Tag Archives: League of Rogues

Escaping the Earl by Lauren Smith – a Review

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Escaping the Earl by Lauren Smith – a Review

 

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Description
Peregrine Ashby, Earl of Rutland
A gentleman.
A reluctant aristocrat.
Desperate to avoid marriage.

Peregrine Ashby, the newly and unexpectedly titled Earl of Rutland, is muddling through the affairs of becoming a suddenly wealthy and titled man of means. The last thing he wants to worry about is a finding a wife. After the disaster of his parents’ loveless marriage, he’s sworn off wife-hunting.

But when he stumbles quite literally into a mysterious beauty wearing a mask at a ball who begs for his help he can’t deny her. Her request? Make love to her beneath the stars and save her from a terrible marriage herself. After the magic of the night is over and the mysterious beauty has vanished, he remains haunted by her and what might have been…

Sabrina Talleyrand flees her home when she learns her brother has sold her in marriage to a foul man. Knowing the one thing that will stop the marriage is no longer being a virgin, she seduces the first man at a masked ball that attracts her attention. But making love to the handsome dark haired stranger with amber colored eyes has left her changed in more ways than one…

 

 

Review:

Escaping the Earl by Lauren Smith is the 16th book in her League of Rogues series. This book starts with a young woman seeking help in escaping a marriage that she does not want and a man with a title and commitments he didn’t ask for! 

Peregrine is so confused with running his new title and everything that comes with it! He certainly doesn’t want to find a wife at the moment! 

Sabrina needs a man! Any man will do, except the man her family want her to marry! She needs to get rid of her virginity! If she does that, then the horrid man claiming her have in marriage won’t want “used goods”! Donning a mask, she is determined to attend a ball and become a “fallen woman” 

Both Peregrine and Sabrina fall for one another both literally and figuratively. And spending a magical evening together they both wonder about the other, but as masks were worn to this ball, neither know who they are! But it doesn’t stop them from thinking about each other. 

And when she takes up employment with a lovely man with a cute daughter, Sabrina breaths a huge sigh of relief. Her life will continue as a nanny to the lovely family that has taken her in. 

Peregrine on the other have is still wondering about the mysterious young lady he had a midnight tryst with. And so when he encounters her months later he is surprised that she’s only a nanny and not some lady! But he’s going to peruse her and maybe get what he’s been dreaming about for months. 

A historical romance with a slight twist. Most historical books I’ve read have the young woman hanging onto her virginity until either marriage or the right man. But this one has her seeking to just give it away to the first man! And usually the man is an arrogant bore or a rogue, but Peregrine is neither. 

This is the first book in this series I’ve read, and I’ll definitely go back and visit the League of Rogues Series at some point. But I have read other books by this author and I’ve been thoroughly entertained. 

Plenty of angst and a little steam for this book. Both it’s not a marriage Peregrine offers Sabrina, it’s a role of mistress! His parents marriage was a disaster and so he’s never going to fall into that trap. 

Sabrina is heartbroken! She wants a family with Peregrine, she’s given him her body and heart. What’s a girl to do? Luckily the family that have taken her in can supply the answer and they leave the town and Peregrine be find! 

It’s a shortish book with plenty going on. But you’ll want to know if Peregrine and Sabrina find a HEA, or will she fall for Rafe and his lovely daughter…..

Your going to have to find that out for yourself. ? 

Reviewed by Julie

Copy supplied for Review

 

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The Earl of Morrey by Lauren Smith – a Review

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The Earl of Morrey by Lauren Smith – a Review

 

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Description:
Letty Fordyce knows three things about her future husband:

Lord Morrey is a dangerous man.

He frightens her.

She desires him.

Adam Beaumont, the Earl of Morrey, is full of dark secrets. His brooding and mysterious allure draw women to him like moths to a flame. But he fears he can never marry, not when his secret life is full of constant danger.

Letty doesn’t want to be like other women, she wants a life for herself and a happy marriage to a respectable man, not someone with secrets like Lord Morrey.  Yet from the moment she meets the charming rogue and he steals a kiss, she can’t think of anyone else. 

When a night of terror sends her into Adam’s arms, she’ll be forced to choose between the life she thought she wanted and the man she’s falling in love with.

