The Truth About Love: A Cynster Novel (Cynster Novels) [Hardcover]

Stephanie Laurens (Author)

Book Description

Series: Cynster Novels | Publication Date: March 15, 2005

Gerrard Debbington travels to Helleborn Hall, a dark and mysterious place. His lure - unlimited access to sketch the Hall's famous but rearly seen gardens. But what seems like a simple exchange grows more more complicated from the moment Gerrard meets Jacqueline, the beautiful daugther of the house.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The latest in Laurens's beloved Cynster series takes a gothic turn, wrapping suspense and eroticism into a potent package. Dashing Gerrard Debbington is an acclaimed landscape painter, Lord Vane Cyster's protégé, and the ton's most eligible bachelor. All he lacks is the chance to paint the beautiful, unusual gardens at Hellebore Hall, the Cornwall home of reclusive Lord Tregonning. One day, the opportunity drops in his lap—so long as he agrees to also paint a portrait of Lord Tregonning's daughter. Reluctant to spend months in the company of a vapid society chit, Gerrard almost refuses, but the lure of the gardens proves too strong. At Hellebore Hall, Gerrard discovers that he's in deeper than he bargained for. Jacqueline, Lord Tregonning's daughter, is a remarkable young woman, and she inspires both his artistic passion and his love. She is also widely suspected to be the cause of two deaths: that of her former fiancé, who disappeared two years before, and her mother, who mysteriously fell to her death into the brooding Garden of Night. Lord Tregonning, convinced that a good portrait portrays the true nature of its subject, believes that Gerrard's depiction of Jacqueline will prove his daughter's innocence. So who is the real killer? The heat between Gerrard and Jacqueline sizzles and sparks, and the story consistently surprises in Laurens's best Regency yet. (Mar.)
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Review

Really enjoyed - Cathy Kelly --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 400 pages
• Publisher: William Morrow; 1ST edition (March 15, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060505753
• ISBN-13: 978-0060505752
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.2 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (34 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,124,392 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

55 of 65 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars I've been here before, March 19, 2005

By 

S. D. Grady "Sasha @ writing.com" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Truth About Love: A Cynster Novel (Cynster Novels) (Hardcover)

Summary of this Book...

The latest addition to the Cynster Novels by Stephanie Laurens, and it follows the formula to a "t". You should remember Gerrard Debbington, the younger brother to Patience who is married to Vane. Well, he is now old enough to succumb to fate's whim. Gerrard is a painter of the first water and he travels to Cornwall to paint the legendary gardens of Hellebore Hall. There is a caveat, the owner of the hall requires Gerrard to also complete a portrait of his daughter, Miss Jacqueline Tregonning. But not because she is pretty and Lord Tregonning requires a picture of his only offspring. There is murder afoot, and the neighbors all believe Miss Tregonning is responsible. Gerrard must prove her innocence, even as he takes hers

I didn't like...

Gerrard featured in two other Cynster novels and I thought I knew him. But this wasn't the same Gerrard. I know he's somewhat older, but I just didn't believe that this was the same guy.

The author of this Book...

Stephanie Laurens is one of the staples in current Historical Romances. Her lush sensual relationships make you want more.

Further Comments...

After the successes of her past two releases, it appears that Miss Laurens just couldn't find a romance worth writing about. After the first two chapters I could plot out exactly what would happen, who the bad guys were and why, and even how the love scenes would be scripted. All signs that my favorite romance author needs to take a break and look for fresh ideas. I was disappointed. If you're new to the Cynsters, I would recommend visitng the earlier novels. Read this one after you're hooked.

22 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Good Read - Lovely Prose - Sensually Inspiring, April 7, 2005

By 

M. Rondeau (West Springfield, MA United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Truth About Love: A Cynster Novel (Cynster Novels) (Hardcover)

In a return to the captivating world of the Cynsters, Laurens continues the saga with Gerrard Debbington, brother-in-law to Vane Cynster who married his sister Patience. Gerrard who has now had the good fortune to grow and prosper under the Cynster tutelage has become a much sought after painter. Wealthy in his own right, he chooses only those projects that inspire him. When the opportunity to paint the fabulous gardens, rumored to exist but seldom viewed, at the reclusive Lord Tregonning's Hellebore Hall he is tempted beyond measure, but with that opportunity comes a price. The catch to painting the gardens only comes if Gerrard agrees to paint an honest portrait of Lord Tregonning's daughter Jacqueline. Gerrard hated the idea of bargaining this one point, but when push came to shove, the chance to see and be allowed into the gardens was too much to pass up.

Jacqueline Tregonning, is twenty-three and Gerrard knew in a glance that this was a woman who would be able to arouse him as no woman ever had. He was captivated at once by not only her beauty, but her cool reserve. What he would soon discover were the layers of her reserve hid a frightened and complex personality that he would soon have the opportunity to free. Within the beautiful gardens of Hellebore Gerrard finds an evil that lurked in the shadows that he would have to conquer before he could liberate the woman he'd come to believe was his soulmate and would inspire him to believe in the truth about love.

*** In reading the diverse reviews of love and hate this book has caused I will honestly say that Ms. Laurens has not lost her touch with creating beautiful love stories with dynamic and totally dreamy heroes. It is slower than some of her more action sub-plots but the vividness of her descriptive prose in setting the stage and her more than adequate sultry seductions are well worth the read. I was somewhat surprised at the ending and identity of the villain and the ending was poignant enough to have me reaching for tissues. While I will not say it was a great read, it is a good read, and the pure pleasure of revisiting the noble Cynsters will always be a draw for me. --- Marilyn, for www.historicalromancewriters.com ---

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Sexy and enjoyable, May 26, 2005

By 

booksforabuck "BooksForABuck" (Long Beach, CA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The Truth About Love: A Cynster Novel (Cynster Novels) (Hardcover)

Gerrard Debbington desperately wants to paint the famous gardens of Hellebore Hall--but has not interest in painting the portrait of another English girl/woman. Finally, though, Lord Tregonning of Hellebore Hall makes him an offer he can't refuse. Paint the portrait--and he'll be given access to the gardens. Refuse and Tregonning will make sure Gerrard is banned for life. But when he travels to Cornwall, to Hellebore Hall, Gerrard discovers that the painting is only one part of a puzzle. Instead of the girl/woman he anticipated, Gerrard discovers Jacqueline Tregonning, a beautiful woman with unplumbed depths, and with the suspicion that she murdered her own mother hanging over her head. Jacqueline and her father have decided that only a painting that reveals her true soul--and her inner innocence--can clear her from the horrible rumors and doubt that have surrounded her since her mother's 'accident.'

Gerrard falls hard for the beautiful Jacqueline, but he suspects a painting, however clear, won't be enough. He needs to find the true killer, and protect Jacqueline from the threats that surround her. In the meantime, a painter needs to get close to his subject--and Gerrard wonders if he might have strayed too close to this candle to avoid getting burned.

Author Stephanie Laurens mixes a bit of mystery, post-Regency manners, and a heavy dollop of sex in an intriguing novel. Okay, the mystery isn't hard to guess and Gerrard's goings-ons about owning Jacqueline are a little hard to take, but the sex sizzles, the English manners are in high form, and Laurens adds some slap-bang action to the exciting conclusion.