Love is Blind

"Be bold.
Take what you want in life.
Never walk away from it."

--Lauren Smith, Her Wicked Proposal

Genre: Adult Historical Romance

Publisher: Samhain Publishing

Pages: 390

Publication Date: January 19th, 2016

Source: eARC provided by publisher via NetGalley

Previous Books in Series: Wicked Designs & His Wicked Seduction
Find on: Goodreads | Amazon

Goodreads Description 

He doesn’t need his eyes to uncover her true beauty.

The League of Rogues, Book 3

Cedric, Viscount Sheridan, is cursed. Once the ton’s golden boy, the loss of his sight has left him a reclusive shell of man. His days of womanizing, horse racing and pistol shooting lost forever.

Offered the chance to recapture a small part of his old life, he can’t refuse—even if it means accepting the shocking proposal of the infamous ice maiden, Anne Chessley.

Still reeling from her father’s death, Anne’s deepest wish is to avoid the hordes of fortune hunters who will soon be beating down her door. Proposing marriage to Cedric is an act of desperation, his unexpected acceptance a strange and wonderful dream.

His only stipulation: she must respond passionately and wantonly in his bed. Her agreement barely crosses her lips before he begins a sensual assault on the icy walls bitter secrets have built around her heart.

Yet even as they catch a glimpse of true happiness, betrayal is poised to sweep them away on opposing tides of danger.

Warning: Contains an outwardly aloof heroine with a secretly tender heart, a once-notorious rake who isn’t quite as rusty at seduction as he feared, and a band of rogues who join together to make sure happily-ever-afters do come true.

I adore this series. So, so, so much. The third book in Lauren Smith's League of Rogue series does not disappoint. Cedric and Anne have been dancing around each other for awhile. After Anne's beloved father dies she needs to ward off all the fortune hunters so she offers her hand to Cedric, who knew her prior to her father's death and trusts him so an extent. Cedric, recently blind from an attempt on his life, has been interested in Anne for years. He leaps at this opportunity but with one caveat...she must be willing to be intimate with him. A cold bed partner he does not want. Scandalous, right?!

The chemistry between Anne and Cedric is intense from the start. Anne fights her feelings for Cedric so the journey to their happiness is fraught with one step forward, two steps back. While the romance comes, what I loved most was their friendship. They have an amazing understanding of each other and how Anne helps Cedric feel like himself, like a man, is beautiful. I loved how she didn't see his blindness as a weakness. I loved how Cedric didn't give up on her and cultivated her feelings for him.

The plot takes a turn I never saw coming but I loved it. It was so greatly ironic in the best way that I was laughing to myself while reading certain parts. Lauren writes amazing dialogue and banter. The quick wit of these characters never ceases to bring a smile to my face. Speaking of banter, I have to say again how much I love the League. They are so loyal to one another and love each other so deeply that while the romantic aspect of the story is great, the friendship between the men is on another level. I love how much they care for one another and the lengths they go to protect one another. This comes into play at one point and I just swoon with their love for one another.

This book not only has an amazing romance and story between Cedric and Anne but it also sets up the story for future books. Oh, my gosh cannot WAIT for the next book who I hope it's going to be. Eep!!

Reserved Seating
If you love witty banter, tortured heroes, and bromances...this book is for you.

Protected By A Rogue

"Perhaps a woman could be sweet,
but if she was demure and obedient as well 
that would deprive a man of all the joys of a complex woman,
and a woman ought to be complex.
Simple things and simple people are quite overrated."

--Lauren Smith, His Wicked Seduction

Genre: Adult Historical Fiction

Publisher: Samhain Publishing

Pages: 321

Publication Date: November 11th, 2014

Source: Gifted to me by the author, thanks Lauren!

Find On: Goodreads | Amazon

Previous Books in Series: Wicked Designs

Goodreads Description

Can the League’s most wicked rakehell be tamed? Or has this Rogue fallen too far?

The League of Rogues, Book 2

Horatia Sheridan has been hopelessly in love with Lucien, her brother’s best friend, ever since he rescued her from the broken remains of her parents’ wrecked carriage. His reputation as London’s most notorious rakehell doesn’t frighten her, for under his veneer of cool authority she has glimpsed a man whose wicked desires inspire her own.

Lucien, Marquess of Rochester, has deliberately nurtured a reputation for debauchery that makes every matchmaking mother of the ton quake with fear. His one secret: he is torn between soul-ripping lust for Horatia, and the loyalty he owes her brother.

That loyalty is put to the test when an old enemy of the League threatens Horatia’s life. With Christmas drawing near, he sweeps her away to his country estate, where he can’t resist granting her one wish—to share his bed and his heart.

But sinister forces are lurking, awaiting the perfect moment to exact their revenge by destroying not only whatever happiness Lucien might find in Horatia’s arms, but the lives of those they love.

Warning: This book contains an intelligent lady who is determined to seduce her brother’s friend, a brooding rake whose toy of choice in bed is a little bit of bondage with a piece of red silk, a loyal band of merry rogues and a Christmas love so scorching you’ll need fresh snow to extinguish it.

