So glad you could make it back to Duck Chat!

Alexandra Hawkins joins us today, so sit back and enjoy!

Starting off strong with her Lords of Vice series, Alexandra is a new voice in the historical romance genre. All Night with a Rogue, her debut book, kicks off the three-book series that will hopefully expand to cover all seven of the fascinating rakes she’s given readers in ANwaR. So if you love a bad-boy hero, you’re going to have a heck of a time reading these books.

Alexandra is married and lives with her family in Georgia. Like the rest of us, she discovered romance at an early age. That helped fuel her already fanciful imagination, and now her first book is published. A dream come true all authors can attest to.

Be sure to leave Alexandra a question or comment, because she’s very graciously offered up a copy of All Night with a Rogue to one lucky reader.

Now let’s chat!

DUCK CHAT: Welcome to The Good, the Bad and the Unread, Alexandra. Let’s start off by talking about your new series, Lords of Vice, generally and then we’ll get to those handsome lords individually. Would you tell our readers about the series overall, where the idea came from, and did it turn out as you originally envisioned?

ALEXANDRA HAWKINS:   Thanks for inviting me to stop by, TGTBTU!

I came up with the general concept for the Lords of Vice series first.  I have a weakness for bad boys, and the Regency rake has always been one of my particular favorites.  My short pitch for the series was:

Notorious, decadent and outrageously handsome, the Lords of Vice prowl the glittering ballrooms of Regency London’s polite society, breaking rules and setting hearts aflutter while they indulge every carnal whim . . . every desire . . .

Just reading it again, gives me all sorts of ideas!  I decided to give my rakes their own private club so there was a constant in the series that connected the seven men while each book focused on a different hero.

I only have one book out, but I’m happy with the results so far!

DC: If you could retire any interview question and never, ever have it asked again, what would it be? Feel free to answer it.

AH:  That’s an easy one.  Where do you come up with your ideas?  It’s a fair question but it’s not like there’s an idea spring in my backyard.  Ideas for stories come to me at odd times.  I might be vacuuming the living room when a scene pops into my head.  Or I might see something on TV that inspires me.  I’ve even used ideas that I’ve culled from my dreams.

DC: I’ve heard writers often say their stories take them in surprising directions, or dialogue flows from some unknown place. Is it the same with you? Do your characters surprise you sometimes?

AH:  Often.  I usually just go with it.  I’ve come up with some interesting scenes because I’ve let my character have his or her way.  Other times, it’s frustrating.  Frost, in particular, was a very difficult character because he didn’t want to cooperate.  I remember emailing one of my friends and telling her that Frost was a complete ass and I was tempted to kill him off in the first book.  I didn’t.  Now that I’m working on book three, I’ll admit that his quirky sense of right and wrong has grown on me.

DC: The first book in your series is All Night with a Rogue, which was just released yesterday. We meet Sin and Juliana in this book. Would you tell our readers about them and give them a sneak peek into their story?

AH:  When the story opens, Sin has begun to question his life.  He’s bored, cynical, and he craves a challenge.  He initially thinks his host’s wife will cure his ennui until he glances up and sees the heroine perched in a tree.

For Juliana, this is her first visit to London.  Her mother has brought Juliana and her sisters to town in hopes of securing solid matches for them because the family is in a financial fix.  Juliana has doubts about her mother’s plans, and longs to explore her secret dream of having her musical compositions published.

DC: Do you ever argue with your characters while you’re writing? Who usually wins?

AH:  Sometimes.  It’s usually the male characters that cause trouble.  I wish I could say that I win all the arguments, but twenty-one years of marriage have taught me the art of compromise.

DC: What is sure to distract you from sitting down and working/writing?

AH:  A really bad migraine.

DC: What is it that draws you to write historicals, especially the Regency era?

AH:  The first romances that I glommed were traditional Regencies.  I fell in love with the country houses, the costumes, and elegance of the period.  That world seemed so perfect.  So much so, I didn’t quite trust it.  As a writer, I longed to pull off those polite masks and ferret out everyone’s dark secrets.

DC: Till Dawn with the Devil is due out in August. This is Gabriel and Sophia’s book. Would you give us some insight into their relationship?

