Gentleman's Wager (Black Lace) [Mass Market Paperback]

Madelynne Ellis (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 2003 | Series: Black Lace

When eighteenth-century young lady Bella Rushdale finds herself fiercely attracted to handsome landowner Lucerne Marlinscar, she does not expect the rival for her affections to be another man. However, the handsome and decadent Marquis Pennerley has desired Lucerne for years and, when they are brought together at the remote Lauwine Hall for a country party on the Yorkshire Moors, he intends to claim him. This leads to a passionate struggle for dominance - at the risk of scandal - between the highly sexed Bella and the debauched aristocrat. Ultimately it will be Lucerne who will choose the outcome - and his decision is bound to upset somebody's plans.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'female fantasy off the leash' New Woman 'They're written especially for women so will hit the right buttons' Maxim

About the Author

Madelynne Ellis is an award-winning author of erotic fiction, renowned for her chararacter-driven plots, authentic settings and bad-boy heroes. She is the author of Dark Designs, Passion of Isis and the linked titles A Gentleman's Wager and Phantasmagoria.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Black Lace (May 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0352338008
• ISBN-13: 978-0352338006
• Product Dimensions: 7.1 x 4.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,352,941 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Madelynne Ellis is a multi-published British author of erotic romance. Her novels and short stories have been published by a variety of houses both in the UK and US, and have been translated into German, Spanish and Norwegian. She is best known for her Regency set novels for pioneering British erotica publisher Black Lace, but also enjoys writing contemporary and paranormal settings. Her aim is to deliver scorching, character-driven stories that enchant, torment and don't shy from darker aspects of life.

Madelynne lives in the UK with her partner of 20 years, their two adorable children and a chocoholic rabbit. When not writing she enjoys live role-playing, solving puzzles and hanging out online.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

65 of 65 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Be Warned these are Graphic and Explicit, December 25, 2003

By 

Scarletaka "Stacey" (United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Gentleman's Wager (Black Lace) (Mass Market Paperback)

I'll begin by saying this book was very sexually explicit. The Black Lace series of books are erotic fiction, but I know there are some that will go into this thinking it's a traditional romance with a little more sex than normal. In a way it is, A Gentleman's Wager is an erotic tale.

The story relates around Lady Bella Rushdale who finds her experiences with her groom becoming unsatisfying after discovering the new owner of her favorite tristing spot sunbathing naked. From her perch she observes him amusing himself and decides she wants to seduce him or have him seduce her. She finds herself attracted to the blond handsome landowner Lucerne Marlinscar. Upon formal introduction she is invited for a lengthy stay with some other guests at his newly renovated property.

This Bella decides will be the perfect opportunity to put her plan into place with Lucerne. Only to discover among the many other guests an attractive darkly handsome man Marquis (Vaughan) Pennerley also among the guests and with eyes for Lucerne as well. Bella suspects something between the two men but wants to prove to the Marquis Vaughan that Lucerne will choose her.

A great battle of wills between Vaughan and Bella begins for the affections of Lucerne. The tale is well written and you don't know who is a good or bad in the triangle.

Also, add in Louisa, Bella's friend who isn't experienced as her friend and isn't sure about the attentions being thrown her way by Vaughan as well as the man she's infatuated with Wakefield.

I don't want to give more away, but the story is wrought with intrigue and deception with so many twists and turns. The love scenes/sex is very graphic, but also emotional and you feel the emotions of uncertainty/pain/pleasure/vulnerability of some of the cast of characters.

Just thinking of this as an Erotic book is an understatement because there is an underlying story of forbidden love and unrequited love and the lengths people will go to have their desires for another come true.

What I liked about this book is that you could easily remove the graphic scenes from the book (although they are well written) and still have a very interesting book. I found myself concerned for the well beings of the characters and how the story would play out. I enjoyed this book much more than I thought I would and am glad now that I bought it.

I hope Madelynne Ellis writes some more of this style of books. She turned what could be a bodice ripper into an intriguing erotic story that was worth the read and my money.

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Sexy, steamy and plenty of the good stuff!, July 23, 2003

By 

Sascha "erotica author" (League City, TX United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Gentleman's Wager (Black Lace) (Mass Market Paperback)

A Gentleman's Wager is the story of Bella Rushdale's attraction to Lucerne Marlinscar, with sexy complications. Her rival for his affections, another man with whom Lucerne had shared intimacy with during earlier times.

I had a chance to preview this book before it came out on shelves and I was blown away by the amount of sex scenes that were well written. Madelynne Ellis's way of creating dynamic characters that people will remember is unbeatable. From Vaughn, the deviant of the threesome to Bella's heart tugging inner struggle once she's been given her choice, the reader is taken on a journey from all of the main characters.

This was the second erotic historical I've read and I enjoyed it. The back cover of the book says "A wonderfully decadent piece of historical erotica with a twist" and that it sure was.

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars an emotional and physical struggle for love and dominance, June 4, 2003

By 

Michelle Houston (Eastern USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Gentleman's Wager (Black Lace) (Mass Market Paperback)

Bella knew from the first moment she saw him that somehow, some way, she was going to seduce Lucerne. As she watched hidden from view, he caressed his own flesh, and she was hypnotized by the sheer sensuality of his actions. No matter what, she was determined to have him.

Once formerly introduced to her handsome neighbor, Bella set about making it known to Lucerne that she was attracted. She started to make headway, when another suitor for the handsome landowner's attention arrived: Marquis Vaughan Pennerley.

While the idea of two men and herself making love appealed greatly to the promiscuous miss, Vaughan was intent on forcing Bella out of the picture.

Determined to get her man, Bella stood up to her rival and found a passion she never counted on - a passion that could very well consume her, as well as Vaughan and Lucerne. For Vaughan wasn't willing to share, Lucerne wanted them both, and Bella wasn't going to let go without a fight.

In the end, someone would have to compromise - it was only a matter of whom.

Black Lace's intent is to provide quality erotic fiction written by women for women, but A GENTLEMAN'S WAGER is a delight that should be enjoyed by both sexes, provided the men have some attraction to other men. Fiercely passionate, sexually opinionated, and determined to get their own way, the three main characters fairly leap off of the page. Each has their own section of the story to tell and aren't shy about sharing the most intimate details of their sexual exploits and private thoughts.

Madelynne Ellis has woven a truly intricate tale of a love triangle, loyalties and passions divided, and strong willed characters. This is definitely one novel where the author shows you the character's world - instead of merely telling you their story.

Review © Michelle Houston