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129th out of 1,178 books
—
1,420 voters
On a Wicked Dawn (Cynster #9)
by
Stephanie Laurens (Goodreads Author)
Amelia Cynster hears these words from handsome, enigmatic Lucien Ashford, 6th Viscount Calverton, and is stunned. It's near dawn and she's risked scandal by lying in wait for him just outside his London house. But he agrees to her outrageous marriage proposal - just prior to falling unconscious at her feet. Amelia is torn between astounded relief and indignant affront, the...more
Paperback, 448 pages
Published
April 30th 2002
by Avon
(first published April 2002)
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So, so awful. After the amazingness of On a Wild Night, this was so incredibly bad. I'm not sure who I hated more, Luc or Amelia.
Amelia was so completely opposite of her sister that I found it hard to believe they were twins, and that she was the same person that was in the previous book. And Luc was a detestable "hero". He was awful to Amelia throughout most of the book. I would honestly consider some of his behavior towards her emotionally abusive. And it killed me every time she allowed it t...more
Amelia was so completely opposite of her sister that I found it hard to believe they were twins, and that she was the same person that was in the previous book. And Luc was a detestable "hero". He was awful to Amelia throughout most of the book. I would honestly consider some of his behavior towards her emotionally abusive. And it killed me every time she allowed it t...more
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The plot seems very classic : an offer for a marriage of convenience to which both parties agree both convinced from the first place that convenience is not on their agenda and they expect more from the deal.
However classic and light, I really liked this one. I had the feeling both main characters behaved as they should, their games were far less cold-manipulation than they were in the previous instalment with Amanda.
I also really liked the hot scenes (quite numerous actually) which I found dif...more
However classic and light, I really liked this one. I had the feeling both main characters behaved as they should, their games were far less cold-manipulation than they were in the previous instalment with Amanda.
I also really liked the hot scenes (quite numerous actually) which I found dif...more
Okay, whatever I’ve said about the foregoing Cynster installment…does not apply to this one. If I were (more) delusional (than I already am), I would think that Laurens read my review of On a Wild Night and took everything to heart…
…yes, I said if I were delusional…
But, really, this story of the other twin is infinitely better than that of Amanda’s—the kind of premise I believe should have been used before: ‘claim now, surrender later.’ At least the author was able to show that a ‘heroine’ need...more
…yes, I said if I were delusional…
But, really, this story of the other twin is infinitely better than that of Amanda’s—the kind of premise I believe should have been used before: ‘claim now, surrender later.’ At least the author was able to show that a ‘heroine’ need...more
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This is Amelia and Lucien's story. I had to laugh at how Amelia decided to handle the whole marriage thing. While her idea was unique it did get the job done. The scene where she proposes to Lucien is also very funny. There is a mystery in this story but not like the earlier ones. While Amelia does get in a fix Luc is there soon enough to keep anything bad from happening. This story is mostly about Luc and Amelia reconciling themselves to their new life. Both these characters are stubborn and mo...more
This book had me laughing in the beginning. Our hero, Lucien is drunk out of his mind but manages to appear sober enough for Amelia to propose to him. To which he replies yes and then passes out. And away we go....
Both characters are pretty much fighting to establish their place in their relationship. What is different that they pretty much see being together as a done deal and its also not a matter of the individuals realizing they love the other person but actually professing their love to the...more
Both characters are pretty much fighting to establish their place in their relationship. What is different that they pretty much see being together as a done deal and its also not a matter of the individuals realizing they love the other person but actually professing their love to the...more
Jan 22, 2012
Patty
rated it
3 of 5 stars
Shelves:
2012,
romance,
fiction,
family,
friendship,
regency,
cynster-series,
historical-romance,
women-writers,
england
Well I am off to a good start in my reading this year. Ten books read and three of them are romances. Good thing my stress relief involves reading, not hitting things or something more tasking.
Writer's Digest gives five characteristics that make for good romance. They are trying to show new authors how to write romances, but at least three of their ideas are part of what has me continuing to read romance. The three I look for are HEA (happily ever after), sexual tension and character growth. I t...more
Writer's Digest gives five characteristics that make for good romance. They are trying to show new authors how to write romances, but at least three of their ideas are part of what has me continuing to read romance. The three I look for are HEA (happily ever after), sexual tension and character growth. I t...more
Amelia's book - which sort-of has a little start in Amanda's book.
