Honoria was sent on another boring assignment as a finishing governess. Her life had taken a drastic change since that night she watched her family carriage crushed by a lightning felled tree. Suddenly, Honoria and her brother Michael lost their mother, father, younger brother, and sister in one storm swept night. Honoria, devastated by the loss, decided against ever loving again, or having children. To this end, she decided to use her own training to help launch other young women into society. Her latest assignment wasn't turning out the way she planned as a shot rang out when she took a short cut through the woods. Honoria soon sighted the body of the fallen man. Just about that time lightning struck, scaring off her horse. Ever practical, she stood in the middle of the road and waved down a thundering rider. The rider turned out to be Sylvester, better known as St Ives, and to his intimates, as Demon.

A crazy woman stood boldly in the road, not moving an inch despite the flailing hooves of his mount; it was then he noticed the body by the side of the road. It was Tolly, a light-hearted younger Cynster cousin. Together Demon and Honoria managed to convey Tolly to a nearby cottage. Tolly died after delivering a cryptic message about his murderer. Demon vowed two things that night: that he would find Tolly's killer and that this fearless woman would become his wife. After sharing a stormy night together, Demon and Honoria were met by Honoria's outraged employer--who hoped to snag Demon for her own daughter--her husband, and Vane: Demon's cousin. Demon proposed to marry Honoria to preserve her reputation and meet his own needs. Unfortunately, he didn't count on the headstrong Honoria refusing his proposal and insisting on finding the murderer herself. Matters were further complicated by Dowager Duchess who decided to lend a hand in the match making process.

DEVIL'S BRIDE is the initial novel of the Cynster series. It moves as quickly as a runaway horse and is as powerful as a summer thunder storm. It has it all: a feisty heroine, a to-die-for hero, witty dialogue, a mystery, interfering support characters, and a murder--all set in Regency England. This novel introduces the general public to the Cynster family which includes strong men with alarming nicknames, clever women, and mischievous children. Wherever there is a Cynster something is bound to happen.
Reviewed by Morgan Wyatt
© September 2004