Happy Monday and welcome to our annual Scandalous Affair. Every February we get excited about our historical romances, maybe because it’s the month of love This year we have a lineup of authors that you need to read whether you are a newbie historical romance reader or a seasoned fangirl.
Kicking things off, one of our personal newest discoveries! If you haven’t read her books yet, you are missing out on all the fun.
Vivienne Lorret
Welcome to Under the Covers! We are excited to be talking to you today about your Misadventures in Matchmaking series and historical romance in general.
But since this is your first time here, tell us 5 things about yourself that we wouldn’t normally know.
Thank you so much for having me here today! Let’s see…
- I’ve lived in Indiana my entire life.
- To help me overcome my (ongoing) fear of public speaking, I started chatting up my local baristas. It helps.
- I’m a yarn-oholic. Hello, my name is Vivienne…
- I once dressed up as the Slush Puppy for a parade.
- I’ve been known to do a Chewbacca impression, a time or two.
How did the idea for a series about a matchmaking company run by a family came to be?
The idea for the Bourne Matrimonial Agency came by way of a serendipitous discovery while doing research for a different book. While skimming pages, I stumbled across an article about a “New Matrimonial Plan,” which cited a reference to an actual matchmaking agency in London in 1825. From there, I found more mentions of this agency (many of them very funny), et voila! the Misadventures in Matchmaking Series was born.
Briar is such an adorable heroine! What’s your favorite thing about her?
Thank you so much! I guess, my favorite thing about Briar is her positive attitude. Nothing can keep her from looking on the bright side of things (at least, not for long).
Is there a historical romance trope that you are anxious to write about? And what is your favorite to read?
Redemption stories and Second-Chance romance are always 1-clicks for me. The underestimated hero comes back to town with a chip on his shoulder, only to discover things aren’t always as they seem? Click. The bad girl struts back into town with something to prove to the boy who broke her heart, only to discover that he’s been pining for her? Click.
One day, I hope to write one of those.
How would you describe your style of writing in 3 words?
Chaos of miracles
What historical figure would you like to add to your book? Who would make a great hero or heroine?
Well, this seems like the expected response, but I’d love to write Jane Austen into a book. With such a determined nature, she would make the perfect heroine, deserving of a happily ever after with the one that got away.
What is the strangest thing you’ve ever had to research?
These indoor “privies” inside medieval castles were just little closets over cesspits. Having been a Girl Scout who camped a lot as a child, I understand the purpose of a latrine. However, it was learning that people used to hang their clothes inside these garderobes (because the stench was supposed to keep the insects away) that seemed a little strange to me.
What was the first historical romance you read?
A Knight in Shining Armor *le sigh* by Jude Devereaux. It is still one of my all-time favorites.
If you could be reborn into any era, which would it be?
I’d stick with this one. I love freedom, driving, contact lenses, and indoor plumbing too much to give them up.
What are you currently working on and what can we expect from you next?
I just submitted THE ROGUE TO RUIN (on sale July) to my editor at Avon. And I’m currently working on a proposal for a new series.
Available Now!

Book Info
Released: December 24, 2018
Series: Misadventures in Matchmaking #2
Published by Avon
Pages: 384
The Bourne Matrimonial Agency has one rule: Never fall in love with the client. However, they never said anything about kissing a rake…
Briar Bourne’s matchmaking career could be summed up in two words—comic disaster. Unless she can learn about the irresistible forces that draw men and women together, her professional future looks rather bleak. But Briar has an intriguing plan—enlisting London’s most irredeemable rake to teach her everything he knows about attraction. Given his notorious reputation, it’s no surprise that Nicholas Blacklowe, the Earl of Edgemont, requests one thing in exchange for his tutelage. For every lesson, he wants a kiss in return. And what harm could there be in a simple kiss? After all, Briar would never fall for a scoundrel…
Nicholas has no romantic notions about love, and no intention of changing his ways. He’s only helping Briar so that she can find the perfect bride for his jilted cousin. Yet Briar is so clever, so curious, so candid—so blasted tempting—that soon, Nicholas can’t stop wondering what it might be like if he was irresistible to her.
Ten lessons. Ten kisses. And a million ways to fall hopelessly, scandalously in love.

READING ORDER & BUY LINKS
Under the Covers is graciously giving away
Two Historical Romance Bundles
International
BUNDLE #1
DUKE WITH BENEFITS by Manda Collins
THE STUDY OF SEDUCTION by Sabrina Jeffries
LOVE WITH A SCOTTISH OUTLAW by Gayle Callen
BLISS by Lynsay Sands
THE VISCOUNT AND THE VIXEN by Lorraine Heath
MERELY A MARRIAGE by Jo Beverly
THE TEXAN DUKE by Karen Ranney
I DARED THE DUKE by Anna Bennett
BUNDLE #2
HOW TO FORGET A DUKE by Vivienne Lorret
TOO WILDE TO WED by Eloisa James
MY ONCE AND FUTURE DUKE by Caroline Linden
THE DUKE OF HER DESIRE by Sophie Barnes
GOVERNESS GONE ROGUE by Laura Lee Gurhke
BEAUTY LIKE THE NIGHT by Joanna Bourne
THE PRINCE AND I by Karen Hawkins
THE GROOM WORE PLAID by Gayle Callen
THE SCANDALOUS FLIRT by Olivia Drake
♡ Don’t want to miss any of our posts? ♡
- Excerpt + Giveaway: On the Wings of War by Hailey Turner - September 3, 2020
- And The Winners Are… - September 2, 2020
- Mid-Year Book Freak-Out Tag | 2020 - August 22, 2020

I love your 3 word description of your writing style. I also loved knight in shining armor!
Love the sound of this book, also great interview
Great interview and awesome giveaway!! Shared on my socials!??
chaos of miracles–love that
Great interview! It is always interesting to learn about the author’s inspiration for writing a book.
Ms. Lorret writes great HR books for sure. Great to learn more about the couple of the book. Thanks for the interview, UTC!
New author and series for me. Great bundles!!
Thanks for the great interview, the tidbit about the reason why people would hang their clothes in the garderobes made me laugh!
I love Jude Devereaux books…..Gavin Montgomery is still my favorite hero of hers!
I love HR so I can’t wait to read all the interviews and discover new authors/books!
What can I say beyond amazing? All of it, interview, book, giveaway! Who ever wins is one lucky person!
sounds good!
Good to find a new-to-me author!
Hi Vivienne! Nice to see you here! Thanks for the interview!
I do enjoy a historical romance but tend towards Highlanders.
I thought at first she said she was a yam-oholic. Yarn-oholic is a little more understandable!
Ewww. I never heard the tidbit about clothing being hung in garderobes….