Wednesday Favorites: Wicked Designs

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.

Product Warnings:
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.

Publication Date:                         January 7th 2014 

Pages:                                           407

Genre:                                          Historical Romance

Average Goodreads Rating:        3.89

‘Wicked Designs’
is a delightful romance and a great introduction to what promises to be an
excellent series.

– Rakes and Rascals

This story has a
fast moving plot with great dialogue between characters, that kept me turning
the page. Ms. Smith gives her characters a lot of depth and you begin to like
these characters because each one is unique.

– Romance Reader Girl

I really enjoyed ‘Wicked
Designs’. I swooned, I yelled, I laughed, I was entertained, but best of all, I
fell in love with a bunch of rogues.

– Alexa Loves Books

Wicked Designs’ is
definitely going on my favorite list. I loved this book, the characters and the
era. I couldn’t get enough and I’m determined to read more historical romance
in the future.

– Maureen’s Books

This book is available at Amazon, iTunes, Barnes & Noble and Audible.  

Born and
raised in Tulsa, Lauren Smith spent the first twenty-two years of her life in
Oklahoma, bridging the worlds between urban girl and cowgirl. After high school
she attended Oklahoma State University where she earned Bachelor of Art degrees
in history and political science. Drawn to paintings in museums and obsessed
with antiques, she has satisfied her fascination with history by writing and exploring
exotic, ancient lands.

Picture by Jamie Alsobrook!

Over the years, Lauren’s studies have opened doors throughout the world. From
spending two summers at Cambridge to attending classes at such divergent places
as Ireland and Chengdu, China, she has discovered fascinating opportunities for
enrichment wherever she goes. After completing college, Lauren moved to
Michigan to attend law school at the University of Detroit-Mercy and University
of Windsor in Ontario, Canada. Armed with two Juris Doctorate degrees from both
countries, she returned to Tulsa and became an intellectual property attorney.

Since third grade when her English teacher proposed that all students should
craft a story for a young writers’ conference, Lauren has been hooked on
writing. Her first self-illustrated manuscript described the mysterious
disappearance of rare brown bats that were being captured by scientists bent on
using them as carriers for an incurable disease. The immense sense of joy in
sharing that story with others, and discussing plots and characters, made it
clear to Lauren that writing was her true passion. 

For more information about Lauren Smith and ‘Wicked Designs’ please
visit her website, her blog, Goodreads and Amazon. Or look for Lauren on Facebook.