I really liked the backstory for Amelia and Luc. She's preferred him as husband material all her life but eliminated all possible other choices before springing her offer on him. He's wanted to ask for her hand but resisted because his father spent the family into the ground. (I didn't quite understand why Luc was set up in the previous book as always picking at Amanda, but maybe that was to hide that he really liked Amelia? Who k...more
I really liked the backstory for Amelia and Luc. She's preferred him as husband material all her life but eliminated all possible other choices before springing her offer on him. He's wanted to ask for her hand but resisted because his father spent the family into the ground. (I didn't quite understand why Luc was set up in the previous book as always picking at Amanda, but maybe that was to hide that he really liked Amelia? Who k...more
Great story, gradual development, this followed a week after Amanda's wedding in "On a Wild Night". I can't help but compare the two books since at last these are the twins' stories. Aside from physical looks and stubbornness, the twins were different in all facets.
Although I liked Amanda's story better than this, my heart went out to Luc 'cause I'm a sucker for big brothers who takes care of their younger sisters. His protectiveness was constant, so was his support in his sisters coming-out. I...more
Although I liked Amanda's story better than this, my heart went out to Luc 'cause I'm a sucker for big brothers who takes care of their younger sisters. His protectiveness was constant, so was his support in his sisters coming-out. I...more
2.5 actually. The plot is good but the dialogue has been poor. prior to their marriage, all the hero did was conceal a secret, look for a secluded place in every party and wonder what the new emotion he is feeling is and the heroine spent her time trying to get naked, get her husband to be to fall an love and trying to decipher what he is thinking.they did more thinking than talking in this book. it did teach me a lesson not to try to marry someone you know since childhood, cos there is nothing...more
I've read several Stephanie Laurens books, including the Cynster Series, but was slightly disappointed by this installment. The premise (of two people, secretly in love with the other who plot and plan to make the other one fall in love as well) had so much promise, but did not live up to it. I felt as thought the (How do I put this politely?) "romance" aspect of the book took up a much larger percentage of the book than the love story behind it... which made it difficult to relate to or underst...more
My first Stephanie Laurens novel.
I've re-read it before and don't understand why I liked it so much the first time (3.5 is what I honestly think it deserves).
However, this book holds a warm place in my heart because it was my first historical romance, so 4 stars it is!
Didn't like the heroine one bit. She had this air of entitlement and I don't take too well to that. Amelia just seemed presumptuous and spoiled in a way. But she is a Cynster and that family is one swimming in wealth and blessed w...more
I've re-read it before and don't understand why I liked it so much the first time (3.5 is what I honestly think it deserves).
However, this book holds a warm place in my heart because it was my first historical romance, so 4 stars it is!
Didn't like the heroine one bit. She had this air of entitlement and I don't take too well to that. Amelia just seemed presumptuous and spoiled in a way. But she is a Cynster and that family is one swimming in wealth and blessed w...more
Twin to Amanda Cynster, Amelia, proposes to long time family tie Luc Ashford, cousin to Amanda's new husband, to save his family from pauper ruin. She has noticed the reuse of dresses in his younger sisters and offers her marriage, and dowry, to save his family. He agrees even though he has just made enough through investments to secure his family without her dowry. Both enter the marriage through pretense of money and vow themselves to make the other fall in love with them until the money doesn...more
http://www.booksonboard.com/index.php...
booksonboard.com stephanie laurens writes regency romance. this book is another story in the cynster family series. it is amelia's, amanda's twin, story. as usual she follows a very sppecific pattern with her stories. there is danger and the hero and heroine want the other to be the first to admit to love. even though the stories are predictable i find i still like reading her books.
booksonboard.com stephanie laurens writes regency romance. this book is another story in the cynster family series. it is amelia's, amanda's twin, story. as usual she follows a very sppecific pattern with her stories. there is danger and the hero and heroine want the other to be the first to admit to love. even though the stories are predictable i find i still like reading her books.
Really more like 2.5 Stars to be honest.