AH:  Gabriel, known as Reign, hasn’t been very lucky when it comes to love.  His first marriage was a loveless, grievous debacle.  When his pregnant wife was found dead at the foot of her bed, many people believed he had murdered his wife in a drunken rage.

Lady Sophia has felt like a burden her entire life.  A terrible childhood accident left her visually impaired so her independent spirit has been battered by her limitations.  Her wastrel brothers ignore her, which usually suits her.  However, she’s lonely and longs for some excitement in her life.

Then Lady Sophia meets Reign, and her adventure begins!

DC: Is there a genre you haven’t tackled but would like to try?

AH:  Within the romance genre, I wouldn’t mind trying my hand at romantic suspense or something paranormal.  Outside the romance genre, I’d lean toward horror.

DC: What advice would you give to your younger self?

AH:  Trust your instincts.

DC: If you were a book, what would your blurb be?

AH:  She looks before she leaps.  She also draws diagrams.

DC: What would be your “voice’s” tagline?

AH:  Dark and edgy with a splash of humor.

DC: The next book in the series is After Dark with a Scoundrel. Can you give us just a hint of what to expect when it’s released in 2011?

AH:  Book three is Dare and Lady Regan’s story.  Lady Regan is Frost’s younger sister, and let me tell you, she can be just as unpredictable as her brother.

DC: If you had never become an author, what do you think you would be doing right now?

AH:  Good question.  I need a creative outlet, so I probably would have started my own business.

DC: Do you have any works in progress you can tell us about?

AH:  Till Dawn With the Devil is in production.  I’m also working on the first draft for After Dark With a Scoundrel.

DC: What else is on the horizon for Alexandra Hawkins?

AH:  I hope to write more Lords of Vice stories.  If not, I’ll move on to another project.

Lightning Round:

- dark or milk chocolate?    – Dark

- smooth or chunky peanut butter?    – Chunky

- heels or flats?     – Flats

- coffee or tea?     – Tea

- summer or winter?      – Summer

- mountains or beach?      – Beach

- mustard or mayonnaise?      – Mustard

- flowers or candy?    – Flowers

- pockets or purse?      – Purse

- Pepsi or Coke?     – Coke, preferably Cherry Coke Zero

- ebook or print?     – Print

And because we still enjoy the answers we get:

1. What is your favorite word?    – Yes

2. What is your least favorite word?   – Whatever

3. What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally?     – Music

4. What turns you off creatively, spiritually or emotionally?     – In-laws

5. What sound or noise do you love?     – Laughter

6. What sound or noise do you hate?     – That beeping sound the garbage truck makes

7. What is your favorite curse word?    – Crap

8. What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?      – Archeology

9. What profession would you not like to do?     – Animal Artificial Insemination Technician

10. If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?   – “You did good, kid.”

DC: We’re so glad you were with us today, Alexandra. Thank you!

Wendy the Super Librarian‘s review of From Waif To Gentleman’s Wife (Wellingford’s #5) by Julia Justiss
Historical romance released by Harlequin Historical 01 Oct 09

Over the years I have remained fiercely loyal to Harlequin Historical in part because of their willingness to publish stories set in locales currently not the flavor of the month.  Which means they offer more to readers than just Regency historicals about spies and Dukes.  They were literally my lifeline during a time in my reading life when I was so burnt out on All England All The Time that I would read maybe one Regency-set book a year.  Now that my crippling burn-out has begun to lift, I’ve been making up for lost time by discovering many Regency writers that other readers have known about for years.  This being my first book by Julia Justiss, I wasn’t all that surprised to discover that Harlequin chose to publish a Regency historical that actually felt different.  It was like opening up a window on a warm spring day after a very long, dismal winter.  You mean Regencies can be about more than Dukes and spies?  Wow.

Joanna Merrill is a young widow with few options.  Her soldier husband succumbed to a fever he contracted in India, her in-laws have washed their hands of her, her family is abroad, and she’s sunk.  So she takes a job as a governess, only to find herself thwarting the advances of her randy employer.  When the fine upstanding Lady of the household catches her husband accosting Joanna, she promptly fires Joanna.  What with it being all her fault for throwing herself at a married man.  Joanna is tossed out on her ear, with very few coins to her name.  Desperate, she decides to travel to Blenhem Hill where her brother, Greville, is employed as estate manager.

