Review, Q&A, and Giveaway - - The Lady's Deception by Susanna Craig

The Lady's Deception
by Susanna Craig
Rogues and Rebels - Book 3
Publisher: Lyrical Press
Release Date: October 29, 2019
Reviewed by PJ
    

Can a runaway English bride find love with a haunted Irish rebel?
 
Paris Burke, Dublin’s most charismatic barrister, has enough on his mind without the worries of looking after his two youngest sisters. The aftermath of a failed rebellion weighs on his conscience, so when the young English gentlewoman with an unwavering gaze arrives, he asks far too few questions before hiring her on as governess. But her quick wit and mysterious past prove an unexpected temptation.
 
Rosamund Gorse knows she should not have let Mr. Burke think her the candidate from the employment bureau. But after her midnight escape from a brother bent on marrying her off to a scoundrel, honesty is a luxury she can no longer afford. With his clever mind and persuasive skill, Paris could soon have her spilling her secrets freely just to lift the sorrow from his face. And if words won’t work, perhaps kisses would be better?
 
Hiding under her brother’s nose, Rosamund knows she shouldn’t take risks. If Paris learns the truth, she might lose her freedom for good. But if she can learn to trust him with her heart, she might discover just the champion she desires . . .

My thoughts:

Susanna Craig has penned another enjoyable installment in her Rogues and Rebels series featuring the Burke family of Ireland. After reading the first two books in the series, I was left wondering if Paris would be able to engage my emotions as much as his sisters had. He was a very angry man and I didn't much like him. By the time his book begins, the anger has mellowed somewhat though other emotions have surfaced that leave him struggling with guilt and remorse. Craig excels at creating complex characters with layers of emotion that are gradually revealed as their stories are told and drawing me into their thoughts and their journey. By the time this book ended, I was firmly in Paris's corner and cheering him on to familial reconciliation and a happy ending.

I admired Rosamund's determination to not be forced into an untenable position by her brother and the lengths she was willing to go to avoid it. I enjoyed the chemistry between Paris and Rosamund, the banter between them, and the attraction they both dance around.  I enjoyed her intelligence, her creativity, her growth throughout the book and the self-confidence that blossoms within her after she impulsively jumps into the unexpected position of governess to Daphne and Bell. And those two! I adored them and am keeping my fingers crossed that sometime down the road Craig may decide to give the grown-up Daphne and Bell stories of their own. 

As with her other books, Craig's impeccable research shines through in The Lady's Deception. She always gives me an emotional romance but the history within which those romances are set never fails to enrich my base of knowledge. I've thoroughly enjoyed her foray into Ireland and learning more about their struggles with the British while, at the same time, falling in love with the eclectic Burke family. I can't wait to find out what she has in store for readers next. 

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Q&A with Susanna Craig

Welcome back, Susanna!

Thanks for having me, PJ! It’s lovely to be here again.

The Lady’s Deception, the third book in your Rogues and Rebels series will be released tomorrow. What should readers expect in this story?

It’s a forbidden attraction story between a tormented Irish barrister and an Englishwoman on the run from a disastrous match. She pretends to be the governess he hired for his younger sisters, while he pretends not to be falling for her. It is a stand-alone story, though if you’ve read the first two Rogues & Rebels books, you’ll also get to catch up with the rest of the Burke family.

One of the facets of your writing that I always enjoy is the well-researched historical detail. What have you uncovered in researching your books that has most surprised – or fascinated – you?

Thank you so much! I love to do research, and I also get some help from my husband, who is a historian. For this series, my research has included some serious subjects (the United Irishmen’s Rebellion in 1798, a horrifically violent and ultimately failed attempt to secure Irish independence from British rule), some exciting ones (spying during the Napoleonic era—I even took a workshop on secret correspondence!), and some fun ones (botany, especially). While researching The Lady’s Deception, I learned that in the late eighteenth century, some Dublin barristers were such a hot commodity, ladies went to the trials to watch them at work, hoping to catch their eye. You can bet that detail made its way into the story!

It was fun getting to know the younger Burke siblings, Daphne and Bell, in this book. They darn near steal every scene they’re in. Do you have any plans for them down the road?

They were a lot of fun to write (and my daughter, who is nine, was a live-inspiration for a lot of the girls’ antics)! I don’t have any official plans for them, but I would love to bring them back in a later series, when they’re all grown up. They would surely set proper society on its ear!

