Rating: 
Summary: Not as high quality you'd expect in the Bar Cynster Series
Review: While the first four books of the Bar Cynster Series had me rolling on the floor laughing with dry wit and humor, I found that lacking in her latest addition. It was still a very captivating book and I throughly enjoyed it but I do love to laugh when reading and until now I figured Stephanie Laurens would be the next Judy Garwood with the humor in her stories. I would still recommend this to anyone and especially if you have been following the Bar Cynster series. I eagerly await her next book in the series.
Rating: 
Summary: Running out of steam
Review: I loved the first 3 books of this series, but Laurens is running out of steam in this one. The storyline goes way beyond contrived. I suggest you stick with the Devil's Bride and skip this one.
Rating:
Summary: Book 5 of Bar Cynster Series
Review: 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
Rating:
Summary: Another Cynster bites the dust!
Review: In A SECRET LOVE, once again we meet the Cynster family. This time it is Gabriel who finally succumbs to love. Both Gabriel and Lady Allie are strong, likeable characters, and I avidly followed their attempts to rescue her family fortune. Passion soon sizzles between the two characters. With the Cynster Family stories, Laurens has founded a terrific dynasty. It's a shame there is only one unattached male Cynster left! I like the Cynster stories much better than Laurens' earlier works. Be sure to collect them all now while they are still available, as I expect they will become collector's items in the future.
Rating:
Summary: Laurens's best work yet.
Review: 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.
Rating: 
Summary: Gabiel's Heavenly Encounter
Review: 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 a very definite ( 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.
Rating:
Summary: Another Satisfying Cynster
Review: 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!
Rating:
Summary: Typical Laurens!
Review: I say "ditto" to Dawn Benson's review! She said it very well. My quibbles are that it ended and I have to wait for Lucifer's demise. Don't miss it.
Rating:
Summary: Compelling, Sensual, Witty
Review: 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!
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful! A complete Senusal Rush
Review: I love Miss Laurens works but i wasn't thrilled with the Rouges Proposal but this new makes up for it. It was the best one yet. Their relationship was endearing and I'm sad that the next book will be the last. I've totally enjoyed. I know I didn't give much away but I want you to take my word for it: Read it enjoy it!
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