The Major’s Faux Fiancee | Romantic Reads and Such

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Erica Ridley, The Dukes of War series, The Major's Faux Fiancee

The ever awesome Erica Ridley is bringing us another story in her Dukes of War series and took time to stop by to answer a few questions. If you haven’t already, check out my review of The Captain’s Bluestocking Mistress. And then take a gander at all the goodies below for book 4, The Major’s Faux Fiancée, which I can not wait to get a chance to read … I’ll make sure that I tell you all about it when I do 🙂

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What do you like the most (or least) about writing romances?

My favorite thing about writing romance is taking two characters who aren’t looking for love and hurtling them down the path to Happy Ever After. I enjoy characters who find love when it’s the last thing they think they want, need, deserve, or have time for. That “oh, crap” moment when they realize it’s too late and their heart got involved despite their best efforts. And then figuring out what to do about it!

What is your favorite romantic story (movie/book, fact/fiction)?

I’m not sure I can pick a single book, but I can pick an author. Some of the first historical romances I ever owned were written by Julie Garwood, and I bet I read every one of them at least six times. The heroes were strong, determined, and very alpha, and the heroines were just as strong and determined, and never failed to drive the heroes batty until they ended up in love. I really enjoy stories with humor.

If you could be any romantic character, who would it be and why?

It may not strictly be a romance, but I loved the hero in Anne Rice’s The Mummy: Ramses the Damned. Ramses was an Egyptian pharaoh cursed with immortality, entombed, and forgotten… until he awoke in the heroine’s parlor in Edwardian London. So I guess my answer is that I want to be Julie, so I could spend some serious quality time with that fascinating hero.

Which of your characters/books was the most fun to write?

Oh man, this is a tough one. I’m having a blast with my Dukes of War series. My two favorite couples to write (so far!) were Amelia and Benedict in The Viscount’s Christmas Temptation, and Jane and Xavier in The Captain’s Bluestocking Mistress. I think what I like best about both of those books was that the poor hero had absolutely no idea what he was in for, and yet he didn’t have a snowball’s chance of not falling hopelessly in love.

If you weren’t a writer and could be anything you want, what would it be?

I love to travel, and I love languages, so my non-writer dream job would be traveling the world, learning and teaching other languages. I have a friend who was born in Italy, studied in Spain, then moved to the United States, and now teaches French. My kind of lady! I would happily be a fry cook, if it included travel around the globe. 😉

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The Major’s Faux Fiancée

by Erica Ridley

Release Date: June 2015

Publisher: Intrepid Reads

Length: 300 pages (65-70k)

Genre: Historical Romance

ISBN: 978-1939713322 (ebook) MSRP: $2.99

ISBN: 978-1939713339 (mmpb) MSRP: $6.99

Blurb:

When Major Bartholomew Blackpool learns the girl-next-door from his childhood will be forced into an unwanted marriage, he returns home to play her pretend beau. He figures now that he’s missing a leg, a faux fiancée is the best an ex-soldier can get. He admires her pluck, but the lady deserves a whole man—and he’ll ensure she gets one.

Miss Daphne Vaughan hates that crying off will destroy Major Blackpool’s chances of finding a real bride. She plots to make him jilt her first. Who cares if it ruins her? She never wanted a husband anyway. But the major is equally determined that she break the engagement. With both of them on their worst behavior, neither expects their fake betrothal to lead to love…

The Major’s Faux Fiancée is a standalone story in the Dukes of War regency romance series, featuring roguish peers and dashing war heroes who return from battle only to be thrust into the splendor and madness of Regency England.

The Dukes of War romance books in Series Order:

#1 The Viscount’s Christmas Temptation Nov. 2014

#2 The Earl’s Defiant Wallflower Dec. 2014

#3 The Captain’s Bluestocking Mistress Mar. 2015

#4 The Major’s Faux Fiancée Jun. 2015

#5 The Brigadier’s Runaway Bride Sept. 2015

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Excerpt:

Daphne could barely even hear the music over the thundering of her heart at what this moment meant to him. Bartholomew wasn’t just dancing with her. He was risking all the rejection and humiliation he’d had to cloister himself into his town house to avoid.

He was confronting his deepest fears just for the chance to waltz in the garden with her.

She touched the side of his face. “You don’t have to do this if you’re afraid someone might see.”

“I don’t care about anyone’s opinion but yours. If I fall…” His lips curved wryly as he met her eyes. “I think I’ve already fallen.”

Her heart thudded. “Then it’s fortunate we find ourselves in each other’s arms.”

“Indeed.” He lowered his mouth. Slowly. Giving her plenty of time to turn away.

She slid her fingers into his hair and lifted her lips to his. He was what she wanted.

