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101st out of 1,128 books
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1,397 voters
A Rake's Vow (Cynster #2)
by
Stephanie Laurens (Goodreads Author)
He vowed he′d never marry.
To Vane Cynster, Bellamy Hall seems like the perfect place to temporarily hide from London′s husband hunters. But when he encounters irresistible Patience Debbington, Vane realises he′s met his match ...
She vowed no man would catch her.
Patience isn′t about to succumb to Vane′s sensuous propositions. Yes, his kisses leave her dizzy and his caresses...more
To Vane Cynster, Bellamy Hall seems like the perfect place to temporarily hide from London′s husband hunters. But when he encounters irresistible Patience Debbington, Vane realises he′s met his match ...
She vowed no man would catch her.
Patience isn′t about to succumb to Vane′s sensuous propositions. Yes, his kisses leave her dizzy and his caresses...more
Mass Market Paperback, 374 pages
Published
October 1st 1998
by Avon
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"Ah," he murmured, his voice very low. He shifted fractionally closer. "But, you see, I'm not a gentleman. I'm a Cynster." As if letting her into some secret, he gently informed her: "We're conquerors — not gentlemen."
This is the second book from the Bar Cynster series, and another great one too
The story
Vane Cynster is running away from fate. After seeing how the mighty have fallen (Devil in love with Honoria), he decides to go as far as possible, away from any temptation (as in women he might...more
This is the second book from the Bar Cynster series, and another great one too
The story
Vane Cynster is running away from fate. After seeing how the mighty have fallen (Devil in love with Honoria), he decides to go as far as possible, away from any temptation (as in women he might...more
3.5 stars
I feel guilty saying I "read" this one since it was an audiobook, but that counts, right?
This was about a rake (obviously) falling in love with a girl who never ever wants to get married to an "elegant gentleman", such as the H, because her elegant-gentleman father was a cheat who neglected his wife and children.
The majority of the book was the H chasing the h hot and heavy, trying to convince her to change her mind while they solve a little mystery on the side. The story is cute and...more
I feel guilty saying I "read" this one since it was an audiobook, but that counts, right?
This was about a rake (obviously) falling in love with a girl who never ever wants to get married to an "elegant gentleman", such as the H, because her elegant-gentleman father was a cheat who neglected his wife and children.
The majority of the book was the H chasing the h hot and heavy, trying to convince her to change her mind while they solve a little mystery on the side. The story is cute and...more
Omigod, another super promising story line with great characters only to be ruined by the over-metaphorical and flowery delivery. A shame, indeed. Here is the story of another cousin from the Cynster family, who thankfully is behaving more normally than the crazy over-domineering alpha-duke (Devil). You will fail to get a clear perception on his exact appearance, as the comparisons range from 'feral cat' to 'wolflike', which are nothing alike in veritas. And don't even get started on the love sc...more
ETA:Reread with RLftCI group on July 23, 2012. I liked this more this time than the first time I read it.
Ahhh, Vane and Patience. The problem I had with this story was their inability to say 3 small words...I am hungry. HAHAHA No, that wasn't the 3 words. The words were "I love you". She loved him, but wouldn't put herself out there and say it. He loved her, but was too manly to put those feelings into words. She wouldn't agree to marry him without hearing the words, and wouldn't tell him what s...more
Ahhh, Vane and Patience. The problem I had with this story was their inability to say 3 small words...I am hungry. HAHAHA No, that wasn't the 3 words. The words were "I love you". She loved him, but wouldn't put herself out there and say it. He loved her, but was too manly to put those feelings into words. She wouldn't agree to marry him without hearing the words, and wouldn't tell him what s...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
There were certain ways in which this book seemed a little more historically accurate than your average Regency as far as language choices are concerned; for example, the phrase "in alt" was used several times.
Unfortunately, the plot was molecule-thin. This felt like a short story that had been padded, and repadded, and padded again to make it novel-length. The mystery could be solved quickly, as could the tension between the main characters. Everything felt forcibly prolonged.
