What do you think?
Rate this book
Cynster #22
Il dono di Lucilla Cynster
Scozia, 1848 - Lucilla Cynster, come sua madre e come sua nonna prima di lei, possiede particolari doti premonitrici grazie alla benevolenza della Signora, un'antica divinità scozzese che protegge la valle. Per merito di questi doni, quando dieci anni prima ha incontrato Thomas Carrick, nipote del laird delle terre confinanti, ha subito riconosciuto in lui il proprio compagno. Tuttavia il determinato e testardo giovane, benché consapevole quanto lei dell'attrazione magica che li lega, da allora ha fatto di tutto per evitarla trasferendosi a Glasgow. Con una fede incrollabile, Lucilla lo ha atteso a lungo, e ora che Thomas l'ha cercata chiedendole aiuto a causa di una misteriosa malattia che ha colpito la gente della sua tenuta, lei sa che i fili del loro destino stanno finalmente per intrecciarsi.
UN DONO, UNA CONSAPEVOLEZZA,IL PREMIO DELL'ATTESA.
UN DONO, UNA CONSAPEVOLEZZA,IL PREMIO DELL'ATTESA.
370 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 24, 2015
269 people are currently reading
3023 people want to read
About the author
Stephanie Laurens
206 books5,587 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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 235 reviews
March 1, 2015
Originally posted at Smexybooks
http://smexybooks.com/2015/02/review-...
Stephanie Laurens’ newest installment, The Tempting of Thomas Carrick, is the next generation of Cynsters and the twenty-second book in the series. For those familiar with the series, Lucilla Cynster is the daughter to Catriona and Richard (Scandal’s Bride, #3). We are now focusing on the happily ever afters of the children.
Lucilla Cynster, like her mother, and her mother before her, are all healers bound to the Lady of the Vale. A deity of sorts to whom this branch of the family worships. Lucilla met her one true love, Thomas Carrick, years ago but he has yet to accept their fated destiny. When he arrives at her estate, begging her help for a family of crofters who has succumbed to a mysterious illness on his family’s estate, Lucilla views this as the perfect opportunity to cement her bond with her future husband.
Thomas Carrick may have been born to the Clan Carrick but he has made a life in Glasgow and is determined to remain there. When he is summoned back to the Clan over some changes in management, he finds things unsettled. Seeing Lucilla Cynster again further unsettles him as he has run from the connection they have shared since first meeting her. He doesn’t believe in fate or destiny and when the problems at home are solved, he plans on running again.
A fan of Ms. Laurens’ since she penned and published her first romance, her Cynster series has always held a special place on my bookshelf. A family that excels with deliciously dominant men whose demands and arrogance only serves to make their fall more entertaining and the intelligent, graceful women whose wit and resources allows them to graciously let the men think the chase was all their idea. Consummate humor, intrigue, passion, and heartache have kept me coming back for years. With twenty-two books in all, there have been a few that weren’t quite as engaging as others. The Tempting of Thomas Carrick unfortunately falls onto that list.
This book failed for me on all levels. Lauren pens a weak mystery involving Clan Carrick that is almost completely obliterated by the romance. Laurens blends the two together, using the mystery to help push the hero and heroine’s relationship in the direction she wishes them to take. The problem is the mystery and secondary characters surrounding it can’t compete against the hero and hero. Thomas and Lucilla are the focal point and their romance takes precedence. We get strong clues and informative scenes only to be dragged back into the romance and the connection readers need is lost. It’s all tell and not show. Also, seeing this develop only from Lucilla and Thomas eyes hinders some of the subplots.
The romance also fails for me. I couldn’t connect with our hero and heroine at all. They are almost puppet like in their actions and feelings. No real emotion could be felt from them. It’s all revealed very methodically. The chemistry between them is flat except in bed, and that is mainly due to the overly flowery prose and descriptive phrasing that Laurens suffers from occasionally. Everything Lucilla does, every plan she makes to bring Thomas to heel, is because her goddess has told her he is the one for her. She never convinced me she really cared anything for him on a personal level. And how could she? She doesn’t really know him. While she does occasionally make an off-hand comment on his “wide shoulders and strong thighs”, there are no convincing internal dialogue waxing poetic to his looks, his personality, or even his work ethic. In fact, I’m not even sure she knows what he does for a living. Everything Lucilla feels or wants circles back to the Lady and her “prediction.” Bland almost analytical dialogue between them only serves to reinforce the lack of emotion. Thomas isn’t anymore forth coming. He makes the obligatory remarks to her hair, eyes, and figure but we don’t hear anything complimentary about her in regards to her personality or healing skills.
Laurens tries to use their burgeoning relationship to define Lucilla and Thomas, giving them the depth and emotional maturity they both seem to be missing on a personal level. However, the plan backfires in my opinion. The entire book is unbelievably tepid. No true emotion is seen anywhere. These are the most dispassionate characters I’ve ever seen. Even in thought they are calm, cool, and collected. What I missed most was the impetuous nature of the past that has always been a huge part of this series. The Cynsters live and love hard with lots of shouting, raging, loving, and laughter but in here, non of that was seen.
We are left to continue along in the vein of Lucilla plotting and weaving her web and Thomas constantly denies their attraction while tidbits of the conflict leak through, giving readers a vague indication of what and who are causing the troubles concerning Thomas’s family. A single event pushes Thomas into Lucilla’s arms, creating a domino effect that solves the mystery and surrounding subplots.
Though I will always remain a fan of Lauren’s earlier works, The Tempting of Thomas Carrick for me was anything but tempting or even interesting.
RATING: D
http://smexybooks.com/2015/02/review-...
Stephanie Laurens’ newest installment, The Tempting of Thomas Carrick, is the next generation of Cynsters and the twenty-second book in the series. For those familiar with the series, Lucilla Cynster is the daughter to Catriona and Richard (Scandal’s Bride, #3). We are now focusing on the happily ever afters of the children.
Lucilla Cynster, like her mother, and her mother before her, are all healers bound to the Lady of the Vale. A deity of sorts to whom this branch of the family worships. Lucilla met her one true love, Thomas Carrick, years ago but he has yet to accept their fated destiny. When he arrives at her estate, begging her help for a family of crofters who has succumbed to a mysterious illness on his family’s estate, Lucilla views this as the perfect opportunity to cement her bond with her future husband.
Thomas Carrick may have been born to the Clan Carrick but he has made a life in Glasgow and is determined to remain there. When he is summoned back to the Clan over some changes in management, he finds things unsettled. Seeing Lucilla Cynster again further unsettles him as he has run from the connection they have shared since first meeting her. He doesn’t believe in fate or destiny and when the problems at home are solved, he plans on running again.
A fan of Ms. Laurens’ since she penned and published her first romance, her Cynster series has always held a special place on my bookshelf. A family that excels with deliciously dominant men whose demands and arrogance only serves to make their fall more entertaining and the intelligent, graceful women whose wit and resources allows them to graciously let the men think the chase was all their idea. Consummate humor, intrigue, passion, and heartache have kept me coming back for years. With twenty-two books in all, there have been a few that weren’t quite as engaging as others. The Tempting of Thomas Carrick unfortunately falls onto that list.
This book failed for me on all levels. Lauren pens a weak mystery involving Clan Carrick that is almost completely obliterated by the romance. Laurens blends the two together, using the mystery to help push the hero and heroine’s relationship in the direction she wishes them to take. The problem is the mystery and secondary characters surrounding it can’t compete against the hero and hero. Thomas and Lucilla are the focal point and their romance takes precedence. We get strong clues and informative scenes only to be dragged back into the romance and the connection readers need is lost. It’s all tell and not show. Also, seeing this develop only from Lucilla and Thomas eyes hinders some of the subplots.
The romance also fails for me. I couldn’t connect with our hero and heroine at all. They are almost puppet like in their actions and feelings. No real emotion could be felt from them. It’s all revealed very methodically. The chemistry between them is flat except in bed, and that is mainly due to the overly flowery prose and descriptive phrasing that Laurens suffers from occasionally. Everything Lucilla does, every plan she makes to bring Thomas to heel, is because her goddess has told her he is the one for her. She never convinced me she really cared anything for him on a personal level. And how could she? She doesn’t really know him. While she does occasionally make an off-hand comment on his “wide shoulders and strong thighs”, there are no convincing internal dialogue waxing poetic to his looks, his personality, or even his work ethic. In fact, I’m not even sure she knows what he does for a living. Everything Lucilla feels or wants circles back to the Lady and her “prediction.” Bland almost analytical dialogue between them only serves to reinforce the lack of emotion. Thomas isn’t anymore forth coming. He makes the obligatory remarks to her hair, eyes, and figure but we don’t hear anything complimentary about her in regards to her personality or healing skills.
Laurens tries to use their burgeoning relationship to define Lucilla and Thomas, giving them the depth and emotional maturity they both seem to be missing on a personal level. However, the plan backfires in my opinion. The entire book is unbelievably tepid. No true emotion is seen anywhere. These are the most dispassionate characters I’ve ever seen. Even in thought they are calm, cool, and collected. What I missed most was the impetuous nature of the past that has always been a huge part of this series. The Cynsters live and love hard with lots of shouting, raging, loving, and laughter but in here, non of that was seen.
We are left to continue along in the vein of Lucilla plotting and weaving her web and Thomas constantly denies their attraction while tidbits of the conflict leak through, giving readers a vague indication of what and who are causing the troubles concerning Thomas’s family. A single event pushes Thomas into Lucilla’s arms, creating a domino effect that solves the mystery and surrounding subplots.
Though I will always remain a fan of Lauren’s earlier works, The Tempting of Thomas Carrick for me was anything but tempting or even interesting.
RATING: D
February 2, 2015
Enjoyable historical fiction in the next generation of Cynsters. There's mystery & romance for Lucilla Cynster (Richard & Catriona's eldest daughter) & Thomas Carrick. The story begins ten years after "By Winter's Light" where we first met Thomas. It has a strong plot and just a pleasure to read. One of her better ones. There's also foreshadowing to her next book about Lucilla's twin, Marcus. Enjoy!
August 3, 2015
28/3 - From the first Cynster book (currently, as of 28/3/15, #23 hasn't been published) to the last. So far, The Tempting of Thomas Carrick has been a bit yawn-worthy - all exposition about Thomas Carrick's company and personal background which hasn't been all that riveting. Hopefully when we meet Lucilla she's a bit more interesting. To be continued...
