Guest Author Post: A Rather Cursed Palace by Lila DiPasqua *Book Giveaway*

In my steamy emotionally-charged retelling of Rapunzel, UNDONE, there is a very special palace that plays an important role—Vaux-le-Vicomte.

And I’m convinced it’s cursed.

I’ve personally been to this incredible 17^th century masterpiece. Vaux was built by a man named Nicolas Fouquet.

He was the third most powerful man in Europe at the time. He was King Louis XIV’s Finance Minister and well, he kind of got himself into trouble by dipping his hand in the Crown Treasury.  He sort of forgot the country’s money wasn’t his own personal wealth.  Not good.

I loved reading about Fouquet!  I loved visiting the opulent home that aided in his downfall.  There’s enough written about Fouquet to make conspiracy buffs reel. I *knew* I had to make him my villain in UNDONE. And I knew, my hero, was going to be the man to help bring this powerful, rather untouchable man down.

Simon Boulenger, is tall, dark and dangerous. He’s bent on knocking Fouquet off his influential post.  But this is no small feat.  Simon is a commoner, who has been trying to become ennobled so he can stop privateering for his country and enter the King’s official navy as an officer (only nobles were allowed to be officers).  His character is actually based on two real privateers (both of whom are mentioned at the end of the book in my Author’s Note.)

UNDONE is all about what happens after the hero rescues the beauty from the tower. Little does Simon know, he’s just snatched out of hiding a woman who not only is beautiful and difficult for him to resist, she’s also someone rather close to none other than Nicolas Fouquet. His attraction to Angelica is a terrible distraction to Simon from his perilous mission. All he wants to do is show her the depth of his desire and give in to his every wicked fantasy he has of her.

In my Fiery Tales world, you can expect one carnally-gifted hero, one smart, savvy heroine. And scorching hot love scenes. In this Rapunzel inspired story, you can also expect to perhaps shed a tear or two as this is the most emotional story I’ve ever written.
 
 So without further ado......

The Beautiful VAUX-LE-VICOMTE. 

(Translated it means, "Like the Viscount".)  

Does Vaux look familiar?  It should. The movie, THE MAN IN THE IRON MASK, where Leonardo DiCaprio played a yummy Louis XIV, was filmed at Vaux.  Why?  It's a lot cheaper than actually renting the palace of Versailles. Vaux is certainly opulent enough to fool the viewer. 

So, Vaux still doesn't ring a bell?  How about this little tidbit: Vaux-le-Vicomte was the very place where Eva Longoria and Tony Parker held their elegant fairy tale wedding reception.  Yup, I know... That didn't end well, did it? As Nicolas Fouquet would likely attest, NEVER throw a party at Vaux.  It's rather unlucky for both the host and hostess (days after Nicolas Fouquet’s first and only extravagant party at Vaux, he was arrested for embezzlement of funds, tried and sent to prison until the day he died.

When rumors of Tony Parker's infidelity hit the news, Mrs. Fouquet would have certainly understood how Eva must have felt. 

 Here she is.  This painting hangs in the sitting room of Mrs. Fouquet's private apartments in Vaux.  It depicts her clipping the wings off Cupid—so that love would never leave her but be hers forever. Unfortunately, Fouquet was terribly unfaithful to his very young, most enamored wife.

Did any of you see THE MAN IN THE IRON MASK?  I can't be the only one who drooled over Leonardo DiCaprio!  *smiles*

Question: What’s your favorite period movie?  

Giveaway Time: One lucky commenter will win a signed copy of A MIDNIGHT DANCE my steamy retelling of Cinderella, and a signed copy of Sarah MacLean’s awesome book—A ROGUE BY ANY OTHER NAME.  Giveaway opened WORLDWIDE until Wednesday, 5/1.

UNDONE

A Fiery Tale

Lila DiPasqua

HISTORICAL ROMANCE

April, 2012

Inspired by the tale of Rapunzel, Lila DiPasqua offers a new steamy, emotionally charged historical romance in the acclaimed Fiery Tales Series . . . Rescuing this beauty from the ‘tower’ is only the beginning . . .

Maintaining her ruse as a commoner, and trusting no one has kept Angelica safe. But a chance encounter with a handsome stranger lands her right where danger lies. Now, this sinfully handsome man with arresting blue eyes and a polished manner thinks he’s saved her life, when in fact he’s placed her in great peril. She’s intent on keeping him and everyone else at arm’s length. Yet, the smoldering attraction between them is difficult to deny. And impossible to ignore . . .

As commander of a number of privateer ships, Simon Boulenger dresses and speaks like an aristocrat, and has obtained wealth. But he is still not a noble. Or an officer in the King’s Navy. His lifelong dream to elevate himself from his station of birth and attain a respectable place in society is dead. Worse, he’s ensnared in a deadly scheme, and must get out. But how is he to stay focused on his dangerous mission when the mysterious beauty has him utterly intrigued? He can’t afford the distraction any more than he can resist the carnal hunger she stirs. Simon soon discovers that she’s not only a passionate soul mate, but a woman born into privilege. A woman he can never have. But they’re in too deep. Their hearts are at risk . . . as well as their lives.

Visit my website for more info on other books in this series: www.LilaDiPasqua.com  

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Buy on UNDONE:  (Coming soon on B&N and in print!)

Amazon:  http://www.amazon.com/Undone-ebook/dp/B007WLNQRY/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1335134393&sr=8-2

Smashwords:  http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/154489