Scandal's Bride

I love historical novels. Stephanie Laurens is one of the best. I have read every one of her Cynster novels AND almost ALL of her books period. I have two that I haven't read but I will have read them by the end of the month.

I have read a few books from Laurens' Cynster series in order.

The first book, Devil's Bride, was fantastic and left me craving more.

The second, A Rake's Vow, did not live up to expectations. It had a similar storyline to Devil's Bride but lacked the excitement, humour, emotion and chemistry that featured in that first book.

After a break from the series, I thought I would give it another shot when I found book 3, Scandal's Bride, on sale. Well, if A Rake's Vow, was a little disappointing then this book was downright disturbing. I found the notion that one of the Bar Cynster men could fall for a woman who practices witchcraft and whose life is ruled by visions and messages she receives in her dreams from the "Lady of the Vale" just too ridiculous. The idea that any of these typical "alpha" males would be willing to marry such a woman and live in her shadow as her consort was beyond belief.

Most importantly, for a romance book, there was no chemistry between Richard and Catriona. Although attracted to her, it seemed he only married her to fulfil a perceived obligation stemming from a stipulation in his step-father's Will. Catriona did not want to marry him at all, she just wanted him to father her child because the "Lady" declared it should be so. Her solution - get pregnant by drugging him and basically raping him in his sleep before he returns to England, then conceal the existence of his child.

For me, the book was filled with many other unbelieveable occurrences.

So far Laurens' Cynster series books seem to follow a similar formula - confirmed rake vows never to marry - he meets a woman and is instantly attracted - he decides he must have her and won't take no for an answer - the girl resists but ultimately can't fight her attraction - they have copious amounts of sex - and finally, they marry and live happily ever after. Like the previous books, this one featured pages and pages of sex but, otherwise, it was very different - not in a good way, but in a weird way.

There was the strong touch of the mystical in this offering. Catriona was for all intents, a witch. Well of course she was a good witch, always looking out for the people of her estate lands known as The Vale. It was a calling she put above everything else in her life. Richard "Scandal" Cynster was a Rake of the first order and his own restlessness led him to consider the strange bequest of Catriona's guardian.

Stephanie Lauren's can weave a truly wonderful story and I was so happy that this one was indeed different from the first two in the series. She brings her characters to life with intriguing personalities. Her side characters are so intriguing that I wish for more of them in the story. There is still lots of sex that left me exhausted just thinking about how our protagonists managed in between sessions in the sheets. Of course, this is romance and our hero is tall, handsome, protective, intelligent, sexy (and insatiable) and wealthy. Our heroine is strong, beautiful, loving, capable, a virgin (who becomes insatiable) and supportive of her man. There is a suspenseful element in the plot that is fairly easy to deduce. There is nothing not to like about the Cynster men and their lady loves are paragons of womanhood.
All in all this is a fabulous addition to the Cynster Series. I look forward to reading more.

You can't go wrong with Stephanie Laurens' earlier works. Any books published after "The Perfect Lover," are not her best works and have not been the same

I do think Stephanie Laurens does use the same kind of characters and similar plots, but each story has a different back drop that makes it special. I'm not saying that all her novels past "The Perfect Lover" succeed to live up to our expectations, but for this story, I have to say is worth your money. It's not the best like Devil's story, but it lives up to my expectation as a Stephanie Laurens book. For me, it's not worthwhile to read a hero less than ideal to the Cynster males... those alpha males make you want to read more and more. I don't care if the characters and plots are similar-- as long as she re-delivers the magic in a different way, then I'll be there buying her books.

Bar Cynster Series:

1. Devil's Bride
2. A Rake's Vow (Vane's story)
3. Scandal's Bride
4. A Rogue's Proposal (Demon's story)
5. A Secret Love (Gabriel's story)
6. All About Love (Lucifer's story)

Cynster Related Series:

7. All About Passion (Chillingworth's story) *you might want to skip*

Cynster Series:

8. The Promise In A Kiss
9. On A Wild Night
10.The Perfect Lover

This was my first Stephanie Laurens book and I was happily surprised. I heard a lot about the Cynster series and I wanted to try one for myself. _Scandal's Bride_ just jumped off the shelf at me so I decided to give it a go. Although it was not my favorite book in the whole world, I was interested in the plot and there was enough substance to the book to hold my attention. Both Richard and Catriona were very well developed characters. I will admit that in the begining of the book they were in the bedroom so much that they didn't have much substance other then that. But, the second half of the book really saved it. The sex scenes in this book, I think, are one of the main reasons for all of it's controversy. Some people will love all of the steamy scenes, and for a while I did to. But, the whole first half of the book is nothing but love scenes and after a while they got a little tiring. The first scene took eleven pages to execute. And the creativity of these characters... they made love EVERYWHERE. On a horse, in a feeding trough, in a closet... every place you could imagine. But, Stephanie Laurens seemed to decide that enough was enough and moved on to the more interesting parts of the book. I especially enjoyed the visit from the Cynster clan. Stephanie Laurens has an amzing talent for writing and it shows in her books. I have one little thing though- there were too many story lines. She never really followed through with most of them and there were many things left hanging. But, I really did enjoy this book. I could relate to Catriona and Richard and I spent at least half of my day with them reading their story. I'd recommend _Scandal's Bride_ to you and I can't wait to read more in the series.

The weather seems to conspire against Cynsters, helping Fate lead them to the altar. In this third installment, it is Richard "Scandal" Cynster Fate has in her sights. Richard, the illegitimate younger brother of Devil, has journeyed to the Scottish highlands to receive a long-delayed bequest from his deceased birth mother. On his way to McEnery House, he is forced to stop the night at an inn due to inclement weather. The inn is in the town in which his mother is buried, and he wanders to the cemetery that night to visit her grave.
Catriona Hennessy, Lady of the Vale, has been called from the lowlands to the reading of her guardian's will at McEnery House. Inclement weather forces her and her companion to break their journey at an inn in the nearest town (funny coincidence, that!). In her role as Lady of the Vale, Catriona is a channel of sorts for the wishes of The Lady and the guardian of the vale where The Lady is worshipped. Lately, she has been having very vivid dreams of a commanding, handsome, and restless knight. She decides she must go consult The Lady outside to discern her wishes. The answer is disturbing: "He will father your children." On her way back to the inn, she is so busy pondering the meaning of this message, that she slips on the ice - and is caught by none other than Richard, the knight in her dreams.
Both Richard and Catriona are even more surprised to discover each other's presence at McEnery House, and even more shocked when Seamus McEnery's will is read. Richard has a week to marry Catriona or all McEnery's lands and wealth will go to the church, leaving the principal heirs to the estate destitute. While Richard is debating, Catriona, who does not wish to marry and lose power in the vale, takes matters into her own hands and attempts to fulfill The Lady's wishes to the letter, rather than consider the underlying meaning. She realizes she's in a real mess when Richard says "yes" to the terms of the will.
Laurens has created the finest example of lovers at cross-purposes in SCANDAL'S BRIDE. The fight for Richard to find a cause and for Catriona to understand that falling in love and getting married does not automatically mean losing individuality is great fun to read about. Richard is a perfect example of the family spirit embodied in the Cynsters. Catriona is terrific in her single-mindedness and generosity - not to mention her bravery, since (as Honoria pointed out) no other woman would be brave enough to slip an aphrodisiac to a Cynster and then crawl into bed with him!
The only parts of this story I had problems with were the "villain's" fairly weak excuse for villainy, and Richard's nickname in the Bar Cynster. It is explained that "Scandal" is short for "A Scandal That Never Was" since Devil's mother adopted Richard as her own, thus reducing any scandal of his existence in the Cynster fold. But it is well-known that Richard is a bastard and not in line for the dukedom, so I fail to see how scandal was avoided, apart from preventing Richard from being ostracized by the ton. Maybe this reasoning was Laurens' aim, but I think she's reaching a bit.
Nevertheless, SCANDAL'S BRIDE most excellently fulfilled my "Cynster fix," and I recommend it to all Cynster fans. First-time Cynster readers should start with DEVIL'S BRIDE, but by all means, don't miss this third gem in the Cynster saga.

