After A Season for Sin was published, I started writing the full-length book WHAT A WICKED EARL WANTS so that Bell could have the happily ever after he richly deserved. A chance encounter brings Bellingham and the heroine, Laura, together. Bellingham is a rake who hopes to make a conquest of her, but despite their attraction, there are major obstacles. Laura is a respectable widow, mother, and daughter of a vicar. Bellingham only wants a temporary liaison, but he finds himself rescuing the lovely lady. His offer of help leads him down a path he never could have imagineed.
I’ve dreamed about my characters previously, but my dreams about Bell and Laura were so vivid that I woke up repeatedly during the writing of WHAT A WICKED EARL WANTS. Usually when I dream about my books in progress, I only see the characters momentarily. But when I dreamed about Bell and Laura, entire scenes played themselves in my head, DVD style, and sometimes a few of them in a night. While I didn’t get up in the middle of the night to write those scenes down, thankfully I remembered them the next morning and some of those dreams have made their way into the book. I’ll give you a hint of one dream I used in a scene. It involves some funny “rules.”
This couple surprised me repeatedly when I was awake and writing, too. I was enthralled with Bellingham and Laura. Yes, I know the ideas come from me, but sometimes, it almost feels as if the characters really do leap off the page. That was certainly the case for Bell and Laura.
As the writing progressed, I often felt as if I were peeling off another layer of Bellingham’s character. He is a man with deep wounds and very determined not to stir up the past. Yet I realized that subconsciously his actions were informed by all that had happened to him as a young man. I knew it would take a very special heroine to help him reconcile his past. Laura knows what he needs, and though he doesn’t make it easy for her, she never gives up.
I confess I still have a bit of a crush on Bellingham. :) I hope you will, too.
Enjoy!
VickyDreiling.com
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Twitter @vickydreiling
From the desk of Stella Cameron
Frog Crossing
Out West
Dear Reader,
My dog, Millie, doesn’t like salt water, or bath water, or rain—but it is the sight of all seven pounds of her trying to drink Puget Sound that stays with me. Urged to walk into about half an inch of ripples bubbling over pebbles on a beach, she slurped madly as if she could get rid of anything wet that might touch her feet.
That picture just popped into my head once more, just as I thought about what I might write to you about the Chimney Rock books and how stories shape up for me.
We were standing at the water’s edge on Whidbey Island, looking across Saratoga Passage toward Camano Island. Darkness Bound, the first book in the series, was finished and now it was time for DARKNESS BRED, on sale now.
Elin and Sean were already my heroine and hero. I knew that much before I finished the previous story, but there were so many other questions hanging around. And so many unfinished and important parts of lives I had already shown you. When we write books there’s a balancing act between telling/showing too much, and the opposite. Every character clamors to climb in but only those important to the current story can have a ticket to enter. The trick is to weed out the loudest and least interesting from the ones we have to know about.
The hidden world on Whidbey Island is busy, and gets busier. Once you are inside it’s not just colorful and varied, sometimes endearing and often scary, it is also addictive. Magic and mystery rub shoulders with what sometimes seems…just simply irresistible. How can I not want to explore every character’s tale?
That’s what makes me feel a bit like Millie draining Puget Sound of water—I have to clear away what I don’t want until I find the best stuff. Only I’m more fortunate than my dog because I do get to make all the difference.
Now you have your ticket to ride along with me again—enjoy every inch!
All the best,
From the desk of Rochelle Alers
Dear Reader,
How many of us had high school crushes, then years later come face-to-face with the boy who will always hold a special place in our hearts? This is what happens with Morgan Dane in HAVEN CREEK. At thirteen she’d believed herself in love with high school hunk, Nathaniel Shaw, but as a tall, skinny girl constantly teased for her prepubescent body, she can only worship him from afar.
I wanted HAVEN CREEK to become a modern-day fairy tale complete with a beautiful princess and a handsome prince, and, as in every fairy tale, there is something that will keep them apart before they’re able to live happily ever after. The princess in HAVEN CREEK lives her life by a set of inflexible rules, while it is a family secret that makes it nearly impossible for the prince to trust anyone.
You will reunite with architect Morgan Dane, who has been commissioned to oversee the restoration of Angels Landing Plantation. As she begins the task of hiring local artisans for the project, she knows the perfect candidate to supervise the reconstruction of the slave village. He is master carpenter and prodigal son Nathaniel Shaw.
