Author Override: Vicky Dreiling

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.

A SEASON FOR SIN

HOW A NEW SERIES CAME ABOUT

Introducing the Sinful Scoundrels...

The Earl of Bellingham is nothing is not a creature of habit: money, meals, and mistresses must be strictly managed if a man is to have a moment's peace. It's a system that works splendidly for him--until now. With his oldest and dearest friends succumbing, one by one, to wedded bliss, Bell is now restless and a trifle lonely. Enter the Sinful Scoundrels--Colin Brockhurst, Earl of Ravenshire, and Harry Norcliffe, Viscount Evermore--who drag him back into society and draw his rakish eye to the ton's new beautiful young widow. Bell isn't after a wife, but a challenge. And Laura Davenport should fit the bill quite nicely...

 

READ OUR REVIEW

First came the series. Then came the e-novella.

I thought readers might find the behind-the-scenes development of a new series interesting. In my particular case, I got quite a surprise in December 2011. I had just finished all the editing and proofing of my third book HOW TO RAVISH A RAKE when my agent called with great news. My publisher wanted to sign me up for a new series. I had just one little question for my agent.

“Don’t they need a synopsis or a description of the books?”

Apparently not. Well, that was cool. Then I got a little break while the contract negotiations commenced. After that got done, I got another offer. Would I be willing to write an e-novella to introduce the characters for upcoming series THE SINFUL SCOUNDRELS? You betcha!

I admit I had a barrel of monkeys writing my first e-novella A SEASON FOR SIN. If you happened to read HOW TO RAVISH A RAKE, you might recall a certain earl named Bellingham. I never planned him at all. He just showed up on the page of Ravish. Even my editor sat up and noticed because Bell, as his friends call him, has such presence.

In A SEASON FOR SIN, Bell reaches a crossroads. His two closest friends have fallen into the parson’s mousetrap (Regency speak for marriage), his mistress abandoned him, and now he’s feeling a tad isolated. One night he goes looking for a mistress, but instead, he ends up fishing two guys out of the Thames River. Those two guys, Harry and Colin, befriend Bell. Their adventures in London take on a twist, when rumors that a beautiful new widow has come to town. Harry and Colin are sure that she’s perfect for Bell. There’s just one little problem. She’s a very proper widow and a vicar’s daughter. Of course, I couldn’t resist throwing two opposites together.

A SEASON FOR SIN is a prelude to the new series, so when you read the e-novella, you’ll see that it ends on a hook. Why is there no Happily Ever After? Because the story continues with WHAT A WICKED EARL WANTS, and that’s where Bell and Laura find their happily ever after next spring. P.S. There’s a preview of the first chapter in the back of the novella. J

Cheers!

Vicky

ABOUT VICKY:

Triple Rita®-finalist Vick Dreiling is a confirmed historical romance junkie and Anglophile. Frequent business trips to the UK allowed her to indulge her passion for all things Regency England. Bath, Stonehenge, and Spencer House are among her favorite places. She is, however, truly sorry for accidentally setting off a security alarm in Windsor Castle. That unfortunate incident led her British colleagues to nickname her “Trouble”.  A native Texan, she holds degrees in English literature and marketing.

Links:

Website: http://www.vickydreiling.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/vickydreiling

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Vicky-Dreiling-Historical-Author/142021685819146

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/vickydreiling/

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4107724.Vicky_Dreiling

Street Team: http://regencyrockstars.com

In all of my books, I write about friendship, because it’s vital to me as I’m sure it is to all of you. I’d love to hear about your special friendships in the comments section. There will be a drawing for a copy of one of my full length books, reader’s choice.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

ARC Review: A Season for Sin by Vicky Dreiling

A Season for Sin

by Vicky Dreiling

A SEASON FOR SIN is more of a series prologue, meant to tease readers and give them a glimpse of what's to come.  This is a sort of spin off series of her How To series and we had previously met Bell.  Now that his mistress left him for another man, at least when he was about to send her packing himself, he is trolling the parties and operas for a good woman to pass the time with.  A woman that wouldn't question his loose morals and his needs.

What he finds is not what he expected.  He finds a proper young lady who is a widow after her older husband died.  She is also in charge of her stepson, who is a train wreck waiting to happen.

Not what Bell was looking for at all, especially not when she's a respectable woman, but he can't deny the attraction and sets to woe her.  Their book should be fun to read.

As always around Bell you can expect to find chaos and mayhem, he meets some new pals in this short that were highly entertaining and I can't wait to see what troubles they get into together.

