Scandal's Bride (Cynster Novels, 3)

I can't believe how many negative reviews that I've read that focus on the "magic" and "crazies", etc. (disgustingly likening it to a "cult"), of this book. If you think that christianity is the only religion that's acceptable to read about, then don't bother with this one! If you're like me, however, and enjoy reading about different beliefs and those who are accepting of them, then you should be able to enjoy this story. Just to clarify: this is NOT a "paranormal" story. It's a book that has a practitioner of an Earth/Goddess based religion, and isn't quiet and unassuming about it. I also must clarify the erroneous claims that she boasts about this to all and sundry people. Who has she spoken to? Her family (who are all of Scottish descent and are aware of her religion) and Scandal/Richard, whom she is trying to warn off from marrying her. Then, later, when Devil et al arrive, they are accepting of Scandal's choice in wife and the beliefs that she has. Oh the horror!! She would clearly have been burnt at the stake! Sheesh. She had used those claims to frighten off suitors in the past, but that doesn't mean they necessarily believed her or cared -- only those that knew but were trying to force her hand because of it. However it was explained that while Seamus was her guardian, he took care to protect her.

I began reading this series in order, so I didn't encounter some of the irritation that other reviewers had. Namely that I had not read Helena and Sebastian's story first (it's a prequel, not the first in the series). Even when I DID read "The Promise in a Kiss", while I felt saddened about Sebastian's infidelity, by then the story was old hat. If you're going to enjoy one with the other, then you need to just separate the two, otherwise you will be saddened by one of them, one way or another. Or you can just accept that Sebastian wasn't perfect, made a very big mistake, and that Helena forgave him (and maybe he spent the rest of his life making up for it). Whatever makes you happiest. I mean, isn't it a testament to their love that they could overcome a(n)... hiccup... without destroying their happiness over it? As is mentioned in the book, when Richard asked Sebastian if he had loved Richard's mother: "She was very lovely and very lonely -- she deserved more than she got from her marriage." He'd paused, then added: "I felt sorry for her." He'd looked at him, and his slow smile had creased his face. "But I love you. I regret her death, but I can't regret your birth." What a testament to a remorseful man and the woman who loved him. Who was also able to get the one thing from it that she desperately wanted -- another child. In fact, the one thing that bothered ME was that Richard occasionally referred to Helena as his "stepmother" -- when he'd always known her as "Maman". It somehow lessened the genuine love that Helena seemed to feel for her beloved husband's son.

I won't even address the sheer absurdity of trying to attach 20th and 21st century ideas of feminism to a 19th century book. The unique part of the story was in Scandal's willingness to accept Catriona's "dominance" in the spiritual realm. If he was the stereotypical alpha hero, he would flex his alpha muscles and try to change her. The tension, the "conflict", stemmed from Scandal's attempts to give Catriona the freedom she needed to run the Vale (as she had for YEARS on her own, people!), and Catriona's attempts to allow Scandal the freedom she believes that he needs/wants. If that's too subtle, if you like your conflict more cut and dry, then you won't like the book, either.

And really, it's not exactly a big deal if people do or do not like this particular book. For some of us it's one of our favorites by this author. For others, it's their least favorite. It's not like this author doesn't have two dozen other books to choose from. Even though all of the plots are (at the very least) similar, they are all well-written. And you will NEVER find a more in-depth sex scene outside of erotica. There is straight erotica and then there's Stephanie Laurens. No one else can make a kiss last 4 pages and a sex scene last 10 pages.

As for the "mystery"... There IS no mystery -- we know instantly who the villain is and why for Scandal's poisoning, and we know nearly instantly who is to blame for the fire. The interest is in the story itself. Again, that's not to everyone's taste. I was happy to read a book without the regular plot devices of kidnapping and routing of the villain, usually resulting in the villain's death. I enjoyed the story, didn't find it "boring" -- but it's not the type of plot that will keep you guessing. I personally prefer stories that have more "meat" to them (literally AND figuratively *raising eyebrows suggestively*), and this is one of my favorites. Mainly because these are probably the hottest sex scenes in any book. (I will only do a cursory address of the claim that there was "rape" involved -- I will say only that Scandal was MORE than willing, and being a little out of it isn't quite the same as being unconcious or unwilling. Again, if that thought is troubling, then this book is not for you.)

On a whole, I enjoyed this book more than most of Stephanie Laurens' works. They tend to be predictable and have re-hashed plots. But if you want an eloquent author, she definitely fits the bill. She's not the best by far, but when you know what to expect (and I can see, from the back-lash, why she rarely ventures out of the accepted "comfort zone"), there's little to be dissapointed in.

Edited to add a couple of things I forgot.

It may seem that I've written enough, but I really do have to address one other terribly innaccurate comment that has been made.

