Tag Archives: Lauren Smith

Seducing an Heiress on a Train by Lauren Smith – a Review

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Seducing an Heiress on a Train by Lauren Smith – a Review

 

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Description:
Seducing an heiress has never been easier…

Roguish Oliver, Viscount Conway, desperately needs money to save his family’s estate from debt collectors, and he knows just what to do – marry an heiress. When he sets foot on a train leaving Southampton, he bumps into Rayne, the most bewitching woman he’s ever met, and as luck would have it, she’s an American heiress. The woman swears she won’t marry, especially a fortune hunter. Oliver must win her for his bride at any cost, even if it means compromising the lady on a train and stealing her heart.

Avoiding fortune hunters has never been harder…

Rayne Egerton is happy to escape the New York ballrooms to travel with her father through England while he tends to business. What should have been an enjoyable Christmas vacation turns upside down with a moment of unexpected passion when a stranger in the cabin next to her steals a scorching kiss. The mysterious Lord Conway is everything that Rayne desires and fears in a man with his sinfully good looks, wicked smile and devastating kiss. As heiress to her father’s fortune, she isn’t going to give up her freedom for any man unless he can love her without her money. As the train rolls through snowy English countryside, she starts to wonder if Oliver may be the Christmas gift she’d been secretly hoping for.

 

 

Review:

Just in time for Christmas! Seducing an Heiress on a Train is a heartwarming Victorian Christmas story about finding real love in the midst of disaster. Lauren Smith, author of this marvelous tale has given everyone a real gift.

Now you all know I don’t do spoilers, and this is a quick novel, so I’ll give you the set up and let you know what I found so wonderful.

This is the story of Viscount Oliver Conway and an American heiress Rayne Egerton. It’s set in London 1888.

Viscount Conway (Oliver) has been trying to save his family from financial ruin after his father’s death. His father’s investments went bankrupt, leaving them owing a small fortune to pay off the debts and save their estate. There is no way for Oliver to find the funds to do that except for marrying an heiress, something he’s loathe to do. He wants a love match and a family like the one his mother and father had before things went wrong. However, to save his family, Oliver has set his mind to swallow his pride and do just that. They have a neighbor, Adelaide Berwick, daughter of Lord Berwick, and she’s always wanted to marry Oliver. Her dowry would definitely save their estate. However, she’s been a spoiled and cruel brat the whole time they’ve known her, and no one wants to have her around.

Rayne Egerton is an American and her father is in the oil and steel business. He has an enormous amount of money and would love to make a good match for his daughter. However, he also knows his daughter hates anything to do with fortune hunters. She wants to be loved for who she is rather than her father’s money.

They meet by accident at Mrs. Poole’s ball. Oliver went to the library to dodge Miss Berwick and having to propose for just a little while. Rayne was there to cool off after having had an argument earlier with Miss Berwick. Both are looking for solace and a quiet place to get their bearings. They both sneak into the library for a bit of respite at exactly the same time. Sharing the room to hide they talk and grow entranced with each other. Neither knows the other’s name or circumstances. They are so entangled already, and neither has a clue.

Later that night, Oliver’s sister told him about Rayne Egerton, the American heiress and about meeting her. She told him Rayne’s plans to visit Lord Fraser’s house in Scotland, the same party they were headed for in a few days. Oliver arranges to change his ticket and be on the train with Rayne. And the game is afoot!

This is a wonderful and light story that would make an excellent gift for those friends who love Victorian romance. Of course, it’s also a great gift for yourself to keep your heart fluttering!

The characters are well crafted, and you learn to love them all. The way it all works out is endearing and delightful. It’s an uplifting story and just in time for the holidays! Congratulations to author Lauren Smith for another magnificent story to fall in love with.

Reviewed by Georgianna  

Copy supplied for review

 

 

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No Rest for The Wicked by Lauren Smith – a Review

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No Rest for The Wicked by Lauren Smith – a Review

 

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Description:
A wicked pirate, a lady-turned cabin boy and a love reaching the distant horizon.

