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Robert Devington was growing more anxious by the moment. Once more he scanned the crowded and bustling paddocks. The call had already sounded for the first race in which Charles Wallace was to ride the gray mare, White Rose. The filly was entered in this particular race, a one-hundred-guinea challenge for maiden five-year-olds, young horses that had yet to win a race. It was a single four-and-a-half-mile heat, ten-stone weight, and about to start with her rider yet nowhere in sight. With barely a quarter hour remaining to present the horse and weigh in, Robert was in an agitated quandary. Audibly cursing, he pulled the blankets from the mare’s back, just to put them back on again. He considered the only alternatives before him: to deceive the racing judges by presenting the horse in Charles’s stead and committing an act of fraud; or do nothing and risk both the forfeiture of Sir Garfield’s entry fee—no paltry sum by any standard—as well as this fine young mare’s best chance to win a race, a circumstance that would do nothing to improve his standing with his beloved’s uncle. His future with Charlotte was nearly a hopeless cause to begin with. He could scarce afford to fall afoul of her guardian’s temper. Robert searched the milling crowd for the last time, desperately seeking a glimpse of Charles Wallace. Still none, blast it all! His last hope now dashed, he cursed with greater vehemence and led the horse out of her paddock to commit an act of fraud for the sake of love.

The Lichfield races, held annually in September, transformed the Whittington Heath, a three-hundred-acre sheep pasture, into the premiere event for all of Staffordshire. This hybrid of a horse race, garden party, and county fair attracted all classes of people from as far away as Derbyshire, the county’s closest equine rival, but this year it drew an extraordinary number of persons of consequence. Lords and gentlemen had arrived from the North of England, Wales, and even the Scottish highlands, but as unusual as this was, never since its inception had this innocuous little village ever attracted a foreign dignitary. By far, the most distinguished patron of the races this year was the elegant and illustrious Grand Ecuyer de France, comte d’Armagnac, Master of the Horse in the court of King Louis XV. Rumored to have travelled all the way from Versailles to procure a number of English running-bloods for the Royal stud, Monsieur Le Grand’s visit to Baron John Leveson-Gower had propitiously coincided with the Lichfield races, over which Lord Gower would preside. With the final preparations for the race in progress, Lord Gower and his eminent guest promenaded the grounds, surveying the field and assessing prospective stock to complement the Royal stud of France.
“I have heard for a number of years, Lord Gower, that the finest racing flesh resides across the Channel in England. I was of course loath to believe such a thing, but most curiously, after seeing so many specimens of excellence, I must confess that this might be so.” He paused in his perambulations to admire a particularly sleek black stallion in one of the myriad paddocks.
“Do you know, what is the breeding of this horse, Lord Gower?”
“Hastings’s Hawke? He is indeed a fine specimen! I believe he is by Francis Lord Godolphin’s barb stallion, but I shall inquire further, if you so desire.”
“The Godolphin again! He shall forever plague me, this horse!” Lord Gower gave an inquisitive look, and the count bowed to him slightly.
“It is said that one of the finest producers of racing champions in England was first cast off by Versailles. A very foolish move by the Grand Ecuyer, was it not?”
“Am I to assume that you refer to Lord Godolphin’s stallion?”
“Indeed! One and the same, but the name was not so. In France, the stallion was called by El Sham. You do not know the history of this horse, Lord Gower?
“Only these past years while he stands in Cambridgeshire, Monsieur Le Grand.”
“Then I shall recount to you this story, bien sur?”
“Indeed, I am most intrigued.”
“The stallion, El Sham, was presented to His Majesty as one of eight horses—chevales pur sang arabes—from the Sultan Muley Abdulah of Moroc. The grand riding master at Versailles, Monsieur de La Gueriniere, the man whom I appoint, finds this stallion wanting, you see. As he is small in stature and not of the form preferred for the dressage, he is cast out from the stud Royale. This same horse was then procured by your Englishman, Monsieur Coke, who brings him to England, where he soon becomes the sire of champions! So you see that I, en effet, am responsible indirectly for this horse leaving France, and now I come to England to find such a one to take back! C’est l’ironie magnifique, n’est-ce pas?” He recounted his tale with surprising good humor.
“Indeed, it is an amazing irony! But in all truth, this stallion’s value was little realized at the first. When he left our poor departed Coke’s hands Though most were well known to one another through their positions in Parliament, there was little speech outside the mundane, until the liveried footmen, garbed also to honor the French dignitary, served platters of delicacies, poured the imported French wine, and were dismissed by Lord Gower. The host took no chances in protecting the security of this meeting.
Noting the white cockades adorning each guest’s lapel or tricorn, said host raised his glass to the company. “As each of us today has both literally and figuratively committed a horse to the race”—his eyes scanned those of the group for reaction to this fitting analogy—“I solemnly propose a toast to the king across the water.”

