Wednesday, May 21, 2014

Summer, summer, summer...reads

by Vivienne Lorret

Now that I’ve finished writing book #3 in The Wallflower Wedding Series, I’m taking a break to tackle my tbr list. Since I stay away from reading historical romance while I’m writing it, it’s a treat to indulge in some of my favorite historical authors. My top three to-be-reads are Meredith Duran’s Fool Me Twice, Tessa Dare’s Romancing the Duke, and Jane Austen’s Persuasion.

In the midst of reading for pleasure, I’ll also throw in a little research to help me prepare for my next book. And then from there, a great Post-it army will start to gather on my desk. Organizing these little soldiers and drawing up a battle plan is one of my favorite parts of the writing process.

In case you’re like me and enjoy indulging in historical romance, my latest book from Avon Impulse, Winning Miss Wakefield, will be out on June 10th. It’s book #2 in The Wallflower Wedding Series.

She's got nothing left to lose …

With her fiancĂ© suddenly engaged to another and her reputation in tatters, Merribeth Wakefield needs a bold plan to reclaim her life. She must be brave. Confident. She must … kiss a rake? The suggestion is ludicrous! Yet when Merribeth finds herself alone with the dark and brooding Lord Knightswold, suddenly the plan doesn't seem so farfetched. So she does something she never thought she'd do—she kisses him.

But he has everything to gain …

The Marquess of Knightswold—Bane to most—has no use for the affections of women. Well, none lasting longer than a single night. A plot for revenge weighs heavy on his mind, leaving no room for romance. But then a shy, witty miss borrows a kiss from him in a darkened room, and everything he thought he knew about innocent debutantes vanishes along with her.

When a twist of fate brings Merribeth within Bane's grasp, he'll have to resist her charms—or risk losing everything—for the sake of his heart.

Excerpt:

“Brandy,” he said after a moment and turned to regard her. His gaze drifted to her mouth, as intimate as a caress. “You have brandy-sipping lips. Supple, with the slightest pout where their color changes from dusky pink to a deeper shade. No doubt, you even prefer coffee over tea.” He tsked as if the heat blooming on her cheeks was from his uncovering a shocking preference for coffee instead of from his brazen compliment.

No man had ever said such things to her or about her. She wasn’t sure how to respond. Not knowing bothered her. She was always sure of herself. Even when William had ended their five-year understanding, she’d known precisely what to say.

Yet now, her tongue was mute, and her head was filled with the sound of Knightswold’s voice, as if her brain matter consisted of warm Christmas pudding, deeply spiced and velvety.

Winning Miss Wakefield, The Wallflower Wedding Series, book #2. Available June 10th, 2014.

~

Available now: Daring Miss Danvers, the first book in The Wallflower Wedding Series. For more information on my latest projects, visit www.vivlorret.net

3 comments:

Sarah Raplee said...

You have some of the same books on your TBR list as I do, Vivienne! Can't wait to read them.

I loved your excerpt! I've added Winning Miss Wakefield to my list!

Unknown said...

Thank you, Sarah! I hope you enjoy Merribeth and Bane's lovestory. :D

Judith Ashley said...

Well, I'll be adding Ms Duran to my list of 'must read' authors because both you and Christy Carlyle are recommending her! And, of course, I'll be reading "Daring Miss Danvers" followed by "Winning Miss Wakefield"!