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Smolders; smoldered; smoldering
1.: To burn slowly without flames but usually with smoke
2. (Literary)
a.: to feel a strong emotion but keep it hidden
b.: to be felt strongly by someone without being directly shown or expressed


Some connections are so intense, so deep that they span years. Starting with nothing more than a casual conversation, a look in the eye, a touch --but the point is they start. They smolder with a quiet intensity that eventually leads to combustion.

Taylor Roberts had been in love with her brother’s best friend for as long as she could remember. It was a love left burning in her heart--pointless, because it was love never returned.

Noah “Renegade” Hudson had life knock him down more than once. As Sergeant of Arms of the Devil Chasers, he’s known for not letting people get too close. The day he met Taylor, a change ignited within him, and he wanted to reach out and claim her. She was innocent and untouched though, so he made himself walked away.

When both Taylor and Renegade’s lives are rocked by tragedy, can they find comfort in each other’s arms? Or will old wounds and scars tear them apart forever?

In hearts where pain, love, and passion lie smoldering... will anything survive the blast when the fire sparks?

192 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 6, 2014

387 people are currently reading
1178 people want to read

About the author

L. Wilder

70 books2,868 followers
I am a lover of romance novels (especially MC romance), summer breaks, and unexpected quiet moments when I can write without interruptions.

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5 stars
1,490 (37%)
4 stars
1,461 (37%)
3 stars
793 (20%)
2 stars
163 (4%)
1 star
38 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 239 reviews
Profile Image for CC.
1,781 reviews236 followers
August 20, 2015
upsating my review so I can spoil for the Safety Gang

Renegade is a jerk. Lives in his head and has "loved" her for years but has always pushed her away. Just total BS. The outside drama was not enough to hold this story together.

Profile Image for Mojo_Mama.
1,587 reviews829 followers
March 19, 2017
2 stars

MC MARATHON

This was just boring and poorly written. Some OW drama. But I was so uninvested I didn't care :(

SG Ladies:
One scene with clubho OW. He's trying to get the h out of his head because he thinks he's not good enough (this is so cliché) so he thought he'd grab an easy OW. It's a short scene where he's regretting it from the get go. She gets as far as taking her top off and then he's booting her out the door and rejecting her at every turn. It didn't bother me, but like I said, no vested interest in any of the characters. The OW lies to the h and some more drama ensues...I'm already over it.
Profile Image for Doris.
838 reviews32 followers
March 12, 2015
I tried with this series, read the first and now this one. Her style of writing is not for me.
Profile Image for Abby A..
51 reviews56 followers
October 23, 2014
First off, I would rate this book more like a 3.5 stars. Now for the book itself, I have to say that I'm not sure if Smolder is the right title for this book. With a title like that, my expectations were a little high. I was expecting smoldering sexual tension. I was expecting smoldering emotions running between the two characters. I was expecting smoldering action-packed scenes.

Having said all that, I thought it was a sweet book and I did like the characters, Taylor and Noah aka Renegade. Taylor was a woman who didn't let Noah's inability to express his love to her stop her from living life, even if it meant being with someone else. I liked that she was strong.

Noah's inability to express his love comes from the fact he didn't feel he was worthy of her; and yet, he didn't try to avoid her or throw other women in her face as a way to drive away her away. He set boundaries and continued to be her friend. I liked that he was caring.

But I wonder if there needed to be a little more angst between the two of them, just a little darkness in the way they interacted with each other and in who they were as characters, to add more spark to the story.

There was tension in the book that came in the form of Taylor's ex-boyfriend that added a little bit of drama, which put Noah in protective mode. That protective mode eventually lead him to finally realize that they belong together.

Overall, I liked the writing style and as I said, I liked the characters, but I wanted to love both and it just wasn't quite there, yet. I say yet, because this book is a good foundation and a good foundation can only lead to books by this author that I could love.

Profile Image for Maya.
858 reviews498 followers
not-for-me
December 27, 2015
This is a self note, since GR should really figure out that some of us need more space to write private notes!!!

