How One Madcap Misadventure Led to Another…and Another by Victoria Vane
I think every writer dreams of creating characters who are larger than life, those so strong and intriguing that they can carry an entire series, even if not the primary focus of it. But Ludovic “the Devil DeVere” who began as a rakish sidekick, became all that and then some.
My original tale began with A WILD NIGHT’S BRIDE, a steamy and romantic comedy that pairs Phoebe Scott, a struggling actress with a bruised heart and Sir Edward “Ned” Chambers, a grieving widower, in an outrageous wager when devil-in- disguise, Viscount Ludovic DeVere, is determined to return his grieving best friend, Ned, to the land of the living. And what better way could there be to tempt a man out of three years of celibacy than attending a subscription only affair at the most notorious house of pleasure in London?
THE SET-UP (Excerpt):
Ned picked up his port, eyeing it appreciatively before draining the glass and remarking with a lazy a smile. “Not every man is a voluptuary like you, DeVere. I happen to enjoy quiet country living and rustic pursuits—hunting, fishing, tending my estate. Simple taste does not equate to a deficiency in or of life. One man’s potion is, indeed, another man’s poison and all that.” He emphasized his point with a clumsy wave of his hand.
DeVere eyed him pointedly. “Very well then, as a purveyor of such poison, I needs must ask, if you are so blissful in your reclusive rustication, why have you really come to London?”
“I’ve told you, Ludovic, to find a house for the season.”
“You could have easily hired an agent for the task,” DeVere countered with a shrewd smile.
“No, my friend, I fear you deny the truth. You were bored to distraction and came to town in desperate need of diversion. You sought me out knowing I’m precisely the man to answer that need.” DeVere reached into his breast pocket and retrieved an elegantly scribed gold foil invitation, handing it to Ned.
By the by, Ned, before you can make your excuses, you should know I have already responded that I will be accompanied by a dear friend in particular need of entertainment.”
“You didn’t.”
“Indeed, I did.” Ludovic’s eyes held a diabolical gleam. “As I said, my friend, London offers unique delights to those who seek them, and amusement of a unique and titillating kind is precisely what I intend to provide.”
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THE AFTERMATH (Excerpt):
His heart beating apace, Ned willed himself first to breathe and then to modulate a tone verging on panic. “I was with DeVere last night. Where is DeVere?”
“DeVere is locked safely in the linen closet.” She hugged her breasts, her expression suddenly wary. “Don’t you remember anything?”
He vigorously shook his pounding head only to bring forth a chaotic kaleidoscope of last night’s events. With his eyes glued to the bed, Ned made a mechanical backward retreat to the center of the room where he had a clearer prospect of its crowning glory. His vision rose to the top of the headboard, to the heraldic shield seated betwixt the carved figures of a lion and a unicorn. His gaze slid with dread to the engraved scroll beneath.
‘Dieu Et Mon Driot,’ God and my right, the motto of the king.
His chest seized. The room began to spin. He looked to Phoebe, his voice emerging as a strangled sound. “May the same God save me…for I’m going to be hung, drawn, and quartered for spending last night rutting in the King of England’s bed!”
(End excerpt)
I never knew when I dreamed up this “HANGOVER” inspired novella that one story would become two, and then three, and then four, all because of one character. Hence, the birth of THE DEVIL DEVERE series, four intertwined Georgian era romance novellas involving six main characters all connected through the devious Ludovic, Viscount DeVere. When I completed, THE DEVIL’S MATCH, the fourth novella in which the devil finally gets his due (and his happy ever after), I thought the series was finished.
How happily wrong I was!
I received such a barrage of emails requesting more DeVere, that I am now in the process of expanding the series! The fifth book, Salime’s story entitled JEWEL OF THE EAST is already in the works, as well as a prequel mini-series comprised of four short vignettes that give a deeper look at the characters fans have grown to love, as well as introducing the new ones who will be featured in future books.
This very week I released DEVIL IN THE MAKING, another riotous Georgian romp featuring a young Ludovic DeVere and his two best friends Ned and Simon (nicknamed Sin). This first story of my vignette quartet is not a romance but a comedic adventure, although two of the other vignettes will be romances. These four stories will be released back-to-back over the next four months, followed by the romance JEWEL OF THE EAST in the spring.
THE DEVILISH VIGNETTES:
Devil in the Making (Currently available as a free download on Amazon)
Ned’s Folly (featuring a young Ned and Annalee)- December 2012
The Trouble with Sin (featuring a new character, Simon Singleton) – January 2013
A Devil’s Touch (a romance vignette featuring Diana and the Devil DeVere)- February 2013
A sneak peek at DEVIL IN THE MAKING (Free on Amazon until 11/13):
“But I know that look, DeVere, and it always bodes ill.”
“Come now, Ned,” DeVere cajoled. “With only weeks until matriculation, we may never get another chance to serve up some revenge on ole’ Trasker.”
“What have you in mind?” Simon asked.
“Since our dear pedagogue is so fond of bear-leading, why not procure one for him?”
Ned looked stunned. “You wish to buy a bear?”
“Of course not,” DeVere answered.
“Thank God,” Ned replied with a sigh of relief.
“I only wish to borrow one.”
“A bear?” Simon repeated.
“Yes. It can be a small one. As to age, size, or gender. I am not particular.”
“And how do you propose to find one?” Ned asked warily.
DeVere replied with a look of pure devilment. “I propose a midnight foray to the Royal Menagerie.”
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THE DEVIL DEVERE by Victoria Vane
**4 scorching HOT historical novellas/One continuing story**
- A WILD NIGHT’S BRIDE (book#1)
- THE VIRGIN HUNTRESS (book#2)
- THE DEVIL YOU KNOW (book #3)
- THE DEVIL’S MATCH (book#4)
- JEWEL OF THE EAST (book#5) coming spring 2013
For further information and excerpts, please visit my website at http://authorvictoriavane.com
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ABOUT VICTORIA
A lover of history and deeply romantic stories, 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. Ms. Vane also writes award nominated romantic historical fiction as Emery Lee (http://authoremerylee.com)
CONTACT:
victoria.vane@hotmail.com
Web: http://authorvictoriavane.com
Blog: http://victoriavane.wordpress.com
Twitter: @authorvictoriav
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COMMENT TO WIN!
Victoria will give one randomly chosen commenter a download of her first erotic historical romance A Breach of Promise.
Make sure to follow the tour and comment; the more you comment, the better your chances of winning. The tour dates can be found here: http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2012/07/nbtm-tour-devil-devere-series-by.html
Thanks so very much for hosting me on my Devil DeVere blog tour!
Warmest regards,
Victoria