A Cynster Novel
STEPHANIE LAURENS
ISBN# 0060505753
March 2005
Harper-Collins Publishers Inc.
10 East 53rd Street
New York, NY 10022
Hard Cover
$22.95
400 Pages
Historical
Rating:
Gerrard Reginal Debbington is a Cynster through his sister's marriage. He is an artist
who loves to do landscape paintings and rarely does portraits except for family
members. He is bribed into doing a portrait of Jacqueline Tregonning with the promise
of being able to paint the infamous Helleborne Hall Gardens. Gerrard expects to endure
painting a spoiled girl. Instead, he finds Jacqueline to be disturbing to his physical and
spiritual muse. Soon, he realizes that he cannot exist without her.
Jacqueline Tregonning has learned to guard herself from all of the people around her.
Her mother was murdered not long ago and her soon-to-be-announced fiancee'
disappeared several years ago. Everyone around her, including her father, believes
that Jacqueline murdered her mother. Jacqueline is hoping the portrait that Gerrard has
been commissioned to paint will help her innocence shine through.
Gerrard and Jacqueline come to realize early in this story that they need and want each
other. As they work together to complete the portrait, their relationship grows.
Unfortunately, a twisted murderer has Jacqueline in his sights, along with everyone who
means something to her. The sensual relationship between Gerrard and Jacqueline
grows while the plot thickens. When he tries to eliminate Gerrard and fails; Gerrard
whisks Jacqueline away to London to finish the portrait. When they return with the
finished portrait, the murderer turns desperate and things start to progress at a fast
pace.
Ms. Laurens has done it again. This is the 12th book in the Cynster series, but it will
stand alone. Ms. Laurens also gives us brief updates of the Cynster family for those of
us who have read the entire series. The relationship between Gerrard and Jacqueline
grows and matures into a loving and believable couple with real insecurities and
strengths. This soft and sweet romance is balanced out with a wonderful suspenseful
plot that will have you guessing until the end.
Karenne
Reviewer for Karen Find Out About New Books
Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance
