Tag: Lauren Smith

No Rest for the Wicked: Pirates of Britannia Connected World by Lauren Smith

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No Rest for the Wicked: Pirates of Britannia Connected WorldBarbara’s rating: 5 of 5 stars

Series: Pirates of Britannia Connected World
Publication Date: 10/30/19
Number of Pages: 219

This book is the author’s first foray into writing a pirate story and I can tell you – she has absolutely outdone herself. This is an excellent read. The excitement starts on the first page and doesn’t let up till the last. The book will tear your heart out and then put it all back together again – and there is a twist at the end that will absolutely floor you!

Dominic Greyville, the heir to the Earl of Camden, was fourteen when he was kidnapped and sold into slavery. He suffered years of torture and abuse and was forced into becoming a pirate. Now, fourteen years later, he is a pirate and captain of his own sloop, the Emerald Dragon. He and his crew spend as much time attacking slave ships and freeing the slaves as they do capturing treasure, but that won’t keep them from being hanged if they are ever caught.

Roberta (Robbie) Harcourt was raised on the sea. She lost her mother when she was very young and her father couldn’t bear being separated from her, so she went on many of his sea voyages. She loved the freedom and adventure of the sea and hoped that her new life in Port Royal where her father Rear Admiral Harcourt would now be based.

Dominic gets word that there is a ship with ‘precious’ cargo headed toward Port Royal. It is such important cargo that there is a rear admiral traveling with it. That certainly whets a pirate’s appetite. It doesn’t take much effort for the Emerald Dragon to overtake the Fortune and capture all on board. After the captives are placed in a longboat with instruments to head them toward Port Royal, the Fortune begins to sink. Except – they found two cabin boys hiding in a closet. It is too late to get them onto the longboats, so Dominic’s crew takes them along with them. It doesn’t take Dominic long to realize that the cabin boys aren’t boys at all.

I loved seeing Roberta and Dominic dance around each other. The attraction was strong an the more Roberta learned about Dominic, the greater the attraction. There can be no life together for them – Dom is a pirate and would be hanged if he were caught.

You really have to read this wonderful pirate story. It is filled with love, friendship, enemies, and so very much excitement and suspense. The ending – all I can say is WOW!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Never Kiss A Scot by Lauren Smith

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, Georgian Era (1714-1837), Victorian Era (1837-1901)Leave a comment

Never Kiss a Scot (The League of Rogues Book 10)Barbara’s rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: League of Rogues #10
Publication Date: 3/18/19
Number of Pages: 283

Another great addition to the League of Rogues series. This one features the fabulous Brock Kincade whom we met in Ashton Lennox’s book, Wicked Rivals. Our heroine is Ashton’s sister Joanna and our hero is the brother of Ashton’s heroine, Rosalind. So – it is a family affair! It is a wonderful read and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I love that all of Rosalind’s brash, handsome, irrepressible brothers will get their own books – and I hope Ashton’s brothers will as well.

At twenty-years-old, Joanna Lennox has endured three seasons without anyone showing any interest whatsoever. The men don’t even seem interested in dancing with her much less courting her. What in the world is wrong with her? She just doesn’t understand it. She isn’t ugly, she has a large dowry, she’s intelligent and has all of the skills required for running a large home – so, why isn’t anyone – even a fortune hunter – interested in her?

I loved the opening scene in the book. Joanna is in the library late in the evening when she sees a tall man, dressed in dark clothes, entering the room. She doesn’t recognize him, but he says he is Rosalind’s brother – then, he kisses her senseless and ties her up. He’s there to ‘rescue’ his sister from the evil clutches of Ashton.

To say that there is no love lost between Brock and Ashton is putting it mildly. However, Ashton has to suck it up and tolerate Brock – at least until the wedding is over – because Brock is walking Rosalind down the aisle. However, when Ashton catches Brock alone in a room with Joanna, kissing her, with his hand up her skirt, Ashton goes berserk and orders him from the house. What Ashton doesn’t know is that Brock is determined to marry Joanna – not for her money (though that is a plus), but because he wants her – the real her.

Given Ashton’s animosity toward Brock, he and Joanna decide to go to Gretna Green to marry over the anvil. They have to be crafty in order to escape without Ashton and the League managing to overtake them. On that trip, Joanna discovers strengths and bravery she never knew she possessed. They slept outdoors and were even kidnapped by highwaymen, yet she never complained and moved forward. Even when her brother caught up with them, she stood up to him and faced him down. Joanna turns out to be quite a heroine.

Brock Kincade, along with his brothers and sister grew up in one of the most abusive homes I’ve ever read in a story. His father was extremely abusive and violent. Brock is so afraid that he’s like his father that he won’t allow himself to be violent in any way – even when he’s attacked, he only does the minimum to protect himself. Brock’s father did some despicable things and betrayed some of the Highland clans. Those clans haven’t forgotten what happened and some have transferred that animosity to Brock. Who are the hidden enemies at the castle? Are they after Brock or Joanna – or both?

You really need to read this delightful series – including this book. The characters are wonderful – you’ll fall in love with all of them as you read the books. Joanna and Brock are both wonderful characters and I can’t wait to see their siblings get their own books.

BTW – I read the Whispersync version of this book so I listened to the audio as well as reading. The narrator, Heather Wilds, has a wonderful range of ‘voices’ and I thoroughly enjoyed listening. Her Scots brogue was wonderful to hear – especially the Gaelic ballads – I loved those.