8/5 - Well, after a long, medically-induced hiatus I finally feel well enough and motivated enough to get back to reading and reviewing. Regrettably I didn't write more about my thoughts on this book before I was forced to stop reading and writing as I don't really remember a whole lot about the plot. I think 3 stars would be a fair rating, but I can't actually give any evidence-based reasons for this rating, just the feeling that if I had enjoyed it more I would be able to remember it better - good books stick in your memory, right? It can't have been dreadful, because I'm sure I would remember that just as much as if it had been wonderful. So, no extreme feelings either way, therefore it's a 3 from me.
8/5 - Well, after a long, medically-induced hiatus I finally feel well enough and motivated enough to get back to reading and reviewing. Regrettably I didn't write more about my thoughts on this book before I was forced to stop reading and writing as I don't really remember a whole lot about the plot. I think 3 stars would be a fair rating, but I can't actually give any evidence-based reasons for this rating, just the feeling that if I had enjoyed it more I would be able to remember it better - good books stick in your memory, right? It can't have been dreadful, because I'm sure I would remember that just as much as if it had been wonderful. So, no extreme feelings either way, therefore it's a 3 from me.
February 13, 2018
Although this is book #22 in the Cynster series (also called #2 in the Cynster Next Generation sub-series), it is only the second book by this author that I have read. I read the Next Generation #1 in December. It was an old-fashioned Christmas story, complete with roaring fires, carriage rides in the snow, hot mulled drinks, and fresh holly adorning the great hall — pleasant enough apparently to make me forge onward in the series. I quite enjoyed the “mystery” at the heart of this story, and do like some of the characters, but I found it necessary to have the trigger finger at the ready to fast-forward through the overblown 45-minute (I was listening to an audiobook) smutty scenes.
I would like to plug into an ongoing series, for the sake of having some comfort reads to fall back on, but I haven’t decided yet whether or not to continue with the series. Judging from a few reviews of this book, it is not this author’s best work. It may be worthwhile to go back to the beginning - Cynster #1 - to sample the author’s earlier work.
I would like to plug into an ongoing series, for the sake of having some comfort reads to fall back on, but I haven’t decided yet whether or not to continue with the series. Judging from a few reviews of this book, it is not this author’s best work. It may be worthwhile to go back to the beginning - Cynster #1 - to sample the author’s earlier work.
July 29, 2015
Ahhhh, Lucilla Cynster has to be one of my favorite Cynster heroines. Those Cynster women, they know who they want and they go after them. Lucilla was no different; she knew who she wanted, Thomas Carrick. However, she waited for the right time and let him come to her. And what's more, she let him go. She had such faith in the Lady, and knew where she was supposed to be. I envy her complete trust in a higher power.
I'm a little disappointed that the situation with Manachan Carrick wasn't totally resolved. At least it wasn't resolved to my liking LOL Hopefully we'll get more of it in Marcus's book (the next one) since Niniver is his future.
I'm a little disappointed that the situation with Manachan Carrick wasn't totally resolved. At least it wasn't resolved to my liking LOL Hopefully we'll get more of it in Marcus's book (the next one) since Niniver is his future.
September 22, 2020
Started well...
Enjoyable book that picks up adopt 10years after the prior book. Well written historical- suspense but at the end it just cuf off. Strange tor a Laurens book
Enjoyable book that picks up adopt 10years after the prior book. Well written historical- suspense but at the end it just cuf off. Strange tor a Laurens book
June 10, 2022
Lucilla Cynster and Thomas Carrick are fated to be together. Lucilla knows it, but Thomas fights against a destiny he sees he can't control. Control is essential to Thomas's vision of his life forward. When the Carrick clan reaches out to Thomas for help, he rides there only to discover the Bradshaw family and the clan healer needs more help than he can provide. They need Lucilla. Thomas finds Lucilla in the sacred Grove praying to the Lady. Together, they rush to the Bradshaws to save the family and the healer. The healer is dying and cannot be saved, but the Bradshaws can be saved. The culprit is a poisoned well. Lucilla steps up and declares herself the clan's healer until she determines if Alice, the healer's apprentice, is qualified to take over as Carrick clan healer.
I found this novel well written. The characters are full-bodied, fleshed-out people. It was nice to have Richard and Catronia Cynster along with their son Marcus play a active role in this story. I feel this novel sets up Marcus's own book, A Match for Marcus Cynster. The plot was a romance spliced with a mystery dealing with the Carrick clan. The dialogue was realistic to each character. The description was spicy during the love scenes and familiar during the family scenes. The pace was just right, but quickened during the love scenes and the mystery. Overall, the novel satisfied my curiosity between Thomas and Lucilla and their growing feelings for each other over the years of separation as each matured into independent adults. Even though Thomas resists, Lucilla embraces the destiny she feels the Lady has decreed. Now, onto reading Marcus Cynster's novel.
I found this novel well written. The characters are full-bodied, fleshed-out people. It was nice to have Richard and Catronia Cynster along with their son Marcus play a active role in this story. I feel this novel sets up Marcus's own book, A Match for Marcus Cynster. The plot was a romance spliced with a mystery dealing with the Carrick clan. The dialogue was realistic to each character. The description was spicy during the love scenes and familiar during the family scenes. The pace was just right, but quickened during the love scenes and the mystery. Overall, the novel satisfied my curiosity between Thomas and Lucilla and their growing feelings for each other over the years of separation as each matured into independent adults. Even though Thomas resists, Lucilla embraces the destiny she feels the Lady has decreed. Now, onto reading Marcus Cynster's novel.
December 8, 2017
Hmmm.... for a while while reading, I thought I'd probably end up giving this 2 stars. I certainly wasn't enthralled with it (or even that interested) throughout the entire read, but it really tanked in the end. I'm sorry to say, this really wasn't my cup of tea. I also can't recall if I've read Stephanie Laurens before, but if this is her general fare, I probably won't read any more of hers.
This story follows Thomas Carrick, a businessman living in 19th-century Glasgow. He receives a mysterious letter from home in the Scottish countryside, where the rest of his clan lives. It indicates that there may be trouble at the family estate, so he hurries there to see what's amiss. What he finds is more troubling than he'd anticipated - a tenant family living on Carrick land has fallen terribly ill, and the local healer is found dead of suspected poison. This causes Thomas to turn to the one woman he'd been trying so long to avoid - Lucilla Cynster.
Lucilla is another healer, and she can help Thomas figure out what's causing the trouble on Carrick land. But she harbors a secret (one that had me rolling my eyes) -- the "Lady of the Vale", basically a Scottish love goddess, has told Lucilla that Thomas is her destiny. Now that Lucilla knows it, she needs to convince Thomas to marry her, essentially. (By the time I reached THIS storyline, I mentally checked out a little...).
Anyway, Thomas and Lucilla work together to train a new junior healer, and learn that the head of the Carrick clan, Manachan (Thomas' uncle) is ill. While he's in his sickbed, his two sons, Nigel and Nolan, have been handling the estate - poorly, it seems. While Lucilla attempts to heal Manachan, Thomas can't shake the feeling that Nigel and Nolan may be the source of all that's going wrong on Carrick land. And then threats agains Lucilla's life begin, and Thomas knows the two of them are in way over their heads. While he tries to figure out how to get Lucilla to drop the mission and return home, she needs to figure out how to make him fall in love with her.
Now, this story just really wasn't good. Sure, there was a little murder, a little danger. There was a plot of sorts, I suppose, but it lulled along for about 450 pages, and never really brought us anywhere (I mean HELLO, open ending! What the heck even happened??). It clearly sets up for another novel - one I won't be reading - and gives us virtually no closure. All that reading for no satisfying conclusion. Ugh.
And the romance.... just, no. Thomas didn't love Lucilla. He so much as TOLD HER SO. Yet she threw herself at him time and time again, and then brought the Lady of the Vale into it (ugh, again), and Thomas was basically like, "Uh, no thanks. Not interested in being your husband." THEN HE DECIDES LIKE 2 DAYS LATER THAT HE ACTUALLY CAN'T LIVE WITHOUT LUCILLA AND THEY MUST MARRY WITHIN THE MONTH?
....right. I'm sorry, but I'm not convinced. And I'm not amused. Lucilla had no personality, and Thomas was a dimwit who (in my opinion) decided to be with Lucilla because she basically told him the Lady of the Vale wouldn't allow him to be with anyone else if he refused her. NOT the makings of a grand love story, if you ask me.
And the sex... one scene was 14 PAGES OF SMUTTY, PORNOGRAPHIC NONSENSE THAT HAD ME ROLLING MY EYES AND SKIPPING PAGES. What. The. Heck. If I read some of those descriptions out loud, I wouldn't be able to do it with a straight face. Horrrrrrible. And there were, like, 6 sex scenes total. Extremely long. Extremely graphic. Extremely silly.
This book was a poorly-crafted, haphazardly thrown together porno with two unlikeable characters.
But the setting was Scotland, so that's nice, I guess.
This story follows Thomas Carrick, a businessman living in 19th-century Glasgow. He receives a mysterious letter from home in the Scottish countryside, where the rest of his clan lives. It indicates that there may be trouble at the family estate, so he hurries there to see what's amiss. What he finds is more troubling than he'd anticipated - a tenant family living on Carrick land has fallen terribly ill, and the local healer is found dead of suspected poison. This causes Thomas to turn to the one woman he'd been trying so long to avoid - Lucilla Cynster.
Lucilla is another healer, and she can help Thomas figure out what's causing the trouble on Carrick land. But she harbors a secret (one that had me rolling my eyes) -- the "Lady of the Vale", basically a Scottish love goddess, has told Lucilla that Thomas is her destiny. Now that Lucilla knows it, she needs to convince Thomas to marry her, essentially. (By the time I reached THIS storyline, I mentally checked out a little...).
Anyway, Thomas and Lucilla work together to train a new junior healer, and learn that the head of the Carrick clan, Manachan (Thomas' uncle) is ill. While he's in his sickbed, his two sons, Nigel and Nolan, have been handling the estate - poorly, it seems. While Lucilla attempts to heal Manachan, Thomas can't shake the feeling that Nigel and Nolan may be the source of all that's going wrong on Carrick land. And then threats agains Lucilla's life begin, and Thomas knows the two of them are in way over their heads. While he tries to figure out how to get Lucilla to drop the mission and return home, she needs to figure out how to make him fall in love with her.
