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In addition to spinning a good story, my loves include chocolate, reading good books, traveling, and taking as many bubble baths as possible. When I’m not writing, you can find me roaming around the southern U.S. with my husband and two very fluffy cats. I’m the redhead in pajamas.
For a list of my books, click here. To find out more about me, and to subscribe to my mailing list, please visit my website.
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Also By Vivienne Hart
Emilia and the Eldritch Earl
Hoard
Darkheart
Zella Unlocked
Aura Awakened
Lustre
Forest of Frost: Sugared Plums and Poisoned Apples
Queens of Thorns and Stars (with Elle Cross)
THE MERMAN’S LURE
S.J. SANDERS
A Durmont Witches Romance
Keri is a witch trying to figure out her powers and where her gifts may lead her. The last thing she needs is the distraction of a seductive merman-like Aquana tempting her when she has no desire to be carried off under the sea. Even if he intrigues her and stirs her mind and heart as well as her body.
But with this incredible pull, what is a witch to do?
Keri
I glowerat the bowl in front of me. This is the worst time for intuition block. It is even worse when you come from a family who excels at divination. Me, the best I can do is a bit of water scrying when the gods deign to show something to me. Even still, it is not as strong. I get the barest glimpse of things. I am just not a diviner. I am the family disappointment. Generations of diviners and I, the eldest daughter, am a rotten diviner.
I blow a strand of hair out of my face with a weary sigh. The pale strands, undeterred, just settle back in front of my eyes, mocking my inability to focus. I can try to blame my lack of concentration on the diabolical strands, but even I don’t buy that. I stare down into the dark water of the bowl, watching the play of light from the seven candles lit around it. Images tease the corners of my vision, but nothing is coming in clearly and gone just as quickly.
“Come on, Keri, you aren’t focusing,” Adiele sighs.
I am starting to regret asking my friend to help me try to get a handle on my lackluster skills a few weeks ago. Adiele is probably the best diviner I know. She learned many of her skills at the knee of her great-grandmother before she passed on. My family, in contrast, is… complicated. The Durmont family is a coven of powerful witches, but our offshoot line is particularly gifted with divination, and as such it is simply expected that you find your gift. There is no training—you are thrust out into the magical world and expected to find what works with you, armed with little more than a pared-down copy of the Durmont family grimoire.
Everyone was certain that I would eventually find my gift in time, and there had been little pressure to do so until our world changed a couple of years ago as non-human beings decided to rejoin our world. Witches were gob smacked by the change. Werewolves and vampires were the most interested in mingling with humans, but rumor spread quickly of other species.
And now my parents are very concerned that I haven’t come fully into my power yet for the safety and prosperity of the coven. Gone are the days of exploration and experimentation, and the pressure is on.Oh, goody.
So, naturally, when Adiele offered to take me under her wing and provide more training, I eagerly took her up on it. That was months ago, however, and despite our weekly sessions, I haven’t seen any noticeable improvement in my lackluster divination skills.
“Iamtrying, Adiele. This just isn’t working. I think we just need to face it—I amnota diviner.”