 

Review:

Author Lauren Smith has penned another wickedly exciting historical romance. This one is not only romantic but is also an intriguing tale of espionage and danger.

Adam Beaumont is the Earl of Morrey and a member of the Court of Shadows, the King’s elite spy organization. He is a man whose job was to end any threat to the Crown. An agent of His Majesty who worked to keep the monarchy safe, as well as to protect the kingdom from foreign threats. He did this to atone for not being able to save his friend John Wilhelm, who was also a spy and killed in the service. Adam wanted revenge for his friend’s life.

The story begins with Adam attending a ball, where he was to protect an agent of the King. He watched as Lady Edwards left the ballroom and he began to follow, believing her to be in grave danger. However, the woman he thought was a French agent, was the younger sister of his friend James Fordyce, the Earl of Pembroke. She was merely helping Lady Edwards repair some damage to her hair do. Adam had noticed her for a long time and truly desired her. While they were trying to sort out what was happening, Adam noticed a pistol barrel aimed at them from the doorway. He grabbed both ladies and pulled them to the floor as the pistol fired.

In the aftermath of the firing the assailant got away. Adam told Lady Edwards a crowd would be coming to see what the noise was, and they couldn’t be seen together. Lady Edwards left by the window and into the gardens, leaving Adam alone in a retiring room with Lady Leticia Fordyce. He apologized to Lady Leticia for what he was about to do. He pulled her to him and kissed her, just as many men opened the door and walked in, one of them her brother.

Adam told James what happened, after the other men left. However, he also told James that he thought he would have to marry Leticia to protect her from not only scandal, but that the other spy had seen her and would think she was connected to the spy organization. He was the only one that could protect her…

And the game is afoot! This marvelous page turner begins with a bang and doesn’t stop until the end. I try not to do spoilers, so this is just the general gist of the beginning and now I can tell you what I found so enthralling.

The action, both dangerous and the romantic kind is well done. The conversations are natural and well-written. There’s a bit of humor in the poor girl marrying a man she hardly knows. Yet she’s actually quite brave, under the circumstances. They do fall truly in love during all the ensuing antics. I’d love to be more specific, but oh how I love to let people read the story themselves and discover all the marvelous adventures. And the adventures are plentiful!

Grab a glass of your favorite beverage and settle in for a wonderful read. My kudos to author Lauren Smith on another wonderful book.

Reviewed by Georgianna

Copy supplied for Review

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Never Tempt a Scot by Lauren Smith – a Review

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Never Tempt a Scot by Lauren Smith – a Review

 

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Description:
Scottish rogue Brodie Kincade has never met a woman he couldn’t seduce, but he’s about to meet his match in sweet-tempered but often overlooked Lydia Hunt, a young Englishwoman he mistakes for her scheming sister who hopes to snatch him up for a husband.

Quiet, sweet-tempered Lydia Hunt knows she’s not her father’s favorite daughter. That honor belongs to her prettier younger sister, Portia, who has a talent for getting into trouble. When Lydia discovers that her father and sister have had a very angry Scottish rogue kidnapped in order to convince him to marry Portia, Lydia knows she must help the man escape. Yet she never imagined that the devastatingly handsome Scotsman would mistake her for Portia and abduct her as revenge and flee to Scotland.

Brodie Kincade is a heartbreaker who has vowed never to marry after a traumatic childhood that left him afraid of becoming like his father. When he’s kidnapped by a pretty young Englishwoman with marriage on her mind, he turns the tables on his captor and absconds with her to Scotland, planning to ruin her reputation as revenge. But the beautiful, thoughtful, and irresistible lass he finds in his company seems very different from the brassy girl who kidnapped him. Soon, he’s risking his heart as he begins to wonder if he’s kidnapped the wrong woman . . .

 

 

 

Review:

Never Tempt a Scot is the latest in the series The League of Rogues by author extraordinaire, Lauren Smith. This is the story of highlander Brodie Kincade and Ms. Lydia Hunt. It’s a well-paced adventurous story involving kidnapping, elopements, double romance, and much more.

I count Lauren Smith among my favorite authors. Her series The League of Rogues is also a favorite on my reading lists. Her ability to spin a wonderful story with twists and turns is second to none. This lovely healing story is not an exception to that ability.

