Customer Reviews

A Secret Love (Cynster Novels)

5 star:		(54)
4 star:		(24)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

As noted in other reviews, this is the 5th in Laurens' successful "Bar Cynster" series. You'd think I'd get tired of reading about these perfect (even their individual imperfections are really perfections in disguise) men - but no! As with most of the series, Our Man Cynster (in this case, Rubert aka Gabriel) is bored with the life he's been living (lots of money, lots of women, lots of fun) and is just ripe for the picking - in this case, it's a mysterious countess that needs his help to save her family from financial ruin. Although this plot device works on some levels, it doesn't on other levels - thus 4 stars vs. 5. I mean this is a Cynster male! They all have that second sense, can read women, detect danger before it happens, etc, etc. - and I'm supposed to believe Gabriel doesn't figure out who the "countess" is, even when he's making love to her? I don't think so! But the book redeems itself by painting two of the best characters yet, especially Gabriel - he's supposedly the most detached of all of them, in the end he seems the sweetest (so far). Alathea is the usual strong willed, smart, self-reliant herione, but she's not written as too much of a stereotype. For those of you who didn't care for the steamier scenes in "A Rogue's Proposal" (I didn't mind them, but it appears many did), "A Secret Love" is a notch or two tamer than RP (or "Scandal's Bride"). It's fun to have some of the old characters pop up - I understand that Laurens' is planning Chillingsworth's romantic "downfall" in the future. And I'm quite sure we'll find out some day how the twins meet their matches! Final verdict on "A Secret Love" - buy it! And I'm waiting anxiously to find out how Lucifer goes out in glory!

Thirty-year-old Gabriel Cynster is intrigued by the mysterious, veiled countess from the moment they first meet, so when she calls upon him to aid her in a quest that will keep a cutthroat swindler from bilking away all that remains of her family's estate, he is powerless to deny her, or the attraction he carries for her. Wanting the mystery woman to reveal her identity to him of her own volition, Gabriel allows her to skirt around the issue of who she really is while he expertly entangles her in a Cynster-spun web of seduction. He will do as the countess asks and find the pieces of information she needs to clear her family of its debts, but each time Gabriel unravels a new piece of information, he will also exact a payment from her...in the form of innocent kisses at first, but more intimate acts as their relationship progresses.

Gabriel can't understand what it is about the countess that sets her apart from the women in his past, but he quickly realizes that, unlike any of his previous mistresses, she can stir his emotions as well as his body. In fact, there is only one other woman that has ever been able to get under Gabriel's skin, and she was more of a pariah than a blessing; she is a prickly spinster named Alathea who has been a close friend of the family for years, and Gabriel's longtime nemesis. Thankfully, the countess is nothing like Alathea, or so Gabriel tells himself...

At twenty-nine, Lady Alathea Morwellan is the matriarch and backbone of her father's earldom. The earl has an unfortunate propensity for getting himself into financial straights, so he's lucky to have a daughter with a proclivity for getting him out of them. Only this time, Alathea fears she won't be able to save the family's finances. There is only one man she knows of who is powerful and connected enough to stop the Morwellan family's inevitable ruin, but her pride and fear of being turned away keep Alathea from accosting Gabriel Cynster directly. Instead, she concocts an elaborate charade and reveals herself only as a mysterious, shrouded countess to the man whose presence has plagued her for years. To Alathea, it seemed the perfect, harmless scheme--until, of course, she discovers what it feels like to be seduced by a Cynster...

The book points to the fact that Lucifer, the sixth and final member of Bar Cynster, will get caught by the curse next. But who will come after Lucifer? It looks like it will be Chillingsworth, the handsome earl who plays a minor but titillating role throughout the entire series, and a tellingly significant role in "A Secret Love". So don't lose hope Bar Cynster fans...it looks as if there are still a few more stories to come!

-full review originally published in The Romance Reader

In 1820, the promissory note shook Alathea Morwellan to the bone. Apparently, her business-dumb father, the Earl of Meredith agreed to remit an amount worth more than his earldom for a percentage of the profits garnered by the Central East Africa Gold Company. Having been the brains behind the success of the earldom for the past eleven years, Alathea refuses to idly await disaster on something that smells of fraud.

Alathea decides to wear a veil to hide her identity and obtain help from someone she can trust to remain discreet in case he learns who she is. She turns to her childhood foe Gabriel Cynster, who has a reputation of assisting ladies in trouble for a price. Gabriel charges her with a kiss every time he assists her. As he works to uncover the identity of the con artist(s), Gabriel and Alathea find their kisses turning more passionate each time. Love begins to blossom, even as he tries to uncover the identity of the woman he now plans to marry.

A SECRET LOVE is an entertaining Regency romance that will thrill sub-genre fans due to its competent and ardent lead protagonists. The extended families of the two stars magnify the story line by providing depth to plot and to the protagonists. Stephanie Laurens' fifth Cynster tale is another triumph in a series that shows why the era is so cherished by readers.

