Devil's Bride (Cynster Novels, 1) Mass Market Paperback – March 1, 1998

Honoria Prudence Anstruther-Wetherby has no need or want for a husband - she intends to travel the world and see the great pyramids, cruise down the Nile River, and experience all the things the wide world has to offer. She is practical, though, and realizes that a young woman traveling on her own is not advisable in this day and age, so she decides to become a finishing governess until she is old enough to come into her inheritance and independence. Though her father left his position as the son of a high-ranking member of the ton to marry "beneath his station," Honoria's parents were blissfully happy until their untimely deaths in a horrible accident caused by a tree that fell on their carriage in a terrible storm. While they were raised to behave as a lady and gentleman, Honoria and her older brother had no need or desire to reach out to the powerful grandfather that disowned their father and have made their own ways in life...And things were going rather well towards Honoria's plan until she encountered a young man recently shot and left for dead in her path after she interviewed for a new governess assignment. To make matters worse, she found herself trapped by a raging storm overnight in a remote cottage with the mysterious gentleman who stumbled across both of them moments later who donated his shirt to help staunch the bleeding of the youngster, so when they were found together the next morning still together, he was sans shirt, which made the look of impropriety all the more glaring. When he reveals he is a duke and tells her she will marry him (no proposal, mind you), she surprises him back by assuring him that she has no intention of marrying him or any man as her plans for her life include adventure, not domesticity. But the more time she spends with the Duke and his family, the more she is sucked into his life and the more she finds herself drawn to him in many ways, including physically. Can Honoria stay true to her plans and reject the onslaught he continually brings on all of her senses and sensibilities?Sylvester Sebastian Cynster, current Duke of St. Ives, known to most by his well-earned nickname "Devil," has found his bride. While it wasn't under the circumstances he thought he'd find one, his perfect match in the well-bred and attractive Miss Anstruther-Wetherby fell into his lap quite literally. Now he just needs to convince her that she belongs to him, and things will be fine. Except that that stubbornness Devil admires in her is the same trait that is putting this master persuader's skills to the test. It doesn't help that she appears to be the only person on the planet immune to his powerful duke-ly intimidation. And to complicate things even further, there appears to be someone out to kill both him and now his intended.The young man they encountered was Devil's cousin on the path to his family seat, apparently to warn him of a plot against him. But who would want to kill him or Honoria, and for what possible reason? Will Devil be able to convince Honoria that her destiny is by his side as his duchess? Can he manage the unfamiliar feelings he has for her and keep her safe? And even if he is successful in winning her hand, Can Devil prevent the determined force(s) at work that seems intent on ending their HEA before it begins?What I liked:--- Even though he was a little bossy (he's a duke - it kind of comes with the territory) and she a little stubborn (apparently it's genetic), the mcs were likeable characters and you wanted them to get their HEA--- The mystery aspect was solid - felt a little too drawn out at times, but it was interesting and had some twists and turns despite the fact that it became obvious who the villain(s) was/were at a certain point--- Exposure to the other members of the family that makes the reader want to know more about them and garners interest in the later books in this series--- STEAMY GOODNESS (it is a bit of a slow burn, but once you get to about 75%, it takes off and stays SUPER STEAMY!)What I didn't like as much:--- It dragged a bit - felt like there was more exposition than necessary, and there were some times that things seemed to stall out before they moved forward--- Slow burn - get down to business already - lol!I first read this book around the time it was originally released when I was in my 20's, so I have less jaded and less read lenses on a bit when it comes to this one bc I know my rating is higher than most have given it, but I have re-read it several times over, and I still really enjoy it, so I feel like it stands the test of time. I enjoyed this romance a lot, and I would definitely recommend it to anyone that enjoys a good historical romance with some mystery and yummy steamy goodness!Plot --- 4.5/5Main Characters --- 4.5/5Supporting Cast --- 4/5Steam Level* --- 3.75/5Violence --- nothing over the top (there is a murder that starts things off but nothing overly graphic)Language --- not egregiousPOV --- 3rd*Note that steam level is not a rating so much as a how hot was it: 0/5 - clean; 1/5 - mild (nothing descriptive); 2/5 - 3rd base action/1 home run; 3/5 - now we're getting somewhere (a couple of full-on steamy scenes); 4/5 - yes please! (erotica territory); 5/5 - they did EVERYTHING in this one, y'all