Your next Pirate Adventure awaits You!

A lady’s guide to surviving aboard a pirate ship:
1)Dress as a cabin boy.
2)Avoid drinking too much rum when the handsome captain is around.
3)Do not let the captain kiss you…again.

The last thing Roberta Harcourt needs is to be trapped on a ship with pirates. After she is separated from her father when their ship is attacked, Roberta finds herself the unwilling guest of sinfully handsome Captain Dominic Grey. He gives her two choices: to share his bed and maintain her life as a lady, or she can sleep on the floor of his cabin and live the life of a cabin boy until he decides to set her free. Refusing to be seduced by a pirate, she dresses in breeches and assumes duties on board his ship among the men, but each night, sharing a cabin with the brooding, seductively intense captain, she begins to wonder if letting him kiss her again might be a rule worth breaking…

Dominic lost his innocence long ago when he was kidnapped and sold into indentured servitude in the West Indies. Determined to leave the painful memories of his past behind, he looks only to the future and the next prize he and his crew can capture on the high seas…until he discovers and captures the feisty daughter of a naval admiral. Protecting her from other pirates and preventing her marriage to an English officer is all in a day’s work for a pirate. But Dominic is determined to play the gentleman he once was born to be. He tries to resist the siren’s call of her sweet lips, especially when she’s arguing with him.

But damned if the woman wasn’t meant to be a pirate because she’s stealing his heart…

 

 

Review:

Hold on to your hats my mates’, Lauren Smith has a swashbuckler of a tale for ya!

In all seriousness, you don’t want to miss this one. It has it all, adventure, danger, heartbreak, romance and love! What more could a reader ask?

Okay, I don’t do spoilers, but let me just set up the story for you and then let you know what I found so compelling and wonderful.

The story begins in Cornwell England 1727. A fourteen-year-old Dominic Greyville (son of the Earl of Camden) is in a fistfight with a bully, two years older, who has embarrassed a young girl. His best friend Nicholas Frey is cheering him on and trying to help with warnings. The fight is broken up and the boys head home. They make a promise they will follow each other to the ends of the earth, always. However, his father is not as pleased and sends Dominic to bed without supper. Being Dominic, he soon climbs out a window and heads for the docks, alone. He’s spotted by some bad men and kidnapped to be sold into indenture in the West Indies, along with several other boys about his age.

The story then picks up in the Port of Cadiz 1741. Dominic is now a sea captain, forced to survive as a pirate. He learns that an English ship containing a “treasure” will be coming their way soon and he and his men set out to retrieve it.

Roberta Harcourt is sailing on the ship Fortune with her father Rear Admiral Charles Harcourt to his new assignment in Port Royal in the West Indies. The only treasure aboard are some bolts of silk and the Admiral’s daughter.

Okay, that’s the setup. I won’t spoil anymore of this magnificent tale. Lauren Smith is a very talented author and I’ve enjoyed her books greatly. Her League of Rogues and Wicked Earls are all well done than thrilling. That said, I believe this is the best book I’ve read in quite some time. It opens with action and the action doesn’t quit. The pace is well kept. The characters are fascinating, even most of the secondary ones too. The dialog is witty and well done. I laughed, squirmed, sobbed, and swooned all in the same book! Please do yourself a favor and don’t miss this one! Kudos to Lauren Smith!

Reviewed by Georgianna

Copy supplied for review

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Earl of Kent by Lauren Smith – a Review

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Earl of Kent by Lauren Smith – a Review

 

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Description:
Christmas has never been more wicked…

HE’S BATTERED AND BROKEN…
Targeted by the enemies of a friend, roguish Phillip Wilkes, the Earl of Kent, is nearly killed in a violent attack. Beaten and left for dead, he is rescued and nursed back to health by a beautiful angel that he’s convinced exists only in his dreams. When he recovers and learns his heart was burning for none other than the sister of his closest friend, he knows she is forbidden to him. He runs away from the only woman who has ever shown him true kindness because who could ever learn to love a broken man?