I have throughly loved everyone of the Bar Cynster books. I have read them as fast as I have gotten them. The heros are all strong, exciting, handsome, strong men who also are sweet, caring, vulnerable and utterly devoted to family. The heroines are sassy, strong, stubborn, brave, loving, caring, smart woman who are the hero's equals.
These discriptions are perfect for the hero and heroine of Scandal's Bride. Richard, aka Scandal, has been summoned to the north by his mother's family. Richard's mother has been dead for many many years and now her husband has died and Richard is in his will. Richard, ever curious, arrives to find that there is someone else who is in the will. Catriona, the Lady of the Vale. Catriona was the ward of the late Seamus. She has also come to find out what Seamus had in mind for her. Its nothing that either thought it would be.
Seamus' will has stated that Richard must marry Catriona and if he doesn't Seamus' children will be disinherited and will loose their home. Now Richard has tried for years to avoid marriage especially since his older brother and cousin have taken the plunge. But Catriona is so unlike any other woman he has ever met. She is independant. She has a purpose in life and believes that no man can help her with that purpose. He is facinated by her and wants her in ways that he has never imagined. Catriona is also facinated by Richard. He is a strong willed man who she believes will interfer with her duties to the vale but she can't deny her attraction to him or her growing feelings of love.
They marry and return to the Vale. Catriona tries to go about her business but soon finds that Richard can be a great help to her and her people. They soon both find that they love each other and that together they can prosper.
We get to meet Devil and Honoria again as well as Vane Patience and see where thier lives are going.
I found this book to be very erotic in its love scenes but it also touched my heart they way that two very strong independant people can unite to be even stronger.
In short I loved this book!

Cut to the Chase:
This is my second favorite Laurens novel, and a bit of a guilty pleasure — I know she’s playing on stereotypes and glossing over details, but somehow I just don’t care. With our heroine Catriona, who is a healer and witch, there is an aspect of magic and fantasy that Laurens rarely explores and in Richard, the bastard son of a Duke, we have a noble hero who is nonetheless a bit of an outsider looking in. They are both people whose family situations have been defined for them; watching them discover each other and form a family is enormously engaging and enjoyable.

Greater Detail:
Catriona Hennessy is called a witch by outsiders, and the Lady by those who serve her and are watched over by her. She is a healer, and rules over the vale in which she lives — she manages everything from the household accounts to the livestock and farming rotation. She’s fiercely independent, and though she knows that she will eventually need to produce an heir (another female to watch over the vale), she envisions a quiet, malleable husband who will fade into the background and allow her to continue about her business.

Fate, in the form of the Lady she worships, has chosen Richard Cynster, the bastard of a powerful duke nicknamed Scandal. She believes Richard to be a warrior without a cause, and far too strong and domineering of a personality to be truly suitable as a long term partner. Though Catriona receives a vision specifically saying Richard “will father your children” she chooses to believe that she doesn’t necessarily have to involve marriage. So she drugs and seduces him, hoping that will fulfill her vision, and allow her to maintain her independence.

While there are a lot of predictable elements to this story (it is a historical romance after all), it’s a wonderfully enjoyable, escapist novel. The two are forced together by machinations from both the Lady that Catriona worships, as well as fate, in the form of a will left by Catriona’s late guardian (coincidentally Richard’s mother’s ex-husband). Once you get over the rather obvious stereotypes, as well as the traditional third act crisis event, it’s really quite enjoyable — they’re married fairly early on, but their emotional bonds and relationship unfurl more slowly, and though it’s not my favorite Laurens, I think it’s definitely my second favorite, just because the characters are more uniquely drawn, and their feelings for each other seem to develop more naturally than usual.

Other Things to Know:
This is chronologically the third book of (originally) six in Laurens’s Cynster series. The six original members of the Bar Cynster are: Devil (Devil’s Bride), Vane (A Rake’s Vow), Richard, Demon (A Rogue’s Proposal), Gabriel (A Secret Love) and Lucifer (All About Love), six cousins who are all amongst the most sought out, elusive bachelors of the town. Don’t be deceived though – while the series follows the six different male protagonists, Laurens’s masculine heroes are more or less interchangeable: they are all exceedingly handsome, accomplished lovers and rakes who are overprotective but fiercely loyal, and they all have the kinds of faults that… aren’t really faults. One specializes in finances, while another is an expert in horseflesh; otherwise, they’re nearly interchangeable. It tends to be the women – the high strung governess that Devil pursues, the spinster in disguise that Gabriel woos, that really set the books apart.

While many make cameo-like appearances in one another’s novels, the series is barely connected, and truly does not need to be read in order. The common thread is chronology (which never impacts the plots) and the Cynster name — something Laurens must have recognized as many of the Cynster cousins, brothers- and sisters-in-laws, and even some of their friends, all later got spinoff books of their own. There’s also at least one prequel following some of the parental Cynsters.

Still, the original six are by far the best – and A Secret Love (followed fairly closely by Scandal’s Bride) are the two with the strongest character and relationship development, and by far the most satisfying and enjoyable.

