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

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.

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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.