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Today we have historical romance author Darcy Burke here with us via her book tour with Goddess Fish to share her Secrets & Scandals series. Below you'll find book blurbs for all three books as well as mini excerpts to enjoy. And to celebrate her releases Ms. is offering up a fabulous giveaways!
By commenting you'll be entered to win either a $25 Amazon gift card, a copy of the anthology Born to Bite (out in August), an ebook of The Runaway Countess by Leigh LaValle, and a Sara Ramsey ebook. She is also running a contest on her website: sign up for her newsletter during the tour and you might win a $10 Amazon gift card. And remember, the more participating sites you visit and comment on for this book tour the better the chances of wining are!
So please help me welcome Darcy to Bookin' It Reviews!
First, thanks for having me today! I’m excited to share some fun stuff about the heroines of the first three books of my Secrets and Scandals series.
The first heroine (of Her Wicked Ways), Lady Miranda Sinclair can be described at the beginning of the story as Paris Hilton-esque. Not exactly flattering! (And I want you to root for this girl, so what was I thinking, right?) I think one thing that’s hard to do is write a Regency-era young woman who appeals to our 21st century senses. They didn’t have the same freedoms we enjoy and typically didn’t share our modern-day notions regarding independence. With Miranda, I tried to create an authentic Regency daughter of a duke that would appeal to a modern audience.
Miranda is the only daughter of one of the premier dukes of the realm, an arrogant, self-important jerk who demands everyone’s deference, awe, and perhaps even fear. I imagined it might be very hard to grow up in a situation where you had impossibly high standards to live up to, especially for a young woman with a fun-seeking side like Miranda. It seemed natural for her to rebel against the stringent expectations thrust upon her, and so she makes some rather poor choices. She hangs around with a group of rowdy young people (imagine a group of modern-day fraternity guys), goes to a fight in Covent Garden, gets caught smooching one of them at Vauxhall, etc. It’s that last one (the smooching) that gets her sent to Wiltshire for the summer before she can do irreparable damage to her reputation. So now we have a young woman banished to a place she has great difficulty navigating, which her pride—something she’s been raised to have in excess—can barely suffer. She seems spoiled and self-indulgent, but it’s all she knows how to be. I love that through her own misbehavior she has the opportunity to break free of her mold and discover who she really is.
The heroine of His Wicked Heart, Olivia West, isn’t born with any privilege, but like Miranda, she’s born into a position within society that dictates who she can be. In her case, it’s a very narrow identity because she’s a bastard, and as if that isn’t damning enough, her mother was a notorious actress and courtesan. Olivia faces a great deal of prejudice based on the circumstances of her birth, including from her own family. She’s raised by her mother’s sister and her husband, a vicar, and while theirs isn’t a warm family, it gives Olivia an education and gentility she never would’ve received had she been raised from birth by her mother.
Unfortunately, when the foster mother learns her husband is actually Olivia’s birth father, she sends Olivia to live with her mother in London. Olivia is ill-equipped for her new life, but she has no choice but to find a place. Using the embroidery skills imparted by her foster mother, Olivia works as a seamstress at the theatre where her mother is an actress. She also lives with her mother and her various protectors, except for the few who demand Olivia lodge elsewhere. When her mother is killed by her last protector, Olivia is completely alone and her options are few, especially because she refuses to take up her mother’s profession. Her life in London is very uncertain, but she manages to take care of herself—so far. When she meets Jasper and then his aunt, her life takes a drastic turn. She can only hope it’s for the better!
Finally, To Seduce a Scoundrel features Lady Philippa Latham, who was introduced in His Wicked Heart. Like Miranda, she’s born into a titled family that has specific expectations for her regarding marriage. Unlike Miranda, Philippa’s parents are the ones behaving badly, not Philippa. So it’s up to her, like Olivia, to watch out for herself. Philippa has been out several Seasons, but hasn’t yet made a love match. She’s been raised in a very cold family (not overtly hostile as Miranda’s parents can be) and hopes to marry for love. When her parents’ behavior forces her to marry as soon as possible, Philippa has to readjust her expectations, which she finds very difficult. Furthermore, she feels sort of cast adrift by her selfish parents. Love is still of the utmost importance to her, but security becomes a driving factor in her actions.