SHE BELIEVES IN THE HEALING POWER OF LOVE…
Ella Humphrey is cursed when it comes to love. Two overprotective brothers and the entire League of Rogues, are determined to protect her at all costs, even from falling in love. She feels trapped. When a man at death’s door is delivered to her care, she recognizes him as the friend of one of her brothers, and more importantly as the man she secretly loved for years. As her affection deepens for the wounded earl, she envisions a happy future with him. Yet the moment Phillip can walk again, he leaves Ella and breaks her heart.

CAN MISTLETOE WORK MISCHIEF AND MIRACLES?
A year later, Ella fears she’ll never find a way back into Phillip’s guarded heart. He becomes a recluse, too afraid to show the world how broken he is. Ella manages to convince Phillip to escort her to a country estate for a Christmas party. Snowed in at a small village inn, Ella finally has a chance to seduce the earl and remind him that broken bodies and broken hearts can be healed.

 

Review:

Earl of Kent begins with a prologue set in London, December 1816. This is the story of Ella Humphrey (sister to Charles Humphrey, Earl of Lonsdale and Graham Humphrey. Her mother is the Dowager Countess of Lonsdale) and Philip Wilkes, Earl of Kent.

Philip and Ella first meet when she’s fifteen years old and he’s twenty-three. He’s just lost his mother and father to typhus and inherited his father’s title at a young age. She’s very taken with him, even though he’s her brother Charles’ age. She tries to get him to kiss her but being a gentleman, he only presents her with a gentle kiss on her forehead. Embarrassed, she leaves the room, her heart broken but unable to forget him.

If you’ve read this series, many of the characters are familiar. Incidents coincide with the other novels as well. The novels, including this one, are well written with characters that are broken in different ways. The path to love isn’t smooth and makes for a well told intricate and thrilling tale. I don’t do spoilers, so I can only tell you that I thoroughly enjoyed this novel as well as the others in Lauren Smith’s wonderful series.

Reviewed by Georgianna

Copy supplied for review.

 

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The Krinar Eclipse by Lauren Smith – a Review

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The Krinar Eclipse by Lauren Smith – a Review

 

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Description:
Bianca Wells, the President’s daughter, experiences a close encounter with the aliens who invaded Earth five years ago. 

The Krinar are powerful, attractive, but also mysterious. There is one in particular she can’t get out of her head—the seductive Krinar Ambassador named Soren. With his hauntingly beautiful eyes and god-like body, he invades her dreams, spinning sensual encounters that leave her aching and breathless. But he, like the others of his kind, is dangerous. With impossible speed and strength, wielding incredible intelligence and advanced technology, the Krinar control this planet and every human on it. Bianca should want nothing to do with Soren. A single touch from him might cause an interstellar war. But after one scorching, forbidden kiss, she’ll risk everything to be with him.

Soren came to Earth to ensure the survival of his people, but now he has one desire: to possess the brave and irresistible Bianca. Knowing he could destroy peaceful relations with the humans if anyone sees him with her, he takes matters into his own hands, rescuing her from an assassin. After one “big-bang” of a kiss, he knows he can’t let her go home. She belongs to him, and he will break every rule in his carefully controlled world to keep her.

After their forbidden night of passion, Bianca enters Soren’s dark, seductive world. But her new life as Soren’s woman puts a target on her back, and her status as First Daughter only makes things worse. As enemies surface all around them, Bianca realizes she will have to trust Soren with her heart, even if it means giving up her freedom.

 

 

Review:

The Krinar Eclipse by Lauren Smith is a new series for me, so I opened up the kindle and jumped in ….. 

Bianca is the presidents daughter, and Instead of celebrating her birthday with a car, she’s being told by her father that they are being “invaded”, at first Bianca thinks it’s all a joke, until a being enters the room, without using the door!!!! 

