On a Wicked Dawn

Rating:
Summary: Only if you want a good sleeping pill...
Review: Right after reading Amanda's story (On a Wild Night), I just could not wait to read about her twin. Amelia's story became the 3rd book I read from the Cynster series. This 3rd experience was the equivalence of a cold shower: trivial plot, unchallenging story, and dragging sex scenes that made me yawn almost to the point of disjointing my jaw. I understand this is sensual romance, but excess even in what is expected can be detrimental. If this was the 1st book of the series I had read, it would have stopped there. I am not a writer but I guess it must be quite a challenge to do quality work every time. Either that or the Cynster saga has reached its limit and the inspirating muse (or formula) needs to retire.

Anyway, IMHO this one is not worth even a free rental at the local public library. Hmmph! But at least it put me to sleep for a couple of nights.

Rating:
Summary: Yawn, yawn and yawn again
Review: I didn't think the Cynster series could hit a lower nadir than Scandal's Bride, but On A Wicked Dawn does it. The book is stretched to at least twice its natural length, and staying awake while reading it was a real chore. As a 60-page novella, it might have been worth reading, but as a 400+-page novel, it is a waste of good trees and ink. Ms Laurens should have taken the advice of other Amazon reviewers and stopped writing this series once the original six books were published.

Amelia Cynster, unlike her sister Amanda, had decided to continue looking for her future husband within the ranks of those men attending Society events. It was already obvious from On A Wild Night who her choice would be: Lucien Ashford, Viscount Calverton - so old and so close a friend of the Cynster family that we didn't know he existed until On A Wild Night. So much an old friend of Amelia's that we don't even get any sense that they've known each other for years, either.

Amelia, obviously not at all stricken with shyness or reticence when it comes to approaching men, lies in wait for Luc outside his home one night. When he finally rolls home drunk in the early hours, she strikes. (And again, how was it that her family had no idea that she was out? Would the faithful footman really not tell anyone where she'd been? Would no-one notice that a servant was absent?). Amelia tells Luc that she knows he's in financial difficulty and that her dowry could rescue him. And she proposes.

No dragging out of the will-they-won't-they here: Luc accepts immediately, but says that he wants a proper courtship. We know that Luc loves Amelia, but had never imagined that she might be within his reach. (Why the heck not? He's easily high in status enough for the granddaughter and cousin of dukes). Amelia loves Luc, but never thought he'd looked at her - again, why not? She'd spent a lot of time with him in On A Wild Night.

The rest of the book is a long, slow progress towards marriage (achieved by halfway through), and then yawn-inducing, mundane post-marriage scenes, including the inevitable, and by now extremely tedious, lengthy sex scenes. By now I not only skim them; I skip them. There is nothing worth reading in these twelve-page excerpts from porn novels. We're supposed to be able to tell from these scenes that Luc and Amelia love each other, but all we see is graphic, acrobatic sex involving a variety of different positions, as if Laurens wants to impress us with her knowledge of the Kama Sutra.

The 'reason' why the book is stretched out so long after the wedding has to do with the 'need' for Luc and Amelia to tell each other that they love the other, and for Luc to tell Amelia the truth about his fortune. (The highly ironic thing here is that it is the Duke of St Ives who lectures Luc about the need to confess his love to Amelia, while St Ives himself has never told his wife the same thing). The 'control' thing as an explanation for why neither was willing to say the L word was really not at all convincing. Both characters came across as idiots unable to see what was under their noses.

As for the characters, of course Luc is not a Cynster, but we'd never know it. Just like all the Cysnter males, he won't show that he's vulnerable. Just like all the Cynster males, he won't tell his chosen woman that he loves her. Just like all the Cynster males, he throws his weight around and becomes overweening in his protectiveness. And Amelia... Little Miss Perfect! As soon as she marries, she becomes the perfect matriarch and wife, knowing just what to do and what to say in every situation. Hardly realistic, when she's just taking over the reins of running a household! And she's far better than Luc's mother at advising his sisters, which she does at every possible moment - and yet there is not even the tiniest bit of resentment or jealousy from Luc's mother. Suuure!!!

