Miss Emily Parr is on her way to a ball, when she senses something is not quite right. There is only the driver in the coach besides her, and he looks at her strangely. Unfortunately, she was right: she is kidnapped by men from the League of Rogues. Godric St. Laurent, Duke of Essex, is the one in charge.Emily’s uncle Albert is heavily indebted to Godric. The Duke intends to repay himself and punish Albert by ruining Emily so she cannot possibly marry. Albert is Emily’s legal guardian and when she marries, her husband will get her money. Albert’s business partner, Mr. Blankenship, wants Emily, has always lusted after her. Blankenship promised Albert to wipe out his debts when he finally gets Emily, who is aghast at the very idea.The Rogues are keeping Emily hostage, and even though she tried to escape several times, she was unsuccessful. She is resigned to the fact that she is ruined, and she thinks Godric might not be so bad a husband; even though he kidnapped her, he is good looking and definitely in no way as repulsive as Blankenship.WICKED DESINGS is a wonderful book, great dialogues, fantastic writing, great characters – I loved Ashton! But I had problems with the fact that, even if he kidnapped her, Emily is starting to fall in love with Godric. I can understand desire, sexual attraction; that she would marry him because he ruined her and her only alternative is the horrid Blankenship. But I could not grasp how she could start to like Godric, care for him, let alone love him. He lied to her more than once, he drugged her more than once as well. All the others, mostly Ashton, I could understand; he’s kind to Emily, he’s not the instigator of the whole scheme of which he doesn’t approve. Maybe my sense of romance is warped, but loving Godric?I received a copy from the author in exchange of a fair and honest review. Godric St. Laurent, Duke of Essex is seeking revenge and some recompense for the money that was stolen from him by Mr. Parr. Godric and his friends (The League) decides to kidnap Miss Emily Parr and ruin her reputation so her uncle could not profit from her marriage. I love this hilarious book. I could not stop laughing. Emily could out smart them all. It was alittle unfair and barbaric when it is four men against one little lady. It was a great start of a series. It was very interesting to get to know all the men of The League. I am so excited to read the next phase of the series. I did not want this story to end. I received this complimentary book by the author in exchange for an honest review.
What do You think about Wicked Designs (2014)?
DNF. Story too contrived to keep my interest. 1.5 stars.
—randa
My first audiobook... I guess we'll see how this goes.
—elliemuggs
I liked the plot and it was hard to put down
—sharon
