. . . until you have read THE CEO BUYS IN. While they can be considered stand alone books, they are interconnected and should be read together.
On July 22, 2015, I purchased a book by a new author, to me, The CEO Buys In by Nancy Herkness. I cannot explain the effect that book had on me. It was one of those moments in time when the right opportunity came along when I needed it. I have since read that book many times - I never tire of reading it.
Herkness’ Wager of Hearts series is about three over-achievers who have risen from mediocrity to fame and fortune by their own abilities. The first of the three is Nathan Trainor.
Trainor was a military brat whose father, “the General,” (major general, that is) was an ambitious Marine and wanted his son to follow in the family tradition and go to one of the military academies. Trainor, however, was interested in technology and, while a teenager, invented a computer battery that outlasted any other battery on the market. The battery became the basis of a multinational electronics firm and made its creator a billionaire. The General was unable to understand his son’s interest in technology.
Each of Herkness’ books is multi-faceted in that they include romance, family situations, and mystery. The CEO Buys In tackles head on the issues of parent/child conflict and what a military career costs military families. The second book, The All-Star Antes Up, is about Luke Archer, oldest of two sons of educators. Archer is a natural athlete but not an excellent student. The younger son is a very good student who follows his parents into academia. This book tackles the issues of sibling rivalry and what constitutes success. The last of the three men is Gavin Miller. Miller grew up in rural Illinois and became the author of the best selling Julian Best spy thriller series. The novels are also being made into movies. As a result he is also a billionaire. Unfortunately, his next book is way past due because he has writer’s block. His story will be available next Spring.
The premise of this series is that these three men meet one night at the ultra exclusive Bellwether Club (BC). To be a member of BC an individual must have a net worth of 10 figures that was personally earned, not inherited. The books reveal the reason behind these requirements.
In The All-Star Antes Up, Archer’s parents seem to disparage his athletic abilities - they don’t even know what a 2-point conversion is - while focusing on his younger brother, whose interest in teaching they understand and encourage. As a result Archer devotes his time and effort to becoming the best quarterback he can be, taking the classes in school necessary to allow him to play football.
In high school Archer earns one of five National Football Foundation High School Scholar-Athlete awards given out annually, which surprises his parents. In college he is selected winner of the Heisman trophy - twice. As a professional, Archer has become the “face” of the New York Empire, a team he has led to four Super Bowl wins.
Archer has also become interested in learning about investments and finance. Noticing that pro-players are targets for those who expect them to dole out money from their bonuses and salaries, he has helped some of his teammates and friends by investing in their business plans or by giving them financial advice to keep them from blowing their earnings. His salary, endorsements, and investments have resulted in his becoming a billionaire.
At a formal charity event, Trainor learns that the first words his lover said to him were a lie. That same night, at a formal charity gala for his best friend, who is retiring from football to spend more time with his family, Archer, considered by many to be the best quarterback to ever play pro football, is forced to come to grips with the fact that he is close to retirement, because of his age.
While Trainor and Archer are lost in their thoughts, Miller, who has also been to a formal event (all three are wearing tuxedos) and has had a bit too much to drink, draws Trainor and Archer into conversation. Ultimately they begin to discuss women and how difficult it is for men with their net worth, power, and fame to find a woman who will love them for who they are and not what they can provide. This discussion leads them to wager they can find true love within a year. With their hearts at stake, it is decided they must secretly select an item as their forfeit that has both intrinsic value and which would cause them unhappiness if they lost it. What does a billionaire own that not only has great value in and of itself but has personal value to its owner as well?
Archer, The All-Star, is from Texas, where football is the “state religion.” Being a natural athlete, Archer “puts his head down” and works hard to be the best quarterback possible. He has field vision which enables him to see how a play is developing down field. He also has focus of desire allowing him to concentrate on what he wants to achieve. As a result he is so driven to be the best that he has rules regarding his off-field behavior during football season. Two of them are no alcohol, because the older he gets the harder it is to shake its effects, and no women, because they mess with his focus. He also has a rule regarding "relationships" with women, keep it short and to the point - no strings, no rings.
Unfortunately, Archer, who is in his mid thirties and who spent the evening at his best friend’s retirement gala, has realized he, too, is facing the end of his career. Unlike his friend, however, he has no one with whom to share his life after football. Football had been the focus of his life since he was a boy.
Archer lives alone in the penthouse of the Pinnacle, an exclusive residential building, with his own private entrance and private elevator. His penthouse has excellent views of the Statue of Liberty and the Verrazano Bridge, giving him the illusion of space.
