Description:

From New York Times bestselling author Cathy Maxwell comes a romance about a headstrong young lady determined to marry . . . Mary Gates longs to restore the family stables to their former glory . . . so she bids on the famous Spender Stud. The only way she can pay for the beast is to marry, but her only prospect is her neighbor and chief rival, Tye Barlow. She has been tempted by his charms in the past—but she's determined not to give in to him now. So Mary boldly goes to where the husbands are—London. She takes the town by storm, but the marital prospects are uninspiring when compared to Tye. He's followed her, determined to thwart her plans. Still she can't help but forget his protective embrace or tantalizing kisses. And soon Mary realizes she may have to take the greatest gamble of all . . . **

From Publishers Weekly

Redundant repartee and flat characters do little to enliven this formulaic, Regency-era romance. Mary Gates, the eccentric spinster of Lyford Meadows, will do anything to save Edmunson, her faltering horse farm, especially if it means beating neighboring breeder Tye Barlow at his own game. When Lord Spender's horse, known around the parish as The Stud for his impeccable racing history, comes up for auction, Mary bids well beyond her means to keep Tye from owning the horse. In a desperate attempt to seal the deal, she creates a fictitious fianc‚ and convinces Lord Spender that her betrothed is wealthy and well connected. Despite her long-held resolution to remain independent, Mary hastens to London to secure herself a rich husband. Predictably, Tye, who has a complicated history with the infuriating beauty, follows her. London is very removed from their simple life at Lyford Meadows, however, and the two sworn enemies cannot help but see each other in a new light. With the exception of Mary and Tye, who share a few poignant moments, Maxwell's (The Marriage Contract) characters are as personable as puppets, and her story is only marginally less mechanical. This familiar tale will leave readers hungering for something more original. Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Independent, unconventional, and marriage-averse, Mary Gates will do anything to own the one stallion she knows will restore her family's stables to their former glory. She even bids money she doesn't have a rash action that soon has her off to London to find a rich husband who can foot the bill. But Tye Barlow, her rival for the horse and her family's longtime adversary, follows her to England to make sure she doesn't succeed. There, they end up finding love and a logical solution to their problem. Despite the obvious conclusion, Maxwell's engaging characters, exceptionally well done dialog, unexpected plot twists, and lively writing style make this fast-paced journey memorable and well worth the trip. Noted for skillful writing, dry humor, and an uncanny ability to create realistic, imperfect characters, Maxwell (The Marriage Contract) is gaining a following, and her well-crafted Regency historicals are some of the best on the shelves.
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.