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His Wicked Heart (Secrets & Scandals Book 2) Kindle Edition

by Darcy Burke (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 1,214 ratings
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It’s hard to be respectable…Sinfully seductive Jasper Sinclair, Earl of Saxton, made a bargain with the devil—his father—to marry in one month’s time. But instead of declaring his intentions for an acceptable debutante, he rebels by pursuing a captivating woman who may not be what she seems. When you’d rather be wicked…Orphaned seamstress Olivia West wants to lead an honest, respectable life, but the passionately determined Earl of Saxton launches a daunting campaign to make her his mistress. Destitute and desperate, Olivia concocts a scheme to give them both what they want. But when Jasper detects Olivia’s deception, he vows to claim what he’s owed—not his money, her.
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  1. Book 2 of 6
    Secrets & Scandals
  2. Print length
    298 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  5. Publication date
    June 4, 2012
  6. File size
    3948 KB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  10. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"Intense and intriguing. Cinderella meets Fight Club in a historical romance packed with passion, action and secrets."
 --Anna Campbell, Seven Nights in a Rogue's Bed

"A romance that is going to make you smile and sigh...a wonderful read!"
 --Rogues Under the Covers

"The storyline was fresh with a cast of well developed characters. Darcy Burke is an author on the move!!"
 --Forever Book Lover

"I loved the book: interesting storyline, wonderful characters, and a touch of humor. 5 stars."
 --Booked Up

"You'll love this incredible story of trial and triumph!"
 --Kerrific Online

From the Author

Visit darcyburke.com to sign up for my Reader Group where you'll get free books and exclusive content. Be sure to follow me on Facebook at /DarcyBurkeFans and check out my reader groups: for historical, join /groupsDarcysDuchesses and for contemporary, join /groupsBurkesBookLovers.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0088TEM72
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Zealous Quill Press (June 4, 2012)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ June 4, 2012
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 3948 KB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 298 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 1,214 ratings

About the author

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Darcy Burke

Darcy Burke

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Darcy Burke is the USA Today Bestselling Author of hot, action-packed historical and sexy, emotional contemporary romance. Darcy wrote her first book at age 11, a happily ever after about a swan addicted to magic and the female swan who loved him, with exceedingly poor illustrations.

A native Oregonian, Darcy lives on the edge of wine country with her guitar-strumming husband, their two hilarious kids who seem to have inherited the writing gene, and two Bengal cats and a third cat named after a fruit. In her “spare” time Darcy is a serial volunteer enrolled in a 12-step program where one learns to say “no,” but she keeps having to start over. Her happy places are Disneyland and Labor Day weekend at the Gorge.

Visit Darcy online at http://www.darcyburke.com, follow her on Twitter at http://twitter.com/darcyburke, or like her Facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/DarcyBurkeFans.

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
4.4 out of 5
1,214 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Enjoys a good Romance
5.0 out of 5 stars Wow! A new favorite!
Reviewed in the United States on July 28, 2016
Verified Purchase
Darcy Burke is a new author for me. I read the first book in this series which is available for free on amazon. While that book was okay (it was heavy on the tropes, highwayman/Robin Hood meets spoiled society deb) I was intrigued by the storyline in the sequal and decided to splurge. I don't generally buy a lot of books because I use Kindle Unlimited.

I'm so glad I read this! This author has a new fan. And i want you to know I'm picky about my historicals. I can't stand those old bodice rippers from the 80s where all the girls swoon and the men can't control themselves. I like my romance with a touch of feminism. I demand lead characters that respect women.

