The Wedding Wager [Large Print] [Hardcover]

Cathy Maxwell (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 2002

She′s a debutante set on making a ′convenient′ marriage; he′s one of the most infuriating men she′s ever met. But it takes a bet to bring them together to discover even though it seems they have nothing in common, sometimes the happiest and sexiest marriages really are made by opposites.

--This text refers to the Mass Market Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

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.

--This text refers to the Mass Market Paperback edition.

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. --This text refers to the Mass Market Paperback edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 373 pages
• Publisher: Thorndike Press; Lrg edition (June 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786241306
• ISBN-13: 978-0786241309
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6.2 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,113,004 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Bestselling novelist Cathy Maxwell, a storyteller since childhood, embraces her writing romance as a way to express her belief that "loving well is the greatest adventure of all," and to explore her fascination with the Regency period.

The author of twenty-five historical romance novels and four novellas Cathy's latest THE SEDUCTION OF SCANDAL, the fifth of her Scandal and Seduction novels, has just been published. The others, also set in the Regency period, are quintessential Cathy Maxwell--traditional historicals with a contemporary sensibility and a touch of humor. They are A Seduction at Christmas, The Marriage Ring, The Earl Claims His Wife, and His Christmas Pleasure. Each has appeared for multiple weeks on The New York Times Best Seller list.


Cathy received recognition from the start with her first novel, All Things Beautiful. Published in 1994, it was nominated for Best First Book by the Romance Writers of America and for Best First Historical by Romantic Times magazine. It also received first place recognition as Best Read of 1994 from the Reader's Voice

Born in Olathe, Kansas, Cathy's family roots go back to the Mayflower and the Revolutionary War. She has long called Virginia home, noting she is "a Virginian by choice, but a Kansan by nature." She worked in television news and spent six years in the Navy. She attended Air Force intelligence school, worked in the Pentagon and did a tour with Naval Intelligence.

Cathy began her writing career in 1991. Now, twenty years later, she is the author of sixteen national bestsellers and her novels appear regularly on The New York Times and USA Today bestseller lists. Her books include In the Highlander's Bed, Bedding the Heiress, In the Bed of a Duke, The Price of Indiscretion, Temptation of a Proper Governess, and The Seduction of an English Lady. She is a member of Romance Writers of America, Washington Romance Writers, Virginia Romance Writers, and Novelists Inc., and she is a frequent speaker at writers' conferences, libraries and special events.

She lives in rural Powhatan County with her rescued dogs Rico and Maya and with her son during college breaks, and is just a few miles from her horses, Duncan and Dinero.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Mixed effort - great hero, November 18, 2001

By 

Nicole Miale - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Wedding Wager (Mass Market Paperback)

I'm torn on Ms. Maxwell's latest; I really liked the hero and the overall plot of the book. I love horses too, so that influenced me. However, the heroine really got on my nerves. Sometimes I liked her and could understand her actions; at other times she was a very annoying and immature snot stamping her foot and whining about her independence. I don't think she ultimately matched up in strength of character to the excellent self-made hero (something you don't often get to see in historical romance, though it's becoming more common). That said, the last section of the book is the best of it, and the heroine becomes more likeable.

If you like historical romance and you're looking for a light, mostly frothy read, then give this one a try. If you're looking for a more intense and sunstantial story with a hero and heroine who live on with you, this probably isn't the one for you.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Loved it!, October 30, 2001

By 

Mary Burton (Richmond, VA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Wedding Wager (Mass Market Paperback)

Great, fast-paced read with strong, likeable characters. It's Cathy Maxwell at her best.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great -hate you, but I really love you romance, August 1, 2006

By 

Misuzmama (New York, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Wedding Wager (Mass Market Paperback)

Barely making ends meet, horsewoman Mary bids over her means in order to secure a prized 'horse stud' for her estate in hopes that breeding will bring about her financial success and sticking it to neighbor and fellow horseman, Tye, makes it that much sweeter. In a desperate attempt to get the money in order to pay for the horse, Mary goes to London to find a rich husband. That doesn't sit well with Tye, sore from being out-bid and a bit suspicious, he follows her -because he wants the horse of course. Mayhem insues when, gorgeous, but socially inept, Mary storms the London social scene. Tye's there for rescue her when scandal results. Romance blooms in the shadows and maybe they figure out that the stud isn't that important anyway.

Great romance. I love fiesty females and Mary takes the cake! She causes scandals just by breathing, a real tough cookie that doesn't take it from anybody -including Tye. He's just that man to lasoe this filly in. One of my favorite Maxwells. If you liked Falling in Love Again and You and Only You, you'll like this one too.