A Wild Night's Bride (The Devil DeVere) [Kindle Edition]

Victoria Vane (Author)

Book Description

THE DEVIL DEVERE Book #1 (NOTE: This is the first title in a series designed to be read in order)
With the devil in charge, there will surely be hell to pay...What happens when a struggling actress and a grieving widower come together in a night of unbridled debauchery orchestrated by a bored and machinating rake?
***
She's a lonely lady down on her luck...Phoebe Scott, alias Kitty Willis, is a struggling Covent Garden actress with a bruised heart and a closely guarded secret.
He's steadfast and eminently respectable... Sir Edward Chambers, Ned to his intimates, is guilt-ridden over his beloved wife's death and has avowed to live out a rustic and mundane life...of celibacy.
With the devil in charge, there will be hell to pay...Devil-in-disguise Viscount Ludovic DeVere is determined to return his best friend, Ned, to the land of the living. His meddling machinations result in a night of mind-blowing passion after which "Dull Dog Ned" awakes to find himself in the King of England's bed! A Wild Night's Bride, a sexy, rollicking Georgian romp!

THE DEVIL DEVERE SERIES:

A Wild Night's Bride  (Ned and Phoebe's story- romantic romp)

The Virgin Huntress  (Hew and Vesta's Story- romantic romp)

The Devil You Know (Diana and DeVere part I)

The Devil's Match (Diana and DeVere part II)

A Devil's Touch (Diana and DeVere vignette)

Jewel of the East (Simon and Salime) coming soon

PREQUEL VIGNETTES

Devil in the Making (early Devere- comedic romp)

The Trouble with Sin (early Simon- comedic romp)

Editorial Reviews

Review

LIBRRARY JOURNAL TOP E-BOOK ROMANCE OF 2012

"The series is erotic and sexy, and sometimes you want to shake the characters until their teeth rattle, but it is absolutely marvelous. This one should be read with bonbons. And a fan!"

"This book offers so much more than what meets the eye. Sizzlingly sexy? Yes. Wild adventure and steamy risks? Absolutely. But amidst that is a group of complex, three-dimensional characters and a constantly surprising plot that had me gleefully turning pages as quickly as I could."- THE ROMANCE REVIEWS


"a sexy, bawdy, racy, frolicking Georgian good time reminiscent of TOM JONES and MOLL FLANDERS with a hint of THE HANGOVER!"- Unwrapping Romance Blog 

Ms. Vane not only knows her history she knows how to write a story that pulls the reader in and bring the characters to life through the pages of "A Wild Night's Bride". My Book Addiction and More Blog

"Delightfully sexy, witty and fun. This book had me grinning from ear to ear, with great storyline and characters, that you can't help but love." Goodreads - Wendy #13454692

"The characters were filled with humor, some angst and alot of heart. The romance was just the cherry on top! A great start to this fun series, I'll be looking forward to!" Rane - The Queen's Library Blog

"filled with humor, passion, and a fun, sinfully sexy storyline. Once again I've been whisked away to Georgian England, this time for a comical adventure taking place in the form of a challenge!" Blithely Bookish 

From the Author

THE ROMANCE REVIEWS FEATURED BOOK INTERVIEW
- A WILD NIGHT'S BRIDE by Victoria Vane
erotic.theromancereviews.com/interview.php?location=5632
1. A WILD NIGHT'S BRIDE is a fun, riotous romp! What inspired this story, especially the dare?
I love the Georgian era for its truly riotous living. It was not only a golden age for prostitution, but the Georgians were extremely heavy drinkers and would wager on absolutely anything. Shockingly, most of the worst offenders were amongst the uppermost elite in society!
As far as inspiration for the story itself goes, there is certainly a hint of the 2009 film, THE HANGOVER, albeit in a 18th century setting, but everything I write also has some true historical basis. In AWNB, it is actually Prince George (the future George IV) who proposes the outrageous challenge when DeVere drops the gauntlet. In real life, George was raised by puritanical parents and ruled by various tutors and sub-governors who kept him on leading strings far longer than one would expect of an heir to the throne. When he finally did achieve some personal independence at around age 18, he completely rebelled against the King and Queen by taking up with almost anyone who opposed them! Thus, I could easily envision, George proposing anything shocking to retaliate against his parents, and his cronies would certainly have supported him.

2. I understand this is the first book of a series. Do tell us more. What serves as your inspiration? What's the common thread in all the books in the series?
THE DEVIL DEVERE series is comprised of four inter-connected novellas involving six main characters and three separate romances. DeVere is the single character who connects everyone else. This series is also very much character driven with the machinating rakehell, Ludovic, "the devil" Viscount DeVere at the center of it all. He's one of those dream characters that may come to a writer once in a lifetime, so one book became two, two became three, and then four. (I was determined to milk every ounce out of him that I could! LOL!)

