Lord of Chance: A Regency Romance

Erica Ridley

Apr 2017 · WebMotion

About this ebook

In the Rogues to Riches historical romance series, Cinderella stories aren’t just for princesses… Sigh-worthy Regency rogues sweep strong-willed young ladies into whirlwind rags-to-riches romance with rollicking adventure.

Disguised as a country miss, Charlotte Devon flees London, desperate to leave her tattered reputation behind. In Scotland, her estranged father’s noble blood will finally make her a respectable debutante. Except she finds herself accidentally wed to a devil-may-care rogue with a sinful smile. He’s the last thing she needs…and everything her traitorous heart desires.

Charming rake Anthony Fairfax is on holiday to seek his fortune…and escape his creditors. When an irresistible Lady Luck wins him in a game of chance—and a slight mishap has them leg-shackled by dawn—the tables have finally turned in his favor. But when past demons catch up to them, holding on to new love will mean destroying their dreams forever.

Ratings and reviews

Lord of Chance was a wonderful story, I enjoyed it immensely! I love happily ever after stories and the build up to get there. Charlotte and Anthony have a beautiful relationship, even through the tough times. I recommend this e-novel, you won't be sorry, another great Dukes of War story. I was given an advanced copy in order to leave an honest review.

The story-line's intriguing with two main characters the reader comes to know and love quickly. As a result, I became invested in their lives and how they would resolve their problems; rooting for them all along the way. Ridley crafted Anthony's character with caring, a winsome personality, fortitude, and morals; he's a first class hero for Charlotte. Although a gambler, Anthony shoulders responsibilities few in the ton know of. His life has been huge abundance and then days without food or money when Lady Luck turned her back. Anthony learned early in life how to care for his family as the bread-winner; members of the ton did not work. Gambling was Anthony's means of providing for his family. Ridley skillfully portrayed how addictions grab an individual and take over their life. Though all his tribulations and trials, Anthony still maintained a caring outlook on life. Ridley gave Anthony a wonderful personality and the perfect foil for Charlotte. Anthony's a sigh worthy hero. I felt so sorry for the life Charlotte had lived; from the time she could understand her situation, she knew she was different. Ridley skillfully revealed Charlotte's craving for security and acceptance; she had always been an outcast. To live a life of ridicule from childhood, was traumatic and degrading. Ridley's writing was so clear and vivid, I could feel Charlotte and Anthony's emotions, as a result, my emotions ran high as I read of their lives and ambitions. Both main characters, Anthony and Charlotte, were looking for acceptance and security; it was wonderful to watch their characters grow and mature as the story progressed. Finally, in concluding my reviews for regency romance novel, Lord Of Chance, I found a solid story-line with well-developed characters and pacing smooth and steady. Ridley wove all the threads of her story-line together forming a first class regency romance. Lord Of Chance has well crafted love scenes between husband and wife; I did not find them offensive as they were not explicit or erotic. Additionally, I purchased this book and chose to voluntarily review the book with an honest reviews for regency romance book/novel, Lord Of Chance.

Anthony Fairfax is in a gambling hell, on the border between Scotland and England, where he is gambling. Again. Gambling is Anthony’s way of supporting his family, and the difference between living decently or in the gutter. Anthony had noticed a particularly lovely woman, sitting by herself in a corner and watching. Anthony’s evening was going pretty well, and he surmised it might be because of the presence of “Lady Luck”, Charlotte Devon. Anthony has huge debts in England, and one big win might do it. He invites the pretty lady to join him, and he wagers everything he has. And of course, the silly fool loses everything to Charlotte, who is searching for her father. Then, because of Anthony’s very gallant gesture towards Charlotte, they both end up married. What are the chances that what happened in Scotland remain in Scotland? Not bloody likely! Anthony really got himself in a dreadful pickle, and then inadvertently dragged Charlotte along as well, the poor thing, as if she didn’t already have enough worries. But what a delight it is to follow these two wonderful characters’ adventures! Charlotte has a fantastic and sad backstory, yet she is the strongest one; she is clever, ingenious, and straight as an arrow. Anthony has a debilitating gambling addiction, which occurred because of his family’s lofty ideals, and the issue is treated very realistically, it is not glossed over; he has to crawl his way out of the hellhole he got himself into. Granted that Anthony is rather impulsive, but I was never quite sure why he blurted out what he did, when he did; it could have been dealt otherwise, but then again, if he had, we would not have had this interesting marriage of convenience story, or rather marriage by accident! The author mentions that LORD OF CHANCE is an expanded edition of a previously published story, and in certain places, unfortunately it shows. There is a scene, albeit cute, which serves no purpose, and there are several unnecessary repetitions, which is very unusual for Ms. Ridley. In spite of Anthony being a reckless fool, I loved him so much; he is truly adorable, exceedingly naturally charming, kind, and utterly irresistible. Anthony and Charlotte are opposites in very unusual ways, and I loved the dynamic it created between them; Charlotte is endearing, easy to relate to, but Anthony is one of the best characters I have ever read: I saw him, his gestures, his smiles, his debonair attitude; he has charisma in spades and he felt so real to me, it was uncanny! So much in Anthony and Charlotte’s lives has to do on keeping up appearances, the meaning of family, of love, and it is riveting. And Anthony and Charlottes’s road to romance is absolutely lovely; they are two good people forced into an odd situation, but they are determined to succeed, whatever it takes. The ending was somewhat predictable, but still very satisfying. I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book.

About the author

Erica Ridley is a USA Today and New York Times best-selling author of historical romance novels. Her most popular three series, The Dukes of War, Rogues to Riches, and The 12 Dukes of Christmas, feature roguish peers and dashing war heroes amid the splendor and madness of Regency England. When not reading or writing romances, Erica can be found riding camels in Africa, zip-lining through rainforests in Costa Rica, or getting hopelessly lost in the middle of Budapest.