Wicked Rivals by Lauren Smith

Blurb

A LORD WITH LEGENDARY CONTROL…

Merciless and powerful, Ashton Lennox is a wealthy man because he puts business before everything else, especially love. As a member of the infamous League of Rogues, he’s no stranger to scandal. His bedroom conquests are as legendary as his fortune. As he searches for a way to bring down an old enemy bent on destroying the lives of his friends, the last thing he needs is a Scottish widow getting in his way.

A FIERY WOMAN WHO WON’T BACK DOWN…

The daughter of a Scottish lord with a dark and treacherous past, Rosalind Melbourne has spent years distancing from her past. After escaping her tyrannical father and marrying an aging English lord, she has become a powerful widow with a business empire at her command. Her business dealings are everything to her, leaving her no time for love. Especially not with her business rival Ashton, a man with a scandalous reputation as striking as his blue eyes.

A GAME OF WITS TURNS TO A GAME OF SEDUCTION…

Ashton is fascinated by the strong-willed, intelligent and sensual lady who, up until now, had outsmarted him at every turn. Rosalind wishes she could deny she is falling for the brooding, handsome baron. How can she possibly trust him when doing so could cost her what she values most—her freedom? When Ashton discovers Rosalind might hold the key to saving the League of Rogues, he knows he will do anything to woo his wicked lass. As their pasts return to haunt them and dark forces rise to keep them from exposing a deadly spymaster, their game of love turns to a game of survival…

Warning: This book includes a brooding baron who’s wild in bed, a crafty Scottish lass who never knows when to quit, a wicked game of strip chess, and a merry band of rogues whose first instinct is to run they hear wedding bells ring.

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Lauren Smith’s Wicked Rivals is an engaging, sensual story filled with romance and intrigue. The romantic tension between Lord Ashton Lennox and Lady Rosalind Melbourne has been building during the last two League of Rogues novels. Lord Lennox initiated an encounter between the couple in Her Wicked Proposal and was not amused when Lady Melbourne bested him! I have been waiting to read Ashton’s story - - and it exceeded my expectations! 

Lord Lennox and Lady Melbourne are fierce business rivals. Rosalind has outmaneuvered Lennox several times during the past few months. Lennox has lost several lucrative shipping contracts to the Scottish widow. Ashton sets a trap for Lady Melbourne when he meets with the heads of five of the largest banks in London. The end result of these meetings is a promise from each banker that Lady Melbourne’s credit will not be extended. Lennox’s friends have bought Lady Melbourne’s loans and he arranges to have the notes payable immediately. Rosalind has no money or credit and Ashton owns everything, including her home. 

Both Ashton and Lady Melbourne are strong characters. Ashton is a calm, cool entrepreneur who thrives on buying and selling companies and thinks in terms of possessing people and businesses. Rosalind is my favorite heroine in this series. She has survived her father’s cruel treatment, married well and has learned to make her way in the world of business. As a widow, she has more freedom than many women and she treasures it. Rosalind will not be owned by anyone. 

Lauren Smith has created a unique group of characters who have banded together to fight a common enemy, Hugo Waverley. Waverley’s presence is felt during each of the novels in this series. The reader learns of a new connection between Waverley and a main character. As the story intensifies, the reader learns that Waverley has placed spies within the League households and inner circle. The author provides a subtle clue as to how the reader can identify Waverley’s employees in the next novel. I enjoyed how the author blended the romance between Ashton and Rosalind with this suspense filled storyline. The pacing in Wicked Rivals is superb as each word, each scene leads the reader towards the novel’s stunning conclusion. I can’t wait for the next book in this series! 

Reviewed By Susan Gorman

Copy of the book provided by the author.

I enjoyed it so much that I bought it too!

Author Bio

Lauren Smith is an Oklahoma attorney by day, author by night for Grand Central Publishing, who pens adventurous and edgy romance stories by the light of her smart phone flashlight app. She knew she was destined to be a romance writer when she attempted to re-write the entire Titanic movie just to save Jack from drowning. Connecting with readers by writing emotionally moving, realistic and sexy romances no matter what time period is her passion. She’s won multiple awards in several romance subgenres including: New England Reader’s Choice Awards, Greater Detroit BookSeller’s Best Awards, Amazon.com Breakthrough Novel Award Quarter-Finalist and a Semi-Finalist for the Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley Award. To connect with Lauren, visit her at 
http://www.laurensmithbooks.com/ or twitter at https://twitter.com/LSmithAuthor.

