Audiobook Review
By: Stephanie Laurens
Narrated by: Simon Prebble
Published by: Recorded Books 10/2009
HOT
15 hrs and 31 mins
Sample
When Devil, the most infamous member of the Cynster family, is caught in a compromising position with plucky governess Honoria Wetherby, he astonishes the entire ton by offering his hand in marriage. No one had dreamed this scandalous rake would so tamely take a bride. As society's mamas swooned at the loss of England's most eligible bachelor, Devil's infamous Cynster cousins began to place wagers on the wedding date. But Honoria wasn't about to bend to society's demands and marry a man just because they'd been found together unchaperoned. No. She craved adventure. Solving the murder of a young Cynster cousin fit the bill for a while, but once the crime was solved, Honoria was set on seeing the world. But the scalding heat of her unsated desire for Devil soon had Honoria craving a very different sort of excitement. Could her passion for Devil cause her to embrace the enchanting peril of a lifelong adventure of the heart?
Reviewed by Lisa Kay
Why do I love this book so much? I read it at least once a year. **sigh** I think it is because I’m definitely only of ‘those’
readers. You know the kind that the marketing people just adore – who
loves a duke in the story! I also love books with “bride” in the title.
Combine these two, and my book budget is shot to hell.
This is the first book in Ms. Laurens’ Cynster series and it is one of the best, IMHO. The 6th Duke of St. Ives, Sylvester “Devil” Cynster is the leader of this notorious pack of handsome, aristocratic rakes. He certainly is the one with the most sense of entitlement and he feels entitled to Miss Honoria Prudence Anstruther-Wetherby, finishing governess extraordinaire. Caught in a compromising position, these two have a battle of the wills when Devil decides she’d make a perfect duchess for him.
Ms. Laurens wastes no time getting these two together in a plausible set-up, which also provides a nice little mystery. Not a great mystery, mind you; but, a nice one, that leads us in the right direction all along. She’s not trying to trick the reader; it is a romance, after all. I love that Honoria puts herself right in the thick of the investigation.
However, I love the romance, too! Devil thinks he has his feelings all under control, but he’s in for as much of a surprise as Honoria.
The love scenes are pretty hot, especially if you haven’t read the other books. (Alas, this author does tend to repeat the same phrases in her other books.) She also has a couple of funny scenes that still make me smile.<spoiler> Sulliman, Devil’s horse, eating the scones and when Honoria goes to Chillingworth’s townhouse. LOL!</spoiler>
I also zipped through all the rest of this series (before it broke off into the Cysters Sisters Trilogy), back when I first discovered this author and “OD’d” on this storyline. Still, this one holds up for me, along with several others. Mr. Prebble narrates a few in this series, but not all. I’ll probably be very bad and purchase a few more.
This is the first book in Ms. Laurens’ Cynster series and it is one of the best, IMHO. The 6th Duke of St. Ives, Sylvester “Devil” Cynster is the leader of this notorious pack of handsome, aristocratic rakes. He certainly is the one with the most sense of entitlement and he feels entitled to Miss Honoria Prudence Anstruther-Wetherby, finishing governess extraordinaire. Caught in a compromising position, these two have a battle of the wills when Devil decides she’d make a perfect duchess for him.
Ms. Laurens wastes no time getting these two together in a plausible set-up, which also provides a nice little mystery. Not a great mystery, mind you; but, a nice one, that leads us in the right direction all along. She’s not trying to trick the reader; it is a romance, after all. I love that Honoria puts herself right in the thick of the investigation.
However, I love the romance, too! Devil thinks he has his feelings all under control, but he’s in for as much of a surprise as Honoria.
The love scenes are pretty hot, especially if you haven’t read the other books. (Alas, this author does tend to repeat the same phrases in her other books.) She also has a couple of funny scenes that still make me smile.<spoiler> Sulliman, Devil’s horse, eating the scones and when Honoria goes to Chillingworth’s townhouse. LOL!</spoiler>
I also zipped through all the rest of this series (before it broke off into the Cysters Sisters Trilogy), back when I first discovered this author and “OD’d” on this storyline. Still, this one holds up for me, along with several others. Mr. Prebble narrates a few in this series, but not all. I’ll probably be very bad and purchase a few more.
The Author
Stephanie Laurens
Narration
When someone wanted to do a “buddy read” (which you know I can’t resist!) of this one, I decided I’d listen this time, even though I’m not a big fan of Simon Prebble’s. (I just couldn’t get into an older man reading the love scenes to me. However, now that I’m older, he isn’t so bad. LOL!) Nevertheless, Mr. Prebble does an admirable job of this one.
The old biddies of the ton are hilarious and the duke is sufficiently arrogant. I definitely got caught up in his telling me the story again.
The old biddies of the ton are hilarious and the duke is sufficiently arrogant. I definitely got caught up in his telling me the story again.
Voices behind the books
Simon Prebble
I haven't read anything by this author but this books sounds really good, I'm adding it to my TBR.
ReplyDeleteI'm also intrigued about this novel, it sounds like something I could really enjoy :)
Delete:) I love this author!! Devil's bride is one of my favorite romances and definitely holds up to re-readings. :)
ReplyDeleteThe Brunette Librarian Blog
I'm so curious! It must be really good, I can't believe I never heard of it until now.
DeleteThanks for your comment, I'm glad to get a confirmation and how good this novel is :)