title: A Rake's Vow (Cynster Novels)
author:  Stephanie Laurens 
description: To this second book of her Bar Cynster series, Stephanie Laurens brings a thorough command of Regency style, as well as graphic, uninhibited love scenes. Elegant, commanding Vane Cynster graciously bows to fate when he seeks shelter from a storm and meets the woman he realizes he's destined to marry--Patience Debbington, the spinster niece of Vane's kindhearted godmother. Although her attraction to Vane is immediate and electrifying, Patience distrusts "elegant gentlemen" like her father, who broke her mother's heart by failing to return her love. To pursue Patience, Vane settles into his godmother's household, which consists of various poor relatives and assorted hangers-on, and is caught up in the search for a petty thief and occasional "Spectre" who is harassing them. It requires all of Vane's investigative abilities to catch the criminal, and all of his considerable powers of persuasion--as well as many ardent couplings with Patience--to convince her that family, loyalty, and love come first for him. Laurens is especially skillful at capturing Regency males, aristocrats whose refined restraint barely masks their powerful underlying urges. Appearances by others of the extended, devoted Cynster family ensures that readers will become increasing attached to this ongoing series. <i>--Ellen Edwards</i>
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  _An Unwilling Conquest_
  
  
  A favorite Regency romance from #1 _New York Times_ bestselling author
  Stephanie Laurens…
  
  
  Self-proclaimed rake Harry Lester has no intention of being ensnared by the
  trap of marriage. With a large inheritance to his name, Harry knows that he’d
  best start running from London’s matchmaking mothers and widows. But when he
  encounters Mrs. Lucinda Babbacombe, a beautiful, independent widow, he cannot
  quell his desire for her. Before he knows it, Harry finds himself prisoner in
  the most passionate of traps.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  **Praise for**  
  
  
  **STEPHANIE LAURENS**  
    
  
  
  “Laurens’s writing shines.”  
  
  
  — _Publishers Weekly_
  
  
  “Stephanie Laurens is a real find! She combines outstanding characterization
  with action and sensuality, bringing larger-than-life characters to the page
  with such skill and talent that they become real. All I need is her name on
  the cover to make me pick up the book.”  
  
  
  —Linda Howard
  
  
  “Ms. Coulter, Quic