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Giveaway

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His Wicked Seduction--League of Rogues--Book Two by Lauren Smith

League Rule 2


One must never seduce another member's sister. Should this rule rule be broken, the member who sister was seduced has the right to demand satisfaction.

"Shall I kiss you, Horatia? I find you so hard to resist when you look up at me with those dark eyes. They are begging me to kiss you. Did you know that?" His voice was a soft growl that made her breasts heavy and her nipples harden.

Incapable of speech Horatia shook her head. She wanted to throw his arms across his neck and drag his mouth to hers. She ached to drag her hands through his dark red hair. Endless nights has been spent imagining what this moment would be like, to be close enough to touch, to kiss.

His Wicked Seduction is the second book in Lauren Smith's League of Rogues series. This book is an excellent addition to the series and can be read as a stand alone novel. I was absorbed by Lucien and Horatia's story and found it hard to put down. Horiata has loved Lucien for years. Lucien cares deeply for her as well but his friendship with Horatia's brother Cedric and the League rule prevents him from moving forward. Lucien and Horatia's passion sizzles off the pages from their first kiss to the last page of the book.

After another mysterious incident involving the league members, Cedric, Horatia and their younger sister Audrey travel with Lucien to his family estate to celebrate the holidays. I loved Lucien's mother Jane Russell, the Marchioness of Rochester. She was forthright about wanting to see one of her children married as she longed for a grandchild. Loved her plotting behind the scenes at the house party. Lauren Smith has created a fabulous cast of characters in this series. The friendship between the league members is deep as they have shared many adventures and stuck together through difficult times. There is a bit of foreshadowing regarding possible stories for Cedric, Ashton (my favorite) and a hint of a story for Lucien's brother Avery. Just adored Cedric and Horatia's sister Audrey! She was definitely the standout scene stealer in this novel! Am hoping Ms. Smith has a story planned for her!

Perhaps, the most intriguing character is the book's villain Hugo Waverly. He has sworn vengeance against each one of the members of the league. Waverly is always in the background in this story and he has many connections throughout Europe. His evil presence is sensed as the novel's story unfolds.

I read the last few chapters of the book in one sitting. The path to the ending of the novel was filled with passion and intrigue. I loved the balance between emotions and suspense played out during the holiday house party. The conclusion was a clever "who done it" and the ending was very, very satisfying.

Am looking forward to the next book in the series. Will it be Cedric's story? Ashton's ? Or Audrey's?

Reviewed by Susan Gorman

The Shadows of Stormclyffe Hall by Lauren Smith

The Shadows of Stormclyffe Hall

by Lauren Smith

Genre: Paranormal Romance/Romantic Suspense with Gothic Elements
Publisher: Entangled Publishing

Release Date: September 29, 2014

A thrilling gothic romance from Entangled’s Otherworld imprint…

To defeat a dark evil, they must face his family’s past…

Bastian Carlisle, the Earl of Weymouth, doesn't believe in ghosts. Even though tragedy and mysterious hauntings have driven his family away from his ancestral home, Stormclyffe Hall, he is determined to restore the castle to its former glory. His plans are disrupted when a stubborn American shows up on his doorstep hoping to pry into his family’s tragic history.

Jane Seyton, an American graduate student, is convinced there’s more to the tragedy of Stormclyffe Hall than history claims. Ever the scholar, she is determined to discover the truth, even if it means putting up with the arrogant, yet sexy, Bastian.

Although Bastian wants nothing to do with the pushy American, it soon becomes clear that something evil is in the house—and that something is targeting both Jane and Bastian. The two must join forces to purge the ghosts of Stormclyffe Hall once and for all—even as they try to fight a physical attraction between them that grows more and more impossible to deny.

The twenty-minute drive to the estate took her on a narrow road that paralleled the edge of the coast. Although it was October, the grass was still green on the hillsides, and storm clouds were only a vague outline on the horizon.  The landscape gave way to a slowly rising hill and a mass of distant trees, gnarled and knotted together tight as thorns. Just beyond was a glimpse of the castle. It was a massive edifice that stood stark against the sky and trees, towering over the fields, and she couldn't help but stare.

The countless photographs she’d collected over the years hadn't prepared her for the raw beauty and power of the structure. The worn battlements were still fully intact, facing the sea like warriors, ever defiant in the face of nature’s force on the coast. The steep cliffs merely half a mile from the castle loomed, dark and threatening.

No fence lined the cliff edges. No warning signs guided visitors away except one that read Private Property. Heavy Fines for Trespassing. She repressed an achy shiver as a cloud stole across the sun’s path, dimming all light.

The gray stones of Stormclyffe stood stalwart and proud, challenging her to drive closer. The road turned to gravel and thinned even more, leaving only enough space for her car.

Sheer desolation seemed to pour off the structure as she pulled into the castle’s front drive. If not for the five work vehicles that obviously belonged to various handymen, she would have thought the castle was devoid of all life.

Strands of hair stung her face as the wind whipped it about. There was an unsettling silence on the grounds, like something unnatural muffled the sound of the sea. No crashing waves, only the violence of the wind against the castle’s stones.

The house seemed to be wrapped in an invisible layer of thick wool, where sight and smell were dulled. The wind’s icy fingers crawled along her shoulder blades and dug into her hair, making her tense with apprehension. The castle walls were pitted with small chinks in the stones like fathomless obsidian eyes that stared at her, sized her up, and found her wanting.

The hairs rose on the back of her neck. The eerie sensation of eyes fixed on her back sent a cold wave of apprehension over her skin. She whipped around to look at the deserted landscape, suddenly fighting off a rush of panic at being alone out here.

Her heartbeat froze for a brief moment. A woman in a long white nightgown, hair loose down to her waist, stood hesitantly on the cliff’s edge, half turned toward the sea. She stared at Jane. Her skin was grayish, and her eyes were shadowed with black circles as though she hadn't slept in years.
Something wasn't right about the way she looked, or the fact that the nightgown looked far too old in style for any modern woman to be wearing. Not to mention a woman in a nightgown in broad daylight wasn't right either…

The Shadows of Stormclyfee Hall is a thrilling modern gothic novel.  It has all of the elements of a gothic novel that I enjoy reading: it is set in a dark mysterious castle, several unexplained murders and accidents have taken place and it's dark and very sensual.  Although, I am not a huge fan of the paranormal genre, the paranormal elements fit into the storyline and add to it's believability.

Lauren Smith creates a very mysterious and handsome hero in Bastian Carlise, the a Earl of Weymouth. Bastian is in the process of renovating the castle and attending to the family's estate matters when he receives a letter from Jane Seyton an American graduate student asking to visit Stormclyfee to read about the families history to complete her thesis dissertation.

Bastian felt like a damn fool. He'd just snogged  a woman in his drawing room without any control over himself. If he were a man who believed in ghosts, he might think that his ancestor Richard had taken over his body. Possessed him. But, that was impossible.

Author Lauren Smith's descriptive writing style flows well in this modern gothic novel. I  could visualize the rooms in the castle , the dovecote and the shadows in the castle.The plot is well-paced and I found it hard to break away from the story. The mutual attraction between Bastian and Jane is more than sexual, they are connected. I became invested in these characters and I wanted them to solve the 200 year curse at Stormclyfee Hall.  I wanted to know what happenned to Bastian's uncle Richard and his wife Isabelle and why the castle was cursed. As a romance reader, I wanted  Bastian and Jane to fall for each other. Lauren Smith delivered so much more in this mysterious, sexy, and sometimes scary thrilling novel.

If you love an excellent gothic novel, pick up Stormclyfee. The novel is slightly less than 200 pages in length and it's the perfect read for a dark rainy evening!

                                    

Reviewed by Susan Gorman.

