Her Wicked Ways (Secrets & Scandals) [Kindle Edition]

Darcy Burke (Author)

Book Description

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.

"A bad girl heroine steals both the show and a highwayman's heart in Darcy Burke's deliciously wicked debut." -- NYT Bestselling Author Courtney Milan

"Captivating and romantic. Miranda is my favorite kind of heroine--witty, resourceful, and a little bit wicked--and I loved Fox for loving her as I much as I did." -- Award-winning Author Jackie Barbosa

"...a delightful romance mixed with humor, tenderness, and love." --Rogues Under the Covers

Product Details

• File Size: 729 KB
• Print Length: 330 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 0615631347
• Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
• Publisher: Intrepid Reads (May 4, 2012)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B0080RY0RE
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Enabled
• Lending: Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #13,990 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 27 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyed July 30, 2012

By Romancing the Book

Format:Kindle Edition

Posted on Romancing the Book's blog
Reviewed by Rachel
Review Copy Provided by the Author

I loved the idea of this book. Misbehaving daughter of a duke gets sent to the country only to find that her imprisonment is going to be a lot worse than she originally thought. Enter in Mr. Fox, owner of the shabby orphanage she is supposed to be helping with, and you have yourself a delicious love story just waiting to burst forth!

I have to say, Miss Burke does a FANTASTIC job with describing her characters emotions as well as the reasons for their choices. The depth of the characters was amazing, and I often found my chest clenching at all of the different circumstances they found themselves in!

The only problem I have with this book was that Lady Miranda waits until the very end to finally realize she's in love with Fox, and even then it's almost like she still has this "holier than thou," attitude. Things are quickly set to rights in the epilogue, where she gushes about being with such a wonderful man, but still. As a reader it bothered me, because, to be quite honest. I was obsessed and am still obsessed with fox. He pretends to be a highwayman. Wears a mask. Works with his shirt off. Saves young children-I mean really? Come on? What more could the girl ask for!

And in the end she's still not sure about him!
HE SAVES LITTLE KIDS!

All in all, it's a wonderful book. I would totally recommend this delightful regency romance to anyone who wants an interesting and provoking read. I give it a lovely rose.

A word of warning, a few graphic sex scenes.
Hats off, Miss Burke

19 of 21 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful debut May 7, 2012

By Lisa Wolff

Format:Kindle Edition

Lady Miranda Sinclair is on her way to the most dreadful place for her...the country. Her parents, the Duke and Duchess of Holborn, are tired of her reckless behavior and after almost compromising herself on the Dark Walk at Vauxhall, its the last straw for them. So Miranda is sent to the country to stay with her cousin with no money or frills from London. While on they way there, they are held up by a highwayman and Miranda, in her brazen way, attempts to trade a kiss for the money (that they don't have). She boldly kisses the highwayman and is left reeling from the steaminess of it but it is also one more mark against her character and her parents forbid her from even socializing or going into town while in the country. Miranda's only time out of the dreary house is when she may go to the even drearier orphanage to help out. Miranda just doesn't quite understand how the orphanage is in such disrepair. Surely if one needs to fix the roof, they do it! And the lice! Shudder. What is a gently bred young woman like herself supposed to do?

Montgomery Foxcroft, or Fox, is desperate to repair the damage his father did to his childhood home and his childhood legacy, the orphanage. He knows he can not turn out the children but he is in desperate need of funds and leads a double life as a highwayman occasionally. When the beautiful, but extremely out of place, wealthy Miranda arrives he starts to think maybe his prayers have been answered. All he simply most do is get caught compromising the young beauty and he will have plenty of wealth to save his orphanage. But as Miranda does not know that Fox is the highwayman, she finds herself attracted to Fox but all her thoughts are for the highwayman. When her parents arrive to whisk her back to London for a 'proper' marriage, neither Fox nor Miranda know what to do. How this couple finally arrive at their happily ever after is a treat to read!

This is Darcy Burke's debut novel and I really enjoyed it!! I liked watching Miranda struggle to find herself and become a better person because she starts off very self-centered (due in large part to her overbearing, rude father who seems to want nothing at all do to with her), confident, arrogant and unaware of how truly difficult life can be without the comfort of money. She learns, slowly, that money isn't always necessary to bring true happiness and that something as simple as a hug can go a long way to improving ones day. I enjoyed watching her develop strong connections with the children from the orphanage and getting a bit closer with her cousin and seeing the sparks fly between her and Fox. Fox was a wonderful balance to Miranda with his pride and generous heart. There is an interesting development in the storyline when Miranda holds a benefit for the orphanage that adds a bit of suspense that I also enjoyed. As I am an epilogue kind of girl, I really missed not having one with this story as I felt like there were a few loose ends left open and I am hoping they are addressed in the next book which features Miranda's brother, Jasper. Overall, this was a delightful romance mixed with humor, tenderness and love (you might need a cool glass of water!) that left a happy smile on my face. I can't wait for more books from Ms Burke! 4 solid stars

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars the writing was good June 23, 2012

By Under The Covers Book Blog

Format:Paperback

(More like 2.5 feathers!)
Her Wicked Ways
Reviewed by Suzanne & posted at Under the Covers Book Blog

Lady Miranda Sinclair has been sent away from London to the country with strict distant relations for her scandalous behavior, in the hopes it will tame her. However, her first act in Wooden Bassett is to kiss a highwayman as he robs their carriage...not the best of starts. Mr Montgomery Foxcroft, Fox to all those who know him, has had to resort to desperate measures to keep his orphanage safe, and has become a highwayman. But it doesn't seem all the bad when he steals a kiss from a beautiful young lady.

There were a lot of things I did like about this book, the writing was good, the story was interesting and there were cute orphans, but for me it was ruined as I couldn't stand the heroin, Miranda, which in turn made me question the hero's, Fox's, taste (and yes intelligence).

I could see what Ms Burke was doing with her, when she first arrives in Wooden Bassett she is a spoiled and arrogant Duke's daughter who judges everyone on appearance and what they have, and I grant by the end of the book she has vastly changed for the better. But despite her growth as a character and despite understanding some of their decisions she makes....I still couldn't stand her.

But, despite not liking the main character I did enjoy the book and the hero, despite his questionable taste in women, was adorable and sexy. How can you resist a man who works night and day to keep cute orphans safe?

Miranda's brother Lord Saxton was also an interesting character and I know the next book is about him and I am looking forward to reading it!

*Review copy provided by author

More About the Author

Darcy Burke 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. An RWA Golden Heart® Finalist, Darcy loves all things British (except tomatoes for breakfast, or any other time of day, actually) and happy ever afters.

A native Oregonian, Darcy lives on the edge of wine country with her devoted husband, their two great kids, and three cats. In her "spare" time Darcy is a serial volunteer enrolled in a 12-step program where one learns to say "no," but she keeps having to start over. She's also a fair-weather runner, and her happy places are Disneyland and Labor Day weekend at the Gorge. Visit Darcy online at http://www.darcyburke.com, follow her on Twitter at http://twitter.com/darcyburke, or like her Facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/darcyburkefans.