Gamble of Hearts

When a powerful duke arrives to collect his winnings from her brother, Lady Amora Hargrove discovers she is one of them. Following her brother's arrest, she becomes the duke's ward and falls for him hard and fast. Problem is, the duke has a violent hatred for gamblers, and she possesses a natural ability. Something he can never discover, or she will lose him forever.

The Duke of Ravencroft exacts revenge for his nephew's death and gains a ward. Irresistibly drawn to the villain's sister, he must play and gamble with their hearts or lose everything.

 

my review...

A good historical romance with some true suspense. I liked the characters. Felt sorry for some and hated others. In my mind that means the author did well building their descriptions.

This aristocratic setting fits the idea of gambling and many other “under the table” crimes. Being lost to a Duke as a ward from a card game becomes its main theme in the beginning, and it leads to much more intrigue.

This is pretty steamy. Didn’t make the story bad by any means. Just more “hot romance” than I like. 

read an excerpt... 

He stared at her as if she had gone crazy. His gaze dropped to her mouth, and heat flared in his eyes for a second before his lids dropped over them, shielding his expression. “You want me to find a tutor to teach you how to kiss?” His voice sounded strangled.

Amora giggled. She shocked him out of his cold, stuffy manner, and her success delighted her soul. “I think I shall enjoy his lessons the most.”

The duke’s eye twitched, and his hands fell flat to the tabletop. “There will be no tutor. Your husband shall teach you the proper way to kiss, and…other things. This discussion is over.”

Amora gave him her sweetest smile. “But, your grace, you gave your word.”

He turned to stone before her eyes. The silence lengthened to a full minute. “Aye, I did.” Rising to his feet, he left the room without looking back. If he bothered to turn, he would have seen his houseguest grinning an impish smile as she finished her dinner with relish.

about Virginia Barlow...

I have always loved reading romance novels. I used to sneak them from my mom’s room as a young girl and read them while she was gone. As I grew older, my reading and tastes expanded to sci-fi, dystopian, paranormal, and fantasy.

I considered becoming an author in my late twenties but as a busy mother with toddlers, I didn’t have the time. Later, in my fifties, I decided to give it a try and have enjoyed every word of it since. I recently signed my thirteenth contract and am doing my happy dance as I type this. My husband of forty-one years is my greatest support as are all my kids. Most of them are grown and carving out lives for themselves. They are the beat of my heart and with every grandchild, the rhythm gets stronger. I enjoy every moment of my life.

 

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Website: https://www.virginia-barlow.com

  

Buy Links (including Goodreads and BookBub)

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Gamble-Hearts-Virginia-Barlow/dp/1509247947/

Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/gamble-of-hearts-virginia-barlow/1143007165

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/95586299-gamble-of-hearts 

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/books/gamble-of-hearts-by-virginia-barlow

 

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