Amazon US ~ Amazon UK ~ Amazon CA ~ Barnes & Noble ~ iTunes ~ Kobo

Lauren Smith is an attorney by day, author by night, who pens adventurous and edgy romance stories by the light of her smart phone flashlight app. She’s a native Oklahoman who lives with her three pets: a feisty chinchilla, sophisticated cat and dapper little schnauzer. She’s won multiple awards in several romance subgenres including being an Amazon.com Breakthrough Novel Award Quarter-Finalist and a Semi-Finalist for the Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley Award. Lauren loves hearing from readers and can be contacted through her site at www.laurensmithbooks.com.

Facebook Fan Page ~ Facebook Friend Page ~ Twitter ~ Google +

Amazon ~ Goodreads ~ Website ~ The League of Rogues

emal: ldsmith1818@gmail.com

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Wicked Designs by Lauren Smith -- Audio Version

Lauren Smith's Wicked Designs is a fast-paced book filled with engaging characters, humor, intrigue and sexual sizzle. I was drawn into the story when Emily overhears the coachman accepting a bribe and realizes that she is being kidnapped. I knew from the beginning of the novel that Emily was my favorite type of heroine as she approached her situation very calmly and started to make a plan. Feisty Emily wasn't going to be kidnapped without a fight!

Godric St Laurent and his band of rogues have kidnapped Emily because Emily's uncle owes Godric a great deal of money. I loved listening to the banter between Emily and the rogues at breakfast. The narrator did an excellent job switching between the voice of Emily and the lords at the table. 

 
I felt there was perfect balance between romance and intrigue in the novel. I wasn't entirely sure which rogue would capture Emily's heart. Godric? Ashton? Lucien? The romance develops as the story progresses. There are several villains and plot twists in this fast- paced adventure.

*****************************************************************************************************************************

Audiobook--Unabridged
Wicked Designs: League of Rogues, Book 1 (League of Rogues Series, Book 1)
By Lauren Smith
Narrated By Heather Wilds
Length: 11 hrs and 1 min 

 
Enjoyed reading this book and the audio was fabulous.
Excellent narrator. Lots of nuances in the narration of the book. 

Great audio for a long trip or a vacation. I listened to it driving to and from work and traveling to a dog show.

Even though I had read the book, I loved the audio so much that I listened to the ending in bed...it was awesome!

Link to the book review of Wicked Designs.

Reviewed by Susan Gorman.

Wicked Designs: The League of Rogues, Book 1 - Review

Wicked Designs: The League of Rogues, Book 1 - Review

by Lauren Smith

     League Rule 4

When seducing a lady, any member of the League may pursue her until after she has declared her interest in a particular member, and at such time, all pursuits of the lady by others must cease.

Series: League of Rogues, Book 1

Emily drew in a deep breath. She had to make a choice: escape and return to her uncle and Blankenship, remain here with Godric or hope she could make a match with some man desperate to get access to her fortune regardless of her tainted state. Only one of those options had appeal.

Wicked Designs comments on social issues of the 1820's. Women were property. Emily could not live on her own. She was forced to live with her Uncle Albert in his town home while another relative managed her funds. Emily needed to make a match to escape her untrustworthy uncle and his nasty, cruel Blankenship. Lauren Smith creates a memorable character in Blankenship as he epitomizes evil.

I felt there was perfect balance between romance and intrigue in the novel. I wasn't entirely sure which rogue would capture Emily's heart. Godric? Ashton? Lucien? The romance develops as the story progresses. There are several villains and plot twists in this fast- paced adventure. The last three chapters of the book kept me reading to see the novel's resolution.

I recommend Wicked Designs to anyone who enjoys a fast paced adventure filled with romance and intrigue. Enjoy! I did!!

Lady Celeste Gives Wicked Designs a six-pack!

Lady Celeste is looking forward reading to Lauren Smith's gothic novel The Shadows of Stormclyffe Hall which is due out on September 22nd because she heard there is a corgi in the story! :)

The next League of Rogues book is Lucien's story: His Wicked Seduction. It will be available on November 11th. I think our Lady Celeste likes the bad boys!

Read more at Lauren Smith's website.

Review by Susan Gorman