We want to give a big warm welcome back to Beverley Kendall, author of the Elusive Lord series, and the mastermind behind the E-Zine, The Season. Beverley’s new novella has just been released. Here’s the cover and official blurb:
With her seduction she hopes to gain his affections
For Miss Elizabeth Smith, sharing her first kiss with the charming Lord Derek Creswell is nothing short of a dream come true…that is, until she is spotted by one of the most influential gossips of the ton. With scandal nipping at her heels, to avoid total social ruin, Elizabeth must present a fiancé by the end of the Season. But when the viscount proves reluctant, Elizabeth is forced to employ a seduction of a different sort…
With his seduction he is determined to ruin her
Viscount Derek Creswell believes Elizabeth set out to trap him into marriage. After all, her sister attempted the very same thing with his brother six years before. Now the delectable Miss Smith expects a betrothal and a ring, while Derek finds her ruination infinitely more appealing…
But as Derek sets out to seduce only her body, Elizabeth is intent on claiming his jaded heart.
Kindle eBook
| B&N
Historical heroes: Why I love ‘em dark by Beverley Kendall
Marcus, the Earl of Westcliff, of Lisa Kleypas’s IT HAPPENED ONE AUTUMN is a favourite darkly hero of mine. Outwardly, Marcus is hard-edged and remote, a stickler for aristocratic propriety. The heroine, Lillian Bowman, finds him humourless and cold. He thinks she’s a manner-less, unruly hoyden. They are oil and water. Both heroine and hero resisting their explosive attraction to each other. To me, nothing gets better than that.
I absolutely loved Marcus’s memorable thoughts on the normal frequency of sexual congress.
“St. Vincent, if a man has time to bed a woman more than once a week, he clearly doesn’t have enough to do.”
Later in the book, his friend, Simon Hunt, finds him–clothes in a complete disarray–rolling on his study floor with Lillian.
“Pardon, my lord, Hunt said in a carefully controlled voice. “I did not anticipate you would be…meeting…with someone at this hour.”
Marcus skewered him with a savage stare. “You might try knocking next time.”
…
As Simon Hunt withdrew from the room, however, it seemed that he couldn’t keep from ducking his head back in and asking Marcus cryptically, “Once a week did you say?”
St. Vincent, from Lisa Kleypas’s DEVIL IN WINTER, is another dark hero I loved. For all intents and purpose, he’s so not hero material. He’s selfish, a spend-thrift, vain and he turns out to be a villain of sorts in IT HAPPENED ONE AUTUMN. And he can be mean. Here’s a small excerpt of an exchange he has with the heroine, Evie, who incidentally, stutters.
“Have a seat if you like,” he said. “Though, I wouldn’t plan to stay long if I were you. I’m easily bored, and your reputation is hardly that of a scintillating conversationalist.”
This from a man who later is willing to give his life for her. That’s one of the ways you redeem a villain. The ultimate sacrifice.
This is a very small sampling of the heroes I’ve adored. As you can see, these heroes are dark, cold, handsome, self-assured (others might call them arrogant), sexy-as-hell, wholly masculine and resisting the heroine to the nth degree. Their conflict with the heroine only heightens the sexual tension between them and makes for an unforgettable read.
The best thing about dark heroes is, for all their dark and cold remoteness, their thoughts and feelings about the heroine are—or become—anything but. And to me, there is nothing better than watching a hero like that fall—and fall hard!
What about you? Who are some of your memorable dark heroes? Comment and enter to win a $15 eGift Certificate and an entry for the Grand Prize Drawing to win an iPad2.
[box type=”info” style=”rounded” border=”full”]Beverley Kendall has lived on two continents, in three countries, two provinces, and four states. She stopped her nomadic existence and settled in Georgia with her young son. All things artistic feed her creative passion, but none more than writing. Readers can visit her at: www.beverleykendall.com , follow her on twitter @beverleykendall, friend her on Facebook or on her review site and blog The Season for Romance.[/box]
Just like Ms. Kendall, I loved Marcus, but – I’m sure many will agree with me on this – Sebastian from Lisa Kleypas’ Devil in Winter is my all time favorite! I never thought Kleypas would be able to redeem him after It Happened One Autumn, but she did, and he was great.