Time again for the monthly Cynster novel. I was really, really wanting this one to be good! I mean, really. But I thought it was rather boring. It wasn't that I disliked the characters, in fact they were both alright, Amelia was a little too perfect for my tastes, but Luc was a good one. But it was just that nothing happened. It started off great, the beginning where he comes home drunk to find her waiting for him, and her proposal, and his subsequent acce...more
Time again for the monthly Cynster novel. I was really, really wanting this one to be good! I mean, really. But I thought it was rather boring. It wasn't that I disliked the characters, in fact they were both alright, Amelia was a little too perfect for my tastes, but Luc was a good one. But it was just that nothing happened. It started off great, the beginning where he comes home drunk to find her waiting for him, and her proposal, and his subsequent acce...more
Right now I'm at the day of luc n amelia's wedding day. Well lets say everything going accurding to plans. Amelia's happy but in denial. And luc is happy but fill with indecition. He wants to tell amelia that he isn't really poor but without telling her his marrying her because he loves her.He's trying to keep it for her till the last moment.Can love really be base in lies. His verly starting a life
with someone and his already lying to her.Like his mom and demon told him that it's only get worse...more
with someone and his already lying to her.Like his mom and demon told him that it's only get worse...more
Amelia Cynster's twin sister has recently married and now she knows it is time to put her plans into motion. She has always loved Lucien Ashford, a good friend of the family's. She has known him since she was a little girl. While Lucian is fond of Amelia, she knows that he does not share the same feelings for her. However, she does believe that under the right circumstances it would be possible for Lucian to grow to love her too. She knows that Lucian is lacking the funds that he will need for h...more
Stephanie Laurens decided to go all out with seduction and steam in this #9 Cynster book. Actually, she started with #8. There are countless seduction scenes....not the normal two or three you found in Cynster #1-7.
Just be prepared. You almost forget there is a thief in this plot. Towards the end it gets really fun as they set out to trap the thief. Of course, all ends well....with yet another steamy scene to boot.
Just be prepared. You almost forget there is a thief in this plot. Towards the end it gets really fun as they set out to trap the thief. Of course, all ends well....with yet another steamy scene to boot.
Amelia and Luke's story is not Ms. Lauren's best work though it is an average read. The trope is a supposed marriage of convenience between two childhood friends who actually love each other but won't confess it for varied reasons. Increasingly torrid sex is used as the device to persuade us that the pair deeply love each other and intercourse helps them unite on an ethereal plane )sigh...such a tired usage). There's a mystery tagged on, of theft among the ton, and its plain as the appendage on...more
A fairly predictable plot with two people entering a marriage of convenience whilst secretly loving each other. I really enjoyed the first few chapters of the book which were humorous and engaging, but as I read further it was just one seduction scene after another without any development to the plot. Really disappointed after a promising start.
So he knows he loves her, but wants her to think he married her for her money until she's in love with him. She's in love with him, but doesn't want him to know until he's in love with her. Eventually, she knows he loves her, but wants to know that HE knows he loves her, and... What?
A unique book. The hero and heroine decide on the first page to get married and then the story goes on from there. A little mystery, good dialog some funny situations and a huge cast of characters. I could have done with a few less sex scenes. I will look for other books in this series.
2.5 stars and it only got the extra 1/2 because of the last 10-12% of the book. The first 85% or so draaaagggggeeeedddd so badly I wanted to flounce. A mystery was hinted at and then promptly forgotten about for the next 3 or 4 chapters for us to watch Amelia and Luc pretend to not love one another while trying to make the other love them. BORING. Then, the mystery was mentioned again. Take that cycle and repeat several times over.
When the action finally got going, it was GREAT! I loved watching...more
When the action finally got going, it was GREAT! I loved watching...more
This book was nothing but sex. There was no plot. It seems she ran out of stories and started writing positions. I expect and want a good story in any book I read.
I really enjoyed Amelia's story, but it wasn't quite as good as Amanda's. That's probably because On a Wild Night will always have a special place in my heart and on my bookshelf. The twins' stories make me want to read more about the Cynster women!
Another re-read of the Cynster series. I've actually re-read Amelia's story several times. I find Luc to be a compelling hero, and their long-drawn out courtship is fascinating in the context of the old tried and true "marriage of convenience." Although the "mystery" of which girl is involved in thievery in the scandal is so incredibly obvious, the lingering scandal of Edward is handled believably. In the whole Cynster series, Laurens has done an excellent job of plot and character development t...more
I am enjoying listening to all the Cynster books in order and on audio. This one was good, started off in a different way with a wedding planned in the beginning instead of the end.
A touch overwrought... even for a romance novel. I enjoyed the previous book in this series more but this wasn't bad.
hot... *kipas2*... and the culprit is soo predictable, I wonder why they couldn't see it, or guess it...
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Stephanie 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, Laurens and her husband moved to Great Britain, taking one of the last true overland journeys from Katmandu to London.
Once in London, Laurens and...more
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