Status
Available
Call number
Series
Genres
Publication
Recorded Books (2001), Edition: Unabridged Audiobook, 13 CDs, 14 hrs
Description
Fiction. Romance. Historical Fiction. HTML: He vowed he'd never marry. To Vane Cynster, Bellamy Hall seems like the perfect place to temporarily hide from London's husband hunters. But when he encounters irresistible Patience Debbington, Vane realises he's met his match ... She vowed no man would catch her. Patience isn't about to succumb to Vane's sensuous propositions. Yes, his kisses leave her dizzy and his caresses made her melt; but Patience has promised herself she'll never become vulnerable to a broken heart. Is this one vow that was meant to be broken?.
User reviews
LibraryThing member itsamekatrina
Enjoyed the love story, but not real crazy about the "Clue" like mystery involving the characters.
LibraryThing member Anniik
Other than the massively Scooby-Doo plot (which I must say I enjoyed anyway), this book is pretty good. Although it is rather cheesy, the plot is captivating and rather fun - this isn't a particularly serious story, but it's good enough to keep a reader entertained. Vane and Patience sizzle with
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the heat between them, and the sex scenes are quite hot as well. While this book isn't quite as good as Devil's Bride, I nonetheless enjoyed it a great deal. Show Less
LibraryThing member librarymeg
This book started out really strong for me. There's a strong male hero and a stubborn female heroine, some great tension between them, and a fun cast of secondary characters. Add in some great, steamy scenes between our couple, and you've got a really fun read. It lost a little momentum towards the
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end, and the happily-ever-after felt a little bit abrupt to me, but it didn't ruin my fun at all. I look forward to reading more from the Cynster series, and can recommend this one to anybody looking for a fun, romantic read. (Just don't get too invested in the background mysteries. You may be disappointed.) Show Less
LibraryThing member jeffersonsambrosia
You have to love the Cynster’s on a purely girly level you have to. A group of strong virile males who love family and protect it at all cost? Not to mention just how handsome the whole lot of them are. But ah this all seems to play against one Vane Cynster (as in weather vane thank you very
The second book in the thrilling series by Stephanie Laurens A Rakes Vow kept my attention throughout. While it was not quite as exciting as the first book Devil’s Bride, but not to worry it is wonderful. You get to follow Vane as he is leaving the dedication ceremony for the church he and his Cousins had to help re-roof thanks to Honoria. And true to his name while Vane has no plan at all to be leg shackled and seeks to get out of the storm at his Godmothers house, but fate has another idea in mind. And from the moment he seems Miss Patience Debbington, he knows fate had another idea in mind.
We follow Vane as he isn’t sure what to do about fates plan, and than his inevitable acceptance. And Patience having some issues of her own with the whole idea. All the while we have aback cast of characters, and someone who is stealing things. Now the plot with the thief and the scepter at times drama drags. But in the end it is curious and you do follow some sweeps and turns. Although I knew one person involved in it from the moment they mentioned a certain clue, (no I am not going to give it away.). Truly though bar a few small blips is fantastic. Huzzah to Stephanie Laurens and Huzzah to the Cynster men bring on the next one!
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much) because right of the bat Patience labels him an “elegant gentleman” which of course he is. But in her terms this means a man who doesn’t love and feels fit to sleep with anything he wants while keeping a wife and nursery at home. Ah but Miss Patience doesn’t know the Cynster’s very well now does she.The second book in the thrilling series by Stephanie Laurens A Rakes Vow kept my attention throughout. While it was not quite as exciting as the first book Devil’s Bride, but not to worry it is wonderful. You get to follow Vane as he is leaving the dedication ceremony for the church he and his Cousins had to help re-roof thanks to Honoria. And true to his name while Vane has no plan at all to be leg shackled and seeks to get out of the storm at his Godmothers house, but fate has another idea in mind. And from the moment he seems Miss Patience Debbington, he knows fate had another idea in mind.
We follow Vane as he isn’t sure what to do about fates plan, and than his inevitable acceptance. And Patience having some issues of her own with the whole idea. All the while we have aback cast of characters, and someone who is stealing things. Now the plot with the thief and the scepter at times drama drags. But in the end it is curious and you do follow some sweeps and turns. Although I knew one person involved in it from the moment they mentioned a certain clue, (no I am not going to give it away.). Truly though bar a few small blips is fantastic. Huzzah to Stephanie Laurens and Huzzah to the Cynster men bring on the next one!
