortune left by their beloved father. Being sent away for school at a young age, she had considered her dearest friends as her own family. She was kind and loyal to them, compassionate and caring for the unfortunates.
Lord Robert Churchill-Gray, the Marquess of Westmorland, was a notorious rake, known to be proud and conceited. A brutal accident caused by country thugs had left him almost to death by the road. To save his life, Georgiana had to claim him as her fiance and nursed him to recovery. The accident had caused him memory loss and confusion of his own identity as well as his “new” fiancee. Slowly, he was able to regain his memory, just to find out Georgiana indeed had a real fiance, but not him…
I really enjoyed the courting between Rob and Georgiana, it was fun, sweet, and charming. Though their relationship started off as a lie, it ended with a splendid passion. A five-star read, and I’d definitely go back to read the first two books of this series.
Such a delightful story that was perfect! I look forward to every book Caroline Linden writes because I know it will hold all the elements to enchant my imagination and make me fall in love with the characters!
A celebratory night that ending in gambling, by some of the most dashing, daring rogues and scoundrels of London, celebrating the birthday of Rob, the Marquess of Westmoreland. What a rowdy bunch I have to say, but life changed in that last bet when Sir Charles Winston joined them and lost his home to Rob. Of course I don’t think Rob really knew what he had won at the moment! He was a little impaired to say the least!
Georgiana Lucas is visiting with her friend Kitty, wife of Sir Charles when she gets the news that he husband was cheated out of their home by the scoundrel Westmoreland! Oh what a tangled web!
Then the journey begins! Rob goes to make things right with Mrs Winston, gets accosted, then rescued by Georgiana, but he has lost his memory
I adored these two! A rogue who needed a bump on the head to start changing his life and a woman who begins to find that maybe one of her choices may not be as she thought.
Love can be found in the most unexpected ways and with humor, well drawn characters, including secondary that I hope to see in the future, a villain and a budding romance, what more could you ask for? Not one thing. Fabulous.
When the Marquess was Mine
The wagers of Sin #3
by Caroline Linden
This was such a great read, I loved Georgina she is feisty and loyal to her freind, she would protect them with any means possible. When a letter arrives from Kitty’s (her freind)husband declaring the worst possible news that they would be cruelly thrown out of their home by non-other than the Marquess of Westmorland. Georgina doesn’t hesitate, what actually started out as an innocent fib turned to be a landslide with a snowball effect.
Rob was not the nicest guy around, he was a drunk and mischief maker and didn’t care about hurting peoples feeling by insulting them, as was the case with Georgina.
An accident that left Rob without his past memory and his nasty personality, has him realizing that the person he was, wasn’t the man that would attract a woman like Georgina. And with snippets of his memory slowly coming back he definitely didn’t want to be that man. Sensing a long road ahead in wooing Georgina and proving that he’s just the man for her will take some smooth talking on his part.
Wonderfully written with a light touch, witty banter, well rounded and likeable characters. This is part of a series but i do believe it can be read as a stand-alone.
I voluntarily read and reviewed, this is my honest unbiased opinion. Copy provided by the Publisher through Edelweiss.
When the Marquess Was Mine is the third book in The Wagers of Sin series by Caroline Linden. It’s completely stand-alone and I do think that the characters from the previous books make an appearance, but I am not certain.
Our hero, the Marquess of Westmorland aka Rob, one drunken night won the deeds to a house and thankfully when he sobered up he decided to return the deed to its owner. On his way to the house though, he was attacked and that resulted in him losing his memory. The house belonged to the husband of one of Georgiana’s friends whose name was Kitty and our heroine happens to stay at their place when Rob was attacked. She recognizes who he is since she knew him from before and makes the rushed decision to lie about his identity in order for Kitty to provide him proper care. You see, Kitty’s husband portrayed him as an awful person and warned his wife to now allow him into their home. When Rob wakes up, he has no idea who he is and Georgiana is keeping up with her lie.
I know that some people have issues with Georgiana’s lies, but I believe that she did the best she could with the situation she was in. I am a big fan of the amnesia plots and this one was done very well. What I didn’t like much was the secondary plot that had to do with Georgiana’s actual fiance and the reasons why she hadn’t married him in the 2 years she had been waiting for him. There is more than one can imagine and I believe that it could have been developed even more or not added at all. Sterling (the fiance) was an interesting character and I would like to see more of him.
I liked the romance between Georgiana and Rob. Georgiana is in love with the idea of Sterling rather than Sterling himself, but that didn’t make the situation better. He was an obstacle. At least there was always a connection and a lot of chemistry between Georgiana and Rob that made the whole fiance plot a little more easy to digest. They had a lovely relationship!
Overall, I would recommend the book because it was a good story, with a good pace for most of it and likable characters.
When the Marquess Was Mine by Caroline Linden is book 3 in The Wagers of Sin Series. This is the story of Robert ‘Rob’ Churchill-Grey, the Marquess of Westmoreland and Georgiana Lucas. I have read the previous books but feel you can make this a standalone book if you wish to do so.
Georgina is visiting her friend Kitty in Derbyshire when Kitty receives a letter from her father advising her that she is not to let in Robert Churchill-Grey if he comes to the house. Georgiana one day out riding happens upon ‘Rob’ who has been beating and severally hurt. Georgina takes him back to her friends house where she ends up saying that she is engaged to him so that he can get help and not further hurt. Rob doesn’t remember who he is or how he became engaged to Georgina so the mystery starts to unravel when he slowly starts getting his memory back.
Enjoyed their story.
Huge 5 Steamy, Steeping Teacups for thew newest by Caroline Linden! When the Marquess Was Mine, the latest in the Wagers of Sin series is sure to be a bestseller! I absolutely loved this tale and Linden is truly one of the best in Historical Romance, she knows the craft and the period so well one might think she truly has lived in the Regency period. Not going to give you any spoiler’s but you are going to love, Georgiana, Kitty and “Rob” The Marquess of Westmorland! This tale just takes the reader on an amazing ride of deep passion, love and lots of surprises at the turn of the page! I most highly recommend this book for any die-hard historical romance fan!
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07H4ZZDMQ?ref=cm_sw_em_r_rw_mw_ywNx6AcRuKYDO
When the Marquess Was Mine: The Wagers of Sin, book 3 by Caroline Linden is an awesome read. While Book 3 in this series, it can be read as a stand alone.
Meet and follow, Lady Georgiana Lucas and
(Rob), Robert Churchill-Grey, the Marquess of Westmoreland, on their journey to a HEA. A gambling bet and amnesia brought Lady Georgiana and Robert together, can circumstances and love keep them together?
A very interesting story with lots of humor, a bit of intrigue, and a love story that defintely needs untangling.
Well written and well excuted. The storyline flows seamlessly and effortlessly. The cast of characters are engaging, charming and most enjoyable. Georgiana is a bit judgemental at first, while Rob is deemed the “Malicious Marquess”.
Ms. Linden manages to create a story that will hold readers spellbound, while, she throws in a few twists, romance, amnesia, secrets, spies, slave traders, sensual tension and so much more. Will Rob and Georgiana find their HEA. A must read for fans of Regency Romance, a bit of humor, a great storyline and a terrific love story. Can’t wait to read the next adventure.
“I voluntarily received a complimentary copy, however, these are my honest opinions. I was in no way required nor compensated to write a review.”
Rating: 4.5
Heat rating: Mild
Reviewer: AprilR