Sir Edward “Ned” Greaves has purchased Blenhem Hill from his good friend Nicholas Stanhope, Marquess of Englemere.  Nicky gave his distant cousin Greville the job of overseeing the estate, only to learn that he was doing a terrible job of it.  Firing Greville, he’s at a loss of what to do next.  Blenhem is out of the way of his other holdings and he’s loathe to leave his wife and young son.  So when Edward, being a bit of an agricultural nut, offers to buy it from him, he accepts.  On his way to take up residence though, Edward’s carriage is assaulted by Luddite hooligans.  To get to the bottom of the local unrest, Edward decides to pose as Mr. Ned Greaves, the new estate manager hired by Englemere, keeping his own noble lineage a secret.  Which is how Joanna Merrill comes to meet him when she literally collapses at his feet after finally arriving at Blenhem.  The turmoil of the journey, the shock of her current circumstances, and finding out her brother has been fired is just too much.

What follows is Ned and Joanna coming to an understanding.  He’s determined to get Blenhem Hill back on track, which means making repairs, amends and opening a school for the children.  In turn, with no other options available, having no idea where her brother is, and loathe to throw herself on the mercy of distant relation Englemere, Joanna accepts the job of being the schoolteacher.  Naturally as they spend more time together, Ned and Joanna are drawn to each other.  But what will happen when she learns who he really is?  And who is behind the unrest among the local farmers and textile workers?

While Justiss employs the common Big Secret trope, there was so much about this story that felt unique and refreshing.  Notably, the circumstances that Joanna finds herself in, and how realistically they are portrayed.  This is a woman who is smart and resourceful, but at the mercy of people with more power than she has.  You bleed for this woman as she arrives at Blenhem, after all the drama and turmoil, only to discover her last hope, her brother, has been fired and nowhere to be found.  She has to rely on the kindness of a stranger, and ultimately is drawn to Ned because of his kindness, work ethic, and the fact that she believes they’re in the same social stratosphere.

Ned’s a nice guy, and one can understand his reasons for the deception, but his keeping the truth from Joanna for as long as he does is a bit hard to swallow.  Especially after he muses, quite often, how logical, forthright and intelligent she is.  He justifies his secrecy by saying it’s to protect her, but ultimately I was left with the impression that he obviously didn’t think her intelligent enough to be able to handle the truth.  When it all comes tumbling out at the end, it’s hard not to sympathize with Joanna, and the author handles these final chapters of heartbreak and redemption very well.

Part of the author’s long-running Wellingford series, this book stands alone extremely well.  It’s a quick, charming read, very much in the tone of a traditional Regency (well, expect this story has s-e-x in it!).  It’s also so refreshingly different from a lot of the other Regency historical currently cramming the shelves that it was hard for me not to be delighted by this tale.  I read it in one afternoon, and it was an afternoon well spent.

Grade: B

Summary:

When a destitute governess faints on Sir Edward Greaves’s threshold, chivalry demands that he offer her temporary shelter. However, the desire Ned feels when he catches her in his arms isn’t at all gentlemanly….

With her large, troubled eyes and slender frame, Joanna Merrill calls to something deep inside this guarded man. For one who has purposely shunned the conniving beauties of London society, just how much is Ned risking by having this intriguing woman under his roof…?

Read an excerpt.

Other books in this series:

Wendy the Super Librarian‘s review of Touch Me by Jacquie D’Alessandro
Historical romance released by Harlequin Blaze 1 Oct 09

One thing I’ve noticed about the Blaze historicals is that while they’re certainly fun and sexy, they also require a fair amount of suspension of disbelief.  Of course if you’re looking for meaty historical accuracy you probably shouldn’t be picking up a category romance that clocks in just over 200 pages and is published under a line that promises fast-paced, sexy fun.  But for a pure escapist delight?  These Blaze historicals have been just the ticket.  Jacquie D’Alessandro’s Touch Me continues down that path, and it’s a fairly pleasing read.

Fans will remember former mistress Genevieve Ralston as a secondary character from the author’s Avon single title release, Love And The Single Heiress.  Genevieve is now living in the quiet town of Little Longstone.  Her lover for the past decade has unceremoniously dumped her, and she finds that the local hot springs help the affliction that ultimately caused him to spurn her.  She’s living a quiet life until one day Simon Cooperstone, Viscount Kilburn, shows up on her doorstep.