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LibraryThing member wyvernfriend
The first encounter between Vane Cynster and Patience was when she fell into his arms searching for a trinket in the dark. After this he decides that he's interested. She decides that his reputation is such that she can't risk a relationship with him as it would only be temporary and that's not
The two main characters spark off the page and they're quite interesting. Very enjoyable story and characters. I will be reading more in this sequence.
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what she wants from lifeThe two main characters spark off the page and they're quite interesting. Very enjoyable story and characters. I will be reading more in this sequence.
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LibraryThing member tmommy4
Though I liked this book, I did find Patience to be a bit annoying. On one hand she was a strong character, but on the other she was a whimp. Her constent refusal to look beneath Vane's out ward appreance just took too long to rectify. Though I did enjoy the mysteries of the thief and the Spectar,
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I felt it was just too drawn out. Lastly I felt the ending and the resolution of Pateience & Vane's relationship came out of the blue. I really thought I should have come alot sooner. Show Less
LibraryThing member LadyIsis
This is Spencer "Vane" Cynster and Patience Debbington's story. This story is a little different from the previous book and as such takes some turns that aren't excepted. I do like that a storm drives Vane to find Patience. I liked Vane in Devil's Bride. He is a definite alpha male that isn't
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really looking for a wife but knows that fate may have other plans. Patience was a nice change of pace. She is independent, intelligent and willing to go after those things that she is curious about. While she is ahead of her time she is a little paranoid but Vane. I enjoyed Vane's godmother and her varied and eccentric household. Ms. Laurens does a very good job of giving each individual a distinct personality. She also does a very good job of keeping the bad guys a mystery. It was amusing that Vane had to work at convincing Patience to marry him. I really think that he was beyond put out when she first turned him down. This was an enjoyable story and a very good addition to the series. I look forward to the next book. Show Less
LibraryThing member librarydanielle
I do enjoy Stephanie laurens' books. they're fun fluff books, but not completely mindless. in this one minne's bizarre house guests are finding their prized possessions missing. not only that but a mysterious "spectre" is haunting the abbey ruins. vane makes an unexpected detour to the abbey and is
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convinced to hunt down the thief and the spectre. on his first visit vane meets Patience and falls fast and hard. just one problem, Patience doesn't trust love. Show Less
LibraryThing member veracite
There's a neat mystery and engaging secondary characters but it's hard to tell Vane and Patience from Devil and Honoria (or, now I've read the third novel, Richard and Catriona). I can't believe she's written 18 in this series though I suppose it's not that hard.
LibraryThing member coffeenut1992
I didn't like the whole "mystic, fortune-telling" side of this book and actually decided not to finish it.
LibraryThing member Tanya-dogearedcopy
A Rake’s Vow
by Stephanie Laurens
Published October 1, 1998 by Avon
Romance
WHO: Vane Cynster and Patience Debbington…
WHAT: fall in love while investigating 1) the appearance of a spectre on the estate grounds and 2) the disappearance of a number of bright shiny personal things from the house’s
WHERE: Bellamy Hall in the English countryside.
WHEN: 1819 (Regency period)
WHY: Fate!
HOW: Through a series of sexual encounters, Vane and Patience become emotionally involved as well.
+ Stephanie Laurens makes a concerted effort to paint the scenes with words to include “atmospherics”, i.e. While she details a hayloft, she also describes the light and the effect it has on the subjects.
+ Because this is a Romance novel and not a mystery, the pretext of the investigation into the spectre and the disappearances was under-developed; but the sub-plot actually has good bones: original and interesting. I kinda wish this had been a mystery with a little sex thrown in rather than a Romance with a little mystery!
- Regency Romances tend to assume the conventions and sensibilities of a modern day Romance, just in costume. This book is no exception.
- While the descriptions of post-coital langor were very good, the applications of the words “silver” and “gold” used to describe an orgasm were…. bizarre.
OTHER: I acquired a paperback copy of A Rake’s Vow (by Stephanie Laurens) from The Rogue Book Exchange (Medford, OR.) I receive no monies, goods or services in exchange for reviewing the product and/or mentioning any of the persons or companies that are or may be implied in this post.
by Stephanie Laurens
Published October 1, 1998 by Avon
Romance
WHO: Vane Cynster and Patience Debbington…
WHAT: fall in love while investigating 1) the appearance of a spectre on the estate grounds and 2) the disappearance of a number of bright shiny personal things from the house’s
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guests at…WHERE: Bellamy Hall in the English countryside.
WHEN: 1819 (Regency period)
WHY: Fate!
