"Scrumptious alpha male who values a strong woman"

On his way to visit the estate he has just inherited, Simon Cynster has been invited to a house party near Dorset. There he meets another guest, Portia Ashford, ambling about the countryside. Related by marriage, both strongly independent, Portia and Simon have always been at odds, one never giving way to the other's dominating manner. However, both have decided that it is time to think about marriage. Older than most girls in society, Portia wants to study the eligible males at the house party in order to learn how to attract a desirable husband. Overprotective like all his Cynster cousins, Simon volunteers to teach Portia as much about relations between men and women as she desires.

This novel is charming, in the best sense of the word. I have read all the author's Cynster novels, and this is one of the best; it is a wonderful portrait of society's lifestyle of the era. Simon and Portia's quest for a suitable mate is countered against the backdrop of the crumbling marriage of their host. I really believed that they learn together how to meld their strong personalities into a stronger relationship. Together, they resolve each other's valid concerns for how they could grow together in compromises that do not stifle their individual strengths.

Stephanie Laurens has a deft hand with creating scrumptious alpha males who value their strong wives. On a side note, the cover is one of the best I've seen in a long while; it evokes the countryside setting while highlighting the sensuality of the couple. I highly recommend this book.

Sensuality Rating: Explicit and sensual, Portia's sexual awakening is accomplished with her in firm control and is used to establish trust between the characters.

Reviewed by Karen Williston for Sensual Romance.

Reviewed by Sensual Romance
Courtesy Sensual Romance
Posted February 24, 2003

It's a story that asks the question:
What would you do to entice...
The Perfect Lover?

Summary

Never let it be said that a Cynster male can't face up to the one unassailable truth: that a successful marriage gives life its fullest meaning. To all of English society, Simon Frederick Cynster has a perfect life - one of enormous wealth and impeccable social status. His lean handsomeness turns the heads of naïve debutantes, while his sensual allure ensures he never lacks for more sophisticated partners for a night, or more, of pleasure. Yet despite all of this, Simon knows that there is something - or rather someone - missing in his life.

To achieve true contentment, Simon accepts that he must find a lady accomplished enough to be his wife. Someone who will spend her days as a member of one of England's most influential families...and her nights pursuing duties of a more private - and personal - nature.

But Simon knows what to expect if he reveals his intention to choose a bride; nothing could be more tiresome than having every blushing miss on the marriage mart thrust upon him. So he discreetly begins his search at a house party at Glossup Hall...and is astonished that the lady who immediately captures his interest is Portia Ashford.

Simon has never considered Portia as a potential wife. He's known the raven-haired beauty since childhood; she's willfully independent and has always claimed to be uninterested in marriage. But an unexpectedly heated kiss abruptly alters the rules of their decade-long interaction. Soon they begin to long for the moments they can spend in each other's arms.

But all is not as it seems at Glossup Hall. As Simon and Portia begin to explore the depths of their mutual passion, a shocking murder is committed...and it appears that the next victim will be Portia herself. And even more shocking than the fact that a murderer secretly walks among them is the realization that all of Simon's considerable strength and influence may not be enough to protect Portia - his once and always perfect lover.