Stephanie Laurens, The Taste of Innocence

The Taste of Innocence

Stephanie Laurens

Morrow, Mar 2007, $24.95

ISBN: 0060840862

In 1883, Charlie Morwellan knows as the Earl of Meredith he must wed an acceptable aristocrat to insure the family line has the heir and the spare. However he vows to marry under his terms and not that of the matchmaking matriarchs who make him feel like a piece of beef. His wife will be quiet and reserved with love never entering the equation as he will not emulate his late father and almost destroy their proud line.

Charlie chooses childhood friend Sarah Conningham as he knows she meets his prerequisite conditions of a wife. However, Sarah insists, unlike Charlie, she will only marry a man she loves even if that means becoming a spinster. She believes Charlie loves her though he denies that and she admits to herself she has always loved him. As he pretends not to care for her, an unscrupulous speculator has plans for Sarah's land, which means this rogue has a scheme to make her property his, any way he can.

The latest Cynster tale contains two interesting lead characters, especially the return of Charlie (see A SECRET LOVE); their disagreement over love makes their courtship fun, though resolved too easily, especially as this is the prime theme of this historical romance. The storyline is fast-paced, especially when the villain sets in motion his plan. However, too many Cynsters (multiplied faster than rabbits) make cameo appearances slowing down and unnecessarily extending the plot. Still, fans of the series will want to read the latest entry.

Harriet Klausner