Welcome

Welcome

Ten years ago, I released my first independently published book, The Price of Innocence. Since that time, I’ve penned many novels and novellas in various genres – historical fiction/family sagas, Gothic romance, and Victorian romance. My taglines are “Taking Readers Into the Romantic Past” and “Romance with a Kiss of Suspense.” I’ve also written one contemporary award-winning women’s fiction under the pen name of J.D. Burrows.

With Russian blood on my father’s side and English on my mother’s, I blame my ancestors for the lethal combination in my genes that influence my stories. Drama and conflict might be found between the pages, but in the end, I give readers a happy ending.

My passion, besides writing, is researching my ancestry. My DNA test results revealed that 42% of my genetic make-up originates from Eastern Europe and Russia, 17% Germanic Europe, 14% England, 16% Scandinavian (Norway and Sweden – those Vikings, no doubt), 5% Ireland & Scotland (MacDonald clan in the kilt, lass), 5% Baltic states, and 1% Jewish (must be Fiddler on the Roof from Russia). Regardless of the results, I am obsessed with my English ancestors who came from Manchester. You will find the names of my distant relatives sprinkled throughout my books as characters and in the dedications to keep their memory alive.

“When our hearts turn to our ancestors, something changes inside us. We feel part of something greater than ourselves.” Russell M. Nelson
Kiss of Suspense (Historical Romantic Suspense)

Romance With a Kiss of Suspense – Stately homes, mysterious characters, and suspenseful romance set in Victorian England.

Previously published under the name of Nova Covington, the first three books have been revised, expanded, and re-released under the name of Vicki Hopkins. A fourth will be released later this year or early 2020.

Thorncroft Manor – 4.5 Crowned Heart of Excellence – InD’Tale Magazine – “There is but one flaw in this otherwise perfect romance – not enough story!”

Blythe Court – “A wonderfully heartbreaking read that serves a powerful lesson on love.” 4.5 Crowned Heart of Excellence InD’Tale Magazine – “Blythe Court is a thrilling tale of a rakishly handsome marquess and his lovely lady.” 5 Stars – Readers’ Favorite

Whitefield Hall – Rewritten, expanded, and released.

Morland Park – Coming 2020.

Coming Late 2020
Ladies of Disgrace (Historical Romance)

Three standalone stories – Ladies of Disgrace – with the tagline, “Every Era Has its Fallen Women.” The first book of the series Lady Isabella is set in the 1930’s. Lady Grace is set during World War I, Lady Charlotte in 1890 (the late Victorian era), and Lady Jane in 1812 (the Regency era).

For more information, check out my new blog at Ladies of Disgrace on WordPress. Read the five-star Readers’ Favorite reviews for Lady Grace, Lady Charlotte, and Lady Jane.

Lady Grace – Audible (US) $14.95 per month after 30 days. Cancel anytime. Audible (UK)
Lady Isabella – Audible (US) – Audible (UK)
Toil Under the Sun (Historical Fiction)

Join me at my new blog, The Leighton Family Saga, which is my new and ambitious project to sweep my readers into another world from 1860 Victorian times in Manchester, UK to the 1930’s. The saga is based loosely on my own family heritage with all sorts of drama, soap opera antics, love stories, family conflict, affairs, and everything else that makes a family saga so much fun to read. It’s a rags to riches to rags story.

Book One Synopsis – Described as hell on earth, Manchester in 1866 was the hub of industrialization in England. Its chimneys rose high above the landscape, spewing out smoke from the factories. While men, women, and children spun cotton in the mills, bricklayers built the workhouses, warehouses, and terraced residences of the city. They were skilled in their craft but also experts in enforcing the rules of their union demands, hoping to escape the bondage of serfdom to gain a better life.

Born into obscurity and a descendant of men who slung mortar from their trowels as a trade, William Leighton, swore that one day he would rise above his poverty-ridden class. The means in which he chose to climb out the slums differed from his brother, who believed that violence was the only way to bring about change and close the gap between laborers and masters.

The clash of siblings in Toil Under the Sun creates the foundation of family and is the first book in a saga that spans three generations.
The Legacy Series (Historical Fiction/Family Saga)

From the brothels of Paris in 1878 to the English aristocracy in 1908, follow the saga of one man and one woman who overcome their differences of class to find lasting love. Each character pays the price of innocence, deception, love, and passion until in the end, a broken family is healed from the tragedy of the past.

Available individually or in a box set. The Price of Innocence is permanently FREE. The series is classified as Family Sagas – Historical Fiction With Romantic Elements and Historical Romance. For more information about the writing of the series visit The Legacy Series Books on Blogspot.

