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Nov 17, 2010

Shawna rated it:

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22 comments like (20 people liked it)

Nov 12, 2011

TJ rated it:

Wow, I don’t know where to start with this book, so much to say, so little space! First I need to say I LOVED it, it was INCREDIBLE. So why the 4 star rating, well, that’s the problem, there are so many layers to this book, one would almost have to review it in stages to really do it justice, it’s just that complex.

The first half of the book spends a lot of time describing the intricacies of the horse breeding and racing world of the 18th century. To a horse lover or anyone o More...

18 comments like (15 people liked it)

Nov 12, 2010

Lady Danielle "The Book Huntress" rated it:

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16 comments like (16 people liked it)

Sep 19, 2010

Rane rated it:

We’re off to the races with the epic romantic adventure: The Highest Stakes, and when I say epic, I really mean epic, the novel spanning over the years as two lovers fight to be together and are torn part by the greed of others and finally reunited after going through hell and back, but their love was ever constant and strong.

The stakes are none so higher when it comes to love and horse racing with the cast of characters sharing the spotlight at one time or another, but n More...

15 comments like (21 people liked it)

Nov 12, 2011

UniquelyMoi *~*Dhestiny*~* rated it:

The Highest Stakes is author Emery Lee’s debut novel and, quite simply put, a story of epic proportions! It’s a tale of betrayal, murder, redemption, love lost and love found, scheming, more betrayal, heroes and villains, heroines and shrews, war and peace, retribution, manipulation, love lost again, then found again, greed, humor, sorrow, twists, turns and… well… sounds a bit like a historical soap opera, doesn’t it? But I’m telling you… General Hospital was never this good!!

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11 comments like (11 people liked it)

Apr 03, 2010

Tara rated it:

This is a very dramatic tale, reads much like a soap opera in the early days of horse racing. However, the book cover may have one thinking it is mostly about Charlotte. That is not the case.. It follows Robert and his friend Philip most of the time with very little of the limelight focusing on Charlotte who despite donning a pair of breeches and riding astride a horse, is a typical damsel in distress.

I liked the book tho. It kept me guessing. For once, I couldn't predict ever More...

8 comments like (6 people liked it)

Mar 13, 2011

Emery rated it:

THE HIGHEST STAKES - commentary author Emery Lee

Since THE HIGHEST STAKES' release, I have done a number of guest blogs to answer questions about my creative process, why I chose Georgian England and Colonial Virginia as my settings, and how I researched the novel. I also wrote about the history of horseracing and my own passion for equines. I would now like share some of these thoughts and add some background information on the novel itself.

It is always said that one sho More...

1 comment like (4 people liked it)

Apr 26, 2010

Gaby rated it:

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0 comments like (3 people liked it)

May 16, 2010

Jennifer rated it:

Heres is the link for my review:

http://web.me.com/quirion/Bookaddict/Blo...

0 comments like (3 people liked it)

Dec 15, 2010

Deborah rated it:

"Set against the sights, sounds, and excitement of the brand new sport of thoroughbred racing. "The Highest Stakes" is a story of drama, love, and retribution in a world where pedigree is everything and fortunes can be won and lost in the blink of an eye."

"From the first day she learned to ride, Charlotte Wallace lived for the freedom that comes from tearing across the heath on one of her uncle's prized stallions. But that freeom is shattered when her uncle More...

0 comments like (2 people liked it)

Mar 26, 2010

Misfit rated it:

3.5 stars

The story begins in 1742 and is focused around the love story of Charlotte Wallace and Robert Devington. Upon the death of her parents, Charlotte was raised in the household of her Uncle, Lord Gower. Surrounded by uncaring relatives Charlotte always is more at home in her uncle’s stables and develops a close relationship with Robert, but as a groom he can never hope to wed her (although they can dream…..). Robert signs up as a soldier in King George’s army and eventually str More...

21 comments like (5 people liked it)

Jul 09, 2011

April rated it:

Free Kindle download — something I've had for a long while but only recently took up reading because I saw a favorable review of it on a blog. I'm actually vacillating between giving it three stars or four, but I'll go with four because I'm feeling generous today.

First, this is a historical romance ... with horses!