Brodie Kincade is one of the Kincade brothers from a previous episode. Their father was a brutal man who beat his children and said awful things to his wife. The wife died and the children were left to be raised by their brutal father. Most of the children have scars both physical and mental. He has three brothers I believe, and a sister. His oldest brother inherited the family title when their father passed away. However, all but Brodie and Aiden have married successfully and have loving relationships. Brodie fears he’s more like his father than the others and that he can never marry and subject a woman to that life. He just doesn’t trust himself.

Lydia Hunt is the older sister of Portia Hunt. Lydia notices Brodie at a ball, as well as her sister, and thinks he’s wildly handsome. Portia is young, totally reckless, and impatient. She incredibly spoiled by their widower father. Portia connives to have her father kidnap Brodie Kincade by telling him she’s with child (a lie) and that she’s in love with Brodie. In truth, she’s only briefly spoken to him, but being the spoiled child, she thinks every man is in love with her. The father and Portia hire men to drug and abduct Brodie and store him in a bedroom of their house. When Portia and the father are out at dinner, Lydia finds out what they’ve done and goes up to cut Brodie loose. He, mistakes her for Portia and kidnaps her at knifepoint and takes her away for revenge. She tries to tell him she’s not Portia, but he was too drunk and then drugged to remember clearly.

Okay, that’s the basic setup. I won’t do any further spoilers. This is just too wonderful of an adventure and romance. You really must read this for yourself. The conversations are wonderful, the suspense and surprises are aplenty. There’s so much more to this story, but it’s something you will enjoy reading more than being told about it. There are more tales in this one than the two people falling in love….just read it.

Author Lauren Smith is a master at weaving wonderful stories and this one full of twists and turns. Grab a copy, but don’t forget the tissues!

Reviewed by Georgianna

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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His Wicked Secret by Lauren Smith – Review & Giveaway

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His Wicked Secret by Lauren Smith – Review & Giveaway

 

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Description:
When a lady decides to become a spy, she must resist all temptation…especially love.

Audrey Sheridan is London’s sweetheart, a position that allows her access to the tonand all its secrets. As the enigmatic writer, Lady Society, she is wild, reckless, and speaks her mind. She matchmakes wicked rogues with their perfect wives. But there’s one thing she’s failed to find since her debut. A husband for herself. And there’s only one man she’s ever wanted. There’s just one problem…he doesn’t want her. What’s a lady to do to mend her broken heart? Run off to become a spy…

Jonathan St. Laurent is anything but a saint and certainly not husband material. He spent nearly his entire life as a servant to his half-brother the Duke of Essex. He’s trying to play the gentleman now, but it’s damned hard when he’s tempted by the ton’s darling spitfire Audrey. There’s something about her that makes him want to abandon the rules of polite society and show her just how wicked he can be…which is why it’s better to avoid the minx altogether. When Audrey’s plan to be a spy is discovered, Jonathan knows he must move heaven and earth to protect her while guarding his own secret…

 

Review:

5 out of 5 for this reader folks!

I know!  What a shocker huh?  A five star rating for Lauren Smith!  She seriously earns them though, and it’s an absolute treat to get one of her books to review.  I feel like I get reunited with an author I adore and with a cast of characters I can’t happen to fall in love with each and every time.  I often say her books can be stand alone and they truely can be .. BUT .. please do not deprive yourself from her entire series.  I promise you will not be disappointed.

His Wicked Secret by Lauren Smith is the 8th book in her “The League of Rogues” series.  Her book “The Earl of Pembroke” is an introduction of sorts of this couple, so you may want to check that out as well.  A historical romance set around spies, proper and not so proper behaviour by members of the ton, angst, love, passion and action, you can absolutely find a little bit of everything in this book.

Jonathon St Laurent is our leading man and he did not disappoint.  I have to admit after meeting him in previous books I was absolutely looking forward to his story which I can happily say was all I expected it to be.  He is a bit of an enigma.  He is trying to act and mix in with polite society as best as he can.  He was raised as a servant despite the fact that he should of been titled himself, and he feels the pressure of it the most when he has to act proper and feel completely constrained doing so.  He is a little wicked, very handsome, I think extremely sexy and absolutely head over heels for his leading lady  .. it just takes him some time and some circumstances to get with the program. LOL

Audrey Sheridan is deemed London’s sweetheart as she is the matchmaker for most of the ton.  She just knows who should be with who and why it will work out.  She is sweet but very sassy, a little troublemaker that isn’t afraid to say what she means and means what she says.  Her only problem is that she has never matched herself.  That may have something to do with Jonathon though as she is completely in love with him but has been turned away.  So instead of throwing herself a pity party, she decided to become a spy.