Going by the name Simon Cooper, he’s come to Little Longstone to clear his name.  Genevieve’s former lover moved in powerful circles and has been murdered!  Unfortunately for him, Simon was in the wrong place, at the wrong time, and now he’s the prime suspect.  As a spy for the crown, Simon convinces his superiors to give him time to clear his name.  Seems the dead man gave Genevieve a puzzle box, which contains a letter effectively clearing Simon’s good name and unmasking the identity of the real killer.

I know.  When it comes to Romance Land, spies are more prevalent than Dukes in Regency historicals.  But for readers not totally burnt out on spy games, this is a quick sexy read.  Genevieve may have been a mistress, but it hurt when her lover spurned her affections.  She entered their arrangement out of necessity, but after a decade together it’s no wonder that she ultimately fell in love with him.  She’s finally starting to move on with her life, and has absolutely no interest in starting a new relationship or giving her heart to another man.  Then Simon comes along, and the chemistry between them sizzles.

Simon comes to Little Longstone not knowing Genevieve’s roll in her lover’s death.  It’s possible she could have done him in, or hired someone else to do it for her!  However as he spends time with her, he quickly deduces that she’s not only innocent, but doesn’t even know her former lover is dead.  She also doesn’t realize that the puzzle box and innocuous letter are bringing danger to her front door.

Both of these characters have secrets they’re hiding, and it is bothersome that Simon isn’t more open with Genevieve after he deduces she’s an innocent bystander in this whole affair.  Still, I guess being a spy is a hard habit to break.  The ending is terribly romantic, although I’m not sure how terribly realistic – as the happy ending required of a romance novel is certainly going to have fall-out for Simon, who’s a bloody Viscount!  But if you’re looking for fun, sexy, romantic, and an enjoyable way to kill a few hours?  Look for no further.

Grade: B

Summary:

Pleasing a man is something former mistress Genevieve Ralston does very well. But after her lover callously dumps her, she’s definitely off men…until she meets Simon! He’s brooding. Sexy. And she can’t keep her hands off him….

But Simon Cooperstone, Viscount Kilburn, is a spy. His mission: retrieve a mysterious letter in Genevieve’s possession. Intent on seducing her secrets from her, he forgets to guard one thing: his heart.

Each stroke of Genevieve’s talented fingers unleashes his deepest desires. Too late, he realizes that while he may be a master of the art of seduction, he’s no match for a sensual mistress….

Read an excerpt.

Other books in this series:

C2’s review of Mastered by Love by Stephanie Laurens
Historical romance, released 28 July 2009 by Avon

Royce Verisey, heir to the Duke of Wolverstone, grew up expecting to take his father’s place presiding over their not-so-small corner of northern England. He did not expect to receive a request from the Crown to serve England’s interests by heading a network of spies. Saying yes to the Crown meant turning his back on his family – a fact made clear by his father. Loyalty to his country (combined with rage at his father’s ultimatum) led Royce do as the Crown asked. He took the name Dalziel from his mother’s family and headed a group of spies that helped topple Napoleon.

After Napoleon’s defeat, Dalziel’s team of spies disbanded – even though one last traitor had escaped their net. The former spies founded the Bastion Club and went off to find wives and build lives for themselves in a peaceful England. And Dalziel decided that, after taking care of the last details of his work for the crown, he would go see his father and try to determine where things stood in their relationship.

One does not disown the heir to a dukedom, so even though there had been no contact with his family in sixteen years, there were matters to discuss. Before Royce completely wrapped things up in London, he received word of his father’s unexpected death. Upset he would not get any sort of closure with his father, Royce immediately headed north to take up the reins of the dukedom.

Since there has been no contact in years, he has no idea what sort of state the estate is in, knows nothing of the people – he is flying blindly into huge responsibilities. Thankfully, when he arrives at Wolverstone Castle, Royce finds the Wolverstone chatelaine, Miss Minerva Chesterton, has much of the information he needs to go forward as the new duke.

