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Romance Book ReviewsPage One of TwoDevil's Bride by Stephanie LaurensAvon, March, 1998.Paperback, 400 pages. ISBN: 038079456X. Ordering information: Amazon.com. | Amazon.co.uk 
Sylvester "Devil" Cynster, Duke of St. Ives earned his
nickname at an early age. As one of the brave, daring
and irresistible Cynster cousins, the Duke's exploits
on the battlefield and in the bedrooms of Regency London's
ton's finest ladies earned him the sobriquet "Devil".
Interested primarily in the chase, the Cynster men are
wary of marriage and avoid it like the plague. So, it
is the greatest surprise when the Duke announces that he
will marry governess Honoria Wetherby after being caught
in a compromising position with her; because of a storm, they
are both stranded all night in a woodsman's lodge with Devil's
wounded and dying cousin.
There is only one problem; Honoria wants no part of marriage
and is instead insistent upon following in the footsteps of
Lady Stanhope and embarking for Africa and Egypt in search of
adventure. But Honoria is fated to find adventure on her own
doorstep. It appears that the death of Devil's cousin Tolly
was no accident -- and that the killer is now stalking Devil.
As Honoria and Devil stalk a murderer and their passionate
attraction grows, Honoria must choose between a life of
freedom and adventure alone or with the tyrannical and enigmatic
Devil.
With Devil's Bride, the first in a series of books about the dashing Cynster cousins, Stephanie Laurens fulfills the promise of greatness she showed in Captain Jack's Woman. The exploits of the fascinating Devil Cynster and the headstrong, intelligent and passionate Honoria Wetherby include adventures, steamy passion and a search for a ruthless killer. Devil's Bride is an irresisitible beginning to what is sure to be a classic romance series. A Magical Christmas by Heather GrahamTopaz, Nov., 1997.Paperback, 336 pages. ISBN: 0451407962. Ordering information: Amazon.com. | Amazon.co.uk 
On Christmas Eve in 1862, at the Oak Ridge Plantation in
Virginia , 5 young confederate officers are sentenced to
hang by Union Brigadier General George Custer. The young
captain who had parted from his wife in anger wished only
to see her one last time before he died. His wish was granted
in a most mysterious manner which would have effects on
another family over 100 years later. In present day Florida,
Jon and Julie's marriage is falling apart at light speed and
their children are in trouble. In a last ditch effort to save
their marriage they decide to spend one last Christmas
together with the children at an for inn called the Oak River
Plantation in Virginia which features a Civil War-era Christmas.
Squabbling all the way, the family makes the somewhat arduous
trip to find an inn that looks as if it exists in another
time and place -- over 100 years ago. As soon as they arrive
strange things begin to happen. There is something peculiar
about their hosts, the Wainscotts. They are never seen together
and are always in character with their Civil War costumes
and polite manners. Their love for each other is obvious,
but an unknown tragedy seems to hang over the couple. As
they get to know the Wainscotts and Christmas Eve approaches,
this modern family will have to confront their problems to
find the true meaning of love -- and family.
Heather Graham has penned a magical fable of hope and love found in the midst of a modern, cynical world which will resonate with readers. The characters ring true and the problems faced by the teenagers are realistic and timely. Heartfelt and hopeful, A Magical Christmas is a story that the whole family will treasure. Click here For Romance Reviews Page Two Return to Book Reviews Index ** To visit the archives of romance novels reviewed in The IWJ, please click here. |