Spotlight & Giveaway: Ten Rules for Marrying a Duke by Michelle McLean

Today it is my pleasure to Welcome author Michelle McLean to HJ!

Hi Michelle McLean and welcome to HJ! We’re so excited to chat with you about your new release, Ten Rules for Marrying a Duke!

Hi everyone! Thanks so much for having me here today!
 

Please summarize the book a la Twitter style for the readers here:

She needs a champion. He needs to do his duty. So they strike a deal – one year to repair her family’s reputation, one heir for the duke, and ten rules to ensure they both get what they want. But rules are so much fun to break 😉
 

Please share the opening lines of this book:

“A respectable lady would never blackmail her way into matrimony.”
The Honorable Miss Arabella Bromley glanced at Charlotte—The Right Honorable Lady Waterstack, if one wanted to be fussy about it—and rolled her eyes.
“Yes, my dear Charlotte, you are quite correct. However, what I am about to do is less blackmail and more bargaining, from my point of view. Besides, the question of my respectability is what created the necessity for this small deception in the first place.”

Please share a few Fun facts about this book…

• I always think of this book as what would happen if Belle married a nicer Gaston but got to keep the Beast’s library 😀
• Silas’s kitten Bub is inspired by a mischievous little kitten we used to have
• I had the tv show Chuck playing in the background while writing this book.
• I give Silas a faint minty scent in the book…most likely because I was using a mint-scented hand lotion a lot while writing it and the smell must have been on my mind lol
• Silas’s library is my own personal dream library (that I want someday…not that I already have) 😀

What first attracts your Hero to the Heroine and vice versa?

He loves her “testicular fortitude”, as he puts it. She’s a walking contradiction that intrigues him – a bookish proper miss who never does what he expects and has a spine of steel.
She is surprised by his charming humor, hidden kindness, and unconditional acceptance. He really sees her and accepts her and not many have.
 

Using just 5 words, how would you describe Hero and Heroine’s love affair?

Playful, unexpected, passionate, unconditional, rule-breaking.
 

The First Kiss…

He hesitated only a heartbeat longer before closing the distance between them. With the first brush of her lips against his, he was lost. His hand slipped behind her neck, and he dragged her to him, his mouth moving over hers until she opened beneath his lips. A slight whimper escaped her throat, completely unraveling him. He deepened the kiss with a low growl, shaking at the fire that streaked through him at the first taste of her. Just that one taste, and he knew it would never be enough. She intoxicated him. He held her close, and she clung to him, keeping him a willing captive in her arms.

Without revealing too much, what is your favorite scene in the book?

I really love when they are drafting their rules. Not only in what they choose to make a rule over but their negotiations of them. They were so fun to write. Here is a snippet:

“Any more rules to add?”
“Oh, yes, one more. My grandfather,” Silas said through gritted teeth.
“And what rule would pertain to him?”
“We will be required to dine with my grandfather every Sunday. He may not be particularly welcoming at first, though I won’t let him abuse you in any way.”
“He won’t approve of me?”
Silas frowned slightly, not wanting to offend her but also wanting to make sure she knew what she was getting into with his family. “He has always had a strong desire to keep any hint of scandal from his family name. And while I do not carry his name, I am his last remaining family, so…”
“Ah,” she said, glancing down with a sad smile. “And my own family name is not quite as spotless as he’d prefer.”
“Exactly.” He took her hand and gave it a swift kiss, smiling when it trembled slightly in his own. “But don’t worry about him. He’ll get over it, and frankly, he might not mind all that much, as he’s so desperate to get me married. I just wanted you to be aware of his…prejudices.”
Arabella took her hand back. “Thank you for the warning.” Her brow furrowed slightly. “What does that have to do with the rules?”
“I would be much obliged if you were to sing my praises to him at every available opportunity.”
Arabella blinked at him, giving him the skeptical look his request deserved. “Anything in particular you’d like me to praise?”
He paused, a few juvenile and highly inappropriate responses invading his mind, but he kept his mouth shut and waved his hand. “Nothing too grand. The usual compliments will do. You find me witty, generous, responsible, dependable, mature, manly, impressive, respected, admired, trustworthy…things of that nature.”
“Ah. So…you wish me to lie to your grandfather?”
He raised his other brow, though his lips twitched with amusement, even more so when he caught the mischievous twinkle in her eyes. “You wound me, madam. You needn’t lie per se. Have you not found me exceedingly generous this morning?”
“You have been that,” she admitted.
“And surely at least a bit witty? Charming, perhaps?”
“Hmm, I’m sure you find yourself so, yes.”
He chuckled. “Well, whether you find me so or not, my grandfather has the unfortunate impression that I am a frivolous, immature, impulsive layabout with no real ambition.” He scowled and then shrugged. “In fairness, I am all those things. Quite rude of him to constantly point it out, though.”
Arabella laughed, a quiet, breathy sound that she tried to keep captured behind her hand. “And you hope gaining a wife and heir will make him believe you’ve matured?”
“One may hope. So, anything you can do to facilitate that impression would be much appreciated.”
She gave him an indulgent smile. “If you think it will help, then agreed. Rule six, lie to Grandfather.”
He bowed his head in an appreciative salute, though he gave her a mock glare at her deliberate misstatement. “My thanks.”

If your book was optioned for a movie, what scene would be absolutely crucial to include?

Their wedding! Especially their first kiss which occurs just before the wedding – and is interrupted by all their guests.

The clergyman pushed his way forward, his face red with shock, though his eyes twinkled with amusement.
“I think perhaps we ought to begin the ceremony. The sooner we get you two wed, the better.”
Arabella gasped and pushed away from Silas, her hand over her mouth, though a nervous giggle emanated from beneath her gloved hand.
Charles clapped him on the shoulder and forcibly turned him to lead him up to the front of the church.
“You couldn’t wait another fifteen minutes?” Charles muttered to him.
Silas laughed. “I’m in a church, standing before a man of the cloth. I think my good intentions are clear.”
Charles snorted. “Just in case, I’m keeping my eye on you until the ceremony is over.” He shook his head. “Only you would defile a church on your wedding day.”
“Well, now that’s a bit dramatic.”
“Is it?” Charles asked with a laugh.

Readers should read this book …

if they want a fun, light-hearted story that will leave them smiling

What are you currently working on? What other releases do you have planned?

I am currently finishing the second book in my Gunslinger series which will release this summer. And I have a new Regency series releasing this fall. On my contemporary side, I have a new rom com series also releasing this summer.

Thanks for blogging at HJ!

Giveaway: $10 Amazon gift card

To enter Giveaway: Please complete the Rafflecopter form and Post a comment to this Q: If you got to make one rule your significant other had to follow, what would it be?

 
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Excerpt from Ten Rules for Marrying a Duke:

Silas and Arabella glanced at each other, and Silas grinned. “Looks like I might fulfill my part of the bargain first.”
She raised an eyebrow. “I didn’t realize it was a competition.”
“It’s not. Exactly. I suppose I did have an unfair advantage, since we cannot begin trying to fulfill the second half of the bargain for at least another two hours.” He took her hand and brought it to his lips, watching her carefully as he pressed his mouth to her skin.
Her pulse visibly jumped in her delicate throat, and her breath hitched. Even that tiny reaction was enough to make his blood sing. Maybe they could slip out after another hour and a half.
Her tongue darted out to moisten her lips, and his own pulse leaped. Make that an hour. Tops.
“Definitely an unfair advantage,” she said, her voice squeaking out in a ragged whisper. She flushed and cleared her throat. “Then again, Anne has still not made a match, despite your confidence over your selection of suitors, so perhaps I will win after all.”
He didn’t wish to point out that he had every intention of spending his every waking moment devoted to not only making sure she won, but also ensuring she enjoyed every second of the pursuit. No need to divulge his strategy.
“You seem very confident,” he said, turning to face her and effectively blocking out the sight of everyone else. The handsome Jean-Pierre in particular. Though Arabella didn’t seem to notice as her attention was firmly pinned on him.
“Do I?” she asked in that breathy half whisper that seemed to seep into his skin and set fire to his blood.
“Yes.” He kissed her jaw. “Very.” His mouth moved to her cheek, and she leaned into him ever so slightly. “You are the picture of utter confidence.”
He kissed her lips, his arm going about her waist to pull her closer. She sank against him, her mouth moving under his, drinking him in. Her hands slid up his torso to his chest, resting over where his heart pounded furiously for her.
She tensed beneath him, giving him only a split-second warning before she gasped and pushed him away.
“What’s wrong?” he asked, frowning, reaching out to brush a thumb across her cheek.
“We shouldn’t,” she said, her eyes wide.
“Rule number three says we can. Encourages it, even,” he said, kissing her again. “I’m publicly displaying my affection.”
She pulled away with a laugh. “Yes, we are definitely public. But the rule specified appropriate displays of affection, I believe.”
He gave her a gentle smile. “We’re married now. What could be more appropriate than that? Your reputation will hardly be ruined if you are found alone with your own husband.”
She relaxed a little, her breath leaving her in a rush.
“Perhaps. That might depend on what I’m doing with my husband at the time.”
He chuckled and kissed her again, unable to keep his lips from seeking hers out. “What do you want to be doing with him?” he whispered in her ear, smiling when she shivered against him.
“I… I…” She looked up at him, the desire blazing in her eyes turning to what he swore was panic. Her eyes shifted from his, her gaze darting about, anxious enough that he frowned in concern.
“Arabella?”
She took a step away from him, and his frown deepened.
“I’m fine. I just…” She caught sight of someone and some of the tension went out of her. “I need to speak with Charlotte. I won’t be long.”
She left him standing there watching as she hurried to Lady Waterstack’s side, whispered furiously in her ear, and bustled off with her, arm in arm.
“Scared her away already?” Charles said, appearing at his elbow.
Silas scowled at him but then snorted. “Apparently. Not sure how, though.”
Charles chuckled. “It was probably just your winning personality.” He clapped him on the shoulder. “Don’t worry, my friend. You are now bound together by law and church in holy matrimony. There’s no escape for either of you.”
Silas blinked and looked back to where his wife and her friend had disappeared up the stairs.
Now why didn’t that sound as horrible as it had two weeks ago?

Excerpts. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
 
 

Book Info:

Bookish Arabella Bromley never gave a fig for society’s rules—until her sister ran off with a man below her station. Now Arabella is desperate to restore her family’s ruined reputation to favor amongst the ton. She’ll have to marry quickly and well. But in order to carry off her plan, Arabella needs a duke… and she has just the rakish fellow in mind.

The Duke of Whittsley has an ungentlemanly tendency to disregard the rules. Unfortunately, a sense of mischief doesn’t excuse a high-ranking noble from family duty—especially where it concerns producing a son. And that’s where he can’t quite resist Arabella’s distinctly outrageous plan: if he saves her family, she’ll give him an heir.

Now the deal’s been struck. They have one year to achieve their goals and ten iron-clad rules to keep them on track. Like long, scorching kisses and ensuring they’re both exquisitely satisfied. And the only thing that could ruin their plan is the one thing they never planned on: love.
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Meet the Author:

Michelle McLean is a jeans and t-shirt kind of girl who is addicted to chocolate and Goldfish crackers and spent most of her formative years with her nose in a book. She has degrees in history and English and is thrilled that she sort of gets to use them. Her novel Truly, Madly, Sweetly, written as Kira Archer, was adapted as a Hallmark Original movie in 2018.

When Michelle’s not working, reading, or chasing her kids around, she can usually be found baking or diamond painting. She resides in PA with her husband and two teens and the world’s most spoiled dog. She also writes contemporary romance as USA Today bestselling author Kira Archer.
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