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The Cynster Sisters Trilogy #3
The Capture of the Earl of Glencrae
Three heros, three rescues, three weddings.
We joyfully request your attendance at the wedding of Miss Angelica Cynster
...but not until she and her hero confront a devious enemy and lay to rest an ancient grudge in the Scottish Highlands!
Headstrong Angelica Cynster is certain she'll recognize her fated husband at first sight. And when her eyes meet those of a mysterious nobleman across a candlelit ballroom, she knows beyond doubt that he's the one. But her heart is soon pounding for an entirely different reason--when he hero abducts her!
The eighth Earl of Glencrae has no choice but to kidnap Angelica, the one Cynster sister with whom he hadn't wanted to tangle. But to save his castle and his clan, he must persuade her to assist him--and he's prepared to offer marriage to seal the deal.
We joyfully request your attendance at the wedding of Miss Angelica Cynster
...but not until she and her hero confront a devious enemy and lay to rest an ancient grudge in the Scottish Highlands!
Headstrong Angelica Cynster is certain she'll recognize her fated husband at first sight. And when her eyes meet those of a mysterious nobleman across a candlelit ballroom, she knows beyond doubt that he's the one. But her heart is soon pounding for an entirely different reason--when he hero abducts her!
The eighth Earl of Glencrae has no choice but to kidnap Angelica, the one Cynster sister with whom he hadn't wanted to tangle. But to save his castle and his clan, he must persuade her to assist him--and he's prepared to offer marriage to seal the deal.
673 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 31, 2012
435 people are currently reading
2944 people want to read
About the author
Stephanie Laurens
213 books5,599 followersStephanie Laurens was born in Sri Lanka, which was at the time the British colony of Ceylon. When she was 5, her family moved to Melbourne, Australia, where she was raised. After continuing through school and earning a Ph.D. in Biochemistry in Australia, Stephanie and her husband moved to Great Britain, taking one of the last true overland journeys from Katmandu to London.
Once in London, Stephanie and her husband both began work as research scientists in Kent. They lived in an area surrounded by history. Their own cottage was built in the 16th century, while next door were the protected ruins of an early Roman villa, and nearby was a 14th century castle.
After four years in England, Stephanie and her husband returned to Australia, where she continued to work in cancer research, eventually heading her own research laboratory. One evening Stephanie realized that she did not have any more of her favorite romance novels to read. After years of thinking about writing her own novel, during nights and weekends for the next several months, she began crafting her own story. That manuscript, Tangled Reins, was the first of her books to be published. After achieving a level of success with her novels, Stephanie "retired" from scientific research and became a full-time novelist. Her novels are primarily historical romances set in the Regency time period.
Stephanie and her husband live on peaceful acreage on the outskirts of Melbourne. If she isn't writing, she's reading, and if she's not reading, she's tending her garden.
Once in London, Stephanie and her husband both began work as research scientists in Kent. They lived in an area surrounded by history. Their own cottage was built in the 16th century, while next door were the protected ruins of an early Roman villa, and nearby was a 14th century castle.
After four years in England, Stephanie and her husband returned to Australia, where she continued to work in cancer research, eventually heading her own research laboratory. One evening Stephanie realized that she did not have any more of her favorite romance novels to read. After years of thinking about writing her own novel, during nights and weekends for the next several months, she began crafting her own story. That manuscript, Tangled Reins, was the first of her books to be published. After achieving a level of success with her novels, Stephanie "retired" from scientific research and became a full-time novelist. Her novels are primarily historical romances set in the Regency time period.
Stephanie and her husband live on peaceful acreage on the outskirts of Melbourne. If she isn't writing, she's reading, and if she's not reading, she's tending her garden.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 421 reviews
February 2, 2012
I literarily wended, linguistically traveled, and read with eager purpose, burgeoning desire, and incendiary yearning. Utterly determined — alone and seeking a reviewer’s sweet satiation — engaging my somnolent disbelieving emerald orbs - fraught and needy, laboring to find the pinnacle of completion, desperate beyond measure to finish this book. Done. Basking. Glorying in the magnificent awareness, the enthralling conviction I will no longer - never again - have to read prose like that found in Ms. Laurens’ overwrought and overwritten tome The Capture of the Earl of Glencrae.
The Capture of the Earl of Glencrae is the eighteenth book featuring the Cynsters. Perhaps the only interesting thing about this novel is that, in it, the Cynster males — Devil and his uber-masculine kin — are as boring and unnecessary as a dance number on the Oscars. Sadly, the Cynster women aren’t any more engaging — I found the heroine of this book, Angelica Cynster, annoying, silly, and verbose. She’s yet another Laurens heroine who is practically perfect in every way: A virgin with a harlot’s skill, exquisitely beautiful without a trace of icky vanity, able to handle any challenge thrown her way with clichéd wit and chirpy charm.
She’s also able, with just a glance, to see that a tall, incredibly handsome man she spies at a soiree is destined to be “her hero.” She’s has a magical necklace dangling betwixt her breasts, passed onto her by her sisters, a “talisman that The Lady, a Scottish deity, had gifted to the Cynster girls to assist them in finding their true loves.” Somehow, between wearing this pendant and noticing that “he was undeniably the most gorgeous male she’d ever seen,” she’s determined to marry the man before they’ve ever exchanged a word.
The gentleman in question is Dominic, the eponymous earl of the novel. Dominic is at this party searching for Angelica, whom he’s never met. He is the elusive quasi-villain of the first two books in the Cynster Sisters series; a man who for reasons unknown kidnapped and then released unharmed Angelica’s two older sisters. When Angelica approaches him and makes it clear she’s like to take a walk in the garden with him, he takes her up on her offer, sweeps her into his arms and over his shoulder, gags her, binds her arms and legs, and tosses her into a carriage he has waiting in the mews. Angelica, despite being uncomfortable and miffed, gives some thought to his behavior and decides that, yes, he’s still her true love and yes, she’s still meant to be with him. She tells herself, “Whatever it takes, he will be my hero.”
And wouldn’t you know it, shocker of shockers, she’s right. Dominic has tied her up, kidnapped her - ruining her reputation - and put her in harm’s way because he has no choice . He’s doing it to save his clan. Dominic’s mother, Mirabelle, a woman so absurdly evil she’s inadvertently amusing, has spent her whole life resenting Angelica’s mother, the woman her husband, Dominic’s father, loved, lost, and never got over. Mirabelle stole a goblet from Dominic — the goblet has a long and convoluted back story involving Sir Walter Scott, Prinny, and the Regalia of Scotland — which he needs. His father long ago promised the goblet to bankers in exchange for a huge sum of money. If Dominic doesn’t get the goblet to the bankers by the end of the month, all of his assets are forfeit and his clan homeless out on the Scottish moors. Mirabelle will only give Dominic the goblet if he kidnaps and ruins a daughter of the woman — Angelica’s mother, Celia — Mirabelle neurotically loathes....
If you'd like to read the rest of my review go to All About Romance:
http://www.likesbooks.com/cgi-bin/boo...
The Capture of the Earl of Glencrae is the eighteenth book featuring the Cynsters. Perhaps the only interesting thing about this novel is that, in it, the Cynster males — Devil and his uber-masculine kin — are as boring and unnecessary as a dance number on the Oscars. Sadly, the Cynster women aren’t any more engaging — I found the heroine of this book, Angelica Cynster, annoying, silly, and verbose. She’s yet another Laurens heroine who is practically perfect in every way: A virgin with a harlot’s skill, exquisitely beautiful without a trace of icky vanity, able to handle any challenge thrown her way with clichéd wit and chirpy charm.
She’s also able, with just a glance, to see that a tall, incredibly handsome man she spies at a soiree is destined to be “her hero.” She’s has a magical necklace dangling betwixt her breasts, passed onto her by her sisters, a “talisman that The Lady, a Scottish deity, had gifted to the Cynster girls to assist them in finding their true loves.” Somehow, between wearing this pendant and noticing that “he was undeniably the most gorgeous male she’d ever seen,” she’s determined to marry the man before they’ve ever exchanged a word.