It was a Kindle freebie on Amazon. It was published last year, so it’s not totally new, but it’s not old school, either. But I have words.

I’m finding a whole bunch of “not the usual Old West or Regency England or Victorian England setting” and this one is no different. It starts around 1742 in England- there are several background historical that inform the action and the author does a really good job of tying these in to the reality and the motivation of the characters.

First is the house of Hanover and the succession crisis that brought the Germans to the throne of England. (Thumbnail: Queen Anne didn’t have a living male heir, and Parliament passed the Act of Settlement of 1701 that settled the throne on the Electress of Hanover, who was a granddaughter of James I, which passed to her son George I by the time Anne died.) France is squabbling with Austria (as you do) and the King sends the Army to “help” (but is really just trying to protect the Hanoverian holdings).

Consequently, the House of Stuart and the Jacobean uprising of 1715 and 1745 come in to play, too. There are a number of people who quietly support Bonnie Prince Charles, or at least think the Stuarts are at least more English than the German House of Hanover.

So that’s the political context. The social context surrounds horse racing. (PONIES) At this point, the English have developed a strong racing tradition (Sport of Kings, and all that). If you’ve ever read King of the Wind by Marguerite Henry (and WHY HAVE YOU NOT) that gives the background to one of the three foundation stallions and the basic gist behind some of the breeding issues. (Horse-breeding issues. There are people-breeding issues, too, but we will get to that.) Also it’s really good.

So our hero is Robert Devington, who starts out his journey as a groom in Sir Garfield L’s stud. Our heroine, Charlotte, is Sir Garfield’s niece and ward. She comes into the family after her parents died (as parents in these stories are wont to do), and Sir Garfield is one of those annoying, absent, snotty guardians (as guardians in these stories are wont to do). His head groom sees a kindred spirit in Charlotte, and teaches her how to ride- eventually letting her help train the babies. She loves it, and is fearless, and has a good rapport with the horses, especially a broodmare named Amoret (as girls in these stories are wont to do).

Our story opens with a race- Sir Garfield’s son is supposed to ride, but is detained by a broken carriage. As the jockeys for this race are only supposed to be gentlemen, Robert shouldn’t be able to ride, but he bluffs his way in by saying he’s engaged to Charlotte. The race officials buy his story, he wins, Sir Garfield is happy to have made a SHITTON of money by selling the horse to the King of France, and Robert tries to convince Sir Garfield to make the fake engagement a real one (Charlotte is totally down with this plan).

Sir Garfield started off as a tradesman, and bought his way into a baronetcy, and in the way of nouveau riche, NOT willing to marry his ward off to a groom. His social mobility trajectory is up, not down. So Robert joins the Horse Guards to make his fortune (as stableboys in his position are wont to do).

He does fine, and ends up in possession of a warhorse he names Mars- the stallion is irredeemable, except Robert uses a bit of natural horsemanship (this was the point I knew the author really researched, and was a horse person, because no one but a horse person would give a crap about what this means) to convince Mars that life doesn’t blow when you have a job to do. Robert makes it back from the wars a captain. He’s hoping that being a captain would convince Sir Garfield that he’s an acceptable suitor for Charlotte.

It doesn’t work of course. An officer in the army still doesn’t meet Garfield’s definition of upward mobility. Instead, he’s looking for landed peers that need money for Charlotte and his daughter, Beatrix.

Robert has met his heterosexual life-partner in the wars- Phillip Drake, the second son of the Earl of Hastings. The Earl of Hastings is dying, and his oldest son and heir, Edmund, is unmarried and not showing a great deal of interest in doing so. Also he is a tool. The old Earl tells his son and heir that he’s a tool, and the terms of the will have been changed- if he doesn’t produce an heir within a year of the Earl’s death, Edmund will lose the title, and it’ll all pass to Phillip.

So Robert and Phillip head to the home of Sir Garfield, and Robert and Charlotte are thrilled to see each other other, and Phillip and Beatrix start off a kind of annoying round of Slap Slap Kiss (she decides she needs to get revenge on him for some imagined slight, and it ends with her going to his room in her nightie, and, well, fade to black). Naturally, because she can’t get away with anything, she gets pregnant and blackmails daddy into letting her marry Phillip.

Sir Garfield has decided that Edmund will do for a husband for Charlotte, who decides to run away to Gretna Green with Robert. Phillip agrees to cover for them, and a plot is hatched to keep everyone from knowing that the two crazy kids ran off. The plot fails, Phillip is sent after them, which he reluctantly agrees to. If he doesn’t bring Charlotte back, he doesn’t get to marry Beatrix.

So Charlotte and Robert have about 12 hours lead time to get 300 some odd miles, on horseback, from London to Gretna Green. (And finally, after years of reading romances, I finally looked up why Gretna Green was the go-to place for runaway marriages. Answer (in case anyone is as dumb as I am): it’s right over the border to Scotland, and Scots law on marriage allowed a woman of 12 and a boy of 14 to marry without parental consent, rather than 21, which was the age in England. So now you know.)