Part of the paddi...more
Unfortunately, the plot was molecule-thin. This felt like a short story that had been padded, and repadded, and padded again to make it novel-length. The mystery could be solved quickly, as could the tension between the main characters. Everything felt forcibly prolonged.
Part of the paddi...more
hortly after his best friend and cousin's wedding, Vane Cynster finds himself at his godmother's country estate seeking shelter from a storm. He immediately meets Patience Debbington, his godmother's niece, and realizes she is the woman he is destined to marry. Patience, however, is distrustful of Vane's 'elegant gentleman' appearance after watching her mother love her father unconditionally (the feelings weren't reciprocated). Vane works to convince Patience that they belong together while they...more
I think this will most likely be the last Laurens book I try. I have not enjoyed the two I've read.
I actually liked the hero. I think he was the only aspect of this entire book I liked. I did not understand why he was so immediately besotted with the heroine. She was something of a cipher. I never got a good feel of her character or any strong ...well...anything about her. She was pretty, that was about it.
The mystery aspect was quite tedious. Not enough to hang a plot on at all. And like the f...more
I actually liked the hero. I think he was the only aspect of this entire book I liked. I did not understand why he was so immediately besotted with the heroine. She was something of a cipher. I never got a good feel of her character or any strong ...well...anything about her. She was pretty, that was about it.
The mystery aspect was quite tedious. Not enough to hang a plot on at all. And like the f...more
Apr 04, 2010
Jessi
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
re-read-often,
romance
This was the first Stephanie Laurens book that I read and I just fell in love. Vane Cynster is running away because his cousin Devil has just gotten married. This wouldn't be so bad except that Devil is the leader of their band of cousins so that means that Vane will probably be the next to fall. An unfortunate storm causes him to make an unexpected stop at his Aunt Minnie's house. There, he meets Patience and promptly falls in lust. Finding out that she is a proper young woman who he is forbidd...more
Ah...what is it about the Bar Cynster? I thoroughly enjoyed "A Rake's Vow". I have to say so far that Vane Cynster is my favorite hero and Patience is a wonderful heroine. Stephanie Laurens' prose is very articulate, flows well, is classy, and she has a knack for stretching out the sensual tension. It doesn't feel like a cheap read. There is depth to the characters. So, it's not as if you have just a "bigger-than-life" character (yes-it's still important), but you empathize with him. In this cas...more
This is Spencer "Vane" Cynster and Patience Debbington's story. This story is a little different from the previous book and as such takes some turns that aren't excepted. I do like that a storm drives Vane to find Patience. I liked Vane in Devil's Bride. He is a definite alpha male that isn't really looking for a wife but knows that fate may have other plans. Patience was a nice change of pace. She is independent, intelligent and willing to go after those things that she is curious about. While...more
3.5 Stars.
I had to keep checking that this was the same Stephanie Laurens that I'd read before because it was so majorly different plotwise, characterwise and in the writing style.
The writing style itself was more complex, sometimes too complex to follow smoothly. It was, just comma, with some added info, after comma.. and at times I had to go back to the start of the sentence to follow it all. Though by the end of the novel I was more used to the style and was able to read it more fluently.
Tho...more
I had to keep checking that this was the same Stephanie Laurens that I'd read before because it was so majorly different plotwise, characterwise and in the writing style.
The writing style itself was more complex, sometimes too complex to follow smoothly. It was, just comma, with some added info, after comma.. and at times I had to go back to the start of the sentence to follow it all. Though by the end of the novel I was more used to the style and was able to read it more fluently.
Tho...more
Vane is another Cynster that will take away your mind, soul, and body again. I've come to think that all the Cynsters are going to do that. When I read Devil's Bride I wanted to know how he got the name "Vane". It was Devil who gave him that name, liking him to a wind vane. You'll understand when you read the book.