HOW: Through a series of sexual encounters, Vane and Patience become emotionally involved as well.
+ Stephanie Laurens makes a concerted effort to paint the scenes with words to include “atmospherics”, i.e. While she details a hayloft, she also describes the light and the effect it has on the subjects.
+ Because this is a Romance novel and not a mystery, the pretext of the investigation into the spectre and the disappearances was under-developed; but the sub-plot actually has good bones: original and interesting. I kinda wish this had been a mystery with a little sex thrown in rather than a Romance with a little mystery!
- Regency Romances tend to assume the conventions and sensibilities of a modern day Romance, just in costume. This book is no exception.
- While the descriptions of post-coital langor were very good, the applications of the words “silver” and “gold” used to describe an orgasm were…. bizarre.
OTHER: I acquired a paperback copy of A Rake’s Vow (by Stephanie Laurens) from The Rogue Book Exchange (Medford, OR.) I receive no monies, goods or services in exchange for reviewing the product and/or mentioning any of the persons or companies that are or may be implied in this post.
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LibraryThing member walthoff
It was a okay book. I thought the first book was better though. I still want to continue reading the series though.
LibraryThing member sammii507
Other than the massively Scooby-Doo plot (which I must say I enjoyed anyway), this book is pretty good. Although it is rather cheesy, the plot is captivating and rather fun - this isn't a particularly serious story, but it's good enough to keep a reader entertained. Vane and Patience sizzle with
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the heat between them, and the sex scenes are quite hot as well. While this book isn't quite as good as Devil's Bride, I nonetheless enjoyed it a great deal. Show Less
LibraryThing member grapeapril75
Vane is a close second to his cousin Devil when it comes to Alphaness. Loved it!
LibraryThing member jetangen4571
Originally published in 1998 as part of the Cynster series, but since it is set some time after the cousins served at Waterloo, and only one of them is titled, but all are filthy rich, it makes no difference.
The Cynster men are all accomplished skirt chasers, elegant, well mannered, and well
This one runs away after Devil's wedding, but winds up at the home of a favorite relative. There he meets the antagonistic woman who will become his undoing. She has an artistic younger brother, and they and the other houseguests become embroiled in a suspenseful hunt for a reckless thief. And the plot thickens.
Don't think too hard about it all, just enjoy.
The Cynster men are all accomplished skirt chasers, elegant, well mannered, and well
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dressed, and are known by their nicknames rather than their given names.This one runs away after Devil's wedding, but winds up at the home of a favorite relative. There he meets the antagonistic woman who will become his undoing. She has an artistic younger brother, and they and the other houseguests become embroiled in a suspenseful hunt for a reckless thief. And the plot thickens.
Don't think too hard about it all, just enjoy.
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LibraryThing member Lauren2013
A Rake's Vow
4 Stars
Vane Cynster is determined to avoid the same fate as his cousin, so when a storm starts brewing he decides to stop over at his Godmother’s estate. He should have known that one cannot escape their destiny, which comes in the guise of Patience Debbington, a woman who certainly
Although the fated mates trope is somewhat out of place in a historical romance novel, it seems to work here with Vane and Patience struggling against the inevitable. Both are very appealing characters and their romance is certainly passionate. One problem, however, is their distinct lack of communication skills. Neither seems capable of opening up to the other to reveal their feelings, which could have saved a lot of unnecessary angst and allowed room for the suspense plot to develop.
The secondary characters are fleshed out well and contribute to the intriguing Agatha Christie-like country estate mystery atmosphere of the story. It is disappointing that the Cynster family does not play as significant a role in this book as in the previous one but the glimpses we get are wonderful.
As said, the minor suspense story takes too long to get going and the culprits are fairly obvious from the start -Kleptomania is usually committed by women, and Alice is a prime suspect. This goes hand in hand with Colby’s obsession with the ruins . Moreover, the ultimate motive for the “crime” has no foundation in the storyline and feels tacked on.
All in all, an enjoyable sequel and I look forward to continuing with the series.
4 Stars
Vane Cynster is determined to avoid the same fate as his cousin, so when a storm starts brewing he decides to stop over at his Godmother’s estate. He should have known that one cannot escape their destiny, which comes in the guise of Patience Debbington, a woman who certainly
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knows her own mind and has no intention of giving up her independence for the likes of an elegant gentleman such as Vane Cynster.Although the fated mates trope is somewhat out of place in a historical romance novel, it seems to work here with Vane and Patience struggling against the inevitable. Both are very appealing characters and their romance is certainly passionate. One problem, however, is their distinct lack of communication skills. Neither seems capable of opening up to the other to reveal their feelings, which could have saved a lot of unnecessary angst and allowed room for the suspense plot to develop.
