“Beauty appears in myriad manifestations. Hundreds of unseen things can make even a plain woman beautiful if a man has not scales over his eyes.” (Simon Singleton)
Posts Tagged ‘Jewel of the East’
MY FAVOURITE QUOTES
Posted in My Favourite Quotes, tagged Jewel of the East, Quotes, Victoria Vane on February 10, 2014| Leave a Comment »
GUEST POST AND GIVEAWAY: VICTORIA VANE
Posted in Historical Romance, tagged Guest Post, International-Giveaway, Jewel of the East, The Devil DeVere, Victoria Vane on January 13, 2014| 16 Comments »
I’m thrilled to welcome the fabulous Victoria Vane to Rakes and Rascals today to celebrate the release of her much anticipated fifth book in the Devil DeVere series, JEWEL OF THE EAST. It’s over to you, Victoria…
The Inspiration for Salime, heroine of my forthcoming book, JEWEL OF THE EAST
I am often asked how I dream up characters for my stories. Sometimes they are an amalgamation of various real people such as Simon Singleton, a devil-may-care rogue (The Trouble with Sin), who was inspired in part by Irish poet Samuel Derrick, the real life mastermind behind the infamous Harris’ List of Covent Garden Ladies. At other times they they simply spring up from my imagination. Such was the case of Salime, an enigmatic secondary character from The Devil’s Match who I have now paired with Simon in Jewel of the East.
Going back three books in my Devil DeVere series, Ludovic, Viscount DeVere embarks on an extensive four year tour that includes a long stay in Constantinople. He returns from his travel with several Turkish traditions of which he’d become enamored: the hookah, the hammam, and an odalisque from the Sultan’s harem!
Concubine, Odalisque and eunuch
While concubines were often given as gifts to the Sultan by his governors or others desiring to curry favor, odalisques were more often bought from slave markets after being kidnapped. Many were kept purely to serve the needs of more prominent women of the harem. Although odalisques were not generally presented to the Sultan, those of extraordinary beauty and talent were often considered as potential concubines, and trained accordingly. They learned to dance, recite poetry, play musical instruments, and master the erotic arts. Salime was one who of those chosen to be presented, until destroyed by a jealous rival.
Although her original purpose was only to add color and accentuate DeVere’s debauchery, I knew she was special the first time she appeared. Although Salime believes herself in love with DeVere, she sincerely desires his happiness above her own and helps her rival to win his heart. Given such an unselfish act, I felt that she deserved her own happy-ever-after.
(For further reading on life in the Ottoman harem: http://www.theottomans.org/english/family/harem2.asp )
(The Devil DeVere #5)
Cover Blurb
Having once lived his life only for larks, laughter, and ladies of easy virtue, Captain Simon Singleton has returned from the war with the colonies a shambles of a man. Now free from six years of captivity, he’s still fettered by irrational fears that confine him to a life of seclusion.
Once the crowning jewel of the most lavish brothel in London, the exotic Salime finds her reputation and livelihood destroyed by a bitter rival. With a closely guarded secret stripped away, Salime fears no man will ever desire her again. Seeking aid from one who once saved her life, Salime accepts a proposition to repay her debt by becoming a companion to his war-scarred friend.
Circumstance brings these two damaged souls together; but fate ignites a love story worthy of the Arabian Nights.
EXCERPT (in which the stage is set)
Medford Abbey, Kent – 1785
A sharp rap soon sounded on the door. Ludovic, Viscount DeVere glanced up from his periodical to the entrance of a liveried footman. “A message for you, my lord.”
The servant offered the wax-sealed missive on a silver salver. “It was delivered by a most…unusual…courier.” The footman gave a sniff of disdain.
“Indeed? What do you mean?” Ludovic asked in a bored drawl.
“‘Tis a behemoth blackamoor, my lord.”
“Mustafa?” Ludovic threw down his periodical and snatched up the missive. “What the devil?”
“He awaits in the kitchen. Insufferable rude creature he be. Just stands all akimbo. Refuses to speak or to depart without an answer from your lordship.”
“The man cannot speak. He has no tongue. They took it when they castrated the poor devil.”
The footman’s eyes bulged. He involuntarily crossed his legs. Ludovic broke the seal and scanned the contents with a deepening frown.
Most honored Efendi,
It is with the greatest humility that I appeal to he who once safeguarded my life. It is with exceeding distress that I must entreat you once more, being much in need of a friend and protector.
Your most devoted and obedient servant,
Salime
Ludovic read the cryptic note once more. Salime in want of a protector? What a sticky situation that created. At first he wondered why she’d appealed to him, but then again, there were few people she trusted. Given their shared history, he would never deny her aid. Moreover, Salime had been instrumental in helping him to achieve his present state of connubial bliss. For that alone he owed her his undying gratitude.
