Lauren Smith

She's an heiress who needs a husband fast...he's the brooding, handsome footmen who comes to her rescue... Lady Venetia Dunham has plenty of money and freedom, until her father dies, leaving her and her feisty grandmother at the hands of her less than noble cousin when he becomes the new earl. Her cousin makes his wishes clear. She will marry a man of his choosing, a man who will split her fortune with her cousin. Determined to avoid that fate, Venetia and her grandmother flee to a country house party hosted by the Duke and Duchess of Devon where Venetia stumbles into the arms of Adrian Montague, a handsome footman with a tragic past. When Venetia sprains her ankle, she and Adrian are closeted together for a week. The attraction between them is undeniable and forbidden. Their passion could wreck Adrian's life if they were discovered together. When love blooms between them, it comes at a great cost, and Venetia must choose to follow society's laws or her own heart.

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 . . .

Dash through the snow with these two romantic Regency novels by USA Today Bestseller Lauren Smith. Bewitching the Earl: Daphne Westfall is a lady desperate for a future, one that doesn't involve her dark past. On a cold night she receives aid from a mysterious stranger, one who tells her she can change her destiny, as long as she agrees to marry the man who wins her. The brooding Scottish lord that offers her his name and home is handsome but there's something sorrowful in his eyes that feels all too personal to her... Lachlan Grant never wanted to be an earl, but fate has been less than kind to him. At the insistence of a friend, he seeks out a bride and comes face to face with a woman who bewitches him instantly. But they each hold secrets that will haunt them both. With a love blooming delicately between them, will their new found happiness together wilt and fade beneath the frost of the past? Seducing an Heiress on a Train: 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. *These two novels have been previously published as single titles.

Danger makes the heart grow fonder... Miss Philippa Wilson makes the best of a bad situation. Her lot in life isn't what she'd choose, but being an upstairs maid for a wealthy baron is better than living on the streets. Little does she know her lackluster days are about to become decidedly more interesting...and dangerous. When a madman wants Philippa dead, it's going to take more than the plan of her good-hearted employer to save her and find out why she's being targeted. It's going to take a hero...or maybe a rogue. Beauregard Boudreaux is a notorious rogue, living uneventful days and terribly scandalous nights with little thought to settling down. He needs nothing more than a strong drink, a beautiful mistress, and a spirited card game to be happy... When he intervenes to rescue a friend's upstairs maid from a killer, he's drawn into a game of cat and mouse with the maid used as bait to draw out the killer. But the more time Beau spends with Philippa as her protector, the more he has an irresistible attraction to this mysterious woman. He also can't shake the feeling that he's seen her somewhere before. But Beau has lost too much in life to risk being hurt again. He can't let himself fall in love, not even with the temptation Philippa presents to him. And bloody hell, she is oh-so tempting...

One dark night she meets her fate in the arms of shadowy duke... Fleeing a cruel stepfather, Harriet Russell escapes into a stormy night, relying only on the mercy of servants to help her. Her coach overturns, leaving her and her driver injured. Seeking help from whoever lives nearby, she stumbles between a set of gates guarded by fierce demonic gargoyle statues. As she enters the shadowy, haunted lands belonging to the Duke of Frostmore, she's afraid of meeting with him, but she must in order to help her driver. When Harriet comes face to face with the duke, she understands why he's called the Devil of Dover, with his fierce sensual magnetism and his frightening temper. He's beautiful, tempting and dangerous... He made a mistake once by falling in love and death followed... After the tragic deaths of his wife and brother, Redmond Barrington, the Duke of Frostmore, wants to be left alone and has barred all strangers from his lands. When an injured young woman begs for help, he finds himself reconsidering his vow of solitude as Christmas draws near. Harriet is as unwilling to trust in love as he is. What begins with a terrifying tension between them soon becomes something else entirely, a sensual passion that frightens him with its intensity. The more time he spends with her, the more Redmond wonders if fate might give him a second chance to chase away the ghosts of his past.