Comparisons to Other Authors:
Laurens is a very prolific writer, and if you like passionate historical romances that are well-written and articulate, especially if you like to have a dash of mystery along with your romance, Laurens is a top contender by any standard. But she’s so prolific that it sometimes feels as though she’s not necessarily taking the time to edit herself and really individuate her protagonists. She’s definitely more sensual and writes more intense lovemaking scenes than Lisa Kleypas (though Kleypas has better character development and layering) or Samantha James. She also writes longer love scenes than Kat Martin, and tends to spend a little more time on the ending feelings and consequences than Martin does.

The best direct comparisons I can think of are probably Amanda Quick (which is the pen name for Jayne Ann Krentz), who tends to be also quick prolific with slightly domineering male leads, and Virginia Henley. Of the three, I would probably pick Laurens – she’s got less sex than Virginia Henley (it’s hard for me to think of an author that has more scenes devoted to intercourse than Henley), but her characters are far more developed relative to Henley, and the plot proceeds at a less break-neck pace. Depending on the book, it’s a toss-up between Quick and Laurens for me, but overall, I think I’ve read and reread more Laurens than Quick.

After the muddled, thrown together mess that was A Rake's Vow, I didn't really want to continue with the Cynster novels. Well, I'm glad I did, because Scandal's Bride made up for many losses with Vane's story, even Devil's to be honest. This is the sequel we've been waiting for, and it's well worth it.

We get a glimpse of Scandal in Devil's Bride, the second son and younger brother. As a bastard, he isn't truly Devil's heir, so he has no real holdings or connections outside of his name. The Cynster family has embraced him with both arms, and will tear anyone apart who doesn't do the same. But to Richard, there's something missing. An opportunity comes along to travel north to Scotland - his mother's country. There, he meets Catriona, a frosty lady who catches his eye and whom he considers a welcome challenge to melt. Without spoilers, Richard and Catriona are married and settle in her home at The Vale. While there are difficulties and conflicts, the couple learns to love and rely on each other to make a nice team.

What I liked about this story is that you grow with Richard and Catriona as people. Sure, they have presence and power, but underneath it all are two lonely people looking for a soulmate to share their hearts with. The villain is always obvious, which gives you freedom to exercise your brain elsewhere. The conflicts start out as small, but because both sides have too much pride, they are allowed to escalate out of control, which forces Richard and Catriona to break down their walls and talk to each other. An alpha male Cynster was nice for two books, but a levelheaded, compromising Cynster is refreshing to read.

Also: the Cynster family is always larger than life, but if you're looking for a more personal look at the members of the family, read Scandal's Bride.

Stephanie Laurens is truly an incomparable author of lusty romance and vibrant characters. This is the third Cynster story, devoted to Richard Cynster and his pursuit of the fiery Catriona Hennesey. We are lured into a tale of passion, magic and age-old lore, filled with wonderful characters, interesting stories and settings, and overlying all an amazing romance between the two protagonists. Richard is everything a woman could possibly desire, and Catriona is a strong-willed woman who will find a way to achieve her goals no matter what the cost. I loved this book (yes the sensuality level is "R" on this one) and have reread it several times. The Cynster saga is almost perfect - start with "Devil's Bride" if you have not yet discovered them!!

This book disgusted me on so many levels. My largest objection may have predisposed me not to like this book but I doubt it. First off, I read PROMISE IN A KISS which was Sebastian and Helena's story. I absolutely loved that book. Helena's desire not to marry a powerful man was so believable and made Sebastian have to work so hard for his pleasure it was delicious. Then I am to believe that five short years into their marriage Sebastian goes off to Scotland and CHEATS on his beloved Helena simply because he felt sorry for the unhappily married woman he meets there? That was offensive enough and then we are to believe that Helena simply accepts his infidelity and says "aren't you clever to give me another son." Give me a break. What an insult to a lovely couple.

Onto Scandal's story. I found it so offensive that Catriona drugs Richard and thinks the Lady wants her to STEAL a child from him while he is sleeping. If a man did that to a woman it would be called rape and as far as I'm concerned she raped Richard. What a love story. As if that wasn't a sick enough "religion" then her fellow believer thinks the Lady wants her to poison Richard once he's filled the bill. And then they were going to keep her around to raise the kiddies? What nut hatch did Richard fall into?

I think the Cynster family should have carted him off home for reprogramming and left them all to rot in their little vale of crazies.