The gentleman in question is Dominic, the eponymous earl of the novel. Dominic is at this party searching for Angelica, whom he’s never met. He is the elusive quasi-villain of the first two books in the Cynster Sisters series; a man who for reasons unknown kidnapped and then released unharmed Angelica’s two older sisters. When Angelica approaches him and makes it clear she’s like to take a walk in the garden with him, he takes her up on her offer, sweeps her into his arms and over his shoulder, gags her, binds her arms and legs, and tosses her into a carriage he has waiting in the mews. Angelica, despite being uncomfortable and miffed, gives some thought to his behavior and decides that, yes, he’s still her true love and yes, she’s still meant to be with him. She tells herself, “Whatever it takes, he will be my hero.”
And wouldn’t you know it, shocker of shockers, she’s right. Dominic has tied her up, kidnapped her - ruining her reputation - and put her in harm’s way because he has no choice . He’s doing it to save his clan. Dominic’s mother, Mirabelle, a woman so absurdly evil she’s inadvertently amusing, has spent her whole life resenting Angelica’s mother, the woman her husband, Dominic’s father, loved, lost, and never got over. Mirabelle stole a goblet from Dominic — the goblet has a long and convoluted back story involving Sir Walter Scott, Prinny, and the Regalia of Scotland — which he needs. His father long ago promised the goblet to bankers in exchange for a huge sum of money. If Dominic doesn’t get the goblet to the bankers by the end of the month, all of his assets are forfeit and his clan homeless out on the Scottish moors. Mirabelle will only give Dominic the goblet if he kidnaps and ruins a daughter of the woman — Angelica’s mother, Celia — Mirabelle neurotically loathes....
If you'd like to read the rest of my review go to All About Romance:
http://www.likesbooks.com/cgi-bin/boo...
October 13, 2015
I would have rated this one higher, considering it has a non-annoying heroine, a hero extremely against rape, a strangely compelling plot and quite a lot of chemistry, but I discovered there is such a thing as too much perfection. At no point did I feel like the crisis was a crisis or that there was a genuine problem at all, actually. Also, the tension between our MCs could have been dragged out a bit longer; Christmas came a bit too early this year, if you know what I'm saying. But I'm definitely reading more Stephanie Laurens.
So, 3.5 stars.
So, 3.5 stars.
July 10, 2013
4.5 stars!
This was the conclusion to the mini-trilogy of the Cynster sisters set within the larger Cynster family series. And what a great conclusion it was! Dominic (known as the elusive Laird through the other books) finally gets his hands on a Cynster daughter, but he got the on he really didn't want to have to deal with. Guess what, Dominic? She is the one you needed; the other two wouldn't have been able to pull off the charade with your wacko momma.
If you're wondering why I deducted half a star from my rating, it's because I got a little tired of all the traipsing through the countryside of Scotland. I love that my buddy read gals posted pictures of all these places (it's beautiful), but I was ready for Angelica and Dominic (yep, I swoon just hearing that name) get to the castle and commence with the action.
This was the conclusion to the mini-trilogy of the Cynster sisters set within the larger Cynster family series. And what a great conclusion it was! Dominic (known as the elusive Laird through the other books) finally gets his hands on a Cynster daughter, but he got the on he really didn't want to have to deal with. Guess what, Dominic? She is the one you needed; the other two wouldn't have been able to pull off the charade with your wacko momma.
If you're wondering why I deducted half a star from my rating, it's because I got a little tired of all the traipsing through the countryside of Scotland. I love that my buddy read gals posted pictures of all these places (it's beautiful), but I was ready for Angelica and Dominic (yep, I swoon just hearing that name) get to the castle and commence with the action.
September 11, 2020
Fantastic Ending of the Trilogy
From start to finish a fun Regency romp. This certainly lives up to the Cynster name, strong alpha male meets non shrinking violet...let the games begin!
From start to finish a fun Regency romp. This certainly lives up to the Cynster name, strong alpha male meets non shrinking violet...let the games begin!
April 5, 2022
The third and final entry in the Cynster Sisters Trilogy (although the 18th and nowhere near end of the full Cynster Series) yet AGAIN features a young Cynster lady who is kidnapped! This time, though, she isn't rescued by her future husband. Instead, she falls in love with her kidnapper!
As Laine puts it, this book is one novella's worth of plot stretched out over nearly 500 pages. If you like the Cynsters and the batshit they get up to, you won't want to miss the conclusion of the (mini)series. There is a dramatic reveal of a heretofore unknown villain, a cliffside rescue, lots of Cynster masculinity, and a truly memorable moment of weird, non-sexy sexual roleplay.
16-Word Summaries:
Meg: To win back your ancestral lands you just have to engage in some exhibitionist roleplay. Duh.
Laine: Evil mom advice: listen to ensure your son actually rapes the child of your husband's ex.*
*There is no actual SA in the book, although the villain believes there is. This is where the roleplay comes in. Seriously.
As Laine puts it, this book is one novella's worth of plot stretched out over nearly 500 pages. If you like the Cynsters and the batshit they get up to, you won't want to miss the conclusion of the (mini)series. There is a dramatic reveal of a heretofore unknown villain, a cliffside rescue, lots of Cynster masculinity, and a truly memorable moment of weird, non-sexy sexual roleplay.
16-Word Summaries:
Meg: To win back your ancestral lands you just have to engage in some exhibitionist roleplay. Duh.
Laine: Evil mom advice: listen to ensure your son actually rapes the child of your husband's ex.*
*There is no actual SA in the book, although the villain believes there is. This is where the roleplay comes in. Seriously.
February 9, 2017
SPOILERS
This was definitely my favourite of the trilogy. Angelica was the most interesting of the sisters and therefore the plot was the most interesting. I really enjoyed her knowing her one true love on sight and going after him with purpose. The romance in this book was also the best of the three. It was a relief to finally work out the true motive behind all the kidnappings. Although pleased to finally learn why Mirabelle wanted to hurt the Cynsters, I thought her supposed motivation was a bit weak and unrealistic. Stephanie Laurens is always a safe bet.
This was definitely my favourite of the trilogy. Angelica was the most interesting of the sisters and therefore the plot was the most interesting. I really enjoyed her knowing her one true love on sight and going after him with purpose. The romance in this book was also the best of the three. It was a relief to finally work out the true motive behind all the kidnappings. Although pleased to finally learn why Mirabelle wanted to hurt the Cynsters, I thought her supposed motivation was a bit weak and unrealistic. Stephanie Laurens is always a safe bet.
June 26, 2021
Stephanie Laurens nunca me defrauda, personajes bien construidos, una historia con misterio, amor y diversidad de giros que te mantendran pendiente de qué va a suceder luego, es entretenida y muy divertida!
October 15, 2022
The Capture of the Earl of Glencrae
4 Stars
Series note: This is the final installment in the Cynster Sisters Trilogy (which is part of the larger Cynster family series). The books should be read in order due to the ongoing story arc.
Kudos to those who have made it this far despite SL's overwrought writing style!
Putting aside her long-winded prose, Laurens has kept the best for last as Dominic and Angelica's story, both in terms of the pacing, the plot and the romance, is a significant improvement.
To begin with, unlike the previous books, which were overly reperitious due to their focus on the abductions and escapes of the first two Cynster sisters, Heather and Eliza, this installment quickly moves on from the kidnapping to the goal of saving the hero's clan from a couple of very nasty villains.
Speaking of the hero, Dominic Guisachan (pronounced You-sa-khen), is the most enigmatic of the three love interests. The suspense surrounding his character has been building since book #1, and he more than lives up to expectations. Readers are finally provided with his backstory and the motivation for his seemingly nefarious actions, which are compelling and make it easy to look past his prior behavior and sympathize with his predicament.
Angelica is also the feistiest of the three sisters. She more than holds her own against the sometimes overbearing Dominic, and never allows his size or demeanor to intimidate her. Their chemistry sizzles from the moment they meet, and she ultimately turns the tables of him as he is captured and captivated by her.
Overall, it is worth slogging through books 1 and 2 to get to Dominic and Angelica's delightful romance.
