The Taste of Innocence
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'All I need is her name on the cover to make me pick up the book.' Linda Howard 'Love it!' Cathy Kelly
Product Description
Welcome to the Regency world of Stephanie Laurens - and to the Cynsters and their ever-expanding clan! Now, Charles Morwellan, who we first meet in A SECRET LOVE (0749937203), one of her most beloved Cynster novels, meets his match in this exciting, and utterly sensuous, story.Charles Morwellan has no intention of following in the footsteps of his family - marrying for love - and therefore wants to find a bride before fate finds him. He is convinced that it was total devotion to love that caused his father to shirk the responsibilities of the earldom and is determined not to make the same mistakes. What Charlie doesn't realise is the woman he chose, Sarah Conningham, wants nothing less than a love match and she has no intention of letting Charlie get away with pushing her out of his life. Now, it's up to Sarah to convince Charlie that you really can have it all.
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First Sentence
He had to marry, so he would. Read the first page Browse Sample Pages
Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt | Back Cover
He had to marry, so he would. Read the first page Browse Sample Pages
Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt | Back Cover
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This is the fourteenth novel in the Cynster series but it works very well as a standalone book with just occasional glimpses of characters from the other books. It gives an interesting insight into the wooing and the early days of a marriage between an Earl and a woman whom he has known his entire life. Sarah Conningham is a 23 year old woman who is part of a happy family and whose nature is warm and loving. However the reason that she has turned down several offers of marriage in the last few years is because she believes that marriage without love isn't worth it - she's only going to marry for love. The inconvenient attraction she feels for Charlie Morwellan, eighth Earl of Meredith, is something she has to ignore as he has no interest whatsoever in her.
When Charlie offers for Sarah it is because he knows she will make the perfect countess. They have grown up together and although they don't know each other well he knows that she is just what he needs. However he's surprised to find that she doesn't instantly accept his proposal but instead asks for two weeks to get to know him. Charlie decides to use the time to persuade her into the marriage and goes about this with traditional wooing mixed up with sensual experience. A lot of the first section of the book is details of their kissing and more but it's well written and it gives an idea of the characters, their thoughts and how they are getting to know each other.
The second part of the book follows their early days of marriage when Charlie realises he has fallen in love with his wife but is afraid it will cause him to make bad decisions, as his father did, and so he tries to withdraw. Although whilst reading the story this makes some kind of sense, subsequently it all seems a bit unlikely. However, Charlie and Sarah's relationship has its troubles and there are also some unfortunate events taking place at an orphanage of which Sarah is the patroness. Is there a deeper plot against the owner of the orphanage? Will Charlie come to his senses? What is the link with the railway scam and their troubles?
Stephanie Laurens' writing style is very good. Although there's a fair amount of sex in this book it's written in a pleasant and loving style and it is part of the overall plot. The characters grow and change as the story progresses, Sarah coming into her element as countess and understanding more about her husband than perhaps he does, Charlie realising that his priorities in life up to now haven't been right. The 'baddie' in this story is a rather half-hearted one and it was fairly easy to guess who it was but the plot about the attacks on the orphanage added some interest to the story. Overall it was a very enjoyable read and although sometimes Charlie seemed to speak in a rather modern American manner about emotions, it was good to have a happy ending without too much heartache in the middle.
When Charlie offers for Sarah it is because he knows she will make the perfect countess. They have grown up together and although they don't know each other well he knows that she is just what he needs. However he's surprised to find that she doesn't instantly accept his proposal but instead asks for two weeks to get to know him. Charlie decides to use the time to persuade her into the marriage and goes about this with traditional wooing mixed up with sensual experience. A lot of the first section of the book is details of their kissing and more but it's well written and it gives an idea of the characters, their thoughts and how they are getting to know each other.
The second part of the book follows their early days of marriage when Charlie realises he has fallen in love with his wife but is afraid it will cause him to make bad decisions, as his father did, and so he tries to withdraw. Although whilst reading the story this makes some kind of sense, subsequently it all seems a bit unlikely. However, Charlie and Sarah's relationship has its troubles and there are also some unfortunate events taking place at an orphanage of which Sarah is the patroness. Is there a deeper plot against the owner of the orphanage? Will Charlie come to his senses? What is the link with the railway scam and their troubles?