The Krinar are here, and they aren’t going anywhere ……. 

We jump five years the Krinar have total control of the planet…..

Ambassador Soren has watched this planet for a very long time. And when it was time for his people to act, Soren was one of the first aliens to make contact. They were more powerful than any of the humans, it wasn’t going to take much effort to subdue them. This planet had so much to offer, and so the Krinar decide to take it back …… 

Thousands of years ago, the Krinar had tinkered with the lifeforms on Earth. They mixed the original DNA with Krinar DNA, so technically we are part alien!! 

Bianca can’t believe it, Soren is back in her dreams and now her life. Why won’t he look at her in that cold clinical way he did five years ago? Why is he looking at her in a hot and naughty way? They know they shouldn’t be together (but that doesn’t stop her from dreaming about him) and if it does, then wars will break out. Is it really worth it? He’s gorgeous, but women are just playthings to the Krinar. 

In all of his 8,000 years of living, no one has stirred him as much as Bianca does, he fools himself into thinking he’s keeping an eye on her (she is the presidents daughter after all) to keep her safe from the resistance (they target sympathisers) But ever since he met her five years ago, he’s thought of her at odd moments, and now he has to interact with her again. He’s not sure if he can resist the young lady she has become. He’d wants nothing more than to sink into her body and her blood. But to do so would break the treaty and start a war that would possibly destroy this fragile planet. 

So do Soren and Bianca risk war? Will she be able to walk away when he is done with her? Will he be able to give her up? And what about the resistance fighters? Will they be able to drive the Krinar off this planet? 

Being just a novella, there is a lot packed into this story. Could it have been longer? Yes, it could’ve easily been a novel. A few things needed fleshing out, but being a short story, some of those things had to be sacrificed. I found it easy to dislike Soren (he came across as arrogant at first) and to roll my eyes at Bianca. But in the end….. I liked the book. 

Apparently this is an ongoing world where other authors contribute. I haven’t read any of the other books. It was a different approach (earth being manipulated thousands of years ago, to host a new life form) and I liked the idea. 

Reviewed by Julie

Copy supplied for review

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Never Kiss a Scot by Lauren Smith – a Review

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Never Kiss a Scot by Lauren Smith – a Review

 

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Description:
Joanna Lennox is a fine bred English lady.
She’s pretty, intelligent, witty and…on the shelf. With an influential baron as her brother and a hefty dowry, she should have gentleman lining up at her door but instead she seems doomed to become a spinster. Then one night a handsome highland lord steals a kiss from her in a library which stirs her deepest desires. Desperate for a life and a love of her own, she turns to the darkly handsome, brooding, Scottish lord who lights a fire within her with his touch. But will his secrets and enemies tear them apart?

Brock Kincade knows better than to go around kissing English ladies in dark libraries.
Especially when a lady is the little sister of the man who will shortly be his brother-in-law. But Joanna is pure temptation, and he’s been denied that innocent affection for far too long. He doesn’t believe in love, but he believes in lust, and after that single kiss, he knows he wants her as his wife. He might not love her, but he’ll care for her and fuel the passionate fire between them with pleasure. There’s just one problem: He’ll have to steal her away from her overprotective brother and his devilish band of friends, the League of Rogues.

It’s a race to Greta Green fora hasty anvil marriage that will change their lives forever…

 

 

Review:

Never Kiss a Scott by Lauren Smith is a very well written romantic tale in the historic romance genre. I don’t do spoilers and it would be a true sin to spoil this for you. So, let me just give you the gist of the setup and tell you what I loved about this marvelous tale.

If you’ve read this series, you may find some of the characters familiar, but it can be read as a stand alone as well. The set up I’m giving you is in no way as interesting or as exciting as the book…it must be read to be enjoyed, it’s a marvelous conversation and sets up the whole adventurous tale.

