From the Desk of Vanessa Riley

Did you eat your black-eyed peas on January 1st?

Vanessa here.

First, let me start by wishing you a Happy New Year!!! I hope this year brings fulfillment and joy. I hope your cupboards overflow in food, health, and blessings. 

At the Riley house, we prepare the traditional meal:

  • Black-eyed peas which are for silver money and good luck.
  • Greens are for paper money.
  • Chicken (fried in the air fryer) is to fly into the new year.

This food lore also falls onto "superstitions" such as a man having to be the first to cross your threshold and walk around with money in your pockets all day. There are dozens.

Do you have any special New Year's traditions or odd old family rituals you cannot help but do? Send me a note and let me know.

COUNTDOWN TO MY NEW HISTORICAL ROMANCE

DAYS HOURS MINUTES SECONDS

A Duke, The Spy, An Artist, and A Lie

COMING MARCH 2022!

Book 3 Rogues & Remarkable Women

Critically acclaimed author Vanessa Riley infuses the ballroom settings of Regency England with Jamaican flair her Rogues & Remarkable Women series featuring a secret society of widows battling society to regain their money and a chance at love everlasting. In this sweeping, swoon-worthy final installment, an English spy must follow his neglected wife through the streets of London as she investigates her sister's death with the aid of the Widow's Grace. Can they find common ground and learn to work together? This vibrant and inclusive historical romance is perfect for Bridgerton binge-watcher!

Founded by the ton's most ingenious countess, the secret society The Widow's Grace comes to the aid of ill-treated widows and wives and helps them regain their fortunes, their families, and sometimes discover true love. . .

For adventurous heiress Cecilia Thomas, marrying charming military lieutenant Lord Gantry to save him from danger--and herself from mercenary suitors--was a painful mistake. Instead of a passionate life together, she's stranded at his chilly Mayfair mansion with his unaccepting family. Worse, she finds he is actually a spy dedicated to duty over wedlock--and secrets over trust. So when she hears her sister has been driven to her death, Cecilia is determined to expose the powerful man responsible. Assisted by The Widow's Grace, she flees to Covent Garden with a new identity. But can she elude her formidable husband--even as the desire between them continues to flare even hotter?

Always calm, forever controlled, Gantry has put everything aside to hunt down the traitor who nearly killed him. It's only when Cecilia leaves that he realizes his real duty should have been to her. As she continually outwits him through London's most perilous streets, Gantry realizes his wife is a resourceful, courageous woman he longs to truly know. But when her pursuit threatens influential enemies, will his and Cecilia's only chance to gain justice separate them once and for all?

READ MORE ON MY WEBSITE

NEW HISTORICAL FICTION

Sister Mother Warrior

COMING JULY 2022!

Two women shape the heart of the Haitian Revolution. Sister Mother Warrior tells their story through their eyes.

READ MORE ON MY WEBSITE

NEW HISTORICAL MYSTERY

Murder in Westminster

COMING AUGUST 2022!

The first book in a diversely cast Regency-set mystery series and featuring an amateur female sleuth who must solve her neighbor's murder after being listed as one of the prime suspects, to Esi Sogah at Kensington in a three-book deal, but Sarah Younger at the Nancy Yost Literary Agency (World). 

Smart, witty, and refreshingly diverse, this new Regency-set series from acclaimed author Vanessa Riley combines her signature emotional richness and attention to detail in a historical mystery featuring a strong, clever, and captivating heroine . .

READ MORE ON MY WEBSITE

News & Updates

Starred Reviews and Foreign Rights!!

Both books of the Rogues and Remarkable Women Series have received starred reviews.

A Duke, The Lady, and A Baby received one from Publisher's Weekly.

An Earl, The Girl, and A Toddler received one from Booklist.

Foreign rights for France, the UK, Portugal, and Romania were sold last year!! IU still can't believe my books will be in languages around the globe. Pretty Cool.

Please tag me if you pick up a foreign language edition!

Island Queen in Cosmopolitan

Island Queen was picked as one of the 21 Historical Fictions to read in 2021 by Cosmo!!!!

Click here for link.

[Update on the Island Queen TV deal]

 

Your January Audiobook is Ready!

Island Queen

Click here for links to purchase the audio, or ebooks, or paperbacks. Remember to support indie bookstores.

Until next time, stay safe. Be Blessed.

Vanessa!!!

 

Vanessa Riley

          Visit VanessaRiley.com

 

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