Minerva, the daughter of a childhood friend of Royce’s mother came to live with the Veriseys when her parents died. She was six years old and Royce was fourteen. Minerva grew up with the children of the family and remained – first as Royce’s mother’s companion and amanuensis (a fancy word for something close to a private secretary) and, after the duchess’s death, as Royce’s father’s chatelaine. Minerva promised both the late duke and duchess that she would see Royce settled into his new life as duke before leaving Wolverstone.

As he works with Minerva to finalize the arrangements for the funeral and get reacquainted with Wolverstone, Royce sees that she has much of the knowledge he needs to make good decisions for the future of the estate. Plus he is very attracted to her. Unfortunately, Royce does not sense any returned interest from Minerva. When the members of the ton arrive for the funeral, Royce finds out there are rumblings that the Crown will try to change the charter of the dukedom. In order to thwart the possibility of such a fate, he is told by the grande dames that he must marry quickly.

Royce refuses to have his life dictated; he has decided he does not want the sort of marriage his family is known for – a business arrangement between two influential families – he wants the sort of marriage the other Bastion Club members have. Still, he doesn’t want to offend such influential ladies so he negotiates a two week period to decide who he will marry (they provide lists of eligible young women, of course).

Over the next few weeks, Royce realizes that he wants Minerva to be his duchess. She has much of the knowledge he needs to make good decisions for the future of the estate. Plus he is very attracted to her. Unfortunately, Royce does not sense any returned interest from Minerva. He hasn’t picked up any signs that she is interested but is determined to seduce her – even though he has never had to exert himself like that for a woman. Poor Royce, having to work for a woman’s attention. *false sympathy* Little does he realize Minerva has been half in love with him since childhood.

She agrees to a fling, thinking two weeks isn’t enough time to lose her heart and that she will be able to walk away unscathed when Royce announces his chosen bride. She also tells him not to consider her as a potential bride because she doesn’t want to be a convenient way to meet the grande dames’ demands. Can Minerva resist Royce’s charms? Can Royce convince Minerva she is the only one duchess for him? And what about that last traitor lurking about on English soil – where does he fit in? Ah, faithful reader, the answers to all these questions and more can be yours. I’ll admit the whole business with the traitor dragged on a bit and I was not sympathetic to Royce’s “I don’t know how to seduce a woman, they always come to me” dilemma. As a bonus, we see Devil Cynster before the Cynster series (and his mom and a few other familiar faces). This book is set in 1816 and Devil’s Bride is set in 1818. But Royce is a pretty typical Laurens hero so fans know what to expect. All in all, it was a bit of a slow read – wow, there are lots and lots of words…434 pages with a small font! – but it was a good wrap of the Bastion Club series.

Grade: B-

Summary: The men of the Bastion Club proved their bravery secretly fighting for their country. Now their leader faces that most dangerous mission of all: finding a bride. As the mysterious leader of the Bastion Club known as “Dalziel,” Royce Varisey, tenth Duke of Wolverstone, served his country for decades, facing dangers untold. But as the holder of one of England’s most august noble titles, he must now take on that gravest duty of all: marriage.

Yet the young ladies the grande dames would have him consider are predictably boring. Far more tempting is his castle’s willful and determinedly aloof chatelaine, Minerva Chesterton. Beneath her serene façade lies a woman of smoldering sensuality, one who will fill his days with comfort and his nights with sheer pleasure. Determined to claim her, he embarks on a seduction to prove his mastery over every inch of her body . . . and every piece of her heart.

Read an EXCERPT

Other books in the series:

Wendy the Super Librarian‘s review of Disrobed and Dishonored by Louise Allen
Historical romance ebook short story released by Harlequin Historical Undone 1 May 09

I’ve been reading quite a few sexy short stories lately and a popular theme keeps cropping up in the historicals. The heroine finds herself betrothed to a thoroughly undesirable beau and figures the best way to get out of the situation is to rid herself of her virginity. Sometimes this particular trope works for me… and sometimes it doesn’t. It all boils down to how well the author can sell the characters, and in this case I had a bit of a mixed reaction.

Jonathan Kirkland, Lord Redcliffe is playing the part of a highwayman to win a bet. His mission is to secure kisses, and tokens of proof, from five passing women. He’s done an admirable job so far, and only needs to land one more kiss, when Miss Sarah Tatton comes barreling down the road, on horseback, wearing an evening gown.

