Of the two books here, I liked the Sandalwood Princess more. The set-up was different, and the two protagonists managed to be reasonable, intelligent, and wrong quite convincingly. I liked the Princess as a character, and I was very sorry not to see more of her, but I didn't like the deus ex machina ending.

Knaves Wager was more formulaic. I liked the heroine, but never really saw why she fell for the hero. But it was well-written and fun, and I would read it again. ( )

* The Sandalwood Princess is an adventure story wrapped up in a romance. An innocent miss is pitted against an experienced rogue to get (and keep!) a seemingly worthless statue. The two use all their ingenuity to attempt to outwit each other, and in the process frustration turns to respect and then love.

* The wager in Knaves' Wager is that Lord Julian Brandon will seduce widow Lilith Davenant, a fixture in the ton as she shepherds one after another of her nieces into good marriages. However, Julian is the man she holds responsible for her husband's descent into dissipation and eventually death. ( )

Amazon: Having spent many years living in India away from her native England, Amanda Cavencourt is finally on her way home. A fairwell visit to a powerful Indian Princess gifts her with a precious wooden statue "The Sandalwood Princess" which is reputed to confer joy & fertility upon the bearer.

This idol is also desperately desired by a gentleman who enlists the help of an unofficial goverment spy to retrieve it. The notorious agent enlisted is known as "Falcon", and quickly wrests the statue away from Amanda.

When they both find themselves aboard the same England bound boat Amanda begins to plot to retreive the statue, and Falcon to guard it. Matters are greatly complicated by the illness and ensuing infatuation of the Falcon's aide with Amanda's handy maid Bella.
Also travelling with Amanda is an unlooked for Indian servant - Padji. For tangled reasons he continues with her, and attempts to guard her against the notorious Falcon.

The story ends up back in India with a convincing twist of plot & is throughly delightful all the way.

I sighed a tear or two and my heart clenched in places, with the perfection of the discriptions and poignant plots.

Ms Chase has concocted a delightful froth and whipped it to perfection, allowing the reader to enjoy from the first page to the last.

***Knave's Wager***

Lillith Davenport must marry again. She has settled upon a reliable gentleman and will sacrifice her independence for the future of her beloved nieces (one hopes they're worth it!)

Enter the "bad beautiful angel" determined to seduce her and his wayward nephew...

Set in regency England of course, this fine story sails along convincingly & touchingly, with charming charachters and the usual Chase wit - interjected where most welcome & least expected.

Lilith is a heroine who really IS sensible, looks after herself, doesn't sigh after the wicked hero, never makes foolish decisions and needs rescuing and altogether manages to be more convincing than any other creation. Even with all this sense & so little sensibility, she remains a refreshing & charming character whist he is just the opposite but so very debonair and beautifully repentant later.

A great set from one of the Regency genre's best authors.