To the average person, it looked like Simon Frederick Cynster had it all: good looks, fabulous wealth, the Cynster name, and women at his beck and call. Simon came to the realization which all Cynster males eventually reach--that a successful marriage gives life true happiness. To achieve this goal, Simon decided on a covert mission to find a wife. No open obvious tactics for him that would catch the eye of every opportunistic mama with a marriageable daughter. Instead Simon opted for a house party at a friend's house.

No sooner did he arrive at the house party then he encountered the raven-haired beauty Portia Ashford. He knew Portia from his childhood days; even back then she announced her desire to remain single and independent. Simon found himself drawn to Portia despite, or maybe because of, her desire to never marry. An impromptu stirring kiss challenged Portia's determination to shun any romantic entanglements. Simon decided that Portia would fulfill the role of wife rather well; the only issue was to convince her of the same before she left. A murder of a houseguest had the whole house party sequestered until everyone could be questioned. Needless to say, there was a good chance the murderer was still in the house.

Simon and Portia teamed up to discover the motive, the murderer, and whether anyone else was in danger. Portia took her business very seriously, to the extent that the murderer began to target her. Simon played the calm, take charge gentleman to the frightened houseguests while he attempted to protect the fiercely independent Portia. In the few down moments the two had, he attempted to convince her of the benefits of love and romance. All in all, very hard work since none of the participants would cooperate, especially Portia.

On the surface, it looked like Portia wasn't all that interested in Simon. She couldn't believe that suddenly Simon was interested in her. She tried to deflect what she thought was his temporary interest by pretending disinterest. Simon must never know the reason she decided not to marry was because if she couldn't have Simon she didn't want anyone.

Portia is a lively heroine who isn't afraid to use her brains to solve a crime; she doesn't hesitate to run ahead on the scent of a clue. Her strength and independence hide her fear of rejection where Simon is concerned. Simon is all Cynster male: capable, intelligent, sensual, and more than a trifle domineering. The fact that things don't line up the way Simon plans, while frustrating for him, entertained the other houseguests who had nothing better to do while sequestered than to watch them.

An intelligent, adventurous heroine paired up with a gorgeous Cynster male; add a romantic weekend in the country, not to mention an unknown murderer, and you have another page-turning Stephanie Laurens' novel. A PERFECT LOVER is book number 10 in the Cynster series. Is this the last of the Cynster clan? Who knows, but I do know A PERFECT LOVER is the perfect book for a really good time.

Reviewed by Morgan Wyatt
© September 2004