The Duchess' Lover
by Julie Beard

After more than twenty years, Olivia, Duchess of Brandhust, is finally free—free from the shackles of a lovless marriage to a cruel, domineering husband. An in one reckless night of passion, she experiences that freedom—in the arms of Will Barnes, a man she meets by chance in the moonlight of a garden, a man forbidden to her by the unwritten laws of Victorian society.

Once the night is over, Livie returns to her role of grieving widow. But memories of that night haunt Livie—and Will as well. Unable to forget her or the fierce emotions she inspires in him, he returns. With his working-class background and artistic talents, Will is unlike anyone Livie has ever known. Despite the scandal that threatens their love, and the differenced between them, she cannot resist him, or the beauty he brings to her life. But when Livie's enemies try to destroy her with vicious accusations about her marriage, Will is determined to save her, even if it means giving her up. Somehow, Livie must prove to him that their passion is worth any sacrifice, and that he is much more than the duchess' lover—he is her love...

Julie Beard's Bio

Passionate, vibrant, and unique. Those words best describe the historical romances written by USA Today bestselling author Julie Beard. Critics and readers alike praise Julie for her ability to create living, breathing characters in historical settings so vividly drawn they come alive.

Julie's first medieval novel was published by Berkley in 1994. Her first non-fiction book was released in 2000, the critically acclaimed "how to" book, The Complete Idiot's Guide to Getting Your Romance Published.'' Julie's first Victorian romance, The Duchess' Lover, is an April 2002 release. It's a sensual tale of sexual and personal awakening, featuring an older noblewoman who falls in love with her young gardener. It's hot, hot, hot! And poignant, as well.

Julie is what you might call a late-bloomer. She spent the first 30 years of her life deciding what she didn't want to be when she grew up. Realizing that life wasn't a dress rehearsal, she then made some choices. Over the course of the next 5 years, she acquired a master's degree in journalism, a job in television reporting, a husband, her first child, her first novel, and her first serious case of exhaustion. Julie's second child was adopted from China as a toddler and is an unending source of delight. Her elementary school kids distract their world-weary mother from writing in the most ingenious and lovable ways.

Julie gladly gave up the hard-bitten world of journalism to dwell in a world of "happily ever afters." And she happily shares excerpts from her books at her website, www.juliebeard.com.