These two tango a little while bit and while you know from previous books they will end up together, you never quite knew how it will come together.  Well Audrey becoming a spy and then having her cover blown big time and Jonathon realizing he has to protect her or lose her for good was just about the perfect way for this to happen.  Danger seems to ignite a fire between these two and truths are forced out in the process.  We have some ugly moments, some simple shake you head moments, but ultimately it’s the “enough is enough, we are meant to be” that takes this story full around.  

Always the antagonists and the angst but that makes their story even better.  I adored these two together and once again Lauren delivers vivid imagery and heart melting, heart racing scenes and conversations that get my inner teen girl squealing in delight.  LOL

Absolutely recommend this book, series, and everything else she writes,  I have reviewed just about everything she has released and I am in as much awe today as I was the first time I read one of her books!  Keep it up Lauren, I always look forward to your next piece of work!

HAPPY READING!

Reviewed by Rachel

Copy supplied for review

 

 

Lauren is graciously offering a  paper copy (USA only) or e-copy (Internationally) of a book of the winners choice from Lauren’s backlist to ONE (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe

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8. Giveaway runs from June 11 – 15, 2018

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The Earl of Pembroke by Lauren Smith – a Review

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The Earl of Pembroke by Lauren Smith – a Review

 

Amazon / B&N / Kobo
**The Earl of Pembroke is available on the above links for $.99

DESCRIPTION
James, the Earl of Pembroke, falls for a mysterious lady and rescues her from a hell fire club… 

Gillian, the illegitimate daughter of an earl, is hiding her true identity as a servant from James… 

When thrown together at a house party, their passion can’t be denied, but will the truth of Gillian’s past destroy their happiness?

 

REVIEW

5 out of 5 for this reader folks!

SIGH, SWOON, SIGH, SMILE .. REPEAT!  This is pretty much my experience reading this lovely piece of work!  I read this while traveling from Canada into the southern USA and my heart was light and very happy to begin with.  Add in the warmth of the sun on my face, and a fantastic historical romance, and it was utterly blissful.

Earl of Pembroke by Lauren Smith is the 10th book in the “Wicked Earls’ Club” series.  This series seems to be a collaboration of some of the top historical romance authors current today, and while I haven’t read any of the previous books, I didn’t feel like I was missing out on anything.  I will say, I will be jumping to the first book of this anticipated delicious series and falling in love with more yummy Earls.  

James Fordyce is the Earl of Pembroke, and he is a wonderful addition to my book boyfriend list.  He is kind and caring (especially with his ailing mother), certainly not a pushover, strong, handsome, smart and an all around pretty decent man.  He also is about to have his heart stolen by a mysterious beauty who he will soon rescue from the grasp of a horrible club.

Gillian Beaumont (I remember you from a previous Lauren Smith book), is the illegitimate daughter of an Earl.  Her father was very fond of her and her mother but he didn’t recognize them in his will and this leaves Gillian and her mother barely scraping by.  Gillian decides to take a position as a servant to make end meet.  She is the real deal.  She is very smart, kind and loving especially if you are in her heart.  She is tough, knows her status in society as an illegitimate and truth be told this kind of broke my heart a little.  When she shares an intimate moment with James, she is quick to know that nothing would ever come from this due to the difference in status.  Well, never say never!

After a brief and daring adventure, these two find themselves at a house party and getting to know the other.  You actually not just experience the passion and lust, you experience them falling deeply in love, and that made me fall in love with them.  They both have people in theirs lives who adore them and want the best for them and go to many lengths to make it happen or certainly set the scene.

No more story reveals will be found in this review.  You will have to dive in for yourself.  This is a novella, and Lauren Smith is one of the best of cramming so much story and character in fewer pages.  If you are in the mood for a romance, this is a great book to turn to.  Again, I am rather eager to dive into the other books of this series as well, and see how different the authors are with the similar “theme” novella.

Keep em’ Coming Lauren!

HAPPY READING! 🙂

Reviewed by Rachel

Copy supplied for review

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