“Tell him I shall be in touch with his mistress shortly…and that she should notify me at once should her circumstances become any more…distressed.”
“Aye, my lord.” The much-chagrinned footman departed.
Ludovic glowered after the departing servant. Salime had never been in want since coming to London. He wondered what could be behind her request, but then abandoned both letter and the dilemma the moment another surprise came bursting into his library. “Ned?” Ludovic leaped up to greet his best friend. “What the devil has brought you all the way from Yorkshire to Kent?”
“I have most portentous news, DeVere,” Ned sputtered with excitement. “News I could hardly relay by messenger. So I came down myself.”
“What kind of news? Out with it, Chambers,” Ludovic commanded.
“Mayhap you should pour us a drink first.”
Ludovic lifted a sardonic brow. “A drink? Not so urgent after all?”
“‘Tis fortification you’ll need for the shock you’re about to receive.”
“Shock? Me? You know I am not easily shocked, Ned.” Ludovic paused with his hand on the brandy decanter and a slight frown marring his face. “Come to think of it, I’m damned if I can recall a single occasion that has wrought from me such a profound reaction as shock.”
Ned flung himself into Ludovic’s favorite chair. “There’s a first for everything, DeVere. Now that drink?”
Ludovic sloshed amber liquid into two glasses, handing one to the would-be herald, who downed it in one draught. Ludovic quirked a brow.
“It was a devilish long ride,” Ned explained.
“All to deliver this shocking report of yours?” Ludovic perched a hip on the corner of his mahogany desk.
“Yes! It’s Lazarus all over again!”
“Lazarus? Am I to surmise that someone has been miraculously raised from the dead?”
“Actually, he might as well have been,” Ned declared. “I can hardly countenance it after all this time.”
“You are trying my patience, Ned.”
“It’s Simon. He’s returned.”
“Good God!” The glass slipped from his hand to shatter at Ludovic’s feet. “You can’t mean Sin is alive after all this time? He was pronounced killed in action six years ago.”
“I mean exactly that!” Ned exclaimed. “He is indeed alive and may even be in London as we speak. I have the news straight from Baron Singleton. His ship was expected to arrive several days ago.”
“Why am I only hearing of this now? I see the bloody Singleton regularly at Parliament.”
“Probably because the good baron doesn’t like you, DeVere. He believes you were an abominable influence on his son.”
“Then he would be right.” Ludovic smirked and then stared at the shattered glass at his feet.
“Looking a bit white there, my friend. This is known as shock.”
“Admittedly, I am incredulous. How can this be? Where the devil has he been?”
“Interned as a prisoner of war for the greater part of six years.”
“Six years? In all that time there were no exchanges?”
“Very few. The colonials refused to give up ours when they claimed their men were only released on the point of starvation and death. I daresay ’tis no exaggeration. I’ve seen a number of reports on the deplorably inhumane conditions of our prison hulks. Indeed it’s said that the colonial prisoners set fire to the Whitby, choosing to go down in flames, rather than die of starvation and disease.” Ned shook his head. “What a hellish business war is.”
“But if Sin was a prisoner, he should have been released nigh on a year ago when the treaty was signed.”
“Apparently he was too ill to travel. Only made it as far as Bermuda before he was struck with the bloody flux or some such and required months of convalescence…poor sod.”
“We must go to him, Ned. At once.”
“He’ll not be the same man,” Ned voiced what they were both thinking.
“No,” Ludovic shook his head. “Likely never again.”
JEWEL OF THE EAST is available to purchase now at Amazon (US & UK) and B&N and here are the links:
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/jewel-of-the-east-victoria-vane/1118020961?ean=2940148221838
(GIVEAWAY NOW CLOSED)
INTERNATIONAL GIVEAWAY
Victoria is giving away an ebook copy of JEWEL OF THE EAST. To be eligible for the Giveaway just leave a comment saying you would like the book.
About Victoria
Victoria Vane is an award-winning author of smart and sexy romance. Her collective works of fiction range from historical to contemporary settings and include everything from wild comedic romps to emotionally compelling erotic romance. Her biggest writing influences are Georgette Heyer, Robin Schone, and Sylvia Day. Victoria is the founder of Goodreads Romantic Historical Fiction Lovers and the Romantic Historical Lovers book review blog. Look for her sexy new contemporary cowboy series coming from Sourcebooks in 2014.
CONTACT DETAILS:
victoria.vane@hotmail.com
Web: http://www.victoriavane.com
Blog: http://victoriavane.wordpress.com
Twitter: @authorvictoriav
Devil in the Making (Devilish Vignette#1)
The Trouble with Sin (Devilish Vignette#2)
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