Author Override: Darcy Burke

Author Override is the place where authors take the reins and take you on a journey into their world. Some may allow you into their private writing dens. Others may take you along with them on research trips or interviews. Whatever the case may be, sit back, relax and enjoy the ride because here you’ll get an in-depth look into an author’s musings.

Darcy Burke

Thank you for having me here today! I’m thrilled to share the first three books of my Secrets and Scandals series with you: Her Wicked Ways, His Wicked Heart, and To Seduce a Scoundrel. Two more books, and probably a novella, will follow—I keep meeting new characters whose stories are just begging to be told.

The second book in the series, His Wicked Heart, was dubbed “Regency Fight Club” by my critique partners, and Anna Campbell describes it as “Cinderella meets Fight Club,” an analogy I just love. I’m not a fan of boxing so I was surprised to write a book with a hero who loves it so much. And then I went on to write another pugilistic hero in To Seduce a Scoundrel, aka Regency Fight Club Part II. For both heroes, fighting is a coping mechanism and provides each with something they need at a specific time in their lives. Here’s a snippet from the first time Jasper, the hero of His Wicked Heart, fights:

Enders launched forward, fists flying. He moved differently than the men Jasper was used to sparring with at Jackson’s. He caught Jasper in the face, but Jasper moved quickly and deflected the man’s subsequent blows. Pain raced up Jasper’s cheekbone, jolting his senses, but with it came a vibrant, jubilant sensation.

Jasper’s feet were light, his hands charged with violent intent, his chest thundered with his elevated heart rate. He answered Enders’ attack with a vicious cut to his jaw. Jasper’s knuckles stung, but he barely noticed over the exhilaration making his heart pound. With distinct clarity, he saw the glow of the street lamp illuminating their fight, the yelling crowd, the flash of respect on Sevrin’s face. God, he felt alive.

In some ways, writing fight scenes is like writing love scenes. There’s a lot of stage direction, and, at least for these books, a lot of emotion. I listened to particular songs or types of music when crafting the fight scenes—Gravity Kills, Metallica, Green Day—just like I listen to specific music when I’m writing a love scene. (American Idiot just doesn’t set the right tone for smexytime.) I also tend to write fight and love scenes in a single sitting. Other scenes I can stop and pick up, but I guess I can’t leave a character hanging when they’re wrapped up in something physical!

Author Bio:

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.

I’ll assume, since you’re romance readers, you like to read the smexy scenes. What about fight or action scenes? Do you have favorite historical romances that contain a lot of action? One lucky commenter will receive an ebook of Her Wicked Ways in the format of their choice.  Please be sure to leave your email address in the comment, so we can contact you!

It’s hard to be respectable, when you’d rather be wicked…

Jasper 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.

Orphaned 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.