Profile Image for Andrea Fleury.
1,014 reviews80 followers
January 20, 2019
Hot biker

I love every book L. Wilder has written. This one was excellent. I love the sexy male. Hot MC biker. When L. Explains the characters they ooze with sexual energy.
Profile Image for Kari.
889 reviews84 followers
October 2, 2014
I liked this one so much more than the first book. I think 1st person POV works better for this author. The characters were engaging and even though the story wasn't too long it developed quite nicely. Looking forward to the next one!
Profile Image for Marie Vasquez.
1,598 reviews78 followers
October 8, 2019
A wonderful follow up to book one. In Smolder we get Renegade’s story and watch as he finally claims, Taylor, the girls who’s always had his heart.

This one has more suspense and action which totally wrapped me up in their story.
Profile Image for April Tanner.
77 reviews
September 10, 2014
Smoldering sweet story!

Renegade and Ace were like brothers and Ace's little sister was gorgeous.....and madly in love with Renegade...but he was afraid to claim her because he thought he wasn't good enough for her. She calls him out of the blue to ask if she can come stay with him but she never shows so Renegade and the boys head to Kentucky to find her.

Taylor loves Renegade but he keeps pushing her away. She got hooked up with a big handsome biker from another club but he's not Renegade so it just wouldn't work.....and when she breaks up with him she wakes up badly injured. Renegade promises that life will be better and takes her home with him. Taylor wants Renegade- --and she's definitely going to have him!!
Profile Image for Elfina Renee.
611 reviews226 followers
Read
January 27, 2015
Yeah I quit on page 108 I just couldn't take it anymore.
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It was boring, kept wanting to go to sleep, skimming through good reads and looking at my other book. It lacked depth, mystery, intrigue, action anything that causes drama and friction. I couldn't relate to any of the characters, or storyline so read at your own risk.
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Profile Image for Lisa Cullinan.
569 reviews28 followers
February 9, 2017
Loved this book!



After reading Inferno, the first book in this series, I couldn't wait for Renegade's story. I was not disappointed! Renegade and Taylor were made to be together. He is 100% hotness and she's the perfect mix of sweet and sassy. I love all the supporting characters and the brotherhood of the Devil Chaser's MC. Great job by L. Wilder ~ can't wait for Goliath's story!!!
Profile Image for Sweet Daisey.
81 reviews40 followers
September 15, 2014
Smolder, the sequel to Inferno, was even better than the first book. Smolder was the story of Renegade/Noah and Taylor. Taylor was Renegade's best friend's little sister and completely off limits. Didn't matter because it was love at first sight for both of them but Renegade spends most of the book fighting the his attraction. Due to his tragic past, he doesn't feel he is good enough for Her. Taylor was a strong young woman who fights hard to break down Renegade's defenses to get her man. I love the inner conflict in Renegade and Taylor helping him overcome. I cannot wait for Goliath's book.
7 reviews1 follower
September 9, 2014
Ok... I gotta say.... I'm impressed. This book was awesome. I liked the first book in the series, but this one was just so much better. It was well written and I just couldn't put it down. I loved renegade, but I think my new book boyfriend is going to be Goliath! Please hurry with the next book! I am addicted!
Profile Image for Kathryn Kelly.
Author 71 books1,052 followers
September 25, 2014
Renegade is a wonderful hero with a scarred past and a deep love for Taylor, his best friend's little sister. Taylor changed Ren's world the day he met her. Years later, she's in trouble and he's is right there for her. Protective. Hot. Sizzling. I can't wait for the next installment in the Devil Chaser's MC.
3 reviews1 follower
September 9, 2014
Renegade did not disappoint! I loved this book. I may have to move to Paris, TN and check out these bikers! Loved how Taylor was a strong lead and didn't fall apart every time things didn't go her way. Bring on Goliath! Can't wait!
Profile Image for Megan.
3,608 reviews45 followers
March 18, 2019
Quick Info
Standalone/Cliffhanger?: Standalone
Part of a Series?: Yes
----------------------------------
Meeting the Characters
Noah Hudson
Courtney
Taylor Roberts
----------------------------------
What happens?
Noah feels responsible for the death of Taylor's brother who died in the first book. He can't get her out of his head and doesn't want her in there but can't seem to leave her alone.
Taylor is beaten up by her boyfriend from a rival motorbike gang, he leaves her seriously hurt and so Noah sweeps in and brings her back with him to his town so he can better protect her and work out how to get rid of her ex without a war starting between the clubs.
Final thoughts
I liked this a lot. I don't feel like the club thing was fully resolved but it was an interesting spin for it. I like Noah as well he is protective and sweet and I think its cute that he has liked her for so long and her him.
Would I read again?: Yes
Would I read this author again?: Yes
Profile Image for Meg H.
78 reviews66 followers
February 17, 2022
listened the the audio version but couldn't find the audio book in GR. I appreciate this is ~5 hours, not 15... sometimes audio books are so long I get lost during them. A long time crush, a rescue, and a claiming. All in one quick listening. The make narrator does a nice job creating a variety of voices so when in a group setting you can tell each man apart. He’s incredibly talented just not my cup of tea
Profile Image for Jackie's Book Review.
301 reviews48 followers
September 14, 2014
4.5 stars rating.