4 Stars
Series note: This is the final installment in the Cynster Sisters Trilogy (which is part of the larger Cynster family series). The books should be read in order due to the ongoing story arc.
Kudos to those who have made it this far despite SL's overwrought writing style!
Putting aside her long-winded prose, Laurens has kept the best for last as Dominic and Angelica's story, both in terms of the pacing, the plot and the romance, is a significant improvement.
To begin with, unlike the previous books, which were overly reperitious due to their focus on the abductions and escapes of the first two Cynster sisters, Heather and Eliza, this installment quickly moves on from the kidnapping to the goal of saving the hero's clan from a couple of very nasty villains.
Speaking of the hero, Dominic Guisachan (pronounced You-sa-khen), is the most enigmatic of the three love interests. The suspense surrounding his character has been building since book #1, and he more than lives up to expectations. Readers are finally provided with his backstory and the motivation for his seemingly nefarious actions, which are compelling and make it easy to look past his prior behavior and sympathize with his predicament.
Angelica is also the feistiest of the three sisters. She more than holds her own against the sometimes overbearing Dominic, and never allows his size or demeanor to intimidate her. Their chemistry sizzles from the moment they meet, and she ultimately turns the tables of him as he is captured and captivated by her.
Overall, it is worth slogging through books 1 and 2 to get to Dominic and Angelica's delightful romance.
January 29, 2019
Rating: 5 stars
Out of the entire Cynster Sisters trilogy, this was by far my favorite couple. Dominic and Angelica are the perfect match in every dimension. Also, the amazing setting from London and the trek through the Scottish highlands with all its wild beauty and historical landmarks were a thrill to read.
Mirabelle, Dominic's mother, is a vain, vicious creature with nothing to recommend her at all. I figured out several plot threads --involving her and others--and unraveled where those threads would end but it did not lessen my enjoyment.
Dominic is everything I covet in a hero. I was ecstatic when he was captured by his London spitfire belle! Angelica Cynster lived up to all of my expectations and more. My hope is that I won't have to read through one or two more books to hit the jackpot. I'm glad I stuck it out to until the end. Hopefully, more goodness is to come.
Out of the entire Cynster Sisters trilogy, this was by far my favorite couple. Dominic and Angelica are the perfect match in every dimension. Also, the amazing setting from London and the trek through the Scottish highlands with all its wild beauty and historical landmarks were a thrill to read.
Mirabelle, Dominic's mother, is a vain, vicious creature with nothing to recommend her at all. I figured out several plot threads --involving her and others--and unraveled where those threads would end but it did not lessen my enjoyment.
Dominic is everything I covet in a hero. I was ecstatic when he was captured by his London spitfire belle! Angelica Cynster lived up to all of my expectations and more. My hope is that I won't have to read through one or two more books to hit the jackpot. I'm glad I stuck it out to until the end. Hopefully, more goodness is to come.
January 3, 2017
Wow what a long book!
Well that's my first thought anyway.
When Angelina spots Dominic across the hall in Lady Cavendish's salon, she decides that he will be her husband.
Little does she know he's the Scottish Laird behind the kidnappings of her older sisters.
The story involves a long journey, a psychotic mother, sweet servants, worried family, two naughty wards and a random killer.
I enjoyed how Dominic initially thought that Angelina would be the most immature and spontaneous, but in the end that's what charmed him. Her kind hearted nature wins everyone over and thwarts an evil mother.
Pet peeve
- the whole pretend rape plot was RIDIC
- the book was wayyyyyy too long
- why does every character have to show up in every book (not that I mind seeing devil again)
Overall, SMOKIN love scene as always
And a beautiful epilogue to the cynster sisters trilogy.
Safe read
3.5/5
Well that's my first thought anyway.
When Angelina spots Dominic across the hall in Lady Cavendish's salon, she decides that he will be her husband.
Little does she know he's the Scottish Laird behind the kidnappings of her older sisters.
The story involves a long journey, a psychotic mother, sweet servants, worried family, two naughty wards and a random killer.
I enjoyed how Dominic initially thought that Angelina would be the most immature and spontaneous, but in the end that's what charmed him. Her kind hearted nature wins everyone over and thwarts an evil mother.
Pet peeve
- the whole pretend rape plot was RIDIC
- the book was wayyyyyy too long
- why does every character have to show up in every book (not that I mind seeing devil again)
Overall, SMOKIN love scene as always
And a beautiful epilogue to the cynster sisters trilogy.
Safe read
3.5/5
January 23, 2012
I'm so glad I did not give up on this trilogy. This installment is far and away the best book of the three. Like the first two, it was still long, but the pacing was so much better. Even though it was continuation of the ongoing kidnapping storyline, the book avoided the redundant feeling of its predecessor. And the hero is the strongest and most interesting character in all three books.
We first met Dominic in Viscount Breckenridge to the Rescue. But then, we only knew him as the man intent on kidnapping one of the Cynster sisters. His efforts failed, of course, in both that book and the next. So when this book begins, the only Cynster sister remaining is the youngest, Angelica. Instead of hiring someone to do the deed this time, Dominic decides to do his own dirty work. He never expects how easy Angelica would make it for him.
From the moment Angelica sees Dominic at a ball, she knows that he is the man for her. Even after he kidnaps her, she is willing to give him the benefit of the doubt. He explains to her that the kidnapping plot is all a ruse to trick his mother into believing he has ruined a Cynster. She is extorting his cooperation. Angelica quickly agrees to go back to Scotland with him and help in any way she can.
I enjoyed their love story. Angelica is strong and determined and she never wavers. Dominic is a great hero. He is stalwart and loyal to his clan... a gentleman... and a still a sexy beast. The love scenes are steamy. The romance is fulfilling. And the adventure is never dull. Plus --we get a fabulous epilogue, treating us to the weddings of all three Cynster sisters. Thumbs up! A little more than 4 stars.
*ARC Provided by NetGalley
We first met Dominic in Viscount Breckenridge to the Rescue. But then, we only knew him as the man intent on kidnapping one of the Cynster sisters. His efforts failed, of course, in both that book and the next. So when this book begins, the only Cynster sister remaining is the youngest, Angelica. Instead of hiring someone to do the deed this time, Dominic decides to do his own dirty work. He never expects how easy Angelica would make it for him.
From the moment Angelica sees Dominic at a ball, she knows that he is the man for her. Even after he kidnaps her, she is willing to give him the benefit of the doubt. He explains to her that the kidnapping plot is all a ruse to trick his mother into believing he has ruined a Cynster. She is extorting his cooperation. Angelica quickly agrees to go back to Scotland with him and help in any way she can.
I enjoyed their love story. Angelica is strong and determined and she never wavers. Dominic is a great hero. He is stalwart and loyal to his clan... a gentleman... and a still a sexy beast. The love scenes are steamy. The romance is fulfilling. And the adventure is never dull. Plus --we get a fabulous epilogue, treating us to the weddings of all three Cynster sisters. Thumbs up! A little more than 4 stars.
*ARC Provided by NetGalley
September 10, 2012
You know, I realize that I need to check my common sense at the door with Lauren's plots, BUT, it seems to me an Earl surrounded by loyal clansmen could have found a better way to deal with his mother's mental illness than to arrange for 3 ludicrous kidnappings and a squicky 'forced' rape! And what is with the total lack of security including nonexistent guarding going on for over period of years. This is the kind of leader we are supposed to believe has his clans support and trust?!? Fire them all and sweep the decks clean! (grin)
Seriously, a little threat of sending her to a madhouse, whipping, even bread and water could have eliminated the need for 3 LONG books. Who has the control here? Who has the power?
As for Angelica, she got her hero and didn't seem to mind his lack of brains, forethought, strategical skills, and planning. Hopefully she can manage to provide enough for the both of them.
Cover Art: LOVELY. To bad the publisher's flunky dealing the cover art out didn't seem to pay attention to the fact that the heroine is listed as strawberry blonde. Over. and over. and over. Oh well, not the artist's fault.
Seriously, a little threat of sending her to a madhouse, whipping, even bread and water could have eliminated the need for 3 LONG books. Who has the control here? Who has the power?