They make it only about halfway before Phillip catches up with them, and the shit really hits the fan. Robert and Charlotte both think Phillip has totally betrayed them, Phillip is just trying to do his best, there’s a duel (of course), and Robert loses, badly. But they’re both officers in the Army, and dueling is against the rules, especially in a time of war. So off to the stockade they go.

Edmund has discovered that his bride-to-be has run off, which pisses him off no end, and he also discovers that his brother’s fiancée is pregnant. So he declares Beatrix to be an acceptable substitute, and marries her. Phillip is given Charlotte to marry (who hates this idea with flames on the side of her face), and Robert is transported to the Colonies (Charlotte is told he is hanged for his crime of dueling).

Now, the best description of story structure I’ve ever heard was Cleolinda on a Made of Fail podcast, quoting who she thinks may have Billy Wilder that, in Act One, you put your hero in a tree, Act Two, you set the tree on fire and in Act Three, you get them out of the tree.

Our heroes are in a lot of trees, and they are well and truly on fire. This is where Lee kind of falls down. The last third of the book is really rushed- you have a lot of stuff happening off-stage, and plot points I expected the play into the resolution are dismissed with barely a mention. By the end, it really felt like she said, “uhhhhh, yeah, you’re all out of trees, enjoy your lives!”

It’s a romance, and you expect a HEA, and I don’t think it’s spoiling to say you get one ….kind of… but it’s contrived. During the book club discussion of Unveiled, I said that I had no idea how Milan was going to resolve the conflict, and it was exciting. In Highest Stakes, I had no idea how the conflict was going to be resolved, and it was kind of a mess. I feel like the end was either a “oh crap, this is getting to be kind of long, I better end it!” or “oh crap! My deadline is approaching, I better end it!” We get through 8 years and a lot of stuff in maybe 50 pages.

The main conflict could have been resolved if people actually listened to each other. I know Robert is angry about all the shit that keeps landing on his head, and justifiably so, but still. Even if he’d let Charlotte explain WHY she had to marry Phillip (that or turned out on the street with no money, no protection, no nothing), maybe a little bit of heartache could have been avoided. But no. Lee ups the ante by having no one listen to anything anyone else is saying.

I am pretty certain this is a first novel, and there’s a little bit of first-novel-itis that I feel very confident she can overcome. A little bit more telling than showing, some awkward phrasing, and a fairly characture-ish villain (violent and gay- unfortunate implications, sadly).

But there’s a lot more that I really liked about this than I disliked. First, Lee does her homework. She set up the historical context really well, and the concern of the country over the lack of male heir of Queen Anne is reflected by Edmund’s desire to get a male heir. I liked how she drew the parallels between the concerns, and the conflict between Hanovers and Stuarts is sort of reflected in the conflict between Phillip and Edmund and who gets to be the Earl of Hastings.

Also, she does a few of the best infodumps I’ve ever read. When Charlotte is introduced to the horse world, the head groom at her uncle’s stud explains the differences on conformation and why that’s important in breeding and in what job a horse is given. Cart horses have a certain build, race horses have another. I know all of this, and I wasn’t bored by it, and I feel like someone who doesn’t know all this would follow it. It’s an adult explaining to a child, so it isn’t overly technical, and the dialogue is realistic. There’s a few other infodumps that explain the history of racing and the main stallions of the English turf and the theories of breeding race horses- again, well done. She’s a horse person. She can’t not be.

All in all, I did enjoy this book very much and really hope to see more from Lee. (ETA: According to Goodreads, she’s got a few more books coming down the pipe in the same era. YAY!) The issues will, I expect and hope, resolve themselves with more writing, and I love seeing someone who can research and apply that research well. (Seriously, her bibliography is pages long- all good stuff. I love it when authors include their sources. LOVE IT.)

ALSO PONIES

THE HIGHEST STAKES

by Emery Lee

Genre: Georgian Period, England, Historical Romance

Sensuality: MILD

Setting: Georgian England



RT Rating: 4 Stars



Lee’s debut novel is a sweeping tale of romance, betrayal, intrigue and the power of true love. Readers will love the well-rounded, engaging characters, the fast pace and the attention to detail. Though a few scenes are overly descriptive, the extra details do not detract from the overall enjoyment.

Summary: Charlotte Wallace was orphaned at a young age. Placed in her uncle’s care, she discovered a passion for horses and horse racing. More importantly, she found the love of her life, Robert Devington, a groom in her uncle’s stables.

Prompted by his love for Charlotte, Robert enters the army in hopes of proving his worthiness to her uncle. When the young lovers are torn apart, Robert’s persistence and Charlotte’s devotion to her true love will prevail. (SOURCEBOOKS, Apr., 560 pp., $15.99)

Reviewed By: Keitha Hart



The Kentucky Derby is one of America’s grandest traditions. You take the very best three year old racehorses in the country, grab the wildest hat you can find, and ply over 150,000 fans with all the mint juleps they can drink and you’ve got yourself one very rollicking good time in Louisville, Kentucky each year.

