The Highest Stakes

WHAT WOULD YOU WAGER FOR LOVE??? In the high stakes gentleman's world of 18th century horseracing, when the blood of the "desert kings" ruled the English turf, a hero returns from war to claim the girl he has loved since he first spied her riding hell-for-leather over the Doncaster heath. Determined to have her at any cost, he will risk everything. A story of star-crossed lovers and horseracing, THE HIGHEST STAKES transports the reader to 18th century England, an era infamous for corruption, arranged marriages, and high stakes gambling; when racing and breeding became the obsession of the uppermost elite, and a match race might replace a duel in settling a point of honor. Through the fictional love story of Robert Devington and Charlottte Wallace, a tale of drama, danger, thwarted love, and retribution unfurles... Review "The Highest Stakes a rich and rewarding read, with the history of the times neatly sewn in. The beauty of the book is that you cannot anticipate how it will go; you can only hang on for the ride." (-Cori Van Housen Historical Novel Review) --http://historicalnovelreview.blogspot.com/2010/03/highest-stakes-by-emery-lee.html A nyone who enjoys stories about love, horses and war will love this novel. We are treated to a rich portion of history in this well-researched and thoroughly likable book. (-Bookloons review by Barbara Lingens) "Emery Lee has given the reader a highly detailed and researched plot. While reading this novel, there was never a time when I knew what was going to happen next. Unexpected twists kept you guessing until the very last page." (-Svea Love) --http://muse-in-the-fog.blogspot.com/2010/03/book-review-highest-stakes-by-emery-lee.html "I had really high expectations (of the book)and I was not disappointed. I would suggest this book to anyone with even the slightest interest in horse racing and a love of romances with star-crossed lovers." (Books Like Breathing - Grace) --http://bibliophile23.wordpress.com/2010/03/29/the-highest-stakes-emery-lee/ "Lee brings the atmosphere of the Georgian era to life with lush descriptions that beg the reader to see, hear, feel and touch it all....with a lively cast of characters and surprising twists and turns that are reminiscent of Fielding's Tom Jones or Defoe's Moll Flanders." -RT BOOK REVIEWS "A rich and rewarding read." - The Historical Novel Review Blog "I would suggest this book to anyone with even the slightest interest in horse racing and a love of romances with star-crossed lovers. " - Books Like Breathing "Emery Lee has given the reader a highly detailed and researched plot... Unexpected twists kept you guessing until the very last page." - Confessions of a Muse in the Fog "Love does conquer all in this story, but while we anxiously read to find out how, we are treated to a rich portion of history in this well-researched and thoroughly likable book." - BookLoons.com "A very enjoyable work of historical fiction, providing a compelling story against the backdrop of thoroughbred horse racing. Definitely recommended. " - Medieval Bookworm " I was fascinated whenever Lee told of English racing and English foundation bloodlines." - Kittling "I truly rejoice when the author grabs the essence of the time and setting and paints it onto the pages of their books. Lee is definitely an author to watch!" - History Undressed "Enriching and heartwarming... If you love horses, historical romance, and a dash of witty characters, then this book is for you." - I Heart Book Gossip "Romance and history at it's best. " - Celtic Lady's Reviews "Emery Lee's debut novel has succeeded in producing the kind of story that will make readers take notice and look forward to seeing what she writes next" - Deb's Book Bag "Lee is an outstanding debut novelist, recreating a time I knew little about." - Mrs. Q Book Addict "Lee writes beautifully and passionately... the plot moves at a rapid clip with extraordinary twists and turns, leaving the reader wanting to know more." - Rundpinne "A vastly researched novel about horse racing and love... An exquisitely drawn out plot." - Readin' and Dreamin' "A tale of abiding, romantic love, the novel is also an extremely well-researched book that stands among the distinguished rakes of historical novels." - The Racing Journal "This novel has everything it needs to be considered epic – love, greed, hatred, and history." - Luxury Reading "A grand tale with many venues and enriching characters." - The Calico Critic "Brava to Ms. Lee on a brilliant first novel. Well rounded characters, excellent research, realistic dialogue, and a unique plot. " - Romance Reviews Today "A riveting, unpredictable, historical read." - Mrs. Q Book Addict "Emery Lee takes the reader on a journey of twists and turns, of highs and lows, and love and betrayal... a blue-blood winner. " - Thoughts in Progress "Lovers of historical fiction will find The Highest Stakes to be an engrossing and satisfying read" - Starting Fresh "A lively page-turner!... The horse and racing scenes are described excellently! " - Horse Book Reviews "If you enjoy history,intrique, romance, some suspense you will definitely enjoy this one. This is an author to be watching for. " - My Book Addiction and More "A lively read... Undying love, deceit, greed and retribution fuel Emery Lee's debut novel." - Musings of a Bibliophile "A horse racing fanatic's dream come true and a darned good introduction to world of the majestic thoroughbred." - Reader's Respite "A wonderfully engaging and rich debut novel. The history of thoroughbred horse racing is woven into a star-crossed romance with a truly authentic feel." - Martha's Bookshelf "Emery Lee knows horses... an impressive debut." - Historical Novel Reviews "A sweeping tale of romance, betrayal, intrigue and the power of true love. Readers will love the well-rounded, engaging characters, the fast pace and the attention to detail. " - RT Book Reviews "Lee does her homework. She set up the historical context really well... I love seeing someone who can research and apply that research well." - SmartBtichesTrashyBooks.com From the Author An Author's Note on THE HIGHEST STAKES Since THE HIGHEST STAKES' release, I have done a number of guest blogs to answer questions about my creative process, why I chose Georgian England and Colonial Virginia as my settings, and how I researched the novel. I also wrote about the history of horseracing and my own passion for equines. I would now like share some of these thoughts and add some background information on the novel itself. It is always said that one should write what one knows, but I will add that one should also write one's passions. In my case, this would mean converging horses, history and romance, elements that at first glance appear very much at odds, but the combination, to me, was irresistible. I wanted to create a hero, (Robert Devington) who would overcome many obstacles to find love and happiness, with his ultimate fate hanging on a horse race. My research in this endeavor was both extensive and diverse, going back to the early 18th century and the creation of the Thoroughbred itself. The horses (all progeny of the Byerley Turk, and the Darley and Godolphin Arabians) are seamlessly woven into the plot in which the success of Sir Garfield's racing stud is elemental to his schemes of social advancement, and a racing wager becomes the only pathway Devington sees to win his true love, Charlotte. A story of star-crossed lovers and horseracing, THE HIGHEST STAKES transports the reader to the hard-drinking, vice-ridden, horseracing world of Georgian England. Fascinating and titillating, this was an era of corruption, arranged marriages, and high stakes gambling; when racing and breeding became the obsession of the uppermost elite, and a match race might replace a duel in settling a point of honor. It was also an age in which a powerful and privileged aristocracy used an outer façade of honor and politesse to cover its multifarious sins. Through the fictional love story of Robert Devington and Charlottte Wallace, a tale of drama, danger, thwarted love, and retribution unfurles... Enjoy the ride! Emery Lee Against this backdrop comes a painstakingly researched novel with breathtaking scenes of real races, real horses, glimpses of the men who cared for them, and the tensions of those who owned and controlled them. In 18th century England and Colonial Virginia, when high-spirited stallions filled the stables of the lords of the land and fortunes were won and lost on the outcome of a race, a love story unfolds between a young woman for whom her uncle's horses are her only friends and the young man who teaches her everything about their care and racing. When she's forced into marriage, his only hope of winning her back is to race his horse to reclaim all that was stolen from him-his land, his dignity, andhis love.