Noah “Renegade” Hudson has a dark past that haunts him at night when he dreams. The dream is what makes Noah think that he is not a good enough man for the one woman that has always had a place in his heart, and that woman is Taylor Robert.

Taylor was the sister to Noah or "Ren" as he is also called in the book best friend Ace's sister. Ace was killed in a tragic accident and since his death, Ren has tried to be there for Taylor, of course not the way that Taylor would like to have Noah.

Taylor has been in love with Noah from the momment that she met him years earlier when Noah was helping Ace fix his motorcycle. During the introductions it was at this point that there would be no going back for either character. Unfortnuately, this attraction that both Ren and Taylor have for each other gets "Smolder"see where the word comes in...It is Ren that puts the stomp to the flame that he feels for Taylor because of what happened to him in his past. Ren belives that he is truly not good enough for Taylor.

Just not so the case. As you start to read the story you find that you will fall in love with Noah "Renegade" and how he is so fiercely protective of his family the Devil Chasers and Taylor.

When Taylor's current creep of aboyfriend becomes abusive it is Ren that steps in and protects Taylor so that this will never happen to her again. As Taylor see's it the time with Ren will either be do or die.

Taylor has tried and tried to make it clear to Noah her true feelings. Even the members of the Devil Chasers know that these two should be together and I would like to give honorable mention to Goliath. As friend to both Ren and Taylor Goliath just may be the glue to put these two together.

Noah doesn't see to grasp that until a twist of events acutally makes him realize he must come forward to Taylor about his past if he doesn't want to lose Taylor again and be able to make her completely his.

Profile Image for Sue.
1,945 reviews25 followers
September 9, 2014
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
For Noah "Renegade" Hudson, it was love at first sight when he met Taylor, the little sister of his club brother and best friend Ace.
It should have been easy right...wouldn't a buddy want the one who ends up falling for his sister to be a good friend? Not when this friend has a dark and violent past that makes him feel that he will never be good enough for that woman of his dreams...and a promise made to Ace that he will keep his hands off is one Renegade never intends to break.
Fast forward to a different time, under extreme circumstances...tragedy has struck Taylor and she has become the victim of an abusive relationship. When an old friend and secret crush comes back into the picture and they have a hard time hiding feelings that have been "smoldering" like hot embers on a fire that refuse to completely die out...life and love for Taylor and Renegade take a whole new turn.
Another MC causing some big trouble, a jealous club whore who wants Renegade for herself, resentments and fears of rejection keeping a new relationship on rocky ground and putting the demons from the past to rest all figure prominently in this romantic and emotional love story.
I loved the relationships within the club family and for the most part, we see strong parental support (with the exception of Noah) and it was an uplifting and beautiful book.
I am especially excited to read the next book which will be about a big old hunk of a biker named Goliath...a man with a sometimes gruff exterior but I think a gentle loving soul is hiding inside.
I LOVED this book even more than Inferno, the first one in the series!

***** 5 ***** "true love will survive long after the fire burns out" stars
Profile Image for Jennifer Guffey.
1,113 reviews41 followers
August 1, 2015
Smolder (Devil Chaser’s MC #2)
By: L. Wilder
4/5 stars


Renegade has always had a thing for his best friend’s sister Taylor ever since the day he met her. But out of respect for Ace and the demons from his past, he never pursued anything more than just a friendship with Taylor. Meanwhile, Taylor has wanted and has tried to pursue more, but she just gets shut down, shut out and ignored. But she knows without a doubt that he will be there for her, if she needs him.

Taylor has gotten into a bad situation with her boyfriend and needs to get away for a while, so she calls Renegade to see if she can stay with him for a week or so. Renegade can tell by her voice that something is wrong, even though she denies it. But when she doesn’t show up on time, Renegade goes looking for her and he doesn’t like what he finds.

After seeing the state that Taylor is in, he decides that he is going to need to keep tabs on her now ex-boyfriend. But doing so requires keeping tabs on the Red Dragons MC, since Taylor got herself mixed-up with Tank, their Road Captain.

Taylor goes with home with Renegade so she can recuperate at his house until she can go home. But she’s not going to go home without making one last play for Renegade to see if they can have something more and real together. If they do get together, she plans on staying with him. But if they don’t get together, she has decided that it is time to move on once and for all.

Coming up next in the Devil Chaser’s MC series is Goliath’s story and it looks to be an angsty, promising read. We got to see more of Goliath and his personality in this story and this hottie deserves a good woman. We also got to see some appearances by other club members and Bishop & Tessa and Bobby & Courtney.
Profile Image for Audra Hart.
Author 27 books117 followers
September 10, 2014
I was lucky enough to read the ARC for this book and WOW! L. Wilder did a bang up job on the first book in this series, Inferno, but she really surpassed her first effort in Smolder. The blurb really piques the reader's interest and the book delivers. Ms. Wilder does a fine job developing her characters and exploring their internal conflicts as well as the external threats they face.

I really enjoyed the dose of reality with socks and the toilet seat references. This also added a nice bit of humor. As the only female in a house full of males I can certainly relate to the frustration of socks strewn everywhere and falling into the toilet in the middle of the night. This was just another example of Ms. Wilder making her characters believable, people we can relate to as we read their story.

The love scenes did much more than smolder... The action was fast paced and the story line was fun. The characters were so well developed that I actually became angry with Renegade on a couple of occasions.

NICE JOB! Can't wait for Goliath's story!
8 reviews2 followers
September 10, 2014
Renegade, oh my…you and Bishop have me going!

Smolder is Ms. Wilder’s sequel to Inferno, which was definitely a, “I can’t put this down until I know,” kind of book. The amazing thing about that is… it was her first novel! Smolder is even better as this writer takes off into a new and exciting world for her and her reader. She has made great strides in the direction of a truly good writer. The internal struggle of her lead character, Renegade, is so well-defined that I found myself wanting to throw my kindle at him many times. And his self-denial is sets up a truly believable dilemma.
Taylor’s feelings for this tough guy begin to smolder the first time she sees him and as the story progresses, the reader can feel the heat. It gets very steamy. This is a romance for every girl who has ever wanted the ‘bad boy’ BAD!! The story line is great and the minor characters are too. I can’t wait to see what happens with Goliath
Profile Image for Erika.
397 reviews23 followers
April 13, 2015
A sweet developing romance.

L Wilder does it again, another sexy biker romancing a younger sister of his fallen brother. Where are all the hot, sexy bikers in real life? I generally just see old, portly bikers where I'm from!!! Renegade is so caught up with the demons in his past, blowing them out of proportion, that he can't see what he could have in his future. Taylor is so perfect, except she is not forceful enough to tell Renegade she feels. I love how she handles Jessica in the end!!! Will be sinking my teeth into the next story now. Again, thanks L Wilder for allowing your imagination to run wild!!
Profile Image for Dawn Pressel.
1,675 reviews
November 4, 2016
NOT my favorite book. I rated so low for several negative Renegade reasons....top of list was his club whore (who he just can't seem to leave) and the scene he has with her and then is with his "love" later the same night OMFG NO NO NO, I dislike a man that takes his "hard" passion from the woman he is using to the one he just can't stop thinking about, this is a huge turn off for me and totally disrespectful.

The showdown between the whore and Taylor could have been better if Taylor would have been at least angry with Noah, but no...they go play pool after the whore is removed. This girl had so much potential to be strong but was constantly written weak.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 239 reviews

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