Archer’s brother, Trevor, a college professor who got his undergraduate degree and his Ph.D. at Harvard, is jealous of his brother’s wealth and fame, while taking full advantage of both. He has failed to be the success he wishes to be. Trev is also jealous of their parents’ feelings about his older brother, while Archer feels their parents favor Trevor because he was a good student and is an academic. Trev continually takes digs at his brother because of the financial differences in their lives.
Trev is staying with Archer in an effort to find a job where he is on a tenure track. Trev’s wife wants to start a family and believes this is necessary for them to be able to do so. One evening, while Archer is away from home, Trevor makes a request of one of the assistant concierges at the Pinnacle. A request that is against the building’s rules for concierges to provide.
As the resident of the building, Trev draws his brother into the situation after he lodges a complaint with the owner of the concierge service. This causes the assistant concierge, Miranda Tate, problems with her employer, who has already exhibited a dislike for her and gives him an opportunity to take her to task and embarrass her in front of the most famous resident of the building.
Archer feels really bad that Trevor has caused the woman problems with her boss. He offers to make it up to her by providing her with an autographed football for her nephew, after she refuses complimentary tickets to an Empire game. Archer becomes interested in Miranda because she turned down free 50-yard line tickets for an Empire game and seems to want their relationship to be purely professional.
Herkness has inserted a bit of mystery in each book by leaving the question of just what each man wagers a secret - until the end of the story. In order to learn their forfeits, you have to read the book - no spoilers here. Believe me, it's worth the read. I will tell you this, there are hints sprinkled in each book as to what each man's wager could be. I can't wait to find out Gavin’s.
Nancy Herkness is a master at the use of words and phrases and understands the nuances that make for a good read. She pays attention to the details and explains in her blog how much effort she employs with the writing of her books, such as the selection of the characters’ names, etc.
While reading her books, you should pay close attention to those little details that make them so enjoyable, such as the way she personalizes the prologue in each book and, brings characters and places from her other books into this series, of course, you won’t recognize them unless you read the other books, especially the Whisper Horse series, hint, hint.
As is her custom, Herkness has included some discussion questions dealing with the issues in each book at the end of the book. They are thought provoking and excellent for use in a book club setting. I strongly recommend that you read and consider them.
You will also appreciate the effort to which she goes to try and make sure her books are mistake free. Attention to editing and proofreading is another thing that makes her books so easy to read. It’s no wonder she has won many awards for her writing.
I was provided with an advance copy of The All-Star Antes Up for a fair review. I LOVED this book, maybe as much as I loved The CEO Buys In. Wonder how I will feel about Gavin’s story?
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Reviews with images
He's scorching ice....
I love how this author builds an attraction into a relationship. I love her word descriptions like; "the sophisticated concierge with the hot simmer behind her eyes". --or-- "his laugh vibrated like a hot, sexy riff on a flamenco guitar". I love that! Words and sentences like these combined with a scene set-up conveyed the perfect visual, solidifying the connection to our two protagonists.Luke Archer (36)...a famous Quarterback known throughout the world...he's massive and graceful and lonely. Luke Archer is one hawt yummy piece of cheeze....he's a charming, kind, conscientious, and huge testosterone menace. He's so completely focused during football season that women cannot penetrate his resolve. He's called the Iceman for many reasons... He's too smart and committed to football to allow emotions or anything else to take his focus off the game...until an unassuming Concierge catches his eye. Miranda Tate is a farm girl relocated to NYC. She values her position as assistant concierge of a prestigious residential building where, incidentally, Luke lives during football season. Miranda has many obligations and responsibilities and cannot afford to risk her job for anything. Especially something as frivolous as involvement with a celebrity quarterback who's accustomed to models and debutantes (who are experienced, polished and beautiful). One who'd never look twice at someone like her! She hasn't dated since college...she's a bit insecure and shy. And she's completely oblivious of her charms. (I only wish I knew how old she was..)I enjoyed this author's writing style just as much as I did with the first story of this trilogy (each story that can stand alone)...The CEO Buys In (Wager of Hearts Book 1). Ms. Herkness builds momentum without dragging (or rushing) the scene or the plot. She easily captured my interest, roped and pulled me in. This story was fun and sexy and the witty, refreshing dialogue quickly had me addicted and propelled me deeper into the plot. There's very little adult language, and the intimate scenes are erotic and steaming. In little time I was involved with Luke's celebrity and his life story; (his family issues and responsibilities). I felt the weight and burden of responsibility that Miranda carries...I understood her dreams and goals, etc... while they each dance around the other, giving off cute second glances and smiles. I connected easily with each character quickly and they became my friends. However brilliantly told, I won't be reading the next installment. Gavin Miller (book 3) is too arrogant, conceited, whining and depressing.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 31, 2016
Reviewed in the United States on July 2, 2017
I love how this author builds an attraction into a relationship. I love her word descriptions like; "the sophisticated concierge with the hot simmer behind her eyes". --or-- "his laugh vibrated like a hot, sexy riff on a flamenco guitar". I love that! Words and sentences like these combined with a scene set-up conveyed the perfect visual, solidifying the connection to our two protagonists.
