How to Seduce a Scoundrel
Chelsea B
Showing posts with label vicky dreiling. Show all posts
Showing posts with label vicky dreiling. Show all posts
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Blog Tour & Giveaway: How to Seduce a Scoundrel by Vicky Dreiling
A Word with Vicky Dreiling...
While writing my first novel HOW TO MARRY A DUKE, I decided my hero Tristan, the Duke of Shelbourne needed a sidekick. That bad boy sidekick was Tristan’s oldest friend, Marc Darcett, the Earl of Hawkfield, the hero of HOW TO SEDUCE A SCOUNDREL. Hawk is a rogue who loves nothing better than a lark. Truthfully, I had to rein Hawk in more than once in the first book as he tried repeatedly to upstage all the other characters. Unlike his friend Tristan, Hawk is averse to giving up his bachelor status. He’s managed to evade his female relatives’ matchmaking schemes for years. According to the latest tittle-tattle, his mother and sisters went into a decline upon learning of his ill-fated one-hour engagement. Clearly, this is a man who values his freedom.
My first task was to find the perfect heroine to foil him. Who better than the one woman he absolutely must never touch? Yes, that would be his best friend’s sister, Lady Julianne. After all, it’s a rake’s code of conduct that friends’ sisters are forbidden. Unbeknownst to Hawk, however, Julianne has been planning their nuptials for four long years. I wasn’t quite sure how Julianne would manage this feat, given Hawk’s fear of catching wife-itis. After a great deal of pacing about, the perfect solution popped into my head. I would use the time-honored trick known as The Call to Adventure. When Tristan, who cannot be in London for the season, proposes that Hawk act as Julianne’s unofficial guardian, I knew Hawk’s bachelor days were numbered.
In addition to these plans, I wanted to add in a bit of fun with yet another Regency-era spoof of modern dating practices. I recalled an incident in which one of my younger male colleagues complained about that dratted advice book for single ladies THE RULES. I wasn’t very sympathetic to his woes about women ruling guys. After all, reluctant bachelors have held the upper hand for centuries. Thus, I concocted The Rules in Regency England.
Naturally, the road to true love is fraught with heartbreak, mayhem, and, well, a decanter of wine. Matters turn bleak for poor Julianne when Hawk makes his disinterest clear after a rather steamy waltz. I knew Julianne needed help, and so I sent in a wise woman – albeit, a rather eccentric one. Hawk’s Aunt Hester, a plain-spoken woman, has some rather startling advice for Julianne. Left with only the shreds of her pride, Julianne decides to write a lady’s guide to seducing scoundrels into the proverbial parson’s mousetrap. My intrepid heroine finds herself in hot suds when all of London hunts for the anonymous author of that scandalous publication The Secrets of Seduction. At all costs, Julianne must keep her identity a secret—especially from Hawk who is determined to guard her from his fellow scoundrels. But can he guard his own heart from the one woman forbidden to him?
My heartfelt thanks to all the readers who wrote to let me know they couldn’t wait to read HOW TO SEDUCE A SCOUNDREL. I hope you will enjoy the twists and turns that finally lead to happily ever after for Hawk and Julianne.
Cheers!
Vicky Dreiling
When Lady Julianne Gatewick realizes the rake of her dreams thinks of her as practically his sister, she decides it's time to get even. The charming Marc Darcett, Earl of Hawkfield, is every lady's fantasy, but he's determined to evade virgins and their matrimonial traps - especially his best friend's sister. Hawk reluctantly agrees to be Julianne's guardian for the season, but he's having trouble resisting his gorgeous ward. Worse still, she's taunting him by flirting with every scoundrel in London - and he's sworn to protect her! Certain she's learned her tricks from the authoress of that scandalous publication "The Secrets of Seduction", Hawk sets out to uncover the writer's identity. But he never expects to find the formerly angelic Julianne behind the mask - and between his sheets.
{July 13-27, 2011}
- Only residents of the U.S. or Canada are eligible to win
- No P.O. Boxes please
- Winner will have 48 hours to respond to email or a new winner will be chosen
- Giveaway copies will be sent directly to winners from the publisher
- Up to 3 copies will be available depending on entries.
- Winners will be randomly selected using random.org and contacted via email.
To win, please complete the following:
- In the comments section, please leave your email address (If you win, I will need to be able to contact you), and your answer to the following question:
What book are you currently reading?
