The Gambler’s Last Chance by Mary Lancaster takes us black to Blackhaven and the Vale family. What an interesting family this is and this book adds to it. The major plot points in the first book are happening while this book takes place and they are mentioned, bringing one up-to-date so it really is pretty much a stand-alone. It is primarily about Felicia, the married, now widowed, sister who has returned from London having sold her townhouse to pay her husband’s gambling debts. She is a compelling woman. She is an expert card player. She does, what is now called, counting cards. Not exactly cheating, but not playing fair as she is in possession of far more skill than most players. She has borrowed from her siblings to finish repaying the debts her husband left and is determined to repay them. The only means she has of making money is playing cards. So, she does.

She meets a young man, well, her age, really, named Bernard Muir, another card player, but she wants more from him. He is very attractive. He seems amenable to the suggestion and so they win money and become lovers. Many things happen along the way in a well-though out, reasonably sensible plot. Too often kidnappings make no sense in a novel, but in this case, it was perfect, and of course, thwarted. Felicia is determined to never marry again, to never give a man such power over her. She had loved Nick, but he was not good to her and she hated him for it. Bernard is a local man who has friends everywhere. He is naive in some ways but that gives him a charm, and power, that is difficult to ignore. The villain is quite good at it and charms while digging himself into a hole. It is a terrific read. Charming book. Typical of Lancaster. Love the Vales!

I was invited to read The Gambler’s Last Chance by Dragonblade. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #Dragonblade #MaryLancaster #TheGamblersLastChance

I have enjoyed the Vale family in this series, as they stand together knowing that in their unity they can withstand the disparagement of society and the scandal that has surrounded their family for years, making them both influential and stronger. When Felicia returns home as a widow, deeply in debt due to her husband's reckless gambling, they close ranks and make it possible for her to start making reparations. Unfortunately, a snake in the grass follows her from London and begins his insidious inroads into the community of Blackhaven, playing on their weaknesses and causing doubt and uncertainty. With Bernard Muir, Felicia not only finds a gambling partner but also the means by which to defeat her enemy. There are so many characters in this book that at times it is a little difficult to keep them straight, but ultimately the novel comes to a happy conclusion, with both Felicia and Barnard finding a future together for themselves and their families. I received a copy of the well-written romance as a gift through Dragonblade Publishing and NetGalley and this is my honest and voluntary review.

“The Gambler’s Last Chance” is book four in Mary Lancaster’s series entitled ‘One Night in Blackhaven’. This series centers on the sprawling Vale family, this book stars Felicia Vale Maitland, now a widow and ready to step back into society. Felicia had a difficult marriage and vows to never marry again, she does not want to be under the total control of another man. Her intent is to use her mathematical skill playing cards and to seek out male companionship. The male companionship she finds is Bernard Muir, a true gentleman in her eyes and a man who believes in and is supportive of her unusual mathematical abilities. Felicia’s end goal is to win back all the money Walter Harlaw fleeced from her dead husband, which left Felicia in staggering debt. I definitely enjoyed this story with a strong female lead, who knew what she wanted and figured out a way to get it. She had survived a difficult first marriage, her husband was a compulsive gambler and womanizer. Felicia was determined not to fall into the same trap, that is, until she met Bernard. He was everything her husband wasn’t. I thought it was interesting that Felicia was older than Bernard, not by a lot but still older. Mary Lancaster knows how to build a world full of interesting characters that interact over the entire series. Felicia’s siblings make an appearance in this book, each to a different extent. Also featured are characters from the ‘Blackhaven Brides’ series which featured Gillie Muir, Bernard’s sister, in the first book of that series. Bernard and Felicia worked perfectly together, their romance built steadily, the open door scenes written tastefully. The plot was different from most Regency stories, led by a female mathematical genius who is a successful card player. This story can be read as a stand-alone or as part of the series. I definitely recommend “The Gambler’s Last Chance”, an enjoyable, Regency romance and another successful story in Mary Lancaster’s Blackhaven universe.