Sarah has just learned that the “good catch” fiance that her father secured for her is a lout who accosted her personal maid. She cannot marry such a vile man, but her father is unmoved and suggests the maid was “asking for it.” Sarah reacts by running off into the night, and now she finds herself confronted by the most perplexing highwayman. As they both start talking an idea strikes her. Her odious fiance only cares about her virginity. If this highwayman were to “compromise” her, her father would have no choice but to call off the wedding. Hooray!

In order for this story to work the reader has to buy the fairly preposterous plot. By all accounts, Sarah has led a sheltered, perfectly respectable life. Certainly marriage to the fiance is a despicable proposition, but Sarah goes from zero to sixty in a matter of seconds when it comes to the matter of her virginity. Something she’s been guarding her entire life and she’s ready to be gone with it in a blink of an eye. There’s really no hesitation on her part and it didn’t feel genuine to me. I’m beginning to suspect that the Please Take My Virginity plot only works for me in “gritty settings” and this tale is very much written in the vein of delightful, light, Regency romp. Hence, me not being entirely convinced.

That being said, there is certainly a charm in Allen’s writing, and the chemistry between Jonathan and Sarah is quite good. I also admired the way that the author tied this into her series about the Ravenhurst clan without making those characters feel intrusive. They actually had a role in this story and weren’t merely walk-ons to serve as series bait.

While I wasn’t completely enthralled with this tale, it was a pleasant read and had it’s charms. I suspect it will work better for diehard fans of lighter Regency fare.

Grade: C+

Summary:
.
Hidden behind a mask, Jonathan Kirkland, Lord Redcliffe, has disguised himself as a highwayman to win a wager: to collect kisses from the first five women who pass. With only one kiss left, victory seems easy…until he encounters Miss Sarah Tatton, who has fled on horseback to escape her vile fiancé.Distraught and desperate, the last thing Sarah needs is to run straight into the arms of a highwayman. But his heart-stopping kiss gives Sarah an idea—to lose her virginity in order to break her engagement. And the surprisingly gentlemanlike thief is just the man to teach her the art of love…at least enough to pretend that she has lost her virtue.
.
But as Jonathan and Sarah’s passion grows, all pretense must come to an end…
.
Read an excerpt.

Other books in this series:

Jockey Richard Dunwoody is about to try to replicate the achievement of Captain Barclay, who set one of the greatest sporting bets of the Regency era. 

“On 29th May 2009 at 11.30pm, Richard Dunwoody will start a 1000 Mile Challenge and walk the same mile 1000 consecutive times (from the Bedford Lodge hotel in Newmarket up the Bury Road to a post half a mile away and back again) for a 1000 consecutive hours with the last mile up the home straight of Newmarket racecourse just before the Ladbrokes Bunbury Cup on 10th July 2009.
.
In 1809 Captain Robert Barclay Allardice was bet that he couldn’t walk 1000 miles in 1000 hours for 1000 Guineas – meaning he had to walk one mile in every consecutive hour 24 hours a day – the challenge therefore taking 42 days with the maximum an hour and 20 minutes sleep at any one time (if you walk back to back miles in different hours).
.
He completed the challenge on 12th July 1809, losing three stone in the process with his challenge hailed as ‘one of the greatest human feats ever attempted’.
.
200 years on, champion jockey, polar explorer and BBC presenter, Richard Dunwoody MBE will recreate this challenge walking the same mile 1000 times in Newmarket – 1000 miles in 1000 hours but this time to raise a substantial sum for charity – Alzheimer’s Society, SPARKS, Racing Welfare and Spinal Research”

In 1809, Captain Barclay won £1,000 from the original bet and around £16,000 from side bets. His feat was considered one of the greatest sporting bets of the Regency era.

Let’s support Richard, his charities, and his sporting achievement!

For more information about the modern day Challenge click on this banner:

[Gwen ed.: For us Yanks out there:

• One stone equals 14 pounds, meaning Barclay lost 42 pounds performing this feat.
• A guinea is the equivalent of about 20 shillings or roughly one pound sterling.
• In today's money, Barclay won about £55,000 ($83,000) on the original bet and about £880,000 ($1,335,000) on side bets.]