LO CHIAMANO "IL DEMONIO DI LONDRA" ... Lord Vaughn, visconte Darlington, famigerato per i piaceri peccaminosi che si concede, la qual cosa basta a scoraggiare anche le madri pi desiderose di conquistare un titolo per le loro figlie nubili. Dicono che sia pericoloso al punto da poter rovinare una donna con una singola occhiata... Ma non riesce a resistere alle preghiere di una fanciulla che ha bisogno di aiuto. Pu esserci speranza di redenzione per questa canaglia. LA BENIAMINA DEL TON... L'intera Londra adora Perdita Darby. La giovane donna invitata a tutte le feste e ci sono gentiluomini appetibili disposti ad aspettarla, ma lei non ha alcun desiderio di sposarsi. Quando Perdita scopre che un uomo crudele ha intenzione di intrappolarla in un matrimonio che potrebbe esserle fatale, non sa a chi rivolgersi. Fa un patto con il demonio di Londra, nella speranza di salvarsi. Ma il prezzo del loro falso fidanzamento potrebbe metterli entrambi in pericolo...

la stagione... della vendetta. Undici anni fa, a Natale, la famiglia di Martin Banks venne gettata in mezzo alla strada dal ricco padrone di casa Edwin Hartwell. Ora, nel periodo festivo, il Fato ha in serbo per Martin un dono inaspettato. La vendetta. Sconfiggere Hartwell a carte d a Martin la possibilit di rovinare finanziariamente l'uomo... ma, dannazione, Hartwell offre la figlia come pagamento al posto del denaro. E, doppia dannazione, Martin accetta stupidamente. Come ha fatto il castigo a tramutarsi in seduzione? Martin rifiuta di innamorarsi, per cui stabilisce delle regole per il gioco. E magari per un po' di romanticismo. Ansiosa di salvare il padre dalla rovina, Livvy Hartwell accetta di accompagnarsi a Martin come suo amorazzo. Ha da tempo accettato l'idea che un'intellettuale spiantata come lei non ha alcuna possibilit di contrarre un buon matrimonio. Se qualche mese di passione con un uomo come Martin quanto di pi vicino all'amore lei possa avere, Livvy intende cogliere l'occasione. Ma deve proteggere il suo cuore. Martin potr anche essere bello come il diavolo e tentatore come il peccato, ma lei non in grado di essere un'amante come tante e non vuole che Martin la chiami cos . Anzi, ha un elenco di regole. Le regole di Livvy: Avventure all'aperto, come l'equitazione, sarebbero apprezzate. I pasti serali andrebbero consumati insieme, per conversare degli eventi della giornata. Una quantit prestabilita di tempo da sola per leggere romanzi gotici. I baci dovrebbero essere ridotti al minimo. Le regole di Martin: Le avventure - soprattutto al coperto - sono necessarie e molto apprezzate. I pasti serali verranno occasionalmente consumati in camera da letto, nudi. Una quantit prestabilita di tempo insieme per mettere in atto i contenuti di sensuali romanzi gotici. I baci - in gran quantit e in punti molto piacevoli - sono obbligatori.

Sadie Harris doesn't like immortals. After vampires leave her an orphan, she's raised by her grandmother at the edge of a werewolf pack's territory. As a fox shifter, she knows the rules about werewolves: Stay clear of the boundaries, never go out after dark during the full moon and take a vacation far, far away when she goes into her shifter mating heat or else she'll attract literal "big bad wolves." But when her flight gets cancelled and her mating heat is coming - so are the wolves. The last thing she expects is to get rescued by a tall, dark and gorgeous man...er...vampire. What's a vixen to do? Seamus Gallagher might be immortal but his life is full of mortal problems: he's been framed for the murder of the woman his two best friends loved; he's on a mission to find and kill his sire; and, he has no idea what to do with the feisty red-headed vixen he just rescued from a vicious werewolf pack. He doesn't have time to babysit a skittish shifter who hates vampires, but when he looks at her, Seamus sees trouble. Sexy, sweet, and irresistible trouble. The last thing this vamp needs is to fall in love.

