Wishing everyone a delicious and peaceful Thanksgiving. And safe travels, too. 🦃

Warm wishes and happy reading,

Viv

This morning, I did the thing. You know, that cartoonish thing when you see a shadow scurrying across the floor and leap onto a chair? Ugh. I’m not proud of it. Even as it was happening, a wash of shame and absurdity rushed over me.

There I was, still groggy from sleep and not a drop of tea in me, and then I saw it… a minotaur-sized Indiana centipede. It scuttled on a determined path by my feet, doubtless fueled by a lust for blood.

Arrested, I took in every nearby weapon at my disposal: my laptop (too expensive and too cumbersome to wield in a do or die situation); a stack of books (but I cringed at the thought of ever holding them in my hands again after they’d been sullied by arthropod goo); and a decorative pillow (the burly bug would have shrugged off the attack and issued a low taunting chuckle, “Is that all you’ve got, lady?”).

So, left without any options, I leapt to the chair, heart hammering in my neck, lungs shrinking to the size of bubble wrap and ready to burst.

The sudden jolt of activity was enough to rouse my sluggish brain into full wakefulness. And that’s when I remembered that these beasts could climb.

Leaping from the chair with a distance that could rival any ballerina on her worst day, I dashed across the floor and retrieved the Lysol from the bathroom. Sufficiently armed with a yellow can that promises to kill 99.9%, I went back to face the monster. Only to find him gone. Vanished. And likely plotting a path upstairs to my bedroom where he will lay in wait amidst the woodgrain of my furniture.

Clearly, I’ll have to move.

I recently attended a *cough* 30th reunion. And it was great seeing so many familiar faces and chatting.

A former classmate of mine offered the obligatory “you haven’t changed since high school.”

I smiled graciously.

Then he tilted his head and, with furrowed scrutiny, said, “No. You REALLY haven’t changed since high school. It’s almost like you’re a vampire.”

We both exchanged nervous laughs. I’m thinking this might be the sweetest compliment/accusation I’ve ever heard.

Until I remembered what I looked like in high school.

Teenage me in 3 words: complete walking disaster.

If I were a vampire, I’d be the most awkward, near-sighted immortal to ever roam the earth.

It’s Blueberry Festival time in my corner of the world. Fried foods… craft booths galore… entertainers… more food… fireworks…the Blueberry Stomp race…parade…and the legendary blueberry donuts.

This hermit usually observes the crowd of thousands from a safe distance. But there have been occasions when the nostalgic appeal of an elephant ear (fried dough brushed with butter and sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar) has lured me into the throng. We’ll see what happens this year…

In the meantime, we’re all keeping an eye on Dorian and sending prayers to family, friends, and everyone in its path.

Wishing each of you a happy, healthy, and safe weekend.

THE ROGUE TO RUIN is here!!!

At long last, Reed and Ainsley’s story is out in the wild! Thank you for sharing this day with me! <3

The Bourne Matrimonial Agency has one rule: Never fall in love with a client, which shouldn’t be a problem when one’s faking an engagement to the rogue across the street . . .

Ainsley Bourne needs the family business to succeed. But one obstacle stands in her way—Reed Sterling, the huge, handsome, former prize fighter and owner of the gaming hell across the street. His scandalous customers scare off all her marriage-minded patrons and since the devilish brute has no intention of relocating, she sets out to ruin his unsavory establishment. Yet when a vile suitor from her past reappears, Ainsley hastily claims an attachment to the first man who comes to mind . . . Mr. Sterling, to be exact.

Reed doesn’t know who is more surprised by Miss Bourne’s declaration. She clearly hates him, and he’d never admit their arguments simmer with unrequited attraction. Something about the pleading look in her eyes calls to Reed, and against his better judgment, he quickly plays the part of the besotted fiancé.

Pretending to be in love requires a convincing charade. But with each tantalizing touch and every scandalous kiss, Ainsley starts to wonder if Reed was ever really the enemy at all.

Links:

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2W9sf0B

Avon: http://bit.ly/2Fpmw1l

B&N: http://bit.ly/2TPIm6Y

GooglePlay: http://bit.ly/2Cu6Vvw

iBooks: https://apple.co/2Tlaz06

Kobo: http://bit.ly/2TYycjr

~

Warm wishes and happy reading,

Viv

New this week:

A cover reveal on Goodreads for LORD HOLT TAKES A BRIDE (aka the book I need to finish writing asap)! 🙂

USA Today bestselling author Vivienne Lorret launches a charming new trilogy about three debutantes who get more than they bargained for when it comes to the mating habits of scoundrels . . .

Heiress Winnifred Humphries refuses to marry the odious man her parents have chosen. She’ll marry for love or not at all. But how does a woman know a man truly loves her? Needing answers, she sets out to discover the marriage habits of London’s aristocrats. Yet when her friends kidnap a lord for research, Winn knows they’ve gone too far. Now she’s facing a wickedly handsome scoundrel who wants revenge.

Lord Asher Holt has the perfect plan to free himself of his father’s debts. But when a trio of foolish debutantes abducts him, their scheme ruins everything! Fuming and tied to a chair, Holt overhears that one of them is an heiress. Perhaps he isn’t above a little kidnapping either.

Yet, when the heiress runs away from her own wedding and straight into his waiting carriage, Holt finds himself on an adventure he’ll never forget, falling in love with a woman worth more than any treasure. But will Winn ever believe his heart only desires her . . . and not her fortune?

EXCITING NEWS: I’m sending out an EXCLUSIVE COVER REVEAL of LORD HOLT TAKES A BRIDE to all my newsletter followers Sunday, July 14th!

There’s still time to sign up at /vivlorret.net/contact/   Just look for the newsletter “sign up” at the bottom right of the page and enter your email address to subscribe.

I’ll also be hosting a mega-giveaway for all my newsletter subscribers to celebrate the release of THE ROGUE TO RUIN at the end of the month.

More news to come!

Warm wishes and happy reading,

Viv

IT’S OFFICIAL!!!

I’m writing a new series for Avon Romance called THE MATING HABITS OF SCOUNDRELS. Squee! Many thanks (and hugs) to Nicole Fischer, Stefanie Lieberman, my fellow authors, and the readers who’ve given me so much love and support and encouragement.

This wouldn’t have happened if not for you.