The first two stories, A WILD NIGHT'S BRIDE and THE VIRGIN HUNTRESS are both comedic in nature, but the tone drastically changes with THE DEVIL YOU KNOW which is dark and erotic with elements of mystery and intrigue. Another transition occurs with THE DEVIL'S MATCH which falls somewhere in between the other books with both light and dark undertones.
Book blurbs and excerpts are available on my website: authorvictoriavane.com

3. In A WILD NIGHT'S BRIDE, we have our heroine Phoebe, who is an actress. What made you give Phoebe that particular profession? Please also tell us more about her.
While realistic and multi-layered male characters have always come effortless to me, until this series, I have always struggled a bit with my female characters. I had this trouble in the beginning with Phoebe. I just couldn't figure out who she really was. In my first draft she really was more of a Covent Garden strumpet but that just didn't seem to work. She needed more depth and an interesting back story. I finally nailed her down after reading about Prince George's first notorious affair with the Georgian actress Mary Robinson. Although I mention this affair between George and Mary in AWNB, I also used it as the inspiration for Phoebe.

4. What is the first thing about Phoebe that capture's Ned's attention and what about her makes him become such a dominant hero?
Phoebe, like Ned, appears very out of place at the venue of their initial meeting (an infamous brothel). Although celibate for three years, Ned has no desire to consort with the prostitutes and can't wait for the night to be over. Phoebe really doesn't want to be there either, but has come for the sole purpose of finding a benefactor. The man she has in mind is coincidentally, Ned's best friend DeVere. Phoebe is immediately attracted to Ned for his gentlemanly conduct and Ned is intrigued by this bemasked woman who he instinctively knows is not who she is pretending to be.

5. For Phoebe, what is it about Ned that drew her? What makes him a worthy hero?
It would have to be the respect he shows her and his natural chivalry.

6. What is your favorite scene in this book? Please quote a short excerpt to entice readers.
There are so very many fun scenes (some are very naughty!) but this is one of my favorites:
Link: goodreads.com/review/show/289323584

7. You have created an interesting secondary character in Viscount DeVere, Ned's long-time friend. Can you tell us a little bit about the inspiration for his character? What it is like to write such a complicated character?
As I mentioned earlier, his character just came to me and all four stories evolved from him. DeVere was actually loosely inspired by a Georgian bad- boy Frederick 6th Baron Baltimore. I actually use Baltimore in the story as DeVere has perversely chosen to model his life after the ignoble Lord Baltimore, but where Baltimore was a truly irredeemable rake (in real life he kept a private harem and was later tried and acquitted for abducting and raping a young Quaker woman), DeVere is multi-layered and definitely hero-worthy (with the right woman of course!) I enjoyed revealing the different facets of his character as well as his back story throughout the four books.

8. I found the relationship between DeVere and Ned just as interesting as Ned's relationship with Phoebe. What do you think these two men see in each other? What was it like creating a pair like them?Their relationship is somewhat explained throughout the four books but basically, Ned sees the true DeVere that is hidden from everyone else and DeVere gravitates to Ned for his honesty and integrity. Ned is, in effect, the good angel that sits on his shoulder. They really are perfect foils for one another.

9. I loved how vibrant you made the world of Georgian England and the Drury Lane Theatre in the book. What drew you to this time period and how did your research influence the story itself?
As I mentioned earlier, I have always been drawn to the 18th century. My first novel THE HIGHEST STAKES, written as Emery Lee is set in the Georgian turf world and my second novel FORTUNE'S SON, is set in the gaming world. In my research for both of these books, I explored all aspects of 18th century England to include not only horseracing and gaming, but politics, art, literature, music, and the theatre. I feel almost as if I lived there and make it my goal as a writer to give the reader that same sense by bringing it all vividly to life.

10. Were you surprised by anything you turned up in your research? Please share with us a fun fact that you've uncovered.
I mentioned that Ned and Phoebe first meet in a high end brothel in St James, Westminster, called King's Place. This was a real place, one of several owned by Charlotte Hayes a shrewd entrepreneur who was once a famed courtesan in her own right. When Mrs. Hayes began losing valuable business to competitors, she decided to host an exclusive "subscription-only" party (read orgy) that she called the Otaheitian Feast of Venus, the details of which are recorded in Nocturnal Revels, an anonymous book written in 1779 largely about Georgian prostitutes and brothels. I used this event in my story - with my own twist, of course.
11. Aside from this series, what's up next for you?