As for Angelica, she got her hero and didn't seem to mind his lack of brains, forethought, strategical skills, and planning. Hopefully she can manage to provide enough for the both of them.
Cover Art: LOVELY. To bad the publisher's flunky dealing the cover art out didn't seem to pay attention to the fact that the heroine is listed as strawberry blonde. Over. and over. and over. Oh well, not the artist's fault.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 6, 2019
How on earth did I miss this seeing as I'm a big fan of Stephanie Laurens? Anyway loved Angelica's feisty intelligent determination and Dominic's protectiveness, and the way the Cynster men try to protect their women.
March 30, 2017
I have just finished re-reading this series, the cynster sisters
Viscount Beckenridge to the rescue
in pursuit of eliza cynster
and this one.....
I loved it because not only did angelica get her own adventure and romance
but we got to see the FAMILY TOO..............
this is how I wanted sebastian's a lady of his own to be and it was not.........
I love that angelica stood her ground................ and she had her romance and we got to see the family too,
if you have not read this series,cynster sisters, or are new to stephanie laurens,
you must read this series in order, starting with devil's bride and a rakes vow.
Viscount Beckenridge to the rescue
in pursuit of eliza cynster
and this one.....
I loved it because not only did angelica get her own adventure and romance
but we got to see the FAMILY TOO..............
this is how I wanted sebastian's a lady of his own to be and it was not.........
I love that angelica stood her ground................ and she had her romance and we got to see the family too,
if you have not read this series,cynster sisters, or are new to stephanie laurens,
you must read this series in order, starting with devil's bride and a rakes vow.
August 4, 2015
I discovered Stephanie Laurens recently and I do what I can to catch up with all her fantastic books. I mean I have heard about her for years but I have read my first book only few months ago. The Capture of the Earl of Glencrae was my third book by this author and I enjoyed it as much as the previous ones.
I really appreciate the way Laurens develops her characters. Her heroines are not some blushing flowers, they are strong and completely able to care about themselves. Still, the heroes are alpha male who have to find their way to deal with the heroines. They make a great couples, it is a pleasure to follow their adventures. Angelica and Dominic were not an exception.
The Capture of the Earl of Glencrae was my first book in the Cynster series. Other books I read by this author were from the Bastion Club series. And I have to admit that I slightly prefer my previous reads. Probably because there were more suspense in the them and I really love a good mystery part in my books. Don't get me wrong, The Capture of the Earl of Glencrae has some really grabbing background story which was well constructed and developed. I just prefer my books to have some suspense part.
Still, it was a great book and I'm really happy I read it. Definitely going to read other books in Cynster series.
I really appreciate the way Laurens develops her characters. Her heroines are not some blushing flowers, they are strong and completely able to care about themselves. Still, the heroes are alpha male who have to find their way to deal with the heroines. They make a great couples, it is a pleasure to follow their adventures. Angelica and Dominic were not an exception.
The Capture of the Earl of Glencrae was my first book in the Cynster series. Other books I read by this author were from the Bastion Club series. And I have to admit that I slightly prefer my previous reads. Probably because there were more suspense in the them and I really love a good mystery part in my books. Don't get me wrong, The Capture of the Earl of Glencrae has some really grabbing background story which was well constructed and developed. I just prefer my books to have some suspense part.
Still, it was a great book and I'm really happy I read it. Definitely going to read other books in Cynster series.
October 9, 2016
I truly like this author but she needs a better editor. She captures your interest, and then hundred of pages of over indulgent observations, and long .narratives, happen. You trudge on until the last forth of the book where she reigns in her story, and gets back on track, to leap at a quick pace to the ending, where everything happens at once. Thank heaven for the,Epilogue. I loved Angelic who is a very interesting, and determined young woman, at age twenty one. She is whisked away from a ball, and tied up , to just talk, to a desperate Earl. He needs her help to save his home lands, and those of his clan. She never feels she is not up to the task. I felt more sorry for the Earl, who had to thwart her family, and brothers, escape England, and get to the highlands. I agree a good thrashing of his evil mother, or something would have been less trouble, but it is a fantasy after all. I Loved his two young wards, and his clan, and her brothers..There is sex in the book, not violent, but vivid. You can skip few pages, and miss that, if needed. I know this author has a style, but this book could have shed a hundred pages ,of to much description, and been so much better. I gave it a four because it got me ,to hang in for the final fourth ,of the book that flies through my fingers..I should read the first fourth, and the last fourth.....please cut the wordy descriptions.....
June 9, 2012
This book was my first foray into romance after an absence of some time filled with more scientific offerings, so perhaps I am no longer accustomed to the peculiarities of the genre. Perhaps this was genuinely a peculiar offering. In any case, my lingering impressions are of bemusement, and a little horror.
This is the first I've read in the Cynster series and possibly my first by the author, although I knew of both for some time through friends. So I am not familiar with the great host of characters mentioned who no doubt had their stories told in previous books. I am intrigued enough to want to seek out some of those titles now, because many of the ladies presented did not seem to me to have the character to carry a story anywhere near as well as Angelica, the heroine of this piece, was able to. This is not a criticism at all; I am particularly interested in reading the story of Eliza, set just before this book, as she seems a bit of a black sheep in the family and married a scholar.
In any case, it is Angelica who is important here. And she is really as good an introduction to the series as one could hope for. She was the reason for a lot of my initial goodwill for this book. She's smart and confident - when she sees Dominic for the first time at a soiree and wants to meet him, she moves in without hesitation. Mind you, she attributes the wearing of a necklace to her 'knowing' he is the man she must marry, but I gather this is a Cynster girl superstition that's been borne out enough that I guess I would apply credence to it were I part of the family.
Of course, like any girl who is 'twenty-one going on twenty-five', Angelica is reckless and rushes directly into situations without thought to protect herself, and her pursuit of Dominic allows him to inveigle her into a position where he is able to... kidnap her off to his house.
It's okay, he's not a rapist or murderer or anything like that. As soon as he can he begs Angelica to hear him out because he needs her help with...
This is complicated, so bear with me. Dominic's father was in love with Angelica's mother Celia many years ago, with the support of her family, but Celia loved another man and eloped with him. Dominic's father was gracious but kept tabs on Celia and her daughters for ever after, which understandably pissed off his eventual wife and Dominic's mother, Mirabelle. She could never get her husband to feel for her what he felt for Celia, so now she wants Dominic to kidnap one of the Cynster girls and take her to his home in Scotland, so that she'll be 'ruined'. She's stolen and hidden a special golden cup he needs to give to some bankers in England to pay off his clan's debts due his father's mismanagement, and won't return it until the ruining has taken place.
Dominic is hoping Angelica will come willingly and act out some charade to convince Mirabelle she is ruined - not that he knows what her being ruined will entail. Apparently he previously kidnapped each of Angelica's sisters with the objective of asking them the same question, but was compelled to let them go - because each became attached to another man in the process. Dominic intends to reward the girl who helps him with, of course, his hand in marriage. Like his father, he has no desire to stand in the way of the girls' true happiness. Angelica now stands as his final hope.
That was a mouthful to get out, but no discussion of this plot was going to make sense without all that information. Now for the important details. Angelica agrees to help, because she 'knows' Dominic is meant to be her husband. I actually have no problems with this reasoning because sometimes you really do just get a feeling about someone's level of sincerity, and life would be awfully dull if we were 100% focused on the rules of common sense. I also rather approve of Angelica's decision to withhold her agreement on becoming Dominic's countess. They both know she really has to do it if she's going to be running off unchaperoned pretending to be ruined, so Dominic is baffled, but Angelica wants to agree to marry for love rather than as part of a negotiation, and that seems admirable enough too.
I hold to these moments of brilliance, because after this point she and Dominic, to my view, act without common sense or evidence of growth. They take pains to slip off to Scotland without being captured by Angelica's frantically searching family. When the problems have been solved (as you know they must inevitably be) and a member of the family asks why Dominic didn't come to them for help, he points out they might have objected to him wanting to kidnap and pretend-ruin a daughter of their family, especially having done so already. Which is fair enough, however one would imagine that with the offer of marriage as part of the arrangement, and awareness of the unknown threat the decidedly unhinged Mirabelle presents to the girls, something might have been arranged. Certainly, with Angelica agreeable to the charade, it would seem to make more sense to enlist the powerful Cynsters as allies who can be useful rather than risk them popping up at the worst possible moment.
