A Conquest Impossible To Resist (Cynsters Next Generation Series Book 7)

Stephanie Laurens used to be one of my favorite authors - but NO MORE! This book and the one published directly before are wordy, wordy, wordy. I don't know what has happened with her Editor and Publisher but my guess is they have both LOST their RED PENCILS! I wish Amazon would have a CANCEL button to use for a book after it has been received because I would return this book immediately and expect my money back. I have managed to plow my way through less than 30% of this novel. What a Disappointment! I could not make myself fight my way through anymore extraneous dialog. I have also cancelled Stephanie's next Cavanaughs book, "The Pursuits of Lord Kit Cavanaugh" (The Cavanaughs Book 2) rather than waste my money again.

I have read all of the Cynster books and while I agree with some of the comments already made (instant lust dominated too fast/too long with none of the subtle engaging as in when Devil met Honoria), I also thought some were too harsh. I did enjoy the book. Being familiar with the "Bar Cynster" and their stories, I looked forward to the tales of the next generation and while a couple were a little weak (this one and Sebastian's story), I have enjoyed reading about the adults they have become. In this book, Prudence takes on the task of determining the quality of horses wishing to breed with the Cynster stables. There is much detail on how this evaluating is done - some rather tedious - but of course there is a side romance and a mystery to handle as well. Is this her best writing? No. Best editing? No. (Pru's two closest friends are Antonia and Catriona??? Her aunt??) Was it worth the read? Yes, to me it was. I wanted to see where Pru's path led her and was glad of the chance to look in at Demon and Flip again. And I look forward to Christopher's story. Not every book, by any author, is five star but Stephanie Laurens (and her readers) knows her characters and she has given me many hours of enjoyment over the years. I expect that will continue.

Compared to Laurens’s early Cynster books, A Conquest Impossible to Resist is… bland. Despite several murder attempts, it lacks urgency and intensity: in the romance, in the murder plot, and (despite repeated mentions of the Cynsters’ need for breeding stock) in Prudence’s overall motivation. Deaglan’s motivation works a little better, but he’s a pale imitation of the larger-than-life rakes of the original generation. I don’t object to taking a break from the somewhat over-the-top alpha-male heroes usually favored by Laurens, and I’m happy to see an alpha male who is nonetheless willing to deal with the heroine as an equal—in fact, that part of the relationship was refreshing.But overall, in the romance as in the rest of the book, there is far too much telling and not enough showing. It even spills into what should, in some scenes, have been dialog. In some places, there’s too much dialogue, but in others, the author tells you the gist rather than show you what was said… and invariably, what isn’t shown would have worked better as dialogue to bring the characters alive.I think that’s my problem with the whole book, in fact. There’s nothing really wrong with it, but it never really came alive for me, never sucked me into its world so thoroughly that the world outside disappeared.I could blame that on myself—on being too tired, distracted, and/or stressed with work to really get into the book—but just as a test, I started reading the first Cynster novel, Devil’s Bride, right after this one. The difference is clear and palpable. The writing pulled me out of myself and into Honoria’s world immediately, despite the fact that I’ve read the book at least five times before. Devil’s Bride isn’t perfect, for reasons that lie outside the scope of this review, but taken as a benchmark (it remains one of Laurens’s best and most popular romances), it casts A Conquest Impossible to Resist completely in the shade. At this point, I’m reading Laurens out of habit and loyalty rather than any real excitement for the new books. Very few of her novels since leaving Avon are on my “keep and reread” shelf. And that saddens me.A LONGER VERSION OF THIS REVIEW WAS FIRST PUBLISHED on The Bookwyrm's Hoard Blog.

