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The Care and Feeding of Rogues by Lauren Smith -a Review

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The Care and Feeding of Rogues by Lauren Smith -a Review

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Description:
Who could resist a wager from London’s most popular detective, Sherlock Holmes? Certainly not his scientist neighbor, Elise Hamblin.

The challenge: Study the primal nature of men; but not just any man for her study will do. Sherlock has chosen the Earl of March, a man with a scandalous and dangerous reputation.

Prospero Harrington has returned from exile to claim the title of Earl of March and his late father’s mounting debts. Desperate to secure his future, he responds to an intriguing ad and finds himself the subject of observation by a beautiful woman in exchange for a hefty payment.

Disguised as a man, Elise follows Prospero about London. Their close proximity and adventures provides a fascinating introduction to the world of men, passion, and desire.

Tragedy strikes and Elise must rely on the scandalous rogue she’s been studying. Enemies from Prospero’s dangerous past set their sights on the new earl and the woman who has won his heart, forcing him to face his past or lose Elise forever.

The Care and Feeding of Rogues is a stranger to lovers romance with a lady scientist and a scandalous rogue with a heart of gold. What starts out as a wager becomes the adventure of a lifetime, with a guaranteed HEA.

 

Review:

With Lauren Smith you can rely you’ll get a great story, and I did. 

Elise is a curious and very intelligent young woman, with a quick wit and curious nature. She’s a naturalist, but she’s also rather naive.

Prospero is a down on his fortune Earl. Back to claim his birthright (and a rather large amount of debt, courtesy of his father!). Needing a cash injection to set him on his way, we see Prospero accept a rather strange but intriguing ad. He’s to be followed/studied and observed doing his daily routine. A little strange granted, but the money will definitely come in handy. And the young lady is easy on the eye 😉 

There is a spark of interest almost straight away, but both are going to ignore it (Elise isn’t going to give up her independence and Prospero is single minded in his pursuit of wealth to bring to his title!).  I loved the side characters, and I’m hoping they get a book at some point in this new series.

But there is also danger, and it could put Elise if not both of them in mortal danger! Will Prospero’s unconventional education abroad help them in their hour of need? 

And the additional lure of Sherlock Holmes? Well I loved reading/watching anything about this infamous character. 

This was a book that mixes fact with fiction. It tries to show us the ways of how women were treated and looked upon in this era! They weren’t suppose to have minds/opinions or even a voice! 

A highly recommended read, it’s  a fun read, with fast pacing and enough spice to keep you reading. And the danger just adds to this amazing story.

Reviewed by Julie

Copy supplied by Author

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Dukes and Diamonds by Lauren Smith – a Review

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Dukes and Diamonds by Lauren Smith – a Review

 

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Description:
Diamonds are a duke’s best friend…

When the infamously cold-hearted Duke of Helston decides to catch a gang of jewel thieves stealing from London’s elite circles, he never expects the thief to be a woman.

She’s not just any woman either…she happens to be the bewitching creature he met in the darkened corridor during a musicale who changed his life forever.

What’s a duke to do when he wants to catch a thief who not only stole his family diamond, but also his heart?

 

 

Review:

Dukes and Diamonds by Lauren Smith the first book in a new series. I really like how this author does both historical and paranormal stories. Dukes and Diamonds is the first book in a new Victorian Jewel trilogy featuring three women who come together to steal from the rich and give to the poor. (Very Robin Hood vibes.) 

Without her new found friends, Tabitha’s story might have turned out completely different! Stealing food to survive, her fathers death had left her destitute and all alone. Then stealing from the rich to give to the poor (but only the ones who deserved it!).

Fitzwilliam Seagrave (Fitz to friends) the cold-hearted Duke of Helston (the name the ladies of high society gave him) decides to catch an elusive gang of jewel thieves stealing from London’s elite circles. Setting a trap to catch the thief he never expects the thief to be a woman. And she’s not just any woman either…she happens to be the young lady he’s beginning to fall for, exchanging heated woods and a wonderful moment that has him thinking of wedlock! 

Fitz doesn’t believe or carry the notion of love. But spending illicit moments with Tabitha has him thinking thoughts he ought not to! And how can he marry a penniless young woman who he thinks is a thief? So beneath his station (arrogant man 😆) but with the help of his friends and grandmother (who is such a hoot) he’s taught a few valuable lessons. He just has to come up with a way of letting Tabitha know his feelings (and to stop her from stealing!) 

I liked Tabitha (although a little uncomfortable with her stealing, but I see why) her actions had a motive, and her wit had me chuckling throughout the book. I like that she wasn’t a shy and innocent maiden (he won’t be her first bedroom experience 😜) and lusted after her Duke. She’s loyal to her friends and a quick mind.

Her partners in crime are Julia and Hannah, and they make a great trio. And I’m hoping they both get a story as each young lady is such a laugh, but have their own stories of woe! 

Add in a few steamy interludes, the other  Robins and other side characters and it’s a good read. Throw in a little angst and a twist, and it turns from a good into a great read. 

I can’t wait to read who’s next. So what happens next? There has to be consequences to her actions. If she’s caught will she name her accomplices? And will Fitz forgive her, or turn her into the local constabulary? 

Reviewed by Julie 🦋

Copy supplied by Author

 

 

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