Wendy the Super Librarian‘s review of The Rake’s Inherited Courtesan by Ann Lethbridge
Historical romance released by Harlequin Historical 1 Apr 09

God bless Harlequin. When it comes to slapping books with sensational titles and back cover descriptions, they just can’t seem to help themselves. The heroine in Ann Lethbridge’s first book for Harlequin Historicals is not a courtesan. Her mother was a prostitute, she is not. And the hero? The exact opposite of a rake. Not even remotely rakish. In fact, he wouldn’t know how to be rake even if he had a private tutor and a handbook on the subject. Harlequinization aside, this is a decent little story and ideal for readers who can’t get enough of Regency propriety.

Christopher Evernden is at the reading of his late uncle’s will when he spies his uncle’s lovely “ward” for the first time, Mademoiselle Sylvia Boisette. She’s impossibly, breathtakingly beautiful, and everyone in the family just knows that she was his late uncle’s mistress. Mistresses aren’t necessarily scandalous, unless, like Uncle John, you bring home a lovely bit of muslin from France when the girl is barely 12-years-old. Because of that scandal, Christopher has had virtually no contact with his uncle and is mostly at the funeral to represent the family because, scandal or not, someone should be there.

However, he gets the shock of his life when Uncle John’s will requires him to be Sylvia’s new guardian and protector! Sylvia isn’t any happier with the arrangement. Longing for a quiet life and respectability, she had big plans to strike out on her own. However, as she quickly learns, those plans have gone up in smoke. With nowhere to turn to, and no one running to her aid, she finds herself dependent on Christopher. Even more so when it becomes apparent that some very bad men are after her.

This story starts out a leisurely pace, and relies quite a bit on Christopher’s gentleman’s propriety to fuel the early scenes between him and Sylvia. Christopher is very proper, very gentlemanly, and genuinely a nice guy. It’s his older brother, Garth, who is the reprobate (and boy howdy, I cannot wait to read Garth’s story!) and Christopher has spent his whole life overcompensating. Garth antagonizes their mother, Christopher placates her. So to find himself wrapped up with Sylvia causes quite a bit of commotion in the family dynamic.

I did find myself frustrated by the lack of communication between Sylvia and Christopher. Lord deliver me from Regency characters who just won’t come out and say exactly what’s on their minds. Misunderstandings and miscommunication ensues, Syliva runs, Sylvia gets in trouble , Christopher rescues, Christopher assumes, Christopher runs etc. etc. etc. After a while I wanted to shake them both senseless.

The latter half of the story comes to a boil a lot faster than the earlier chapters, with some spicy love scenes, a dramatic soap-opera ending to the conflict, and the final happily-ever-after. All in all, it was a pleasant story and I happily kept flipping the pages to see how the peril Sylvia found herself in would be resolved. But propriety be damned, I couldn’t help but wish they would just sit over a pot of tea and really, truly talk to each other. Of course that probably would have made the story 100+ pages shorter.

Grade: C+

Summary:
.
Daughter of a Parisian courtesan, Sylvia Boisette longs for respectability, though gossips say she is nothing more than a gentleman’s paramour. Now, with her guardian dead, she finds herself in a shocking situation….
.
Christopher Evernden is appalled by his uncle’s will—Mademoiselle Boisette is now his courtesan! Although his body responds to Sylvia’s tempting sensuality, he knows he should rid himself of his disreputable charge. But, surprisingly, Sylvia has a vulnerability to match her exceptional beauty. Perhaps his inherited mistress could become his rightful bride!
.
Read an excerpt

By Michelle Styles

Some writers just write about one time period – whether it is the Regency, the American west or even in the case of contemporary writers – the eternal present. Some readers are eternally faithful to their chosen period. They will not read anything outside of that period, or even sometimes that setting. They are monogamous readers and writers. I am not.

I write in a number of time periods – from Romans to Vikings to Regency and Victorian. And my reading habits are all over the place. I simply can’t stay faithful. There are just too many places to go out and explore.

There are pros and cons to both approaches. My big problem is that I love too many time periods. I have always read historical novels set in a wide range of periods, and would hate to think that historical romance is confined only to a narrow set of dates and locations, even though the late Regency/early Victorian period is one of my own personal favorites.