The Bromance
*sigh* Again, the bromine steals the show. This group of men steals my heart. I love them so much that I am foaming at the mouth for more of their stories. Their deep love for one another to protect each other from their shared enemy is so heart-warming. I just can't say enough good things about them except love love LOVE!

The Tension
The conflict with an old enemy continues to be a source of conflict and drives a lot of the plot. Because of this, we find half our beloved characters in Kent with Lucien's family during the Christmas holiday. There, we get the amazing tension between Lucien and Horatia and I loved the give and take of their relationship. Don't get me wrong, some delicious things happen before this *coughMasqueradecough* but I loved the revelations that occurred in their relationship being in Kent with Lucien's family...especially his mother. Oh, my gosh his mother is one of my favorite characters! Funny, manipulative, conniving, I loved everything about her meddling in her children's love lives. It was not only hilarious but effective. The history between Lucien and Horatia is deeply rooted and also complicated. Lucien's confusion as to his real feelings for her was endearing. I loved that Horatia was unrelenting in her feelings no matter how long it took for Lucien to get there. She was steadfast and strong and I loved that about her. Lucien was a hot freaking mess but I still loved him. Typical man, can't blame him really.

The Holiday Cheer
I looooooved that this took place during Christmas. I could feel myself in the old mansion with snow falling on the ground and all the holiday excitement. I loved the funny moments with the snowball fights, it was such a great contrast to all the seriousness of the threat. It created a fantastic atmosphere for the book and I would definitely suggest this as a holiday read. I loved the setting...especially the cabin...*cough*

Reserved Seating
If you love a wounded but strong heroine, a tortured hero, and a sinfully delicious love story...this book's for you.

I'll Let You Be My Rake

"The thing about pawns...
is if they reach the other end of the board, they become a queen."

--Lauren Smith, Wicked Designs

Genre: Adult Historical Fiction

Publisher: Samhain

Pages: 316

Publication Date: January 7th, 2014

Source: Gifted to me by the author, thanks Lauren!

Find on Goodreads

Previous Books in Series: First in Series

Goodreads Description

The League of Rogues takes what they want - but have they taken on too much?

For too long Miss Emily Parr has been subject to the whims of her indebted uncle and the lecherous advances of his repulsive business partner. Her plan to be done with dominating men forever is simple - find herself a kind husband who will leave her to her books.

It seems an easy enough plan, until she is unexpectedly abducted by an incorrigible duke who hides a wounded spirit behind flashing green eyes.
Godric St. Laurent, Duke of Essex, spends countless nights at the club with his four best friends, and relishes the rakish reputation society has branded him with. He has no plans to marry anytime soon - if ever. But when he kidnaps an embezzler's niece, the difficult debutante's blend of sweetness and sharp tongue make him desperate for the one thing he swears he never wanted: love.

Yet as they surrender to passion, danger lurks in Godric's shadowed past, waiting for him to drop his guard - and rob him of the woman he can't live without.

Warning: This novel includes a lady who refuses to stay kidnapped, a devilish duke with a dark past, and an assortment of charming rogues who have no idea what they've gotten themselves into.

The Writing
After reading and loving Lauren Smiths' Surrender series--so, so much!!-- I was super excited to start her historical romances and I was not disappointed! Lauren has such a smooth writing voice, especially alternating POVs frequently, that I almost immediately felt engaged in the story. The action starts in the first chapter with Emily's kidnapping by Godric and from there we have a hilarious story and one of my favorite tropes, captor and captive. While this isn't the typical captor/captive story I read, I loved this one all the same. The story unfolds smoothly and organically. I really loved the pacing and how things played out. The historical aspect was on point and I loved getting to know this world.

The Plot
As I said above, I loved the story. Emily never gives up fighting for her freedom and in the meantime manages to woo the entire League of Rogues. I LOVED her personality and her feisty disposition. She was smart, clever, and snarky. Her banter with Godric and the rest of the club was so funny I was actually laughing out loud at time. The conflict surrounding her kidnapping was intriguing without being far-fetched or annoying. I'm new to the historical romance genre but I already feel like I have a good eye in regards to what works and what doesn't and this plot was perfectly balanced in romance and conflict outside the romantic aspect. The conflict also brought out Godric's possessive and protective side and holy shit I was suh-woon-ing! Rawr Godric...Rawr. Love love loved this broody bastard and I'll gladly be his captive.

The Bromance
The League of Rogues...OMG THE LEAGUE OF ROGUES. While I love the romance and it was hot as all hell, what stole the show for me what the bromance between the League. I LOVED their friendships and dynamic and how much they love each other. Their understanding of one another's needs was beautiful and selfless in the way only true friendships can be. I immediately wanted all of their love stories and cannot wait for the continuation of their lives and stories. It very much reminded me of the Wallflower series by Lisa Kleypas in that the romances are great...but the friendships are what make the story that much more amazing.

Backstage Pass
If you love a clever heroine, a broody hero, and a gaggle of hot charming rogues...this book's for you.