The Highest Stakes Reviews:

    POSTED  3/6/2010 Historical Novel Review  by Cori Van Housen

    "Set in mid-eighteenth century England, the Highest Stakes is a love story. Or, to be more precise, a story of love constantly foiled and frustrated...There is much ado about horses. Charlotte and Robert’s love blossoms as he
    teaches her about riding, and only their passion for each other eclipses their mutual love of all things equine. But realizing their dreams of romance seems ever beyond their reach. With each twist and turn of fate and the machinations
    of wily antagonists, Emery Lee ratchets up the suspense...

    The Highest Stakes is a rich and rewarding read, with the history of the times neatly sewn in...Emery Lee lays it out cleverly, sometimes humorously, with period sensibility and restrained sensuality. She does the details well, from
    the meticulous to the sumptuous... The beauty of the book is that you cannot anticipate how it will go; you can only hang on for the ride."


    "Anyone who enjoys stories about love, horses and war will love this novel..A self-made country squire has hopes of this, with good horses and superior groomsmen. As luck would have it, his niece has become one of the superior
    groomsmen and has fallen in love with another. The troubles this leads to provides us with a rollicking, fast-moving plot, where what we think is going to happen is always just barely avoided, and really, nothing but surprises are in
    store...The author is an equestrienne, and it shows...we learn much about the breeding, training and riding of horses.

    Love does conquer all in this story, but while we anxiously read to find out how, we are treated to a rich portion of history in this well-researched and thoroughly likable book."


    "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... Overall, this is an enjoyable and intriguing read that will keep the readers attention through it's 500+ pages."

    POSTED 3/29/2010 Books Like Breathing - Review by Grace ( http://bibliophile23.wordpress.com/2010/03/29/the-highest-stakes-emery-lee/ )

    One thing that very few people know about me is that I love horse racing. Horses are the most beautiful and noble creatures and seeing them run at their full power is almost like a spiritual experience for me. So I was very
    interested to read a novel about the horse racing world that combined some of my other favorite things, mainly romance and historical fiction. I had really high expectations and I was not disappointed.

    The characters were absolutely amazing...I also thought that the horse racing mixed well with the rest of the novel. It was firmly a part of the story without overwhelming it. It also added a unique and interesting aspect to the story...I
    really loved this book.. I would suggest this book to anyone with even the slightest interest in horse racing and a love of romances with star-crossed lovers.
POSTED 4/3/2010     MEDIEVAL BOOKWORM Review by Meghan (http://chikune.com/blog/?p=2091)

    "I questioned my judgment a little before I read this book, not sure what I was thinking when I requested it.  Horse racing?  Really?  I loved horse books when I was a kid, but it was something I grew out of.  Emery Lee’s book
    says maybe I “grew out” of it too soon, because I enjoyed this book to a surprising degree..Plus, the book is exciting.  The horse races in particular are surprisingly riveting...Even though a fair amount of the plot is revealed on the
    The Highest Stakes is a very enjoyable work of historical fiction, providing a compelling story against the backdrop of thoroughbred horse racing.  Definitely recommended.  

    POSTED 4/5/2010  HISTORY UNDRESSED - Review by Eliza Knight (http://historyundressed.blogspot.com/2010/04/historical-novel-review-highest-stakes.html)

    "When I opened up Emery Lee’s debut novel, The Highest Stakes, it was eye opening, refreshing, adventurous, tantalizing. The story took so many twists and turns, it reminded me of the tortured characters in both Georgette
    Heyer’s novels, Shakespeare and Jane Austen. Just when you think things are going well for your hero Robert and heroine Charlotte, Lee up and strikes! Leading you on yet another merry chase for happily ever after. The author
    weaved a nail-biting, enchanting web.

    Lee goes into a great detail about the care of horses, and her knowledge of horse racing and breeding was astounding! A lot of hard work and research went into this rich story, which I truly admire and appreciate. I also relished
    how she incorporated real life characters, horses from the past, races, political events, wars, the culture, into The Highest Stakes. For myself, when I read a historical novel, I truly rejoice when the author grabs the essence of the
    time and setting and paints it onto the pages of their books. Lee is definitely an author to watch!


    POSTED 4/8/2010 -  http://juniperrbreeeze.blogspot.com/2010/04/highest-stake-by-emery-lee.html
    "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..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...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...Marriages are arranged not for love but for horses and duels are still fought and
    honor is lost..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.
    POSTED 4/15/10 -  http://christysbooks.blogspot.com/2010/04/highest-stakes-by-emery-lee.html

    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...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.. 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.

    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...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.

    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... 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.”


    "A tale of abiding romantic love, the novel (THE HIGHEST STAKES) is also an extremely well-researched book that stand among the distinguished ranks of historical novels. Readers who know nothing bout Thoroughbred
    horses, breeding, or racing will come away with greater insight than racetrack habitues. Industry insiders (that is mare-watchers like you and me)come away with insight that enriches a love for the breed and the sport...

    The Journey is worth your time and attention. Allow yourself to be transported to a bygone area when horses were a 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 ultimately triumphal."