E-book extra: From the Lab to the Regency: One Writer's Travels (Part One): An Interview with Stephanie Laurens.
ON A WILD NIGHT (Book 1 of 2): Bored by glittering ballrooms and the current crop of colorless suitors, Amanda Cynster (Amelia's twin) one night shockingly goes where no respectable lady ever should -- and is rescued, from danger, and from boredom, by the boldly passionate Earl of Dexter.
ON A WICKED DAWN (Book 2 of 2: separate download): Amelia Cynster (Amanda's twin) risks scandal by lying in wait for the handsome, enigmatic Lucien Ashford. He agrees to her outrageous marriage proposal, but she is about to learn that every wicked gentleman has his price. E-book exclusive: author interview concludes.
Where are all the exciting men in London?
After spending years in the glittering ballrooms of the ton, Amanda Cynster is utterly bored by the current crop of colorless suitors. Determined to take matters into her own hands, one night she shockingly goes where no respectable lady ever should, but where many an intriguing gentleman might be found.
But forbidden excitement quickly turns to panic when Amanda discovers she's quite out of her depth. She looks around for help -- and is unexpectedly rescued by the Earl of Dexter. Lean, sensuous, and mysterious, he has delayed re-entering society, preferring instead a more interesting existence on its fringes.
He's the epitome of the boldly passionate gentleman Amanda has been searching for, but although his very touch makes it clear he's willing to educate her in the art of love, Amanda has to wonder if such a masterful, lionized rake can be sufficiently tamed into the ways of marriage.
Be sure not to miss the tale of Amanda's twin, Amelia Cynster -- On a Wicked Dawn -- also available from PerfectBound e-books.
"Exciting enough?"
The words reached her on a whisper; no cynicism came with them -- he seemed as appreciative as she.
She drew in a breath -- the air was cooler, sweeter than any she'd ever tasted. "It's... strange." She glanced at him. "Come -- let's walk a little way."
His brows rose but he stood, stepped past her and jumped down. He gave her his hands, helped her down the steps, then, enclosing one of her hands in a firm grasp, he surveyed the silvered sward. "Which way?"
"There." She pointed across the expanse before them to a pinetum.
Dexter called a command to the groom, then, her hand still locked in his, they set out.
It had been years since she'd walked hand-in-hand. She found it unexpectedly enjoyable, leaving her freer than if she'd taken his arm. Yet when her boot slipped in a dip, he pulled her up, steadied her easily. She laughed and smiled her thanks, resettled the luxurious wrap,, then let him take her hand and they walked on.
Behind them, the carriage drive dwindled. The sense of being alone, the sole living beings in the quiet landscape, grew with every step. The consciousness of being -isolated, one male, one female, burgeoned; there was no other living creature to distract or deflect their senses.
The magic that hung in the moonlit air was a drug. Amanda felt giddy by the time they were nearing the pines. She was aware Dexter was watching her; his thoughts were impossible to guess.
How did he see her? As an obligation, a young lady he felt honor-bound to protect? Or as a lady with whom he was happy to be walking handfasted through the moonlight?
She didn't know which, but she was determined to find out.
The pines were grouped to create a grove with a path winding through it; she glanced at Dexter. "Can we go in?"
His eyes met hers. "If you wish."
She led the way, gazing about her as they moved into the trees' shadows. The path led to a clearing where the interested could pause and admire the individual trees. She did so. The trees hid the moon; the clearing was lit only by diffused light, even softer, less substantial, than moonlight.
Sliding her fingers from Dexter's, she adjusted the silken wrap. She paused, eyes on the trees, senses alive to the subtle promise, the elusive whisper on the night air. She turned to him. His gaze shifted from the trees to her. She hesitated for only a heartbeat, then stepped closer. Lifted one hand to his shoulder, stretched up and set her lips to his.
He didn't immediately react, then he stirred; his hands locked about her waist and anchored her in the same instant his lips firmed. He returned her caress, then his tongue touched her lips and she parted them. He surged in.
Their lips clung, their tongues twined, caressed, made artful promises. His fingers flexed against her spine, sinking deeper, as if to hold her where she was, her feet firmly on the ground.. Preserving the small but definite distance between their bodies, when all she wanted was to close it.
He drew back from the kiss, lifted his head, but seemed incapable of lifting it far. His eyes searched hers. "What are you seeking?"
She slid her fingers to his nape. "I told you -- excitement. You told me I could find it here." In your arms. With her eyes, she dared him to misunderstand as, ignoring the pressure of his hands at her waist, she stepped closer. Her pelisse brushed his coat. She held his gaze, darkly shadowed, and prayed she struck the right note -- one of blatant challenge. "Show me, then." Her gaze fell to his lips. "I want to know -- I want to feel it."
"Laurens's writing shines.... [She] is quickly building a name for herself with this exceptional series, and her growing number of fans will pluck this one off the shelf" (reviewing All About Love, the sixth book in the Cynster series).
New York Times-bestselling author Stephanie Laurens specializes in writing historical romances set in Regency England. Her first such novel was Captain Jack's Woman, published by Avon Books in 1977. Ms. Laurens is best known for her long-running, award-winning tales of the ducal Cynster dynasty: Devils' Bride; A Rake's Vow; Scandal's Bride; A Rogue's Proposal; A Secret Love; All About Love; All About Passion (the story of "honorary Cynster" Gyles Rawlings); the "twin novels," On a Wild Night & On a Wicked Dawn; The Perfect Lover (2003); and The Promise in a Kiss: A Christmas Novel, about the founders of the Cynster dynasty. All these titles are available from PerfectBound e-books. Ms. Laurens resides in a leafy bayside suburb of Melbourne, Australia with her husband and two daughters and their cats, Shakespeare and Marlowe. Please visit www.stephanielaurens.com.