And then, the charade itself. Angelica proves herself to be quite good at divining Mirabelle's hidden agendas, yet does not attempt to work out where she may have hidden the needed goblet. The eventually-revealed location would seem to be only a small leap from uncovering Mirabelle's psyche. Angelica pushes for the charade - I rather think she enjoys the idea - and Dominic goes along with her rather than considering an alternative.
As far as character consistency goes this is great, because Angelica is described by everyone as being very bull-headed and inclined to rush into a situation. But this is not always the best technique, and nowhere in the story does it go wrong for her as it inevitably should sometimes. The kidnapping is as close as Angelica comes to consequences for her inability to look before leaping, and that was one occasion where her behaviour was only marginally foolish: she was at a party and had been given the impression by a male friend that the man she was allowing herself to be secluded with was quite safe.
Once they're off on their way to Scotland, Angelica uses sex to attach Dominic to her. They have really powerful chemistry and it works, but it feels like it shouldn't have. Moreover, it's dull reading - the overly flowery abundance of sexual encounters distracts from the connection they have in terms of working together to achieve the goals they have set together. It seems to distract from seeking alternatives to their existing plan as well - they're so busy figuring out how they can keep their liaison going once they reach their destination. I didn't really feel that the amount of book there was to read to get them to Dominic's home in Scotland was justified.
Tedium is not limited to the sex scenes. There is far too much listing of Angelica's family members by name, all standing around wondering what to do with the information they get by degrees. It turns out they could probably have solved the mystery much more quickly, but they are clearly being held back for reasons of plot.
There are plenty of 'because plot' inconsistencies, too. Angelica is told that Mirabelle has no friends; when they arrive, she appears to have one clear sympathiser. There turns out to be another enemy behind Mirabelle's plot, yet this occurs to nobody until he emerges from the woodwork, at which point his involvement is clear. Despite having no sense of awkwardness in discussing their evolving intimate life, neither of the couple suggests that Mirabelle's definition of 'ruined' might well involve Angelica's rape at Dominic's hands.
And on that note, yeah, they end up staging a fake rape and inviting Mirabelle in after to see Angelica... uh, looking raped. Which was unimaginably disturbing even if it was all make-believe. The vicious insanity of the woman is really more than I could believe with the information given. And what was even more unbelievable was how Angelica and Dominic went on about holding to their bond, and how good it was they'd been intimate before then and were prepared for the extremity of the charade, instead of acknowledging that if they'd played things a little smarter instead of rushing in, they might not have had to resort to something so awful. Dominic might as well have threatened to kill Mirabelle for holding out on him, and considering Angelica's apt realisation that Mirabelle wants Dominic to surrender his honour, that might have even motivated her to capitulate happily.
Amazingly, the end of the book sees Angelica's stupidest moment yet: she runs off to pursue the neighbouring landowner behind the whole thing alone, without stopping to enlist her family, who have turned up and taken Dominic into custody. Both she and Dominic are nearly killed as a result, Angelica only thinking to call for help at the last possible minute. While it's true that Dominic and Angelica were driven to action by the obsession of two very crazy people, I don't believe they did everything they could to avoid negative outcomes. Perhaps if the antagonists were more than caricatures whose stories were told by others, it would be easier to see why certain alternative approaches were closed.
Of course, that is the big problem with this book: it's far more plot-driven than character driven. It is as if the author has a plot and a quota of salacious scenes, and the characters must simply fall in line with this. There are characters who are well-defined - Angelica, at least - but even she shows no real agency to alter the course of the plot. She knows what must happen, and goes along with it, the only real matter of interest how directly and engagingly she does this.
I love the premise of the book: girl is suddenly kidnapped by man she believes to be 'the one'. I love the pairing involved: a very dutiful, honourable, serious fellow and a colourful, determined, calculating young lady. But the reasoning for the premise isn't made credible in the writing, and there are so many things that could have better taken the place of bemusingly florid sex scenes and long conversations that go nowhere. I would have liked to see some character interaction that would make Mirabelle's maddened quest for revenge more than just a plot device, and the same goes for the neighbouring enemy. I would have liked to understand better Dominic's feelings about his mother (although, given she taunts Angelica at one point with the size of her son's penis, maybe I don't want to understand). I guess, as a regular reader of romance, you have to come to terms with the fact that in the genre, potential in characters and plots is quite often not realised.
This is the first I've read in the Cynster series and possibly my first by the author, although I knew of both for some time through friends. So I am not familiar with the great host of characters mentioned who no doubt had their stories told in previous books. I am intrigued enough to want to seek out some of those titles now, because many of the ladies presented did not seem to me to have the character to carry a story anywhere near as well as Angelica, the heroine of this piece, was able to. This is not a criticism at all; I am particularly interested in reading the story of Eliza, set just before this book, as she seems a bit of a black sheep in the family and married a scholar.
In any case, it is Angelica who is important here. And she is really as good an introduction to the series as one could hope for. She was the reason for a lot of my initial goodwill for this book. She's smart and confident - when she sees Dominic for the first time at a soiree and wants to meet him, she moves in without hesitation. Mind you, she attributes the wearing of a necklace to her 'knowing' he is the man she must marry, but I gather this is a Cynster girl superstition that's been borne out enough that I guess I would apply credence to it were I part of the family.
Of course, like any girl who is 'twenty-one going on twenty-five', Angelica is reckless and rushes directly into situations without thought to protect herself, and her pursuit of Dominic allows him to inveigle her into a position where he is able to... kidnap her off to his house.
It's okay, he's not a rapist or murderer or anything like that. As soon as he can he begs Angelica to hear him out because he needs her help with...
This is complicated, so bear with me. Dominic's father was in love with Angelica's mother Celia many years ago, with the support of her family, but Celia loved another man and eloped with him. Dominic's father was gracious but kept tabs on Celia and her daughters for ever after, which understandably pissed off his eventual wife and Dominic's mother, Mirabelle. She could never get her husband to feel for her what he felt for Celia, so now she wants Dominic to kidnap one of the Cynster girls and take her to his home in Scotland, so that she'll be 'ruined'. She's stolen and hidden a special golden cup he needs to give to some bankers in England to pay off his clan's debts due his father's mismanagement, and won't return it until the ruining has taken place.
Dominic is hoping Angelica will come willingly and act out some charade to convince Mirabelle she is ruined - not that he knows what her being ruined will entail. Apparently he previously kidnapped each of Angelica's sisters with the objective of asking them the same question, but was compelled to let them go - because each became attached to another man in the process. Dominic intends to reward the girl who helps him with, of course, his hand in marriage. Like his father, he has no desire to stand in the way of the girls' true happiness. Angelica now stands as his final hope.
That was a mouthful to get out, but no discussion of this plot was going to make sense without all that information. Now for the important details. Angelica agrees to help, because she 'knows' Dominic is meant to be her husband. I actually have no problems with this reasoning because sometimes you really do just get a feeling about someone's level of sincerity, and life would be awfully dull if we were 100% focused on the rules of common sense. I also rather approve of Angelica's decision to withhold her agreement on becoming Dominic's countess. They both know she really has to do it if she's going to be running off unchaperoned pretending to be ruined, so Dominic is baffled, but Angelica wants to agree to marry for love rather than as part of a negotiation, and that seems admirable enough too.
I hold to these moments of brilliance, because after this point she and Dominic, to my view, act without common sense or evidence of growth. They take pains to slip off to Scotland without being captured by Angelica's frantically searching family. When the problems have been solved (as you know they must inevitably be) and a member of the family asks why Dominic didn't come to them for help, he points out they might have objected to him wanting to kidnap and pretend-ruin a daughter of their family, especially having done so already. Which is fair enough, however one would imagine that with the offer of marriage as part of the arrangement, and awareness of the unknown threat the decidedly unhinged Mirabelle presents to the girls, something might have been arranged. Certainly, with Angelica agreeable to the charade, it would seem to make more sense to enlist the powerful Cynsters as allies who can be useful rather than risk them popping up at the worst possible moment.