Now, this story just really wasn't good. Sure, there was a little murder, a little danger. There was a plot of sorts, I suppose, but it lulled along for about 450 pages, and never really brought us anywhere (I mean HELLO, open ending! What the heck even happened??). It clearly sets up for another novel - one I won't be reading - and gives us virtually no closure. All that reading for no satisfying conclusion. Ugh.
And the romance.... just, no. Thomas didn't love Lucilla. He so much as TOLD HER SO. Yet she threw herself at him time and time again, and then brought the Lady of the Vale into it (ugh, again), and Thomas was basically like, "Uh, no thanks. Not interested in being your husband." THEN HE DECIDES LIKE 2 DAYS LATER THAT HE ACTUALLY CAN'T LIVE WITHOUT LUCILLA AND THEY MUST MARRY WITHIN THE MONTH?
....right. I'm sorry, but I'm not convinced. And I'm not amused. Lucilla had no personality, and Thomas was a dimwit who (in my opinion) decided to be with Lucilla because she basically told him the Lady of the Vale wouldn't allow him to be with anyone else if he refused her. NOT the makings of a grand love story, if you ask me.
And the sex... one scene was 14 PAGES OF SMUTTY, PORNOGRAPHIC NONSENSE THAT HAD ME ROLLING MY EYES AND SKIPPING PAGES. What. The. Heck. If I read some of those descriptions out loud, I wouldn't be able to do it with a straight face. Horrrrrrible. And there were, like, 6 sex scenes total. Extremely long. Extremely graphic. Extremely silly.
This book was a poorly-crafted, haphazardly thrown together porno with two unlikeable characters.
But the setting was Scotland, so that's nice, I guess.
October 6, 2017
“The Tempting of Thomas Carrick” is the story of Thomas and Lucille.
Lucille Cynster is the daughter of Richard and Catriona, twin to Marcus and the new emerging lady of Vale. For a few years she has known that Thomas is her consort, her one true love but he continues to run away from fate..
When murders in the land he owns brings him back to Vale, attractions and mystery bloom..
We have a strong and whimsical heroine, a stubborn hero, gore, deaths and many questions still left to be answered.
The chemistry between the couple was average but have to give it to SL for writing kickass and level minded heroines.
I can’t wait to see the mystery being solved? in Marcus and Niniver’s book.
Safe
3/5
Lucille Cynster is the daughter of Richard and Catriona, twin to Marcus and the new emerging lady of Vale. For a few years she has known that Thomas is her consort, her one true love but he continues to run away from fate..
When murders in the land he owns brings him back to Vale, attractions and mystery bloom..
We have a strong and whimsical heroine, a stubborn hero, gore, deaths and many questions still left to be answered.
The chemistry between the couple was average but have to give it to SL for writing kickass and level minded heroines.
I can’t wait to see the mystery being solved? in Marcus and Niniver’s book.
Safe
3/5
January 11, 2024
The Tempting of Thomas Carrick
3 Stars
Series note: This is book #1 in the Cynsters: Next Generation series focusing on the children of the couples in the original 6 Cynster books. In this case, the heroine is the daughter of Richard "Scandal" Cynster and his wife, Lady Catriona Hennessy from book 3 Scandal's Bride.
Despite his intense connection to Lucilla Cynster, Thomas Carrick is determined to make his life far away from his clan, the Vale, and the one woman he cannot forget. But when he is informed of several troubling incidents at his family home, Thomas travels to the Scottish Lowlands. Lucilla knows that Thomas is her preordained protector, lover and husband, but how is she to convince him of their shared destiny if he refuses to return? Thus, when he arrives in the Vale seeking her assistance, Lucilla is willing to do anything to entice him to stay.
The mystery has tremendous potential. Unfortunately, it is forgotten halfway through to focus on Thomas and Lucilla's romance, which is simply awful.
The suspense plot revolving around the deaths at Carrick Manor starts well. There are some intriguing suspects and motivations, but it all comes to an abrupt halt when Thomas and Lucilla leave, and the focus shifts to their romance. While a resolution to this storyline will apparently be provided in the next book, it creates an awkward narrative structure here.
In terms of the romance, it is clear that Thomas has plans for his life that do not include Lucilla, and there is a sense that he is being forced into a relationship against his wishes. Lucilla is strong-willed and independent, unsurprising given her family, but it is taken to the extreme. She comes across as domineering and manipulative, which is very offputting.
Moreover, the fated mates trope is overdone. Lucilla simply accepts that Thomas is her consort, and there is a strong physical connection. That said, there is no mention of her emotions or feelings for him. Likewise, Thomas does not appear to love Lucilla, so his sudden change of heart at the end does not make sense. Finally, he takes all the blame for their parting while her machinations are glossed over.
In sum, like many of Laurens' works, the storytelling is engaging; however, the writing is overwrought and verbose, and Thomas and Lucilla's romance falls flat. Nevertheless, the ongoing mystery is interesting, and the hints at a relationship for Lucilla's twin are compelling enough to read the next book.
3 Stars
Series note: This is book #1 in the Cynsters: Next Generation series focusing on the children of the couples in the original 6 Cynster books. In this case, the heroine is the daughter of Richard "Scandal" Cynster and his wife, Lady Catriona Hennessy from book 3 Scandal's Bride.
Despite his intense connection to Lucilla Cynster, Thomas Carrick is determined to make his life far away from his clan, the Vale, and the one woman he cannot forget. But when he is informed of several troubling incidents at his family home, Thomas travels to the Scottish Lowlands. Lucilla knows that Thomas is her preordained protector, lover and husband, but how is she to convince him of their shared destiny if he refuses to return? Thus, when he arrives in the Vale seeking her assistance, Lucilla is willing to do anything to entice him to stay.
The mystery has tremendous potential. Unfortunately, it is forgotten halfway through to focus on Thomas and Lucilla's romance, which is simply awful.
The suspense plot revolving around the deaths at Carrick Manor starts well. There are some intriguing suspects and motivations, but it all comes to an abrupt halt when Thomas and Lucilla leave, and the focus shifts to their romance. While a resolution to this storyline will apparently be provided in the next book, it creates an awkward narrative structure here.
In terms of the romance, it is clear that Thomas has plans for his life that do not include Lucilla, and there is a sense that he is being forced into a relationship against his wishes. Lucilla is strong-willed and independent, unsurprising given her family, but it is taken to the extreme. She comes across as domineering and manipulative, which is very offputting.
Moreover, the fated mates trope is overdone. Lucilla simply accepts that Thomas is her consort, and there is a strong physical connection. That said, there is no mention of her emotions or feelings for him. Likewise, Thomas does not appear to love Lucilla, so his sudden change of heart at the end does not make sense. Finally, he takes all the blame for their parting while her machinations are glossed over.
In sum, like many of Laurens' works, the storytelling is engaging; however, the writing is overwrought and verbose, and Thomas and Lucilla's romance falls flat. Nevertheless, the ongoing mystery is interesting, and the hints at a relationship for Lucilla's twin are compelling enough to read the next book.
July 12, 2015
Excellent book with trademark SL characters. Thomas was introduced at the end of By Winter's Light, as the neighbor who assisted during the big storm. It was obvious even then that his fate would be linked with Lucilla's. Fast forward ten years and that fate is about to come calling.
Thomas is part owner of a successful business in Glasgow. It keeps him busy enough that he rarely visits his uncle and the rest of the Carrick clan. When he receives two separate letters hinting at trouble, he goes home to investigate. Circumstances compel him to ask for help from Lucilla Cynster, a young woman he has done his best to avoid for years. There is an attraction between them that pulls him in a direction he doesn't want to go.
I really liked Thomas, but he was incredibly stubborn. He lost his parents when he was ten, spent a year living on Carrick lands with his uncle, then went to Glasgow to live with a different uncle. He grew up with a determination to keep control of his life and emotions. He knows what he wants and won't be distracted. From the first time he met her, he has been unable to forget Lucilla. But she's not the type of woman he's looking for and so he tries to avoid being around her. Even when he has to ask for her help, he does his best to keep distance between them, but it's really no use.
Lucilla is heir apparent to her mother Catriona (Scandal's Bride) as Lady of the Vale. She knows that her mate has already been fated and all she has to do is be patient. She continues serving the people of the valley while she waits for her man to see the truth. But her patience is running out.
A mysterious illness has Lucilla lending her abilities to Thomas and his clan. Forced into close proximity, the attraction between them flares even hotter. Thomas is determined to resist the chemistry and Lucilla is equally determined to take advantage of it. When they finally give in, it is more incredible than either expect. But each of them has a different goal. Lucilla is hoping that Thomas will finally realize that he belongs there with her. Meanwhile, Thomas is hoping that what they have will quickly run its course, freeing him from the hold she has on him.
The time that they spend together has Thomas slowly reconnecting with the land and people. He discovers a deep contentment that his life in Glasgow doesn't give him. But he still has that narrow focus on returning to his life there, When he realizes that everyone around him expects that he will be staying there, he panics, knowing that what he feels deep inside isn't what he had intended to do with his life. He gets angry, says some rather harsh things to Lucilla, and leaves for Glasgow, her words about his fate ringing in his ears. Lucilla's inner strength gets her through the confrontation. It was hard to see her faith waver, but she's determined to get through it. Meanwhile, his stubbornness has him going back to his old life, but he quickly sees that he has changed, and that she was right all along. I enjoyed seeing the misery he went through before he figured it out, as I felt he deserved it for being such an idiot. I really liked his conversation with Lucilla's father when he went back, and the advice he was given. I also appreciated the fact that Lucilla didn't make things easy on him.
The mystery itself wasn't what I'm used to in a Laurens book. The illnesses were man made and the motivation was pretty clear, though there was no proof. The attacks on Lucilla increased Thomas's protectiveness and gave him the motivation to investigate further. His uncle's directives made sense, but also seemed to put the mystery on the back burner for most of the last part of the book. It was brought forward again toward the end, and while the mystery seems to be solved, I felt like there wasn't a true resolution. I also suspect that there is more to it than appears on the surface. I'm assuming there will be more dealings with it in the next book.