I love that so many of your books are set outside the typical social sphere of London. They make me want to pack my bags and travel to craggy seaside villages, sultry Caribbean islands, and verdant country locales. If money were no object, what country or area would you most want to explore? Would you lean toward the cities or more rural locations?

I spend a lot of time on the settings of my stories, so I love it when readers enjoy those elements. As far as where I’d explore? That’s a tough choice! It would be amazing to see Italy, China, Japan, Australia and New Zealand…I really can’t pick. I am generally more of a country girl, and most of my travel pics are landscapes, but I do love to visit museums and historic sites too.

Autumn temperatures have finally arrived at my house and I’m immersing myself in everything I most enjoy about this season, like homemade soups, football, apple-cider scents, and apple desserts. Which season is your favorite? Do you have signature scents for each season? Favorite comfort foods?

For me it’s a tie between autumn and winter, and you’ll find my house smelling of cinnamon and spice at least half the year! Cold weather is a great excuse to make things cozy—hot chocolate, a fire in the fireplace, a snuggly blanket or sweater, and a good book, of course! Just yesterday, I decided it was finally cool enough to make soup in the crock pot, and I’ll be ready to bake for the holidays before long.

What’s on your writing horizon? Do you have a new series in the works? Are you able to share any information about it?

I do have a new series in the works! It’s called “Love and Let Spy” and the stories will be my Regency takes on classic 1980s TV suspense. The first book was inspired by Magnum PI: a Scottish intelligence officer unexpectedly inherits an earldom, but finds his castle inhabited by a persnickety Englishwoman, who turns out to be a gothic novelist in need of his protection. Look for Who’s That Earl in fall 2020.

Thank you for visiting with us today, Susanna, and thank you for introducing us to the Burke family. I have thoroughly enjoyed traveling their journeys to love with them. Is there anything you’d like to add? Would you like to ask my readers a question?

Thank you again for having me at the Romance Dish! I would love to hear what everyone is looking forward to this fall. And I have copies of the first two Rogues & Rebels books, The Companion’s Secret and The Duke’s Suspicion, for one lucky commenter (ebook or print; US shipping only for print).

Winner randomly chosen from all comments posted before 11:00 PM, October 29, 2019. Must be 18 or older. 

Review, Q&A, and Giveaway - - The Duke's Suspicion

The Duke's Suspicion
by Susanna Craig
Rogues and Rebels - Book 2
Publisher: Lyrical Press
Release Date: December 18, 2018
Reviewed by PJ
 

An English war hero must unlock the secrets of an Irish beauty’s heart . . .
Named for the heather in her native Ireland, botanist Erica Burke dreams of travel—somewhere she won’t be scorned for her scientific interests. Instead, a storm strands her with cool and commanding Major Tristan Laurens, the Duke of Raynham.

An unexpected heir, Tristan is torn between his duties as an intelligence officer and his responsibilities as a duke. A brief return to England to set his affairs in order is extended by bad weather and worse news—someone is after the military secrets he keeps. Could the culprit be his unconventional Irish guest? He needs to see her journal to be sure, and he’ll do what he must to get his hands on it . . . even indulge in a dangerous intimacy with a woman he has no business wanting. 
Erica guards her journal as fiercely as she guards her heart, fearing to reveal a side of herself a man like Tristan could never understand. But though she makes Tristan’s task infernally difficult, falling in love may be all too easy . . .


My thoughts:

A second son, Tristan Laurens neither expected nor wanted to become the Duke of Raynham, instead finding both his purpose and joy in service to his country as a Major in the English Army. It's a life that fits his need for control and order well. He's reluctantly returning home to put the dukedom in capable hands then plans to return to his duties in France.

The younger sister of Irish rebels, Erica Burke dreams of having the freedom to become a respected botanist. As someone who lives with what today would be known as ADHD, order and control are concepts with which she struggles and becoming entangled with a reluctant duke was never in her plans. But fate has other plans for both of them.