We go back to the lovely town of Blackhaven for this historical romance. The complicated Vale family are having many adventures around the same time. As most of the books in the series are set in roughly the same time line, you will get the odd hint what is happening in those stories, in this one. Not enough to spoil them if you haven't read them yet.
Our heroine this time is a young widow with an exceptional talent, but a wounded heart. Our hero is a well liked local, trying hard to make his fortune with cards.
There are emotional moments, and steamy ones. Plans, and devious people, both good and bad to discover. A thoroughly enjoyable read with fabulous characters.
I loved it.

I really enjoyed this fourth installment of the series, which runs simultaneously and overlaps with the previous books. The plot is very good and kept me hooked from the start. There are some twists, a touch of intrigue, suspense and a few non too graphic love scenes.
The characters are great and endearing, anyone who has read the „Blackhaven Brides“ series is already familiar with the MMC Bernhard who appears throughout the series. He is such a sunshine cinnamon roll hero who is popular and well respected throughout all classes in Blackhaven. Felicia is a strong, intelligent and caring heroine who fights for her family and her rights. The chemistry between them was great from the start and I loved how their relationship developed throughout the book.

The book can be read on its own, however I recommend reading the Blackhaven Brides series and the previous books in the series first as you meet many characters from the previous books and their relationships and interactions are quite complex, especially Felicia's family.

Widowed Felicia Maitland, née Vale, had to endure betrayal and neglect from her late husband, who left her with a tangle of debt after his death caused by his so-called friend Harlaw.
Now living in Blackhaven with her siblings, whom she cares for, she plans to enjoy her life as a widow.

At the assembly ball, she meets Harlaw again who is playing cards with Bernard and is clearly cheating. She schemes to fleece the man who betrayed and impoverished her late husband and win back her fortune. Bernard is also an excellent card player who wants to increase his own fortune and realise his dream of opening his own gambling club somewhere on the continent. Felicia is immediately attracted to the young man and offers him a partnership in the hope that a liaison will develop between them. She has no intention of marrying and ever becoming dependent on a man again, even if Bernard seems to be the ideal man and is determined to win her heart…

Absolutely worth reading!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Book 4 of 4 - I really enjoyed this story. Felicia is a widow and has decided to take on the man who had robbed her husband. She makes an offer to a man to help her. He falls in love with her. I loved every word.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This has been a really interesting series with all the stories starting on the same night and then overlapping one another. It makes you want to go back and re-read the earlier books just to see what hints had been left about what would happen in these later stories. And it's nice to get little snippets of the events from those books to see exactly how all the stories fit together. I really liked both characters here and only wished we had gotten more of them working together at the gaming tables to bring down the villain. I think they had such a great chemistry it could have made for some fun scenes. I completely understood why Felicia was reluctant to consider marriage again - it was a good reminder of how little power women had in their lives during this time period. I think it would have helped her to move past some of those fears had Bernard at any point had a conversation with her about how he would see their marriage as a partnership and he would never put her through what her first husband had. The B plot of the story involving Harlaw was just okay. I really wanted to see more of him being financially destroyed by Felicia. The kidnapping plot involving Bernard's stepmother was a little over the top and took the attention away from Felicia's initial plan of revenge. And the C plot of the story involving Genevra seemed a little forced and certainly didn't shine her in the best light. The first book in the series is still my favorite, but I've enjoyed all the others I have read as well.