Luke Archer (36)...a famous Quarterback known throughout the world...he's massive and graceful and lonely. Luke Archer is one hawt yummy piece of cheeze....he's a charming, kind, conscientious, and huge testosterone menace. He's so completely focused during football season that women cannot penetrate his resolve. He's called the Iceman for many reasons... He's too smart and committed to football to allow emotions or anything else to take his focus off the game...until an unassuming Concierge catches his eye. Miranda Tate is a farm girl relocated to NYC. She values her position as assistant concierge of a prestigious residential building where, incidentally, Luke lives during football season. Miranda has many obligations and responsibilities and cannot afford to risk her job for anything. Especially something as frivolous as involvement with a celebrity quarterback who's accustomed to models and debutantes (who are experienced, polished and beautiful). One who'd never look twice at someone like her! She hasn't dated since college...she's a bit insecure and shy. And she's completely oblivious of her charms. (I only wish I knew how old she was..)
I enjoyed this author's writing style just as much as I did with the first story of this trilogy (each story that can stand alone)...[[ASIN:B00SBZFIFS The CEO Buys In (Wager of Hearts Book 1)]]. Ms. Herkness builds momentum without dragging (or rushing) the scene or the plot. She easily captured my interest, roped and pulled me in. This story was fun and sexy and the witty, refreshing dialogue quickly had me addicted and propelled me deeper into the plot. There's very little adult language, and the intimate scenes are erotic and steaming. In little time I was involved with Luke's celebrity and his life story; (his family issues and responsibilities). I felt the weight and burden of responsibility that Miranda carries...I understood her dreams and goals, etc... while they each dance around the other, giving off cute second glances and smiles. I connected easily with each character quickly and they became my friends. However brilliantly told, I won't be reading the next installment. Gavin Miller (book 3) is too arrogant, conceited, whining and depressing.
Luke Archer (36)...a famous Quarterback known throughout the world...he's massive and graceful and lonely. Luke Archer is one hawt yummy piece of cheeze....he's a charming, kind, conscientious, and huge testosterone menace. He's so completely focused during football season that women cannot penetrate his resolve. He's called the Iceman for many reasons... He's too smart and committed to football to allow emotions or anything else to take his focus off the game...until an unassuming Concierge catches his eye. Miranda Tate is a farm girl relocated to NYC. She values her position as assistant concierge of a prestigious residential building where, incidentally, Luke lives during football season. Miranda has many obligations and responsibilities and cannot afford to risk her job for anything. Especially something as frivolous as involvement with a celebrity quarterback who's accustomed to models and debutantes (who are experienced, polished and beautiful). One who'd never look twice at someone like her! She hasn't dated since college...she's a bit insecure and shy. And she's completely oblivious of her charms. (I only wish I knew how old she was..)
I enjoyed this author's writing style just as much as I did with the first story of this trilogy (each story that can stand alone)...[[ASIN:B00SBZFIFS The CEO Buys In (Wager of Hearts Book 1)]]. Ms. Herkness builds momentum without dragging (or rushing) the scene or the plot. She easily captured my interest, roped and pulled me in. This story was fun and sexy and the witty, refreshing dialogue quickly had me addicted and propelled me deeper into the plot. There's very little adult language, and the intimate scenes are erotic and steaming. In little time I was involved with Luke's celebrity and his life story; (his family issues and responsibilities). I felt the weight and burden of responsibility that Miranda carries...I understood her dreams and goals, etc... while they each dance around the other, giving off cute second glances and smiles. I connected easily with each character quickly and they became my friends. However brilliantly told, I won't be reading the next installment. Gavin Miller (book 3) is too arrogant, conceited, whining and depressing.
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Reviewed in the United States on August 16, 2023