I hope you enjoy all three women’s stories. They were a blast to write!
What’s the (Back) Story on My Heroines?
First, thanks for having me today! I’m excited to share some fun stuff about the heroines of the first three books of my Secrets and Scandals series.
The first heroine (of Her Wicked Ways), Lady Miranda Sinclair can be described at the beginning of the story as Paris Hilton-esque. Not exactly flattering! (And I want you to root for this girl, so what was I thinking, right?) I think one thing that’s hard to do is write a Regency-era young woman who appeals to our 21st century senses. They didn’t have the same freedoms we enjoy and typically didn’t share our modern-day notions regarding independence. With Miranda, I tried to create an authentic Regency daughter of a duke that would appeal to a modern audience.
Miranda is the only daughter of one of the premier dukes of the realm, an arrogant, self-important jerk who demands everyone’s deference, awe, and perhaps even fear. I imagined it might be very hard to grow up in a situation where you had impossibly high standards to live up to, especially for a young woman with a fun-seeking side like Miranda. It seemed natural for her to rebel against the stringent expectations thrust upon her, and so she makes some rather poor choices. She hangs around with a group of rowdy young people (imagine a group of modern-day fraternity guys), goes to a fight in Covent Garden, gets caught smooching one of them at Vauxhall, etc. It’s that last one (the smooching) that gets her sent to Wiltshire for the summer before she can do irreparable damage to her reputation. So now we have a young woman banished to a place she has great difficulty navigating, which her pride—something she’s been raised to have in excess—can barely suffer. She seems spoiled and self-indulgent, but it’s all she knows how to be. I love that through her own misbehavior she has the opportunity to break free of her mold and discover who she really is.
The heroine of His Wicked Heart, Olivia West, isn’t born with any privilege, but like Miranda, she’s born into a position within society that dictates who she can be. In her case, it’s a very narrow identity because she’s a bastard, and as if that isn’t damning enough, her mother was a notorious actress and courtesan. Olivia faces a great deal of prejudice based on the circumstances of her birth, including from her own family. She’s raised by her mother’s sister and her husband, a vicar, and while theirs isn’t a warm family, it gives Olivia an education and gentility she never would’ve received had she been raised from birth by her mother.
Unfortunately, when the foster mother learns her husband is actually Olivia’s birth father, she sends Olivia to live with her mother in London. Olivia is ill-equipped for her new life, but she has no choice but to find a place. Using the embroidery skills imparted by her foster mother, Olivia works as a seamstress at the theatre where her mother is an actress. She also lives with her mother and her various protectors, except for the few who demand Olivia lodge elsewhere. When her mother is killed by her last protector, Olivia is completely alone and her options are few, especially because she refuses to take up her mother’s profession. Her life in London is very uncertain, but she manages to take care of herself—so far. When she meets Jasper and then his aunt, her life takes a drastic turn. She can only hope it’s for the better!
Finally, To Seduce a Scoundrel features Lady Philippa Latham, who was introduced in His Wicked Heart. Like Miranda, she’s born into a titled family that has specific expectations for her regarding marriage. Unlike Miranda, Philippa’s parents are the ones behaving badly, not Philippa. So it’s up to her, like Olivia, to watch out for herself. Philippa has been out several Seasons, but hasn’t yet made a love match. She’s been raised in a very cold family (not overtly hostile as Miranda’s parents can be) and hopes to marry for love. When her parents’ behavior forces her to marry as soon as possible, Philippa has to readjust her expectations, which she finds very difficult. Furthermore, she feels sort of cast adrift by her selfish parents. Love is still of the utmost importance to her, but security becomes a driving factor in her actions.
I hope you enjoy all three women’s stories. They were a blast to write!
Darcy Burke
Secrets & Scandals, Book 1
Back of the Book:
SHE WAS HIS SAVIORBanished from London for her reckless behavior, Lady Miranda Sinclair is robbed by a dashing highwayman en route to the country. By offering him a kiss in lieu of the jewels she had to leave behind, she commits the very type of act that caused her exile. When her dour guardians extend her punishment to performing charitable work at the local orphanage, she’s further tempted by the home’s owner, a provincial gentleman who stirs her passion in a most wicked way.HE WAS HER DOWNFALLDesperate to save his orphanage from financial catastrophe, Montgomery "Fox" Foxcroft leads a double life as a highwayman. The arrival of wealthy, well-connected Miranda, whose kiss he can’t forget, presents a lawful opportunity to increase his coffers. His problems seem solved—until she rejects his suit. Out of options and falling for the heiress, Fox must risk what principles he has left and take advantage of her wicked ways—even if it ruins them both.
