I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher, via NetGalley. This in no way impacted on my view.

Captain Alex Bancroft and his five unmarried cousins are given a wager they can't lose, be married by this time next year, and their grandfather, the Duke of Welwyn is grant them all an estate and £10,000. The Quartermain's are always up for a wager, but being leg shackled might be too far. However, Alex can't help but take it one step further, and bet that he'll be married by the end of the week. So how can he make this happen? Luckily his uncle's house party happens to be this week, and he meets the beautiful Miss Emma Washer. Emma sees the handsome captain in his red coat, and thinks he might be her hope of safety and security. But she is hiding a secret past, and Alex's new military posting might be too much for their marriage to survive.

I found this a quick and enjoyable read. The premise of the series is an intriguing one, and I'm definitely going to be reading the other books in the series to see how the 6 cousin's romances pan out. Alex and Emma were a good couple, and though they had their differences, they worked well together. I did think that the plot line surrounding Emma's past in India, and Alex's potential posting there was a good one, but could've been looked at a little more delicately. The book was quite short, and could've gone into more detail in places. Even so, it was enjoyable and a good start to the series.

I found the characters a bit superficial. Alex made a wager to marry within about ten days, which is totally unrealistic without any incentive to do so and marry a complete stranger whom he hasn’t even met. His grandfather gave him and his cousins a year to get married, so why complicate things by taking it to the next level without the need to do so?
When he meets Emma he is almost overcome with lust: </i> The sweet smile on her lips sent a pang of longing to his groin. Pretty, sweet, and attentive, Miss Washer had become a most dear acquaintance in an amazingly short span of time.
“Milk and sugar?” Her voice lilted upward and a streak of heat shot through Alex’s body, lodging squarely in his groin.</i> I would have preferred a bit more character development, maybe him seeing her qualities and the rationally choosing her as his wife. That would have made more sense, despite the wager.
Emma was incredibly damaged by a traumatic event in her youth so meeting a man in uniform, a soldier, gives her a sense of safety. Although I understand PTST I found her separation anxiety a bit hard to deal with. Alex was very understanding, though.
I received an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Wagers, Marriage, and Secrets

From the moment Alex and Emma met, there was a spark. He decided she was the woman he would marry. There was a wager at stake. From the moment Emma saw Alex, she decided he was the man for her. He was a soldier, and that was the first attraction to him. Emma had a secret. What was it? Just like Alex was keeping his wager from her, Emma was keeping a secret. What was Emma’s secret, and what happened when they both discovered the truth about one another? Could love see them through the difficulties that might arise? If you like historical romance, you might enjoy this entertaining story.

Well the story had me hooked with all the young cousins and the wager that their grandfather implemented. Alex you have me shaking my head at you young man. I am pleased that things have only turned to looking yo for him and Miss Emma. It was so wonderful to read a book that a easy read. I must say that the innocence of the story moved the book pretty fast, but you will not find me complaining about that. The fun or should I say entertainment came from the cousins and their rangers. Oh the joys of family bonding. I am most excited to read Tom and Francis search for a wife. Twins! Oui! The story was truly a fun read for me. I give this story two snaps and a twist. Until next time my fellow readers. Read on! I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to NetGalley for a copy of this ebook and this is my freely given opinion.

This is the first book of a series with an interesting and fun premise.

The aged Duke of Welwyn is the head of a family who appears to take pride and passion in their wagers. To this end, he calls together a group of his bachelor grandchildren. He announces that he is ailing, and wants to see to some things settled in his family before his expected passing. What he wants from the six cousins is to see them settled into marriage. They are young, attractive, unattached men with no plans on wedding, so he offers them a wager with a generous prize. If the six of them are all wed within a time span, then they each be given title to an estate and a rich prize of monies.

Anyone remember the old Flintstones episode where Fred had that gambling addiction? That thing where when he hears "bet" and goes into a frenzy kept running through my head on this one... "betbetbetbetbet..."

Anyways, the young men add on a few side wagers of their own, including Captain Alexander Bancroft who wagers that not only will he wed, but he will be the first to wed, and by the end of the month...