Better yet Richard should never have been created.

What happened with Scandal's story? I can appreciate that Stephanie Laurens was probably trying to be different after the similar plot of the first two books, but why the Lady of the Vale story?

Of all the heroines in the Bar Cynster novels, I am not sure which one I like the least - Catriona or Patience. Richard deserves better. And I certainly don't believe that Helena and Devil would have bought the whole Lady of the Vale concept either. In fact, I don't think that any of the Cynsters would have bought it at all and act as if it were all normal.

Sure the love scenes are hot, but the only thing that really saved this for me was the extended appearance of Devil and Honoria and the other members of the family. It was just hilarious when they started appearing at Catriona's doorstep. I actually didn't want them to leave. For that part alone, this book is worth reading.

This was wonderfully written. I liked the witchy aspect. It was a nice break from the usual conflicts. And as always Stphanie's love scenes are never rushed, prefectly timed, and eloquently written. You really begin to see what makes Richard tick and what makes him a Cynster, but what also makes him differnt. He was calm (at least he appears to be but we all know better) cool and ever so confident. Catriona had many levels, many shades to her personality. And of course as always you want to smack them and wake them up. I also liked the idea that a higher power had hand in it from the beginning. That they truely where meant to be together. Pick this book.

Love the characters and the development; plot a bit farfetched; I prefer a plot that doesn't depend on the mystical. I very much enjoy this series and how all the various members of the family keep appearing - it is one of the elements that makes this series so appealing. I do have one caveat about this in "Scandal's Bride" however. There is NO WAY that a message could get from Catriona to Devil and get Devil and Honaria to Scotland in the time frame the plot demands - even express couriers and fast carriages didn't travel THAT fast - in winter, too! Regardless, a good read.

Can't believe this was part of the Cynster series. There was absolutely No storyline/plot here; no character interest, no mystery, no quest, no fun secondary characters, no info about the heroine's religion....Nothing....Just rambling dialogue and many overly-typical (and mediocre) intimate scenes, along with tons of miscommunications, between two flatly written characters. Add to that the thousand-and-one times the author used the word "humph" and I could not wait for it to end.

Can't believe this was part of the Cynster series. There was absolutely No storyline/plot here; no character interest, no mystery, no quest, no fun secondary characters, no info about the heroine's religion....Nothing....Just rambling dialogue and many overly-typical (and mediocre) intimate scenes, along with tons of miscommunications, between two flatly written characters. Add to that the thousand-and-one times the author used the word "humph" and I could not wait for it to end.

I was not expecting to like this book. I started the series with "The Promise in a Kiss" and was prepared to hate Scandal and anything to do with him (because I loved the Sebastian/Helena story and he was the result of an affair). But after reading this book, not only was it was one of my favorites, but Scandal is one of my favorites, as well. I loved it ~ the passion, the love, the two strong personalities of Catriona and Richard trying to find balance and love with one another. I just loved every moment of this book: the two of them falling in love, seeing Helena interact with Richard, the return of Devil & Honoria and Vane & Patience, everything. I cannot recommend this book any more ~ it's fabulous!

1819, Scotland

Despite the reviews, I did enjoy this third book in the Cynster Series. It is much like the first two books in the plot and I enjoyed the characters. The beginning is interesting enough to keep your interest, though I thought it slowed somewhat in the middle and as in most romance novels, it ended happily. I will continue reading the series.

Stephanie Laurens name should be right up there with Amanda Quick, Julie Garwood, and Catherine Coulter. Her 'Bar Cynster' men are deliciously appealing. Wit and joi de vie reign in the Regency novel and along with her contemperaries above, Stephanie does justice to the period. Her characters are well defined and very sensual. If you want to read a book about real men in the real world than do not read any historical or period romance. However, if your brain has a sweet tooth and you want to give it some candy, well then, read one of Stephanie's books. By the way, only the Bar Cynster men believe they're flawless. That is what makes them so appealing. We all know they're not, but, we are willing to put up with them just like Stephanie's heroines.

Aside from all the supernatural jargon and historical misses, the story started out well enough and I did manage to read the book to the end although not consecutively and certainly not enthusiastically. I just wasn't able to get into it as deeply as I would have liked. The problem was not so much the characters as it was the plot. I mean, a witch in those days being able to live so openly and so socially accepted that she could lead her own flock ... come on. "Witches" back in those days had to practice their science secretly. Those who were bold enough to be as open about their beliefs as Catriona was about hers were burnt at the stake. I understand the author intended to portray Richard as the one who would protect her from such a fate, but even so, that would have proven to be a formidable feat. He would, after all, be one man and a few followers against the masses.

