Series ARC–A Duchess to Remember Giveaway

Posted by Christina Brooke Apr 11 2012, 1:57 am in A Duchess to Remember, Advance Reading Copy, ARC, Bandit Booty, Bones, Christina Brooke, Happy Days, MI5, Ministry of Marriage, series, Spooks, Twin Peaks

Over the weekend, they aired the final episode of the final series of one of my favourite TV dramas of all time: Spooks, or as you in the United States know it, MI5, a drama about the domestic British secret service.

I only realized after I saw the credits roll that it was the final episode and felt that jolt of sadness I always experience when a great book ends. This was a series full of complex characters and heart-stopping suspense. It was different from many other spy thrillers because yes, the good guys could die–and often did. One thing I’m grateful for is that this series IMHO never ‘jumped the shark’. I will watch all 10 series again and again.

Another series I’m glomming at the moment is Bones. I couldn’t care less about the whodunnit mystery most of the time–it’s the interplay between the wonderful forensic anthropologist Bones (Temperence Brennan) and David Boreanaz’s character, FBI agent Booth that draws me in.

Bones uses logic to solve problems. Booth goes with his gut instinct. Booth often has to explain to the emotionally shut down Bones about feelings. It’s a refreshing change from the female = empathetic, male = unfeeling stereotype. The best episode of the series was the one where Bones must save her father from a prison sentence not by any amazing forensic analysis (her strength) but by allowing her emotions to hold sway. That was wonderful writing because it’s a far greater challenge for Bones to tap into her emotions than it is for her to work out what blunt instrument caused a head trauma. I do not want this series to end. Luckily, I came in late so I have a lot of episodes left to watch.

Then there are the series that let us down at the end. Anyone remember Twin Peaks? I loved that series but have never watched it again because of that crapola ending. If anyone here can explain it to me, that would be much appreciated!

Or Happy Days, which I think should have ended when Ron Howard left the show. And then again, there are some wonderful series that get cut off in their prime because they don’t garner enough of an audience. The Australian Crownies is an example. I wanted that series to continue but apparently I was among the few.

Which brings me to the end (sort of) of my Ministry of Marriage series–in A Duchess to Remember (out June 26), Cecily meets her match in the enigmatic Duke of Ashburn. This ties up the series from the three girls’ point of view. I hope readers will find it a worthy finale and that I won’t be ‘jumping the shark’ if I move on to the three Westruther men–Lords Beckenham, Lydgate and Steyne. I’ve had enough reader mail begging for these gentlemen’s stories to hope that’s not the case.

Here is the blurb:

Lady Cecily Westruther is nothing if not practical. By agreeing to marry an older duke who already has an heir and a mistress, she can assume a wifely role—without the wifely duties. Only one thing stands in her way—a  letter that could destroy her betrothal. Desperate to retrieve that letter, Cecily must match wits with the most dangerously seductive man she’s ever known…

Disguised as a footman, Cecily gains entry to her adversary’s house—only to be unmasked by London’s most powerful man. Rand, Duke of Ashburn, is accustomed to getting any woman he wants—and he wants Cecily. He will stop at nothing, including seduction, to make her his. But Rand holds a secret more shocking and destructive than that letter could ever be…

I mention Duchess today because I have an Advance Reading Copy to give away to one lucky commenter. Woohoo!

So tell me: do you likes series? What’s your favourite romance novel series? TV series?

Do you know what the heck that ending in Twin Peaks was all about? Inquiring minds want to know!

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