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).