If the Duke Dares
by Darcy Burke
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GENRE: Regency Historical Romance
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BOOK BLURB:
Incorrigible flirt Acton Loxley, Duke of Wellesbourne is in need of a duchess. En route to greet a potential bride, he encounters a most intriguing and captivating widow who completely distracts him from his task. However, she disappears before he can deepen their acquaintance. Acton begrudgingly goes to meet his bride, unaware she and the widow are one and the same.
When Persephone Barclay’s younger sister is compromised, Persephone must wed before the scandal spreads. Her parents scramble to present her to the Duke of Wellesbourne; except he’s precisely the kind of rogue she has now vowed to avoid. Taking flight to avoid a match, Persephone runs straight into her would-be betrothed and pretends to be someone else. But dash it all, the duke proves to be irresistibly charming! If she remains in his company, she’ll end up in the wicked scoundrel’s clutches.
Even worse, her second attempt at escape lands her in increasingly poor circumstances. With nowhere to turn and her safety at risk, she may have to accept help from the one man who threatens her resolve—and her reputation.
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EXCLUSIVE EXCERPT:
Persephone tipped her head up. “It does look as though it could rain,” she agreed just as a drop landed on her nose. “Oh!”
“Was that a raindrop?” he asked.
“Yes.” She was already scrambling to her feet.
Acton bottled the ale and jumped up. The rain began to fall more steadily. Then lightning flashed within the clouds. He snatched up the blanket as he shouted, “Go!”
Persephone dashed to the coach and quickly climbed inside. Acton followed, handing her the ale and the blanket before hoisting himself up. He moved too quickly, though, and hit his head as he pushed in.
“Ow.” He winced before collapsing on the rear-facing seat, massaging his forehead.
Persephone set the bottle and blanket aside and moved to the other seat. “Let me see.”
He lowered his hand, to reveal his reddened flesh. Persephone gently touched the area. “The skin isn’t broken. But it’s awfully red.”
“I’m blaming that chair-bed.”
Bemused, she couldn’t make the connection. “Why?”
“Last night, I thought I was too tall for it. Today, I thought I was short enough to make it into the coach without hitting my head.”
Persephone laughed, and his gaze met and held hers.
Their faces were so close. She could see a faint freckle at the base of his nose that wasn’t really visible from a nonintimate distance.
“I love when you laugh. It’s so unreserved and…real. You aren’t like other young ladies. You don’t simper. Or flirt. Or pretend to be anything you’re not.”
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AUTHOR BIO & LINKS:
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Darcy Burke is the USA Today Bestselling Author of over sixty captivating, compelling historical and contemporary romance. Darcy 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. Her novels have been translated into five languages and are also available as audio books. Join her Reader Club at https://www.darcyburke.com/join.
A native Oregonian, Darcy lives on the edge of wine country with her guitar-strumming, teacher husband, artist daughter, and writer (yes!) son. They’re a crazy cat family with two Bengal cats, a small, fame-seeking cat named after a fruit, a rescue Maine Coon with attitude to spare, an adorable former stray who wandered onto their deck and into their hearts, and two bonded boys who used to belong to (separate) neighbors but chose them instead. You can find Darcy in her comfy writing chair, folding laundry (which she loves), or enjoying game night with the family. Visit Darcy online at http://www.darcyburke.com and follow her social media: Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/darcyburkefans, Instagram at http://www.instagram/darcyburkeauthor, and Pinterest at http://www.pinterest.com/darcyburkewrite.
If the Duke Dares website link: https://geni.us/IftheDukeDares
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BOOK BUY LINKS:
Amazon:
Apple:
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GIVEAWAY INFO:
Darcy will award a $25 Amazon OR Barnes and Noble Gift Card (Winner's Choice!!!) PLUS Swag to a randomly drawn winner (Swag US/Canada Only) via Rafflecopter during the tour.
Thank you so much for featuring today's book and excerpt!
ReplyDeleteThe cover looks good. Sounds like a book I would enjoy.
ReplyDeleteWhat's your favorite restaurant?
ReplyDeleteI don't have one! (I am sitting in a restaurant as I type this, lol.) But the one where I hang out the most is Starbucks because I write there sometimes!
DeleteI liked the excerpt.
ReplyDeleteIs there a scene from the book that just wrote itself?
ReplyDeleteSeveral! This was one of those "easy" books that was just super fun to write from start to finish. The scenes in the inn where they have to share a room wrote really fast and I couldn't stop smiling and giggling. Those are such fun to draft!!
DeleteLove this cover. Sounds like a good book.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a wonderful read!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for hosting me!!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds wonderful I’d love to read it!
ReplyDelete