Publicado en Historias ImaginariasCreo que este es el primer libro de Stephanie Laurens que leo, pero ya se porque es una de las escritoras favoritas de romance histórico.Alathea Morwellan tiene un grave problema. La fortuna de su familia, o la poca que queda, pende de un hilo gracias a un mal negocio por parte de su padre. Ella es la que debe sacar a su familia adelante, como siempre, pero sabe que esta vez necesita ayuda, la cual la encontrada en su amigo de la infancia Gabriel Cynster.Gabriel Cynster es, como todos los Cynster, un aventurero. Cuando le llega una sexy mujer de rostro oculto pidiéndole ayuda, el no se la ofrece sin recibir nada a cambio. Gabriel no sabe que esta seductora mujer es la amargada Alathea, pero entre besos y un distinguible perfume, se va a llevar la sorpresa de su vida.Me gustaron Alathea y Gabriel juntos. Eran una pareja explosiva, aunque quisiera que ambos hubiesen dado su brazo a torcer mucho antes. Pero me gusto la protección de Gabriel y el carácter de Alathea. Lo que no me gusto tanto fue el negocio que ellos tenían que desenmascarar para poder asegurar que la fortuna Morwellan no se perdiera. A veces se concentraban mucho en esto y yo quería mas acción entre ellos, pero al final me gusto como se dieron las cosas.Aunque me pareció un poco largo, disfrute Un Amor Secreto y de ahora en adelante Stephanie Laurens esta en mi lista de autoras de romance histórico que valen la pena leer. La serie Cynster es nueva para mi, pero me gustaría poder leerla completa.
I don't remember this story and I know that I read it when I read the rest of the series. I do remember the first little bit of it but the rest of the story is a blank. I do like that we got to see more of Chillingworth. He is such a character and I am glad that Ms. Laurens wrote a story for him. I also like that we got to see so much of Alathea's family and the life of getting girls ready for their debut to society. There is also more of the things a family might have done for entertainment in the capital. It is great watching the family go the lending libraries and the museums. It is hard to imagine what those people did to enjoy themselves. Most of the woman couldn't read so they were limited needlework and shopping and going to teas and gossiping. The men were a little better they could go to sporting matches, riding, hunting and all the things that would go into managing an estate. One of the things that was good about this story is that Alathea is educated and she handles the family's finances. She is Gabriel's equal in many ways. The other thing that I like about this series is when the men find their love the stay in the country. The capital no longer holds any interest for them. This series is wonderful and well worth the time needed to read them. They also are very fast reads.
What do You think about A Secret Love (2000)?
Karla (Mossy Love Grotto) wrote: "(He's also gotten his relatives Demon, Vane and Lucifer to help him. FML.)"The reviews for this book are f'ing hilarious. "Zomg, I just loooooved Demon, but this guy didn't do it for me. Sigh."...Because apparently there's so much variety in these stories. :D
—Karla
Gabriel,aka Rupert, is the next in line to get married. At least that's what everyone is saying. His cousin Demon has just gotten married to Flick and now its only Gabriel and his brother Lucifer left of the unmarried Cynsters and they plan to stay that way. That is until Gabriel meets a mysterious woman in a black veil. She needs his help desperately but has taken great pains to keep her identity a secret from him. He must never find out that she is old friend/adversary Lady Alathea.Alathea's family is in trouble. He father has made some bad business deal and if Gabriel won't help then all is ruin. Alathea has know Gabriel for years. Sparks fly when they see each other and not sparks of passion. Alathea is "on the shelf" and never thinks someone could want her until Gabriel kisses her. The kiss is magical and both are deeply effected. The only problem Gabriel doesn't know who he has kissed. He believes the mysterious lady in black is a widow.When all is revealed passions do soar and Gabriel realizes that his bride has been under his nose all his life. He won't give her up and decides to fight for her. Alathea can't believe he wants her and tries to persuade him that she's too old for him. Its a wonderful tug of war to see who will win or if both will.I enjoyed the banter in this book. The arguments between the h/h were wonderful and made for a funny read. I liked the fact that a heroine, who was over 25, was the love interest. I highly recommend this book and all others in the series.
—Bronwyn Rykiert
3.5 stars Sadly, this is my least favorite of the series. Gabriel just rubbed me the wrong way. He was very over bearing and always TOLD Alathea how things were going to be. Gabriel's one redeeming quality was that he did say the words "I love you" and when he sent Alathea the bouquet of poseys with the note, I melted :) Alathea's taking over of the family's finances at age 18 was unbelievable. She's a girl. In Regency times. No way that would've happened. I did like the action scene at the end when (view spoiler)[ Alathea was rescued by Gabriel and Chillingsworth and she stabbed Crowley (hide spoiler)]
—Susan (susayq ~)
