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For being a short story I thought it was brilliant. It reminded me of The Promise in a Kiss, the story of Sebastian Cynster and Helena.

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My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Stephanie Laurens gives her readers all!!! The Capture of the Earl of Glencrae has it all…action, suspense, comedy, romance, anything a reader likes it’s got.

Angelica Cynster is the youngest sister of the three siblings that have been kidnapped during the last five months. Her sisters’ kidnaps were not exactly successful as, their now fiances, rescued them with the help of the Laird.

As it turns out, Angelica is the last of the three looking for her hero, and has no one in sight– until she catches a glance of the Earl of Glencrae, who to all in London, is no one other than Viscount Debenham. She has a lot of faith in the pendant she wears, and truly believes it will bring to her the hero she’s been waiting for.

Dominic, the Viscount/Earl is in London and his only purpose is to kidnap the last available Cynster sister. His plan is to take her with him, but only if she agrees to go willingly. He plans to offer marriage as part of the bargain.

Dominic thinks himself the hunter except his prey, Angelica, becomes the huntress and he the hunted. Angelica puts herself on a silver platter, and facilitates her own kidnapping without second thought. Dominic takes the opportunity and her with him. Little does he know what the turn of events will be as after he explains to her his ordeal, and his proposal, she more than willing accepts to help him but declines his offer of marriage. She doesn’t fully decline, mind you, she merely postpones her response to that part of their bargain.

Dominic is used to being the one in command, then again with Angelica, he finds an equal partner. Angelica knows since the first time she set eyes on him, he is her hero. On the other hand, it doesn’t take Dominic long to realize that since the first time he set eyes on Angelica, he’s always known she’d be his.

Mirabelle, Dominic’s mom, wants revenge on Angelica’s mom, Celia Cynster, for being the woman her husband, always loved and never forgot. Mirabelle feels she’s always been the second choice and not the first. Despite all her efforts to make her husband forget about Celia, her husband followed every step of Celia’s life, her kids, everything that surrounded Celia he knew about. Mirabelle feels ruining one of Celia’s daughters is nothing but sweet revenge.

Angelica teams up with Dominic and his staff, and work up a plan to dupe his mom into thinking Angelica’s been ruined, so that Dominic can get the goblet back, and put everything back to rights. Their plan doesn’t go without a hitch, and they are forced to improvise many things; nonetheless, they succeed.

The rest of the Cynsters are never the kind to sit around and “posses their souls in patience” as Angelica puts it. Her kidnap brings together Devil, Scandal, Vane, Demon, Lucifer, Gabriel plus the two new men additions to the Cynster family. Of course, their women reign them in with the help of the Dowager Duchess, and Lady O. The ever (not over) protective men always make a point of listening to their women but don’t let this fool you, they listen it’s an all together other story what they do, and who really manipulates who (it’s a battle of the wills among them).

For this book, I can’t point out what I liked best and what I’d like to have seen more of. The story was simply terrific. I loved it from beginning to end, and there’s nothing that I’d change.

Like I said, Stephanie Laurens gives it all.

Overview:

We joyfully request your attendance at the wedding of Miss Angelica Cynster … but not until she and her hero lay to rest an ancient grudge in the Scottish Highlands!

Headstrong Angelica Cynster is certain she’ll recognize her fated husband at first sight. And when her eyes meet those of a mysterious nobleman, she knows beyond a doubt that he’s the one. But her heart is soon pounding for an entirely different reason—when her hero abducts her!

The eighth Earl of Glencrae has no choice but to kidnap Angelica, the one Cynster sister with whom he hadn’t wanted to tangle. But to save his castle and his clan, he must persuade her to assist him—and he’s prepared to offer marriage to seal the deal!
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Emily Rutherford and her sisters have a priviledged life and all going for them, until of course tragedy knocks on their door. From there on, all goes down hill, them included. Edward, a most hedious cousin, basically kicks them out of the place they’ve known as their home all their lives. Out of pure “generosity”, as Edward puts it, he lets them live at a Cottage, and provides them with a minute allowance that isn’t even enough to make ends meet. This forces Emily and her sisters to become creative, and find ways to make up for the extra funds they need.