I am going to go with Jericho Barrens from Karen Moning’s Fever series 🙂
I so agree! Sebastian is my all time favorite! Lorraine Heath’s Ainsley from Waking Up With A Duke is a very close second along with Julie Anne Long’s Alex – What I Did for a Duke. He’s the brooder out of those three and probably the most intense character I’ve read about in a while. Lisa Kleypas is my fav regency romance writer…She makes me laugh out loud.
You’re right – Sebastian is the best villain turned hero. Lisa Kleypas did it again with Hardy Cates. Hardy betrays Liberty in Sugar Daddy then reforms himself in Blue-Eyed Devil.
One of the best books I’ve read this year was What I Did For a Duke by Julie Anne Long. As revenge, the Duke plans to ruin his nemesis’ sister,Genevieve. However, when he gets to know her, Montcreiffe sacrifices his own happiness for her’s.
Your blurb is awesome, I am headed to ARE to pick up a copy! I have drifted away from historical romance for awhile during a recent paranormal romance jag and am finding I miss it a great deal.
My favorite dark male hero…if we’re talking about historical romance, I would have to say Mary Balogh’s, Wulfric, the Duke of Bewcastle (Slightly Dangerous). He was the quintessential leader of the Bedwyn family, talk, dark, brooding. But when he meets his match in Christine, his polar opposite on every level, he shows the depth of his emotion and falls head over heels. This book was the last in a series, and I waited in anticipation for Wulf’s story to be told. It was worth the wait!
Ah, Sebastian. I think I love that book so much because Sebastian’s faults make him incredibly interesting. Derek Craven — another Kleypas character! — is also a good example of the dark, dangerous and mysterious hero.
Hi Beverley. As mentioned by other commenters, Sebastian, Lord St. Vincent from The Devil in Winter is one my favorite dark heroes. I also love JR Ward’s Zsadist and Sherrilyn Kenyon’s Zarek.
I don’t actually have a favorite hero. I like the heroes mentioned above, but I like all my heroes in the books I read. Of course, it depends on which book I am reading to what hero I prefer at the time.
I like the dark hero’s as well. Not really sure why, but I do.
Historical is my favorite as well.
However, I will read pretty much anything that is good and keeps my interest!
Thanks for giving us so many opportunties to win a copy of your book!
I have enjoyed reading your other books and this one soundsequally as good.
I read a book by Stephanie Tyler wih a dark hero in it and liked the book. The books I have read recently with ex-soldiers or SEALS in them seem to be on the darker side possibly because of their war experiences.
For me, the darker the better. The more tormented the better. I adore a hero who is all alpha male all the time but I love the undercurrent being a bit wicked.
I would have to bow to historical romance author Alexandra Hawkin’s and her LORDS OF VICE series.
Then there is NY Times bestseller, Gaelen Foley’s decadently deliciously wicked men of THE INFERNO CLUB series
There are SO many more but I think these two series are a fantastic start..
Best,
Christine
Hi Beverley,
One of my favorite dark heroes is Debra Webb’s Ryan McBride from “Nameless.” He’s got some demons after being scapegoated, but he’s still a great hero.
I totally agree with you Beverley. Lisa Kleypas has a way of creating these heroes that I just love and that are so memorable. Marcus is one of my favorites along with Derek Craven and Logan Scott. Oh, and don’t let me forget Lord Dain from Loretta Chase or Zsadist from JR Ward’s BDB. I just love tortured alpha heroes. They always seem to fall the hardest and they always have some deep hidden pain from their past that unravels.
Sebastian is one of my favourite heroes, too, but I also love Simon from Secrets of a Summer Night. I’ve reread that book hundreds of times and I absoluteley adore him. 🙂 I’ve just done a re-read of Pamela Clare’s Ride The Fire and Nicholas is very dark, too.
Hi Bev! Oh – this post! <3 Yes I love me a dark hero, as long as he's redeemed. Or, you know, willing to do *anything* for the heroine. You gave perfect examples and listed some of my favorite books. I adore Lisa Kleypas. I'll add to that LK list with Derek Craven, and … :X I'm scared I'll get it wrong. Zachary Bronson?
Otherwise, Shannon McKenna writes a wicked good dark hero. The McCloud brothers are totally lethal!
Boy don’t we love our dark heroes! Thanks, ladies, for stopping by.
Danielle, Logan Scott is one of my all-time favourite dark heroes too.
Julie Anne Long’s Alex Moncrieffe of WHAT I DID FOR A DUKE may not be all that dark–although the ton sees him that way–is definitely one of my tops too. Love, love, love him.