This is not meant to be a standalone novella.  There is no resolution to their conflict just the very beginning and tease of what their story will be. It will leave you wanting more.  More Dreiling, more Bell and more scoundrels.

*ARC provided by publisher

Purchase Links: Amazon

ARC Review: How to Ravish a Rake by Vicky Dreiling

3.5 Stars

How to Ravish a Rake

by Vicky Dreiling

Rake meets wallflower. Rake teases wallflower with no intention of getting involved. Shit happens. Rake has to seduce said wallflower. Rake ends up falling in love.

This type of story should get old but when is narrated with humor and with characters that you seem to connect to and care from the beginning, then it's no wonder this book was a delightful read. I just couldn't put it down.

We got to know Amy Hardwick as Julienne's friend in How to Seduce a Scoundrel, and she's been shy and the typical wallflower. She doesn't usually get asked to dance or attract any male attention. After returning home and getting a proposal from the Vicar, Mr. Crawford, she realizes she still has hopes to marry for love, and she wants to have one last season.

Enter Will "the Devil" Darcett, Hawks’ brother and Juliennes’ brother-in-law. We don't see too much of his ways in this book. It is said that he is a rake, but in all honesty he didn't give so much that impression. He gets into a gambling debt and his friends suggest that he seduce and marry Amy for her fortune so he can pay off his debt.

Even though he starts off with that plan he quickly repents and decides to give it up, but ends up in a compromising position anyway, and married to her. Amy, wanting to marry for love, wants to try to make things work and withholds sex as a way of getting a proper courtship and hopefully cementing a better relationship. And the plan actually works. Most of the book is really spent on their at home courtship.
I do see them as a believable couple and I enjoyed their times together, getting to know each other physically and emotionally. I think they are well suited for each other. Will can bring Amy out of her shell more and Amy can ground Will and support him.

I loved the part about Amy designing clothes, not only hers but for most women of the ton, once they caught on to her wonderful designs. It really made her stand out from other wallflower characters and made her more interesting.

However, I do have a complaint, and that’s the ending. It was so abrupt. While in the middle of what I thought would be somewhat of an emotional ending, it only took about one page to wrap things up and finish the book. I think a few more pages, or even an epilogue to that would’ve been a bit more satisfying.

It was still a very fun, light and fast read. I am very curious to read the next book about Will’s friend Bell.

*ARC provided by publisher

Author Override: Vicky Dreiling

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.

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY, MAIDENS! Whether you are head over heels with someone or are shining solo, we hope you have a good one! And what better way to get a little romance in your day than with another amazing historical romance author!  Helping us spread the love on Valentine's Day...

Valentines, Sacrifices, and Jane Austen

I suspect Jane Austen would swoon if she knew the origins of Valentine’s Day.

During Jane’s time, homemade valentines were exchanged and flowers were given. However, a far more elaborate gift arrives in one of Austen’s novels. In EMMA, Frank Churchill secretly sends Jane Fairfax a pianoforte on Valentine’s Day. His extravagant, romantic gesture is a far cry from the rowdy beginnings of Valentine’s Day.

Alas, the current holiday of love started out as a wild, drunken, Roman frenzy. From February 13th to 15th, the Romans ‘celebrated’ the feast of Lupercalia. During the feast, the men sacrificed a goat and a dog. Gentle readers, it got much worse. The men whipped the women with the hides of the animals. Apparently, the ladies formed a queue for the ‘privilege’ because they believed it would make them fertile. Oh, dear.

Even more astounding is that the men drew the women’s names from a jar, and then the couples, er, tested the fertility theory (in a manner of speaking). FYI: The Romans were also likely responsible for the name of the holiday as Emperor Claudius had two men named Valentine put to death on February 14th in different years. Pope Gelasius made the effort to combine St. Valentine’s Day with Lupercalia, apparently in an attempt to get rid of the pagan rituals. Valentine’s Day remained a celebration of love and fertility.

We have Shakespeare and Chaucer to thank for putting the romance in St. Valentine’s Day via their brilliant works. Thereafter, the holiday became very popular in Britain and Europe. Handmade cards were exchanged then as well.

As for our present day rituals, we have the industrial revolution to thank for the factory-made cards. In 1913, Hallmark started mass-producing valentine cards.

Did you ever make homemade valentine cards in school? Or perhaps you did this with friends? What is your favorite Valentine ritual?

Check out Will and Amy’s story in HOW TO RAVISH A RAKE – Coming March 27, 2012!