Thoroughly enjoyed this book by Mary Lancaster! This is book four in the series, and every now and then snippets from previous books/storylines pop up, which can be a bit confusing, especially since all all storylines in these four books about the Vale siblings happen simultaneously and I wasn’t familiar with the characters in the previous three books. But despite that, it’s a very engrossing read, well written, well paced and with great character development. The plots are creative. Of course it’s about a widow, Felicia, who wants to win back her late husband’s gambling debts, but the book is so much more layered. It had more depth to it than I expected.
I loved the way Felicia stands up for herself, and is not afraid to take action. She spoke up when needed and I loved her clever wit and that of her siblings, especially Gilly.
I loved both of Felicia and Bernard’s respective families, and I liked that Bernard had the ability to move in every social circle, being respected and valued in in all kinds of social circles.
The falling in love felt real and it all wrapped up beautifully and in a satisfying way. The only thing that I didn’t like was Bernard’s name, LOL! I think it’s a boring name - sorry - but that’s all. I loved that Bernard was a total gentleman and didn’t want to take advantage of Felicia. And I totally understand her reservations and the fact that she doubted herself and her motives from time to time. It’s the grownup thing to do; to sometimes reflect on where you stand in life and with the choices you’ve made.
The bad guy situation was also handled very well; after a few chapters I just couldn’t put the book down and just I kept wanting to read on. Everything with this book is brought together perfectly and in a realistic and satisfying way. And the epilogue is a nice added bonus.
I can honestly recommend this book to anyone. I enjoyed it very much and I plan to catch up on the other books in this series as soon as I get a chance.
Thank you Netgalley, Dragonblade Publishing and Mary Lancaster for providing an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I so enjoy this series. Set in a small community, the series covers the Vale family (nine of them). This is Felicity's story, a young widow, who has an amazing skill and is determined to use it to restore her own self confidence and worth. Part of what makes the series special deals with how the author weaves prior characters from a different series into this story, giving the reader a true feeling of living in a small town. Benard is one of those characters and his interactions with Felicity take us on an adventure of gambling, deceit, and retribution. This author is well versed in her writing skills which are easy to see as she engages the reader from the first page until the last sentence. My recommendation is to read them in order to get the full effect of the relationships in this town.

Widow Felicia is determined to ruin the gambler who cheated at cards and caused her family financial ruin. She plans to win back the money her deceased husband lost. Bernard is attracted to her and agrees to help her stop this cheater. Felicia does not want to ever marry again, but as she gets closer to Bernard he begins to change her mind. I received an ARC from NetGalley and Dragonblade Publishing for my honest review.

I have enjoyed this series. The books are easy reading, plenty of great characters and always a mystery and a bad guy. This was Felicity and Bernard’s story. I enjoyed how they became friends through their mutual interest in gambling and then lovers. The Vale family has plenty of interesting characters!

Felicia Maitland, nee Vale, is now out of mourning & ready to take on the world at cards and to possibly indulge in a discreet romantic liaison. In short, she attends the Blackhaven Assembly Ball looking for fun – and she finds it. When the dazzling and gifted Felicia offers Bernard Muir partnership in her scheme to fleece the man who encouraged her late husband to get into debt & then demanded that Felicity repaid the debts which included losing her home.
The fourth book in the series which follows the Vale siblings & the events upto, including & after the Masquerade Ball, whilst they could be read on their own events do overlap so I’d recommend reading in order. I loved both Bernard & Felicia, Bernard had featured in an earlier series & I love that he’s finally found his HEA. Felicia is gifted at mathematics & an expert card player & has no wish to remarry but falls for Bernard. Bernard also falls deeply in love with Felicia but she’s determined not to marry. I wondered how things would be resolved & loved their journey. There’s also a villain ‘to bring down’, secrets are revealed & tender love scenes, all of which made for a riveting romance
My review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

It is always a good read when there is a return to Blackhaven and its myriad characters.
Felicia is a widow suffering through a difficult marriage and debts. She will never allow herself to love and marry again.
Bernard Muir who is a much loved character from the past now all grown up is a gambler.
The two of them make a connection but multiple circumstances keep them apart including their own feelings,
Enjoyable and good character development.

Justice for the Widow.
Widowed Felicia wants to use her skill at cards to claw back the money that her husband was cheated of and to have some intimate fun with no strings attached. Who knew that the means for both goals would be imbued in a young man she meets at a local ball. A lovely story where a villain gets his comeuppance and a widow learns to trust again. The One Night in Blackhaven series follows seven siblings fortunes from a ball, to the following days, and weeks till they each achieve a HEA. The stories are best read in order but can be read as standalones.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.