Audible Review: The Tempting of Thomas Carrick: The Cynster Novels, Book 21 by Stephanie Laurens

I enjoyed the overall story even though there are flaws.
The Tempting of Thomas Carrick: The Cynster Novels, Book 21
Written by: Stephanie Laurens
Narrated by: Matthew Brenher

Length: 14 hrs and 21 mins
Series: Cynsters, Book 21
Release Date:02-24-15
Publisher: Blackstone Audio
Genre: Historical Romance
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
What happens when fate, love, and passion collide?
The number one New York Times best-selling author Stephanie Laurens returns to Scotland with a tale of two lovers irrevocably linked by destiny and passion.
Thomas Carrick is a gentleman driven to control all aspects of his life. As the wealthy owner of Carrick Enterprises, located in bustling Glasgow, he is one of that city's most eligible bachelors and fully intends to select an appropriate wife from the many young ladies paraded before him. He wants to take that necessary next step along his self-determined path, yet no young lady captures his eye, much less his attention - not in the way Lucilla Cynster does, even though she lives miles away.
For over two years, Thomas has avoided his clan's estate because it borders Lucilla's home, but disturbing reports from his clansmen force him to return to the countryside - only to discover that his uncle, the laird, is ailing, a clan family is desperately ill, and the clan healer is unconscious and dying. Duty to the clan leaves Thomas no choice but to seek help from the last woman he wants to face.
Strong-willed and passionate, Lucilla has been waiting - increasingly impatient - for Thomas to return and claim his rightful place by her side. She knows he is hers - her fated lover, husband, protector, and mate. He is the only man for her, just as she is his one true love. And, at last, he's back. Even though his returning wasn't on her account, Lucilla is willing to seize whatever chance fate hands her.
Thomas can never forget Lucilla, much less the connection that seethes between them, but to marry her would mean embracing a life he's adamant he does not want.
Lucilla sees that Thomas has yet to accept the inevitability of their union. But how can he ignore a bond such as theirs - one so much stronger than reason?
©2015 Savdek Management Proprietary Limited (P)2015 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Review:
I deleted my first three paragraphs as I found them to be a restating of the Publisher summary which gives the basic information. I direct you to read the Publisher summary to which I add the next paragraph in my own words.

Lucilla has been waiting for Thomas to return to the area and now that he is here she realizes she must use every temptation she can to get him to stay, even if it means outright seduction and disregard for his plans. Thomas resists giving in to his physical needs but his attraction to Lucilla is undeniable. Even if he finally succumbs to her persistent attentions, he has no intention of submitting to some fate, or Lady of the Vale, that he cannot control.

I liked the mystery that opens and closes the book although I felt there were loose ends. The plot in between focuses on the romance and conflicts of interest between the main characters. The romance scenes are sensual and nicely done, if a bit long winded for my tastes. It did bother me that there was no regard for the consequences of their intimacy. I found this unrealistic for the times as well as making Thomas to be a man of little honor.

I read the beginning books in this series many years ago and have a collection on my TBR shelves. I was pleased to find Ms. Laurens’ writing style still includes strong, well developed characters and an engaging romance. There is a point late in the story that brings the Cynster family together and I was glad to recognize several characters from the early books. There are details of other characters left open at the end that imply a future story for another Cynster character.

This is clearly part of a long family series, but I don't feel it would be necessary to read the earlier books. Reading book 3, Scandal's Bride would provide the story of Lucilla's parents. I would not want a steady diet of this type of romance but I am comfortable recommending this story, and this author, to readers who enjoy a sensual, character centered historical romance.

Audio Notes: You don’t generically think of romance as being suited for male narration. However, much of this story is told from Thomas’ view so it fit. Matthew Brenher does a fine job with both the voices, accents and emotions of the characters. My engagement in the story was enhanced by the audio.

I selected this title from Blackstone Audio through Audiobook Jukebox. This adds to my Audio Book Challenge.