I was a little sad that there wasn't more involvement from the other Cynsters. Her parents make only a brief appearance, Marcus is there but not a huge part of the story. I'm used to seeing a bit of interference when someone's being an idiot, or some combination of family members helping to save the day during the resolution of the mystery.
Thomas is part owner of a successful business in Glasgow. It keeps him busy enough that he rarely visits his uncle and the rest of the Carrick clan. When he receives two separate letters hinting at trouble, he goes home to investigate. Circumstances compel him to ask for help from Lucilla Cynster, a young woman he has done his best to avoid for years. There is an attraction between them that pulls him in a direction he doesn't want to go.
I really liked Thomas, but he was incredibly stubborn. He lost his parents when he was ten, spent a year living on Carrick lands with his uncle, then went to Glasgow to live with a different uncle. He grew up with a determination to keep control of his life and emotions. He knows what he wants and won't be distracted. From the first time he met her, he has been unable to forget Lucilla. But she's not the type of woman he's looking for and so he tries to avoid being around her. Even when he has to ask for her help, he does his best to keep distance between them, but it's really no use.
Lucilla is heir apparent to her mother Catriona (Scandal's Bride) as Lady of the Vale. She knows that her mate has already been fated and all she has to do is be patient. She continues serving the people of the valley while she waits for her man to see the truth. But her patience is running out.
A mysterious illness has Lucilla lending her abilities to Thomas and his clan. Forced into close proximity, the attraction between them flares even hotter. Thomas is determined to resist the chemistry and Lucilla is equally determined to take advantage of it. When they finally give in, it is more incredible than either expect. But each of them has a different goal. Lucilla is hoping that Thomas will finally realize that he belongs there with her. Meanwhile, Thomas is hoping that what they have will quickly run its course, freeing him from the hold she has on him.
The time that they spend together has Thomas slowly reconnecting with the land and people. He discovers a deep contentment that his life in Glasgow doesn't give him. But he still has that narrow focus on returning to his life there, When he realizes that everyone around him expects that he will be staying there, he panics, knowing that what he feels deep inside isn't what he had intended to do with his life. He gets angry, says some rather harsh things to Lucilla, and leaves for Glasgow, her words about his fate ringing in his ears. Lucilla's inner strength gets her through the confrontation. It was hard to see her faith waver, but she's determined to get through it. Meanwhile, his stubbornness has him going back to his old life, but he quickly sees that he has changed, and that she was right all along. I enjoyed seeing the misery he went through before he figured it out, as I felt he deserved it for being such an idiot. I really liked his conversation with Lucilla's father when he went back, and the advice he was given. I also appreciated the fact that Lucilla didn't make things easy on him.
The mystery itself wasn't what I'm used to in a Laurens book. The illnesses were man made and the motivation was pretty clear, though there was no proof. The attacks on Lucilla increased Thomas's protectiveness and gave him the motivation to investigate further. His uncle's directives made sense, but also seemed to put the mystery on the back burner for most of the last part of the book. It was brought forward again toward the end, and while the mystery seems to be solved, I felt like there wasn't a true resolution. I also suspect that there is more to it than appears on the surface. I'm assuming there will be more dealings with it in the next book.
I was a little sad that there wasn't more involvement from the other Cynsters. Her parents make only a brief appearance, Marcus is there but not a huge part of the story. I'm used to seeing a bit of interference when someone's being an idiot, or some combination of family members helping to save the day during the resolution of the mystery.
Read
January 12, 2016"Laurens consistently delivers well-crafted, carefully paced novels; here, she adds gothic suspense, an unpredictable climax, a sweet love story, likable characters and a colorful backdrop. Readers will find this new generation of Cynsters as delightful as the first" (RT Book Reviews, 4 stars).
Cynster, book 22
Lucilla holds back nothing when Thomas Carrick finally returns to the Vale. She knows this may be here one chance to convince him that they are fated to be together. He, of course, has a different path chosen for his life and fights the connection between them and is willing to walk away from her to pursue his well-planned future. However, their story isn't the only thing that will keep you turning the pages. Ms. Laurens also has a couple of unexplained deaths, a strange illness, an attempt at murder to round out her tale. Basically, I really enjoyed Lucilla's story and I'm looking forward to her brother's which is set up at the end of this book. ~ Kim
Cynster, book 22
Lucilla holds back nothing when Thomas Carrick finally returns to the Vale. She knows this may be here one chance to convince him that they are fated to be together. He, of course, has a different path chosen for his life and fights the connection between them and is willing to walk away from her to pursue his well-planned future. However, their story isn't the only thing that will keep you turning the pages. Ms. Laurens also has a couple of unexplained deaths, a strange illness, an attempt at murder to round out her tale. Basically, I really enjoyed Lucilla's story and I'm looking forward to her brother's which is set up at the end of this book. ~ Kim
March 24, 2015
This review appears in more engaging form on Reading with Analysis.
Let me start out by saying — if you’re going to read this book — you should consider reading the novella that sets it up, By Winter’s Light. I didn’t, and I was very confused by these characters’ strange antics and the lack of a solid meet-cute. I mean, for reals, you spend the first 50 pages following Thomas around his day-to-day life. The book kind of assumes that you know that these two characters are destined to be together. It kind of assumes that you know why Thomas is reluctant to agree to his destiny. It assumes that you know what it means for Lucilla to be the “Lady in Waiting of the Vale.” (I’ll tell you, because it’ll make the rest of this discussion a trifle less strange: she’s a priestess to an ancient deity. So destiny means something more to her than to your average gal.) I didn’t know many of those things. I just thought everybody was cray cray.
I guess that’s my bottom line. This book is incredibly odd. When Thomas finally meets up with Lucilla (after, apparently, avoiding her for 2 years), Thomas internalizes for a few pages, and finally is like, “Oh, hi, I need your help, let’s go.” And Lucilla’s like, “Great. Let’s. ……… wait a minute. What’d you do to my brother?” “Oh, it’s no biggie,” says Thomas. “I just knocked him unconscious because I don’t have time to explain the situation to him.” And Lucilla replies, “LOL, k. Lemme write him a note and tuck it into his pocket. You’re right. It’s NBD.” And she leaves Marcus on the ground.
For the first half of the book, Thomas and Lucilla attempt to solve the mystery of who poisoned the Carrick clan healer and the entire Bradshaw family, who pushed the healer’s sister Faith down the stairs of the “disused wing” of Carrick Manor, who let an adder into the still room, who broke into Lucilla’s room and threatened to smother her with a pillow, and — finally — who possessed the prescience and amazing ability to aim a giant stone gargoyle down a several-stories’ fall to nearly kill Thomas and Lucilla, strolling below. Along the way, Thomas and Lucilla kiss on occasion (because this is a romance novel).
The thing is, though, that Thomas and Lucilla’s story isn’t very romantic. That’s partly because so much of the story line for the first half of the book remains fixed on the whodunnit plot, and it’s partly because nearly all of the characterization establishing Thomas and Lucilla, their attraction to one another, their mutual “destiny,” and (I assume) the conflict that’s been keeping them apart (Thomas’s wanting to live his own life and make his own choices) is missing from this book, presumably detailed in the prequel novella. Soooo that’s a problem. But, honestly, I think the bigger problem is that Lucilla and Thomas bring little to the romance party other than instalust, and y’all know how I feel about that. (If you don’t, you’re either new here or you’ve got terrible reading comprehension skills. Fingers crossed for the former.) As much as I’m inclined to enjoy a story wherein the heroine is the instigator of all things physical, Lucilla’s aggressive pursuit of Thomas actually creeped me out a little. He mentions a few times that he’s just not that into her, that — yeah — he’d like to bone her, but she’s just not his type for a long-term deal, and her response is “lol. I’ll wear him down eventually. He can’t fight destiny.”
So, yeah. Right after the dude with a pillow sort of kind of threatens to kill Lucilla, she’s like, “hey man, I know we just talked like one page ago about how you’re looking to marry some nice woman down in Glasgow, so you can continue to run your business, but… let’s fuck.” And he’s like, “yeah, cool, we can have a fling. Sure. Why not? But no commitment, k?” On the one hand, I think it’s worthwhile to point out that Stephanie Laurens has done something completely new here, but it’s not exactly a good new thing.
Cynster fans (even we reluctant ones) will naturally contrast The Tempting of Thomas Carrick with its forebear (Scandal's Bride). We’ll look at Thomas’s relative lack of agency and be concerned. We’ll look at his being seemingly content with a booty call and be concerned. We’ll look at Lucilla’s inability or unwillingness to use her words and be concerned. And we’ll spend so much time being concerned that we end up missing out on any sweeping romance (assuming any is there). That’s unfortunate.
Anyway, soon after the falling gargoyle incident, Thomas and Lucilla up and leave Carrick Manor (because someone is clearly trying to kill them, among other, slightly less interesting, reasons) and decamp to the Vale (Lucilla’s digs), and readers are left with a lot of frankly boring sex scenes (although I did cheer when “ecstasy painted a sunburst on the inside of his lids,” because that is awesome.) and multiple scenes detailing Thomas’s bucolic bliss. I mean, it is kind of nice seeing that Thomas genuinely enjoys his time in the Vale — makes it less creepy that he’s destined to live there as Lucilla’s consort whether he likes it or not — but I couldn’t figure out how the story could possibly be headed anywhere half as interesting as figuring out whodunnit. Meanwhile, the whodunnit plot completely fizzles out and is not brought up again until the very end of the book. In fact, the whodunnit plot may (or may not, I mean… who knows?) get solved in the next book.
Yeah. Right?!
I was super disappointed when the whodunnit plot was abandoned, because it was interesting, you guys (even though it was kind of obvious whodunnit and even though it took the characters on several jaunts through the “disused wing” and involved a lot of conversation about the “disused wing.”).
Then Thomas realizes — with 100 pages still left in the book, I might add — that Lucilla has been like, “Ima show him what life by my side will be like. It will be awesome. *SUNBURST*” And Thomas gets super pissed (because he rightfully feels manipulated and betrayed) and leaves, after some shouting. Let me repeat that crucial phrase: there are still 100 pages left in the book at that point. I wondered if I’d get to read another 50 pages of Thomas wandering around Glasgow, doing his business, going to parties, before he suddenly realizes that he’s the hero of a romance novel and had better suck it up and get back to his lady-love. Actually, it was about 10 pages of heartbroken Lucilla internal monologue, 15 pages of Thomas wandering around Glasgow in mostly-internal monologue, 20 pages of Thomas making amends first to Lucilla’s family members (WTF) then to her, and finally 50ish pages of setting up the next book.
