Travel the Ages: IF THE DUKE DARES by Darcy Burke

Thursday, February 22, 2024

IF THE DUKE DARES by Darcy Burke

IF THE DUKE DARES

by Darcy Burke

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GENRE: Regency Historical Romance

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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

His gaze smoldered. “I confess it is taking all my willpower not to propose that you meet me in your aunt’s garden at, say, eleven this evening.”

Heart pounding, Persephone recognized his flirtation for precisely what it was: a rogue roguing. She should be offended, even if he wasn’t serious. Instead, she was incomparably thrilled by the way he was looking at her, by the singular way the sultry tone of his voice caressed her. Apparently, she could still be wooed, as she had been in her youth. Despite those situations turning out poorly—unsatisfying physical interactions and no interest or hope for a future—here she was again actually pondering meeting a man alone. Not just a man, but a scoundrel with a terrible reputation.

“We shouldn’t,” she whispered unconvincingly, which surely conveyed she was considering it.

“Probably not.” He sighed. “But wouldn’t it be lovely if we did?”

It would be more than lovely. It would be something she chose. Something she wanted. “Will you be there?” she asked, holding her breath.

His eyes lit with surprise. “I will. And I promise we’ll just talk. No kissing. You’ll meet me?”

“I’ll consider it.” Strongly. Indeed, she would probably think of little else. Anticipation vibrated through her. She took her other hand from his arm lest she do something foolish, such as grasp him even tighter as she pressed her side to his. Anything to increase their contact. “But what if I want to kiss you?”

“All I can think about is kissing you again.” He sent her a pained expression. “I do realize that makes me the worst sort of rogue—precisely the man you thought I was.”

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

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

If the Duke Dares buy links

Amazon: https://geni.us/IftheDukeDares-Amz

Apple: https://geni.us/IftheDukeDares-App

Barnes & Noble: https://geni.us/IftheDukeDares-BN

Google Play: https://geni.us/IftheDukeDares-GP

Kobo: https://geni.us/IftheDukeDares-Kobo

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