The secondary characters are fleshed out well and contribute to the intriguing Agatha Christie-like country estate mystery atmosphere of the story. It is disappointing that the Cynster family does not play as significant a role in this book as in the previous one but the glimpses we get are wonderful.
As said, the minor suspense story takes too long to get going and the culprits are fairly obvious from the start -
All in all, an enjoyable sequel and I look forward to continuing with the series.
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LibraryThing member JorgeousJotts
I hate giving a book just one star, but I'm really not sure I enjoyed any aspect of it. The heroine was a naive, judgemental, reckless, nitwit. Practically her only attribute was her love for her brother. And the hero was so incredibly full of himself, but almost worse, the author seemed to be full
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of him too. Apparently he's supposed to be just the end-all-be-all of men. I bet he was called some version of 'hunter', 'warrior', or 'conqueror' well over 50 times! Every little thing he did was described as being 'masterfully done' or some nonsense. It would have been funny perhaps if it were done tongue in cheek or something, but it just dripped with sincerity. I can't think of when I last rolled my eyes so much at a book. They're in opposition for a large part of the book, and he tries to school her into bending to his will or something, but he's experienced, rich, worldly, etc. and she's very young, sheltered, ignorant, and a literal orphan, just trying to look out for her brother! They could not possibly go-toe-to-toe because it's nowhere near a fare fight! And if it's not, then him not pulling any punches against her is really just bullying. They both have pretty paltry communication skills, pretty much all their major revelations about the other are just told to them by someone else. ugh. Also, I really think 75% or so of the story revolved around their sexual encounters. Perhaps I wouldn't have minded if they were engaging, or meaningful, or at least hot or something, but they were largely rubbish too. I think the author was trying to make them 'epic', but the scenes fell very short, so the lofty language just exaggerated that feebleness. Like a toddler shuffling around in their parent's shoes. Tons of vague, flowery language too, like 'then he fell off the edge of the world as her starburst exploded'... (that's not a direct quote, but both of those analogies really were used). It felt like the book went on forever. Also there was a sort of dismal attempt at a mystery, but somehow it ended up the least of my grievances. *sigh* I'll still try to move forward in the series, I believe the later ones will be better, and I like to read in order. Show Less
LibraryThing member Anniik
Other than the massively Scooby-Doo plot (which I must say I enjoyed anyway), this book is pretty good. Although it is rather cheesy, the plot is captivating and rather fun - this isn't a particularly serious story, but it's good enough to keep a reader entertained. Vane and Patience sizzle with
Show More
the heat between them, and the sex scenes are quite hot as well. While this book isn't quite as good as Devil's Bride, I nonetheless enjoyed it a great deal. Show Less
LibraryThing member selsha
A delightful read with a sweet touch. Vain's romance deserves a perfect score of 10/10, but the overall story falls a bit short at 6/10. Unlike other Cynster stories, the background narrative failed to capture my interest. I won't be revisiting this one. The elements involving the "spectrum" and
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the thief lacked appeal, but Vain's romantic journey is truly captivating. Show Less
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
1998-10
ISBN
1436120020 / 9781436120029
Local notes
'Conflagration' use per Amazon.com - 0 times.
Summary:
Unlike his brothers, Vane Cynster vows to never marry. The eligible women of London have different plans for him, however. Seeking safety at Bellamy Hall, the residence of his eccentric godmother, Vane doesn’t expect to meet any new unmarried women. But upon his arrival, he encounters the voluptuous Patience Debbington in the garden. When their gazes meet for the first time, she is filled with a sensation that leaves her quivering. Thoroughly overwhelmed, Vane realizes that he has never met a woman quite like Patience Debbington. As Vane’s seductions prove more and more irresistible, Patience’s oath to never open herself to heartache may soon be broken.
Summary:
Unlike his brothers, Vane Cynster vows to never marry. The eligible women of London have different plans for him, however. Seeking safety at Bellamy Hall, the residence of his eccentric godmother, Vane doesn’t expect to meet any new unmarried women. But upon his arrival, he encounters the voluptuous Patience Debbington in the garden. When their gazes meet for the first time, she is filled with a sensation that leaves her quivering. Thoroughly overwhelmed, Vane realizes that he has never met a woman quite like Patience Debbington. As Vane’s seductions prove more and more irresistible, Patience’s oath to never open herself to heartache may soon be broken.
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