Okay, since this is apparently a huge deal for some people, especially those who don't really pay that much attention to what they're reading... Yes, Scandal is illegitimate. BUT... While his mother's husband may LEGALLY be his father, Seamus McEnery wasn't a peer. His estate and fortune was not bound to anyone, and could thus be left to whomever he chose to leave it to. In this case, HIS eldest son, Jamie. Only if Seamus's estate was entailed would the dispersal of his estate become the concern of anyone but the solicitors. If Scandal wanted to claim any of it, perhaps he could fight for it, but that wasn't the case, and Seamus knew that. As was mentioned, he'd made an extensive study of the Cynsters. Also in Devil's Bride it was well established that, though he was accepted due to the fact that NO ONE would dare cross the Cynsters, Scandal was NOT Devil's heir -- his illegitimacy was legallly understood. At least by the author and the characters in the book. Perhaps not so much by some readers.

Finally, as is my usual way, I must include an amusing tidbit. This author may be eloquent, but that doesn't mean that she doesn't throw some flat-out flubs in there for our consumption.

"The only thing they'll care about," he murmured, juggling her, "is that I've chosen you."

REALLY? He was JUGGLING her? I'm wondering how one juggles a person -- or at least just one person.

The third Cynster book turned out better than the second. I think the conversation is better and the characters are stronger. Not up to the level of Devil's Bride though. It is wonderful to meet the family again and to experience the loyalty and familial ties that strongly hold them together. This would have been a great book for me if I had not read Devil's story beforehand.

What happened with Scandal's story? I can appreciate that Stephanie Laurens was probably trying to be different after the similar plot of the first two books, but why the Lady of the Vale story?

Of all the heroines in the Bar Cynster novels, I am not sure which one I like the least - Catriona or Patience. Richard deserves better. And I certainly don't believe that Helena and Devil would have bought the whole Lady of the Vale concept either. In fact, I don't think that any of the Cynsters would have bought it at all and act as if it were all normal.

Sure the love scenes are hot, but the only thing that really saved this for me was the extended appearance of Devil and Honoria and the other members of the family. It was just hilarious when they started appearing at Catriona's doorstep. I actually didn't want them to leave. For that part alone, this book is worth reading.

The weather seems to conspire against Cynsters, helping Fate lead them to the altar. In this third installment, it is Richard "Scandal" Cynster Fate has in her sights. Richard, the illegitimate younger brother of Devil, has journeyed to the Scottish highlands to receive a long-delayed bequest from his deceased birth mother. On his way to McEnery House, he is forced to stop the night at an inn due to inclement weather. The inn is in the town in which his mother is buried, and he wanders to the cemetery that night to visit her grave.
Catriona Hennessy, Lady of the Vale, has been called from the lowlands to the reading of her guardian's will at McEnery House. Inclement weather forces her and her companion to break their journey at an inn in the nearest town (funny coincidence, that!). In her role as Lady of the Vale, Catriona is a channel of sorts for the wishes of The Lady and the guardian of the vale where The Lady is worshipped. Lately, she has been having very vivid dreams of a commanding, handsome, and restless knight. She decides she must go consult The Lady outside to discern her wishes. The answer is disturbing: "He will father your children." On her way back to the inn, she is so busy pondering the meaning of this message, that she slips on the ice - and is caught by none other than Richard, the knight in her dreams.
Both Richard and Catriona are even more surprised to discover each other's presence at McEnery House, and even more shocked when Seamus McEnery's will is read. Richard has a week to marry Catriona or all McEnery's lands and wealth will go to the church, leaving the principal heirs to the estate destitute. While Richard is debating, Catriona, who does not wish to marry and lose power in the vale, takes matters into her own hands and attempts to fulfill The Lady's wishes to the letter, rather than consider the underlying meaning. She realizes she's in a real mess when Richard says "yes" to the terms of the will.
Laurens has created the finest example of lovers at cross-purposes in SCANDAL'S BRIDE. The fight for Richard to find a cause and for Catriona to understand that falling in love and getting married does not automatically mean losing individuality is great fun to read about. Richard is a perfect example of the family spirit embodied in the Cynsters. Catriona is terrific in her single-mindedness and generosity - not to mention her bravery, since (as Honoria pointed out) no other woman would be brave enough to slip an aphrodisiac to a Cynster and then crawl into bed with him!
The only parts of this story I had problems with were the "villain's" fairly weak excuse for villainy, and Richard's nickname in the Bar Cynster. It is explained that "Scandal" is short for "A Scandal That Never Was" since Devil's mother adopted Richard as her own, thus reducing any scandal of his existence in the Cynster fold. But it is well-known that Richard is a bastard and not in line for the dukedom, so I fail to see how scandal was avoided, apart from preventing Richard from being ostracized by the ton. Maybe this reasoning was Laurens' aim, but I think she's reaching a bit.
Nevertheless, SCANDAL'S BRIDE most excellently fulfilled my "Cynster fix," and I recommend it to all Cynster fans. First-time Cynster readers should start with DEVIL'S BRIDE, but by all means, don't miss this third gem in the Cynster saga.

