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Monday, March 9, 2015

Author's Pal Spotlight + Review + Giveaway: Lady Vice by Wendy Capra


Lady Vice
Furies #1
by Wendy Capra
Entangled Scandalous
March 9, 2015



Book Blurb:

Not every lady plays by the rules.

Lady Lavinia Vaile knows what happens to a woman who puts her faith in society. For her, it was a disastrous marriage to a depraved man-one she threatened to shoot when she left him. Now Lavinia lives outside of society’s strict conventions, hosting private gambling parties. It’s only when her husband is shot dead that Lavinia finds herself in terrible danger…

A former judge in India’s high court, Maximilian Harrison will do anything he can to help Lavinia. In the darkest of times, he held on to thoughts of her and the love they once shared. Now he risks his own position in society―along with his ambitions―in order to clear her name. Yet as desire reignites between them, Lavinia remains caught up in secrets and shame. Her only salvation is to do the unthinkable…and trust in both Maximilian and love.

My Thoughts:

I have to say that this is definitely an interesting read, because you have the Lavinia suspected in the murder of her estranged husband at the beginning of story. Yes, things are about to get a little hairy. What made this story an interesting you have these three women who are outcast of society making it on their own and they are called the Furies. Each of them has there on names, we have Lady Vice (Lavinia), Duchess of Decadence (Thea), and Lady Scandal (Sophia). Each of them rely on one another, so they unite if one is in trouble. As a whole I like them, but individually they are a challenge. Todays focus is on Lavinia and her relationship with Max. 

All right, I struggle with Lavinia. She is definitely not a character that you can be easily love, because she has been hurt by her deceased husband. Extremely emotionally scarred to the point that she lumps all men into the same category. So, poor Max he wants to help Lavinia, but he has to overcome Lavinia's barriers. Let's just say he's persistent when it comes to sticking around, because I would have given up on her after the third time. If that wasn't enough, Lavinia would keep flinging the past into Max's face that if he hadn't left she wouldn't be in this situation. The guy can't cut a break, because he tried to make a better man for himself. Anyway, she's a tough cookie. You can see why I would struggle with her. However, I adore Max. He's such a nice guy who tends to put his foot in his mouth when he's around Lavinia. Plus, it doesn't help she twists his words around. 

Basically, this story is laying the ground works for a big elaborate story and we are only getting a glimpse of the big picture. Plus, the furies are tied into the story the men that are in the lives. I'm curious how it will all play out. So, Lady Vice is an interesting read that will keep you wondering what is going on. I liked how the author had me second guessing who the true killer of Lord Vaile. By the end it has you wondering what's going to happen in the stories to come. So, if you are looking for a story with a little intrigue and building plot, you might consider Lady Vice

Copy provided by author via Author's Pal

Excerpt from Lady Vice:

Maximilian Harrison’s heart beat for a single purpose: get to Lavinia.
“You will let me pass.” He trapped the lone man guarding the private gambling salon against Lady Sophia’s garden gate.
“But you do not have an invitation. And Lady Sophia does not allow uninvited—”
“You misunderstand.” Max placed a hand on the guard’s shoulder. “I don’t give a damn about Lady Sophia or her rules. I must speak with Lady Vaile.”
Time was tying a hangman’s noose. Already, dawn cast shadows into the mist.
He’d fought his way to the outskirts of London. He’d scaled the outer wall of Lady Sophia’s infamous mansion. He’d dashed through her courtyard like a hunted thief. He had no desire to hurt the guard but, by God, he would not be turned away.
In the space between their bodies, the guard’s grip on his musket tightened. Chilled air stung Max’s teeth. Firearms didn’t frighten Max. If they did, he would have died in that hell-scented cell in India.
A tremor ran through his fingers. Focus. Thirty seconds, perhaps less, and he could have the guard spitting dirt.
No. Destroying him is not necessary. Nor is breaking his bones.
“Lady Vaile is in danger. Unless I warn her, she, and your mistress, will suffer. Open the gate,” Max ordered. “Now.”
Faint lamplight illuminated the flush spreading up from the guard’s neck as his gaze darted toward the garden.
“Go, then.” He unlatched the gate. “But cause trouble and you will pay.”
Max stilled his curling fist. He stepped inside and, with a calculating gaze, surveyed the garden and the gamers within.
So this was the Furies’ lair.
He’d heard fantastical tales of the private salons hosted by the three ladies collectively known as the Furies—Lavinia, now Lady Vaile, and her friends Lady Sophia and Her Grace, Thea Marie, Duchess of Wynchester.
Marriage-minded misses clamored to obtain Almack’s vouchers, but every aspiring rake coveted an invitation from the Furies. And, clearly, invitations had been sent to every dandy, wastrel, and libertine in London.
Maids, not footmen as custom dictated, served guests in costumes accented by silken wings. Miniature cherubs hung from tree branches.
Angels—he snorted—a clever thumb in the face of the hostesses’ sobriquets: Lady Vice, Lady Scandal, and Duchess Decadence.
Around a nearby table, men chanted in unison. “Place the card, place the card!”
Max shouldered through coats of velvet and caught his first sight of Lavinia in years.
She did not look like a fury—all darkness and fear. Haloed in the pale pink glow of early dawn, she appeared almost as innocent as the girl he had courted all those years ago. She still commanded the colors of autumn. Her skin glowed like ripened wheat and her smoky lashes rimmed eyes as brown as spiced ale. A man could become forever mired in those depths, enraptured and entombed.
He blinked to quell the sudden burn in his eyes, a natural result of coal soot and sleeplessness, undoubtedly.




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Author Bio:

Wendy LaCapra has been reading romance since she sneaked into the adult section at the library and discovered Victoria Holt & Jane Aiken Hodge.  From that point on, she dreamed of creating fictional worlds with as much richness, intrigue and passion as she found within those books. Her stories have placed in several contests, including the 2012 Golden Heart®. She lives in NYC with her husband and loves to hear from readers.

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Giveaway Info:

1 Winner – Will win an eBook copy of The Secrets of a Scoundrel by Gaelen Foley and Watch the Wall My Darling by Jane Aiken Hodge


11 WinnersWill win an eBook copy of ONE of the following books from the ladies from www.PastThrills.com:
In Bed With a Spy by Alyssa Alexander, Reckless Wager by Christy Carlyle, Captured Countess by Ann Lethbridge, To Love a Thief by Darcy Burke, My Lady’s Trust by Julia Justiss, Unraveling Secrets by Lana Williams, A Shocking Delight by Jo Bevelery, Why Dukes Say I Do by Manda Collins, Secrets in Scarlet by Erica Monroe, An Improper Aristocrat by Deb Marlowe and Night Storm by Tracey Devlyn


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