Now he just has to find himself a bride to marry in 10 days or less.

Luckily for him, his uncle has invited Alex and others, including eligible young ladies to a house party. When he arrives, his attention is immediately caught by a lovely young woman, Miss Emma Washer. She is a mysterious young lady unused to English Society being introduced and sponsored by a distant cousin of her aunt. She unfortunately lost her parents at a young age, and then travelled with her guardians, her aunt and uncle, to India, where he worked for the East India Company. Unfortunately she was caught up in the rebellions that occurred in India at the time, and deeply scarred by her experiences. She suffers PTSD and tries to hide this. She is immediately attracted to Alex in his soldier's uniform and the safety it represents.

Luckily for Alex, Emma and he fall for each other quite quickly, and she does not mind the wager and hasty wedding. But their rapid fire courtship means they go backwards in their relationship and have to court and learn about each other after the fact. Their relationship is seriously challenged by her past trauma, and his career, when he finds out his next deployment is to be India. Emma would be willing to follow her husband anywhere - except back to India. Not when she continues to be haunted by the terror of what she witnessed, and the trauma and losses she suffered. Alex is faced with a terrible choice. As a career soldier, can he face giving up his professional future? Or will his marriage fail before it has barely begun, if he chooses India, leaving his young bride behind for potentially years.

A fun and rather superficial premise with the out of this world wagering, but with a serious undertone with the emotional trauma and PTSD that Emma suffers. An interesting story that I enjoyed, and draws me in because I am curious about how the other cousins make out.

3.5 stars out of 5

This is the first book of a new series, The Welwyn Marriage Wager. As you can guess the series is based on wagers, where The Duke of Welwyn offers wagers to each of his grandsons. He wants to see all of them married, and if they achieve this he will grant them all estates of their own and the means to live comfortably. Captain Alex Bancroft is the oldest and adds a wager of his own that he will marry within a week. Nobody believes him, so he goes off to his uncle's house party to prove them wrong and find a bride. Emma catches his eye, and he proceeds to woo her and court her. He manages to marry her within the week, but she knows nothing about the wager. She also has secrets she is keeping from him. Emma has a devastating past in India, and when Alex is called to duty which involves him travelling with his regiment to India, Emma simply cannot go. But he will be gone for five years. What will become of their marriage?
This was a well-written and intriguing story with great characters. I became invested in their story from the start. The family is outrageous but loving, and I Iiked how they came up with a solution for the couple, albeit an unconventional one. A very entertaining novel and a wonderful start to the series! Looking forward to reading the next one!
I received a complimentary copy from Dragonblade Publishing and Netgalley and am voluntarily leaving my review.

Fire! And not just the spice in this book but the whole thing. I could not stop reading this. I loved it. It was a quick read and I think that this is one of my favorite regency romance books this year!
I just reviewed Until I'm Safe in Your Arms by Jenna Jaxon. #UntilImSafeinYourArms #NetGalley
[NetGalley URL]

I vaguely remember the first book in this series but not until the end. So having said that it is a standalone book per say. AND it is definitely VERY steamy. But you can skip the steamy and not miss much of the plot. I enjoyed the jest of the book. I did feel as if neither were willing to compromise unless it was suggested by an outside source. I suppose this can be realistic in some marriages especially with a shorter engagement.
I recieved a free copy so that I might tell you what I honestly think. Hope you enjoyed my review. Now go enjoy the book.

Wagers, wagers, wagers. A wager for a wife and security. The Duke of Welwyn offers a wager to six of his grandsons. Alex, the oldest grandson makes a wager of his own. Fortunately a house party gives him the opportunity to win his wager, but will the young lady agree on his proposal. Alex's biggest challenge will come when he must decide on his wife or his military career.
The hilarious antics of Alex's family and the pain of nightmares for his wife give an ebb and flow to the story. One cousin down, five to go.
Extremely hot!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book.