Patience--I don't think I ever got over the fact that her name is a virtue--Debbington was a charming enough heroine. I don't think I loved the fact that she would readily throw hersel...more
Patience--I don't think I ever got over the fact that her name is a virtue--Debbington was a charming enough heroine. I don't think I loved the fact that she would readily throw hersel...more
I liked the first half of the book best. 2nd book in the series. Vane Cynister meets Patience at the home of his long time friend and aunt Minnie. Minnie lets a collection of down on their luck people live in her home with her. Lately things have been going missing and Minnie wants Vane to investigate who is pilfering the silver objects and small flashy items that have gone missing. Vane likes Patience right away and is drawn to her. Her opinion of him is less affectionate because his is handsom...more
Well there is definitely a pattern to the Cynster series of books but that is not a bad thing in this case. This second book was about Vane Cynster and how he met Patience, all by accident as he came upon her while taking refuge from a storm at his Godmothers home. He knew in an instant that he would marry her. The same was true for Devil Cynster in the first novel. The reputation of these Cynster men precedes them and in both books 1 and 2 the men needed to show their intendeds that they are n...more
I read this book right after Whitney, my love. Which was slightly unfair. It would have been unfair to just abt any book, let alone this light hearted fluffy romance.
It's the second book of the Cynster series. It has a mildly intriguing plot and a very scintillating romance. I do remember getting a tad bit annoyed with the endless mysteries of the invisible thieves and spectres. However the intense love making scenes make up for it.
Vane and Patience have a LOT of chemistry. They're very well s...more
Beginning- wasn't really feeling it, just didn't connect.
About 100 pages-Started to get me! It started to draw me in and I thought maybe this was just a slow starter and I could really like this.
Halfway- End- mixed, one moment I would like it and then I would zone out, it just wouldn't hold my attention.
Story- Vane spends the book convincing Patience to marry him. They are both staying in a house filled with eclectic guests (this was another small problem, I was able to keep better track of th...more
About 100 pages-Started to get me! It started to draw me in and I thought maybe this was just a slow starter and I could really like this.
Halfway- End- mixed, one moment I would like it and then I would zone out, it just wouldn't hold my attention.
Story- Vane spends the book convincing Patience to marry him. They are both staying in a house filled with eclectic guests (this was another small problem, I was able to keep better track of th...more
My summary of the book - Vane takes shelter at his Godmother's house on route to a friend's house. He ends up staying to help with the search of the thief and "Spectre" and also to find out more about Patience who meets as he arrives. Vane starts to investigate while trying to work out Patience who in turn tries to stay away but when she told more about him she lets him in. Passion soon ignites between the pair and Vane has a challenge to convince Patience he is the man for her.
Thoughts on the c...more
Thoughts on the c...more
Jan 09, 2012
Lori McD
rated it
2 of 5 stars
Shelves:
british-lit,
chick-lit,
easy-read,
fun-fluff,
guilty-pleasure,
historical-fiction,
pseudo-mystery,
regency,
romance,
series,
steamy,
2012_read
2.5 stars, maybe 3
Hmmm.... Stephanie Laurens has a definite pattern/formula that she follows. And while her books always have something unique about them, as a reader, I'm starting to get bored by the predictability of the overall story.
* Avowed Rake meets Beautiful Spinster - upon meeting, he decides that she's The One.
* Beautiful Spinster, considered to be "on the shelf" because she's over the age of 21, has no intentions of marrying. But she's "curious" enough to allow Rake liberties, which...more
Hmmm.... Stephanie Laurens has a definite pattern/formula that she follows. And while her books always have something unique about them, as a reader, I'm starting to get bored by the predictability of the overall story.
* Avowed Rake meets Beautiful Spinster - upon meeting, he decides that she's The One.