Yeah. I haven’t even gotten to the way the book is structured (The POV shifts frequently, like every few paragraphs, for no reason — other than lazy writing, of course — and Lucilla is given significantly less page time than Thomas and is significantly less well-developed; both things bothered me to no end.) and the inconsistencies in Lucilla’s character (briefly: she’s the acting-Lady, but she doesn’t seem to do any of the things Catriona did. Her priestess duties seem tacked on and not really part of her actual character.). (Also, I was promised enticements (in the blurb). Where the hell were the enticements? As far as I could tell, the only enticements Lucilla wielded to tempt Thomas were poontang and destiny.) But, anyway, this post is plenty long enough. Besides, you get the idea. The Tempting of Thomas Carrick is not only odd but also just straight-up bad. It’s worse than the Black Cobra intrigue-infested travelogues. And maybe the reason I feel such keen disappointment is that my hopes were so high: after all, I still love Scandal’s Bride, even after everything. I wanted so much to love this book, too, but I can’t.
Let me start out by saying — if you’re going to read this book — you should consider reading the novella that sets it up, By Winter’s Light. I didn’t, and I was very confused by these characters’ strange antics and the lack of a solid meet-cute. I mean, for reals, you spend the first 50 pages following Thomas around his day-to-day life. The book kind of assumes that you know that these two characters are destined to be together. It kind of assumes that you know why Thomas is reluctant to agree to his destiny. It assumes that you know what it means for Lucilla to be the “Lady in Waiting of the Vale.” (I’ll tell you, because it’ll make the rest of this discussion a trifle less strange: she’s a priestess to an ancient deity. So destiny means something more to her than to your average gal.) I didn’t know many of those things. I just thought everybody was cray cray.
I guess that’s my bottom line. This book is incredibly odd. When Thomas finally meets up with Lucilla (after, apparently, avoiding her for 2 years), Thomas internalizes for a few pages, and finally is like, “Oh, hi, I need your help, let’s go.” And Lucilla’s like, “Great. Let’s. ……… wait a minute. What’d you do to my brother?” “Oh, it’s no biggie,” says Thomas. “I just knocked him unconscious because I don’t have time to explain the situation to him.” And Lucilla replies, “LOL, k. Lemme write him a note and tuck it into his pocket. You’re right. It’s NBD.” And she leaves Marcus on the ground.
For the first half of the book, Thomas and Lucilla attempt to solve the mystery of who poisoned the Carrick clan healer and the entire Bradshaw family, who pushed the healer’s sister Faith down the stairs of the “disused wing” of Carrick Manor, who let an adder into the still room, who broke into Lucilla’s room and threatened to smother her with a pillow, and — finally — who possessed the prescience and amazing ability to aim a giant stone gargoyle down a several-stories’ fall to nearly kill Thomas and Lucilla, strolling below. Along the way, Thomas and Lucilla kiss on occasion (because this is a romance novel).
The thing is, though, that Thomas and Lucilla’s story isn’t very romantic. That’s partly because so much of the story line for the first half of the book remains fixed on the whodunnit plot, and it’s partly because nearly all of the characterization establishing Thomas and Lucilla, their attraction to one another, their mutual “destiny,” and (I assume) the conflict that’s been keeping them apart (Thomas’s wanting to live his own life and make his own choices) is missing from this book, presumably detailed in the prequel novella. Soooo that’s a problem. But, honestly, I think the bigger problem is that Lucilla and Thomas bring little to the romance party other than instalust, and y’all know how I feel about that. (If you don’t, you’re either new here or you’ve got terrible reading comprehension skills. Fingers crossed for the former.) As much as I’m inclined to enjoy a story wherein the heroine is the instigator of all things physical, Lucilla’s aggressive pursuit of Thomas actually creeped me out a little. He mentions a few times that he’s just not that into her, that — yeah — he’d like to bone her, but she’s just not his type for a long-term deal, and her response is “lol. I’ll wear him down eventually. He can’t fight destiny.”
So, yeah. Right after the dude with a pillow sort of kind of threatens to kill Lucilla, she’s like, “hey man, I know we just talked like one page ago about how you’re looking to marry some nice woman down in Glasgow, so you can continue to run your business, but… let’s fuck.” And he’s like, “yeah, cool, we can have a fling. Sure. Why not? But no commitment, k?” On the one hand, I think it’s worthwhile to point out that Stephanie Laurens has done something completely new here, but it’s not exactly a good new thing.
Cynster fans (even we reluctant ones) will naturally contrast The Tempting of Thomas Carrick with its forebear (Scandal's Bride). We’ll look at Thomas’s relative lack of agency and be concerned. We’ll look at his being seemingly content with a booty call and be concerned. We’ll look at Lucilla’s inability or unwillingness to use her words and be concerned. And we’ll spend so much time being concerned that we end up missing out on any sweeping romance (assuming any is there). That’s unfortunate.
Anyway, soon after the falling gargoyle incident, Thomas and Lucilla up and leave Carrick Manor (because someone is clearly trying to kill them, among other, slightly less interesting, reasons) and decamp to the Vale (Lucilla’s digs), and readers are left with a lot of frankly boring sex scenes (although I did cheer when “ecstasy painted a sunburst on the inside of his lids,” because that is awesome.) and multiple scenes detailing Thomas’s bucolic bliss. I mean, it is kind of nice seeing that Thomas genuinely enjoys his time in the Vale — makes it less creepy that he’s destined to live there as Lucilla’s consort whether he likes it or not — but I couldn’t figure out how the story could possibly be headed anywhere half as interesting as figuring out whodunnit. Meanwhile, the whodunnit plot completely fizzles out and is not brought up again until the very end of the book. In fact, the whodunnit plot may (or may not, I mean… who knows?) get solved in the next book.
Yeah. Right?!
I was super disappointed when the whodunnit plot was abandoned, because it was interesting, you guys (even though it was kind of obvious whodunnit and even though it took the characters on several jaunts through the “disused wing” and involved a lot of conversation about the “disused wing.”).
Then Thomas realizes — with 100 pages still left in the book, I might add — that Lucilla has been like, “Ima show him what life by my side will be like. It will be awesome. *SUNBURST*” And Thomas gets super pissed (because he rightfully feels manipulated and betrayed) and leaves, after some shouting. Let me repeat that crucial phrase: there are still 100 pages left in the book at that point. I wondered if I’d get to read another 50 pages of Thomas wandering around Glasgow, doing his business, going to parties, before he suddenly realizes that he’s the hero of a romance novel and had better suck it up and get back to his lady-love. Actually, it was about 10 pages of heartbroken Lucilla internal monologue, 15 pages of Thomas wandering around Glasgow in mostly-internal monologue, 20 pages of Thomas making amends first to Lucilla’s family members (WTF) then to her, and finally 50ish pages of setting up the next book.
Yeah. I haven’t even gotten to the way the book is structured (The POV shifts frequently, like every few paragraphs, for no reason — other than lazy writing, of course — and Lucilla is given significantly less page time than Thomas and is significantly less well-developed; both things bothered me to no end.) and the inconsistencies in Lucilla’s character (briefly: she’s the acting-Lady, but she doesn’t seem to do any of the things Catriona did. Her priestess duties seem tacked on and not really part of her actual character.). (Also, I was promised enticements (in the blurb). Where the hell were the enticements? As far as I could tell, the only enticements Lucilla wielded to tempt Thomas were poontang and destiny.) But, anyway, this post is plenty long enough. Besides, you get the idea. The Tempting of Thomas Carrick is not only odd but also just straight-up bad. It’s worse than the Black Cobra intrigue-infested travelogues. And maybe the reason I feel such keen disappointment is that my hopes were so high: after all, I still love Scandal’s Bride, even after everything. I wanted so much to love this book, too, but I can’t.
April 21, 2015
If you're into the Cynster series, you'll want to read this. If you're into paranormals, this one might grab you since it deals with a regional deity of some sort that somehow determines the lives of those she touches (if I sound less than enthusiastic it's because paranormals aren't for me). If you like mysteries, there is a nice one afoot here.
The romance between Thomas Carrick and Lucilla Cynster is complicated primarily by the paranormal elements—she believes they are destined to be together, serving the local deity, he doesn't. As I say, this isn't my cup of tea, so I wasn't as engaged as other readers might be, and the resolution of their conflict felt a bit too "thinky" and "out-of-the-ether" for me. I'd have liked it better if there was an actual, physical crisis that forced them to find their way.
The storyline that drew the hero back to the heroine's neighborhood, though, was a nicely crafted mystery. Because of the mystery, I'll be looking for the next book in this series when it comes out.
Long story short: I'll give this one a purely subjective three stars.
The romance between Thomas Carrick and Lucilla Cynster is complicated primarily by the paranormal elements—she believes they are destined to be together, serving the local deity, he doesn't. As I say, this isn't my cup of tea, so I wasn't as engaged as other readers might be, and the resolution of their conflict felt a bit too "thinky" and "out-of-the-ether" for me. I'd have liked it better if there was an actual, physical crisis that forced them to find their way.
The storyline that drew the hero back to the heroine's neighborhood, though, was a nicely crafted mystery. Because of the mystery, I'll be looking for the next book in this series when it comes out.
Long story short: I'll give this one a purely subjective three stars.
February 28, 2015
After the teaser that Laurens gave us in in the holiday novella she released in December 2014, I was definitely ready for Lucilla and Thomas's story. I was not disappointed! I love how it started out with a mystery. I was immediately drawn in by the plot that she set up. I really loved this book, and it has set up nicely for Niniver and Marcus's story, which is due out later this year. I can't wait to see what is in store for those character's, and to also see the mystery solved. I feel like, even though the mystery has not been solved, there was enough closure that I didn't feel like I was left hanging.
This novel has what Laurens's best books encompass, not only a good love story, but a good mystery as well.
This novel has what Laurens's best books encompass, not only a good love story, but a good mystery as well.
