Vivienne Lorret's Blog, page 17
February 14, 2017
Flash Valentine’s Day Giveaway
***UPDATE*** Congratulations, Janice!
Happy Valentine’s Day!
As you know, I love a good cup of tea. So, in the spirit of this day, I want to share the love by giving away a $10 Starbucks e-gift card to one lucky winner.
To enter: Add a comment below, listing one thing that you find romantic
I’ll choose one (1) winner at random by 7 p.m. (EST) today and send the e-gift card directly to the email address linked to your comment.
Sending each of you lots of love!
Warm wishes and happy reading,
Viv
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February 13, 2017
Little known holidays
Did you know that last night was Fix-the-leaky-toilet Eve?
I wasn’t even aware of this spectacular holiday until the great wet sock discovery at 10 p.m. (always pleasant). But since I just fixed the same problem on the upstairs toilet a month ago (loose tank bolt), I knew I could handle it.
I had one of those “stand aside peasants while I save the day” moments, only to discover that every piece of metal (from the bolts to the slimy chain to the oddly flimsy arm that is seemingly in control of the entire functionality of the toilet) was rusted. This meant that I couldn’t fix the toilet last night.
Worse, with every component too ancient and brittle, I broke the shut-off valve. I now have a lovely purple wrench attached to the bolt. It adds a little something to the room, I think.
On the bright side, today is (yup, you guessed it) Fix-the-leaky-toilet Day! And I have decided to celebrate it.
Wish me luck! 
February 5, 2017
Easy Jalapeno Pinwheel Poppers
There’s something about watching muscular men face off on an open field, ready to crush each other, that makes people hungry. So just in case you need a snack for the big game today, I’m re-posting this family-favorite recipe for Easy Jalapeno Pinwheel Poppers. Enjoy!
Preheat oven to 375˚. Line cookie sheet with parchment paper.
Ingredients:
1 8oz. tub Jalapeño cream cheese spread, softened
1 8oz. tub Chive and Onion cream cheese spread, softened
2 cans Pillsbury original crescent rolls
1 8oz. bag of shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1 3oz. pkg. Oscar Mayer “Real Bacon” pieces
In a medium bowl, combine Jalapeño cream cheese spread with the Chive and Onion spread. Set aside. Carefully open the first can of crescents (or, if you are a thrill seeker, just rip it open with a resounding pop). Keeping the dough in a log, roll it out (long ways) on the parchment paper, and then pinch the seams together until you have a rectangle. With a spatula, spread half of the cream cheese mixture in an even layer over the naked dough. Sprinkle with ½ of the bacon pieces, and ½ of the shredded cheese. Then, with a long side facing you, roll the topping-laden dough into a log. Using a serrated knife, slice dough into 16 even pinwheels.
* Baking tip: the warmer the dough is, the more it tends to smush during this process. If you don’t mind a misshapen but out-of-this-world-tasty pinwheel popper, then keep going. If you are striving for the perfect pinwheel, then may the force be with you and refrigerate for easier handling.
Arrange pinwheels (perfect or otherwise) in rows on the parchment paper-covered cookie sheet. Bake at 375˚ for 18 to 24 minutes until the edges are kissed with golden brown. Cool slightly before transferring to a baking rack. Then repeat the process with the 2nd can of crescent roll dough and the remaining ingredients.
*Baking tip: I’m sure you can see by now that the end pieces don’t look the same as the others do. Even pinwheels have a few black sheep in the family. On the bright side, these rebels just happen to make the perfect “sample” bites. 
February 3, 2017
“Ice cream for breakfast makes you smarter”
Finally some good news! According to an article from The Telegraph, “… consuming ice cream for breakfast improves a person’s alertness and mental performance.”
“Compared to a group that had not eaten ice cream, Prof Koga’s subjects exhibited faster reaction times and better information-processing capabilities, the Excite News web site reported.”
Shall we raise our spoons and cheer together?
Don’t be surprised if my next book is dedicated to Haagen Dazs.
January 16, 2017
MLK, Jr. on happiness, faith, and love
“Those who are not looking for happiness are the most likely to find it, because those who are searching forget that the surest way to be happy is to seek happiness for others.” ~ Martin Luther King, Jr.
“Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase.” ~ Martin Luther King, Jr.
“Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.”~ Martin Luther King, Jr.
“I have decided to stick to love…Hate is too great a burden to bear.”~ Martin Luther King, Jr.
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January 9, 2017
Historical Romance Retreat
Dear Readers,
I’ll be attending the Historical Romance Retreat in Spokane, Washington this coming autumn, alongside a plethora of amazing historical romance authors!
Only 175 slots are available and registration opens tomorrow, Jan. 10th. http://www.historicalromanceretreat.com/
I hope to see you there!
Warm wishes and happy reading,
Viv
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January 1, 2017
Happy New Year!
Thank you for a wonderful 2016; for welcoming the Season’s Original characters with open arms; for loving Jack, Liam, and Max as much as I do (and Lilah, Adeline, and Juliet, too); and most of all for your generous support and friendship.
I’m looking forward to a great New Year and wishing you love and joy in 2017 and always.
Viv
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December 14, 2016
Max & Juliet’s Letters to Father Christmas
Sometimes it’s difficult to let the characters I write go and then move on to the next. For me, they keep living on, waking up, drinking tea (chocolate or coffee), kissing their spouses, and basically seizing their HEAs each and every day. So last week, when Herding Cats and Burning Soup asked me to share a holiday post for WHEN A MARQUESS LOVES A WOMAN, I jumped at the chance.
In the following letters, I imagined what Juliet and Max would have wanted for Christmas. 
December 9, 2016
Dear Father Christmas, I’ve been naughty…
Max and Juliet have written two very different letters to Father Christmas. You can find out what they both want at Herding Cats and Burning Soup today.
And don’t forget to enter for your chance to win a $25 Amazon e-gift card!
May your holiday season be merry and bright!
Warm wishes and happy reading,
Viv
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December 6, 2016
Exciting news!!!
Ellery’s book, JUST ANOTHER VISCOUNT IN LOVE (available 8/1/17), has pre-order links!!!
Now, I should probably start writing it. 