Stephanie Laurens' writing style is very good. Although there's a fair amount of sex in this book it's written in a pleasant and loving style and it is part of the overall plot. The characters grow and change as the story progresses, Sarah coming into her element as countess and understanding more about her husband than perhaps he does, Charlie realising that his priorities in life up to now haven't been right. The 'baddie' in this story is a rather half-hearted one and it was fairly easy to guess who it was but the plot about the attacks on the orphanage added some interest to the story. Overall it was a very enjoyable read and although sometimes Charlie seemed to speak in a rather modern American manner about emotions, it was good to have a happy ending without too much heartache in the middle.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
When a rich handsome and highly eligible peer decides to marry he does not expect to be refused - especially by someone who could be considered 'on the shelf'. Sarah is no fool. She has known Charlie for years but although it is obvious she has nurtured a tendre for him she is determined to know why he has offered and is not impressed by his assessment that they are from similar backgrounds, have a long acquaintance and would 'deal exceptionally well together'. She insists he woos her before giving her answer. It is a challenge Charlie is determined to win. By degrees he seduces her - always going a little bit further but never too far in order to keep her wanting more. There are times when they cann't be alone and their desperation is tangible. The sex scenes are steamy and an integral part of the story as Charlie does his utmost to have Sarah agree to marry him without understanding what truly drives him to succeed. He succeeds in winning her hand yet he is determined not to love. Wanting only a conventional marriage for personal reasons he is devastated when he realises he does love her and tries to keep his distance. His behavior drives a wedge between them and allows for the subplot to develop. I think his rejection of her after their marriage was placed to allow the sub-plot to develop.
The sub plot threatens Sarah and her heritage (an orphanage)and Charlie's business interests, and this is threaded throughout the story - although the culprit etc is not difficult to guess.
I enjoyed the story but give it 4 stars as I thought it a little too formulaic - seduction (excellent), rejection (questionable), threat (very 'regency'), reconciliation (good).
I would read this book again as the relationship was developed very well, and the characters were well matched and believable but I'd cheat next time and skip the plot paragraphs.
The sub plot threatens Sarah and her heritage (an orphanage)and Charlie's business interests, and this is threaded throughout the story - although the culprit etc is not difficult to guess.
I enjoyed the story but give it 4 stars as I thought it a little too formulaic - seduction (excellent), rejection (questionable), threat (very 'regency'), reconciliation (good).
I would read this book again as the relationship was developed very well, and the characters were well matched and believable but I'd cheat next time and skip the plot paragraphs.
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
This book was so boring it took me ten days to read, and this coming from a person who would stay up all night to finish a novel. It's all "love" this and " love" that. The book could be reduced to a quarter of it's size, that's how short the story is. By the time I was less than halfway through the book, I was skipping chunks of it. Her previous books are much better.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Very tasty
The Taste of Innocence (Bar Cynster)
Well up to the usual standard of Stephanie Laurens but not depicting one of the main characters in the series. Read more
Well up to the usual standard of Stephanie Laurens but not depicting one of the main characters in the series. Read more
Published 9 months ago by Andyboy
Stephanie Laurens another good read
Stephanie Laurens is consistently a good novel writer, with exciting plots in most books not just historical Romance.A good read which is hard to put down. Read more
Published on 1 Mar 2010 by R. J. Mills
Seriously disappointing
I have become a big fan of Stephanie Lauren- her books are well written and the plots usually meaty. This however was a massive disappointment. Read more
Published on 18 Feb 2009 by Katie H
Time to let the series go
I think it is time to let the Cynster saga go except for some cameo appearances in the Bastien Club novels. Read more
Published on 8 Dec 2007 by Musing
The taste of Innocence
Loved the storyline always enjoy the (Bar Cynsters) unfortunately I have read this same story before and new what was going to happen.
Published on 7 Aug 2007 by Julie Craig
Cynster Tales ...
Stephanie Laurens cannot be faulted; Charles is the brother of the wife, Gabriel chose in A Secret Love. Read more
Published on 10 Jun 2007 by Gemma Read
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