Although Nate has returned to his boyhood home, he has become a recluse while he concentrates on running his family’s furniture-making business and keeping his younger brother out of trouble. But everything changes when Morgan asks him to become involved in her restoration project. It isn’t what she’s offering that presents a challenge to Nate, but it is Morgan herself. When he left the Creek she was a shy teenage girl. Now she is a confident, thirtysomething woman holding him completely enthralled with her brains and her beauty.
In HAVEN CREEK you will travel back to the Low-country with its magnificent sunsets; slow, meandering creeks and streams; primordial swamps teeming with indigenous wildlife; a pristine beach serving as a year-round recreational area; and the residents of the island with whom you’ve become familiar.
Church, community, and family—and not necessarily in that order—are an integral part of Lowcountry life, and never is that more apparent than on Cavanaugh Island. As soon as you read the first page of HAVEN CREEK you will be given an up-close and personal look into the Gullah culture with its island-wide celebrations, interactions at family Sunday dinners, and a quixotic young woman who has the gift of sight.
The gossipmongers are back along with the region’s famous mouth-watering cuisine and a supporting cast of characters—young and old—who will keep you laughing throughout the novel.
Read, enjoy, and do let me hear from you!!!
[email protected]
www.rochellealers.orgs
From the desk of Laura Drake
Dear Readers,
Who can resist a cowboy? Not me. Especially a bull rider, who has the courage to get on two thousand pounds of attitude that wants to throw him in the dirt and dance on his dangling parts. But you don’t need to be familiar with rodeo to enjoy THE SWEET SPOT. It’s an emotional story first, about two people dealing with real-life problems, and rediscovering love at the end of a long dirt road.
To introduce you to Charla Rae Denny, the heroine of THE SWEET SPOT, I thought I’d share with you her list of life lessons:
Before you throw your ex off your ranch, be sure you know how to run it.
A Goth-Dolly Parton lookalike can make a great friend. And Dumpster monkeys are helpful, too.
Next time, start a hardware store instead of a bucking bull business—the stock doesn’t try to commit suicide every few minutes.
“Never trust a husband too far, nor a bachelor too near.” —Helen Rowland
If you’re the subject of the latest gossip-fest, stay away from the Clip-n-Curl.
Life is full of second chances, if you can get over yourself enough to grab them.
“To forgive is to set a prisoner free, and discover that the prisoner is you.” —Louis B. Smede
I hope you’ll enjoy THE SWEET SPOT, and look for JB and Charla in the next two books in the series!
Also by Vicky Dreili
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How to Marry a Duke
How to Seduce a Scoundrel
How to Ravish a Rake
A Season for Sin (an e-novella)
GLOWING PRAISE FOR VICKY DREILING’S NOVELS
A Season for Sin
“A master of the genre.”
—Library Journal
“A Season for Sin is a short but sweet glimpse into Vicky Dreiling’s new series. Filled with intrigue and seduction, readers are sure to enjoy this treat and the prospects of what’s to come.”
—FreshFiction.com
“True to Vicky’s style, this short has it all…will lead you straight to the bookstore for the next round.”
—TheSeasonforRomance.com
“A delectable teaser…absolutely delicious.”
—RomanceJunkiesReviews.com
How to Ravish a Rake
“Dreiling secures her reputation as a writer of charming, matchmaking romances with engaging characters…her cast of quirky, unconventional characters sets her stories apart. Fans of marriage-of-convenience love stories have a treat.”
—RT Book Reviews
“Vicky Dreiling is fast becoming an absolute must-buy for Regency fans. Her voice in writing is crisp, clean, and delightfully refreshing. Her characters are lovable; even when they are bad and flawed they are good…this story is a guaranteed delectable indulgence!”
—Affaire de Coeur
“Five stars! A fast-paced historical romance filled with humor and passion…Packed with a delectable plot, charming characters, clever banter, humor, scandal, and lots of love, this story is a winner…I highly recommend this book and look forward to reading more of this very talented author’s works.”
—RomanceJunkiesReviews.com
“How to Ravish a Rake is a true treasure…Ms. Dreiling knows how to weave wit with a serious story. I have read all three of the ‘Courtship Capers’ and can honestly say each one gets better…A must read!”
