In the highly competitive romance genre, it is very hard for a new writer to shine, yet Theresa Romain is holding her own against established authors. A historical romance, “A Gentleman’s Game 
First, it’s the hero, Nathaniel Chandler. Not an aristocrat but not trade either, Nathaniel knows horseflesh. After all, he grew up raising horses. In fact, that is how his father received a baronetcy, which by the way, can be inherited. It’s just that, Nathaniel is the second son, hence he will not inherit.
But, it did not bother Nathaniel. An optimist by nature, he also has a good sense of humor, to the point that just to avoid conflict with his very strict father, he will make up humorous stories albeit white lies to explain away his tardiness and other lapses in decorum, based on his father’s standard.
He usually gets away with it, except with Rosalind Agate, his father’s new secretary. Rosalind seemed to know when Nathaniel is making light of things or telling a white lie just to smooth things over. An attraction between the two of them was not supposed to happen, it did! And that is when the real trouble started.
It’s because Rosalind is a woman with a secret. If Nathaniel finds out, she knew that she will not only lose her job, she will also lose Nathaniel’s respect and the Baron’s, the first employer who truly saw her as a very capable young woman.
Love and respectability are the two things that Rosalind wants. If she is not careful, she will lose it in one swoop. Yet, no matter how careful she is, Rosalind knows that the truth will come out no matter what.
All these were told in a very lovely prose. Theresa Romain knows her way with words. All the characters came alive on the pages of the book, especially Nathaniel and Rosalind. Those two can make you laugh. In fact, you can even feel their laughter. A truly enjoyable read!
“A Gentleman’s Game
In Book One of Romance of the Turf, a refreshing new Regency series from rising star Theresa Romain, a mystery demanding to be solved brings unlikely allies together in more ways than one…
How far will a man go
Talented but troubled, the Chandler family seems cursed by bad luck-and so Nathaniel Chandler has learned to trade on his charm. He can broker a deal with anyone from a turf-mad English noble to an Irish horse breeder. But Nathaniel’s skills are tested when his stable of trained Thoroughbreds become suspiciously ill just before the Epsom Derby, and he begins to suspect his father’s new secretary is not as innocent as she seems.
To win a woman’s secretive heart?
Nathaniel would be very surprised if he knew why Rosalind Agate was really helping his family in their quest for a Derby victory. But for the sake of both their livelihoods, Rosalind and Nathaniel must set aside their suspicions. As Derby Day draws near, her wit and his charm make for a successful investigative team…and light the fires of growing desire. But Rosalind’s life is built on secrets and Nathaniel’s on charisma, and neither defense will serve them once they lose their hearts…