I will admit that I love reading Stephanie Laurens books. They are fun and exciting! This story, however, far exceeded my expectations! Pru is a wonderfully complex character, and Deaglan complements her perfectly. She is a typical Cynster, and not your ordinary debutante. It will take a special man to rein her in, and he fits the bill! Things seem to be developing quite satisfactorily, until you look down and see that you are only half way through this story...and then Wham! The mystery part of the story hits and you are drawn into that, until you are left sighing with delight, and a little sadness when it is over.The pace starts out leisurely and then kicks into high gear when the action starts up. The tone is quite simply romantic AND mysterious, with a storyline that starts out character oriented and moves into action oriented. The steamy scenes are beautifully done and all the characters, including the animals, are vivid and well drawn. I can't wait for Christopher's story next year, but in the meantime, we have 2 Cavanaugh stories and Lady Osbaldstone's Christmas treat to hold us off until then. As for his one, if you like your historical romances with superb characters, as well as action, then this is the perfect story for you! Enjoy! But if you haven't already met the Cynsters yet, I guarantee you will have to start back at the very beginning to meet them all, with side trips into a few other series, to meet additional characters!

I really loved Pru and Deaglan - a match made in heaven between a strong independent woman who knows her stuff and a very manly man who cares for his people with a passion.Having said that, my expectations having been set by previous stories in the Cynster series, I was disappointed with most of the romantic interaction between them.As always I love stories that feature and reference other members of the Cynster family as this makes them all the more real to me. The romance and the “jeopardy” sub plot are both interesting and entertaining - although probably a bit too much is centred around the horses (maybe understandable as this is Pru we’re dealing with!) - but the development and detail of Pru and Deaglan’s relationship was lacking.I’ve said this before in other reviews but, while I don’t require pages and pages of steamy sex scenes to enjoy a story, my expectations had been set by previous stories in this series and as such I was expecting a similar reading experience. Probably my bad but sometimes you’re just looking for a bit of spice and rely on someone who has more than delivered in the past to meet your needs so in this case - and only in this respect - I was disappointed.Dear Ms Laurens - please, please bring back some of your old “spicy” magic to this series of books and leave your new “sweet” magic to the other series.

I really liked this book. I found the world of horse breeding and the characters very interesting. Both Prudence and Deaglan were very engaging and fully expressed their passion for their job. I had very much enjoyed Felicity's story and here her daughter continues in the same vein. Of course, I had guessed very early on who the villain of the piece was, but that is not was was really important. It was great to see other members of the family gradually appearing and the relationship between the siblings heart warming.I very much liked Deaglan, his sense of values and the reasons which had taken him away from his estate in Ireland. All in all , an enjoyable and interesting tale, different from the haut ton shenanigans in London.Well done Stephanie, I look forward to reading the next book in this series.

Another great story from Stephanie Laurens. She outlines the characters so well and creates a very believable plot. I did, however, guess the identity of the "baddie" this time!As long as she keeps writing, I will read every Cynster story! I also enjoy all her Adventure/ Mystery series.Best of all, she writes in good English language. Keep them coming,please, Stephanie!

When a letter arrives at the home of Demon Cynster, hinting at an unknown herd of horses in Ireland, Prudence Cynster insists that she has to visit, and if they are what is needed to improve the family racing stables.Felix, younger brother of Deglan Fitzgerald, now Earl of Glengarah, knowing that his brother intends to make his stables pay for themselves and help the estate. A letter signed P. H. Cynster arrives, shortly before it's author, who is not quite who was expected.Not long after, incidents begin happening, all pointing to an attempt to prevent the breeding programme. After other incidents point to the target now aimed at Deglan. Also as they work together, Deglan realizes that he wants more with Prudence.As each problem is solved, leading to the next, before Prudence also admits that she wants and feels like she has come home. As the truth of who is behind everything and why, that someone else has been set up as the scapegoat, before all is made clear, ending with a happy ever after.Another great story with plenty of twists before all is revealed. Can't wait for the next book.

I'm so sorry, I just could not bring myself to continue past about 30%, due to unbearable boredom, relentless head-hopping and incredibly stilted and uninspiring interactions between all the cast. I have *loved* other titles by this author, and I so wish the bite of something exciting had grabbed hold of this story and given it a good shake to get rid of the chaff, but at a third through, I have given up.