Devil's Bride (Cynster Novels) (Mass Market Paperback)

by Stephanie Laurens (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review
Setting: Regency England
Sensuality: 8

Governess Honoria Wetherby is determined not to marry; she plans to have adventures among the Egyptian pyramids in lieu of wedding a controlling husband. But even the best-laid plans can run afoul of luck and outrageous fortune, as is fatefully proven one stormy evening when Honoria happens upon a dying young man in the woods. After passing the night in a cottage alone with the corpse and his cousin, the rakish and very much alive Devil Cynster, it's decided--by the handsome rake--that Honoria has been compromised by the unchaperoned evening and the only remedy is to marry. Despite her flat refusal, Devil is determined to have the beautiful and feisty governess; his family is overjoyed that he's finally planning to marry. But Devil definitely has his work cut out for him as he attempts to convince Honoria to wed him and forego her plans for adventure. Luring Honoria to the altar is further complicated when she insists upon aiding him in the search for his cousin's killer. Which will Devil accomplish first: seducing Honoria or unveiling a murderer? Or will Honoria foil the first plan and solve the second before Devil can?

Devil's Bride is the first of several novels by Laurens that feature the members of the noble Cynster family in Regency England. The larger-than-life hero is bold, brave, daring, and determined and meets his perfect match in the heroine, who is plucky, intelligent, practical, and wise. Lush sensuality, deft plotting, and charming secondary characters make this novel a stellar beginning for the Bar Cynster series. --Lois Faye Dyer

Product Description
To Have...

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 tom by offering his hand in marriage. No one dreamed this scandalous rake would ever take a bride. And as society mamas swooned at the loss of England's most eligible bachelor, Devil's infamous Cynster cousins began to place wagers on the wedding date.

...And To Hold

But Honoria wasn't about to bend society's demands and marry a man "just" because they'd been found together virtually unchaperoned. No, she craved adventure, and while solving the murder of a young Cynster cousin fit he ill for a while, she decided that once the crime was solved she'd go off to see 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?

TO HAVE. . .

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 tom by offering his hand in marriage. No one dreamed this scandalous rake would ever take a bride. And as society mamas swooned at the loss of Englands most eligible bachelor, Devils infamous Cynster cousins began to place wagers on the wedding date.

. . .AND TO HOLD

But Honoria wasnt about to bend societys demands and marry a man just because theyd been found together virtually unchaperoned. No, she craved adventure, and while solving the murder of a young Cynster cousin fit he ill for a while, she decided that once the crime was solved shed go off to see 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?

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Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 416 pages
• Publisher: Avon (March 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 038079456X
• ISBN-13: 978-0380794560
• Product Dimensions: 6.5 x 4.2 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (115 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #49,374 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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• This is item 1 in The Cynster Series.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

44 of 47 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC!!, April 27, 1999

By A Customer

In DEVIL'S BRIDE, we meet Honoria Wetherby, a woman determined to enjoy life to it's fullest without the shackles of marriage. One stormy night she encounters a young man who is dying of a gunshot wound. While trying to help him, she meets the young man's powerful cousin, who she later finds out is Sylvester "Devil" Cynster, Duke of St. Ives. Due to the storm and the circumstances, they end up spending the night in a cottage. Young Tolly Cynster dies during the night never being able to reveal what happened to him. Unfortunately, when Honoria and Devil are found, she is compromised. Devil immediately decided to have her as his duchess. But first he has to convince her into marrying him. This starts off a delightful cat and mouse game. We also meet the other wickedly handsome and rakish Cynster cousins, Vane, Scandal, Gabriel, Demon and Lucifer. The six are called the Bar Cynster . I nearly passed out because this book got soooo HOT! Devil is an absolute dream! Add an unknown murderer on the loose, coincidental "accidents", steamy erotic sex, and a mushy romance and you've got yourself a winner!

You just have to read A RAKE'S VOW, Vane's story, and SCANDAL'S BRIDE, Richard's story. Talk about HOOOT!!! I can't wait for the other Cynster novels to come. We still have three Cynster rakes to go.

DEVIL'S BRIDE is a wonderful romantic read filled with humor, mystery, suspense, and a passionate love. I recommend it and the other Cynster novels. You'll love them! Trust me!

27 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars In the style of Julie Garwood, January 27, 2000

By	B. Young (Sacramento) - See all my reviews

In the style of Julie Garwood, this story has an interesting plot, entertaining supporting characters, a strong hero to fall instantly in love with and a lovely heroine who can go toe-to-toe with him! What a terrific book! Even though the "whodunit" was really obvious, and the intrigue was not as clever as some of Amanda Quick's novels, it's forgiveable because I doubt Laurens intended to write a true suspense. The murder plot is an interesting (albeit not compelling) vehicle for the characters, allowing the romance to ignite and the love to mushroom with an entertaining amount of relationship conflict. (I detest books that have the hero and heroine constantly acting hateful to eachother all in the name of "sexual tension." Baloney!)

This is my first Laurens book, but will not be the last. It was a terrific read. After I devoured all of Julie Garwood's books I was left bereft of a comparable historical author, and I've read several. As much as I've enjoyed Amanda Quick, Judith McNaught, et al, Devil's Bride is better. As a historical to "fall in love with," this book is nearly up to the standard of Julie Garwood. I'm leaving now for the bookstore -- must order the rest of the Bar Cynster series...

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The perfect regency romance!, May 6, 2001

By	mirope "mirope" (Seattle, Washington) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

This first novel in the Bar Cynster series is a tour de force for Stephanie Laurens. Devil Cynster, the Duke of St. Ives, is a great regency romance hero - aristocratic, extremely masculine, very sexy. He's made up his mind that Honoria Prudence is the wife for him, and he doggedly sets out to win her. Honor is a refreshing change from most regency heroines. She's sophisticated, not spunky; commanding, not wilfull; elegant, not dainty. It's easy to see why Devil (yes, the names of the Bar Cynster cousins are silly - do your best to ignore it) is so determined to have her as his duchess. Their courtship is wonderful - lots of tension and steamy love scenes. Even better, we get to see their relationship mature after their marriage. I'll be reading this one again and again!