My next hero, Alex Cartwright in AN HEIR OF DECEPTION, is definitely a dark hero–and I absolutely love love love and ADORE him! (Yes, I realize I’m totally biased).
Marcus and St. Vincent are great heroes and there are other dark heroes from Lisa Kleypas that I have liked. Lauretta Chase also writes some great darker heroes such as Dain from Lord of Scoundrels.
When you mention dark hero I immediately think of The Lady’s Tudor by Robin Schone and the dark misterious Ramiel Devingto,bastard of an English Countess, who enjoys English pleasure and was raised to embrace Western culture.
Can’t you already picture him looking diwb at you with his hooded eyes deciding how to lead you into a forbidden passion of a kind you never knew existed?
What an awesome giveaway! Thank You! Okay my fave dark heroes are Trevelyn from The Duchess by Jude Deveraux. There was something about his strangeness and grumpiness that I loved. And Dominic Le Veq, a Pirate, from Captured by Beverly Jenkins. Such a dark guy but he had a heart of gold.
My favorite dark hero is Maxim from Daphne du Maurier’s classic story REBECCA. He is a true tortured hero who’s first wife, Rebecca, was just as evil as she was beautiful. His second marriage seems doomed from the start but his new wife gives him a second chance at love. I adore a tortured hero for all of the reasons you stated in your post.
Off hand I can’t think of a name of a dark hero..been awhile since I’ve read a book with that kind of character in it. I do like pirate stories though. I’m sure I’ve read about less than honorable guys in those stories.
Hi Beverley,
I have so many memorable dark heroes to choose from, but currently it is Zsadist, a warrior vampire from J.R. Ward’s Black Dagger Brotherhood series. He needed serious saving and I am glad he found the perfect mate, his soulmate to do just that. I love dark heroes, when they are redeemed it’s such a wonderful thing.
Sebastian from Lisa Kleypas’ Devil in Winter– YES! 🙂 Also Z from the BDB, and most all of Gena Showalter’s and Kresley Cole’s heroes…. makes me want to do a re-read of some of ’em! 🙂
I can remember the hero but can’t remember any names. titles, or authors right now.
I do like dark heroes and a new favorite of mine is Sebastian Goddard from Margaret Rowe’s “Any Wicked Thing” – he’s been through some bad situations and has picked up some dark habbits and his intentions towards his leading lady, Fredericka Wells, are anything but honorable at the start. I really liked how he grows throughout the story though. I also love Jericho Barrons from KMN’s series and The Black Dagger Brotherhood.
Sebastian seems to be a popular dark hero. And he’s downright cruel to Evie at times. But I think a lot of readers loved how thoroughly he redeemed himself. 🙂
Don’t really have a favorite! I just love em all! I adore the cover on this book, so pretty. Can’t wait to read it.
Definitely Zsadist. Even though he has found his shellan, there is still a little darkness.
Martha can I can that cover was done by Kimberly Killion. She’s super talented and a great writer too! I hope you enjoy it–I’ve been told more than once that it’s hawt (so I hope you like some heat).
I loved Leopold, the Duke of Villiers in Eloisa James’ Desperate Duchesses series. He was trying to seduce another man’s wife, totally unlikable, and not interested in being liked (or loved). By the end of the series I was rooting for him to find his own love in A Duke of Her Own. Camden Saybrook, Lord Tremaine, in Sherry Thomas’ Private Arrangements was pretty unlikeable through most of the book, although he had reason to be.
Hi. I’m not familiar with this series, but it sounds really interesting.
There are so many dark heroes that I love that it’s really hard to choose. Na and Stephanie mention characters from characters from the Black Dagger Brotherhood, most of whom are dark and tortured and, I agree, the most long and sufferring of them all is Zsadist. I fell in love with him and actually cried when he went through his rather intense and squirm prvoking catharsis.
Thanks for the interesting question!
Mara
marajbrandon AT earthlink DOT net
Hi Beverley, your book sounds great! There’s something I love about author’s pitting two strong willed people against each other, I just know I’m in for a fun ride. 🙂 I agree Lisa Kleypas has a knack for redeeming her dark heroes. I can’t think of a favorite, as so many authors write such memorable characters, you just root for them to find the person that can open them up, knowing we all have dark moments and deserve happiness regardless. Thanks for the post & contest!
