Devil's Bride

A Cynster Novel

By: Stephanie Laurens

Narrated by: Simon Prebble

Bold, daring, larger-than-life heroes and feisty, intelligent heroines propel Stephanie Laurens' exciting historical romances. Devil's Bride is rich with engaging plot and sensuous character development.

Governess Honoria Wetherby values her independence. She would rather travel the world than marry and give some man control of her life. Then, one stormy evening, fate changes all her plans. She stumbles upon a mortally wounded young man in the woods. When the stranger dies, she is trapped in a cabin with his body and with his newly arrived cousin, Devil, whom she soon learns is aptly named. He insists that their unchaperoned night together has compromised her honor, and, therefore she must marry him. Tension levels run high as Honoria plots to thwart Devil's marriage plans and tries to help him find his cousin's killer...the same madman who is now plotting to murder Devil.

Narrator Simon Prebble tantalizes listeners as he breathes life into these intriguing characters.

Savor another Cynster novel.©1999 Savdek Management Proprietory Ltd. (P)2001 Recorded Books, LLC

Critic reviews

"Lush sensuality, deft plotting, and charming secondary characters make this novel a stellar beginning for the Bar Cynster series." (Amazon.com review)

BETTER IN PRINT

I enjoyed reading this book much more than I enjoyed listening to it. The main characters bickered for about the first 15 chapters, which became nerve-racking to say the least. The narrator was okay but I preferred his performance in another book from this series, A Secret Love.

NOT A GREAT NARRATION

Any additional comments?

I know everyone seems to like Simon Prebble...however, he sounds too old for some of the voices and when he is reading the love scenes...it sounds like he is announcing the Kentucky Derby!!! He goes so fast, it is hard to get into the emotions of the moment. Just my opinion.

Enough of the sex already!!

I was instantly hooked and loved the story line, intrigue, even the sexual tension. But, eventually the slow detailed description of longing kisses ‘exceeding all expectations’ and repeated description of heroine becoming as molten lava was too much. There were complete chapters just detailing the sexual longing and passionate thrusts between the hero and heroine. Seriously, how often can a man lose himself to his senses and still remain in control?! I felt like the sex eventually became the story. Too bad because I feel like the author could have sold this story well enough without having to sell her story by detailing as many sexual acts as possible.

It takes time...

It took four tries for me to get past chapter two of Devil’s Bride, the first Cystner family saga. It begins with a serendipitous and tragic meeting between the patriarch, the Devil Duke, and Honoria, his future Ducchess. The two get trapped in a small cottage sans chaperone after she comes across the body of Devil’s young cousin. Devil immediately plots fo keep Honoria as his own, and she fights him on it for three quarters of the story while they try and uncover who killed Tully. While Devil is exceedingly engaging as a romantic hero, Honoria, at times, comes across as...unrealistic. At first, I admire her need to hold her ground and pick her battles. She reads as strong and independent. Soon, however, she begins to display a sense of entitlement and intractability I found off putting. There are half a dozen Cystner men searching for Tully’s killer, but Honoria gets it into her head that she should be involved in the investigation. Nothing about her obstinacy makes sense. She didn’t know him. She wants away from Devil, and she is too gently bred to have been involved in anything of the like beforehand. It makes no sense. Even when the cause of her own family’s death us brought to bear, there are no similarities between the two.

Being more mystery than the romance, the story quickly becomes tedious. The couple argues the same points and interact in the same ways. The tedium doubles when Lauren’s thinly veiled attempt to maintain whounit is factored. I knew who the villain was from the moment he’s introduced. So imagine, if you can, listening to the characters fumble about for another thirteen hours trying to reveal the obvious. Suffice to say, I nodded off a time or two and felt no need to rewind.

Despite the obvious problems, the Cystners are a colorful bunch who should make for interesting reads. And Lauren takes a novel approach to romance from early 19th century. I’ve read my share of murder mystery courtships, but Devil’s funereal seduction and his declaring intentions via internment is definitely a fresh take. Still, two dozen spin offs is even ambitious for this clannish bunch. Hopefully, the issues in book one are just growing pains, and Lauren’s will take only what works and what’s novel into the remainder of the series. Otherwise, I worry over nonsensical tree murderers.

why did I wait so long?!

Audiobook: Narrator - Simon Prebble

I was a little concerned about this narrator doing both male and female voices but was pleasantly surprised at how well he did and how much I enjoyed it. The voices of not only the hero and heroine were distinctive, but so were many of the secondary characters.


I’ve had this one in my sights for years but never made a conscious effort to dig in until a good book friend recommended it to me. The kindle price was way out of my budget and it was going to be over 6 months before my library would have it. I was going to give up on even attempting the series when I stumbled across this one via Audible Escape. And holy heck was I happy girl for having done so!

Devil was so very devilish and determined. I love a hero who knows what he wants and will do whatever necessary to make it happen. The fact that so many times Honoria was driving him absolutely crazy was even more entertaining. She was fierce and independent and she was not going to yield easily to Devil and his demands.

This starts out fast and never slows down. I was consumed by this story and loved absolutely everything about it. The additional secondary characters make me itch to read more of the series. The steam let me know this was not my momma’s historical romance and I’m wishing I had clued into this series years ago

The best of Laurens that started it all!

Laurens's Regency universe of the amazing, fabulously wealthy ducal clan PLUS Simon Prebble's magnificent baritone voice with his consummate acting skill across lines of class, region and gender & unrivaled exposition of passion EQUAL a wonderful listen and re-listen. An excellent use of a credit!

Still a favorite

Though I feel some of the intimate scenes are a bit over the top, Devil and Honoria's story is still one of my favorites. Yes, she refuses him many times before accepting his proposal, as other reviews have pointed out, but it is a part of Honoria's character growth - her catharsis and acceptance of having to deal with and work through the pain and loss of her past. Devil challenges her, just as she challenges Devil and that is why they work and need one another.

Many times I think that we as a society don't want to accept that the people who are best for us are those that help us to grow and reach our potential. Not those who sit idly by and encourage us to stay within our comfort zone.

Long story short, I in no way felt like Devil was ignoring or nullifying her choice. And I think it becomes quite apparent as the novel progresses how they need each other.

And the mystery is well plotted in my mind. All in all, a good start to the Cynster family saga.

Great book

I love this book I think it is one of Stephanie Laurens best books. This original series is better then her latest books. Simon Pebble is a great teader,

The first read in a series that goes on and on

Where does Devil's Bride rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This is the top of my list, the story and the performance are the best I've heard and I go back often to

What did you like best about this story?

The character development, storyline movement, and twists in the plot.

What about Simon Prebble’s performance did you like?

Simon Prebble is a wonderful reader. Since he will no longer do romance, there will be a great pair of shoes that may never be filled. We will miss him terribly.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

The extreme for me was getting emotionally involved in the characters lives.

Any additional comments?

This is the first in a long series of books by this author and reader. I've kept up with the reads and am waiting on the next to be released early in 2012.

The Cynsters... ah..

Would you consider the audio edition of Devil's Bride to be better than the print version?

One thing I love about this audio with Simon Prebble is the fact that he knows how to pronounce all those words in the print edition that I only thought I knew. Love his voice anyway.

What other book might you compare Devil's Bride to and why?

A Rake's Vow matches up with how well this one is done

What does Simon Prebble bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

English as it was meant to be spoken/heard and proper enunciation and pronunciation