A Bargain with Fate (Historical Romance S.)

"A bargain with fate" is a beautifully written story within the context of a traditional Regency. It took me in to the period and the characters and didn't let me go until the book was finished.The plot is simple enough. Rosalyn and Michael agree to enter into a temporary betrothal to suit the particular circumstances they both find themselves in.Michael, Lord Stamford, has a wicked reputation, presents a supremely confident face to the world and is inclined to be high-handed. He has no immediate desire to marry.Rosalyn, Lady Jeffreys, widow, is of nervous disposition, prone to mishaps, blushes easily and cannot conceal her feelings. Above all she is unfailingly honest. She has no desire to marry again.As their pretence takes form he quickly learns to admire her loveliness and forthrightness and grows to desire her. She has no idea of this, finding his increasing possessiveness difficult to understand even as her own feelings change towards him. The ensuing courtship is played out amongst a cast of family and a couple of villains. There is warmth, anger, passion and a growing understanding of each other's wants and needs. I liked the way they were both willing to apologise so the relationship moved forward without silly misunderstandings. I preferred this book to the author's "Lord Rotham's wager" which I found lacked credibility and was too involved in issues surrounding gambling.

Throw in a roguishly handsome nobleman with a reserved but sweet natured widow, add one villainous rake, a jealous ex-mistress and a pretend betrothal, stir these ingredients together lightly and you have one of the most delightful Regency romance novels of the year.Lady Rosalyn Jeffreys's younger brother, James, has gambled away the family estate to the notorious Lord Michael Stamford. Eager to try and gain back the estate before their grandmother can learn of James's folly, Rosalyn goes to Lord Stamford to ask him to allow her to buy back the estate. Stamford however has another idea: he will give the estate back to James only if Rosalyn agrees to a 'pretend' betrothal. Stamford's father, the Duke of Eversleigh, has decided that it is about time his son and heir is married, and has all but arranged a marriage for him with a suitable young debutante. Stamford however has no desire to be shackled to a wife right now, and his plan is to present his father with a sham fiancee, satisfy his father for the time being and then break off the engagement once it is safe to do so. In order for his plan to work, he needs the right kind of 'pretend' fiancee. And the pretty Lady Jeffreys with her sweet smiles would fit the ticket nicely. And while Rosalyn is appalled at the idea of such a scheme, she reluctantly agrees to Stamford's proposal. The pretend engagement however has a rather strange effect on the couple: Rosalyn finds that the roguishly handsome Stamford to be unexpectedly charming and intelligent, almost too much so for her peace of mind, while Stamford finds himself falling under the spell of Rosalyn's sweet beauty and reserved manners. It doesn't take too long before he realises that he has fallen in love with his 'pretend' fiancee. For the first time in his life, Stamford isn't quite sure of his effect on the woman he desires, and he isn't too sure if he can he persuade her to make this sham betrothal real either! Will Stamford win Rosalyn's affections and approval? And what of the poisonous attempts of his ex-mistress to tear them apart?The plot is rather run-of-the-mill -- I think that this plot device is quite a popular one. However what makes this romance novel unique is the faintly sensual manner in which Ann Elizabeth Creel made Stamford and Rosalyn interact with each other. This was accomplished in an incredibly tasteful manner, but it was (at times) lightly steamy! I also enjoyed the manner in which Stamford teased Rosalyn, and the way in which he kept trying to break through her reserved manner. And I liked that he discovered he was in love with Rosalyn first. The norm seems for the heroine to realise that she is in love with the hero, so that was quite refreshing to have it go the other way around for a change. "A Bargain with Fate" is an engaging and captivating read, that boasts of a memorable and likable hero and heroine, and an entertaining and enchanting writing style. A truly wonderful romance novel.

Ann Elizabeth Cree won a Golden Heart award for A Bargain with Fate and I am not surprised. She is clearly a talented writer who deserves to do very well. Her writing style is easy and polished and she tells a charming tale. When Rosalyn's brother loses the family estate to Michael, Lord Stamford, Rosalyn is obliged to make a bargain with him in order to get it back. Michael wants Rosalyn to pose as his fiance to keep his matchmaking family quiet. These two very different characters soon find that opposites attract...Rosalyn is a lovely heroine, gentle but determined, and Michael is a gorgeous hero. There is also an excellent cast of secondary characters. All in all, a real Regency treat!