And then, the charade itself. Angelica proves herself to be quite good at divining Mirabelle's hidden agendas, yet does not attempt to work out where she may have hidden the needed goblet. The eventually-revealed location would seem to be only a small leap from uncovering Mirabelle's psyche. Angelica pushes for the charade - I rather think she enjoys the idea - and Dominic goes along with her rather than considering an alternative.
As far as character consistency goes this is great, because Angelica is described by everyone as being very bull-headed and inclined to rush into a situation. But this is not always the best technique, and nowhere in the story does it go wrong for her as it inevitably should sometimes. The kidnapping is as close as Angelica comes to consequences for her inability to look before leaping, and that was one occasion where her behaviour was only marginally foolish: she was at a party and had been given the impression by a male friend that the man she was allowing herself to be secluded with was quite safe.
Once they're off on their way to Scotland, Angelica uses sex to attach Dominic to her. They have really powerful chemistry and it works, but it feels like it shouldn't have. Moreover, it's dull reading - the overly flowery abundance of sexual encounters distracts from the connection they have in terms of working together to achieve the goals they have set together. It seems to distract from seeking alternatives to their existing plan as well - they're so busy figuring out how they can keep their liaison going once they reach their destination. I didn't really feel that the amount of book there was to read to get them to Dominic's home in Scotland was justified.
Tedium is not limited to the sex scenes. There is far too much listing of Angelica's family members by name, all standing around wondering what to do with the information they get by degrees. It turns out they could probably have solved the mystery much more quickly, but they are clearly being held back for reasons of plot.
There are plenty of 'because plot' inconsistencies, too. Angelica is told that Mirabelle has no friends; when they arrive, she appears to have one clear sympathiser. There turns out to be another enemy behind Mirabelle's plot, yet this occurs to nobody until he emerges from the woodwork, at which point his involvement is clear. Despite having no sense of awkwardness in discussing their evolving intimate life, neither of the couple suggests that Mirabelle's definition of 'ruined' might well involve Angelica's rape at Dominic's hands.
And on that note, yeah, they end up staging a fake rape and inviting Mirabelle in after to see Angelica... uh, looking raped. Which was unimaginably disturbing even if it was all make-believe. The vicious insanity of the woman is really more than I could believe with the information given. And what was even more unbelievable was how Angelica and Dominic went on about holding to their bond, and how good it was they'd been intimate before then and were prepared for the extremity of the charade, instead of acknowledging that if they'd played things a little smarter instead of rushing in, they might not have had to resort to something so awful. Dominic might as well have threatened to kill Mirabelle for holding out on him, and considering Angelica's apt realisation that Mirabelle wants Dominic to surrender his honour, that might have even motivated her to capitulate happily.
Amazingly, the end of the book sees Angelica's stupidest moment yet: she runs off to pursue the neighbouring landowner behind the whole thing alone, without stopping to enlist her family, who have turned up and taken Dominic into custody. Both she and Dominic are nearly killed as a result, Angelica only thinking to call for help at the last possible minute. While it's true that Dominic and Angelica were driven to action by the obsession of two very crazy people, I don't believe they did everything they could to avoid negative outcomes. Perhaps if the antagonists were more than caricatures whose stories were told by others, it would be easier to see why certain alternative approaches were closed.
Of course, that is the big problem with this book: it's far more plot-driven than character driven. It is as if the author has a plot and a quota of salacious scenes, and the characters must simply fall in line with this. There are characters who are well-defined - Angelica, at least - but even she shows no real agency to alter the course of the plot. She knows what must happen, and goes along with it, the only real matter of interest how directly and engagingly she does this.
I love the premise of the book: girl is suddenly kidnapped by man she believes to be 'the one'. I love the pairing involved: a very dutiful, honourable, serious fellow and a colourful, determined, calculating young lady. But the reasoning for the premise isn't made credible in the writing, and there are so many things that could have better taken the place of bemusingly florid sex scenes and long conversations that go nowhere. I would have liked to see some character interaction that would make Mirabelle's maddened quest for revenge more than just a plot device, and the same goes for the neighbouring enemy. I would have liked to understand better Dominic's feelings about his mother (although, given she taunts Angelica at one point with the size of her son's penis, maybe I don't want to understand). I guess, as a regular reader of romance, you have to come to terms with the fact that in the genre, potential in characters and plots is quite often not realised.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 28, 2012
Originally posted at http://www.smexybooks.com/2012/02/rev...
Favorite Quote: “I will hold you now and forever, and never let you fall.”
When Eliza Cynster was rescued by her hero, Jeremy Carling, they watched her kidnapper fall over a cliff and deduced that he was gone for good and the whole ordeal was over. That is, until the youngest sister, Angelica, is stolen away from a ball, in the same manner as her two older sisters were. But the similarities stop there.
Angelica knew she would recognize her hero from the first moment they laid eyes on each other, she didn’t however bargain on him kidnapping her. The Earl Of Glencrae is out of time. Though he didn’t want to deal with the youngest Cynster, he must or he will never get back a priceless heirloom that can save his clan. The Earl decides on a different tactic this time around; he is going to persuade Angelica to help him. And he’ll marry her to seal the deal.
I almost gave up on this series after the second book, In Pursuit Of Miss Eliza Cynster. It’s not I didn’t enjoy the book, but it had none of the intensity I had come to love about Ms. Laurens’ novels. I was told to give this one a chance and am happy I did. Though still not as action packed as earlier novels, this one did have the trademark humor, suspense, and steamy seductive romance that drew me originally to Ms. Laurens’ novels. The Capture Of The Earl Of Glencrae is the final and last story in this Cynster trilogy revolving around three sisters. Heather and Eliza, with the help of a certain necklace, have all found their true loves. Now it is Angelica’s turn. When she spies the elusive Earl Of Glencrae, she feels the electricity flow through her, telling her that he is the hero she has been waiting for. As she flirts and charms her way at his side, she soon finds herself trussed up and tossed in a carriage. Is she afraid? No. Is she mad? Oh yes. She is furious. With herself and with him. When he finally releases her, he tells her he needs her help and will explain everything. When Dominic lays everything on the table, Angelica decides to give him the benefit of the doubt and agrees to help him win back his clan’s birthright and freedom.
A smooth plot line that delicately reveals itself along a steady paced storyline, I found it was the characters who completely dominate this story. Dominic and Angelica were perfect for each other. Both are intelligent, loyal people who complete each other-like two halves of a puzzle. Angelica takes the lead right away; helping Dominic plan their strategy, getting to know his servants, and cleaning up the house she is currently sequestered in. She has determined that Dominic will be hers and she her methods of seduction leave him both confused and enchanted. He has meet him match and Angelica leaves him adorably confused. Dominic makes the comment many times that Angelica will always lead, and he will always follow.
Dominic himself is a gentleman. The perfect hero. Sexy yet reserved, he tries very hard to control himself around Angelica but once she sets out to seduce him, he falls in love gracefully and without a qualm. This is not to say he is a push over. Oh no. But he realizes that his happiness is concurrent on hers so he does everything possible to love her long, hard, and as often as he can. Whew! Their loves scenes leave little to the imagination and their smoking hot chemistry had me wishing for a Scottish Earl all my own.
The majority of the book is watching Angelica and Dominic’s love story while they make their way to his castle in Scotland. The action picks up the last quarter as we meet our villains and watch our protagonists tighten the trap they had planned from the beginning. Of course, the Cynster males appear and much laughter ensures. Our ending is a grand adventure that wraps everything up nice and neat and we even get a wonderful epilogue showing all the sisters finally married to their heroes.
Overall Rating: B
Favorite Quote: “I will hold you now and forever, and never let you fall.”
