Literary Nook: “Betting It All” by Cate Masters Book Review/Giveaway (Ends 12/9) WW

By Ruth on December 5, 2013 in blog tour, book, giveaway, review
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About the book:

Beting It All BannerTitle: Betting It All 
Author: Cate Masters
Genres: Historical Romance

Publisher: Decadent Publishing

 

 

Beting It All CoverBlurb:

 

Can the daughter of a well-known prostitute start a new life where no one knows her family history? Norah Hawkins is sure going to try. When a letter arrives deeding her property in San Francisco, she packs her bags.

 

Irishman Gerard MacKenzie likes his life free and easy, but is tired of the snobbish East Coast folk. San Francisco has enough vice and folly to suit his needs. Meeting Norah gives him the opportunity to bartend in her saloon. Maybe he can convince her to let him play the piano. She’s a shrewd businesswoman, and negotiating with her makes his blood boil. Damn if she doesn’t make his blood boil in other ways, too.

 

The morning of April 18, 1906, a terrible earthquake buries their dreams beneath the city’s ruins. Can Norah and Mac rebuild their lives? Will rebuilding their dreams bond them forever, or tear them apart?

 

Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18332392-betting-it-all?from_search=true

 

Buy Links:

 

Decadent Publishing http://www.decadentpublishing.com/product_info.php?products_id=823&osCsid=9ti2eht9jasdt0l411ksvqdhk7

 

Amazon

http://www.amazon.com/Betting-it-All-ebook/dp/B00EJQDMHY/ref=sr_1_34?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1376520296&sr=1-34

 

All Romance

https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-bettingitall-1268390-340.html

 

Barnes and Noble

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/books/1116477095?ean=2940148442585
Betting It AllBetting It All by Cate Masters

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

When I began reading this, I expected the typical historical romance. I figured I would give it a 4-star rating. After all, there is only minimal profanity, and the only intimate scene leaves a lot to the imagination. Imagine my surprise when I realized that great San Francisco quake was occurring within the book! I was suddenly more immersed in the book than I thought I would be.

This is a quick read, and of course, you know how it will end. But Cate Masters is able to tell a story with engaging characters, hot romance, and a strong heroine–no shrinking violets here! I would have loved to have had more of the story, but on the upside, I was able to finish this very quickly. It won’t go down as a literary masterpiece, but it is a magnificent escape from reality.

I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I was not financially compensated, and all opinions are 100 percent mine.

View all my reviews

Excerpt:

 

Guilt filled her as she sealed the envelope. Her first letter should have been to her mother. Estelle probably forgot I left. More likely, she bought a bottle and forgot everything, period.

Downstairs in the hotel lobby, Mac stepped around the corner into her path. “A letter to your beau?”

She bristled. “No.”

Leering, he nodded. “Ah. You left him behind.”

“Certainly not.” My, but he cleaned up nicely. The electric wall sconce gave his black hair a sheen like raven’s feathers in the sun. His smooth-shaved skin accentuated the whites of his eyes, rimmed with thick dark lashes. Curled in a teasing smile, his lips appeared soft, not weather-worn like some men.

He cocked a brow. “He’s joining you later?”

“I don’t see how it’s any of your concern.” Unless he still hoped for employment. His long, smooth fingers might be handy for more than cards. Still, if she wanted music, she could buy a player piano and not have to pay it a weekly salary. Though it wouldn’t be nearly as nice to look at as Mac.

He shrugged. “It isn’t. Unless you run into debt playing poker. I want to be assured someone will back you up.”

“You needn’t worry. I never get in over my head.” In anything.

He tipped his cap. “Smart woman.”

Not enough to fool him. Last night, Norah had imitated her drunken mother to perfection, another skill that came in handy. Believing her vulnerable, the men made themselves moreso. Not Mac. He’d grown more careful, as if he guessed at her intent.

“What are you doing here?” She wondered what sort of a racket he ran. Everyone had one. Uppity ladies in their lace-edged gowns and mansions excelled at scamming men into marriage, but only succeeded in trapping themselves in the bargain. She preferred a prison with bars.

“Renting a room,” he said, “the same as you.”

Coincidence? Or had he followed her? “I’m curious. Do you possess other skills?”

Smiling, he tugged at his jacket lapels. “I’m a man of many talents. Why do you ask?”

Lo, his ego reared again. “Have you no real trade to ply?”

“Playing the piano is a ‘real’ trade, Miss Hawkins. However, I can work at almost anything, from carpenter to barkeep.”

Like Dan. All her stinging retorts vanished. “Oh.”

He grimaced. “You disapprove?”

“Not at all. Those are honorable trades.” Why should she feel relieved?

“As honorable as your own?”

What was he hinting at? Did he know about Estelle? Her face flushed hot. Pointedly, she said, “Yes, as honorable as owning a saloon.”

“Saloon,” he repeated, as if unsure. “I thought it was a gentleman’s club.”

Did he mean to imply she’d employ herself in some other occupation, such as her mother’s? In defiance, she curbed her tongue, unwilling to satisfy him with an answer.

 

 

Cate MastersAuthor Bio:

 

Multipublished, award-winning author Cate Masters has made beautiful central Pennsylvania her home, but she’ll always be a Jersey girl at heart. When not spending time with her dear hubby, she can be found in her lair, concocting a magical brew of contemporary, historical, and fantasy/paranormal stories with her cat Chairman Maiow and dog Lily as company. Look for her at http://catemasters.blogspot.com  and in strange nooks and far-flung corners of the web.

~Contact Links

Catch up to Cate:

Blog: http://catemasters.blogspot.com

Author Newsletter: Sign up through my blog! Exclusive goodies for subscribers. 🙂 http://catemasters.blogspot.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Cate-Masters/89969413736?ref=ts

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Cate-Masters/e/B002OBQ98A/ref=sr_tc_ep?qid=1331753999

Goodreads:  http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2944596.Cate_Masters

You Tube: http://www.youtube.com/user/catemasters

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/CateMasters

Giveaway: Ebook of Betting It All
a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

Link to tour schedule: http://wp.me/p3SVfE-aF

 

 

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About the Author

RuthView all posts by Ruth
“Don’t bend; don’t water it down; don’t try to make it logical; don’t edit your own soul according to the fashion. Rather, follow your most intense obsessions mercilessly.” — Franz Kafka Ruth is an inspirational entertainment journalist who instinctively sees the best in all and seeks to share universal beauty, love and positivity. She is an artist who leads with her heart and gives readers a glimpse of the best of this world through the masterful use of the written word. Ruth was born in Tacoma, Washington but now calls Yelm, Washington her home. She lives on five acres with her parents, a dog, two miniature goats, cats and a teenage daughter who is a dynamic visual artist herself. Ruth interviews fellow artists both inside and outside of the film/television industry. At the core of all she does is the strength of her faith.

2 Comments

  1. Jess@Fairday's Blog December 9, 2013 Reply

    Cate is such a talented writer and this one sounds so good! I love the HF aspect and the fact that it is based on an event I don’t know a lot about. Can’t wait to read this one! Wishing Cate the best of luck with this new book! Glad you enjoyed it so much- great review. 🙂
    Jess@Fairday’s Blog recently posted…Monday’s Riddle: A Common Pass…My Profile

  2. Cate Masters December 6, 2013 Reply

    I’m so glad you enjoyed Betting It All. The time period fascinated me too. Thanks so much for the lovely review!
    Cate Masters recently posted…Now you see me…My Profile

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