I adored these two. They pulled me into their world from the beginning pages, securing my interest and my emotions. I love that Craig allows the story - and the characters - to slowly unfold, giving readers the opportunity to experience the journey, as well as the evolution of the characters, through their actions. She excels at show, not tell, and with Erica, in particular, showing was critical to give readers the opportunity to fully understand - and appreciate - this atypical character. She's one of my favorite heroines I've read this year. Tristan has hurdles to overcome as well. I enjoyed his growth over the course of the book. I especially appreciated how he supports and encourages Erica, even when he isn't sure if she's actually an Irish spy. The surrounding cast is richly portrayed as well, playing pivotal roles in the growing relationship between Tristan and Erica as well as the mystery of a possible spy in their midst. Craig kept me guessing on that end right up until the reveal. 

A new Susanna Craig novel is always cause for excitement with this romance-loving reader. Her historical detail, wonderful characters, created with depth and complexity, and the journeys upon which she guides them never fail to engage both my mind and my heart. 

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Welcome back, Susanna!

Thanks so much, PJ! It’s always a pleasure to be here.

The Duke’s Suspicion is the second book in your Rogues and Rebels series. What should readers expect from this book? 

The Rogues & Rebels books tell the stories of the Burke siblings around the time of the 1798 Rebellion in Ireland; they’re all interconnected in that way, but each story stands on its own. In The Duke’s Suspicion, middle sister Erica Burke, a botanist, is stranded with Tristan Laurens, a British military intelligence officer and reluctant heir to a dukedom. Her closely-guarded journal and rather erratic behavior, combined with being Irish, make him suspect she might be a spy. I hope readers will enjoy a fresh take on some favorite tropes, seasoned with just a dash of the board game “Clue.”

I adored Erica. She’s much more complex than appears at first glance. Am I correct in assuming that she has what, today, we would call ADHD? What inspired you to create a heroine with her particular characteristics?

You are correct! As a teacher, I’ve seen firsthand how structured places like the classroom can pose challenges to people with ADHD, and it got me thinking. We all love an unconventional heroine in historical romance, but I think we sometimes forget how miserable “unconventional” people have been made to feel in the past. What would it have been like for a young woman in the eighteenth century whose mind (and body) worked differently, in ways not consistent with so-called “ladylike” behaviors? So, in addition to research in botany and history, I spent a lot of time learning about ADHD and strategies for success, such as the bullet journal (on which I modeled Erica’s journal).

A storm leads more guests than he would like to shelter at Tristan’s home indefinitely. If weather stranded you with a small group of people (real or fictional and in a beautiful home, of course), with whom would you choose to ride out the storm?

My husband says I should be honest and say “the cast of Poldark,” and ok, there would surely be worse things than being stranded with Aidan Turner. But what I’d really love would be to spend that time as a kind of writers’ retreat with some of my author friends, brainstorming, commiserating, and chatting. Oh, and the spirit of Jane Austen would pay us an inspirational visit too!

At first glance, a man who values control and a woman who struggles for control seem an unlikely match. What convinced you that Tristan and Erica were destined to be together?

Mostly, I wanted to create a couple whose strengths and weaknesses balanced one another, without judgment. Tristan helps Erica remember to stop and take a breath, not to rush headlong into trouble, while Erica encourages Tristan to be a little more spontaneous, not to take himself so seriously all the time.

There are so many wonderful scenes in this book. Which was your favorite to write? Which was the most difficult?

This book was a lot of fun to write. I enjoyed imagining the space (and scents and sounds) of the glasshouse. A few of the early scenes, with the mud and the horse, made me snicker a bit as I worked. I think my favorite might be the scene with Erica and Tristan in the kitchen, because we get to know more about both of them in that quiet moment. The most difficult scene to write was definitely the unmasking of the spy because there’s so much going on!

Christmas is almost upon us. How do you envision Erica and Tristan celebrating the holiday?

Erica would wander through the snowy woods searching for mistletoe, pine boughs, and a yule log, while Tristan patiently carries whatever she gathers and listens to her explanation of their botanical properties. Afterward, back at the house, they’d enjoy mulled wine and kisses in front of a crackling fire.

Tristan’s stepmother doesn’t fall prey to the stereotype but is, rather, a genuinely kind and loving woman deserving of happiness. Any chance we’ll see Guin again?

She has a cameo in the next Rogues & Rebels book, but now that you mention it, it would be fun to write her an HEA of her own! Hmmm….

I’m currently elbow deep in holiday baking. Does your family have a favorite holiday treat that you make every year? Would you share the recipe?

I don’t make Cinnamon Pecans every year, but my husband just requested them, so I’ll be whipping up a batch this week. 

