The Taste of Innocence (Cynster Novels, 14)

Another great book by Stephanie Laurens! I can't wait to read Mastered By Love that I have pre-ordered!

I am a big fan of Stephanie Laurens and of the Cynster Family. I liked the story of Charlie Morwellan. Although I found his reasoning for his remoteness with Sarah to be idiotic, I realized, what man isn't idiotic in his thinking (not to make this a male bashing). After all, many of the themes in historical romance books are far-fetched or border on the ridiculous, but that is the way of all human foibles. I thoroughly enjoyed the tale and I fell in love with Charlie and Sarah falling in love.

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. Originally published for Curled Up With A Good Book, www.curledup.com. © Helen Hancox 2007

I really enjoyed the book; not as racey as others, but kept me up until I finished it. Suspected the villian right away, BUT did not expect the end!! I would recommend it highly - 4 stars compared to HER other books - and she's one of the best authors writing.

Another awesome Cynster novel and well worth waiting for!! The interplay between the two main characters was very interesting, and to see love blossom between two old friends gives us all hope. Also the underlying drama regarding the railroad schemes was extremely interesting. Since there is always a drama that goes along with every Cynster love story, I was very pleased to see this storyline take a different direction than the previous Cynster novels. Now I can't wait for the next Bastion Club novel in September. Thanks again, Stephanie!!