Well done, Darcy Burke! Great unique plot. Fantastic lead character development. Splendid cast of characters. Bravo!
3 people found this helpful
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Danielle Carpenter
4.0 out of 5 stars Another loss for the Duke of Holburn
Reviewed in the United States on September 17, 2023
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I loved this story about Miranda’s brother Jasper. It explains so much why Jasper appears hard-hearted. Miss West gets off to a bad start when Jasper mistakes her for a prostitute. Miss West learns Jasper has a kind spirit for the underdog. He does not tolerate abuse. Miss West finds out her father may be Jasper’s aunt’s husband and Louisa insists that she live with her as a companion. The plot is is well written and the story is intense. There is a fire between these two, but when Jasper bullies her, she doesn’t take it from him and I can applaud her. This is a love story that will shake the ton, but will absolutely drive the Duke of Holburn insane.
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Animal Lover
5.0 out of 5 stars THE GREATEST & LASTING GIFT IS LOVE - 5 + Stars
Reviewed in the United States on May 23, 2021
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Jasper Sinclair, Earl of Saxton, is handsome and made a deal with the devil - his father, Duke of Holborn, to marry within the year (enabling his young sister to marry an untitled man, book 1). Jasper's life is devoid of love and approval from his cold and controlling parents -which may be why he is the champion of those in need of help, be it a poor family, battered women or abused animals. It is only from his beloved Aunt Louisa he can be himself. It is on such a mission that he rescued orphaned seamstress Olivia West Jasper meets his destiny. Captivated by her loveliness and wit, he offers her his protection, which she refuses. When a scheme to give them both what they want backfires, Jasper is hurt by her deception and relentless in discovering the truth. Their adventure gets complicated when his aunt discovers Olivia is most probably her deceased husband's illegitimate daughter - and opens her home and heart to her. With the Duke 's constant pressure for Jasper's marriage to a society miss and Jasper's determination to find out Olivia's past, it is a roller coaster of emotions - deception, truth, jealousy, friendship, power, intimidation. Excellent poignant story of love and selflessness to protect those beloved!
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5.0 out of 5 stars His Wicked Heart (Secrets & Scandals Book 2)
Reviewed in the United States on May 5, 2020
Verified Purchase
The love story of Jasper and Olivia. Olivia is the daughter of London ones famous courtesan, Fiona Scarlet. Her mother has been dead for close to a year, and man look at her like she is her mother. When Louise, Lady Merrweather find her and tell her she is the daughter of her late husband. Can she made it is the Ton? Great story.
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Spooniegirl
3.0 out of 5 stars Has potential, but somewhat inconsistent and didn't ring true
Reviewed in the United States on August 22, 2012
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I wavered between rating this 3 or 4 stars, but settled on 3 because while I enjoyed the story overall, there was inconsistancy and things that didn't ring true in the characterizations and romance that detracted from the novel and prevented it from being a solid 4-star romance, which it had the potential to be.

Jasper Sinclair, Earl of Saxton, is out whoring, when he comes across a young woman being assaulted by a ruffian on the streets. He comes to her rescue, and walks her home, but rather ruins the heroic effect by pressing his own lascivious attentions on the girl. Olivia West, who is actually a virtuous young woman trying to make her living as a seamstress, rebuffs him. Undeterred, my lord Saxton leaves his name and contact with her, thinking she'll come around eventually (after all, all lower class women are for sale aren't they?) and strides off.

A little while later, Olivia finds herself in a desperate situation. She's failed to find regular work, and at her latest job, she's been ousted by a client who also seems to think her body is for sale, along with her dresswork, and attempts to force his attentions on her. Olivia confers with her friend from a nearby brothel, and they come up with a plan to cheat Lord Saxton, because she desperately needs money, but doesn't want to sacrifice her virtue to get it. Jasper, smug and elated at her capitulation, arrives at Olivia's doorstep, only to turn furious when he catches Olivia red-handed as she attempts to flee with his money without delivering the sex. This "betrayal" is made a big deal of and keeps being brought up througout the novel, especially whenever Jasper is trying to get something out of Olivia and make her feel guilty.

To be honest, I really couldn't dredge up much liking or sympathy for Jasper on this point because I'm not all that fond of overpriviledged men who think they have "droit de seigneur" and can buy any woman if they push hard enough. Imo Jasper deserved to be "cheated" and it's just a shame Olivia's plan didn't succeed. It also doesn't make sense that Jasper keeps trying to use this incident as some kind of emotional blackmail to pry information out of Olivia, as if it is some sort of personal betrayal. And it seems to work, because Olivia always feels super guilty about it whenever it's mentioned. Also, Jasper uses the incident as justification for not trusting Olivia and labeling her as a manipulative liar. What kind of personal loyalty did he expect when he coldly purchased a woman's sexual services (whom he didn't know personally at all) after pressuring her into it, and when she defected, how is this a personal betrayal? That didn't ring true or make any sense to me.