December 31, 2017
Wow, okay so I figured that this was part of a series that I had accidentally started in the middle (AGAIN! DAMN YOU, GROCERY STORE USED BOOK BIN) but I did not realize that it was #22 in a series. Because of that I feel like I have to give it some leeway. I'm sure there's a ton of character-building that I'm not privy too and that might have improved my experience.
All I'll say is that I felt like it was a bit too long (450 pages) and the fact that the main conflict was never really resolved irritated me. I mean, the mystery was solved but the culprit was never arrested. Maybe I've been reading too much J.D. Robb, idk. Mostly likely he will be found in the next book and I do think I'll go back and read the first book in this series just to see if I like it better from the start.
All I'll say is that I felt like it was a bit too long (450 pages) and the fact that the main conflict was never really resolved irritated me. I mean, the mystery was solved but the culprit was never arrested. Maybe I've been reading too much J.D. Robb, idk. Mostly likely he will be found in the next book and I do think I'll go back and read the first book in this series just to see if I like it better from the start.
March 6, 2015
I really didn't like Thomas; I didn't believe that he loved Lucilla, even though he returned to her. It seemed like he really loved the Vale and all it had to offer. Nothing was concluded about the mystery that dominated the first 50% of the book either. I'll read the next one, but it is frustrating because that one also looks like a situation where the man has no other choice but to go after the heroine and her inheritance.
April 2, 2015
I've come to the conclusion that the longer a universe/family remains in play, the less appealing they are. Much like the latest in the Smythe-Smith saga, this Cynster spin-off left me feeling rather eh. There was nothing WRONG with it, but... Eh. I shall now go back to reading all the original Bar Cynsters as they were much more captivating.
December 1, 2017
This dumb ass hero is having sex with the heroin and pumping his seed inside of her throughout the whole book but doesn't plan on marrying her. His plan is to find someone else to marry once he gets tired of her. Basically she's his whore, not very romantic.
February 22, 2023
This book reminded me all over again why I love Stephanie Laurens' novels! The mystery, the romance and the wonderful characters! I loved that this book was set in Scotland and I loved watching Lucilla and Thomas find their way while trying to solve a mystery.
May 31, 2025
3.1.
"That I can’t be the man I wanted to be—I can only be the man I am.”
"That I can’t be the man I wanted to be—I can only be the man I am.”
September 3, 2020
3 stars.
Same rating as 5 years ago. The unsolved murder mystery of Thomas's uncle makes the whole story feels unfinished as that was probably the most interesting thing about the book.
Same rating as 5 years ago. The unsolved murder mystery of Thomas's uncle makes the whole story feels unfinished as that was probably the most interesting thing about the book.
April 2, 2015
Originally Reviewed For: Bodice Rippers, Femme Fatales and Fantasy
For those of you who Love the Cynters, I am happy to announce that Stephanie Laurens hasn't left us. With the last of the Original Generation finding true love in The Taming of Ryder Cavenaugh, Ms. Laurens could have left us, even happy.. but she has decided to give us more.. Yep, she has begun the Cynsters, Next Generation.
I will say this, Stephanie Laurens is the premier regency romance writer. As far as I am concerned she captured the era brillaintly with her strong heroins and charismatic heroes.. And not just with her Cynsters.. But with moving to the next generation Ms. Cynster is also moving to a new era. A new time and new struggles.. Will she be as successful moving on?
Surprisingly enough The Tempting of Thomas Carrick is not about one of Devil's children. I sort of just figured she would go in order.. but that's not how love is. This book tells the story of one of Scandal's twins.. and she is a mature woman of 28.. I like that Ms. Laurens has always used the right age for her heroines. Some like Flick are young and others are older. It just depended on the needs of the story. And in this story, Lucilla Cynster needed to be older.
Lucilla Cynster is the heir apparent to the Lady and servant to her valley. She knows that The Lady has designated her mate and all she has to do is be patient. Which is hard, this is a Cynster after all. While she is waiting she serves as needed but when she discovers that the man she is waiting for has no desire to connect with her, doesn't think she can be the wife he needs, Lucilla knows she must take action. Fortunately for her, not so much the members of his clan, there is a need that only she, as a healer can solve.
Thomas Carrick lost his parents at a young age, becoming the ward to two of his relatives his life was decided. Now he's an adult who has plans.. Plans he started on that summer he lost his parents. He will not be swayed and nothing like attraction to an amazing woman will change his mind. Only a mysterious illness to the clan he is only vaguely attached to calls Thomas in to investigate. Where he finds many strange circumstances.. And the only person he can trust? Lucilla Cynster.
Intrigue abounds.. Illness, deaths, power struggles, jealous reigns in the Carrick Clan. As an extension of the Vale, Lucilla Cynster feels that she can and should give her aide.. Only there are those who don't want Lucilla to succeed..
An excellent story that I feel hasn't ended.. I honestly think that there will be more to it in Ms. Laurens next book A Match For Marcus Cynster but that is just my opinion.
I enjoyed this story but there are a few things that tugged at me and left me wanting. Mostly the lack of connections. What Ms. Laurens has done best with the Cynsters is to make them a team, a unit, a force to be reconded with. And in The Tempting, she fails to do so. The only Cynster on hand is Marcus. Even Scandal and Catriona are missing.. and they are Lucilla's parents. There are no helpful cousins, no interfering elders, no matchmaking matriarchs and worst of all, no Devil.
I understand that this is a new generation so I understand why she might have left out the older generation in force.. but I thought the cousins would be around, "helping". I missed that.
The thing is, if this had been written by anyone else I would say it was almost perfect. So maybe my judgement is harsh. It's just that I adore the Cynster Clan and connections and want to see more of them.
Now that I have expressed my criticisms.. I will enforce the fact that this was a very good book and shouldn't be judged by it's lack of Cynsters.. It is a new generation after all.
Shauni
For those of you who Love the Cynters, I am happy to announce that Stephanie Laurens hasn't left us. With the last of the Original Generation finding true love in The Taming of Ryder Cavenaugh, Ms. Laurens could have left us, even happy.. but she has decided to give us more.. Yep, she has begun the Cynsters, Next Generation.
I will say this, Stephanie Laurens is the premier regency romance writer. As far as I am concerned she captured the era brillaintly with her strong heroins and charismatic heroes.. And not just with her Cynsters.. But with moving to the next generation Ms. Cynster is also moving to a new era. A new time and new struggles.. Will she be as successful moving on?
Surprisingly enough The Tempting of Thomas Carrick is not about one of Devil's children. I sort of just figured she would go in order.. but that's not how love is. This book tells the story of one of Scandal's twins.. and she is a mature woman of 28.. I like that Ms. Laurens has always used the right age for her heroines. Some like Flick are young and others are older. It just depended on the needs of the story. And in this story, Lucilla Cynster needed to be older.
Lucilla Cynster is the heir apparent to the Lady and servant to her valley. She knows that The Lady has designated her mate and all she has to do is be patient. Which is hard, this is a Cynster after all. While she is waiting she serves as needed but when she discovers that the man she is waiting for has no desire to connect with her, doesn't think she can be the wife he needs, Lucilla knows she must take action. Fortunately for her, not so much the members of his clan, there is a need that only she, as a healer can solve.
Thomas Carrick lost his parents at a young age, becoming the ward to two of his relatives his life was decided. Now he's an adult who has plans.. Plans he started on that summer he lost his parents. He will not be swayed and nothing like attraction to an amazing woman will change his mind. Only a mysterious illness to the clan he is only vaguely attached to calls Thomas in to investigate. Where he finds many strange circumstances.. And the only person he can trust? Lucilla Cynster.
Intrigue abounds.. Illness, deaths, power struggles, jealous reigns in the Carrick Clan. As an extension of the Vale, Lucilla Cynster feels that she can and should give her aide.. Only there are those who don't want Lucilla to succeed..
An excellent story that I feel hasn't ended.. I honestly think that there will be more to it in Ms. Laurens next book A Match For Marcus Cynster but that is just my opinion.
I enjoyed this story but there are a few things that tugged at me and left me wanting. Mostly the lack of connections. What Ms. Laurens has done best with the Cynsters is to make them a team, a unit, a force to be reconded with. And in The Tempting, she fails to do so. The only Cynster on hand is Marcus. Even Scandal and Catriona are missing.. and they are Lucilla's parents. There are no helpful cousins, no interfering elders, no matchmaking matriarchs and worst of all, no Devil.
I understand that this is a new generation so I understand why she might have left out the older generation in force.. but I thought the cousins would be around, "helping". I missed that.
The thing is, if this had been written by anyone else I would say it was almost perfect. So maybe my judgement is harsh. It's just that I adore the Cynster Clan and connections and want to see more of them.
Now that I have expressed my criticisms.. I will enforce the fact that this was a very good book and shouldn't be judged by it's lack of Cynsters.. It is a new generation after all.
Shauni
February 25, 2015
Lovely to revisit the close and loving relationships in the Cynster Family. Warning: Whole review is Spoiler...
The main plot is the romance between Lucilla (daughter of Richard and Catriona) and Thomas Carrick that was hinted at in By Winter’s Light.
The basic framework of the book is that Thomas knows Lucilla will never leave the Vale and he has created a Life Plan that involves working in his family shipping business, while living and marrying a society wife in Glasgow, so he doggedly fights their attraction and potential future through most of the book.
The secondary plot is a mystery and a series of unexplained events involving Clan Carrick that will not be solved until the next book (hopefully!)
Interesting look at Lucilla’s healing gifts and her ‘knowing’ her destiny through her intuitive connection with ‘the Lady”. She is a strong minded woman and tries to remain ethical, but will use situations and seduction to show Thomas what their life could be. Very good inner dialogue towards the end of the book re: her respecting his ‘free will choice’ about his future, even though it is heartbreaking for her. Very emotionally mature and consistent with someone living their life according to spiritual principles.
I also liked his lengthy inner dialogue through most of Chapter 15, when he returns to Glasgow and discovers that the Life Plan he was clinging to was no longer satisfying. Very mature, self-reflexive processing by a male character as he comes to understand his past and future choices.
I also like that when he asked her to try again, that she did not instantaneously forgive him and let him back in without some serious conversations and assurances between them. I also liked that he could not absolutely say “I Love You” immediately because he was not sure what that meant.