When Eliza Cynster was rescued by her hero, Jeremy Carling, they watched her kidnapper fall over a cliff and deduced that he was gone for good and the whole ordeal was over. That is, until the youngest sister, Angelica, is stolen away from a ball, in the same manner as her two older sisters were. But the similarities stop there.
Angelica knew she would recognize her hero from the first moment they laid eyes on each other, she didn’t however bargain on him kidnapping her. The Earl Of Glencrae is out of time. Though he didn’t want to deal with the youngest Cynster, he must or he will never get back a priceless heirloom that can save his clan. The Earl decides on a different tactic this time around; he is going to persuade Angelica to help him. And he’ll marry her to seal the deal.
I almost gave up on this series after the second book, In Pursuit Of Miss Eliza Cynster. It’s not I didn’t enjoy the book, but it had none of the intensity I had come to love about Ms. Laurens’ novels. I was told to give this one a chance and am happy I did. Though still not as action packed as earlier novels, this one did have the trademark humor, suspense, and steamy seductive romance that drew me originally to Ms. Laurens’ novels. The Capture Of The Earl Of Glencrae is the final and last story in this Cynster trilogy revolving around three sisters. Heather and Eliza, with the help of a certain necklace, have all found their true loves. Now it is Angelica’s turn. When she spies the elusive Earl Of Glencrae, she feels the electricity flow through her, telling her that he is the hero she has been waiting for. As she flirts and charms her way at his side, she soon finds herself trussed up and tossed in a carriage. Is she afraid? No. Is she mad? Oh yes. She is furious. With herself and with him. When he finally releases her, he tells her he needs her help and will explain everything. When Dominic lays everything on the table, Angelica decides to give him the benefit of the doubt and agrees to help him win back his clan’s birthright and freedom.
A smooth plot line that delicately reveals itself along a steady paced storyline, I found it was the characters who completely dominate this story. Dominic and Angelica were perfect for each other. Both are intelligent, loyal people who complete each other-like two halves of a puzzle. Angelica takes the lead right away; helping Dominic plan their strategy, getting to know his servants, and cleaning up the house she is currently sequestered in. She has determined that Dominic will be hers and she her methods of seduction leave him both confused and enchanted. He has meet him match and Angelica leaves him adorably confused. Dominic makes the comment many times that Angelica will always lead, and he will always follow.
Dominic himself is a gentleman. The perfect hero. Sexy yet reserved, he tries very hard to control himself around Angelica but once she sets out to seduce him, he falls in love gracefully and without a qualm. This is not to say he is a push over. Oh no. But he realizes that his happiness is concurrent on hers so he does everything possible to love her long, hard, and as often as he can. Whew! Their loves scenes leave little to the imagination and their smoking hot chemistry had me wishing for a Scottish Earl all my own.
The majority of the book is watching Angelica and Dominic’s love story while they make their way to his castle in Scotland. The action picks up the last quarter as we meet our villains and watch our protagonists tighten the trap they had planned from the beginning. Of course, the Cynster males appear and much laughter ensures. Our ending is a grand adventure that wraps everything up nice and neat and we even get a wonderful epilogue showing all the sisters finally married to their heroes.
Overall Rating: B
March 20, 2012
Originally posted at: http://longandshortreviews.blogspot.c...
Angelica Cynster is known for being the most headstrong of the Cynster sisters. She never imagined her bold personality would be the key to finding her hero.
There’s a well known saying, “If you want something done right, do it yourself”. The mysterious Laird struck out with his attempts to capture and keep the two eldest Cynster sisters, now he’ll take the matter into his own hands. Imagine his surprise when his prey practically falls into his lap.
The long awaited third novel in the Cynster Sister’s trilogy couldn’t come quick enough for this reader. I devoured both Heather and Eliza’s stories knowing it would be the last book that would finally reveal the identity of “the mysterious Laird”. Dominic Debenham, eighth Earl of Glencrae was exactly as I had pictured him from the clever details woven into the first two books but he’s hardly a match for the formidable Angelica Cynster. She doesn’t behave as a kidnapped young miss would react in that situation. In fact, it wouldn’t be a stretch to say she’s quite content to be the pawn in his scheme.
Speaking of the scheme that was the underlying thread throughout the series, readers are given more in depth details as to why Dominic is forced to carry out his dastardly plan. In short, he has a crazy mother at home who demands a tribute in the form of a Cynster daughter to appease her need for revenge. What could she possibly have against the Cynster clan? I’ll leave that interesting bit of trivia for Ms. Laurens to detail in the book.
The setting for this book is different than the first two. Both Heather and Eliza’s stories took place as they were being transported with their captors to meet up with Dominic. Half of book three takes place in London and the other half at Dominic’s home in Scotland. Ms. Lauren’s writing is beautifully detailed. I could picture Dominic’s home through Angelica’s eyes along with the lush and craggy landscape on the Scottish coast. The sounds and smells described in the scenes add to the ambiance to draw the reader right into the pages. My only regret was how, in a few places, the details overwhelmed the story and were a little repetitive. Still, this didn’t stop my enjoyment of the book as a whole.
The title of this novel is a bit of hint to the twist in this story. Dominic’s plan all along has been to capture a Cynster sister to appease his mother. He never anticipated how he would be caught by the vivacious Angelica.
This has been a really fun and clever trilogy to read. If you enjoy a series that draws you in and has you anticipating each consecutive story, you need to give Stephanie Laurens a try. There are many, many more books involving the rest of the Cynster clan mentioned in this trilogy. Be prepared to take a journey into Regency England with the turn of a page.
Angelica Cynster is known for being the most headstrong of the Cynster sisters. She never imagined her bold personality would be the key to finding her hero.
There’s a well known saying, “If you want something done right, do it yourself”. The mysterious Laird struck out with his attempts to capture and keep the two eldest Cynster sisters, now he’ll take the matter into his own hands. Imagine his surprise when his prey practically falls into his lap.
The long awaited third novel in the Cynster Sister’s trilogy couldn’t come quick enough for this reader. I devoured both Heather and Eliza’s stories knowing it would be the last book that would finally reveal the identity of “the mysterious Laird”. Dominic Debenham, eighth Earl of Glencrae was exactly as I had pictured him from the clever details woven into the first two books but he’s hardly a match for the formidable Angelica Cynster. She doesn’t behave as a kidnapped young miss would react in that situation. In fact, it wouldn’t be a stretch to say she’s quite content to be the pawn in his scheme.
Speaking of the scheme that was the underlying thread throughout the series, readers are given more in depth details as to why Dominic is forced to carry out his dastardly plan. In short, he has a crazy mother at home who demands a tribute in the form of a Cynster daughter to appease her need for revenge. What could she possibly have against the Cynster clan? I’ll leave that interesting bit of trivia for Ms. Laurens to detail in the book.
The setting for this book is different than the first two. Both Heather and Eliza’s stories took place as they were being transported with their captors to meet up with Dominic. Half of book three takes place in London and the other half at Dominic’s home in Scotland. Ms. Lauren’s writing is beautifully detailed. I could picture Dominic’s home through Angelica’s eyes along with the lush and craggy landscape on the Scottish coast. The sounds and smells described in the scenes add to the ambiance to draw the reader right into the pages. My only regret was how, in a few places, the details overwhelmed the story and were a little repetitive. Still, this didn’t stop my enjoyment of the book as a whole.
The title of this novel is a bit of hint to the twist in this story. Dominic’s plan all along has been to capture a Cynster sister to appease his mother. He never anticipated how he would be caught by the vivacious Angelica.
This has been a really fun and clever trilogy to read. If you enjoy a series that draws you in and has you anticipating each consecutive story, you need to give Stephanie Laurens a try. There are many, many more books involving the rest of the Cynster clan mentioned in this trilogy. Be prepared to take a journey into Regency England with the turn of a page.
July 25, 2012
Angelica Cynster no se anda por las ramas, cuando quiere algo va a por ello. Cuando ve a Dominic sabe de inmediato que es el hombre para ella y tras un par de artimañas, lo consigue. Lo que no sabía nuestra heroína era que él también la quería... pero secuestrarla! Dominic Glencrae es un hombre honorable que se ve metido en un buen lío de secuestros gracias a su madre; cuando no le queda de otra más que llevarse a Angelica, la única Cynster con la que no deseaba tratar, descubre que ella es mucho más fuerte, tenaz y valiente, de lo que él habría imaginado; el resultado: el matrimonio pero ¿será por amor o sólo para cubrir las apariencias?
