Stephanie Laurens
Laurens, Stephanie - CAPTAIN JACK'S WOMAN (Avon - 1997) (5)
A marvelous book by a great author! The hero and heroine, Jack and Kit, are wonderful characters. They are so lifelike you feel like you have known them for ages. The plot is a tried-and-true one. A Lord by day and a leader of a smuggling ring by night, Jack meets up with a competing smuggling ring which is headed by a young lad. The young lad is actually Kit, the granddaughter of a neighboring Lord. This is a fun romp! And sensual, too, with tension that nearly bounces off the pages! ~Sharon L. (jenw18b@prodigy.com)
Laurens, Stephanie - DEVIL'S BRIDE (Avon - 1998) (3+)
Honoria, a finishing governess, is determined never to marry. But she doesn't anticipate getting caught in a compromising situation with Sebastian "Devil" Cynster after they stumble across a wounded man (Devil's cousin, who later dies). Being the arrogant Duke that he is, Sebastian doesn't ask, but demands that she marry him. Honoria stubbornly refuses. So he sets out to win her while she sets her sights on catching his cousin's murderer, much to his dismay. Thus begins a classic battle of wills, setting the stage for some major sensual tension.
DEVIL'S BRIDE has a lot of things to recommend it, but it just misses my "loved it" vote. I found parts of it to be very slow moving, and the murderer was extremely obvious. But I'm glad I finished it because I really liked both of the characters. For a change, the heroine was just as haughty as the hero. And the breathtaking love scenes (pages and pages of them) never fell into repetitiveness—they had me anxiously turning those pages. ~Laurie S. (shallah@empire.net)
Laurens, Stephanie - DEVIL'S BRIDE (Avon - 1998) (5)
DEVIL'S BRIDE is a very sensual read—an absolute delight; but in my opinion, the magnetic pull of this story is the intensity of the relationship between Devil and Honoria. What made the sensuality so explosive was the emotional connection between these two. Their total absorption with each other resulted in their uninhibited giving. And it was such an intensely personal coming together of kindred spirits. Laurens did a superb job of characterization. I may never have read about a pair so well-suited to each other—suited in body, mind, soul and spirit, even in the day-to-day trivia of their lives. It is important to note these two were complete characters with an underlying sense of self before ever crossing paths. So the relationship was always a blending of the two, interweaving and connecting. I felt as though I were watching a smoothly flowing waltz to a melody only heard by the dancers.
Do not expect unseasoned mildness, however. The story is exciting and fun. DEVIL'S BRIDE is the first book in the Bar Cynster series, a series which promises to delight readers for years to come. Stephanie Laurens is a name I will not soon forget. Brava! ~Mona M. (monamont@3rivers.net)
Laurens, Stephanie - RAKE'S VOW, A (Avon - 1998) (4)
Fate comes knocking when Spencer "Vane" Cynster is caught in a violent rainstorm while traveling in the Northamptonshire countryside. Seeking shelter at Bellamy, the country estate presided over by his somewhat eccentric godmother, Vane is quite unprepared for the noticeably off-center group of inhabitants he
finds there. With an air of roguish deviltry, a trait he shares with the rest of the members of the "Bar Cynster" to which he belongs, this confirmed bachelor is about to meet his match.
For very compelling reasons, Miss Patience Debbington has sworn off the idea of intimate relationships, including the state of matrimony. Vane's growling, arrogant masculinity puts her in mind of a wolf, and although he stalks and entices her, she makes it clear that she has no wish to change her mind about him or the potential joys of wedded bliss. Appealing to his very protective nature, he finds much to whet his appetite at Bellamy, and decides to amend his personal plans and settle in for the duration.
As the story progresses, a camaraderie develops between Patience and Vane as they attempt to track down the miscreants who are causing havoc in the environs of the estate. In a complete about-face, our hero decides that matrimony might be just what he needs...if he can persuade Patience to marry him, that is. For her part, Patience concludes that she could learn some valuable lessons about her own sensuality from this elegant gentleman, as this might be her only opportunity to explore a very unexpected side of her nature. As we travel the paths and byways of this engrossing and sensual story, we see a relationship flourish that will appeal to most readers' sense of romance.
In A RAKE'S VOW, the sequel to DEVIL'S BRIDE, Ms. Laurens tells the story of another member of that very roguish group of men called the "Bar Cynster"—heroes who share a very appealing assortment of traits. They are strong, compelling, and devoted to family above all else. Her heroines, likewise, have a stubborn independence and quick intelligence that make them more than a match for the Cynsters. In A RAKE'S VOW, aside from the obvious interplay between the hero and heroine, the plot line deals with a mysterious "Specter," as well as an elusive "Thief." Although this has been done before in many different settings and time periods, the author carries off the plot device quite well by incorporating well-written, interesting secondary characters into the story. While a bit confusing at first, these characters do sort themselves out in the end. If a meaty Regency-era tale is your cup of tea, particularly one that has more than a little sizzle, pick up A RAKE'S VOW and spend some time with Vane, Patience and company. ~Connie Ramsdell for Bookbug on the Web
Laurens, Stephanie - RAKE'S VOW, A (Avon - 1998) (3)
A RAKE'S VOW, the second book in the Bar Cynster series, focuses on the romance between rakish "Vane" Cynster and spinsterish Patience Debbington, who has vowed never to wed due to her experience with her parents' unhappy marriage. Vane is a charming enough hero, though his personality was not overly distinguished from that of the other Cynsters, and his credentials as a rake did not seem all that strong; but, then again, Patience wasn't much of the innocent spinster either! The efforts to introduce a house-party mystery would have benefited from more characterization—in this case, further development of the minor-character suspects (in the Agatha Christie mode); and, of course, the story would have been enhanced had there had been more mystery to the mystery. A RAKE'S VOW is still quite readable and should especially please those seeking a series similar to Mary Jo Putney's "Fallen Angels" and Jo Beverley's "Rogues." I know I plan on reading Laurens's next installment. ~Elena P.