well, it was OK, and at least the heroine had some independence. but it was still pretty formulaic. and, now that there are 4 cynster books, i think the heroes could perhaps not be all exactly alike except for their names?? There was some effort here at character development, but there could be a lot more. also, all the stuff about the "lady" just didn't ring true. If it's going to be there, it should have more attention paid to it. in short, i thought a lot more could have been done with the idea, although i still think it's better than most romances today. but i would still rather reread laurie mcbain, or even better "bride of the machugh" or even jude devereux' scotland book, which was much more fun.

The only reason I'm giving this book 4 stars is because I loved Richard's character, but I can't say the same thing about Catriona. I think I would have liked it better if she were more of a healer and less of a witch. Personally, I could have done without all the mystic and supernatural stuff this book is full of.
Another thing, the book started out great, but after Richard and Catriona got married, the story slowed down tremendously. Everything was about them trying to get along and deciding how to run the Vale. It would have been so much more interesting to have some intrigue, some villain to unmask, like in all the other Cynsters books. OK, there was Algaria poisoning Richard, but the way they handled that situation is yet another thing I did not like about this book. The woman tried to kill him, for goodness sake! How on hell are they going to simply forgive her on the absurd basis that she thought she was doing "The Lady's" will? And not only that, but put her in charge of their future children?! That's very hard to digest. No sane person would behave like that.
Anyway, I think Richard is my favorite Cynster, and this could have been my favorite Cynster book, it certainly had the potential. It's a shame that because of a poor development of the story the book did not live up to it.

This is one of the more boring Cynster books. I liked the way the characters were together, but the plot was just, well, blah. That's because is was, as per usual Stephanie Laurens style, too wordy. I have to skip so many paragraphs, even pages, because there's just so many words and unnecessary adjectives and blah blah blah blah. It's not an awful book, just drones on a little.

1819, Scotland

Despite the reviews, I did enjoy this third book in the Cynster Series. It is much like the first two books in the plot and I enjoyed the characters. The beginning is interesting enough to keep your interest, though I thought it slowed somewhat in the middle and as in most romance novels, it ended happily. I will continue reading the series.

I have throughly loved everyone of the Bar Cynster books. I have read them as fast as I have gotten them. The heros are all strong, exciting, handsome, strong men who also are sweet, caring, vulnerable and utterly devoted to family. The heroines are sassy, strong, stubborn, brave, loving, caring, smart woman who are the hero's equals.
These discriptions are perfect for the hero and heroine of Scandal's Bride. Richard, aka Scandal, has been summoned to the north by his mother's family. Richard's mother has been dead for many many years and now her husband has died and Richard is in his will. Richard, ever curious, arrives to find that there is someone else who is in the will. Catriona, the Lady of the Vale. Catriona was the ward of the late Seamus. She has also come to find out what Seamus had in mind for her. Its nothing that either thought it would be.
Seamus' will has stated that Richard must marry Catriona and if he doesn't Seamus' children will be disinherited and will loose their home. Now Richard has tried for years to avoid marriage especially since his older brother and cousin have taken the plunge. But Catriona is so unlike any other woman he has ever met. She is independant. She has a purpose in life and believes that no man can help her with that purpose. He is facinated by her and wants her in ways that he has never imagined. Catriona is also facinated by Richard. He is a strong willed man who she believes will interfer with her duties to the vale but she can't deny her attraction to him or her growing feelings of love.
They marry and return to the Vale. Catriona tries to go about her business but soon finds that Richard can be a great help to her and her people. They soon both find that they love each other and that together they can prosper.
We get to meet Devil and Honoria again as well as Vane Patience and see where thier lives are going.
I found this book to be very erotic in its love scenes but it also touched my heart they way that two very strong independant people can unite to be even stronger.
In short I loved this book!

This was wonderfully written. I liked the witchy aspect. It was a nice break from the usual conflicts. And as always Stphanie's love scenes are never rushed, prefectly timed, and eloquently written. You really begin to see what makes Richard tick and what makes him a Cynster, but what also makes him differnt. He was calm (at least he appears to be but we all know better) cool and ever so confident. Catriona had many levels, many shades to her personality. And of course as always you want to smack them and wake them up. I also liked the idea that a higher power had hand in it from the beginning. That they truely where meant to be together. Pick this book.