This was about a 3.5 Stars read. Because while by the last third of the book, I came to care about the characters and what was going to happen, I have to admit, the first half or so, I was not real fond of Catriona. But I was really glad she didn't have a wretched name like Honoria Prudence, or Patience, the heroines from books 1 and 2. Catriona was a name I rather liked. So that was a plus for me. But at first I didn't like her personality. She was bossy and rude and seemed to be selfish, even though she was presented as this mystical healer and spiritual guide. The situation that was presented in her guardian's will, that she and Richard 'Scandal' Cynster marry, or her guardian's heirs lose everything, well, she seemed rather cold-hearted about it. Like she wasn't willing to even consider marrying him to save these people's livelihood. Just a shrug, and a 'oh, sorry for making you all lose everything, but there's just no way I'm going to get married, especially to that guy!' It seemed rude to me, especially if she's supposed to be such a good and caring person. Thank goodness Richard at least was willing to consider it, put thought into it. This was brought up by more than just me in our buddy read discussion for this book, so it wasn't just me thinking that that was rude of her. I am glad that she grew on me though. I still like Richard better than Catriona, but I didn't dislike her, and even came to understand her a little better by the end. But, oh! The miscommunication/lack of communication between these two was horrible at first! They got along great in bed, but outside of it, they were like two deaf and blind people stumbling around in a dark room together. Neither one could read the other worth a darn, him thinking she thinks one thing, her thinking he thinks something else, both of 'em upset with the other, but too stubborn to just come out and ask or say what they mean. I just wanted to smack the both of them upside their heads. He's made a vow to her that he won't interfere in her duties or try to tell her how to do things, and she thinks he's bored and wanting to go back to the social whirl of London. So even though she needs his help, she won't ask him for it, and even though he's desperate to help and have a role in the running the place by her side, he won't make any suggestions out of fear she'll think he's trying to take over. So both of them end up all upset over it. Arg! I was ready to yell. But then he came back and saved the day and told her that he wants to stay and be with her and help, and sure he never comes right out and says the 'L' word, much like his brother Devil, it's apparent in everything he does for her, plain as day on his face when he looks at her. So I came to be kind of fond of Richard. He was nicer and more considerate than I was expecting him to be, but it wasn't a bad thing. The mystery aspect wasn't so much in this one as it was in the first two books, but I still liked it. I enjoyed seeing the improvements to the holdings, and seeing the day to day life stuff. I couldn't believe the 'villains', when they did make some problems, were let off so easily, but it wasn't a big deal I guess. I was surprised though that when Richard was poisoned and his family shows up to see them, that Algaria wasn't tracked down and punished right away. I would've figured the Cynster men would've been hunting her down first thing! I was suspicious of Algaria myself from the very beginning, what with her black looks and grouchiness, her way of skulking about. Then she's just forgiven and let back into the household at the end, all's well. I wasn't expecting it to go so easy on her. But it was ok I guess. I was glad to see Devil and Honoria, Vane and Patience, and the twins and Gabriel too, though I don't know them as well yet. I really liked seeing how tight-knit they all are as a family, and how they were all too ready to jump in and help, not snooty, willing to get their hands dirty right alongside the servants. It was a nice sense of family and closeness, and it made me grin just a little. I'm looking forward to seeing this family develop and spread. I'll most definitely be reading on with the series, though I need to go out and buy me a copy of the next one, A Rogue's Proposal, as I don't have it yet, and have so far had no luck finding it on any of my multitude of Goodwill hunts. So I guess it's off to Books-a-Million before the next one comes up for the next buddy read. Man I hate paying full cover price, but I guess it must be done... I need it for my set :D 3.5 Stars!