* Beautiful Spinster, considered to be "on the shelf" because she's over the age of 21, has no intentions of marrying. But she's "curious" enough to allow Rake liberties, which...more
Vane is on the run from a storm when he stops at Bellamy Hall, the home of an old friend. Minnie is like an aunt to Vane and his cousins and as usual she has a house full of guests. One in particular he finds himself riveted by, Patience, Minnie's goddaughter. But all is not well in the house. Someone is stealing trinkets and there are strange lights in the night. Vane must solve the mystery to win the girl.
I liked this one better then the first, simply because it had a better mystery. However P...more
I liked this one better then the first, simply because it had a better mystery. However P...more
The only part I liked about this book is when Devil and Honoria showed up. There's is excellent character development for Vane and I really disliked Patience's character. Of course the touch of mystery is what kept me reading 'til the end. I always loved the Cynsters and but I didn't quite like how Vane got a hold of Patience, it's like he was the humblest of the humble, they didn't meet halfway unlike Devil and Honoria. I'm really biased towards the first book and even though I didn't like this...more
This is my fourth attempt at writing a review because this page keeps being stupid. -_____-
Okay, I'm thoroughly confused. This book's rating went up and down so many times, I have to compromise and give it 3.5 stars.
Quick Overview
Okay, I'm thoroughly confused. This book's rating went up and down so many times, I have to compromise and give it 3.5 stars.
Quick Overview
We have Patience Debbington, a 26 year old orphan who has taken responsibility of her easily influenced 17 year old brother. She's living with her aunt, Lady Bellamy, to prepare for her departure to London, so she can an "acceptable" mentor for her brother. While at th
...more
The second book of the Cynster series, this one focused on Devil's first cousin and best friend, Vane and Patience, Vane's godmother's niece.
Vane is very perceptive and at first meeting Patience he can tell that he's in trouble. Patience is very biased against gentlemen like Vane, or who she thinks he is and determined to avoid him. Their intense physical attraction and Vane's tenacity don't let either of them walk away and after Patience gets over her prejudices, their relationship begins.
Vane...more
Vane is very perceptive and at first meeting Patience he can tell that he's in trouble. Patience is very biased against gentlemen like Vane, or who she thinks he is and determined to avoid him. Their intense physical attraction and Vane's tenacity don't let either of them walk away and after Patience gets over her prejudices, their relationship begins.
Vane...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
Vane is fleeing a storm and the church he had to help pay for as a result of events in Devil's Bride and ends up catching Patience as she falls (from surprise at his arrival) when he takes refuge in his godmother’s home. The subplot here concerns a series of thefts of mostly valueless sentimental objects in the home (with a dozen or so suspects) and a Spectre that seems to be haunting the local ruins. Given the other two Cynster books I'd read featured a murder, this was refreshing, though I kep...more
Naturally all Cynster Men are breath taking and as the reader you are hooked from book one. A new storm is on the horizon and it catches Vane.
Recommend: Those who enjoyed Devil's Bride. Great historical romance. You don't necessarily have to have read the first book. This book can stand alone.
Highlights:
*Vane is sexy as ever. The man is also honorable through and through.
*Patience has quite the back bone. Not only does she loose her heart to Vane, but is resoved to only marry for love.
*Gerrard...more
Recommend: Those who enjoyed Devil's Bride. Great historical romance. You don't necessarily have to have read the first book. This book can stand alone.
Highlights:
*Vane is sexy as ever. The man is also honorable through and through.
*Patience has quite the back bone. Not only does she loose her heart to Vane, but is resoved to only marry for love.
*Gerrard...more
3.5*
I think I was expecting something diferent... it feels too much like the 1st book. I think if I want to enjoy this series I have to take at least 2 week brakes between the books.
Besides the issues above it was well written, though it had the annoying "elegant gentleman" phrase repeated too many times by the heroine. Both H/h had comunication problems, but since it's a normal, human thing I'll not complain about it(much ;;) ). It has a masive cast of secondary characters and, unfortunately fo...more
I think I was expecting something diferent... it feels too much like the 1st book. I think if I want to enjoy this series I have to take at least 2 week brakes between the books.