Secondly, this matter about Richard's birth and upbringing. In regency England, society was very stringent about maintaining the bloodlines of a peer. Please recall that Sebastian was a duke for heaven's sake. Richard, being a bastard and the son of a scotswoman, would not have enjoyed the wide social acceptance he received, irregardless of the Cynsters influence. I understand an author's entitlement to artistic freedom, but a story becomes boring and uninteresting when it is written out of context. It's like reading about 21st century characters living and loving in the 21st century yet behaving like they're living in the 18th century. You know how sometimes we look at the Amish and shake our heads? You sort of get the same feeling when you read this book. It just doesn't add up.

And finally, I will say it again, I don't think anyone would deny Stephanie Lauren's entitlement to some level of artistic freedom, but I can not abide by either party, man or woman, in a relationship, having to ask the other's permission to speak. While this sort of dominance in a female will no doubt have a certain appeal to some women, not only is it farfetched and ludicrous for that time, it's a downright insult to any self-respecting and learned neo-feminist who reads the book. Marriage should be about partnership, teamplay and personal freedoms. Empowering a woman with the same chauvinistic liberties as those who (try to) oppress her is simply a disgrace to women everywhere. We all know what they say about an eye for an eye. Stephanie Laurens forgets not only herself but also her audience when she pens a story of this nature.

Not only does Richard not live up to his character but it also brings to mind the thought that if nothing is wrong with a strong, dominant female what's wrong with a strong, dominant male? They might knock heads, yes, but which meaning of the word equality are we using here? If it's the one according to the Cambridge english dictionary and most other dictionaries I've come across for that matter, it just doesn't seem right to ask for something that one is not willing to give.

I know this review may seem a bit harsh, but I give credit where credit is due. Stephanie Laurens is a good author, she can do much better than this. I've been reading her novels for years and have enjoyed a vast number of them. But in her attempt to create something fresh, she creates a shell of a book and makes waste of characters who had such great potential. It is sad.

I would say that if she's going to twist the lines of history to suit her plot, I'd recommend doing as Lisa Kleypass does and leave her readers a note that explains this and the reasons behind her choices. Then I'm sure many would be a lot more understanding and tolerant of these misses instead of having to wonder if their favourite authors are just trying to insult people's intelligence.

If you agree with anything that was written above, don't bother with this one. I'd recommend reading All About Passion instead and anything by the phenomenal Laura Kinsale and Penelope Williamson. Here are two novelists who are so versed at their art that you'll never come across the same misses as you did here.

"Spoiler"... I can only give Laurens' "Scandal's Bride" 3 stars. While enjoyable there is one plot in the book that really bothered me. Catriona, believing Richard is to be the destined father of her children but unwilling to allow him in her life, drugs Richard so that she can love him and leave him. I know this is fiction and fantasy (I often suspend belief when reading paranormal romances) but the thought of drugging anyone for sex, even if he did enjoy it, is terrible. If it had been a man drugging a woman, it would have been rape.

Once you get past the drug scene, Catriona accepts Richard in her life and we see them adjust as a married couple. I enjoyed this portion of the story.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The characters were wonderful and you felt like you were actually part of the story. Plenty of passion, love, intrigue and some danger plus sex added in. What more could you want! A great historical romance.

My favorite of Ms. Laurens Bar Cynster series, this book contains both the sensual love story and the sweet partnership that develop between the lead characters. After Richard and Catriona marry because of the stipulations of a will, they struggle to create a relationship that will satisfy both her responsibilities and his need to be needed. Using the theme of a "hero without a cause", this book is more thoughtful than some of Stephanie Laurens' other novels. It's a satisfying very satifying, gentle book to read on a rainy day.