Beat one egg white and 1 tablespoon water in a bowl until frothy. 
Add 1 pound pecan halves. 
In a ziplock bag, combine 1 cup sugar, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, and 3/4 teaspoon salt (you can add 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper if you’re feeling spicy!). 
Pour the wet pecans into the bag to coat with cinnamon-sugar mixture. 
Spread nuts in a shallow pan and bake for one hour at 250 degrees, stirring every 15 minutes. 
Seriously addictive, and a great gift (if you don’t eat them all yourself!)

Mmmmm...  This may end up being one of those Merry Christmas to me gifts! 

What’s next?

Paris Burke meets his match in The Lady’s Deception, out in October 2019.

Thank you for visiting with us, Susanna! Do you have anything else to add? Would you like to ask our readers a question?

Thanks again for having me! I want to wish everyone the joy and peace of this wonderful season. I’d love to hear about everyone’s favorite holiday traditions (especially book related ones!)

One randomly chosen person who leaves a comment before 11:00 PM, December 20, 2018 will receive a copy of the first Rogues and Rebels book, The Companion's Secret in e-book or print (U.S. only for print). 

Today's Special - - Review, Q&A, and Giveaway: The Companion's Secret

The Companion's Secret
By Susanna Craig
Publisher: Lyrical Press
Release Date: April 3, 2018
Reviewed by PJ

They call him Lord Ash, for his desires burn hot and leave devastation in their wake. But Gabriel Finch, Marquess of Ashborough, knows the fortune he’s made at the card table won’t be enough to save his family estate. For that he needs a bride with a sterling reputation to distract from his tarnished past, a woman who’ll be proof against the fires of his dark passion. Fate deals him the perfect lady. So why can’t Gabriel keep his eyes from wandering to her outspoken, infuriatingly independent Irish cousin?
 
Camellia Burke came to London as her aunt’s companion, and she’s brought a secret with her: she’s written a scandalous novel. Now, her publisher demands that she make her fictional villain more realistic. Who better than the notorious Lord Ash as a model? Duty-bound to prevent her cousin from making a disastrous match, Cami never meant to gamble her own heart away. But when she’s called home, Ash follows. And though they’re surrounded by the flames of Rebellion, the sparks between them may be the most dangerous of all…

I enjoy a good plot-driven romance in the books I read but what really pulls me in and holds me are the characters. Give me complex characters who engage my interest and my emotions and I'll keep coming back for more. That's a key reason why I've been a fan of Susanna Craig's stories since reading her debut, To Kiss a Thief, two years ago. In The Companion's Secret, Craig has crafted a hero and heroine in Gabriel and Camellia who captured my interest immediately and held it throughout their story. There's depth and honor in both of them even though circumstances throughout the years have caused Gabriel to bury his goodness deep inside and let society see what they expect from him. Gabriel's best friend, Christopher Fox and Camellia's cousin, Lady Felicity are well-rounded secondary characters who add an extra layer of complexity to the story. I especially enjoyed the ways in which Felicity moves the story forward, both for herself as well as Gabriel and Camellia. All of the main characters in this book - both good and bad - are brought to life on the pages, creating a strong emotional response from this reader.  

Of course, it's not only about her realistic and relatable characters. Craig also has the ability to craft engaging, Georgian-era stories with well-researched historical - and geographical - accuracy that keep me reading late into the night. When I begin one of her books, I can count on characters that speak to my heart, a story that engages my emotions, and a history lesson that doesn't feel like one. It is any wonder that I eagerly anticipate each new book from this talented author?

I thoroughly enjoyed The Companion's Secret and am already looking forward to Camellia's siblings' stories in the next two books of Susanna Craig's Rogues and Rebels series.

If you have not yet read Craig's first trilogy, all three books are currently on sale at reduced prices for digital format. Check the blog's right side-bar for purchase links. 

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Welcome to The Romance Dish, Susanna!

It’s great to be here, PJ! Thanks for having me.

The Companion’s Secret launches your new Rogues and Rebels series (I've already read it twice and loved it). What should readers expect from this series? What can you share about future books in the series and when do you expect them to be published?

The Rogues and Rebels series follows the adventures of the Dublin-born Burke siblings. Love is the last thing they’re looking for—particularly not with someone who’s English—so of course, that’s exactly what they find! I’ve just finished the second book, The Duke’s Suspicion, in which younger sister Erica Burke, a botanist, finds herself trapped by a storm with Major Tristan Laurens, the unexpected heir to a dukedom, who mistakes her for a spy. That story will be out in December 2018. The third book, eldest brother Paris’s story, will be available in 2019; I’m still in search of the perfect title.

