Interview and Giveaway with Author Darcy Burke

I am excited to welcome Darcy Burke to Forever Book Lover.  She just released her debut novel, Her Wicked Ways, and I had the pleasure of asking her just a few questions about herself, her books, and her writing.   Welcome, Darcy!!

When did you realize that you have a passion for writing?
I’ve been writing something (books, stories, newscasts, journaling, etc.) since I was a kid, but about six years ago I decided to get serious about it. My youngest was a toddler, and I decided if I was going to really focus on writing, I should try. And then I couldn’t stop!

Is anything in your book based on real life experiences or purely all imagination?
It’s pretty much all imagination. I spend a lot of time daydreaming about stories and characters. When I’m alone in the car, I rarely listen to music because I’m too busy thinking about books and characters!

What was your favorite chapter (or part) to write and why?
I’m not sure I have a favorite part, but there are some scenes that were in my head fairly early on. There’s a scene in a brothel, ahem, that I’d conceived in the early stages. I really loved writing Miranda. Some of the things she says are just so funny and so unaware. She’s a blast.

How do you cope with writer’s block?
It varies, but usually I just try to write regardless, even if I think it’s garbage, LOL. It usually ends up not being garbage, which only underscores how mental writer’s block really is. Talking through things with my critique partners and writer friends helps a ton. I’m very blessed to have a wonderful support group.

What was the hardest thing to cut from your manuscript?
Miranda’s other brother, Gideon. Some of his role was transferred to Jasper so I didn’t really “cut” the essence of the character, per se. But Gideon is a super awesome guy, and since I’d already started his book, I plan to finish it when I’m done with the Secrets & Scandals series. In fact, it will be book one of another series that will also feature a character who’s briefly mentioned in the epilogue of Her Wicked Ways.

I have read that you are character-driven, who did you meet first Miranda or Fox? Can you tell us about how about your first meeting?
The character of Fox came to me before Miranda, but not necessarily in his current form. I was originally going to write a nobleman who was acting as a highwayman, but that didn’t feel right. I brainstormed the orphanage angle with my critique partners and then Miranda sort of came from the question, “Who’s the perfect foil for a guy like that?” A Paris Hilton-esque Society snob seemed like just the woman to turn his world upside down.

When you started “Her Wicked Ways” did you know it was going to be part of a series? If so, do you predetermine how the stories will intertwine and what characters will be have their own story?
As I said, I had originally envisioned Fox in a different role. I’d loosely plotted a three book series starting with my book that finaled in the RWA Golden Heart in 2008®. In that series, a masked thief would appear in each story and then the third book was going to be about him. I ended up deleting the masked man from that GH book and so that series didn’t happen. But I couldn’t let go of the masked man idea and that’s how Her Wicked Ways was born. I didn’t necessarily plan to write a series, but when you have strong, interesting secondary characters, a series seems natural. Plus, I love reading series with intertwined characters, so it seemed natural for me to write it, too. And, actually, now that I’ve written a series, I can’t imagine writing a book that doesn’t have characters who appear in other books. It would be this weird vacuum!

What do you think is the greatest creative risk you've taken in this book?
Miranda’s character is a bit of a risk. She starts off very self-involved and can even be a bit bitchy at times. That’s what makes her arc so fun and satisfying—watching her grow and mature into this capable and caring young woman.

What would be your dream cast for a film adaption of your book?
I always sort of envisioned Fox as Matt Damon-esque. I don't usually cast characters in my head or use celebrities for inspiration, but it’s not unheard of. I had a picture of Clive Owen on my desk for a long time, LOL.

Can you give us a teaser from your upcoming book ~ His Wicked Heart?
Definitely! Anna Campbell called it “Cinderella meets Fight Club” which is the perfect description. At the end of Her Wicked Ways, makes a bargain with his devil of a father to marry a proper young lady. Instead, he gets sidetracked when he joins a fight club and becomes entangled with a sometimes actress, Olivia West, who is determined to improve her situation. Destitute and desperate, she agrees to one night with Jasper, hatching a scheme to take his money and keep her virtue. However, Jasper uncovers her deception and vows to claim what he's owed.

What a great teaser! It you want to read a longer excerpt, click here.

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.


Find Darcy at her website. On Facebook. And on twitter.

Her Wicked Ways is currently available on Kindle and Nook.

Darcy will be giving away ebook copies of Her Wicked Ways and His Wicked Heart ~one of each book to two commenters, so their will be two lucky winners.

To Enter:
Leave a comment answering the question:  What do you like about historical romance books?

Due to Darcy's busy schedule she has asked that the winners be picked tomorrow, so listen up you historical romance book lovers you don't want to miss out !!   All you have to do is leave a comment, it is that easy.