The Price of Innocence – Become a Member and Listen for Free on Audible (US) $14.95 per month after 30 days. Cancel anytime. Audible (UK)
The Price of Deception – Audible (US) – Audible (UK)

Free
Dark Persuasion (Historical Romance) (Exclusively on Kindle Unlimited Until 11-7-19)

Award-Winning Finalist in the Fiction: Romance category of The 2012 USA Best Book Awards, sponsored by USA Book News – Described by Night Owl Romance as, “Powerful, haunting, poignant and angst-filled. This is a fantastic read that will stay with you.”

Set in 1890 Victorian England, Dark Persuasion tells a romantic story of regret, restitution, and forgiveness between three individuals who are prisoners of their past. Rival brothers seek to win one woman in a fierce competition, each driven by different motives. Charlotte Grey has no idea of their identity or their sudden interest in courting a blind woman.

When Patrick Rochester is the victor and wins her hand in marriage, he is haunted by grief over his complicity in Charlotte’s blindness. Finally she falls in love and completely trusts him, but the revelation of his true identity threatens to destroy their relationship. In the end, Charlotte learns that love can be blind for everyone–even her.

Become a Member and Listen for Free on Audible (US) $14.95 per month after 30 days. Cancel anytime. Audible (UK)
A Portrait of Perfection (Gothic Romance) (Exclusively on Kindle Unlimited Until 11-7-19)

Damon Thorburn had one goal in life – to find the perfect wife. After two failed attempts, Eve Seymour catches his fancy. She embodies everything he has always wanted in the way of innocence, submissiveness, and physical perfection. Eager to marry his new love, Damon quickly removes every obstacle standing in his way.

Eve, starved for attention, is mesmerized by the commanding Baron of Wentworth, twenty years her senior. After agreeing to marry, she becomes a willing pupil, learning the erotic pleasures of the flesh. Her love for Damon tolerates his controlling tendencies.

Nevertheless, eternal love is not always heavenly, especially when a marriage is built upon the crumbling foundation of secrets and lies. Even though Damon controls Eve, he is unable to contain his haunting past created out of desperation. The very thing he once sought to possess has possessed him in return. It is only through betrayal, tragedy, and murder that Damon discovers perfection is an illusion.
The Phantom of Valletta (Gothic Romance)

“Hopkins’ depiction of our small island is masked in Gothic imagery. Valletta is painted as seeping with darkness, threatening to cover all semblance of truth so reality is hidden from view. “

The Malta Times
“Goodbye Paris, Hello Valletta” August 22, 2010

Another chapter in the life of the infamous Phantom of the Opera continues, as he leaves Paris and moves to Malta in search of a new beginning. Clothed in secrecy, he purchases The Royal Opera House in Valletta, which has been destroyed by a devastating fire. The burned-out shell becomes his new obsession, in an attempt to bury the pain of his past. He is determined to resurrect the structure from ashes and return it to glory. A moving story of change, retribution, and love.

A heartfelt thank you to the isle of Malta, who even before the release of this book, found an interest in The Phantom of Valletta. The Sunday Times contacted the author requesting a copy of the publication and subsequently published a book review and interview on August 22, 2010. To read the article, CLICK HERE.

Become a member and listen for free. $14.95 per month after 30 days. Cancel anytime. Audible (US) – Audible (UK)
Other Books

I have written one Contemporary Women’s Fiction book entitled Conflicting Hearts. For more information, visit my website at J. D. Burrows, Author. Conflicting Hearts won the Finalist Award: Social Issues in the Readers’ Favorite Book Award Contest. It’s available in eBook, print, and audio.

Listen on Audible (US) – Audible (UK)
Cozy Mysteries

I’m branching out with a cozy mystery series and should be releasing my first book in mid-2020.

For more information about my murderous intents, visit my new website at My Cozy Mysteries.

“When our hearts turn to our ancestors, something changes inside us. We feel part of something greater than ourselves.” Russell M. Nelson

Kiss of Suspense (Historical Romantic Suspense)

Ladies of Disgrace (Historical Romance)

Toil Under the Sun (Historical Fiction)

The Legacy Series (Historical Fiction/Family Saga)

Dark Persuasion (Historical Romance) (Exclusively on Kindle Unlimited Until 11-7-19)

Award-Winning Finalist in the Fiction: Romance category of The 2012 USA Best Book Awards, sponsored by USA Book News – Described by Night Owl Romance as, “Powerful, haunting, poignant and angst-filled. This is a fantastic read that will stay with you.”

A Portrait of Perfection (Gothic Romance) (Exclusively on Kindle Unlimited Until 11-7-19)

The Phantom of Valletta (Gothic Romance)

“Hopkins’ depiction of our small island is masked in Gothic imagery. Valletta is painted as seeping with darkness, threatening to cover all semblance of truth so reality is hidden from view. “

Other Books

Cozy Mysteries

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