Chapter 14 and 15 felt very adult and realistic as the characters came to understand themselves and the other person and then make conscious choices based on these reflections. Thrilled it was not a sudden aha! moment and then‘sunshine and roses’ and everything is suddenly OK.
I also loved the parallel that was drawn to the relationship between her parents and that Thomas was learning the same lesson that Richard had.
One point of contention I had was that if Thomas did not want to be permanently tied to Lucilla, why was he having lots of unprotected sex with her and he was not even practising the withdrawal method ? Why was he not worried he might get her pregnant and then be trapped into marriage?
For fans of the Cynster Series it was a very enjoyable read. Rating: 4.5 Stars
Looking forward to the next book due in May with Lucilla’s twin Marcus and Thomas Carrick’s cousin Niniver.
The main plot is the romance between Lucilla (daughter of Richard and Catriona) and Thomas Carrick that was hinted at in By Winter’s Light.
The basic framework of the book is that Thomas knows Lucilla will never leave the Vale and he has created a Life Plan that involves working in his family shipping business, while living and marrying a society wife in Glasgow, so he doggedly fights their attraction and potential future through most of the book.
The secondary plot is a mystery and a series of unexplained events involving Clan Carrick that will not be solved until the next book (hopefully!)
Interesting look at Lucilla’s healing gifts and her ‘knowing’ her destiny through her intuitive connection with ‘the Lady”. She is a strong minded woman and tries to remain ethical, but will use situations and seduction to show Thomas what their life could be. Very good inner dialogue towards the end of the book re: her respecting his ‘free will choice’ about his future, even though it is heartbreaking for her. Very emotionally mature and consistent with someone living their life according to spiritual principles.
I also liked his lengthy inner dialogue through most of Chapter 15, when he returns to Glasgow and discovers that the Life Plan he was clinging to was no longer satisfying. Very mature, self-reflexive processing by a male character as he comes to understand his past and future choices.
I also like that when he asked her to try again, that she did not instantaneously forgive him and let him back in without some serious conversations and assurances between them. I also liked that he could not absolutely say “I Love You” immediately because he was not sure what that meant.
Chapter 14 and 15 felt very adult and realistic as the characters came to understand themselves and the other person and then make conscious choices based on these reflections. Thrilled it was not a sudden aha! moment and then‘sunshine and roses’ and everything is suddenly OK.
I also loved the parallel that was drawn to the relationship between her parents and that Thomas was learning the same lesson that Richard had.
One point of contention I had was that if Thomas did not want to be permanently tied to Lucilla, why was he having lots of unprotected sex with her and he was not even practising the withdrawal method ? Why was he not worried he might get her pregnant and then be trapped into marriage?
For fans of the Cynster Series it was a very enjoyable read. Rating: 4.5 Stars
Looking forward to the next book due in May with Lucilla’s twin Marcus and Thomas Carrick’s cousin Niniver.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 10, 2020
Lucilla Cynster Is the Villain Set on Destroying My Life
It was the summer of 2015 when I picked up this book at my local grocery store. It was almost a joke, but I had been curious as to whether I'd enjoy the romance genre or not. I got less than halfway through the book before I swore off reading as a hobby for the next 5 years. Yes, this book is so bad it made me quit reading for five whole years.
I picked it up again recently, wanting to face my horrific fears. It was pretty easy getting to where I had been, given that it was slightly familiar from before and required less mental strain. Past that point, however, things took a grisly turn as I struggled to care and, more deeply, wanted to see Lucilla get her just desserts.
But isn't Lucilla supposed to be our swooning heroine of this story, just looking to find her soulmate?
Lucilla, a master manipulator with a habit for ignoring that "no" means "no", continues to pursue Thomas Carrick, even after he's explicitly told her he doesn't want to marry her or live with her, and often uses her religious position to insert herself into Thomas's life where she is not wanted. I felt like I was looking at a picture of Claude Frollo, as she continued to push her religious zeal onto Thomas, insisting that he is the fulfillment of a prophecy that in reality is just her sexual desire. When she tells Thomas that he is "[her] consort"(351) and he is "fated to be [her] one true lover, [her] protector, [her] husband, the father of [her] children"(352), I could practically hear the alarm bells going off in his head. Thomas does not believe in this religion and she had practically trapped him in her castle with an injured leg like some psychotic yandere. To preface this entire scenario, she had also told him that in regards to having casual sex with him, "It is what it is...And I'm content with that" (241). She leans on him and kisses him without asking and when she finally initiates sex, it's because a cloaked man has broken into her room to try and murder her. Thomas says that he'll keep watch in her room from the armchair, but then like desperate incel that she is she asks him to protect her...in bed.
I don't think a book has ever made me want to vomit before now. It's so cringey and I have so much secondhand embarrassment, given that from the time she meets him until he propose is about 2 weeks. Part of those 2 weeks he spends away in Glasgow because of her springing that tinfoil prophecy on him. To put it completely, Lucilla is not wife material, not girlfriend material, not even friends-with-benefits material: she belongs in a trash can.
I wish I could say that the stylistics of the book had improved my reading experience, but if Lucilla's trash then the stylistics is a whole dumpster fire.
Here is a list of words and phrases that I never want to read again or I swear I will gouge my eyes out:
On top of that I got really bored with all the fire imagery and words during the sex scenes and it just read as being painful. Her hands keep searing, burning, and branding you? Do you need me to take your to the E.R.? That sounds like it hurts a lot.
Now that that's over, let's talk about the insanely bad case of thesaurusitis this book has. This book is littered with GRE level words that have no place belonging in a romance novel. Mark Twain said it best:
I constantly felt pulled out of the story anytime one of these words would come up because it wasn't everyday vernacular and it kept making me feel dizzy as my mind was trying to decide if I was reading some $8 romance novel or an academic paper. One of the worst examples is when this bleeds over into character dialect. Thomas is speaking with a farmer in regards to a delayed seed shipment and his irritation with Nigel, the laird to be. Forrester, the farmer, replies, "Can you imagine? Telling us - who grow the crops, who get the seed into the ground - that it's no concern of ours when we get the seed? Preposterous!"(80). Asking me to extend my belief that a farmer would give an exclamations of "Preposterous!" is in and of itself preposterous. A lot of the characters lack a distinct voice, other than Manachan, and all of those flowery $5 words have lead to the mistake of a rural farmer huffing out a "Preposterous". I think this book could have greatly benefited from some time spent crafting individual character voices and speech patterns and maybe even using Scots dialect to give us a sense that these characters are indeed Scottish and not imported from England.
Another serious problem with the stylistics is that it really does fail the first problems that every writer must overcome which is using too many words, telling and not showing, and leaving things in that don't advance the plot or character development effectively. The using too many words and telling instead of showing concept roll together into the big mistake of us spending and ETERNITY in Lucilla and Thomas's head. This novel takes place in third-person omniscient, but my god is it abused. It becomes thought after thought after thought and we can spend 10 pages of Lucilla wondering if she's being sickly manipulative enough to trick Thomas into staying with her, but all of the thoughts are repetitive. I would be so excited to move onto the next paragraph after spending a dull one in just wondering thoughts only to be smacked in the face with that same paragraph reiterated in a different way! The entire book just reeked of it originally being a much shorter story but then lengthened to meet a word count requirement. Thomas's time in the Vale was another instance because he's just moseying around the estate doing this, that, and god knows what else. He's not advancing the plot other than "huh, I think I kind of like it here" and it later sets it up for everyone at the Vale having been told that Thomas is Lucilla's unwitting husband to be, but about 6 different extended interactions could have been cut out and replace with the cook's slip of the tongue. If you don't have time for slow burn believable romance, then you don't have time for Thomas to be talking to NPCs about their sheep.
All in all, I'm pretty confident that I've permanently sworn off romances, or at least dime novel ones. I feel like hours of my life have been robbed, and perhaps years of thoughts over why I let this book defeat me. At least now I might have a cool story to tell about the worst book I've ever read.
It was the summer of 2015 when I picked up this book at my local grocery store. It was almost a joke, but I had been curious as to whether I'd enjoy the romance genre or not. I got less than halfway through the book before I swore off reading as a hobby for the next 5 years. Yes, this book is so bad it made me quit reading for five whole years.
I picked it up again recently, wanting to face my horrific fears. It was pretty easy getting to where I had been, given that it was slightly familiar from before and required less mental strain. Past that point, however, things took a grisly turn as I struggled to care and, more deeply, wanted to see Lucilla get her just desserts.
But isn't Lucilla supposed to be our swooning heroine of this story, just looking to find her soulmate?
Lucilla, a master manipulator with a habit for ignoring that "no" means "no", continues to pursue Thomas Carrick, even after he's explicitly told her he doesn't want to marry her or live with her, and often uses her religious position to insert herself into Thomas's life where she is not wanted. I felt like I was looking at a picture of Claude Frollo, as she continued to push her religious zeal onto Thomas, insisting that he is the fulfillment of a prophecy that in reality is just her sexual desire. When she tells Thomas that he is "[her] consort"(351) and he is "fated to be [her] one true lover, [her] protector, [her] husband, the father of [her] children"(352), I could practically hear the alarm bells going off in his head. Thomas does not believe in this religion and she had practically trapped him in her castle with an injured leg like some psychotic yandere. To preface this entire scenario, she had also told him that in regards to having casual sex with him, "It is what it is...And I'm content with that" (241). She leans on him and kisses him without asking and when she finally initiates sex, it's because a cloaked man has broken into her room to try and murder her. Thomas says that he'll keep watch in her room from the armchair, but then like desperate incel that she is she asks him to protect her...in bed.
"Here," she said. "With me. In this bed."
He opened his mouth, but no words came out.
Her lips curved; intent and more burned in her eyes. "That isn't a request." She tugged with both hands, hauling him to her. "You're mine, and I need you."
She pulled him the last inch and pressed her lips to his. (225)
I don't think a book has ever made me want to vomit before now. It's so cringey and I have so much secondhand embarrassment, given that from the time she meets him until he propose is about 2 weeks. Part of those 2 weeks he spends away in Glasgow because of her springing that tinfoil prophecy on him. To put it completely, Lucilla is not wife material, not girlfriend material, not even friends-with-benefits material: she belongs in a trash can.
I wish I could say that the stylistics of the book had improved my reading experience, but if Lucilla's trash then the stylistics is a whole dumpster fire.