The Kentucky Derby is - by tradition - always run on the first Saturday in May and for those of you without a calendar handy, that means it’s coming up this Saturday. A Reader’s Respite marks this day with a red Sharpie pen each year....it’s a big deal in our household. (Mr. RR would argue that the biggest sporting event of the year is the World Series, but what does he know?) We may not be able to remember Big Kid’s dentist appointment on Friday (or is it Thursday?), but we can tell you the winner of the Kentucky Derby for each year since it’s inception. Yes, we’re strange that way. Get over it.

What does all of this have to do with books? A lot, if you’re author Emery Lee, who has just released her debut historical novel, The Highest Stakes. Set amid the horse racing world of Georgian England and the American Colonies in the mid-18th century, Lee shows off her impressive knowledge of thoroughbred history in this saga-esque tale of horses, deception, revenge and true love.

Writing a historical novel centered around horse-racing would normally severely limit your audience, but Emery neatly fixes this problem by wrapping it all up in a grand romance thwarted by class differences. She deftly throws up roadblocks left and right for the erst-while lovers and while the text is peppered with a horseman’s vocabulary, readers without a background in the horse world won’t find this an impediment.

While you won’t find much about the Derby in The Highest Stakes (the race wasn’t inaugurated until 1875, much later than the time frame of this novel), you will find plenty of racing lore, famous pedigrees (consider it name-dropping in the horse world), and riveting races. It’s a horse racing fanatic’s dream come true and a darned good introduction to world of the majestic thoroughbred.

This is a wonderfully engaging and rich debut novel. The history of thoroughbred horse racing is woven into a star-crossed romance with a truly authentic feel.

The Product Description does a good job of summarizing the story although it doesn’t really say that Robert’s pride stands in his way quite often. Robert is bright, determined and a bit too proud sometimes. His extreme risk taking in the racing realm was a bit frustrating for me and his hot headed stubbornness definitely got him into trouble.

Charlotte is a girl after my own childhood heart when I loved being outside with the horses (farm horses, not thoroughbreds). She falls in love with a groomsman but her Uncle wants to use her as a pawn. She is strong minded and faithful but stuck in the society she was born to. Although she is willing to take a risk on Robert he isn’t willing to take one on her without proving himself first.

There are several good secondary characters that give added depth to the story. Charlotte’s Uncle is a country squire seeking to build up a renowned and prosperous stable. Robert’s good friend from their war service is particularly complex and plays a surprising role in Robert’s misfortune.

I enjoyed the history of how all thoroughbred horses started from three specific Arabian stallions imported to England. The details of the owners and horse racing were wonderfully presented by factual information placed smoothly in conversation and description. Those details were extremely well researched and the writing fit the setting and time period so it seemed quite authentic. You could feel the excitement of the horse races and the intense emotions of the participants - both men and noble beasts.

I would not describe this as light, but it moved at a good pace with all the action in racing and war settings. It is a very enjoyable read. Wonderful for those who like historical romance with real history and those who like horses and those who love romance that has to overcome multiple obstacles.


The Highest Stakes was a diversion in historical reading. The backdrop of horse racing was new territory for me, but curiosity about the sport in the 18 century, and one of my favorite romance tropes - star crossed lovers - sold me on the story before I ever opened the book.

Charlotte Wallace was a lonely 13 year old orphan taken in by her uncle and his family when she met stable boy Robert Devington. The two formed a bond through horses and horse racing, and over the years, fell in love.

Now of marriageable age, Robert and Charlotte want nothing more than to marry, but Charlotte’s Uncle refuses to be persuaded in the matter. To Charles Wallace, Robert is not good enough for Charlotte because he has no assets to bring into a marriage and Charles is set on making a gainful match for himself through Charlotte’s marriage.

As fate would have it, Charlotte and Robert are separated. Charlotte is forced into a life she doesn’t want, and Robert loses everything and must start over from the bottom. While Charlotte tries to make the most out of what life has given her, Robert refuses to let things remain as they stand. He puts his all into training a small horse that is his last hope at correcting the wrongs that have unjustly befallen him.

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.

Undying love, deceit, greed and retribution fuel Emery Lee’s debut novel. I look forward to seeing what else this talented author has to offer. Grade B+


Thoughts:

THE HIGHEST STAKES by Emery Lee is a delightful debut historical romance with twists and turns. This story definite has passion,intrigue, history, a love for horse racing, a love of horses, romance, betrayal, forgiveness and retribution. It is well written with depth and detail. The detail of Thoroughbred horse racing and all it involved in the 18th century in England and the colonies, especially Virginia is amazing and very interesting. The characters are charming, easy to follow and will pull you into the story with them. The secondary characters help keep the story going, although in my opinion are down right evil. It is a wonderful, delightful story of true love and retribution. The two main characters are truly in love, but due to betrayals and a mean uncle takes years to finally fulfill their dreams. If you enjoy history,intrique, romance, some suspense you will definitely enjoy this one. This is an author to be watching for.

