The Tempting of Thomas Carrick (Cynsters Next Generation Series Book 2)

Like so many other modern writers, Stephanie Laurens had been a personal favorite. I don't know what publishing houses are doing to authors these days but current "favorites" are leaving me deeply disappointed.This book begins and ends with a mystery, that feels as if it is the part Ms. Laurens wrote. The middle is filled with the "consort" relationship which seemed ploddingly planned and without much romance. Sex yes, romance, no. This is the part that feels as if it was written by a team of "other" writers. I can only assume that is what publishers are doing these days, and that is why so many novels seem disjointed and nonsensical. For me, this has diminished the enjoyment of reading a good romance story with offers charm, humor, strong characters, and a clever storyline. I'd much rather feel that I have a "keeper" to read and enjoy in the future, rather than other book I'll give to the local Thrift store without a second thought.

I've always really liked Stephanie Laurens books, but this one just didn't work for me. I didn't like the way Lucilla or Thomas treated each other, and really didn't feel like they belonged together.I liked Lucilla for the most part, but I really didn't like the way she tried to manipulate Thomas into a relationship. She was sure if she showed him how good they could be together, that he would agree with her. That is not love.I didn't like Thomas much at all. He was kind of cold and distant to everyone, even Lucilla. But when he decided to sleep with her, even though he had no intention of continuing their relationship -- I just couldn't like him anymore at all.I know the whole point of their story was that they were "destined" to be together, but I just didn't like the way either one of them behaved. I thought they both needed to learn not to try to control or use each other.

Lucilla, Marcus and Thomas have been my favorite throughout the series and this book makes me love them more. I know Thomas is a idiot at the end when he does the bonehead move of believing he is acting on his own accord but other than there you truly love him. He is strong and kind. Respected and yet shows that he is not above anyone. He has a station but doesn’t make people feel that they are beneath him. For him they are all equal. Lucilla is his confidante and in this time era that is great to see. Thomas is fighting his attraction to Lucilla from the beginning. He does this to avoid being hurt. Lucilla is determined to show him where he belongs and that is by his side. While this is going on we have a mystery on our hands. To the mystery machine we go. This is like the awesome cross of a Scooby doo mystery with the smoke and mirrors and something hong kong phooey would see its awesome. We also throw in family dynamics and we have a big mess that needs a sortin. the betrayal there is baffling and you are left with questions about it at the end. I am baffled as to why Nigel did all he did and why Nolan is how he is.Thomas is brought back to Carrick manor due to the farmers writing him about the crops and one family needing help for they are ill. Thomas comes to the manor right away and finds some shocking things. Mainly the illness of his uncle. Thomas takes the reigns and is a strong leader to say the least.heir Lucilla is a force to be reckoned with and she is there helping Thomas every step of the way in helping the farmers and his uncle with illness and trying to find out who is behind all the bazaar happenings in the carrick clan.Their attraction is palpable and the tension from that attraction is felt on every page. The cat and mouse they play to try to reign in their emotions while the other tries to have one lose their inhibitions and see what is meant to be is fun and excellently written. The intimate pages are so elegant in their descriptions and gives you enough detail to have you enjoy and savor the moment while keeping you in the moment and not enough to have it be distasteful for this type of book so your imagination can be used. the story is engaging and keeps you on your toes and enjoying the comradarie and closeness of Thomas and Lucilla. The interesting dynamic of lucilla and marcus is so precious to see and helps you understand more of her family.A engaging and fun tale with intriguing elements that leave you with questions as you read the tale of the love of Thomas and lucilla see marcus find a love interest and carrick manor be put in question and turmoil. A sweet gem of a tale.

I have been a Stephanie Lauren's fan from her earliest days and many of her books feature on my list of favourite Regency books. I have been a loyal reader and stuck with her through her various series and once again, I bought this book on pre-order, wanting to catch up on old characters and read about the next generation of the Cynster family. I really enjoyed the mystery element, but am totally frustrated by the cliffhanger ending and the need to wait for the next book in the series before the murderer is revealed, etc, etc.Other reviewers have talked about the plot line in detail, so I will not comment on that, other than to say, one cannot fault Miss Laurens grammar or story telling abilities but the word that springs to mind is, "samey." Nothing fresh or exciting, just more of the same, a formulaic storyline which trades on our desire to keep abreast with the activities of a much-loved family. A feeling I have been experiencing with her last half dozen books at least. Indeed, so strong is this sense of repetition that I skipped all the sex scenes so that I could keep up with the plot and the mystery element of the book.I know that I will not be popular for saying this but unless the author is made aware of this sense of disaffection that many of her loyal readers are experiencing then we are in line for many more books using her so called winning formula. Books which will rely on similar plot lines and repetitive descriptions of sex disguised under a new title. If you are new to Stephanie Laurens work please, please, please go read her earlier works. Then you will understand fully what I mean and have the added pleasure of reading, sparkling, witty dialogue with descriptions of a Regency life that will leave you wanting more.This book did none of that, I just felt that once again, I was being taken for granted as a loyal Stephanie Laurens fan.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. My favourite Cynsters were always Catriona & Richard, and so it was lovely to catch up with Lucilla, their eldest child, and to some extent her twin Marcus (see next book). It was obvious in the previous book that Lucilla and Thomas were to be the next pair, but the book is true to the Cynsters with several twists where 'The Lady' gets involved. Lots of love and as usual the ending you have looked forward to. Poor Thomas has no intention of settling to estate life as he has a good job which he loves in Glasgow but as usual everything conspires against him! Lovely

I thought this book disappointing. We knew that the the couple pair off from the previous novel,so there was no element of surprise. The villain was wishy-washy; he just wanted to live a fashionable life beyond his means,and in the end he scarpers,so justice is not seen to be done. There were some real tensions in Scotland at that time involving the Highland clearances. I think the author has run out of ideas. Her work is normally very readable ,but she is taking her readership for granted at the moment.

I am a keen Stephan Laurens fan, but incredibly disappointed with this book, found myself skipping chunks of indigestible waffle, no real story, rubbish finish - wouldn't call it an ending. Save your money and buy one of her older quality books, this is just simply bad

The story line seemed to be presented well with regards to leading you on to actually wanting to find the answers to the situations that were fixed in this book