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EXCERPT:
Her Wicked Ways
She sighed, a sound of deep regret. “I told you, I have no money.”
“You’re lying. You reek of wealth.” Fox sniffed loudly to punctuate his statement and got a nose full of her alluring scent for his trouble.
“I know.” Her lips curved into a small, almost seductive smile. It stole his breath. Literally. When he finally remembered to take air, he did so quite audibly. Her mouth widened then, and her face shone like the sun on the brightest summer day.
What the hell kind of highwayman fixated on some chit like a cheap Byron impostor?
Fox reined in his wayward lust. “You must have something of value. A piece of jewelry? A quizzing glass?”
She arched a brow. “What do you take me for? A doddering dowager?”
Good God, no. Never that. If they’d been anywhere else, he would’ve laughed.
Instead, he called out to Rob, as much to distract himself from her as to determine his steward’s progress. “How are you doing over there?” He was careful to lower his voice lest Carmody determine his identity. Highway robbery shouldn’t be this bloody complicated.
“Coming along. Gent’s being quite accommodating.”
He returned his attention to the girl, disappointed she hadn’t sprouted a wart in the last few seconds. “I don’t have time to discuss the finer points of your doddering or lack thereof. Return to the carriage and retrieve whatever it is you have of value. I’d hate to have to use my pistol.”
Her gaze flicked downward. “Your pistol?”
Hell’s teeth, had she just looked at his crotch?
“You’re not even pointing it at me.”
She was quite maddeningly correct.
Darcy Burke
Secrets & Scandals, Book 2
Back of the Book:
IT’S HARD TO BE RESPECTABLEJasper Sinclair, Earl of Saxton, made a bargain with his devil of a father to marry in one month’s time. But instead of shackling himself to an acceptable debutante, he indulges his baser needs. He joins a fighting club and pursues a delectable woman who may not be what she seems. Soon he finds himself battling addictions that threaten his already wicked heart.WHEN YOU’D RATHER BE WICKEDOrphaned seamstress Olivia West wants the chance to lead an honest, respectable life, but the arrogant Earl of Saxton launches a daunting campaign to make her his mistress. Destitute and desperate, she agrees to one night with the dangerous lord, hatching a scheme to take his money and keep her virtue. However, Jasper uncovers her deception and vows to claim what he's owed—not his money, her.
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EXCERPT:
His Wicked Heart
Olivia stood taller and thrust her chin at him. “I came from Devon several months ago and took a position at the theatre as a seamstress. I only filled in onstage for an actress who left temporarily to care for a sick relative. It was then I had the misfortune of encountering—and being bedeviled—by you.”
Bedeviled? He’d show her bedeviled. Jasper closed the gap between them until they nearly touched. “And when is it exactly that you came from Devon?”
She tipped her head back, but didn’t shrink from him. An auburn curl loosened and grazed her ivory cheek. “March.”
He took in the graceful sweep of her neck, partially covered from his hungry gaze by the starched collar of her shirt beneath the deep sage green of her riding habit. His lust threatened to destroy any semblance of propriety, which, alone as they were in the gallery, was nonexistent. “So you really are from Devon.”
“Yes.” Her voice deepened, stirring his desire further.
He tucked the stray lock of hair behind her ear. “And your parents died last year. Were they ill?”
Her breathing hitched as his fingers skimmed the outer shell, and he felt a surge of triumph. “A coaching accident.”
“You said you didn’t own any horses.”
The flash of disquiet in her eyes confirmed the lie. She drew back, and his body regretted that his mind had pursued this course instead of kissing her senseless. “They’d borrowed someone else’s carriage.” A plausible excuse, but he still didn’t believe her.
So disappointing—both her dishonesty and his unquenched lust. “Ah, and therein lies the tragedy.”
She turned, quickly, before she showed him any emotion.
Liar.