Reviewed by April Renn

Rating: 4.5


The Highest Stakes by Emery Lee is a historical fiction novel set in the 18th century, mostly in England. The war setting as well as the history of horse racing provide an educational read, while the plot is part love story and part adventure thriller.

The three main characters are fascinating: Charlotte, a spunky orphan, who is determined to achieve her goal of running a stud barn (unheard of in her day!); Robert, a military man who is in love with Charlotte but beneath her in society’s eyes; and Philip, a Major and Robert’s superior and friend who fights his own demons as well as the enemy soldiers.

But love of women, horses and wealth confuse their relationships, and the obstacles (both self-made and outside issues) create a lively page-turner!

This is a well researched novel though I did have some trouble with the vernacular the author included in the dialog. The horse and racing scenes are described excellently!

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, horse racing 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.

The story focuses on star-crossed lovers Charlotte Wallace and Robert Devington. After being orphaned at age 13, Charlotte goes to live with her uncle, Sir Garfield Wallace, and his family. There she meets Robert, a stable boy in her uncle’s employ.

Robert teaches Charlotte to ride and their love of horses, as well as for each other, blossoms. But their love is never meant to be it seems. No matter what Robert does to prove his love and worth, Charlotte’s uncle will not hear of their union. He is willing to sacrifice Charlotte’s happiness for a better status in social standings.

Author Emery Lee takes the reader on a journey of twists and turns, of highs and lows, and love and betrayal. Ever present in the backdrop is thoroughbred horse racing. From beginning to end, the author keeps you guessing and wanting for more.

You don’t have to be a horse lover or race enthusiast to enjoy this book. The story is written in the language of 18th century England. For the reader unaccustomed to reading the language it takes a little bit to get familiar with. However, once the reader does they find it adds so much flavor to the story and puts them in that era.

From beginning to end, author Emery Lee has a blue-blood winner with “The Highest Stakes.”

Emery Lee’s The Highest Stakes opens at the races in Litchfield, Staffordshire in 1742. It’s at this race that we’re introduced to the characters that shape the novel. The race is for untried horses - those who have yet to win a race. Sir Garfield Wallace, a merchant who recently rose to the gentry, and an avid turf follower entered the gray mare White Rose ("Rosie") in the first race. But on the day of the race, the Wallaces are running late and the jockey, Sir Garfield’s son Charles won’t make it in time. The race is limited to gentlemen jockeys: no professional jockeys are allowed — the horses must be ridden by the owner or a member of his family. Robert Devington who has worked for Sir Garfield as a trainer, jockey, and all around problem solver decides to take a dangerous risk and claims a relationship to the Wallace family in order to keep Rosie from forfeiting the race. Devington handles Rosie brilliantly though he wins the Wallaces considerable status, he finds himself shut out once again.

Though much in love with Charlotte Wallace, Sir Garfield’s niece, Robert decides that the best way to win her hand is to break away from the Wallaces and to make his own fortune. Robert enlists in the King’s Horse. Robert Devington proves his mettle and somehow Robert’s commanding officer, Captain Drake, becomes Robert’s mentor and closest friend.

Robert and Drake find themselves closely allied as they woo Sir Garfield’s niece and daughter respectively. But romance, intrigue, and social ambition keep the lovers apart — and make The Highest Stakes a fascinating and unusual read.

In The Highest Stakes, the horse racing and breeding are more than a backdrop for the action and romance. It’s the horses and those that breed, race and love them that give The Highest Stakes its unique and strong charm. I’ve loved horses and riding since I was young, but I think most animal lovers and lovers of historical fiction will find The Highest Stakes to be an engrossing and satisfying read.


“The Highest Stakes” is a novel about life, loss and the courage to endure. Charlotte Wallace was a young girl when her parents died, suddenly orphaned, she was sent to live with her only living relatives. She was placed under her uncaring uncle’s guardianship and secretly developed a passion for horses. Charlotte found refuge in the stables. She was a skilled equestrian during a time when women were not allowed to race. Her ruthless, horse obsessed uncle saw life as a business proposition and Charlotte was a mere pawn in his game, he intended to marry her off to the highest bidder with no intention of allowing her to marry her true love, the stable hand named Robert Devington. Robert, young, hopeful and strong-willed sets out to make a name for himself, he’s optimistic he will be able to prove his worth to Sir Garfield Wallace and win Charlotte’s hand. Charlotte is the only pawn in Sir Garfield’s Wallace’s plan, his own children were used to higher his position in society. His daughter Beatrix finds herself in a fragile position, threatening her future and her father’s reputation. “The Highest Stakes” is a riveting, unpredictable, historical read with great story lines.