Surprisingly, I really enjoyed this book. It's slower paced then some of the historical romances I've read and the writing is very flowery, but I really liked the plot as well as the two main characters. Honoria is a governess for well to do families, helping them prepare for their daughters to be introduced to the ton's season. She is from a well-to-do family of good stock (I hate writing that as I feel myself as a strong woman die a bit lol) and after landing one of her clients an earl, she's also in high demand. Honoria has dreams of travelling to Africa and living an exciting life. After watching her parents and two younger siblings tragically die in a freak accident, she's not interested in marriage and a family of her own. This was a bonus in the story because she was 24 and not a simpering, tepid female like some regency romances contain.While on her way home one evening, a storm blows in, frightening her horse and gig away. She comes across a young man who appears to have been shot. When going for help, she literally runs into Devil Cynster, a duke and the head of his formidable family. Unbeknownst to Honoria, Devil is the catch that her current family is trying to marry their daughter off to and is also the cousin of the young man who is slowly dying. They take refuge in a woodsman's hut and try to make Tolly, the victim, as comfortable as possible. Devil is immediately taken with Honoria. He is ready to settle down and she ticks all of his boxes. All he has to do is get her to say yes which turns out to be no easy task.When I started reading this, I didn't think I'd like it. They writing is very detailed and makes the story drag a little bit, but that being said, it was very well written. Devil is domineering, arrogant, high handed and possessive, having determined that he wants to marry Honoria and therefore it's a forgone conclusion. While he frustrated me a little at the start with his arrogance and unwillingness to even listen to our heroine and, quite frankly, coming across as a chauvinistic pig at times, her own stubbornness and determination not to be another married lady won me over.There was also the case of who shot Tolly. This carries on throughout the book along with Devil trying to strong arm Honoria into marrying him which results in his mother and her brother helping him scheme to get her to stay with him and imply to the ton that they will be engaged shortly. While the ding ding moment that Devil figures out the missing piece from the crime was fairly lackluster, the author managed to drag out the mystery enough while staying in the theme of regency times effectively enough that it held my interest.Overall, I really loved the book. It was a great length, was well written and had a lot of detail. The whimsical writing style and penchant of this author to use language choices that complemented the era this book was set in helped set the tone for the story rather than frustrated me. It was heavy on the romance with the right amount of steam. I'm not sure if I'll get to another in this series by this author as Devil seemed to be the pinnacle of the males in the family for me, but I will if there's a drop in price in the books. I've reread this book several times since buying it almost two years ago and I find I like it even more after a reread.Look, some of it was overkill - sobbing

This is my favourite author. Regency England, romance, intrigue, and a strong family. I love following all of the family in the coming books and they all make appearances in each one

Excellent

Murder, suspense, romance! Fantastic start to the series though you can also read it as a standalone. One of those books that you can't put down!

I choose the English original book because in the italian side a comment by another reader said that the italian edition had been cut and I am very glad to have done it. After the books of Kathlen E. Woodiwyss I had never found another author to appreciate same as her but Stephanie Laurens has been a wonderful surprise and I love all her books. This book is the start of a mervellous long story and when you will read the following you wiil be not disappointed and feel at home in a world you will love

Les Cynster sont une famille regroupant un nombre important de mâles autoritaires, courageux, loyaux, de bon lignage mais faisant régulièrement fi des conventions de la bonne société anglaise.Ce 1er tome introduit "Devil" alias Sylvester, Duc de ST Yves, qui rencontre sur une route à côté d'un cadavre Honoria Ansthruter-Wetherby. Honoria est gouvernante mais ne prépare en fait que les jeunes filles à faire leur entrée dans la société. Elle travaille par excentricité puisqu'elle appartient à une excellente famille non dépourvue de moyens.Devil est immédiatement déterminé à l'épouser mais Honoria refuse toute idée de mariage et trouve Devil- à juste titre- trop arrogant et directif.On retrouve dans ce livre la signature de Stephanie Laurens (cf. sa série du Bastion Club): une intrigue policière (ici pas trop développée heureusement), une consommation avant mariage (pas crédible pour l'époque surtout qu'Honoria est très respectueuse des codes de la bonne société par ailleurs), des scènes de baisers/sexe très détaillées (un point fort de Stephanie laurens mais si c'est parfois un peu longuet).J'aurais noté ce livre à 3,5 mais entre 3 et 4 c'est plutôt un 4 parce que la magie opère: Devil est attirant, Honoria n'a rien d'une "green girl" qui serait subjuguée par l'argent, les titres de noblesse de la famille St Yves, la famille de Devil est sympathique. Les cousins et frère de Sylvester sont introduits et on devine quel est le prochain qui abandonnera son statut de célibataire (A rake's vow, Vane).J'ai une partialité certaine pour Stephanie Laurens malgré le manque de renouvellement des intrigues (Honoria ressemble un peu à Leonora de The Lady Chosen) et certaines redites (les personnages "humph" à tour de bras, et les héros regardent les "swaying hips" des héroïnes sans arrêt...).