Besides the issues above it was well written, though it had the annoying "elegant gentleman" phrase repeated too many times by the heroine. Both H/h had comunication problems, but since it's a normal, human thing I'll not complain about it(much ;;) ). It has a masive cast of secondary characters and, unfortunately fo...more
Review taken from my Blog in December 2010:
What can I say .... it was pleasant, but not much of a story compared to some of her other efforts.
Vane Cynster (Spencer) takes shelter from an on-coming storm (and fate) at his Godmother's home and meets her Niece, Patience Debbington.
A mysterious thief and the equally mysterious Spectre of the Abbey Ruins need to be run to ground, which he does with ease and wins his girl.
A 3 Star effort is all I can give it.
What can I say .... it was pleasant, but not much of a story compared to some of her other efforts.
Vane Cynster (Spencer) takes shelter from an on-coming storm (and fate) at his Godmother's home and meets her Niece, Patience Debbington.
A mysterious thief and the equally mysterious Spectre of the Abbey Ruins need to be run to ground, which he does with ease and wins his girl.
A 3 Star effort is all I can give it.
I'm on my 5th book in the cynster series, and so far this is my favorite. I truly loved this book it has become one of my favorite books ever beautiful romance story. Some people don't like that they refused to acknowledge their true feelings for each other but that's what makes the story so enamored-butterflies-in-the-stomach-just-plain-gorgeous. Oh and Vane is a dream, he seems like an a**h*** but he really isn't.
Somebody stop me before I even think about picking up the next book in this series. The heroes are insufferable, the heroines should all be named Anne (Bland, Her?, Egg, etc.), and the ostensible mysteries/conflicts are so easily figured out that the heroes/heroines are quite likely braindead. There are like eleventy billion more in the series and I need to avoid them like the plague.
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Romance Lovers fo...: A Rake's Vow (Cynster #2) by Stephanie Laurens (starts Monday, July 23) | 121 | 44 | Aug 04, 2012 07:20pm |
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
More about Stephanie Laurens...
Once in London, Laurens and...more
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“You also," he said, lowering his voice, "haven't yet
thanked me for saving you from sitting in the flower bed."
She didn't even look up. "It was entirely your fault that I nearly did. If you hadn't sneaked up on me, I wouldn't have been in any danger of landing in the
weeds." She glanced briefly at him, a touch of color in her cheeks. "A gentleman would have coughed or something."
Vane trapped her gaze, and smiled—a slow, Cynster smile. "Ah," he murmured, his voice very low. He shifted fractionally closer. "But, you see, I'm not
a gentleman. I'm a Cynster." As if letting her into some secret, he gently informed her: "We're conquerors—not gentlemen.”
—
6 people liked it
thanked me for saving you from sitting in the flower bed."
She didn't even look up. "It was entirely your fault that I nearly did. If you hadn't sneaked up on me, I wouldn't have been in any danger of landing in the
weeds." She glanced briefly at him, a touch of color in her cheeks. "A gentleman would have coughed or something."
Vane trapped her gaze, and smiled—a slow, Cynster smile. "Ah," he murmured, his voice very low. He shifted fractionally closer. "But, you see, I'm not
a gentleman. I'm a Cynster." As if letting her into some secret, he gently informed her: "We're conquerors—not gentlemen.”
“And remembered—all he'd nearly forgotten, all her wild responses had driven from his mind. This was one seduction he had to, needed to, manage
perfectly—this time, there was meaning beyond the act. Seducing Patience Debbington was too important to rush—conquering her senses, her body,
was only the first step. He didn't want her just once—he wanted her for a lifetime.”
—
3 people liked it
More quotes…
perfectly—this time, there was meaning beyond the act. Seducing Patience Debbington was too important to rush—conquering her senses, her body,
was only the first step. He didn't want her just once—he wanted her for a lifetime.”
Oct 15, 2012 01:02pm
Oct 15, 2012 01:04pm