Overall Impression:
I really enjoyed this novel. Emery Lee is an outstanding debut novelist, recreating a time I knew little about. Her story placed me into a world with political unrest, thoroughbred horse-racing and family disputes. As a history buff, I loved this novel. I wasn’t sure what to expect, I’ve never read anything about horse racing, and thought it might not be for me. I was wrong, this was a book for me. The historical facts didn’t interfere with the story lines, it added to the character’s lives. I highly recommend this one.

Orphaned Charlotte Wallace, feeling alone in her Uncle’s home and family, seeks refuge and company in the house’s stables. It is there, in those stables, that she finds the two things she will love for the rest of her life, horses and Robert Devington.

Robert Devington pins his hopes for a happy future on both the horses and Charlotte. However, he finds himself thwarted at every turn, by Charlotte’s Uncle, by his best friend, and even by his country.

While Charlotte finds she must make do with the lot she’s been dealt in life, Robert finds that he will fulfill his lot in life only through revenge.

Horseracing, star-crossed lovers, and retribution take center stage in The Highest Stakes, the debut novel by Emery Lee. Set in 18th century England, this novel has everything it needs to be considered epic – love, greed, hatred, and history.

Lee does a fantastic job fleshing out the history of the characters, even that of their families, showing us past events that motivating source of current actions. The characters are well thought out, and realistic enough; my only real criticism is that Robert never seems to give Charlotte enough credit for anything - not the way she can ride, and certainly not about her feelings for him.

Additionally, Lee gives us a great amount of background information on horses, racing, and life during this time period - and I found it all fascinating! The back of the book states: “... the breathtaking origins of thoroughbred horse racing.” I would prefer to say that this novel is “the breathtaking origins of Emery Lee’s writing career.”


As a child, my love for books took root when I discovered Walter Farley’s Black Stallion series. I bought all the books that were in print at that time, reading some of them more than once. They transported me to a world about which I knew very little, and their exciting tales thrilled me.

Years later as an adult, I discovered the works of Jane Austen and the many Austen-themed novels that are now so prevalent. Again, I was transported to another unfamiliar world, albeit a more romantic one than that of thoroughbred racing (or so I thought).

With Emery Lee’s The Highest Stakes, I find my two beloved genres almost perfectly mixed. Set in the mid-18th century (slightly predating Austen), Stakes tells of Charlotte Wallace and Robert Devington, two soul mates bound by their love of horses and each other. Like Austen’s works, they abide in a genteel society, encumbered by rules and norms that they themselves frequently would rather eschew.

Along with friends, kin and enemies, Charlotte and Robert embark on an epic journey spanning several years and more than one continent. Horseracing and breeding comprise much of the story, as does English military history. As such, there are several exciting races, duels and accounts of risky wagers gone bad. Unrequited love and misunderstanding provide many moments of tension, and an interesting twist at the novel’s conclusion provides a satisfying end.

I enjoyed Emery Lee’s debut novel very much. While written in a more modern style and a touch saucier than Jane Austen, Lee’s writing had a similar feel, excitement and tension. And like my beloved Walter Farley books, Stakes held many moments of horseracing drama. It felt very epic in scope, a grand tale with many venues and enriching characters.

I only have a couple of quibbles. First, those enriching characters. It may have been due to Lee’s writing style or just my weakness as a reader, but some of the secondary and minor characters frequently became jumbled in my mind. Second, I felt that Lee could have spent just a touch less time recounting English war history. As her bibliography evidences, she has certainly done her homework in regard to this topic, as well as all of the equine-related issues.

Overall, this was a very enjoyable read. I hope Lee’s work is noticed by those in Hollywood, as this movie fan would love to see this on the big screen, with possibly Natalie Portman as Charlotte. Emery’s story and characters are compelling, and it was a treat to be a part of their world. The Highest Stakes is no gamble—Be taken in, and enjoy!


Orphaned and living with her merciless uncle and his family, Charlotte Wallace has little to look forward to except the horses on his farm. She has made an alliance with the stable master and is befriended by one of the stable hands, Robert Devington, and Charlotte learns not only how to ride like a jockey, but is taught the different bloodlines of the race horses. Over the years, she becomes more than knowledgeable about the pedigrees, and closer than ever to Robert. Her relatives, with the exception of her cousin, Charles, treat her as the poor relation, and Charlotte’s love for Robert must be kept a secret. She doesn’t expect that her uncle has any plans for her…plans that could never include her union with a mere stable hand.

Despite his hopes of marriage to Charlotte, Robert knows that he must prove himself to her uncle. He leaves the stud farm and joins the army where he is befriended by an officer who will affect Robert’s life forever. After two years, a war on the Continent and promotion to Captain, Robert returns to the horse farm to ask for Charlotte’s hand. Her uncle’s contemptuous response stuns both Robert and Charlotte. So Robert challenges him to a winner-take-all race between the horse he brought back from war and Charlotte’s family’s finest racer. But despite his war horse devouring the competition, Robert is denied his winnings.