After this project is complete, I will be working on my dark erotic story (also Georgian era) called DANGEROUS DESIGNS. After that I have a fabulous idea for a historical paranormal romance of the time slip variety - think Susanna Kearsley or Ciji Ware but with erotic undertones.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• File Size: 236 KB
• Print Length: 105 pages
• Publisher: Breathless Press (April 25, 2012)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B007XV3E5W
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Enabled
• Lending: Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #53,355 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Bawdy Georgian Romp February 28, 2013

By D. Salvagin VINE™ VOICE

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

Should a person who often doesn't like short stories or novellas read and review one? In this case a resounding "yes". This was a delicious, over the top romp through the bawdy Georgian nightlife of London. For the short length of the novella the characters were well drawn. For dear celibate Ned, he takes to lust like a reformed rake. Phoebe is sweet and trying to make a living in a world that is unkind to women. DeVere is the quintessential reprobate. I will be interested to see what woman can bring him around in future installments of the series. (hint: it looks like it is to be Diana)

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Wild Night's Bride April 27, 2012

By DragonRene

Format:Kindle Edition

Fun entertaining read! Very fun, funny and sexy.

Devere is bored with his everyday... Indulgences. He wagers a bet with some of his friends and what a bet it is! Poor Phoebe is chosen to be a part of it all because of being in the wrong place at the right time (or visa versa). All depending on how you look at it. Now Ned, DeVere and Phoebe are on a mission to accomplish the bet. Thanks to Phoebe's smarts they are able to get into their targeted place. From there it's all very unpredictable and a wonderfully delightful adventure that has a very happy ending with Ned, Phoebe and even DeVere getting what they need and deserve.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars A short romantic romp with ample amounts of sexy and hilarious antics September 12, 2012

By Letitia

Format:Kindle Edition

Rating: B ... Heat: Hot

I have to admit, I seem to be in a bit of a Historical Romance rut right now. (It happens sometimes... especially when you devour 35 of them in eight months.) So, it was with great surprise that A Wild Night's Bride managed to put the fun back in Historical Romance and a smile on my face. It is chock full of delightful hijinks and filled to the brim with characters that are behaving very badly. In a very good way, of course.

The first character up to no good is Miss Phoebe Scott, a down-on-her-luck actress. After failing to get the starring roles on her own, Phoebe realizes if she wants to be able to continue eating, she'll have to give in and do what all the other actresses are doing: find a protector to sponsor her.

Which leads her, and us, to "dull dog Ned," a widower who has abstained from carnal pleasures (and fun in general) since his late wife passed away. Now that his daughter has come of age and requires a Season in town, Ned has to rejoin society.

Which leads him, and us, to Viscount DeVere--also known as The Devil Devere--who, truthfully, is such a scene stealer. DeVere is a rake (read: unrepentant and flamboyant manwhore with no scruples... which I love about him!) and is well known for his bad behavior. And it is because of him and his machinations that he, Phoebe, and Ned have a wild night filled with a demimonde masquerade, a crazy bet with the future King of England, and many stolen kisses in a closet.

A Wild Night's Bride is a short romantic romp with ample amounts of sexy and hilarious antics that keep you turning the pages. I can't wait to start the next story in this serial-like series, The Virgin Huntress! Bring on more of that Devil DeVere!

-- A Romantic Book Affairs Review.

More About the Author

A lover of history and deeply romantic stories, award winning author Victoria Vane combines these elements to craft romantic historical novels and novellas for a mature reading audience. Her writing influences are Georgette Heyer for fabulous witty dialogue and over the top characters, Robin Schone , Sylvia Day, and Charlotte Featherstone for beautifully crafted prose in stories with deep sensuality, and Lila DiPasqua for creative vision in melding history with eroticism.

THE DEVIL DEVERE SERIES **Library Journal Best E-Book Romance 2012, LR Café
Best Series nominee 2012**
**A WILD NIGHT'S BRIDE (Book#1),Night Owl Reviews Top Pick, Amazon Top 100 Best
seller 
**THE VIRGIN HUNTRESS (Book#2, Night Owl Reviews Top Pick
**THE DEVIL YOU KNOW (Book#3), Night Owl Reviews Top Pick, The
Romance Reviews Top Pick, LR Café Best Historical Romance nominee 2012
**THE DEVIL'S MATCH (Book#4, Night Owl Reviews Top Pick, The Romance Reviews
Top Pick, LASR Reviews Book of the Month December 2012, Swept Away by Romance
Best Historical Romance of 2012
**A BREACH OF PROMISE, TRS CAPA Nominee 2012, TBR Pile 5stars/Book of the month
winner September 2012, LASR Erotic Reviews 5 STAR/Book of the Month Nominee
The Romance Studio 5 Sweetheart Nominee, Night Owl Reviews "Top Pick",
Reading Romances 5 flames and "Pen Award" 
**OTHER AWARDS AND ACCOLADES** LR Café Best Author Nominee 2012, Swept Away by
Romance Favorite Author nominee 2012

Ms. Vane also writes critically acclaimed romantic historical fiction as Emery Lee.