Emily’s perfect life is shattered by this turn of events. The one thing that remains consistent in her life is her friendship with Adrian, Kate and Francis. Emily believes Adrian is the love of her life. They’ve been best friends forever, they share everything with each other, and her approval on whatever he does means a great deal to him. The problem is a chaste kiss full of an empty promise, leads her to believe one day in the near future she will be Adrian’s wife.

Emily confides her deepest secrets to Kate, after all Kate is her best girlfriend or so she thinks. Kate doesn’t have a mean bone to her, although some may think otherwise. She does care for Emily, and never really means to hurt her friend’s feelings.

Francis, on the other hand, goes from being a fun to be around boy, to someone who is almost seen as mean and guarded. No one understands the drastic change in Francis, and this makes Emily, perhaps not hate him, but not want to be around him.

Years go by, the boys leave for school. Kate is now the only friend Emily’s got left. Later, Kate goes to visit some relatives in London, where she happens to meet Adrian once more, and both fall head over heels for each other.

Emily and her sisters are invited to the one and only ball they’re always invited to, and everyone truly believes Adrian will offer for her. Everyone’s surprised when Adrian announces his engagement to no other than Kate, her girl best friend.

Emily’s heart and hopes are crushed. Francis is also back and cannot believe his ears when he learns of this turn of events. The thing is, Francis has been secretly in love with Emily, and this little tirade actually ends up working to his advantage.

Through their daily exchanges, small quarrels, and a few stolen kisses, Emily realizes that the one she’s truly in love with is Francis. What she feels for him is nothing close to whatever she thought she ever felt towards Adrian. Soon after, Francis confides in Emily about the demons that are at fault for him changing. Emily sees in Francis, the Francis she’s always known, and wants to help him get rid of his demons. That is when all starts and ends with Charlotte.

Charlotte has a letter, which she continuously uses to blackmail Francis. The contents of said letter put his true identity at risk. Every time she asks for money, she succeds as Francis has no other choice but concede. That is, of course until Emily comes around. Charlotte enlists Emily as her accomplice, little does she know Emily’s plan is to turn the table on her, and end Charlotte’s little charade. Needless to say, Emily and Francis succeed at that– not without yet another tragedy, where one of them almost loses their life.

What I would’ve liked to see more in the book: 

1.  A little more of Emily’s personality earlier in the story, to have a better understanding of some of the actions she takes. Emily has a lively personality, she can be witty and cheeky, she’s very intelligent, and a conversationalist.
2. Adrian knocking on her door, giving her an apology for not noticing how she felt towards him. He sorta does apologize, but a more formal apology when the dust had settled perhaps?
3.  Francis forgetting all about Adrian and Kate. I understand Francis is upset that they’d hurt Emily. He loves Emily so much that doesn’t want anything to cause her any pain, but truly Francis is the winner in the whole ordeal. Francis does let Adrian know that after all it was Adrian’s loss, and Francis gain.

What I liked most in the book: 

1. Emily’s and Charlotte’s conspiracy to take revenge.
2. Francis’ father’s amendment to the will. This is my favorite part of the story, actually. The amendment was marvelous.
3. The end…I can’t say it because I’ll spoil it for others. It reminded me of Pride and Prejudice. It left me with an “aawww” and a silly grin.

Book overview:

“Emily Rutherford is having a very bad day.

Of course, having the man you’ve loved forever announce his engagement to your (now very former) best friend will do that.

Emily is sure nothing good could possibly come out of this horrid situation. But she lets her sisters—along with Francis Riley, the delectable but brooding Earl of Dunhurst—convince her that a season in London will be just the thing.

Now Emily has a choice: sulk in a corner while her sisters enjoy the glitter of the ton . . . or become the belle of the ball, dazzling everyone on an earl’s arm. But as Francis helps Emily get back on her feet, she quickly realizes that a childhood crush is nothing compared to the power of true love.”

I thought this was rather good, actually. I never expected the twist at the end, didn’t see it coming;the way the story went didn’t lead me to believe that something else altogether would happen. But when she accepted his proposal, I just knew something was up yet would’ve never thought about the drastic turn of events.

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A romance short…with a very funny ending. I’d wished there’d been more to read…left me wanting more.

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Took me a minute to read, didn’t like it. I guess not my cup of tea when it comes to romance, even if short.

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This was a short and funny story in its own way. Predictable, yes; but enjoyable all around.

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I’d like to have read a little more… I guess this short was good enough to wet my appetite and made me want to read what Second Chances is all about. Good story though.

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