Robert’s anguish and Charlotte’s heartbreak are ignored by those around them, but Robert’s association with his senior officer will soon prompt a result that none of the players will be happy with. Retribution is the only thing left for Robert.

THE HIGHEST STAKES is Emery Lee’s first novel, and she is off to an impressive start as an author. While the plot revolves around the main characters, the story of how thoroughbred horses began in England and eventually crossed the ocean to the Colonies is of significant interest. Meticulously researched, the tale is filled with not only day to day life in the eighteenth century, but historical figures and events that are pertinent to the plot. Charlotte is a woman of her day, unable to make decisions on her own, a possession of a man. She is, however, single-mindedly clear in to whom she gives her heart, and that will never be affected by anyone. Despite all he has to offer, Robert is, after all, a commoner, and nothing can change the rules of society. It doesn’t mean, though, that he can’t try.

Brava to Ms. Lee on a brilliant first novel. Well rounded characters, excellent research, realistic dialogue, and a unique plot make THE HIGHEST STAKES a terrific read. I look forward to reading more from this author.


New novel traces the roots of Thoroughbred racing
Review by Karen Svea Johnson

I had the opportunity to read an advance copy of a novel being released this month. I welcome you to join me as one of the first readers of The Highest Stakes, a sweeping historical fiction novel by Emery Lee. (You can place a pre-publication order at amazon.com by typing the title into the search bar.)

Usually, our mare-watch reading column features books that are easy to put down, allowing you to check on those mares and, in April, to make the new arrivals are faring well, too. This book’s structure offers convenient breaks for your necessary visits—but I wouldn’t call the book “easy to put down.”

The plot and the story are just that compelling.

A tale of abiding, romantic love, the novel is also an extremely well-researched book that stands among the distinguished rakes of historical novels. Readers who know nothing about Thoroughbred horses, breeding, or racing will come away with greater insight than racetrack habitués. Industry insiders—that is, mare watchters like you and me—come away with insight that reveals how much things have changed… and how so many ideas and behaviors have endured over the centuries.

A short prologue prepares the reader for the epic journey ahead. In 18th century Williamsburg, Virginia, an unnamed protagonist astride a blue roan colt name Retribution nears the starting line for an important race.

The race, a test of both raw speed and endurance, would be like no other ever run in Colonial history, the victor gaining both the fame and the spoils… By entering his colt in the running, he had made the second most consequential wager of his life. The first, made nine years ago, had nearly destroyed him. Cheated, deceived, and betrayed, he had lost his love, his livelihood, even his country.

The scene is set for an adventure that spans years, continents, oceans. The novel itself opens at the annual races in Lichfield, Staffordshire, England in September 1742. Robert Devington works for Sir Garfield, a prominent horse owner and member of the upperclass elite. Although Devington is entrused only with a groom’s duties, the reader immediately recognizes his exceptional horsemanship.

His employer? Not so much. In this world of class distinctions and ancestral advantages, the low born Devington is constantly reminded of his station, and his obligations. Sir Garfield views him only as an employee, and offers him little appreciation and no rewards.

But the only reward Devington seeks is the hand of Sir Garfield’s niece, Charlotte Wallace. Orphaned at 13 and sent to live with her uncle, she, too, feels more adjunct to than part of the household. Having lived in London all her life, the estate is emotionally austere—but introduces her to the equine world that will become her passion.

Soon after her arrival, she falls in love with the race-bred mares and their offspring that Sir Garfield hopes will secure his position in the racing world. The social mores of the time require that Charlotte disguise herself as a male to explore he new passion, leading to the “meet-cute” start of the abiding romance between the high-born orphan and low-born groom.

Lee’s meticulous research, and the historical exactness is evident on every page, sometimes requires exposition that can bog down a bit. Conversation that explain the influence of the three Thoroughbred foundation stallions—the Byerley Turk, Darley Arabian, and the Godolphin Arabian—become somewhat stilted. But hang with the story through the sometimes slow early going, and you will be rewarded with a panorama of human-equine interaction.

Horseracing remains at the center of the tale, but breeding and horse husbandry, the use of horses in daily life, breaking and training techniques, and even horse transport and horseback warfare are woven seamlessly into the narrative.

One effective way that the author conveys facts or advances the plot is by using correspondence between Charlotte and Devington. In our age of transitory e-mail and text-messaging, it is easy to forget how detailed thoughts expressed with pen to paper can capture a moment and evoke emotion.

At more than 500 pages, The Highest Stakes may demand your attention even after mare-watch session eds. But the journey is worth your time and attention. Allow yourself to be transported to a bygone era when horses were part of virtually every aspect of life, to be swept up in the fateful turns of 18th-century history, and to be charmed by a story of love found, lost, and finally, triumphal.