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Review: How to Marry a Duke by Vicky Dreiling
Vicky Dreiling {Blog | Blogspot | Facebook | Twitter}
Publisher: Forever
Publication Date: January 1, 2011
Mass Market Paperback {p.396}
Source: Publisher
Genre: Historical
Characters: Tessa Mansfield, Tristan Gatewick
Challenge: 100+, Historical Romance
My Rating:
Tristan, the Duke of Shelbourne is a man with a mission: find a wife he can tolerate as long as they both shall live. Love is not necessary--nor desired. But how to choose among a dizzying array of wealthy-yet-witless candidates? Hire London's infamously prim and proper matchmaker. Then pretend she's not the most captivating woman he's ever met...Tristan is in the market of finding a wife. At a ball where is doing just that, he meets Tessa. He is instantly attracted to her, but he doesn't know her true identity.
Helping a devilish Duke create a contest to pick his perfect mate is the kind of challenge Tessa Mansfield relishes. Her methods may be scandalous, but she's determined to find the notorious bachelor more than a wife--she'll bring him true love. Yet when Tessa watches the women vie for the Duke's affections, she longs to win his heart herself. And after a stolen kiss confirms Tristan's desire, Tessa knows she has broken a matchmaker's number one rule: never fall in love with the groom.
Tessa is a unwed spinster matchmaker. She herself refuses to ever marry. Although she too is attracted to Tristan, she knows nothing will ever come of the attraction due to her refusal to ever marry and his rakish reputation.
So Tristan sets out to snag Tessa's matchmaking services to aid him in finding a suitable bride. The book unfolds like season 11 of The Bachelor. Tristan has twenty-four lovely, and not so lovely, ladies competing for the title of Duchess.
From earlier on in the story we learn of a secret that Tessa has been keeping, and only has shared it with her late uncle. You can tell she suffers from extreme guilt from this secret, but we as the read have no idea what it is. I was constantly wanting to peek ahead just to find out what it was due to her constant discomfort of the secret.
Overall I really enjoyed the story and all of the characters. I especially liked Tristan's best friend, Hawk, and look forward to his very own book. Not only was this a romantic read, but also a comedic read as well. There were many times I found myself laughing , one in particular included a candlestick and some sheep.
Notable Quotable {1}: How to Marry a Duke
Notable Quotables is a meme hosted by Bewitched Bookworms to share some of our favorite quotes in the books we've been reading. It's a fun way to find out a bit more about each other as book bloggers, and to share everything from great lines from the books we love.
Anyone can participate in this meme no matter the genre.
Here's my quote for the week:
"You wouldn't dream of allowing anyone to choose your horse, but you'd let a stranger pick your bride?"
"It's not as if I can ride her before I buy her," Tristan muttered.
Tristan Gatewick, Duke of Shelbourne to Marc Darcett, Earl of Hawkfield
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Giveaway: How to Marry a Duke by Vicky Dreiling
How to Marry a Duke
Vicky Dreiling
Tristan, the Duke of Shelbourne is a man with a mission: find a wife he can tolerate as long as they both shall live. Love is not necessary--nor desired. But how to choose among a dizzying array of wealthy-yet-witless candidates? Hire London's infamously prim and proper matchmaker. Then pretend she's not the most captivating woman he's ever met...
Helping a devilish Duke create a contest to pick his perfect mate is the kind of challenge Tessa Mansfield relishes. Her methods may be scandalous, but she's determined to find the notorious bachelor more than a wife--she'll bring him true love. Yet when Tessa watches the women vie for the Duke's affections, she longs to win his heart herself. And after a stolen kiss confirms Tristan's desire, Tessa knows she has broken a matchmaker's number one rule: never fall in love with the groom.
WANT TO WIN A COPY OF THIS BOOK?
{January 12-26, 2011}
- Only residents of the U.S. or Canada are eligible to win
- No P.O. Boxes please
- Winner will have 48 hours to respond to email or a new winner will be chosen
- Giveaway copies will be sent directly to winners from the publisher
- Up to 3 copies will be available depending on entries.
- Winners will be randomly selected using random.org and contacted via email.
To win, please complete the following:
- In the comments section, please leave your email address (If you win, I will need to be able to contact you), and your answer to the following question:
What would you do to 'marry a duke'?
Friday, January 7, 2011
Book Beginnings & Friday 56: How to Marry a Duke
Grab the book nearest you. Right now.
Turn to page 56.
Find any sentence.
Post that sentence (plus one or two others if you like) along with these instructions on your blog or (if you do not have your own blog) in the comments section of this blog. Post a link along with your post back to this blog.
Book Beginnings on Friday is a meme hosted by A Few Pages More. Anyone can participate; just share the opening sentence of your current read, making sure that you include the title and author so others know what you're reading.
- Book Beginnings:
The belles of the Beau Monde had resorted to clumsiness in an effort to snag a ducal husband.Friday 56:
"I have more important things to do than dally in twenty drawing rooms next week."How to Marry a Duke
by Vicky Dreiling
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