His kisses were gentle. Tender. She didn’t want gentleness. Her heart yearned for him too sharply to be content with mere tenderness.

Her kisses were hungry, demanding. She wanted every taste, every sensation to be seared upon her soul. If she couldn’t keep him in her arms, she would keep moments like these in her memory. Cleave them to her heart.

His feet stilled and, slowly, he broke their kiss. Their private waltz had come to an end.

She couldn’t repress the small sound of disappointment that escaped her throat… until she realized how far they now were from the ballroom. Although still and bare, the gardens’ trees and fountains provided a dark, secluded nook, sheltering them from prying eyes and the winter wind.

They were alone. Scandalously, deliciously, alone.

She didn’t think for a moment that it meant he was finally willing to introduce her to hedonistic pleasure—no matter how many nights she dreamt of just such a liaison—but she was greedy for any part of himself he was willing to share.

He led her to a stone bench and pulled her onto his lap.

Eagerly, she wrapped her arms about his neck, thrilling at the warmth of his embrace. He could have forced her to go back inside. Yet he cradled her in his arms instead. She wished she could be there forever. Her heart beat so rapidly, pressed against his.

He kissed the top of her head, the side of her temple, the shell of her ear. Letting her know he wanted more. Letting her know it was her choice.

Of course she would choose him.

She lifted her parted lips to his. He took her mouth. Her soul. His arms were heaven. She devoured him, her tongue dancing with his. He held her closer. The heat and passion of his kisses proved the intensity of his desire matched that of her own.

Her skin grew hot. Her clothes, restrictive. She wished she could tear his greatcoat from his beautiful shoulders. Feel her mouth on his warm neck, his muscled arms, his bare chest. To taste him on her tongue and know that he was hers.

The fantasy was so intoxicating, it stole her breath. Robbed her ability to think.

His kisses heated her flesh. All she could do was lose herself in the moment. Surrender to his mouth, his touch.

And pray he never let her go.

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Author Info:

Erica Ridley is a USA Today best-selling author of historical romance novels. Her latest series, The Dukes of War, features roguish peers and dashing war heroes who return from battle only to be thrust into the splendor and madness of Regency England.

When not reading or writing romances, Erica can be found riding camels in Africa, zip-lining through rainforests in Costa Rica, or getting hopelessly lost in the middle of Budapest.

Get free stories and 99¢ new releases: http://www.EricaRidley.com/club99

Trivia:

Born: Indiana
From: Florida
Lives: Costa Rica
Dogs or cats? Dogs
Beer or wine? Tequila
If there were no tequila: India Pale Ale
Beach or mountains? Mountains
Football or soccer? Da Bears
Favorite movie genres: Action/Adventure, Comedy
Favorite book genres: Suspense, Thriller, Romance
Favorite pastime: Traveling
States visited: 26
Countries visited: 30
Morning or night person? Morning
Walk or run? Rollerblade
Plotter or Pantser: Storyboard + Scrivener
Apple or Android: Apple
Tea or Coffee: Coffee
Chocolate, light or dark: Yes, please
Meat or veggies? Vegetarian
Favorite foods: Indian, Thai, Italian
Favorite music: All of it
Instruments played: Piano, guitar, violin
Biggest fear: Snow

Social Networks:

Website: http://www.EricaRidley.com
Blog: http://www.ericaridley.com/news
Reader Newsletter: http://www.ericaridley.com/club99
Dukes of War fan group: http://facebook.com/groups/DukesOfWar
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/EricaRidley
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/EricaRidley
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/EricaRidley
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/Erica_Ridley
Wattpad: http://www.wattpad.com/user/ericaridley

Published Works:

2010 Too Wicked To Kiss Kensington Zebra
2011 Too Sinful To Deny Kensington Zebra
2012 Born To Bite Kensington Publishing
2012 Charmed Intrepid Reads
2013 Tis The Season Anthology
2013 Midwinter Magic Intrepid Reads
2013 One Enchanted Season Anthology
2013 Let It Snow Intrepid Reads
2014 Dark Surrender Intrepid Reads
2014 The Viscount’s Christmas Temptation Intrepid Reads
2014 The Earl’s Defiant Wallflower Intrepid Reads
2015 Romance Writers of America: Première Anthology
2015 The Captain’s Bluestocking Mistress Intrepid Reads
2015 The Major’s Faux Fiancée Intrepid Reads

Retailer Links:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/author/ericaridley
Apple / iBooks: https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/erica-ridley/id426778365?mt=11
Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/c/erica-ridley
Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/books/author?id=Erica+Ridley
Kobo: http://kobobooks.com/search/search.html?q=erica+ridley

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