Smitten by Books

HER WICKED WAYS
Author: Darcy Burke
Publisher: Intrepid Reads
Rel Date: May 4, 2012
Pages: 292
Digital Price: $3.99 
Print Price: $11.99

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.

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REVIEW

Darcy Burke’s Her Wicked Ways is a sexy and wonderfully romantic debut.

Montgomery “Fox” Foxcroft is desperate.  He is so desperate that he resorts to masquerading as a highwayman in order to get a little funding for the orphanage he runs, but when he stops one of the local gentry he gets more than he bargained for in the form of a red-hot kiss from Lady Miranda Sinclair.

The thing I loved most about Her Wicked Ways is the characters development.  Both Miranda and Fox grow during the course of the book and both learn things about themselves.  Miranda begins as a spoiled, head-strong girl that only thinks of herself.  Usually this type of character grows, but the growth doesn’t feel natural to the character.  In Miranda’s case is feels completely natural.  She is out from under the influence of her family for the first time in her life and it allows her to learn who she wants to be. She learns to put others first and to be part of something much bigger than a ball or other entertainment.

Fox also grows, but his growth isn’t as drastic as Miranda’s.  Fox knows who he is and what he wants, but he changes in how he relates to Miranda and those at the orphanage. I loved Fox for loving Miranda.  She isn’t terribly nice to him in the beginning and doesn’t think that they are meant for each other, but it doesn’t stop him from loving her and wanting to take care of her.

The writing is superb – everything flows from one scene to the next, the dialogue is witty and entertaining, and the plot moves at a quick enough pace to keep the reader interested.  I loved the use of secondary characters, especially Miranda’s brother.  I absolutely can’t wait to read her brother, Jasper’s, story.

Her Wicked Ways is a debut that every fan of historical romance should add to their to-be-read pile!

 Reviewed by Carrie