Barbara, I loved Private Arrangements and although Tremaine acted like a complete cad, I thought his internal thoughts spoke of his true self–which clearly said to me that he hadn’t gotten over Gigi.
Congratulations on the release of ALL’S FAIR IN LOVE AND SEDUCTION.
Kat Martin has written some good dark heroes. In PERFECT SIN, it was Randall Clayton who uses the heroine and their road to an HEA isn’t a smooth one. In HEARTLESS, the hero is just that, treating the heroine with disdain and ruthlessness. They make good heroes for their well sheltered hearts need more than just a sweet, innocent heroine to thaw them. Both books were very good.
librarypat AT comcast DOT net
I love Lisa Kleypas’ books; didn’t you just adore Kev from Seduce Me at Sunrise?
There is something extra special about Historical Heroes. They can leave their boots under my bed anytime.
my first time to see or hear about this, and i find it interesting..
My favorite dark hero is Spike from Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Please enter me in contest. Tore923@aol.com
Dark heroes who redeem themselves hold a special appeal for me too. Several of my favorites have already been mentioned, but I can add most of Susan E. Phillips’ heroes (on the lighter side) and lately, those sexy scoundrels from Anne Stuart’s Rohan series. Soooo bad, but completely in love and loving the women who tame them by the end.
I think my memorable dark hero is Zsadist from Lover Awakened by J.R Ward
i agree with serveral others above my top three (no paticular order)
Iain MacKinnon – Surrender by Pamela Clare
Nicholas Kenleigh – Ride the Fire by Pamela Clare
Dain – Lord of Scoundrels by Loretta Chase
thanks for the give-a-way
seachele71@hotmail.com
i agree with serveral others above my top three (no paticular order)
historicals
Iain MacKinnon – Surrender by Pamela Clare
Nicholas Kenleigh – Ride the Fire by Pamela Clare
Dain – Lord of Scoundrels by Loretta Chase
Paranormal
Wrath, Rhage. Zhadist, & Vishous – Black Dagger Brotherhood JR Ward
Lucan, Brock & Hunter – the Midnight Breed Lara Adrian
Cowboys
the McKays – Rough Riders
ok i can go on and on…so i will stop
thanks for the give-a-way
seachele71@hotmail.com
My favorite dark hero of all-time is Sean Culhane from Christine Monson’s STORMFIRE. He witnessed his mother’s rape and murder as a child and has been on a path of destruction ever since.
I’ve never read anything from Beverley Kendall but this post makes me wanna go out and check out her books 🙂 Thanks for the giveaway!
So apparently I’ve been living under a rock. Okay, more like a mountain since I’ve just recently started reading J.R. Ward’s Black Dagger Brotherhood. And can I just say that there are quite a few dark, brooding vamps in it?
Delilah Marvelle has perfected the dark hero in her books. Also, Alexandra Hawkins’s Lords of Vice series. Frost is THE dark hero in that series that I’m waiting for. Oh and JZB of the Fever Series by Karen Marie Moning. Can’t forget him.
So many books… so many memorable dark heroes. *sigh*
I Love Lisa Kleypas’ heroes too! They are favorites of mine. My newest favorite dark hero is Ranelaw, in Midnight’s Wild Passion by Anna Campbell. He sets out to ruin the sister of the man who ruined his sister, and ends up falling in love with the young girl’s companion. It’s fun to see him fall!
Strangely, I immediately thought of the Beast in Beauty and the Beast…. too basic? I also thought Mr. Rochester a bit dark. Others have mentioned some of my favorites such as Dain and the Breed and Brotherhood heros, a wealth of snark and angst.
emmasmom AT wi DOT rr DOT com
Some of my most memorable dark heroes are St. Vincent as well, Jervaulx from Kinsale’s Flowers From the Storm, countless Anne Stuart heroes, and Tiern-Cope from Jewel’s The Spare. I sometimes like my heroes to be dark too, but that have to have a legitimate reason to be that tortured.
I did enjoy Marcus, however; I really do think my favorite would be Sebastian.
A sixteenth century Scot posessed by thirteen evil Druids, jumps through time to try eradicate himself of them, kidnaps a woman and goes back. Meet Dageus, oh and he is sexy as hell. Another great dark character is Barrons from the Fever series, he is the ultimate in dark mysterious unapologetic alphas.
I read a lot of different genres but always come back to historicals, and it’s been too long! Thanks for a chance in your giveaway so I can fix that problem!