Harriet Klausner

There's nothing like discovering a new author you love and settling in to read the backlist. Stephanie Laurens is my new favorite, and I am having a great time reading all the Bar Cynster novels. These are the best Regency romances I've read in years. Don't worry about reading them in order. Other Cynsters make enough of an appearance to whet your appetite for more but not so much as to reveal the plots of the books you haven't read.

"A Secret Love" is the fifth in the series, and it is Gabriel's story. Althea Morwellan, Gabriel's childhood friend, is in dire financial straights and deperately needs his help. For a variety of reasons, she doesn't want to come right out and ask for his assistance; instead, she creates "the Countess", a mysterious figure deliberately designed to entice Gabriel. Now this next part requires a certain suspension of disbelief. Gabriel and the Countess, aka Althea, have some very steamy encounters, but Gabriel doesn't figure out that the two are one and the same. I, too, didn't buy it, but if you're willing to believe that Regency England was awash with gorgeous, sensitive, masculine, sexy men, you can probably live with this plot device. It leads to a very sweet story about two people finding love where they least expected it. Because of their shared history, there's a certain depth to Gabriel and Althea's romance that is quite appealing. Additonally, the story benefited from the fact that the characters were full-grown adults (32 and 33 years old) and approximately the same age. I really get tired of spunky, independent 18 year old virgins and jaded older males. All in all, this is a great regency romance and you'll have a great time reading it!

Lady Alathea Morwellan and Rupert 'Gabriel' Cynster have known each other since they were in the cradle. They grew up together, fought together, and generally gotten on each others' nerves. Neither ever understood the tension that stood between them, it was alway just 'there'!

When Alathea discoverd that her father may have been taken into a fraudulent scheme that could cause her family to lose their title, home and fortune, she knew of only one man who can help them. But how to ask Gabriel for his help when they can't even be in the same room together without wanting to tear each other up! She devises a disquise and enlists his help to uncover the people behind the scheme, he dosen't know who she is, only that Gabriel feels compelled to help the 'countess' any way he can. His only payment that he asks is a kiss for each bit of information he uncovers. As the case progresses so does their passion. Still not knowing her true identity, Gabriel wants her in the ultimate way, knowing that the tension between them can't go on forever. Alathea knows that she's playing with fire and he will eventually find out who she really is, but his kisses and seduction are too strong for her to pull away. What will he do when he finally realizes that it's her, his childhood nemesis; the thorn in his side, the one person in the whole world that he would never get involved with? The Cynster motto "To Have And To Hold" will ring true, beacuse Gabriel won't let go until he makes her his, no matter her indentity, no matter the cost.

If you have read the other 'Bar Cynster' stories, you won't be disappointed with this next one in the series. It has all the excitement and sensual tension that you have come to expect from one of the Cynster men.

Stephanie Laurens writes with feeling, sensuality, and wit. All of her characters are well written and fully developed.

If her name is on the cover, you'll never be disappointed!

I haven't read that many of Stephanie Laurens's works, but what I have seems to rest more on scripted scenes of passion rather than any complex plot structure. A Secret Love, however, surpasses her previous novels about the Cynster clan and the fates each of the Bar Cynster cousins face. While embellishing on characters found in previous novels, the story has a greater depth than the usual seduction, and the element of intrigue and mystery which Laurens injects into the tale gives it more breadth than seems typical for her earlier works.

Forced by circumstances to retire from London society and become an avowed spinster, Alanthea Morwellan has devoted the last eleven years of her life to protecting her family from financial ruin. But when a new danger threatens to destroy all she has sacrificed to save, she turns to the only person who can help them: Gabriel Cynster. Notorious rake, the very essence of London's tonnish society, Alanthea and Gabriel have treated one another as brother and sister since they were born. Until a sudden discord almost twenty years ago made them unable to stand one another's company, that is. Afraid that their strained relations might impede his full support, Alanthea seeks his aid as the mysterious Countess. Veiled in darkness and wreathed in a sensual fragrance he cannot forget, she piques his curiosity and something else he cannot yet name. Gabriel agrees to help on one condition: that with each piece of information, he receives a reward... beginning with a kiss. Unable to refuse, Alanthea finds herself drawn into a dark web of passion where she risks more than just her family's estate.

I found this a pleasantly enjoyable read, full of surprises and a dash of adventure, as well as Laurens's characteristic ability to heat up the pages. The unique history shared by Alanthea and Gabriel make for a very interesting and amusing story that is as much about childhood romance as it is about mature passions. Alanthea is a very entertaining figure whose understanding of Gabriel's character lends itself to a level of storytelling that goes beyond the typical boy meets girl scenario. I especially liked the large involvement of other characters I had previously met in Laurens's other novels: Amelia and Amanda, Gerrard Debbington, the other Cynster cousins (Devil and Vane), and Chillingworth especially, who adds an interesting twist to Gabriel's carefully-laid plans. The danger posed by Crowley appears very real, much moreso than others Laurens has written, such as the mysterious thief in A Rake's Vow. It contributed to a nicely climactic ending with a good dose of 'happily ever after.' Laurens blends passion and fairytale romance into a classic Cinderella story that any reader can appreciate.