"That's ridiculous! You can't simply declare we'll wed—I have to agree. And I won't!""If I decide to have you…"—he kept his words deliberate, pausing to let the qualification sink in—"I'll have to change your mind."Another great installment from the Bar Cynster series!The storyRichard Cynster comes to Scotland summond by a lawyer, he's to be present at the reading of the last will and testament of his biological mother's husband Yes I know, quite complex, but that is why his nickname is Scandal :) His real mother was from the Lowlands, and married. His father Sebastian Cynster had an affair with her and thus came Richard, a bastard son sent to the Cynsters and raised by Helena, the Duchess of St. Ives.Moving on! Catriona, "The lady of the Vale", had a vision of the man who will father her childern, sent to her by The Lady herself, and that man turns out to be Richard Knowing that as the lady of the Vale, she can't have someone as strong of character as a husband, because of her obligations and powers, she must be the one in charge, so she sets on completing the Lady's desires, without having to marry Richard. What does she think of? Why, it's totally obvious! Drug the man and have sex with him without him knowing it, get pregnant and never see him again. Quite simple, really BUT, she somehow got her potions in a wrong mix, because the sleeping potion and the afrodisiac worked a bit too well, a rake in normal terms, Richard became quite enthusiastic (might I just say, very very hot scene), and in the morning he thought it was all a dream, but still remembered some parts vividly. The next night he didn't drink the potion, and was surprised by Catriona coming in his room. That of course didn't stop him from doing the deed again The third night Ah the third night was a real pantie-changer He planned to sex her up so much that she'd admit why she was coming to him. And boy, that was a page-burner!RichardHe is entranced by Catriona from the first moment he set eyes on her, and doesn't really understand why she's so against him and the prospect of being his wife. He, of course, does everything he can to convince her to change her mind , and after the whole sleeping/afrodisiac debacle, there's really no other way out than for them to marry. He made a vow not to mess with her 'Lady of the vale' business, and leave everything in her hands. But after some time it becomes difficult. He wants to help, have a purpose in life, but being sworn not to meddle, he can't offer help until she asks it of him . I really liked him, but sometimes was just frustrated with the whole "I won't talk to you and tell you what's on my mind until you talk to me and tell me what's on YOUR mind". Actually, they were BOTH this way CatrionaI liked that she was a bit different from the normal type of heroines, she's actually the dominant one, because of her calling, and the fact that the Vale is hers to manage Kinda got on my nerves with the things I mentioned about Richard, not enough communication between them, she kept thinking he'd want to go back to London and leave her, that he isn't interested in her and their possible life in the Vale. And the drugging, hmmm even though it was HOT, I still don't approve. I didn't like that part much on the first read, now I still don't. If it was a man who did that to a woman, drugged her with sleeping pills and afrodiciacs, oh there'd be lots of talk about that. Still, loved the fact that she's a "witch", or some kind of druid lady or like it XD It was all mystic and I loved that part :) Especially knowing she'll appear in the later novels and her crystals are going to have a role in them The bad guyThis was done pretty well, it was obvious to me, but then, it was obvious to the H/h, and I'm glad they figured out who it was right from the moment it happened. BUT Don't like the way it ended with the bad guy Don't like it AT ALL.So, my Bar Cynster re-reads continue, now to my next and favorite book, about Demon
What do You think about Scandal's Bride (1999)?
I'm not sure I can review in an entirely rational way when it comes to regency romance. Its a genre I could criticise on so many levels, but then it's my go to whenever I can't decide what to read. I love the Cynster series, the first books about the original Cynster's are far better than later books and I am glad I decided on a re-read. The Cynster men have a lot in common. They are all fairly dictatorial, insanely possessive, have a tendency to "resist" fate yet give in so very easily. "I refuse to marry, but wait I'm stuck in a storm and there is a pretty woman? OK fate I get it I give in." Richard was fairly different from the other Cynster men in that he was willing and able to cede control to Catriona. He acknowledged her right to authority over her lands and didn't fight her on it.This isn't my favourite book of the series but it definitely holds my interest and it was great to re-read it.On a side note - why is waggling of eyebrows so common in romance novels? I have never seen anyone waggle their eyebrows remotely seductively in real life. Seriously, when I have witnessed eyebrow waggling it has always looked ridiculous to me. So odd.
—Clare
2.5 starsI had a hard time deciding how to do a review for this book. The beginning wasn't very exciting, I wish I could have skipped the middle, and I enjoyed the ending. I would have given this 3.5 stars if it didn't have the (view spoiler)[the rape. Catriona drugs and then rapes Richard, so she can have a child. He thinks he's dreaming that she came to his room the first night, but is awake the next two. That's right, she drugged him three times. And then her mentor poisons Richard and he almost dies. The only good thing about that is it meant more Cynster family showed up. (hide spoiler)]
—Carleen
This book is definitely different from most Regency Historical stories. This story is about a disciple of the Lady. Catriona Hennessey is the "lady of the vale" she inherited the title when her mother died. This being the Regency period and the fact that Catriona is only sixteen her nearest relative is appointed her guardian. This guardian is the husband of Richard Melville Cynster's biological mother. While there is no magic in the book there is a lot of herbal lore throughout the story. While Catriona is independent, intelligent and strong willed she is a little to over sure of her power to protect herself. Richard is adrift. He needs to find a place to fit in to be the warrior and protect he was born and raised to be. I do love the way the two find their way to love and acceptance. There are a bunch of things that cause trouble between the two of the them but they do work it out. It was also nice to see Devil and Honoria (who is pregnant with a second child), Vane and Patience (who is pregnant with a first child), Helena the Dowager, Amanda and Amelia and Gabriel. This is the thing that Catriona need. She has never been around a such a large, close knit family and it is a experience that she thrives on and see that changes need to be made. Again Ms. Lauren writes for hot, steamy love scenes that will leave you fanning yourself and searching for something cold to drink.
—Oleta Blaylock