—MyBookAddictionReviews.com
“Dreiling has quickly taken over the #1 spot on my list of favorite historical romance authors. She pairs smart and fun dialogue with well-developed characters and premises unique to the historical romance genre. When picking up one of her novels I know it will be unlike anything else I have ever read…[This] just might be her best novel yet.”
—FictionEnthusiast.com
How to Seduce a Scoundrel
“Regency matchmaking, rakes, rogues, innocence, and scandal: oh what fun! Dreiling knows how to combine these ingredients into a delightfully delicious, wickedly witty slice of reading pleasure.”
—RT Book Reviews
“5 stars! A fun and witty tale between two very strong characters…Vicky Dreiling has done an excellent job telling a character-driven story, but has kept it light-hearted enough to make it fun…I’m eager to read Book One now and will look forward to Book Three when it is released. I definitely recommend this one to any romance novel fan.”
—TheRomanceReader.com
“5 stars! This was an enchanting tale that had me grinning from ear to ear. The chemistry between Marc and Julianne was flammable and only needed a spark to set it off.”
—SeducedbyaBook.com
“The scenes between Julianne and Hawk are lots of fun; they have great physical chemistry and razor-sharp dialogue…I hope Ms. Dreiling’s next Regency romance features one of Julianne’s friends, as I’d like to revisit these characters again. If you like historical romance, I recommend How to Seduce a Scoundrel.”
—NightOwlRomance.com
How to Marry a Duke
“In her lively debut novel, Vicky Dreiling has penned a fresh, engaging take on Regency matchmaking that brims with clever wit and repartee. I found myself smiling and laughing out loud on numerous occasions. Here’s hoping for more of this promising new author’s historical romances!”
—Nicole Jordan, New York Times bestselling author
“An enchanting debut, full of humor and heart!”
—Madeline Hunter, New York Times
bestselling author
“Vicky Dreiling delivers a tale chock-full of warmth, wit, and tenderness. She’s sure to please readers everywhere!”
—Samantha James, New York Times
bestselling author
“Sexy, fresh, and witty…A delicious read! Better than chocolate! Vicky Dreiling is an author to watch!”
—Sophie Jordan, New York Times bestselling author
“A terrific romp of a read!…Vicky is a bright new voice in romance.”
—Sarah MacLean, New York Times bestselling author
“Dreiling’s delightful debut combines the rituals of Regency courtship with TV’s The Bachelor…The inherent charm of the characters (especially the dowager duchess) keeps the pages flying until the surprising conclusion. Dreiling is definitely a newcomer to watch.”
—RT Book Reviews
“Engaging…charming…the cast is solid as they bring humor, shenanigans, and deportment, but the tale belongs to the duke and his matchmaker.”
—Midwest Book Review
“This is a wonderful story with characters who are rich in depth…Vicky Dreiling is definitely an author I want to read more of…How to Marry a Duke is a great start to her career.”
—TheRomanceReader.com
“A witty, nourishing romp of a romance…impossible to put down…Dreiling mesmerizes as she brings an era to life. She fills the pages with laughter, sensuality, and charm. How to Marry a Duke is an irresistible ride readers will return to again and again.”
—Examiner.com
“If you are looking for an enjoyable read that is pure entertainment, then How to Marry a Duke is it.”
—TheRomanceReadersConnection.com
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Contents
Title Page
Welcome
Dedication
Acknowledgments
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Epilogue
A Preview of What a Reckless Rogue Needs
The Dish
Also by Vicky Dreiling
Glowing Praise for Vicky Dreiling’s Novels
Newsletters
Copyright
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is coincidental.
Copyright © 2013 by Vicky Dreiling
Excerpt from What a Reckless Rogue Needs © 2013 by Vicky Dreiling
All rights reserved. In accordance with the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, the scanning, uploading, and electronic sharing of any part of this book without the permission of the publisher is unlawful piracy and theft of the author’s intellectual property. If you would like to use material from the book (other than for review purposes), prior written permission must be obtained by contacting the publisher at [email protected]. Thank you for your support of the author’s rights.
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First ebook edition: May 2013
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ISBN 978-1-4555-2286-6
What a Wicked Earl Wants Page 35