Until I’m Safe in Your Arms by Jenna Jaxon is part of The Welwyn Marriage Wager series in which the grandfather of five young men presents them with a wager. Before he breathes his last he would like to see all of them married. If they can all accomplish this feat within one year, he will gift each of them with estates of their own and all the things necessary to live well and maintain their estates. Of course, the young men took it upon themselves to enter into more wagers, including one Captain Alexander Bancroft had made that he would be married within a week. They all laughed and took the wager, and off Alexander went to his uncle’s house party. Within moments of his arrival he spied the young lady who would be his wife, and he set about winning her hand. Miss Emma Washer was the young lady in question. As they wandered together in the gardens, she asked a great many questions about his war experience. Questions he really didn’t want to answer on subjects he didn’t want to think about, let along discuss. She had lived with her aunt and uncle after her parents died and had watched them be brutally murdered in India. She carried the memory with her still.

Alex was a soldier through and through. He didn’t want Emma to find out about the wager, but she probably would one day. Just not now. She was young and innocent. She was perfect for Alex, but was she perfect for him? He did manage to marry her in the week allotted and they went to live in a townhouse in London, arranged for by his uncle. They were very happy until his regiment got called up. They were to leave for India soon and would be gone for five years. What would happen tho their marriage? An intriguing question. A good book. I recommend it.

I was invited to read a free e-ARC of Until I’m Safe in Your Arms by Dragonblade, through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #Dragonblade #JennaJaxon #UntilImSafeInYourArms

Coming from different angles, both Alex and Emma want marriage at the earliest possible date. Worried that Emma will reject him if she finds out about the wager made with his cousins, Alex tries to keep it a secret. As it turns out, his wager is the least of his problems, as there are aspects of Emma's behavior that worry Alex and it is only after they are married that he fully comes to understand what she has been through. Having been through at least one war and having seen the devastation that it wrecked upon the lives of the men he fought with, he understands only too well what Emma has experienced. When he receives his orders, the choice between his duty and his wife becomes almost unbearable. Fortunately, his unconventional family comes up with a way in which he can keep his wife safe without forfeiting his pride. The novel is entertaining and is a standalone. It is also well-written and comes to an enjoyable albeit somewhat unconventional conclusion. I received a copy of this romance as a gift through Dragonblade Publishing and NetGalley and this is my honest and voluntary review.

Captain Alex Bancroft and his cousins are all involved in a possibly very profitable wager with their grandfather, who is using his family's love of gambling to force them all to marry. Our hero is determined to win his own side bets, and be first. It will take more than a wager to make a successful marriage.

Miss Emma Washer escaped a terrifying situation while living with relatives in India. Finding a strong man to keep her safe is imperative to her. Our heroine carries many memories of her time in India, luckily they are not all bad ones.

This is a steamy, fun filled historical romance. The cousins are an outrageous, loving family. This is the first book in a new series and sets the scene for the rest. We will obviously get a book for each cousin and I look forward to reading all of them. Marvellous story with more emotion than you might at first think.

Great fun.

The wager...

Captain Alex Bancroft is the oldest of the Duke's grandchildren. The Duke is dying and wishes to see his grandchildren settled, married and he will pay to set them up. Alex wagers that he will marry first, as he is the oldest. The first girl he sees at a house party is Emma Washer, He's instantly smitten with her looks and spends the week winning her favor. But things never go smoothly, though, in this case, it moves very quickly. Both Alex and Emma have secrets, Conflicting secrets. And choices to make.
Recommend.

The Duke of Welwyn knows his six unwed grandsons like to wager & as his days are numbered because of a weak heart he wagers that if all six marry within a year he’ll set them up with a property & funds - all six agree. Captain Alex Bancroft is the eldest & wagers he'll be the first to marry. Attending his Uncles house party Alex is struck by Miss Emma Washer, so he pursues her. Their courtship proceeds at a furious pace, including a dalliance that might ruin them both. Before it can, Alex proposes and is stunned when Emma agrees to marry him. However both have secrets. Then Alex learns he’s being posted to India & Emma refuses to accompany him, leaving Alex with a devastating leave England to fulfil duty to Queen and country or stay and revel in his newfound love for his wife?
A well written quick read. I really liked both Alex & Emma who fell hard & fast for each other. Whilst they both have secrets his about the wager & hers about her time in India, the couple didn't make a meal of hiding the secrets but placed their trust in each other & revealed all. Alex then had the dilemma of what to do. I loved how things were resolved with help! from his family. I look forward to the other five cousins finding love
My review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