SCANDALOUS DESIRES . . .
Amy Hardwick has one last Season to shake off her wallflower image and make a love match. If she can’t, she’ll set aside her dreams of romance and return home to a suitor who can provide security—if little else. What she doesn’t count on is the inappropriate—and irresistible—attention lavished on her in a darkened library by rake extraordinaire Will “The Devil” Darcett . . .

DEVILISH DELIGHT
When Will is caught in a tryst with the ton’s shyest miss, he knows he must offer for her hand. Yet Amy is not the shrinking violet she seems to be. Passion lies beneath her prim exterior and Will is eager to release it. But winning Amy isn’t simply a matter of seduction; first, Will must convince her that he’s mended his wicked ways . . .

Bio: Vicky Dreiling is a confirmed historical romance junkie and Anglophile. Frequent business trips to the UK allowed her to indulge her passion for all things Regency England. Bath, Stonehenge, and Spencer House are among her favorite places. She is, however, truly sorry for accidentally setting off a security alarm in Windsor Castle. That unfortunate incident led her British colleagues to nickname her “Trouble.” When she’s not writing, Vicky enjoys reading, films, concerts, and most of all, long lunches with friends. A native Texan, she holds degrees in English literature and marketing.

Vicky’s Website: www.vickydreiling.com
Contact: vicky@vickydreiling.com
Twitter
Facebook
Google +

Vicky is graciously giving away  1 Advance Reader Copy of HOW TO RAVISH A RAKE (US & Canada only). As a Valentine gift, she is also giving away Romance Trading Cards to all of those who leave a comment (all countries).  Be sure to answer her question and leave your email address in the comment so we can contact you.

To enter, please:
1. Be a follower
2. Fill out the form below

Review: How to Seduce a Scoundrel by Vicky Dreiling

3.5 Feathers

How to Seduce a Scoundrel

by Vicky Dreiling

Even though I still liked book one better than this one, it still had a lot of great elements to the story.  Ms. Julianne Gatewick is Tristan's sister.  While Tristan is staying behind with Tessa, who is pregnant.  Julianne goes off to have a season in London.  Tristan assigns his best friend to be her guardian and watch over her.  Marc, the Earl of Hawfield, knows that a major rule not to be broken is that you could never date your best friend's sister.  But he soon realizes that he's seen Julianne as his girl for a long time.

While Julianne attends parties and fields proposals from other suitors, she is not only vying for Hawk's attentions.  She is also writing a pamphlet on How to Seduce a Rake.  This is a detailed guide on how women can attract and secure the affections of rakes all over London.  She manages to finish it and get it published before the end of the season as an anonymous publication which causes great stir in London's society.

Marc has a big secret.  He's hidden it from everyone for many years and still tries to hide it from Julianne as well.  But nothing, not even something as important as this can change her mind.  She's wanted and been in love with Hawk since she was 8 years old.  And she wants to have him now, once and for all.  She will stop at nothing to get him.

One of my favorite parts about this story is the fact that Julianne is part of a group of young friends, both male and female, enjoying the season in London together.  It was nice to see their friendly dynamics.  And of course we met the characters that will take center stage in the next book who are completely different than we've previously seen.  I'm looking forward to reading it!

Purchase Links: Amazon

Review: How to Marry a Duke by Vicky Dreiling

How to Marry a Duke

by Vicky Dreiling

I picked this book up with really no expectations.  I liked the cover and the blurb seemed pretty interesting.  But I was so pleasantly surprised with the storyline!  This book was by no means a boring historical romance, it had some humor, some intrigue, gossiping tongues, an untamable (or so he thought) rake and a woman who thought she should give up on finding happiness for herself but wanted to find it for everyone else.

I think the best way to tell you about the storyline is that it's a historical cross between these two reality shows:

This is such a fun concept!  Accomplished rake, Tristan, the Duke of Shelbourne, needs to find a wife.  He is the most eligible bachelor of the season.  At a party he meets a girl that looks like sin stirs his lust.  But she turns out to be what could be considered a spinster.  Tessa is 26, not a spring chicken by any means.  She inherited a great deal of money from her uncle and she is not interested in marriage for herself.  Ever.  However she has made it her job to find other ladies a suitable husband.

When Tristan finds out that the woman that caught his eye is a matchmaker, he hires her services.  She decides to make it a big courtship.  She gathers the women she feels would fit him better, and they go through a few events after which he eliminates certain candidates.

And during that whole time they both have to pretend they are not falling in love.  That they are not the perfect match.  But she feels something that happened in the past could never allow her the happiness of being married to Tristan.

This story was different and fun.  I had a great time reading it!

Purchase Links: Amazon