The Gamble

Rating:
Summary: Beautiful characters and story
Review: I have read many books by this author, and one problem that I have with them is that I usually don't like the female lead character. Quite often, they're too sharp-tongued and hard-edged for my tastes. And I have to admit after reading the first couple chapters of this book, I thought I was in for more of the same. But once I got to the scene where Agatha and Violet are sewing with the dancers, I knew this was going to be different. I absolutely loved the character of Agatha, along with all the other main characters. Agatha has a heart of gold, and yet she is able to stand up for what she believes in, even if it means risking her chance for love. You can really feel her pain, but yet you don't feel sorry for her either. A perfect lead character. As for Scott, I knew right away that he would keep me laughing through the whole book. I also like the way the author threw in Jesse and Abigail DuFrayne from her book "Hummingbird", even though I did not like that book very well. This was one of the best I've read from this author. It will be very difficult to find an author that can write romance as well as Lavyrle Spencer can.

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful, memorable, poignant , luscious love story.
Review: I loved this book. The elegance of the author's description of places and people, interwoven with historical events, brings it all alive. The characters become real. In fact, I cannot stop thinking about "Gussie's" and Scott's happiness, not to mention Willy's. I would love for Lyvyrle to write a sequel. It grieves me that she has decided to quit writing because I have only just "found" her. I have read, besides Gamble, Endearment and Then Came Heaven...and absolutely have loved all three. Maybe after the author has some time off, she will hopefully reconsider. I love the way Lyvyrle develops her characters and their love story. And it is wonderful that she allows her characters to have such insight (and thus gives us insight at the same time). And I love the fact of waiting until marriage for the ultimate sex act, but at the same time evolving the couple sexually. The "awakening" of Agatha, for example, profoundly relit my pilot light! I plan to read all of Spencer's books and probably reread a good many of them! Please don't quit, Lavyrle -- there's got to be many sequels to write.

Rating:
Summary: These Characters feel like family. Best I've ever read!!
Review: My copy of this book appears to have been through a flood, a windstorm, or any other event you could imagine simply because I've read it so much that it is practically falling apart. Lavyrle Spencer is one of my favorite authors. The way she delves into each charators emotions and thoughts holds me captive. The Gamble, by far, is my absolute favorite book. I want a man like Scott Gandy. It's funny, but when I assess a man, I compare him to Gandy (luckly I found one!). The good boy gone bad can be a hard role to depict, but Spencer does it with taste and dignity and in a way that the reader can almost sense Gandy's upbringing before it is revealed. I adore his gallantry matched by his spirit and mischief. I love the protective nature in him. I admire the way he deals with Agatha on a business level, using not so fair tactics (such as the sewing machine) but being honest enough to admit it. I swoon at the way he treats women and I chuckle at his manner with Willy. Scott Gandy is absolutely my favorite hero. Rhett Butler has nothing on Scott Gandy!

Agatha Downing is, as well, my favorite heroine. Her proper air is not stuffy nor intimidating. She is generally a good, honest, decent women who does not look down on others even when she does not approve of their actions. She admires what others have in their lives rather than be jealous of them (such as the inhibitions of 'the girls') and displays a lot of spunk for such a 'proper woman. The elogance and carriage that Agatha shows, especially when she moves to Waverly, is admirable.

Then there is Waverly. I am always torn about which is my favorite part of the book. I love the feeling of new beginnings and those "first times" of discovering something (or someone) new to love, but Waverly is my fantasy of Southern charm, regal settings and an incredible way of life. I could never move south because all of my pre-ordained notions of Southern living are tied to Waverly Plantation and I could never have that.

All is all, The Gamble has become my comfort zone over the years. I find the need to re-read it at least once a year - like a family reuion. So far, only Lavryle Spencer has been able to cause that reaction in me.

I am currently re-reading Seperate Beds. Although this book is a different era and completely different storyline, I can't put this book down either!

Rating:
Summary: Best Spencer Book Ever!!!
Review: This was my first Spencer book, and it will always and forever be my favorite. I've read almost all of her others, and only a few come even close. Personally, I think this book is her most complete in terms of characterization, etc. In some ways, I think she used jessie and abbie as a model for agatha and scott (hummingbird and years are probably my 2nd faves). On a scale of 1 to 5, I would really like to give this 50 stars. READ IT!

Rating:
Summary: One of Spencer's Three Best
Review: While I have not read all of LaVyrle Spencer's books yet, I am down to the last 4 or 5. I was worried I would not find another as good as Vows or Hummingbird (Spencer's historical novels are far superior to her contemporary efforts). About 50 pages into The Gamble, however, I knew this one was going to be their equal. As other reviewers have expressed, a romance book is just not a romance when halfway through the characters have already professed their love for one another (this was one of my problems with November of the Heart, although it was superbly written). The Gamble keeps you on tenterhooks until the LAST 50 pages - even though you know how it must end. Both lead characters were perfect. In Scott Gandy, LaVyrle has created the sexiest hero I have ever imagined. Her descriptions of him just resonate in my mind. And I cannot tell you how wonderful it was that she created her heroine with such an obvious physical flaw, and that Scott still falls for her. Most Harlequins would never stand for that! I am still trying to figure out why this Spencer book has never been made into a movie while some of her lesser novels have been. Maybe someday. You know a book is simply fabulous when you keep reading voraciously but still somehow never want it to end! If you have never read LaVyrle Spencer, I challenge you to read The Gamble and then never pick up another book of hers again. Simply impossible!