Welcome to Stop Nine on the Illicit Love blog tour! Jane Lark is celebrating her first instalment in the Marlow Intrigues series with a HUGE giveaway – including a one night stay in London’s Regency Hotel, Amazon gift voucher, signed copies of Illicit Love and plenty of swag!
Illicit Love – What they say:
‘Ellen Harding longs to be free of the life she is trapped in – her husband died at the battle of Waterloo and her family disowned her and now she lives under the reign of a cruel protector. When her eyes are drawn to a beautiful man for no other reason than his looks, she imagines escaping her chains for a night by giving her body to him – to a man of her choosing – even if only to infuriate her captor.
But Edward Marlow is kind and gentle when he touches her and her subconscious whispers that this man could save her. Yet how can he help her when she has secrets which prevent her ever being free. She has too many battles to fight.
Edward is restless, lonely and a little angry with his lot in life – it is his only excuse for being drawn to another man’s mistress. The woman’s dark hair and pale eyes are striking and he cannot take his gaze off of her while she watches him over the top of a fan with an illicit intent in her eyes. But once he’s known her he cannot forget her – and once he’s seen how brutal her protector is, how can leave her with the man? But she will not run anymore than she will speak of her past, so how can he help her…’
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In my humble opinion;
Historical romance was never my thing. I could not however pass up the opportunity to join in this blog tour so I thought ‘bring it on’. I must be honest and say I already had it pinned in my head as one of the ‘Mills & Boon’ books I used to see in my mums possession when I was growing up. You know the type I am talking about, the maiden on the front and the tall dark handsome man swooping in. No way, not this book. I am trying to think of a way to describe it and my head keeps saying ‘Downton Abbey with balls’. You don’t get this type of sex and scandal in Downton but the setting seemed just about right even if Illicit Love is set quite a bit earlier.
It took me a chapter or so to get used to the language in the book but once I did I was hooked in the story. I wondered what the big secret was and how he was going to rescue her. There were a lot of avenues in the book which Jane Lark led us down beautifully and at just the right pace. No part of the story was rushed and yet no part was dragged out. Everything was explained in ample detail yet the descriptions were not over long. In fact everything was described so well and I was so invested in the story that I at one stage hitched up the skirt on my sundress as if I myself was about to mount a horse. Not likely – ever!
I loved the main characters, Edward and Ellen. Ellen at first seemed so confident and even a bit mischievous while Edward seemed like a man whose ego needed no boost. We came to find that Ellen had many masks that she would wear depending on the need. She was not at all the confident vixen she at first portrayed she was in fact a fragile woman who had suffered horrendously at the hands of many men. With Edwards kindness, tenderness and love she is able to find her true self and the journey we take with the two is heart wrenching.
Other characters were introduced in the book that I equally enjoyed although I did feel as though there were questions opened up about Robert – Edwards brother that needed to be cleared up. This got me excited as I thought excellent he must be getting his own book. I tweeted Jane Lark and she confirmed my suspicions and I will say to you what I said to her – I bet it will be epic. I absolutely loved Illicit Love but I have the felling that Roberts story, whatever it will be called, will knock our socks off! Watch out for this September 13th!
Even if you think Historical Romance is not your thing I would urge you to read ‘Illicit Love’. You never know you might just change your mind. As for me I am off to read ‘Captured Love’ and reacquaint myself with one of the supporting characters! Happy reading.
Check Out Jane’s New Novella Available At Amazon:
Captured Love – What they say:
‘Rupert Stanforth, Earl of Morton, is missing his cousin’s company. He has too many burdens weighing down his shoulders, including the task of finding his sister, Rowena, a husband.
Meredith Divine has one friend in all the world, Lady Rowena Stanforth. She clings to their friendship as though it is a rope, when she is drowning in a lake of social isolation. Even Rowena’s elder brother cannot stand Meredith. Everyone judges her poorly, simply because her father is in trade. But despite Lord Morton’s constant rejection, Meredith’s heart still favors Rowena’s proud, judgmental brother.
Lord Morton would break the friendship his sister has with Miss Divine if he could, but the more he disparages Miss Divine, the more Rowena favors the girl. He’s ceased his complaints, in the hope the friendship would wither and die, believing the girl would make a wrong step soon. He just did not anticipate what that step might be…’
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Video Interview with Author Jane Lark
Want To Win A Night In London’s Regency Hotel?
The Regency Hotel has been kind enough to support the Illicit Love blog tour by donating a one night stay for two lucky winners this August! Located in the Royal Borough of Chelsea and Kensington, you could find yourself relaxing in one of hotel’s plush new bedrooms or sampling the delights of their incredible traditional afternoon teas.
Readers have plenty of chances to win:
Either entry via the Rafflecopter below AND/OR add your review of Illicit Love to Amazon and Goodreads and email the review link to Charlotte@BestChickLit.com.
The winner will be emailed a voucher, which can be redeemed for stays during August 2013 only. Giveaway closes 19th July 2013.
About the Author: 
Jane is a writer of authentic, passionate and emotional love stories. She began her first historical novel at sixteen, but a life full of adversity derailed her as she lives with the restrictions of Ankylosing Spondylitis. When she finally completed a novel it was because she was determined not to reach forty still saying, I want to write. You might think that Jane was inspired to write by Jane Austen, especially as she lives near Bath in the United Kingdom, but you would be wrong. Jane’s favourite author is Anya Seton, and the book that drew her into the bliss of falling into historical imagination was ‘Katherine’ a story crafted from reality. Jane has drawn on this inspiration to discover other real-life love stories, reading memoirs and letters to capture elements of the past, and she uses them to create more realistic plots. ‘Basically I love history and I am sucker for a love story. I love the feeling of falling in love; it’s wonderful being able to do it time and time again in fiction.’ Jane is also a Chartered Member of the Institute of Personnel and Development in the United Kingdom, and uses this specialist understanding of people to bring her characters to life. Check out Jane’s musical inspirations HERE and HERE.
Win £30 (or $40) Amazon Gift Voucher!
Entry via the Rafflecopter below AND/OR add your review of Illicit Love to Amazon and Goodreads and email the review link to Charlotte@BestChickLit.com. Giveaway closes 19th July 2013 and is open to UK and USA residents only. a Rafflecopter giveaway
Win One Of Three Swag Packs With Signed Paperback Copy of Illicit Love
Entry via the Rafflecopter below AND/OR add your review of Illicit Love to Amazon and Goodreads and email the review link to Charlotte@BestChickLit.com. Giveaway closes 19th July.
Get In Touch With Jane:
After The Final Chapters 