Secrets and Scandals series by Darcy Burke - Virtual Tour and Giveaway!

Today we're welcoming author Darcy Burke to the blog on her tour with Goddess Fish Promotions for the historical romance series, Secrets and Scandals. I had the privilege of reviewing the first two books:

Review for "Her Wicked Ways".
Review for "His Wicked Heart".

Darcy is giving away 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, so comment today AND follow her tour (if you click on the banner up there at the top, it'll take you to a list of her tour stops)! The more you read and comment, the better your odds of winning. You could be introduced to a great new author AND win a GC!

Darcy was gracious enough to answer all my prying questions.

Why do you write in your genre? What draws you to it?

I write historical because I love history. My degree is in history with a focus on Tudor England and American History. So why don’t I write Tudor England? Good question! I’d like to at some point and have a few ideas. However, I got started writing Regency because those were the romances I loved to read (I love Amanda Quick, Judith McNaught, and Jane Feather). I enjoy researching the period and am always learning something new so that it stays fresh and interesting.

What research is required?

I do specific research for each book. I try to get the setting right, so I do a lot of research on my locations. I have a lot of books in my personal library that are quite helpful (an encyclopedia of London, a social history of England, and various and sundry other books). I also get books from the library. My favorite books were these giant volumes of archaeological findings from Wiltshire in 1816. That research will be in a future book (I hope!).

Name one thing you learned from your hero/heroine.

I’m not sure I’ve learned anything specific, but writing characters definitely makes you more aware of relationships. I’m also more aware of how people interact in different situations. So I guess I’ve learned to be more aware!

Any odd or interesting writing quirks, habits or superstitions?

Does applying lip balm multiple times a day count? No? I don’t really have any rituals or habits, and definitely no superstitions, but I have to say that sounds intriguing, LOL. Maybe I need a superstition! I’ll have to think of one.

Plotter or pantser?

Plantser! I plot turning points in the book, but not specific scenes (although sometimes a few scenes take root in my mind). I used to use a storyboard with sticky notes, even taught workshops on using it, but I find it’s a little too detailed for me from the start. I take a little bit of time to really sink into my characters, so if I plot too far in advance, the things I’ve plotted may not end up making sense for them to do.

Look to your right – what’s sitting there?

A nearly empty bottle of Vitamin Water Zero Glow, my kindle, and a notebook with a to-do list.

Anything new coming up from you? What?

The next book in the Secrets & Scandals series will be out at the end of September. A novella, To Love a Thief is the story of Lord Kersey, a former constable who readers met in Her Wicked Ways, and Jocelyn Renwick, who he catches stealing from his mentor. Not exactly the best impression! Kersey is a relatively new viscount after inheriting a title he was never supposed to inherit, so he’s learning to navigate Society. Jocelyn is trying to find her footing after losing her father and her chance at securing a good marriage during her one and only Season. She’s back in London as a companion to a family friend, but things take a turn for her when she spots her family’s stolen jewels in the possession of Lord Aldridge—Lord Kersey’s mentor! It’s a fun story and I hope you’ll all check it out—it will be just 99 cents!

Do you have a question for our readers?

Where’s your favorite place and what is your favorite time to read? Also, any ideas on writing superstitions/rituals I could adopt? *G*

SHE WAS HIS SAVIOR
Banished 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 DOWNFALL
Desperate 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.

IT’S HARD TO BE RESPECTABLE
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.

WHEN YOU’D RATHER BE WICKED
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.

A LADY ON THE BRINK OF DISASTER
Quintessential 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 SEDUCTION
Lord 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.

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.