The story begins in Hampshire, June 1821. Joanna Lennox, sister of Ashton Lennox (one of the peers in the League of Rogues), is reading in the library of their home and it’s about midnight. She looks up and is startled to find a tall handsome man in the doorway of the library. She doesn’t recognize him as one of her brother’s friends but remains calm and finds out he’s Brock, one of the three brothers of Lady Melbourne. Ashton is about to marry Lady Rosalind Melbourne. After some time, he kisses her and it’s wonderous. Then he proceeds to tie her up with a ribbon and a small gag while he and his brothers steal their sister away and back to Scotland.

As I said earlier, this whole scene is much more interesting and exciting and must be read to be fully enjoyed. It’s one of my favorite parts of the story. As you can see, it starts off with a bang and continues to be exciting and wonderfully romantic from that point on. Yes, there are a few villains, but you need to discover them for yourself. It’s part of the fun.

I fell totally in love with the lead characters in this book. Joanna is what I hope I would have been like, had I lived in this period. She’s intelligent, lovely, and adventurous. Brock is my dream come true. Tall, handsome, charming, honorable, and above all, a Scot. Yes, I know. I seem to fall in love with the men in the books I like…well, I’ve never heard of a limit on book boyfriends, but I digress.

You must have a copy of this story and settle in for an exciting night’s read. I promise, you won’t regret it It’s a powerful and exciting add to this already marvelous series.

Reviewed by Georgianna

Copy supplied for review

 

 

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Forever Be Mine by Lauren Smith – a Review

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Forever Be Mine by Lauren Smith – a Review

 

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Description:
What’s love got to do with it?
Her life was a Tina Turner song. Celia Lynton had been told her entire life that she couldn’t marry for love, marriage should be a business agreement, poor men were only after the family fortune, blah, blah, blah. But now, there is no fortune. There’s only debt, and an urgency to find a way to pay her younger brother’s tuition at a school that can tend to his special needs. So yeah, there’s going to be a marriage. One of convenience. Just like her parents wanted. She’ll marry a future Scottish earl—a very rich future earl—and her brother will get to attend school. There’s just one problem: Celia is in love with another man.

You can’t always get what you want.
His life was a Rolling Stones song. Carter Martin has loved Celia since they were kids. Never mind he’s too quiet, too studious for someone who lights up a room when she smiles, add to that his father works for her family. Being the son of the “help”, he could never be good enough for her. So he’s worked hard his entire life to show his boss, the Earl of Pembroke, that he can take over his father’s position as Steward of the estate some day and take care of the family who has taken care of his for generations. Little does he know, Celia has a plan of her own…an intimate trip to Italy where they won’t be able to keep their hands off each other. How can he resist the only woman he’s ever loved?

 

 

Review:

Forever Be Mine by Lauren Smith is the 4th book in her Love in London series.  I have not read the earlier books in this series, but this read very well as a standalone, and I loved every moment of this wonderful sweet contemporary romance.

We meet our heroine, Celia Lynton, as she makes plans with her friend Callum, a future earl, to get married.  Seems Celia’s father lost all their money, and the family has moved in his brother; causing Celia to make arrangements to help her autistic brother Matthew to go to the school of his choice.  Callum will pay Matthew’s tuition and Celia will bear him the heir he needs to become the earl.  The problem is that both Celia and Callum are in love with someone else, but for both, duties come first.

Carter Martin is following in his father’s footsteps as steward of the Earl of Pembrooke’s estate.  He is in love with Celia, but he doesn’t make enough money to help her pay for Matthew’s tuition.  When he learns she is marrying someone else, he is despondent, but Celia invites him to take a trip to Italy for a month at her Aunt’s place, and enjoy their last days together. 

What follows is a beautiful heartwarming story, as we watch both Carter and Celia show how much they love each other.  The chemistry between them was hot and steamy, but most of all their love was so  sweet, it was tearing our heart out (as well as theirs) that they would never be together.  But sometimes magic and miracles do take place.