Siendo el último libro de la trilogía, la Sra. Laurens ha cerrado con broche de oro la historia. Si bien cada uno de los libros tenía una historia por separado, en conjunto hay un misterio desarrollándose a lo largo de los 3 libros y debo decir que me sorprendió mucho.
Me encantó la interacción entre la pareja, ambos son carismáticos, divertidos, tiernos , los amé de principio a fin. Todo concluye aquí, aunque hay un amuleto que sigue haciendo de las suyas y no va a parar hasta ver a todas nuestras Cynster felices. Un final de lujo.
Siendo el último libro de la trilogía, la Sra. Laurens ha cerrado con broche de oro la historia. Si bien cada uno de los libros tenía una historia por separado, en conjunto hay un misterio desarrollándose a lo largo de los 3 libros y debo decir que me sorprendió mucho.
Me encantó la interacción entre la pareja, ambos son carismáticos, divertidos, tiernos , los amé de principio a fin. Todo concluye aquí, aunque hay un amuleto que sigue haciendo de las suyas y no va a parar hasta ver a todas nuestras Cynster felices. Un final de lujo.
July 11, 2020
My absolute favorite of the Cynster Sister trilogy and next up on my quarantine listening journey. Why is it my favorite? I just love the character of Angelica, youngest, but fiestiest, cleverest, smartest, most daring of the Cynster sisters, and a worthy match to a strong highland laird willing to sacrifice his own honor and happiness to save his clan. Naturally, he does not end up having to do so.
All is resolved, the mystery solved, the villains come to a just end, the clan is saved, and the Cynsters have a permanent endless source of premium scotch. Now that I would not mind! Someday I plan to take a scotch tasting tour of Scotland until I find just what might be the sublime scotch described here. Or I should say another scotch tasting tour .... I did one back in my mispent youth in the 70s.
I found Matthew Benhar's reading here only ok. Too many female voices that he does not handle particularly well. For the first time there were extended sections where other male voices were assumed for different characters which I knew to be just wrong for who/what the character was. I give this as an audiobook a 3 star rating, but 5 stars if you read it.
All is resolved, the mystery solved, the villains come to a just end, the clan is saved, and the Cynsters have a permanent endless source of premium scotch. Now that I would not mind! Someday I plan to take a scotch tasting tour of Scotland until I find just what might be the sublime scotch described here. Or I should say another scotch tasting tour .... I did one back in my mispent youth in the 70s.
I found Matthew Benhar's reading here only ok. Too many female voices that he does not handle particularly well. For the first time there were extended sections where other male voices were assumed for different characters which I knew to be just wrong for who/what the character was. I give this as an audiobook a 3 star rating, but 5 stars if you read it.
September 13, 2012
If I could, i would rate it 3.5 as it is better than most other Cynster novels (especially the latest ones), but is nevertheless not original enough to my mind to be worth a complete 4.
I really liked how the kidnapping plots started in the 2 previous Cynster sister unraveled in this one. I saw it coming from the first that this mysterious laird would end up with one of the sisters but this did not deter my enjoyment of it.
I liked the way the story started with a third kidnapping that very quickly turned into a freely shared adventure. I really liked the hero; Angelica was quite a typical SL heroine but rather more consistant in her behaviour than others which made her likable.
A nice read for the end of the trilogy. It's going to be tough to renew interest for Henrietta and her younger sister...
I really liked how the kidnapping plots started in the 2 previous Cynster sister unraveled in this one. I saw it coming from the first that this mysterious laird would end up with one of the sisters but this did not deter my enjoyment of it.
I liked the way the story started with a third kidnapping that very quickly turned into a freely shared adventure. I really liked the hero; Angelica was quite a typical SL heroine but rather more consistant in her behaviour than others which made her likable.
A nice read for the end of the trilogy. It's going to be tough to renew interest for Henrietta and her younger sister...
July 6, 2018
Me gustó mas que el anterior, Angelica es mas una mujer de esta época que de la era victoriana, pero igual es justo lo que necesita el Lair para cumplir con los requisitos de su madre, las hermanas de ella no hubieran servido
Fue un buen final para la serie, porque por fin entendimos porque las querían secuestrar y fue entretenido
Fue un buen final para la serie, porque por fin entendimos porque las querían secuestrar y fue entretenido
July 10, 2013
I'm being generous 4.5 stars rounded up to 5. might change my mind later!
April 16, 2025
The Capture of the Earl of Glencrae features Angelica, Cynster and headstrong and Dominic, Earl of Glencrae. While this can technically be read as a standalone, it makes the most sense as part of its mini trilogy within the Cynster series. When kidnapping Angelica’s sisters didn’t work in the first two books in the series, Dominic is left with one last shot to kidnap a Cynster sister and take her to Scotland. Luckily for him, Angelica agrees to be kidnapped and works with him on the whole scheme.
I can’t count the number of times I’ve reread this book. It’s one of my favourites of the entire Cynster family series. I love how willful and headstrong Angelica is. At no point in this book is she ever “woe is me” or any sort of damsel in distress, which I love so much, especially after the previous two books featuring her sisters.
I love the bonkers plot that truly would only ever happen in a historical regency romance. Dominic’s weird reason for needing to kidnap a Cynster sister fuels the plot of three whole books and this one is has the entire delightful payoff.
Are there some things that are glaring in todays time? Yes. No doubts. But, for an old school historical, I’ve certainly read worse.
Overall, so much fun and I’m so happy to have done this as a buddy read and got to relive one of my fave Cynster novels!
I can’t count the number of times I’ve reread this book. It’s one of my favourites of the entire Cynster family series. I love how willful and headstrong Angelica is. At no point in this book is she ever “woe is me” or any sort of damsel in distress, which I love so much, especially after the previous two books featuring her sisters.
I love the bonkers plot that truly would only ever happen in a historical regency romance. Dominic’s weird reason for needing to kidnap a Cynster sister fuels the plot of three whole books and this one is has the entire delightful payoff.
Are there some things that are glaring in todays time? Yes. No doubts. But, for an old school historical, I’ve certainly read worse.
Overall, so much fun and I’m so happy to have done this as a buddy read and got to relive one of my fave Cynster novels!
November 14, 2024
Beccato su Audible, ovviamente ho beccato l'ultimo libro di una serie che è molto più grande o che comunque nello specifico è una trilogia spin off. Ma sempre l'ultimo ho ascoltato. Perché non ce n'erano altri di questa autrice Angelica è una protagonista che mi è piaciuta moltissimo diversa dalle solite line Regency, Dominic mi ha convinto tantissimo perché è scozzese la storia funziona è credibile e non si porta a strascichi inutili, forse recupererò i due precedenti, solo i due.
March 22, 2022
مرة ثانية، ما يحق لرواية من هذا النوع انها تكون على حد الـ500 صفحة، يفترض انها تكون في حدود 250\350 صفحة إذا ضربها العمى. المشكلة اني أكاد أقول انها أفضل من الرواية السابقة رغم سخافة العقدة الشديدة. القصة باختصار ان نبيل سكوتلندي عنده كاسة أثرية سرقتها أمه وحطت عليه شرط يختطف بطلة الرواية ويغتصبها مقابل الكاسة. مذهل.
المهم، فراق هذه الرواية عيد، وتوبة لله ما ألمس أي كتاب من كتب ستيفاني.
المهم، فراق هذه الرواية عيد، وتوبة لله ما ألمس أي كتاب من كتب ستيفاني.
March 31, 2020
I've thought about it and I think I gave this book an extra star just because the love scenes didn't drag on for pages and pages. I've taken to fast forwarding through them in other books so it was nice to not have to skip through half the book to get to the plot.
Thanks :)
Thanks :)
July 14, 2017
All I can say about this book is that I read it and it started me on the quest to read every single Cynster Novel. It was that good!
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