Alasdair Cynster, known to his friends as Lucifer, was determined to escape the fate of his Cynster cousins: marriage. The family saying went "that when Cynsters fell in love it was for life." Lucifer didn't begrudge his cousins their married bliss, but it just wasn't for him. The only natural option was to run fast and far to escape all the matchmaking mamas of the ton. His escape to Devon dropped him right into the middle of a murder where he was inadvertently clubbed by local independent beauty, Phyllida.

Horrified that she may have seriously hurt him, Phyllida managed to arrange Lucifer's stay at her own home. The two soon realized that somehow they both were connected to the murder and attempted to pool their clues to catch the killer. Despite Phyllida's growing attraction to Lucifer, she was unwilling to share all--doing so would reveal her dubious activities that she'd rather keep secret. A little house breaking, thievery, and light smuggling--not to mention the donning of men's clothes--were all the sort of things that would raise a few eyebrows and would give her father, the local magistrate, a stroke. To complicate matters, Lucifer inherited the house which was being robbed so there was no chance of him leaving soon. Unfortunately the killer decided to take up residence too.

Watching Phyllida lead her bevy of suitors on a merry chase put Lucifer in a sour mood. His sullen attitude didn't take in the killer who seemed obsessed with breaking into Lucifer's newly inherited house. Then there was Phyllida, who just might have seen something of the murderer. It was hard to be a possessive, protective, Cynster male when the lady in question didn't want to be protected. Phyllida challenged his honor and his heart with her strong willed, independent ways. Lucifer wasn't sure if he could keep her safe from the unpredictable murderer long enough to decide if a relationship was possible.

Phyllida is a woman who does absolutely what needs to be done in a time when women were considered merely decorative objects. She is a heroine to root for as she manipulates those around her for their own good. It's not too surprising that she doesn't see her counterpart in the take-charge Cynster male, Lucifer. In fact, it is amazing that the two manage to miss how perfect they are for each other. It is something everyone else in the village can figure out including her motley band of suitors. Suspense shadows every page with the prospect of a potential murder--kind of ruining the possibility of happily ever after.
Got a craving for strong, intelligent men with a talent for words, and even more talented hands? Then you are looking for the Cynster male, only to be found within the pages of Stephanie Laurens' novel. ALL ABOUT LOVE guarantees a good time, just like the Cynster male. Once you've met Lucifer, you will want to meet the whole family.

Reviewed by Morgan Wyatt
© August 2004