Yes, as ever, there is a mystery plot: someone is stealing valuables from the ton. I guessed who the thief was as soon as the plot was introduced; there is an early scene with the thief talking with Kirby, who is apparently some contact of Edward Ashford's (banished in the previous book). The identity of the female thief was immediately apparent, and so the delay in unmasking her was pointless. That scene, in any event, was about as incredible as much of the rest of the book.

None of the Cynster books 'fit' properly into the Regency period; the ever-present pre-marital sex alone indicates that, as well as the lack of adequate chaperonage for the heroines and their completely unlikely behaviour. This book is no exception and is in some ways even worse: an unmarried young lady able to sneak around and sleep with her suitor at a house party? Where was her mother? Other Society matrons? Her maid, come to that?

I gather that there is now another book in the series, but I have no intention of buying it and no desire at all to read it. In fact, I'll be getting rid of the nine Cynster books I bought, in some moment of madness when I thought that they might actually be worth reading, just as soon as I can... I believe there's a charity shop collection due soon!

This book is one to avoid!

wmr-uk

Rating:
Summary: Cynster Saga Stagnating ?
Review: I was, to say the very least, disappointed with this...book.
Fans of the Cynster ducal dynasty will recall the irrepressible blond, blue-eyed twins, Amanda and Amelia. After years of searching the ton for mates, the two take matters into their own hands.
A week after seeing her sister off on her honeymoon, Amelia sets out to ensnare her chosen mate, Lucien Ashford. Although their families have been friends since their childhoods, Amelia is the only Cynster that knows that since the death of Luc's father eight years before, the Ashfords have been been desperately preventing the ton from seeing behind the illusion of their wealth. After years of hard work, Lucien's investments pay off. When he returns home, inebriated by his success, and liquor, Amelia is waiting for him. She has found out the family is poor, and offers herself, and her dowry, in return for his hand in marriage. Just before he passes out at her feet, he agrees. The problem that the couple must overcome is that Lucien refuses to tell Amelia he is rich because he is afraid that she will find out the true reason he wants to marry her: he loves her.
The weaknesses of this particular episode of the Cynster saga are numerous, especially as it's the follow up to Amanda's story, which was magnificent.
First of all, the "problem" that was suposed to drive the whole plot forward is unbelievable; Lucien doesn't have any emotional scars or weaknesses or past experiences that really convince the reader that his motivation for lying is justified. The sub plot involving Edward, who readers will remember from Amanda's story, is grossly underdeveloped.
The main characters aren't endearing, inspiring or other wise emotionally compelling-they're just there. The heroine, Amelia, is a non-entity: if she wasn't in the novel you probably wouldn't even notice. Lucien's younger sisters, Portia and Penelope, are better developed. Even Galahad, the dog Luc gives Amelia, is a more developed character than the heroine and hero.
Without the plot or characterizations to drive them, the three thousand, long repetitive sex scenes Laurens has included are a waste of readers' time. I think they take up about one third to a half of the book- you'll get done faster if you skip them. Here's some advice: for those who might read this book as a stand alone, and aren't interested in the whole series- don't bother. For those, who, like me, are loyal fans of the series, there are a few saving graces to the book. There's a cute scene where Devil interacts with his young daughter, and several scenes where we hear more from Helena, the Dowager Duchess, and she doesn't even speak in that dumb French accent she's had in other books. There is sort of tear jerking scene where, Honoria, Devil's wife, recalls first meeting Amelia and Amanda at Tolly's funeral. But best of all, the best moment in this book, is where, after seven years of marriage, and three kids, Devil, Fifth Duke of St. Ives, finally tells his wife he loves her.
Anyhow, Portia seems promising, and as always, I eagerly await the next installment in the series- I haven't given up on the Cynsters yet!

Rating:
Summary: It's The Girls' Turn!!
Review: After many years looking for husbands without any success, twins Amelia and Amanda decide that instead of waiting for the men to come to them, they were going to get their men.

This is Amelia's story.