Bravo to Lauren Smith for not only bringing us to tears many times, but creating a wonderful couple, and fabulous secondary characters.  It was so heartwarming to see others ( uncle, friends, Earl) come forth to express what love is all about, and never let it go.  Forever Be Mine was a tearjerker, but also so sweet and emotional.  If you love pure sexy romances that pull on your emotions, you need to read this book.  Thank you Lauren Smith for this wonderful story.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

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Across The Stars by Lauren Smith & Noah Chinn -a Review

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Across The Stars by Lauren Smith & Noah Chinn -a Review

 

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Description:
She’s one of the last free humans. On the run… And running out of time.

Laina Roberts has been on the run for ten years, a freeborn human hiding from the cyborgs of the Silver Legion who now controls what’s left of humanity. Moving secretly from planet to planet and space station to space station makes for a damn lonely life—and don’t even get her started on how long it’s been since she last had sex. Sometimes she thinks it might be worth turning herself in to the cyborgs just to end the loneliness. That is, until she’s caught!

Captured by a hot-as-hell Legion officer, the cyborg Ronan makes her think being probed by him might not be so bad. But becoming a cyborg’s slave—sex or otherwise—isn’t high on her to-do list. She doesn’t trust him and doesn’t understand his constant questions about Earth—especially those about her long-dead relatives. Ronan can just kiss her ass—oh yes, please—because she is not going to let her desires or his incredibly perfect body weaken her resolve. She now has a new mission, to convince the cyborgs and the rest of the galaxy that all Terrans, humans and synthetic humans like cyborgs, have the right to be free.

If only he didn’t make her feel like melting into his arms and never leaving. Being captured by a cyborg might not be so bad after all…

 

 

Review:

Across the Stars by Lauren Smith & Noah Chinn is the 1st book in their Cyborg Genesis series.  I wasn’t sure what to expect in this sci-fi storyline, as I have recently read a few Sci/Fantasy books, and I am happy to say I really enjoyed Across the Stars. 

Laina Roberts, our heroine, is possibly the last human (freeborn), since the destruction of earth hundreds of years ago.  Laina has been in hiding for 10 years, constantly changing planets, working on space stations masquerading as another race. If she is caught, she will be sent away to live as a slave. But Laina’s luck is about to end, as the space station she is working on, is being searched for a freeborn, and the Silver Legion (cyborgs) are the best at what they do. 

Ronan, the cyborg lead officer, captures Laina and forces her aboard the Silver Legion.  Though he is a cyborg, Ronan is one hot hunk, and despite his arrogance, Laina finds herself deeply attracted to him; he is the enemy and she cannot control her lustful feelings.  Ronan also finds himself unusually attracted to Laina, but tries to fight off those feelings.  Many of the men on the Silver Legion, resent the freeborn, and this will cause problems aboard the ship, causing danger for Laina.  But it will be Ronan who will come her rescue, as well as the doctor Val, who also recognizes something different in Laina.

What follows is a complex and interesting world building that will revolve around various different races, with the cyborgs protecting all.  Once the doctor realizes that Laina is very important to them, those aboard the Silver Legion begin to change their feelings of freeborn, as they want the chance to live more normal lives.  Though some of the men hate freeborns, and once again Laina finds herself in danger.  

Laina was a great heroine; smart, strong, savvy and independent. I loved her and Ronan together, especially when they succumbed to their lustful feelings, which cemented their relationship and working together. I also enjoyed Laina new found friendship with Val (the doctor who realizes how important she is) and Alanna (top female officer) , who I do look forward to in future books if they get their own story.  The other secondary characters were very well done.

Without telling too much more, as I do not want to spoil things, the story line moving forward will center on bringing the races together to bring equality, as well as use Laina’s ability and her access to the ark to help find a way to bring them all together similar to earth.  The important factor when starting this book is there are a lot of details such as the various races, planets & environments are explored, and we meet many new characters; in Sci-Fi or Fantasy that is always the norm.  So if it feels a bit slow early on, you need to stay with it, as it becomes a fascinating ride.