After stumbling on the Cynsters last winter, I haunted bookstores until A Secret Love finally appeared on the shelf. Like the Mallorys, the Cynsters are a seductive family, and Gabriel's story doesn't disappoint. The fifth in the "Bar Cynster" series lives up to the standard Ms. Laurens set with her intorduction to the family in Devil's Bride. The story is expertly written, focussing mainly on Gabriels growing obsession and seduction of Alathea. After reading this installment, I fell in love with the Cynsters all over again! As expected, Gabriel was our wonderfully strong, arrogant, overly-protective, sexy and seductive Cynster male. Alathea, was surprisingly intelligent and strong, but with just the right touch of vunerability and naivitee to make the story compelling and believable. I loved this book! It was wonderfully written; making me laugh at the antics the fops that surround Alathea; making me annoyed at Gabriel and Lucifer for their overbearing protectiveness of the twins; making me fall in love with Gabriel; and most of all, making me want to be Alathea. The biggest complaint I have with the story itself is, as seems to be the case with many romance novels, the ending to the myster sub-plot seems a little contrived. However, it was great to meet our old friends whom we haven't seen in a while (namely Chillingworth), but also to get a little more acquainted with fate's next victim, Lucifer. As far as the series goes, it seems Ms. Laurens has developed a pattern. The introduction to the Cynsters with Devils story is both seductive and compelling, the mystery sub-plot provides just the right back drop to allow the reader to focus on Devil and Honoria. Vane's story, I found to best at best, slow. Scandal's story certainly made up for that, and was, so far my favorite. In Demon's story, Ms. Laurens seemed to get lost in the sensuality she was trying to create, and it appeared that the sub-plot was just an excuse to get from one love sceen to another. But in Gabrel's story, Ms. Laurens returns to the superb writing her fans know she is capable of. She focuses on the interaction between Gabriel and Alathea, and expertly intertwines them with the mystery. I haven't yet decided if Gabriel's story has surpasses Scandal's. It will take more than one read to determine that. However, if Scandal's story continues to be my favorite, Gabriel will be a close second. Hopefully this pattern won't continue, and Lucifer's story will be right on par with Devil, Scandal and now Gabriel! If you haven't picked up this book, do it now! I only wish we didn't have to wait for the rest of the series to be published!

It is Gabriel Cyster's time to shine and boy does he!! With each of her books in this series about the Cynster men, the romances become more romantic and the sensuality-well, that definitely increases also. Gabriel is bored, marriage shy and definitely( by regency romance standards) a Rake of the first order. He is also very family oriented and as in all the preceding novels, a Cynster who does not fail to seek out injustice. There is no regency romance fan who will not find this book worth the read. I sat down and could not put it down until the mysteries were resolved and a satisfactory result obtained. It is definitely up to Laurens best and I truly believe even better than the four preceding it. I can hardly wait for number 6.

Another of the Bar Cynster bites the dust and just as reluctantly as his predecessors (but they sure seem happy once they give in to love!) This is Gabriel's story, but all of the other characters from the previous books show up as well. Gabriel meets with a mysterious countess, who obviously has studied him and his family. She know what buttons to push. Because he is bored and she (and her problem) intrigues him he agrees to help. But she must pay in kisses. Readers of Laurens other books will know where that leads! As with her previous books, both male and female protagonists are confident and stubborn indiviuals, used to protecting their own. Laurens makes the compromises realistic - no wimpy ladies here! I recommend this book if you like humor, intelligent characters and plenty of sensuality.

That is what Gabriel Cynster and Lady Alathea Morwellan must decide...

Gabriel Cynster- the 5th member of the Bar Cynster to meet Fate's choice for a wife- sits on the steps to St. George's waiting for a rendezvous with a mysterious woman. Little does he know that the woman is his life long neighbor, Alathea Morwellan. She approaches him incognito to obtain his help in saving her family from certain financial ruin. Why the costume? Because ever since they were children, Gabriel and Alathea have had a deep and unending antipathy for eachother's company. But when Gabriel takes a "reward" (a kiss, of course) for his efforts in helping the mysterious veiled countess, neither is prepared for the lightening bolt of sensual tension that stuns them. Entwined in the story of financial blackmail is one of the sweetest love stories I have ever read. Do not miss the fun as Alathea and Gabriel discover that sometimes the greatest love is in your backyard.

There are two scenes where my breath stops everytime I read this (and I've read it many times!). I won't tell you what they are, it would ruin it.

Stephanie Laurens is a master at capturing sexual tension between her main characters. Her explicit, steamy scenes are not for the more modest reader. But they are fantastic for someone looking for a hot afternoon read.

This is my favorite book from Stephanie Laurens. For me it has the perfect mix of romance, danger and sensual tension. Pick it up today!