And actually, the horses figure pretty heavily in this book. The main characters are really into racing them, breeding them, training them, riding them, buying More...

0 comments like (2 people liked it)

May 16, 2010

Mason rated it:

The love of all things equine first drew me to Emery Lee’s debut novel, “The Highest Stakes.”

The author’s ability to spin a story keep me entranced between the covers of this moving historical romance. “The Highest Stakes” is set in England during the mid-18th century. At that time, horseracing was a gentleman’s sport catering to the society of nobility.

This is the story of forbidden love, greed, hatred, revenge, and retribution with a good dose of history mixed in.

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0 comments like (4 people liked it)

Apr 02, 2010

Shelly rated it:

THE HIGHEST STAKES – Review by Shelly
Although I am not a big book reader, particularly in a literal sense (and this is a very big book) I am a lifelong lover of all things equine. The horse racing alone gave this novel enough mystique for me to pick it up, and although it was a big investment of my time to read, it was absolutely worth it!

I was totally engrossed by the historical aspects of this book from an equine perspective. The author fills the pages with so many fascinati More...

0 comments like (3 people liked it)

Apr 02, 2010

Dianez rated it:

What first piqued my interest in THE HIGHEST STAKES was the back cover blurb about the origins of Throroughbred racing and pedigrees, but the book proved to be so much more than a bland history of horseracing!
The book opens with a horse race described in such blow-by-blow detail, that I felt like an active participant. The suspense became so heightened I felt I had placed actual stakes on the race in which Robert Devington rode.
I was then captivated by the heartrending story betwe More...

0 comments like (2 people liked it)

Aug 08, 2010

Tamara rated it:

When I first picked up “The Highest Stakes” it was with great trepidation that I began reading. Considering I read and write Young Adult fiction, the sheer weight of the book sent me running in the other direction. Oh, and not to mention the fact that I know NOTHING about horses, old England, or racing. However, I’d seen such high praise about the book I decided to give it a try.

With limited time I planned to read fifty pages a day. By day two I’d completed the book. There’s nothing More...

0 comments like (1 person liked it)

Dec 11, 2010

Sheri rated it:

Here's another book that garnered high reviews (Amazon) but which I found less than stellar. I suppose I would classify it as more historical fiction than historical romance, although it's supposed to be a romance. The author did her research and I can't fault that part of the story. It's actually set pre-regency (1748) and the information on racing and horse breeding was interesting and thorough. My problem with the story was primarily the characters. I really didn't like any of them. There are More...

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Jul 07, 2011

Rikelle rated it:

I really wish there were half stars because this is not quite 3 stars for me. The storyntakes place in During the Georgian period, England. It centers around the star crossed love of orphaned Charlotte, who lives as a ward of her evil aristocratic uncle and Capt. Devington. The uncle is determined to prevent their match as he is only willing to allow Charlotte to marry someone that will increase his prestige, money and land. This is all set to a backdrop of the English horse culture and "ge More...

0 comments like

Mar 23, 2011

Elizabeth rated it:

I couldn't finish it. The plot just got too convoluted and ridiculous. I was half way through and hadn't even gotten to the faked death, apparent betrayal by a supposed friend who apparently turned into the villain, illegitimate births, 8 years into the future time jumps, fake identities, and god knows what else as that's just based on reading the last few pages. Oh and let's not forget the married for 8 years virgin who refused to sleep with her husband even though she thought the love of her l More...

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Apr 01, 2010

Bridget rated it:

Charlotte grew up in her Uncle's house with her but she was nuisance. She spends a lot of her time in the stables and ends up finding a friend in a stable boy named Robert. They start out leaning on each other and eventually they fall head over heels for each other. With so many outward influences striking down the couples every move, will their relationship end in vain or will they somehow find a way to make sure they get a happy ending?

There were parts in this book that were incred More...

0 comments like

Jan 10, 2012

Jennifer rated it:

From my blog...[return]When I received The Highest Stakes by Emery Lee I began reading the novel with trepidation, since I know very close to nothing about horses, however my worries were for naught as this novel is so much more than just an 18th century equestrian book. True, the author has clearly studied horses and there is plenty to keep those readers fascinated with all topics equestrian to be engaged in this novel, however, this novel offers so much more. The Highest Stakes is also about More...