Anyway, sometime later, Olivia is picked up by a rich society lady, Lady Louisa, who believes Olivia is her late husband's illegitimate daughter. Lady Louisa, unfortunately, also just happens to be Jasper's beloved aunt. Jasper is furious and deeply suspicious that Olivia, being the manipulative, betraying liar she is, is taking vile advantage of his elderly aunt. From here on out, he blows first hot then cold toward Olivia. He's first determined to expose her to his aunt and get rid of her, then he sees how attached Louisa is to the girl and decides to leave her be. Then he randomly changes his mind again (she can't be trusted!) and tries to get rid of her. Then they arbitrarily decide to have wild sex, even though they don't trust or even like each other. The sex is graphic, but in terms of romantic development, there's no point to it. There is no emotional bonding, and their mistrust/dislike of one another remains the same as ever.

Jasper's behavior toward Olivia is erratic- he keeps deciding to expose and eliminate her, then changing his mind, and this happens several times, with several sex sessions interspersed in between. Olivia's behavior is also erratic and at times inexplicable. She inexplicably decides to give her virginity to Jasper immediately after he accuses her of deceit and threatens to expose and get rid of her, even though they don't trust one another. Even though she's been assiduously guarding her virginity up to this point and is expected to save it for marriage since she is now a society lady with prospects. And even though she knows Jasper will never offer to marry her and she risks conceiving out of wedlock. It didn't make sense and wasn't in character at all.

It wasn't only the main characters either who were inconsistent and whose actions didn't ring true. Without revealing any spoilers, there were several other characters (Jasper's father, the Duke and his friend, Mr. Gifford) as well whose actions were out of character and didn't ring true to their described motivations.

Darcy Burke's writing style is wonderful and her plot is fast paced and exciting. I think the novel had the potential to be much better than it was if the she solidified the characterizations and made the characters' actions more believable, sympathetic, and consistent.
65 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

LakeLady
5.0 out of 5 stars Recommend
Reviewed in Canada on February 24, 2021
Verified Purchase
This book has all the ingredients for an entertaining read. Star crossed lovers, a nasty Duke of a father, a paternity mystery, and lots of sexy bits. Great company while I stayed home to stay safe from Covid.
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Tibbins
5.0 out of 5 stars Thoroughly Enjoyable
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 18, 2020
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Following from book 1, we now have Jaspers story. We previously learned that his father, The Duke of Holborn was horrible. In this book we learn that Holborn is really truly horrible, not to mention cruel and vicious. Jasper fears he may be like his father and uses boxing as a means to cool his temper. Whilst he does have a temper, he is actually extremely kind and generous.
Olivia is the daughter of a famous courtesan, hated the life her mother led and is determined not to follow in her footsteps.
These two are obviously meant to be together, and the book follows their story as they outwit Jaspers father and overcome societies prejudices. A thoroughly enjoyable read with plenty of enticement for the next book of this series.
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Dorothy Bihary
5.0 out of 5 stars His not so wicked heart
Reviewed in Australia on April 24, 2020
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Olivia, Jasper and Claudia are going to be some of my favorite characters that I have encountered. Genuine and flawed and so realistic. I enjoyed every moment of their adventures and interactions with all the other interesting people they meet
The writing is clear, never boring and flowing so well to a lovely finish
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TL
4.0 out of 5 stars Easy read - great brain candy
Reviewed in Canada on July 17, 2016
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Easy read - great brain candy
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Dr B
4.0 out of 5 stars A nicer chap than book 1 suggests?
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 23, 2013
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I enjoyed learning more about Jasper, who in the first book, seemed rather inconsistent and not a little priggish. However, this book proves that he is not like that at all. Instead, he is a caring and sensitive man, but troubled by clashes with his overbearing father. His solution is an interesting one.
I came to like Jasper and to sympathise with him. I also quite liked the heroine, though I did not always find her character convincing. I also struggled with Jasper's father, whose character seems rather too extreme to be true. Even so, I did enjoy the story.
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