I had been looking forward to this book ever since I heard it was being written and I was not disappointed.

It was great seeing Stephanie Laurens writing about some of the Cynster women now, and discovering that in many ways they are like there powerful male Cynster cousins, they are determined to get what they want, and look-out the men who get in their way.

The story begins when Lucien Ashford has hit the jackpot and restored his family fortunes, and after a night out celebrating, stumbles home drunk. And there he encounters Amelia on his doorstep, and she proposes!

Having always loved Luc, she uses the excuse that she knows that his family is struggling and that her dowry would help re-establish them to convince him to marry her, not knowing about Luc's change of fortune. Luc accepts and passess out at her feet only seconds later.

Luc has always loved Amelia but with the state of his families fortunes, he always believed that she was out of his league and is amazed that she would want to marry him, not that he is about to try and change her mind.

There is one condition he puts on their marriage: he will court her properly, amongst the ton.

But he does not tell her right away that his fortunes have been restored, fearing that she will change her mind about marrying him. Instead he proceeds to act as though his family are still struggling as he courts her so that she will fall in love with him.

This was a very well written book and a great addition to the Cynster series.

A must-read.

Rating:
Summary: Whoah .... what's up with the bad reviews??
Review: This is my first Stephanie Laurens novel and I must admit surprise at the prior "bad" reviews this book has received!

I picked this SL novel because none of my other fav. authoresses novels were about (at a bookstore) and it was a worthwhile purchase! I found the story of Amelia and Luc to be entertaining: amusing dialogue and refreshing twist (like Julie Garwood) that Hero and Heroine really do like each other in the story ... rather than having a hate/hate relationship, as some 'romance' novels do (which I don't count as "real" romances anyways).... lots of sex scenes, and an okay storyline. If you ask me, this novel is well worth the read, should you be looking for a romp with two colourful characters.

If, as suggested by other reviewers, this is SL at her worst THEN SLs worst is still pretty darn great!

Rating:
Summary: Not her best
Review: I enjoyed "On a Wicked Dawn," but it could have moved a little faster. The love scenes were steamy enough, but no one was getting scorched. I like fun, exciting passion like her other works, and Rogers, Lindsey and one of my latest reads, "Anything,My Love" by Cynthia Simmons. That one had been running for a cold shower.

Rating:
Summary: Just words to fill the pages.
Review: From the very beginning page I knew this book was going to drag. I love Stephanie Laurens' books. She is among one of my favorite historical romance writers. This book however greatly disappointed me. The love scenes, while steamy, left me a little bored. The two just never really seemed to fit. Amelia was too naive and Luc's knowledge of sex was rather trivial. The words were there, but I just wasn't convinced of the passion and excitement of their lovemaking. When I find myself skimming through the love scenes something is missing. I also found myself bored with the page fillers. This book dragged out so many boring incidents occurring in the characters lives I couldn't even finish the book. I just skipped to the end. Which by the way concluded so uneventfully boring it wouldn't have made a difference if I had read it first.

Rating:
Summary: Boring
Review: I have read and loved every book in the Cynster series, however, this one was just plain boring. I became bored early on in the story and put it down. Picked it back up later to try again and then gave up. I was so disappointed. Stephanie Laurens is such a wonderful author and her stories always keep me interested so much so that I just can't put them down. I advise skipping this one altogether. Sorry Stephanie.

Rating:
Summary: Another Hot and Sexy Cynster Novel
Review: On a wicked dawn is a good reminder of what a Stephanie Laurens novel is all about. It is more sensual than your average historical romance and I just loved that about this well-written story.

Often times, I read a romance and I wish there were more details to the couple after they got married. More intimate scenes. More on how the couple get along even after they realize they love each other.

In this story of Amelia and Luc, I got all that and more!
She dishes out everything you could ever want in a very sensual historical romance. I highly recommend this to anyone who wants a little more intimacy than the average historical romance.

Rating:
Summary: A lot of passion
Review: great romance and even more with rereading several times ahero to be loved and aheroine to be dreamed of thank you STEPHANE LAURENS