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 3/4 marry an heiress. When he sets foot on a train leaving London, 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.

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 Lonsdale 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.

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.

This book is a composition of powerful, poignant and perceptive poems that depict life on the autism spectrum. Written by a young person with High Functioning Autism, the poems reflect on her school and college years, capturing sadness at being marginalised as well as appreciation for the people who supported her. The poems provide important insights on the difficulties that people on the autism spectrum face, including deep anxiety and developing social relationships. Although 1 in 100 people have this condition, as it affects everyone differently, it is often misunderstood and ignored. Lauren's book adds to the calls for perception of autism to be widened, encouraging a positive and informed attitude towards those with this complex condition. Author Bio: Lauren lives in North Somerset and has a diagnosis of High Functioning Autism. She recently completed a degree in Special Education and founded an autism company supporting young people on the spectrum, their parents, and professionals. In her spare time, I enjoy baking, travelling, and going hiking. As a young person with autism, Lauren has faced misunderstandings and adversity, particularly during mainstream education. Writing poetry was a strategy she used to channel her anxieties and frustrations as well as to communicate her gratitude towards those who supported her. Writing helped to build Lauren's confidence and resilience and enabled her to find her voice.

"We wait, we hide, and watch Earth burn across the stars..." - From the lost pages of the ARK Diary 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...

Helen Banks morir presto. Quando suo fratello gemello perde al gioco la loro fortuna, lei deve salvargli la vita e prendere il suo posto in un duello per soddisfare l'onore di un uomo che lui non pu ripagare. Travestita da suo fratello, Helen affronta l'uomo che da tempo ammira da lontano: un vedovo con un passato oscuro e occhi che la bruciano fin nell'anima. Da quando Gareth Fairfax ha perso la moglie, l'oscurit nel suo cuore continua a crescere. Abituato ad aggredire chiunque gli si opponga, Gareth rimane sbalordito quando scopre di avere una splendida giovane dall'altro capo della sua pistola da duello. Dopo aver scoperto l'inganno di Helen, le offre una scelta: diventare la sua amante o perdere il fratello. Il diabolico patto si tramuta in una seduzione lenta, dolce, inebriante. A ogni ora che passa, Helen scopre qualcosa di pi sulla sofferenza segreta di Gareth, ma non riesce a fare a meno di innamorarsi dell'uomo che l'ha rovinata. Con Helen tra le braccia, Gareth si chiede se la salvezza, per lui, sia ancora possibile. Tutto ci che serve un abbraccio appassionato, un bacio dal profondo dell'anima e una notte di abbandono selvaggio.

A Rogue For Christmas: A Regency Holiday CollectionHave yourself a merry little Christmas with three wonderfully wicked Regency rogues who woo their heroines with passion, secret presents and snowball fights Lose yourself in three romantic holiday tales from USA Today Bestseller Lauren Smith. This set includes: The Rogue's Seduction - Perdita Darby, the ton's favorite lady, seeks the help of the notorious rogue, Vaughn, Viscount Darlington. If she can convince him to pretend to be her fianc over Christmas, she will escape a dangerous fortune hunter who means to do her harm. But will the infamous Devil of London, Vaughn, find a way to win her heart? The Gentleman's Seduction - Martin Banks is quite the scrooge. After a tragic Christmas when he was young, he despises the holidays. But when he wins a hand of cards against the man who destroyed his life, he bargains for a sweeter prize than money. He takes Livvy, the man's daughter, home with him to ruin her reputation and perhaps convince her to be his mistress. But neither he nor Livvy expect the spirit of Christmas to surprise them with the best gift of all: love. His Wicked Seduction- Horatia Sheridan is cursed. She's been madly in love with her older brother's best friend, Lucien, since she was young. But the wicked rogue has never once noticed her except to treat her with annoyance. But when Christmas arrives and it's clear that someone is targeting Horatia's life, Lucien brings her home to his country estate to protect her. A Christmas kissing bough, a snowball fight and forbidden desire take hold, leading to a love that will change their lives forever.*Note: These stories have been previously published as single titles or in other collections.

'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.