Across the Stars was a great read, wonderful characters, excellent story line and so much more to come in future books.  We need to know more about the ark, and what Ronan , Laina and their group will do to bring back unity.  Lauren Smith and Noah Chinn have created a wonderful new series, which I look forward to reading more about.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy supplied for Review

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The Gentleman’s Seduction by Lauren Smith – a Review

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The Gentleman’s Seduction by Lauren Smith – a Review

 

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Description:
‘Tis the season…for revenge.

Eleven years ago during Christmas, Martin Banks’ family was thrown into the streets by wealthy landlord, Edwin Hartwell. Now this holiday season, Fate has handed Martin an unexpected gift. Vengeance. Defeating Hartwell at cards gives Martin the chance to financially ruin the man—but damn, instead of money, Hartwell offers his daughter as payment. And double damn, Martin stupidly accepts. How did retribution turn into seduction? Martin refuses to let himself fall in love, so there must be rules to this game.

And perhaps a bit of romance.

Desperate to save her father from ruin, Livvy Hartwell agrees to accompany Martin as his paramour. She long ago accepted that a penniless bluestocking like herself had no chance for a well-suited marriage. If a few passionate months with a man like Martin is all she’ll ever have as far as romance, it’s an opportunity she will take. But she must guard her heart. He might be handsome as the devil and tempting as sin, but she can’t be a typical mistress and doesn’t want Martin to call her such. In fact, she has a list of rules.

Livvy’s Rules:

~ Adventures outdoors such as horseback riding would be appreciated.

~ Evening meals should be eaten together to converse about the day’s events.

~ Allotted time alone to read gothic novels.

~ Kissing should be kept at a minimum.

Martin’s Rules:

~ Adventures are required—particularly indoors—and will be greatly appreciated.

~ Evening meals will sometimes be eaten in the bedroom, naked.

~ Allotted time together to act out the sensual gothic novels.

~ Kissing—a lot of it and in some very pleasurable spots — is required.

 

 

Review:

The Gentleman’s Seduction by Lauren Smith is a marvelously romantic story with a lovely Christmas theme. It’s a story of healing and forgiveness as well as finding true love.

The Prologue is a very unhappy scene on December 5, 1814 when Martin Banks, then 17, and his family faced eviction from their home for debts their father owed to one Edwin Hartwell. The seemingly heartless Mr. Hartwell evicted them, and the stress made Martin’s mother collapse and eventually die. His father, shamed and heartbroken followed his wife before long, leaving the two children to take care of themselves. He vowed someday to avenge the cruel treatment of his family.

The story then changes to London, December 10, 1825. Martin Banks, now a successful investor with a great deal of wealth, sits in his club and thinks about how much he dislikes Christmas. He’s a confirmed bachelor, but sometimes has mistresses that live in his townhouse. Later, while drinking and talking with friends at the Argyll Rooms, he sees the man he’s dreamed of ruining all his life…Edwin Hartwell. Mr. Hartwell is gambling and not doing well, he loses a great sum to Martin and others (he didn’t recognize Martin). Martin acts quickly to buy up all his notes and tells him he will visit him tomorrow to discuss payment.

When Martin goes to the Hartwell house to demand payment and get his revenge, he’s gob smacked by Lavina Hartwell (Livvy). She’s exquisite and full of fire. She offers herself willingly to save her father and mother, and he takes her up on the offer.

That’s the basic setup for this wonderful story. There is of course much more to this than what I’ve mentioned, but you need to grab a copy and enjoy how this marvelous story works its way to love.

It’s full of fun conversations, action, steamy stuff and just plain fun! A great Christmas gift for yourself or a friend!

Reviewed by Georgianna

Copy supplied for review

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