Emma is scared! She just wants to feel safe. She hasn't felt safe since the deaths of her Aunt and Uncle. And then she sees him across the room, in his regimental reds. She knows in her heart that he will keep her safe.
Alex has to marry. His grandfather has put before him and his 5 male cousins, that if they all marry within a year, he will give them each $10000 pds and an estate. So he decides to attend his Uncle's house party hoping to meet his future wife there. As soon as he walks in, he sees her and knows this will be his future wife.
It's live at first sight for both of them. Within a week they are married.
But then reality sets in and we find out why Emma is scared. And now Alex has to make a decision about his career.
This book was fast paced and fast moving. Constant action. It was good but moved a little too fast for me. I like more slow burning romances
4⭐⭐⭐⭐
I want to thank Netgalley for the opportunity to review this book.

Wagers, PTSD trauma & steamy intimacy combine.
The premise drew me in, the conflicting guilt of a relationship started because of a wager always pulls me in, and the fact Alex is an Infantry captain always a hook I know I'm gonna be reeled in by. Then when you add in a family of marriage shy men, who either detest the notion of being shackled too soon, are in need of a good shove to pursue the lady who I can only assume has been tangling them up in knots from afar for ages, or somewhere in between, and you challenge them to a wager too good to refuse then your onto an exciting new series. Expecially, when it's set to thrill with the added perk of a heady dose of steam and emotional conflict.
UNTIL I'M SAFE IN YOUR ARMS, was interwoven with moments that truly sparkled and shone with romance. I particularly enjoyed the hyped up degrees of heat that shimmered between Alex and Emma and the breakaway from the angst and betrayal that you commonly expect to find when a relationship is motivated by the winning of a wager which was refreshing. That allowed the sweet, tender glimpses of comfort, understanding and longing to connect really sing. Where a heady haze of sexual attraction binds them as much as individual ulterior motives blind them to the deeper connection they come to want and need to nurture between them.
Despite, this... and Jaxon's so clearly engaging writing style... I just couldn't gel with Emma, I had such a hard time warming to her. Which unfortunately had a detrimental effect on my feeling many of her actions rang with a ting of manipulation, not on the fun, playful side intended. I kept doubting her regard, feeling her admiration stemmed more from her craving the coveted feeling of safety (however understandable due to her past trauma and suffering) and her need to depend on that soothing immediate sense of calm, Alex evoked through his touch, which unfortunately tainted any temptations to seduce him and pick her over his career and duty, for me and did douse my enjoyment as a result. That said, there is so much interwoven within here to enjoy and be entertained by.
I couldn't help being drawn back in by the many colourful personalities that circulated the pair that provided council and the sense of teasing close-knit family comradery that had the power to make you laugh and sigh, as well as the unexpected twists their journey meandered down that will have me coming back to see who amongst the Welwyn men will take up the next marriage wager. A compelling premise for a series that's packed with great potential to be a fun and emotionally entangling one too. This definitely won't be the last Welwyn cousin I visit!

Clear your day, this book grabs you fast and takes you on a ride you wish will never end. This is one of those books where discovery is the best part; the twists and turns, emotions invoked and the intriguing characters. Enjoy it!

A short and steamy romantic tale that packs quite a few elements, a close knit family that enjoys wagers, an instant bond between the couple that only strengthens as time goes by, coping with PTSD, and making a major career decision with a married man’s consideration. Enjoyable read with several secondary characters that bode well for next in series!

I received an ARC from Netgalley and leaving my review voluntarily.

Alex is a wagering man. When his grandfather makes a bet with him that Alex will marry in a year, Alex counters that he will be married by the end of the month. Having no specific woman in mind, he goes to a house party where he is immediately smitten by Emma. Emma is searching for a husband to keep her safe from her nightmares of her time in India. I received an ARC from NetGalley and Dragonblade Publishing for my honest review.