One of the great things about Harlequin Historical is that they let me explore different periods, both as a writer and a reader.

As a writer, I have been encouraged to experiment. Generally, I agree a time period and possibly a location, then I am free to create the sort of story I want to tell. The time period always puts certain restrictions on the story. For example, a story that would be appropriate for the early Viking period would probably not be appropriate for the more staid early Victorian period. The Romans are a far more urban based culture in many respect than say even the Regency period. And what I love to do is to see echoes and connections. To figure out why certain things evolved in certain ways. No time period is an island sort of thing. Basically for me, it is a chance to indulge my love of research. What is really great is when a new time period also allows me a chance to travel. For example, I was able to go to Iceland and Norway to do research on the Vikings.

HH has a policy of publishing at least one Unusual Historical – i.e. not one set in the Georgian/Regency/Victorian or rural American West per month. This means that readers can visit medieval Europe or ancient civilization or even the early 20^th century. Recent locations include: Bohemia (Joanne Rock‘s A Knight Most Wicked ), Edwardian England (Nicola Cornick‘s Last Rake in London), the Scottish Highlands (Terri Brisbin‘s Surrender to the Highlander), the fall of the Roman Empire ( Louise Allen‘s Barbarian King, Virgin Slave) and Viking Scandinavia (my Taken by the Viking and in the UK Viking Warrior, Unwilling Wife). And even within the Georgian/Regency/Victorian slots, the editors encourage books set outside the London drawing room as well as the perhaps more traditional story.

From what I understand, the editors plan to keep offering unusual locations and time periods in the mix. The one constant is the focus on the romance as the central spine. It is probably the reason why I love Harlequin Historical so much – no matter which time period, or which setting, you know the core of the book is going to be a satisfying romance. And ultimately that is what I crave — a satisfying romance in a vivid setting.

So what about you? Are you faithful to just one time period? Or do you like to jump around? Is there any time period that you would like to see more of?

I admit it, when I heard Deborah Simmons was finally returning to Harlequin Historical, I sqqquuueee’ed. When I first started to read romance I believe she had already left HH. And it took me a while to collect her Regency Quartet. But once I had them and read them I was hooked.

Although I think she is best known for her unfinished The de Burghs series, since it didn’t seem like she was going to be finishing it up anytime soon I haven’t been in a hurry to read them.

But now she is back!

Make sure you check out her guest post today at 11am Central to get more info on her newest book, as well as some info on what is next. To hold you over here is the summary, a short excerpt and a nice big version of The Dark Viscount cover.

Siblings Kit and Sydony Marchant are thrilled to receive the legacy of a medieval manor house from a distant relative, but their new home is plagued by odd rumors and strange discoveries. Intrigued by the overgrown maze that looms over the rear of the property, Sydony soon is delving into its disturbing history. But even more disturbing is the sudden arrival of Bartholomew Hawthorne, a former neighbor with whom she shares a history of her own.

The old window was dirty, and she hurried to wipe at it, resisting a temptation to call the maid from her duties. Although the panes needed proper cleaning, Sydony still could see through them since the rain had stopped. She looked eagerly below, where a mass of greenery caught her eye. It was much larger than she imagined, and despite being overgrown, there was a definite pattern.

“There it is!” Sydony whispered. Filled with excitement, she grabbed Barto’s arm, as she might have years ago, and pointed with her other hand.

“What?” he asked, as though startled by her enthusiasm.

Sydony glanced up at him in surprise. Had no one mentioned the hedges? She opened her mouth to explain, but the flicker of interest on Barto’s usually impassive face told her that he had seen it, too.

“A maze,” he murmured, and they shared a moment of wonder that made Sydony forget her earlier discomfiture.

“You’d need a scythe to get through some of the passages,” Barto said softly.

He probably was right. The hedges were so thick in spots Sydony could not easily discern the path, a twisty, tangled route that made her shiver. “But there’s certainly no mistaking the center,” she said, awed by the huge tree, obviously ancient, that stood like a sentinel in the middle, its branches spreading out over the surrounding plantings.

“It’s too wet to go out there now,” Barto said.

“Yes,” Sydony answered. She glanced up at the man standing beside her, and for a moment the years fell away. They shared a look from their past, one that promised adventure and daring, right here in her own garden.

© Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.