Book Review: The Taste of Innocence by Stephanie Laurens

A good plot but over shadowed by lengthy sensual scenes.

The Taste of Innocence CD (Cynster Novels) by Stephanie Laurens

• Audio CD
• Publisher: HarperAudio; Abridged edition (February 27, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0061227242
• ISBN-13: 978-0061227240

Print pages: 464
Price: Print $7.99; Kindle $6.99; Audio $29.95
Genre: Historical Romance
My Rating: 3.5 of 5.0

When New York Times bestselling author Stephanie Laurens created the world of the Cynsters, she introduced readers to the glittering ranks of aristocratic British society, where arranged marriages are the norm for securing dynasties, where passion is an art practiced by sophisticated lovers and high-born mistresses, and love is a potentially dangerous indulgence. For no gentleman is this more true than for Charles Morwellan, the 8th Earl of Meredith. Although he's seen the many successful unions of his Cynster connections, he has also watched his father's obsessions nearly destroy his family and fortune, a mistake Charles will not repeat. But as Lord Meredith he must marry, so he offers for Sarah, daughter of his neighbors, Lord and Lady Conningham. She's intelligent enough to run his social life, beautiful enough to grace his arm, and old enough to know the value of his offer.
For most young ladies of the ton, the right marriage is the culmination of years of training, perfect deportment and intricate plans and statagems that would impress a general. But as a lady of independent means with a life of her own, Sarah is unwilling to surrender her independence unless it be for unbounded love.
But Charles always gets what he wants. He convinces Sarah to give him two weeks to win her, after which-if he succeeds-they will marry immediately. And so begins an intense courtship. By day, Charles and Sarah are models of decorum indulging in innocuous walks, polite conversation, sedate waltzes. But each night they steal away to the lush, moonlit gardens where sensual embraces turn to searing kisses, which soon become much more. Both are swept away on a tide of passion and feeling neither can resist.
But after the wedding, despite nights of insatiable passion, by day Charles maintains an aloof distance as if the near-sinful sweetness of their nights exists only in a dream. Sarah battles to prove that true love is a force that can't be contained, a gift worth fighting for, but it's only when she's engulfed in a web of increasingly dangerous incidents that Charles discovers how much he's willing to surrender to protect...the taste of innocence.

Review: This is mostly a nice listen but not overwhelming.
The Product Description tells a lot of the story but not all the subtleties. Charles has known Sarah as a neighbor and chooses her as a “suitable” wife since it is time for him to take a wife.  that is not a great attitude for romance in marriage.  Sarah has had a secret crush on Charles for years so she is inclined to marry him but she has a desire to marry for love and he is offering more a marriage of formality to suit society.

When Sarah agrees to allow Charles two weeks to convince her to marry him the nights of sweet seduction begin. Charles only intends to whet Sarah’s appetite but he did not calculate their flaring passions. Each night their passion grows till it is not clear who is seducing whom.

Once they are married, Charles does not want to be pulled into a romance with his wife so he avoids her by day and strictly indulges their passions at night. Of course it doesn’t take Sarah long to feel used in that arrangement so soon even that stops.  Now their marriage is really growing frustrated and tense.

Meanwhile, someone is threatening the orphanage that Sarah owns and manages. During the courtship Charles was proud of her efforts but after the marriage he says he doesn’t want her to tell him about it or bother him because he doesn’t want to share any time or project with her.  When the accidents accelerate Sarah seeks help from another source.  This infuriates Charles as it makes him feel he is not protecting his own wife... which of course he isn’t.

There are several outsiders who influence Charles trying to make him see the treasure he has.  But when she is kidnapped and her life at risk is it too late for him to embrace their love?

I enjoyed the mystery of the attacks on the orphanage and liked considering which character was the villain.  I also enjoyed the richness of the love between Charles and Sarah although the seduction ran almost two discs of the five so this got to be a bit tedious. Still it was entertaining and an okay listen for a long drive.

xxx

This was an Audiobook I had picked up. It will be in the giveaway box again soon.