#226 (#24 of 2012) - A Secret Love ~ Stephanie Laurens - RE-READ

This was a re-read - the conclusions can be found HERE.

Rating:

Before 20/10 this time round 5 star.

#224 (#22 of 2012) - The Capture of the Earl of Glencrae ~ Stephanie Laurens

Third book in the Cynster Trilogy


ISBN or e-book:


978-0-7499-5509-0 and also as Kindle e-book


Publisher:


Piatkus


Main Characters:


Angelica Cynster and the elusive Dominic, Earl of Glencrae


Brief outline of plot and rating:


Running out of time the Earl comes back from the dead to take one final shot at capturing a Cynster sister and undertaking her ruin to save his clan.

***

I realise the above is not much of a description, but you really need to have read the two preceding books:  Viscount Breckenridge to the Rescue and In Pursuit of Eliza Cynster.


I can guarantee you will love them just as much as I.


Rating for this one was a 4.5.


Hugs


Kay

#210 (#8 of 2012) The Ideal Bride ~ Stephanie Laurens

IBSN or ebook:

978-0-749-3726-3

Publisher:

Piatkus


Main Characters:

Michael Anstruther-Weatherby and Caroline Sutcliffe

Brief outline of plot and rating:

Michael is a rising member of Parliament and needs a wife to be granted a place in the Cabinet.  He has his eye on the young daughter of the former Member of his Seat.

Unfortunately, when he returns to meet the young lady and ask for her hand, he comes into contact with her aunt Caroline (a former childhood friend).

Although what he doesn't know is that Caroline has been summoned by Elizabeth to help her put off Michael as she's already in love with a young man.

Caroline herself is a political hostess of note, but following her marriage to a man many years older than herself when she was 17 she is determined to enjoy her widowhood.

Will Michael realise that Elizabeth is not the girl for him?  More to the point if he does, will he persuade Caroline that he's the man for her?

Another enjoyable book, which scores 3.5 stars ..... incidentally, it took a bit of working out what the connection with Breckenridge was, as I'd missed this book originally!!

#207 (#5 of 2012) - Viscount Breckenridge to the Rescue ~ Stephanie Laurens

Book 1 of the Cynster Girls Trilogy

ISBN or e-book:

978-0-7499-5504-5

Publisher:

Piatkus

Main Characters:

Heather Cynster and Timothy Danvers, Viscount Breckenridge

Brief outline of Plot:

Like all the Cynster girls, Heather is looking for true love and somebody to really sweep her off her feet.  Determined that she won't find that in the usual haunts of genteel young ladies she decides to take matters into her own hands and attends a racy soiree.

No sooner than she arrives she's cornered by her nemesis, Breckenridge and ordered home.  On her way out to the carriage she's abducted.  Breckenridge is given no choice but to give chase .... but will he rescue her, and will they fall in love?

Rating and conclusion:

5 stars all the way.  Take time out to read the first 2 books in the trilogy .... I can't wait until the final book in is released on ebook later this month.

Hugs

Kay

#191 (#127) - In Pursuit of Eliza Cynster ~ Stephanie Laurens

Book 2 in Cynster Sister Trilogy

ISBN: 978-0-7499-5598-4

Publisher: Piatcus

Main Characters: Miss Elizabeth Cynster & Mr Jeremy Carling

Brief outline of plot:

Eliza Cynster is the second of the girls to be kidnapped by a mysterious Scottish Laird.  She taken from under the  very noses at the engagement ball of her Sister Heather (the Heroine from the first book in the Trilogy - I've actually not read it yet, but need to get my paws on it p.d.q.).  On the way to the rendezvous with the 'Laird' Eliza garners all her courage to watch for a likely rescuer.  Meanwhile Jeremy Carling has left the home of Royce, Duke of Wolverstone and on his journey has decided that he needs to marry.

Fate decides that Jeremy will be the one to witness Eliza's plea for help as he is going in the opposite direction. As a bookworm with hitherto no 'Alpha Male' qualities, will he prove to be her Man?

Conclusion:

A 4.5 star read, leaving me wanting to find out what will happen to the younger sister, Angelica, and also the the adventure of the first book between Heather and Lord Breckenridge.

Hugs

Kay

#50 - A Rake's Vow ~ Stephanie Laurens

ISBN: 978-1-40741-357-0

What can I say .... it was pleasant, but not much of a story compared to some of her other efforts.

Vane Cynster (Spencer) takes shelter from an on-coming storm (and fate) at his Godmother's home and meets her Niece, Patience Debbington.

A mysterious thief and the equally mysterious Spectre of the Abbey Ruins need to be run to ground, which he does with ease and wins his girl.

A 3 *** Star effort is all I can give it.

Happy reading.

Kay

#32 - What Price Love ~ Stephanie Laurens

ISBN:  978-0-7499-3712-6

The story of handsome Dillon (Cousin of Flick Cynster) and equally handsome Lady Priscilla Dalloway.

Having years ago got himself involved in a nefarious swindle involving betting at Newmarket, Dillon had fought long and hard to gain an impeccably hones reputation, and now guarded zealously the Register of all Horses eligible to Race.

Lady Priscilla had to uncover what was in the Register to try and help her twin (Rus) who had got involved with a horse switching swindle.

Together Dillon and Pricilla uncover swindle, which proves to massive and eventually fall in love.

It actually felt a little slow going in places, which could have been down to the tiny print involved if I was feeling generous.

I particularly loved the ending, especially how the four well born louts had their justice metered out.

All in all, I think a 3 *** star rating is the best I could do with this one.

#31 - Scandal's Bride ~ Stephanie Laurens

ISBN: 978-1-40743-186-4

Another of the Cynster stoires, this time Richard (Scandal) and his Witch Catriona Hennessy (Lady of the Vale).

A tale of witchcraft and love in the Lowlands of Scotland .... totally bewitching and a 4 star ****

I've got one Stephanie Laurens left in this pile, and then by necessity will have to move on to some new authors as the Julia Quinn and Liz Carlyle books haven't come in at the Library yet.

#30 - All About Love ~ Stephanie Laurens

ISBN:  978-0-7499-3721-8

Lucifer (Alasdair) Cynster and Miss Phyllida Tallent of Colyton (Twin Sister of Jonas from #5 - Temptation and Surrender).

She was willful and independent and reluctant to the very, very last .... proving that it's only possible to stall a Cynster when they have their mind set, not stop them!

A 3.5 star **** read.

Happy reading.

Kay

#27 - A Rogue's Proposal ~ Stephanie Laurens

IBSN:  978-1-40743-208-3

This isn't the cover that is on the copy I have from the library, but it's close enough .... you will know by now my hatred of putrid and trashy second rate illustrated covers that seem to prevalent with new copies of the books ~ I refuse to use them unless absolutely necessary!

Demon Cynster (Harry) returns to Newmarket to rusticate shortly after another Bar Cynster had fallen to the fickle hand of the parson's mousetrap.  Having vowed to surrender to no woman, he goes on to do just that when he comes across Flick Parteger (young ward of his Mentor General Sir Gordon Caxton) sneaking around and riding his prize horse on the gallops.

I can't deny I enjoyed the story, but it wasn't one of the best I have read, so rating as 3 Star ***.  That having been said, it's horses for courses, and my mother enjoyed it much more.

#21 - All about Passion ~ Stephanie Laurens

ISBN:  978-7499-3722-5

Gyles Rawlings (5th Earl of Chillingworth and honorary member of the Cynster Clan) and Francesca his sight unseen bride.  He'd hoped by organising an arranged marriage he would get what he wanted a meek and biddable wife that would impinge on his lifestyle not a bit.  Little did he know he would fall in love with her, body, heart and soul.

I literally started it this time last night, and finished just now.

Fab read a 4 Star ****

#20 - Where the Heart Leads ~ Stephanie Laurens

IBSN:  978-0-7499-3915-1

Connected to the Cynster series by marriage, Penelope Ashford (seriously independent and decidedly not meet) calls on the dashing Criminal Investigator, Barnaby Adair (Serial Bachelor) to assist in the case of missing orphans that were destined for her charge.

Together, along with the help of the redoubtable Inspector Stokes and Miss Griselda Martin, they solve the crime, restore the boys and tie the knot.

A 3.5 read ****