The Winning Hand

TEST

This book left a smile on my face the entire time I was reading it. It has my favorite romantic element – a Cinderella story. Many of my favorite romances as a young adult involved shy ugly ducklings making themselves over into swans and getting the guy. Apparently my taste hasn’t changed. You armchair psychiatrists can analyze me later!

Darcy Wallace is running away from an unwanted fiance. When her car dies, she continues walking to Las Vegas with approximately $9 to her name. Darcy makes it into Vegas and walks into a casino/hotel owned by Robert MacGregor Blade. When Darcy puts her money into a slot machine and amazingly wins almost 2 million dollars, she promptly faints.

Darcy triggers Mac’s protective instincts. He looks out for her, has dinner with her and coaches her as she blossoms. Mac finds himself attracted to Darcy. Of course she’s not his type, but what the heck. Darcy meets Mac’s family and they, of course, love her. Mac’s mom Serena takes Darcy under her wing and his grandfather, Daniel decides she’ll suit Mac. The scenes between Serena and Darcy are tender and sweet as Darcy discovers an almost familial love, something she has never had. Darcy also sees the love between Mac’s father and mother and the rest of the MacGregors, and it takes her to point it out to Mac. These scenes are emotionally rich.

Daniel will be a familiar character to MacGregor lovers. He’s his usual meddling self, but here he doesn’t have to match-make. Fate has already done it for him, and he becomes Darcy’s confidant and business advisor. The scenes between them are too funny.

One of my favorite parts in the Cinderella story is the blossoming of the heroine. As the book progresses, Darcy becomes stronger, more confident and becomes Mac’s equal in almost every way–except, of course, sexually. No matter. Mac is just a delicious teacher, and you’ll look forward to Darcy’s tutorial.

Laurie recently told me that no book is perfect, so I found a flaw with this one – it ended. I really did hate to see the last page. Like I said, I had a smile on my face the entire time I was reading The Winning Hand. Reading the other MacGregor books is not a prerequisite for enjoying this one. I have read them and liked them, but the MacGregor books have not been my favorite series from Nora. I expected this to be a classic, pleasant Nora Roberts book, but I got more than thought I would. With the promise of two new original MacGregor books coming, I know I’ll see Mac and Darcy again soon. I can’t wait!

Reviewed by Andrea Pool

Grade: A+

Sensuality: Warm

Review Date: 16/09/98

Publication Date: 1998/09

Recent Comments …

  1. excellent book: interesting, funny dialogs, deep understanding of each character, interesting secondary characters, and also sexy.

guest

0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments