The Promise in a Kiss

A Cynster Novel

By: Stephanie Laurens

Narrated by: Simon Prebble

Length: 9 hrs and 54 mins

Publisher's Summary

New York Times best-selling author Stephanie Laurens delights her many fans with steamy tales of Regency-era seduction and intrigue.

In a quiet moonlit courtyard, Helena encounters a handsome and mysterious Englishman. Before parting, he rewards her with a special kiss - a delicious, enticing, unforgettable kiss that makes her whole body shiver with desire. Helena doesn't yet know that she has met her destiny - and he is Sebastian Cynster, Duke of St. Ives.

This luxurious tale of passion features a potent reading by narrator Simon Prebble.

Savor another Cynster novel.

©2001 Savdek Management Proprietory Ltd. (P)2004 Recorded Books, LLC

Critic Reviews

"With an exquisite finesse, Laurens manipulates the sexual tension between her dark, dangerous hero and her clever heroine into sensually charged love scenes, and the book's swashbuckling climax, worthy of Dumas, should please readers who like a bit of adventure along with a passionate love story." ( Booklist)

Where it all begins, written so many years later..

Stephanie Laurens has finally put down the story of Devil Cynster's parents, Sebastian Cynster, the 5th Duke of St. Ives and the woman who steals his heart, Helena, the Comtesse d'Lisle. I've read many of the Cynster novels, and this one is special because it goes back to the beginning where it all started and let's us know Sebastian and what a great man he was. Additionally, we also meet the notorious Almira, mother of Charles, who has already died when Devil's Bride is taking place. Plus it features so many characters that are much older in the Cynster novels as we know them - Lady O, the older Helena as Dowager Duchess, and many more. I thought that Devil's Bride would always be my favorite, but I think that Promise in a Kiss has replaced it. Such a great book for anyone who loves Stephanie Lauren's work.

This book can be thoroughly enjoyed by itself or after having read any or all of the Cynster novels. :)

A Sweetly romantic tale

I thought this was a great beginning to a series that simple got better with each novel. The idea of meeting someone when you are so young and sharing a kiss that promises or hints at a life of love. It was sweetly romantic, but my favorite part is the narration...Simon Prebble is simply great! He makes the story. Best narrator I have heard on audible!

SADLY, VERY BORING---

Wish I had checked Amazon reviews before purchasing from Audible. If I had, I'd seen the review posted by "NOT TELLING" which summed up my experience perfectly, "The love scenes were steamy and good, but the plot was boring. I wanted to finish it so sooooon because I literally kept yawning."

The entire first half (5 hours) had so much repetition that could have been reduced to one page. She's looking for a docile husband to escape her controlling guardian. He's looking for a wife to produce an heir. They shared a quick chaste kiss as young strangers and years later run in to each other again during the ton's "marriage market." He decides on her, she thinks he's too controlling and says no. THEY BICKER FOR FIVE AUDIO HOURS!! And when they're not bickering in person, they're pondering about their bickerings with long internal dialogues.

The next 5 hours have the couple finally coming together, but soon a problem crops up and they spend HOURS in repetitive self-ponderings on what to do about it. When action is finally taken at the very end, it is extremely rushed and then the truth about the villain and the "mystery" is revealed and it is unbelievably lame.

Such potential but...

On the surface this was a good read/listen. If this was the first book in the series I had read it would have had a higher rating. Knowing what happens later sours the whole romance.

timeline

If you could sum up The Promise in a Kiss in three words, what would they be?

This book is an emotional peril, rather than physial danger like the others, I had to listen to this one a second time before I realized that this is Devil's parents story. ( I got involved with the Cynster's with the females stories,) Here we meet Elmira, Martin's first wife, Charles, the Heir , now a toddler,

A job well done by both narrator and writer

LOVED this book. Wonderfully detailed and well written and narrated. The love story was portrayed in such a manner that one can completely see why the love and admiration was there between the hero and heroine. A definite recommendation

Simon Prebble only reads good books.

I love all the Cynster Novels. They are fun and romantic. This is a good one to read first as it is the story of the french mother of future Cynsters.

A Promising Start to the Cynster Family

What made the experience of listening to The Promise in a Kiss the most enjoyable?

By all means, Simon Prebble! As with all of his stories, he is animated, passionate, and provides enough diversity in his voices, that you almost think there are multiple narrators. I get LOST in Simon's readings.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I really enjoyed Helena. She is a strong woman and you get a better understanding of why she made the best choice for The Duchess of St. Ives.

What about Simon Prebble’s performance did you like?

He is always so animated and passionate. He's really one of the best I have had the priviledge of listening to!

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

It all started with a promise...in a kiss!

Any additional comments?

SPOILERS: I liked learning more of the background to Sebastian. We don't hear much of him in the first of the Cynster novels. We only hear of the "scandal" and it might bear a bitter taste to most who didn't listen to this story. Not that his actions are approved by me! I just now get a better feeling as to why he was lead down that path. Of course, without that leading, we would have never had Richard and the scandal that almost wasn't! The book also gives brief introductions to the other Cynsters like Almira (Charles' mother) and Sebastians brothers, as well as Lady Osbortsten, who is prominant in most of the Cynster novels that take place in London!

I was very disappointed in this book

The story got lost in the sex scenes. Just when the story started to get interesting they would go at it again, and the author just drags it out and goes on and on and on. The outcome is extremely predictable.

I was bored out of my mind

I am throwing in the towel on this series. There is so much potential but the books just drag on and on....I like books that have action, not just repetitive talking and lots of sex. The only exciting part was when they rescued the sister. I like the narrater but he tends to make the characters sound too old.