Darcy Burke
Secrets & Scandals, Book 3
Back of the Book:
A LADY ON THE BRINK OF DISASTERQuintessential debutante Lady Philippa Latham is determined to avoid scandal at all costs so that she may marry well. When her mother’s outrageous behavior threatens their family’s reputation, Philippa unwittingly follows her to a party no unmarried Society girl would risk attending. As if that wasn’t bad enough, Philippa is “rescued” from disaster by England’s most notorious scoundrel, which sets them both on a path to public and personal ruin.A SCOUNDREL IN NEED OF SEDUCTIONLord Ambrose Sevrin is infamous for ruining his brother’s fiancée and refusing to marry her. Content to remain among the fringe of the upper ten thousand, he is an intriguing enigma to London’s elite. Philippa thinks she’s met the true Ambrose—a gentleman who would fight to defend her and help her secure a husband before it’s too late. But he can’t be that husband, even for her. He won’t tolerate redemption—or love—for his crimes are far worse than anyone can imagine.
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EXCERPT:
To Seduce a Scoundrel
“Is that what you’ve been doing with your dance partners tonight? Husband hunting?” The notion filled Ambrose with a disturbing sense of nausea.
“Yes.”
They danced apart again and Ambrose took the opportunity to mentally review the men he’d watched her with. When they came together, he said, “That foreign boy…you danced with him out of obligation, not because you’re considering his suit?”
Philippa smiled up at him, her ale-colored eyes sparkling beneath the glow of hundreds of candles. “Oh, stop. I’m not considering his suit, but he’s perfectly charming.”
“Charm is your chief requirement in a husband?”
Her body moved with precision and grace. “Along with honor and kindness.”
“You might do better with a dog.”
She laughed as they danced apart again. Such a warm, lovely sound. He would miss it.
When they came together, she gave him a contemplative look. “Is there a breed you recommend?”
“Something loyal who’s ready to defend you.”
“Like you?” She gazed at him alluringly and he had to work to focus on the dance steps.
“That is not how I’d describe myself.” Unfaithful, selfish, arrogant…these were far more accurate adjectives.
“But your ability to defend me and my honor is well-established. And here you are with me again tonight.” She shook her head, her lips set firmly together. “I’m dubbing you loyal.”
He leaned forward slightly and lowered his voice to just above a whisper. “Please, stop. You’re going to reverse my black reputation. I can’t have that.”
AUTHOR INFORMATION:
Darcy Burke wrote her first book at age 11, a happily ever after about a swan addicted to magic and the female swan who loved him, with exceedingly poor illustrations. An RWA Golden Heart® Finalist, Darcy loves all things British (except tomatoes for breakfast, or any other time of day, actually) and happy ever afters.
A native Oregonian, Darcy lives on the edge of wine country with her devoted husband, their two great kids, and three cats. In her “spare” time Darcy is a serial volunteer enrolled in a 12-step program where one learns to say “no,” but she keeps having to start over. She’s also a fair-weather runner, and her happy places are Disneyland and Labor Day weekend at the Gorge. Visit Darcy online at http://www.darcy-burke.com, follow her on Twitter at http://twitter.com/darcyburke, or like her Facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/darcyburkefans.
The excerpts are such a tease. Mission accomplished. I want to read more.
ReplyDeletemarypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com
Thank you for hosting Darcy today.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the fun excerpts! Definitely interested now :) Congrats on the new release!!!
ReplyDeleteLoved the blurbs and excerpts! These have been added to my TBR list.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes
cms72023(at)gmail(dot)com
The whole series looks fun...great excerpts!
ReplyDeletevitajex(at)aol(dot)com
Hi! Thank you for the experts and the giveaway.
ReplyDeleteThe books sound great, cant wait to read them :)
Hi Erin! Thanks for stopping by! Glad you're interested!
ReplyDeleteI love being a tease, LOL. Thanks for stopping by today, Mary!
ReplyDeleteGreat, Christine, thanks! You can pick up Her Wicked Ways FREE at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iTunes, Kobo, Smashwords, and All Romance eBooks!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Trix!
ReplyDeleteAll these books sound good.
ReplyDeletebn100candg(at)hotmail(dot)com
Ohh, I think I'd love His Wicked Heart, I am a sucker for the rags to riches tales of regency romance
ReplyDelete