Laurens, Stephanie - ROGUE'S PROPOSAL, A (Avon - 10/99) (4+)
Setting: Newmarket and London, England - 1820
Freedom at last! Having escaped London and all the
parties, balls, and ensuing matchmaking mamas and chaperones, Harold Henry Cynster (better known as "Demon") makes his way to his stud farm to avoid the fate that has befallen his two
cousins and brother—marriage! He arrives at his Newmarket stables, safely away from all the marriage-minded debutantes, to check on his racing string as the race season is about to
start. While observing the activity at the track, Demon notices one of the work riders, a new part-timer named "Flick." Flick turns out to be Felicity Parteger, the ward of his mentor, General Caxton; and Demon wonders what possible mischief she could be up to. When he last saw Felicity she was in pigtails, but now she has the face and figure of an angel. Demon feels himself sinking fast...and not resisting at all.
Felicity is masquerading as a work rider in order to help the General. Unbeknownst to him, his son Dillon is in big trouble with a race-fixing ring. By working at Demon's stables, she hopes to get information on the man who is recruiting jockeys to throw races, then have the ring leaders arrested, and get Dillon—who is in hiding—out of his life-threatening predicament. Demon decides to allow her to continue working at the stables, and because he would do anything to keep the General from finding out about his son, he joins Flick in the pursuit of the race-fixing syndicate. During the excitement of their investigation, both begin to feel a strong attraction between them. However, Demon has sworn against ever marrying, and Flick refuses to be taken in by his roguish charm because she knows he'll never marry her, even though she has been infatuated with him for as long as she can remember.
This is the fourth book in the Bar Cynster series, but it stands on its own quite well. The series is about the six Cynster cousins: Sylvester (DEVIL'S BRIDE), Spencer (A RAKE'S VOW), Richard (SCANDAL'S BRIDE), Harry, and still to come, Rupert and Alasdair. In A ROGUE'S PROPOSAL, Stephanie Laurens gives readers another incredible and very sensual romance. Demon (Harry) has a strong personality and he has resolved never to marry—much less fall in love, yet he's quite protective of the women in his family. Although willful, Felicity is very innocent and determined to wed only for love. A ROGUE'S PROPOSAL is heartwarming and satisfying, and the secondary suspense plot adds greatly to the story. I highly recommend it. ~Sharon Laird for Bookbug on the Web
Laurens, Stephanie - SCANDAL'S BRIDE (Avon - 3/99) (4)
I enjoyed the author's earlier two books about the powerful, sexy men of the Cynster family, so I was eager to read the third book in this Regency-set series. SCANDAL'S BRIDE is the story of Devil Cynster's half-brother Richard, known as "Scandal" (because of his illegitimate heritage). It is a delightfully sensuous romance with a touch of the paranormal and a hint of mystery; however, in my opinion, Stephanie Laurens still hasn't matched DEVIL'S BRIDE, the first...and best so far in the series.
Arriving in Scotland for the reading of his stepfather's will, Richard discovers that old Seamus McEnery had a ward, a most unique young woman; in truth, a witch, descended from a long line of witches. Catriona Hennessey owns a prosperous valley where she rules in peace and worships her Lady. To keep her safe from fortune-hunters, the will demands that Richard and Catriona marry or Seamus's money will go to the church instead of his family. The two have already shared an anonymous, passionate midnight kiss, and Catriona's Lady insists she will marry. But Catriona fears her matriarchal society has met its end. Can this witch share her authority and her vale with an arrogant Cynster, especially one who yearns for a home of his own? Although Richard's tender concern for her and her people is clear, she is reluctant to yield. Her stubbornness is an irritating flaw (or perhaps great strength of character), but she's a match for Richard.
The rest of the Cynsters make an appearance, and they are a force to be reckoned with, as always. Stephanie Laurens does a fine job with her men—Richard has distinct qualities that separate him from the other male Cynsters, and our hero's sex appeal certainly compares favorably to his predecessors! But I certainly hope Catriona doesn't lose her sense of self as Honoria and Patience have. Now that they are married, these heretofore spirited young ladies have become the Stepford Wives of the Regency period, living to gaze fondly at their men and pop out Cynster heirs. Perhaps a witch in the family will stir things up a bit! ~Anne Kirby for Bookbug on the Web
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