Here is a list of words and phrases that I never want to read again or I swear I will gouge my eyes out:
"Lucilla made a hmm sound" (118),
"her nipples hard pearls he felt even through his clothes" (123),
"Then she wrapped her fingers about his straining erection and he thought-for several excruciatingly tense seconds-that he'd died"(233),
"the nubbin of her pleasure"(236),
"her slick sheath"(236),
"the globes of her bottom" (292),
"her rippling sheath" (294),
"How's your leg?...but it wasn't his leg that was aching" (323),
"the flat discs of his nipples" (324),
"she closed both hands about his straining length, and gently delicately kissed the weeping head" (327),
"her hot wet flesh" (327),
"lightly knead his heavy balls" (328),
"he worked his fingers in and out of her sheath" (331)
On top of that I got really bored with all the fire imagery and words during the sex scenes and it just read as being painful. Her hands keep searing, burning, and branding you? Do you need me to take your to the E.R.? That sounds like it hurts a lot.
Now that that's over, let's talk about the insanely bad case of thesaurusitis this book has. This book is littered with GRE level words that have no place belonging in a romance novel. Mark Twain said it best:
"Don't use a five-dollar word when a fifty-cent word will do.”
I constantly felt pulled out of the story anytime one of these words would come up because it wasn't everyday vernacular and it kept making me feel dizzy as my mind was trying to decide if I was reading some $8 romance novel or an academic paper. One of the worst examples is when this bleeds over into character dialect. Thomas is speaking with a farmer in regards to a delayed seed shipment and his irritation with Nigel, the laird to be. Forrester, the farmer, replies, "Can you imagine? Telling us - who grow the crops, who get the seed into the ground - that it's no concern of ours when we get the seed? Preposterous!"(80). Asking me to extend my belief that a farmer would give an exclamations of "Preposterous!" is in and of itself preposterous. A lot of the characters lack a distinct voice, other than Manachan, and all of those flowery $5 words have lead to the mistake of a rural farmer huffing out a "Preposterous". I think this book could have greatly benefited from some time spent crafting individual character voices and speech patterns and maybe even using Scots dialect to give us a sense that these characters are indeed Scottish and not imported from England.
Another serious problem with the stylistics is that it really does fail the first problems that every writer must overcome which is using too many words, telling and not showing, and leaving things in that don't advance the plot or character development effectively. The using too many words and telling instead of showing concept roll together into the big mistake of us spending and ETERNITY in Lucilla and Thomas's head. This novel takes place in third-person omniscient, but my god is it abused. It becomes thought after thought after thought and we can spend 10 pages of Lucilla wondering if she's being sickly manipulative enough to trick Thomas into staying with her, but all of the thoughts are repetitive. I would be so excited to move onto the next paragraph after spending a dull one in just wondering thoughts only to be smacked in the face with that same paragraph reiterated in a different way! The entire book just reeked of it originally being a much shorter story but then lengthened to meet a word count requirement. Thomas's time in the Vale was another instance because he's just moseying around the estate doing this, that, and god knows what else. He's not advancing the plot other than "huh, I think I kind of like it here" and it later sets it up for everyone at the Vale having been told that Thomas is Lucilla's unwitting husband to be, but about 6 different extended interactions could have been cut out and replace with the cook's slip of the tongue. If you don't have time for slow burn believable romance, then you don't have time for Thomas to be talking to NPCs about their sheep.
All in all, I'm pretty confident that I've permanently sworn off romances, or at least dime novel ones. I feel like hours of my life have been robbed, and perhaps years of thoughts over why I let this book defeat me. At least now I might have a cool story to tell about the worst book I've ever read.
February 27, 2015
If you like Stephanie Laurens work, or steamy sex scenes, then you will probably quite like this book. It's about average for her though. Thomas Carrick and Lucilla Cynster are fated for each other, but Carrick has lived most of his life in Glasgow, and knows that Lucilla is tied to Casphairn Manor. So he's been avoiding her, hoping his fixation will eventually die off and he'll be able to marry some nice city girl. However, when Carrick receives disturbing news concerning problems with Carrick Estate, his clan holdings, he heads off to see what he can do.
Truth be told, I found the problems at the Carrick Estate much more interesting than Thomas and Lucilla's love life, but after three attempts on Lucilla's life, Thomas and Lucilla head back to neighboring Casphairn Manor where they pursue their romantic inclinations. The mystery part of the story is put on hold and isn't really addressed again until the epilogue, nor our the bounders brought to heel. Instead, the story of Carrick Estate will be carried over the Lauren's next book, A Match for Marcus Cynster, which is due out in May.
A few things that bothered me...the Adder and the Gargoyle: evidently there are not too many inventive ways to make attempts on people's lives in the Regency Era, but Laurens has used the Adder and Gargoyle in her previous stories. So you just know when those scenes are coming up. The attempt to smother Lucilla with a pillow was kind of new. It just sort of bothered me that rather than rousing the household and at least trying to find the murder, Lucilla treats it as a way to get Thomas into her room and into her bed.
The other thing was the use of the double "that" in a sentence as well as the double "had". Yes, technically, they are grammatically correct, however, they are difficult to read. Laurens uses them a fair bit the in the book. I just found it unusual, as given the amount of reading I do, I can't remember the last time I've see the double "that" used in a book, not to mention seeing it used more than once in the same book.
Yes, I've got the sequel on order. I'm quite sure there is more villainy to come, so I'll be looking forward to Marcus and Niniver taking over the investigation in May.
Truth be told, I found the problems at the Carrick Estate much more interesting than Thomas and Lucilla's love life, but after three attempts on Lucilla's life, Thomas and Lucilla head back to neighboring Casphairn Manor where they pursue their romantic inclinations. The mystery part of the story is put on hold and isn't really addressed again until the epilogue, nor our the bounders brought to heel. Instead, the story of Carrick Estate will be carried over the Lauren's next book, A Match for Marcus Cynster, which is due out in May.
A few things that bothered me...the Adder and the Gargoyle: evidently there are not too many inventive ways to make attempts on people's lives in the Regency Era, but Laurens has used the Adder and Gargoyle in her previous stories. So you just know when those scenes are coming up. The attempt to smother Lucilla with a pillow was kind of new. It just sort of bothered me that rather than rousing the household and at least trying to find the murder, Lucilla treats it as a way to get Thomas into her room and into her bed.
The other thing was the use of the double "that" in a sentence as well as the double "had". Yes, technically, they are grammatically correct, however, they are difficult to read. Laurens uses them a fair bit the in the book. I just found it unusual, as given the amount of reading I do, I can't remember the last time I've see the double "that" used in a book, not to mention seeing it used more than once in the same book.
Yes, I've got the sequel on order. I'm quite sure there is more villainy to come, so I'll be looking forward to Marcus and Niniver taking over the investigation in May.
May 3, 2016
This book is very well written, and in many ways deserves more stars for that alone. I'm marking it down as I feel the writer could do better. She is a very powerful writer and the mystery set at the start of the book gripped me with its full intensity. I could not put it from my mind. What was infuriating was whilst there was no evidence the Herod in this book failed to see what was obvious to the reader, or to take in the full impact of the MURDERS. It was also obvious to me what was wrong with The Laird. In the middle the hero and heroine are so absorbed in each other the mystery is forgot and no checks are made. I would not have agreed to leave without a way to get messages out, not with a cold blooded Murderer in my household. The mystery is not solved in the end, but, the author has cleverly set this as the first few chapters of the next book. So a huge cliff hanger, which if I had the book in my hand now might be ok. But I wonder what cliff hanger will be at the end of that book. It's a bit like 24 with Jack Bower never ending terror. The wedding I. Old not enjoy knowing the murderer was still on the loose. As to the murderer although the char beers accept who it is on evidence found in the murderers room. This seems stupid, as with such a large house with easy access to all the clan, one could of hid the murderer weapon any where. We still have no idea why, there are a lot more ways for a simple accident, why take the risk which led to more murderers. Plus the silence of the household its self begs accessories to murderer. In someways they were all guilty too. It seems nobody really cared about the murderer people just because they were not of the ton. Although this was in some ways true of the times, in reading other Scottish novels this would not be the case with so many coincidences. With political unrest all the time, a lot more would have been made of these occurrences. This book also has exceptionally well written explicit love scenes for an adult reader. Properly, too much, unless you like this sort of thing.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 1, 2023
Their was no mystery in this for me because it was quite obvious who did it. The first half was about the mystery but was not wrapped up properly in the end. Thomas treated Lucilla like a whore looks like he was more in love with the land than her.
May 5, 2015
Having skipped #21 (where apparently, ten years prior, the next generation of Cynsters got trapped in a crofter's hut in a snowstorm and Lucilla delivered someone's baby), I snagged #22 from the library.
I think I like it? I didn't like how Laurens dropped us all into the Carrick mess - which had about three smoking guns and a really, REALLY unnecessary perspective change from Thomas/Lucilla to the super-obvious villains - and the mystery was far too neatly wrapped up to even pretend that it won't spill over into Marcus's book (which is next).
Other than that, standard Laurens fare. (Although please tell me that when we get to Sebastian Cynster - Devil's eldest - that he's getting paired up with Antonia Rawlings because that would be hilarious).
ETA: Is Lucilla frequently lacking a corset? Or did it manage to get undone ridiculously fast? Also, SL switching from the Avon imprint to Harlequin MIRA does NO favors for her cover designs. I'm not a huge fan of this cover and even less of a fan of the cover for A Match for Marcus Cynster.
I think I like it? I didn't like how Laurens dropped us all into the Carrick mess - which had about three smoking guns and a really, REALLY unnecessary perspective change from Thomas/Lucilla to the super-obvious villains - and the mystery was far too neatly wrapped up to even pretend that it won't spill over into Marcus's book (which is next).
Other than that, standard Laurens fare. (Although please tell me that when we get to Sebastian Cynster - Devil's eldest - that he's getting paired up with Antonia Rawlings because that would be hilarious).
ETA: Is Lucilla frequently lacking a corset? Or did it manage to get undone ridiculously fast? Also, SL switching from the Avon imprint to Harlequin MIRA does NO favors for her cover designs. I'm not a huge fan of this cover and even less of a fan of the cover for A Match for Marcus Cynster.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 235 reviews