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Mar 29, 2010

Svea rated it:

3.5 stars
Read my full review on my blog: Book Review of The Highest Stakes

With The Highest Stakes, Emery Lee has given the reader a highly detailed and researched plot. While reading this novel, there was never a time when I knew what was going to happen next. Unexpected twists kept you guessing until the very last page. There are just a couple small issues I had with the book, the first being the times when writing became a little dry with the abundant equestrian detail. The d More...

0 comments like (2 people liked it)

May 05, 2010

Amy rated it:

Let me start of by saying that when I accepted this book for review I was a little hesitant because I’m not really a horse person and have no knowledge of horse racing, but with my quest to broaden my historical fiction reading I thought I would give it a try. And, I am so glad I did!! Emery Lee’s debut novel The Highest Stakes was a really fabulous read.

Set in 18th century England, the main plot of the story is of Charlotte and Robert and their quest to be together despite Charlotte More...

0 comments like (5 people liked it)

Apr 13, 2010

Christy rated it:

Taking place in the 1740s and 50s in both Europe and the American colonies, The Highest Stakes is a vastly researched novel about horse racing and love.

Robert Devington desperately wants to marry Charlotte Wallace, but her uncle and guardian forbids it because, simply, Devington is a nobody.

I admit, some of the stuff in this novel flew right over my head. I know jack about horse racing and horses – I've never been near one in my life. I enjoyed the details of the racing. More...

2 comments like (3 people liked it)

Apr 08, 2010

Kathleen rated it:

This debut novel by life-long history buff, equestrian, and romantic, Emery Lee, tells the tale of horseracing, war and unrequited love in 18th century England and Colonial Virginia. It takes place from 1742 until 1751 and tells the well researched story of lowly stable hands to upper class Lords and Ladies. This tale is full of intrigue, suspense and the ins and outs of horseracing which is very competitive amongst the upper classes in England and most anyone in colonial Virginia. Fortunes are More...

0 comments like (2 people liked it)

Apr 11, 2010

Cheryl rated it:

Charlotte Wallace’s died. Her uncle is now Charlotte’s guardian. She comes to live wither uncle. Charlotte’s uncle is the owner of a very prestigious horse stable.

Robert Devington works as a stable hand for Mr. Wallace. Robert falls in love with Charlotte, not only for her beauty but for her love and care for horses.

When Charlotte’s uncle learns about Robert and Charlotte, he warns her against falling for Robert. Robert is a nobody. In order to show Charlotte and her u More...

0 comments like

Jun 19, 2011

Lorraine rated it:

I marked this book as "read" but I only read the first chapter. I thought it was horrible and I just couldn't get any further into it. It wasn't even the exposition that turned me off, it was the choppy writing and the plot lines tossed in left and right, bleh. I've been known to soldier on through many books in hopes of them becoming better but after I got to the scene where Charlotte finds out that her uncle sold her horse I just turned off my Kindle and said "I'm done, this

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Sep 13, 2011

Brie rated it:

The Highest Stakes was a lively read. The horse riding details were woven so seamlessly into the story that I was able to understand and appreciate its influence on the characters and the romance. It took me a while to warm to Robert and Charlotte, I think because of the 18th century language threw me a little, but after getting used to the language and delving into the back stories, I came to root them on and hope for their happily ever after.

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May 22, 2011

liirogue rated it:

I'm kind of torn on this one. I was quickly wrapped up in the plot and the characters. I found the way the dialogue was written to be annoying, but something I was able to get past. The ending... bothered me. The main character rushes to judgement so quickly and blindly, and hangs onto it. Then it's just as easily forgotten and moved past? It was like the author was tired of writing and didn't want to explain this sudden about-face.

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Jun 09, 2011

Audrey rated it:

The only redeeming quality I found in this book is the true love that lasted and waited thru the trials and the many long years for the two main characters.
I enjoyed the descriptions of the horse races but all the long lists of breeding bloodlines was very boring.
The bad guys were indeed bad and sinful and traitors in the worst way.
Didn't really enjoy it, but I finished it.

0 comments like