About the author: Emery Lee is a lifelong equestrienne and history buff who lives in South Carolina with her husband, teenage sons, “a little dog with big attitude,” and her two horses. Visit www.sourcebooks.com to learn more about the author and the novel, and go to amazon.com or your favorite bookseller to purchase your copy of The Highest Stakes.


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 love, betrayals, treachery, retribution and vividly portrayed life in 18th century England as well as in Colonial Virginia. Lee writes beautifully and passionately not only about the highborn in society, but also about the lowborn. The Highest Stakes takes a good look at society as a whole, while telling a story of equestrian life and all it encompasses including arranged marriages, as were typical of this time period, yet in this novel the view is arranged marriages or marriages of convenience for what horses can be brought into the marriage. The reader is privy to the lives of Charlotte Wallace, her arranged marriage to Philip Hastings, Earl of Hastings, and Charlotte’s true love, Robert Devington, known in the colonies as Daniel Roberts. From here the plot moves at a rapid clip with extraordinary twists and turns, leaving the reader wanting to know more. The Highest Stakes is well written and equestrian aficionados, as well as those merely looking to enjoy a delightful historical novel filled with treachery, romances, riches gained and lost, will find this tome to be one that will keep the reader entertained, enlightened, and guessing through the various plot twists along the way.


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. It was exciting. It felt like I was there.

Devington tries everything to win Charlotte. He joins the King’s army and is made a Captain and comes back, hell bent on trying anything, even a horse race to convince her uncle, but the older man is most dastardly prejudice and doesn’t keep his word.

While this soap opera plays out, we have Devington’s friend Major Drake. Drake is a most intriguing character. He looks out for himself, but has a bit of a conscience. Sometimes we see these two fight within him and he has to make a quick decision. I was most interested in his story, I must admit. He gets the rug pulled over his eyes a few times and is played for a fool. By the end of the book, I felt sorry for him.

Anyway, back to Devington. Thanks to Drake, Devington is faced with criminal charges and is sent to the American colonies. There, he changes his name and spends years working at his revenge against his former friend.

The revenge plays out almost like a movie. It was rather an exquisitely drawn out plot.

The Highest Stakes was a great debut novel. Lots of research and effort obviously went into this book and it shows. What you get is an intriguing historical saga.

The Highest Stakes is enriching and heartwarming. It’s been a while since I’ve been in love with historical romances and this one definitely takes the cake. Charlotte Wallace is an orphan taken in by her uncle and his family where she meets Robert Devington, a young groom who works for her uncle. Because this book was set in the 18th century, social status was important. Robert tries his best to win Charlotte’s uncles approval, but fails and enlists into the King’s Army. We meet Philip Drake who is a real villian in the story. Passion and tension rolls along with the story, but most of all the love is very powerful. Robert teaches Charlotte how to ride horses and their love begins to blossom.

What was really captivating about this book is the relationships between characters. Not only was Charlotte and Roberts shown, but also Drakes.

Overall this book was an enjoyable read. I did lose attention in the middle for a bit, but the ending was really good. If you love horses, historical romance, and a dash of witty characters, then this book is for you.





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 won and lost and lives can be destroyed because of the losses. Marriages are arranged not for love but for horses and duels are still fought and honor is lost. There are a few chapters devoted to war with the French and there is mention of the bloodbath that was Culloden but it is not the main focus of the story. The characters are very well written and details of the time period are true to form. Love can turn to hate in a blink of an eye, misunderstandings abound and retribution is sought. Racing and breeding the perfect horse with the best of blood lines can be obsessive. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and hope that there will be a sequel... hint hint. If you are a fan of historical fiction involving horseracing then you should read this book. Romance and history at it’s best. Besides that the cover is great. This book was released April 1st. 2010 by Sourcebooks who provided my review ARC.


When I first found out about this book I was really excited. Being from Kentucky and being raised around horses and racing all my life. I was interested to see how Emery Lee portrayed the origins of horse racing in England and it’s beginnings in Virginia. I have to say I was thoroughly impressed. It’s obvious to see how much work and research that went into this novel. Not only is it entertaining, but it’s educational as well. I came away from reading, The Highest Stakes feeling as if I had not only read a great romance, but that I had learned a lot about racing and what it takes to breed and race a thoroughbred.

Emery Lee’s debut novel has succeeded in producing the kind of story that will make readers take notice and look forward to seeing what she writes next. Her characters are were very well developed and it was easy to relate to them. Charlotte was the outsider, Robert, the poor boy who made good, and Phillip was the jaded soul. These are people we see in our own lives everyday, the setting and time period may have been different but the story is the same.

The Highest Stakes is available now from your favorite bookseller.

I liked this novel a lot and look forward to seeing what’s next from Emery Lee. I give this one 4 out of 5 apples from my book bag!