Oh, good! I was so hoping Paris would have a story and the sneak peek at Erica's story (at the end of The Companion's Secret) already has me excited for book two! 

This book is set in England and Ireland during the late Georgian era. What is it about this period of history that compelled you to set your story there?

I like to think of the 1790s as a “rough around the edges” version of

the Regency, a slight twist on a period that’s familiar to a lot of historical romance readers. It’s the decade in which Austen wrote (and set) Sense and Sensibility, Pride and Prejudice and Northanger Abbey. And when I think about what’s happening in her early books—war and riots and social upheaval are always at the margins, characters’ emotions and passions run high, Gothic novels are wildly popular—I see a lot of possibilities for the stories I want to tell. The Rogues and Rebels series takes place during the years surrounding the 1798 Rebellion in Ireland, which leads directly to the 1800 Act of Union, joining Ireland to Great Britain to form the United Kingdom. Believe it or not, contemporaries described it as a “marriage,” although if it was, I’d say it was definitely an enemies-to-lovers romance!

The dogs in this book were some of my favorite secondary characters. Do you share your life with any four-legged family members? Were any of them used as inspiration for the canine characters in your book?

Right now my only four-legged companion is a ridiculously fluffy torti cat named Nutmeg who resents every moment I spend at the computer. But I grew up around dogs on our family farm and I’m sure they have influenced the dogs that inhabit my stories. Pets are such an important part of many of our lives today that it seems only natural to make them part of my characters’ lives too.

I loved the scenes where Camellia reads her novel to Gabriel. What were the challenges in writing a novel written by your heroine within the novel written by you? 

Those scenes were a lot of fun to write! I wanted Cami’s writing “voice” to be different from my own, so I thought a lot about the style of novels actually written in the late eighteenth century—as an English professor with a specialty in the literature of the British Romantic period (1780-1830), I have plenty of experience with such books! In particular, I used the work of Sydney Owenson and Maria Edgeworth, two Irish novelists of that period, as models for the kind of book I imagined her writing.

There’s a strong Irish connection in The Companion’s Secret and St. Patrick’s Day is almost upon us. How do you celebrate the holiday? Do you have Irish ancestry? Do you love corned beef and cabbage as much as I do? 😉

Though I do not have Irish ancestry, I claim honorary status because I was born on St. Patrick’s Day! So it’s always a dual celebration at our house, and this year we’re also having my daughter’s 8th birthday party on that day, so you know it’ll be the craic! Though it’s not necessarily traditional St. Patrick’s Day fare, my favorite Irish meal is stew and soda bread.

What was your favorite scene to write in this book? What was the most difficult?

The banter between Cami and Gabriel was so much fun—they’re both quick-witted characters who speak their minds. Have you ever experienced the agony of thinking of the perfect thing to say 10 minutes too late? One of the best parts about being a writer is that your characters never have to suffer through that! They always come up with the perfect line at the perfect time. (Never mind how long the writer had to struggle…) Sometimes, however, a character’s sharp retorts and sardonic smiles hide something painful in his past. The most difficult scene to write in this book was definitely when Gabriel tells Cami about his childhood.

I loved the banter between these two! The scene where Gabriel reveals the secrets of his childhood had me in tears. It may have been your most difficult to write but you certainly did it justice. 

Spring Break is almost upon us. If money and time were no issue, where in the world would you choose to spend your break and what would you most want to see/do while there?

Good question! Right now I think my ideal vacation, wherever it took place, would involve lots of peace and quiet and naps! And when I was fully rested, who knows? My daughter is lobbying for Harry Potter World and I have to say that sounds like fun!

Thank you for answering my questions, Susanna. Do you have anything else to add? Would you like to ask our readers a question?

Thanks again for having me! Since you mentioned St. Patrick’s Day, which is tomorrow, I was hoping readers would share their favorite “minor” holiday and tell us how they celebrate.

Giveaway: Your choice of a signed copy of The Companion’s Secret (US only) or the entire Runaway Desires series AND The Companion’s Secret in e-book. Winner will be randomly chosen from all comments posted before 11:00 PM (Eastern), March 18.