Wednesday 24 August 2016

Spotlight: The Debutante is Mine by Vivienne Lorret



The Debutante Is Mine
Season's Original #1
By: Vivienne Lorret
Released April 12, 2016
Avon Impulse
The Debutante Is Mine

The Season's Original Series


USA Today bestselling author Vivienne Lorret launches a new historical romance series featuring the Season’s Original—a coveted title awarded by the ton’s elite to one lucky debutante...

From the Season Standard: ”A true Season’s Original embodies the class, grace, and style of the ton. Such an honor ensures the recipient their pick of eligible suitors…“

Lilah’s Appleton’s prospects are looking dim. With one last chance to find a titled husband before she’s forced to wed her wretched cousin, she must make this Season count. Plain, forgettable Lilah must become the Season’s Original. Desperate, she seeks help from the devilishly charming, untitled, and thoroughly unsuitable Jack Marlowe. All she must do now is resist the tempting rogue…

Bastard son and self-made man, Jack Marlowe loathes the aristocracy. When he meets Lilah, he expects her to be like all the other greedy husband-hunters. But she’s far more dangerous. Her alluring smiles and sharp tongue intrigue him. Before he knows it, he agrees to help her find a husband, revealing tricks to ensnare any man. The only problem is, his plan works too well—on him.

When Lilah becomes the belle of the ball, Jack realizes he may lose her forever-unless he can take a chance on love and claim his debutante...




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In the midst of the terse exchange, Jack Marlowe kept a steady eye on Lilah as he moved into the room. Briefly, she wondered if he was trying to remember her name.
He would not be able to, she knew. And for once, she wouldn’t care a fig. Jack Marlowe was the one man whose amnesia would make her elated beyond measure. Nonetheless, she sat straighter, waiting for him to give up the attempt and for his gaze to leave hers.
His mouth quirked at one corner. “Miss Appleton. A pleasure to see you again.”
A jolt of surprise snapped through her, causing the pulse at her throat to quicken. A flood of heat prickled her cheeks and her ears turned hot too.
Mr. Marlowe, have you been introduced to my niece?” Aunt Zinnia asked, disapproval lacing her tone.
He inclined his head in something resembling both an answer and an absent gesture of greeting. However, everyone in the room knew that ladies of the nobility deserved first consideration, not last. “I took the matter upon myself, earlier today in fact.”
Aunt Zinnia’s gaze sharpened. “Do you mean to say that you introduced yourself to Miss Appleton?”
Yes,” he answered with a chuckle.
Jack, that simply is not done in society,” Mrs. Harwick added fondly but with a waggle of her finger.
It is fortunate, then, that Miss Appleton and I did not meet in society but in the garden instead.” He turned to Lilah, an unrepentant grin on his lips. “Unless you would consider our first meeting on the street this morning.”
So he had seen her. The smile, the salute—those had been for her? Something warm inside of her fluttered. For an instant, she nearly forgot how much she disliked him. Nearly.
The street!” Aunt Zinnia gripped the edge of her armrests. The subtle nuances in her expression that usually relayed her disapproval were now quite evident. “Marjorie, were you aware of this?”
Of course not. Had I known, I would have made the proper introductions. After all, Jack has been Maxwell’s friend since they were in school together.”
This did not appear to appease Aunt Zinnia. “Lilah, you must think of your reputation. To be seen engaging in conversation with a man to whom you have not been introduced—and in a public square, no less—could endanger your options of finding a suitable match. We cannot afford to make any errors.”
Lilah knew this all too well. “Aunt Zinnia, there was no ‘exchange’ in the street whatsoever.”
I beg to differ,” Jack added, the certainty in his tone drawing far too much attention. “I distinctly recall your smile cast in my direction.”
All eyes fell upon her. She clasped her hands to make sure she wasn’t holding cymbals after all.
No, I was laughing at the man who had the audacity to ride a war horse in the middle of town,” Lilah corrected, forcing that errant fluttering to cease. “You must excuse Mr. Marlowe, for I believe he would like nothing more than to incite riots wherever he roams.”


USA Today bestselling author, VIVIENNE LORRET loves romance novels, her pink laptop, her husband, and her two sons (not necessarily in that order … but there are days). Transforming copious amounts of tea into words, she is an Avon Impulse author of works including: Tempting Mr. Weatherstone, The Wallflower Wedding Series, The Rakes of Fallow Hall Series, The Duke’s Christmas Wish, and the Season’s Original Series.


Waiting On Wednesday: To Love And Cherish by Lauren Layne


'Waiting On Wednesday' is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking The Spine. It spotlights upcoming releases we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication 'can't wait to read' book chosen by me is:



Title: To Love And Cherish by Lauren Layne

Expected Release Date: 8th October
Publisher: Pocket Books

(From Goodreads)

Sex and the City meets The Wedding Planner in The Wedding Belles, a contemporary and witty romance series about three high-powered New York City women who can plan any wedding—but their own.

Alexis Morgan has spent the past six years devoted to turning her tiny start-up into Manhattan’s premiere wedding planning company, The Wedding Belles. Now that her business is thriving, it’s time to turn towards her much neglected personal life, and Alexis approaches her relationships like she does everything else: with a plan. Not a part of that plan is Logan Harris, the silent partner in the Belles, and the one person who’s been there for her since the very beginning. But Alexis needs someone fun, and Logan’s all business, all the time—except when a late night at the office ends with an unexpected kiss that leaves the usually cool and together Alexis reeling.

Logan has lusted after Alexis since the day he walked into the tiny Harlem apartment that used to double as her office. But the ambitious wedding planner has always been untouchable...until now. Alexis has made it clear that she’s on the dating market—and equally clear that he’s not in the running. But when Alexis finds herself in need of a date for her sister’s last minute wedding in Florida, Logan knows it’s the perfect time to show Alexis that there’s more to him than numbers and spreadsheets—and beneath the pinstripes and glasses lies a hot-blooded heartthrob. As Florida’s sultry days turn into even hotter nights, Logan’s out to convince Alexis that the fling of a lifetime could just maybe turn into forever...

Why am I waiting for this book?
I'm a big fan of Lauren Layne's because she writes well-crafted protagonists that are intelligent and fun. She is one of my few go-to authors because she consistently writes books that I enjoy; I haven't been disappointed by anything of hers...yet! This particular book piques my interest because the hero is British. As a Brit myself, I'm often left gutted when a non-British writer doesn't manage to nail the Britishness of the protagonist(s). The fact that this book is a romantic comedy and I find the author's written humour funny bodes well, especially as I don't tend to find American humour laugh out loud funny most of the time. So my expectations are high and I hope this one hits the spot!

What are you waiting for?