Richard Cynster, half-brother of the Duke of St Ives (who goes by the improbable soubriquet of Scandal, but with a brother called Devil what can you expect?!) travels to Scotland to the reading of the will of his mother's husband Seamus McEnery - complicated family relationships here, to be explained later. There, he meets and is instantly attracted to Catriona Hennessy, his late stepfather's ward. Catriona is undoubtedly a lady, so he can't seduce her; and since he has no wish to marry, it seems that the relationship will go nowhere.
Then the will is read... and McEnery's offspring will only inherit if Richard Cynster agrees to marry Catriona Hennessy. Note the wording: if he agrees to marry her. Nothing says that she has to marry him. Nothing says that a wedding has to take place. In other words, there's a simple way out of this situation: all Cynster and Catriona have to do is pretend. He can say that he'll marry her, and the lawyers are satisfied. Then the two of them can ride away and never see each other again.
And so, of course, the two of them get married. Less than a third of the way through the book, in fact. And bang goes any sense of tension, suspense or indeed, any point in reading any further.
What I didn't like about this book:
The plot is *identical* to the three Cynster books I've read already, starting with The Promise in a Kiss. Male Cynster meets woman, decides he wants to marry her; she refuses him; he makes her change her mind; she marries him; boring post-marriage incidents, including the introduction of an A-plot. And, of course, lots and lots of lengthy sex scenes. Sensuality is all well and good, true, but in its place and not over-done. I wasn't aware that it was possible to have an eleven-page sex scene outside a porn novel, but Laurens achieves it time after time. I really don't want to read the same book over and over again!
The weird `Lady of the Vale' witch/wicca nonsense. I want to read a romance novel, not a book about some weird-in-the-head woman who believes that her entire life is governed by some `Lady' who speaks to her in her dreams. Keep psychic nonsense out of romance novels, please!! And I couldn't believe that Cynster actually took her seriously!
The story of Richard Cynster's place in the family, which is explained to us early in the book. This has bugged me ever since I read The Promise in a Kiss. There is *no way* that Helena, the duchess, would have taken in her husband's bastard and brought her up as her own son. There is no way that the Helena of Promise in a Kiss would have tolerated Sebastian's infidelity. I also can't believe that a bastard would have been accepted in society to the extent that Richard is.
And doesn't Laurens know anything about inheritance and paternity law?? Richard Cynster's mother was married to McEnery. This means that IN LAW Seamus was Richard's father. IN LAW Richard is McEnery's eldest son and therefore inherits everything unless the will makes special provision for unentailed property.
Oh, and in which dictionary may I find `witchy' as an adjective? The word does not exist!!
The title's rather derivative, as well - the second in the series (if we count Promise in a Kiss as the first) was called Devil's Bride. But this book does have a lovely cover design. Shame about the content!

Stephanie Laurens started out writing great novels with the Bar Cynster concept which were absolutely fabulous! I've found that she seems to change her characters' personality depending on the storyline in her book at the time. This book didn't grab me at all...could've been because of how Richard was conceived (totally destroyed an awesome story in the series prequel Promise In A Kiss) or the weird plot or just being unable to connect to the main characters. I honestly think the Bar Cynster concept has run it's course and Ms Laurens needs to write other unconnected novels. She's a great writer but seems to be getting lost in this series. I think a fresh new plot and ideas free of the Cynsters or any of their connections would do wonders for her depth as a writer.

The third Cynster book turned out better than the second. I think the conversation is better and the characters are stronger. Not up to the level of Devil's Bride though. It is wonderful to meet the family again and to experience the loyalty and familial ties that strongly hold them together. This would have been a great book for me if I had not read Devil's story beforehand.

Scandal's Bride (A Cynster Novel) The Third Cynster Novel is a charm. This story creates a "Scandal" you would never run from. You turn the pages praying he'll be there. His scandalous ways will curl your toes. Don't try reading this one with your slippers on. You'll hurt yourself. Next, stretch out and read "A Rogues Proposal".

Richard "Scandal" Cynster has traveled north to Scotland for a will reading. While there he meet Catriona Hennessy, The lady of the Vale. Fate and "The Lady" are in play in there marriage. But the future of Richard and his witchy wife are not set.
"Scandal's Bride" is the third book in the Bar Cynster series that I have read by Stephanie Laurens and I am not sure if I will read anything more by her. This book was so boring, and I could wait for book to end.

After reading the part after the will and all that jargon about her being a witch!? Why Richard why?? This was the worst book that I have every read! Witches and gentlemen do not mix!!!!!!!! I was so disappointed. I could not believe what I was reading. I hoping and hoping that he would leave her and find someone BETTER at the ton. A story needs to be rewritten about Richard with someone else as his wife. :(

The Bar Cynsters strike again. This was a very enjoyable book in the series. I like the fact that these two were really soul mates looking for the same thing (each other). Laurens is a joy to read. Read any book by this author.