Stephanie Laurens. On a Wild Night. (New York: Avon Books, 2002). 0380812037.

Main Characters: Amanda Cynster and Martin, Earl of Dexter.

Series: This is part of Stephanie Laurens Cynster Series. This series includes Devil’s Bride, A Rake’s Vow, Scandal’s Bride, A Rogue’s Proposal, A Secret Love, All About Love, All About Passion, The Promise in a Kiss, On a Wild Night, On a Wicked Dawn, The Perfect Lover, The Ideal Bride, The Truth About Love, What Price Love?, and The Taste of Innocence.

Date of Story: 1825.

Description from the book:

Where are all the exciting men in  London?

After spending years in the glittering ballrooms of the ton, Amanda Cynster is utterly bored by the current crop of colorless suitors. Determined to take matters into her own hands, one night she shockingly goes where no respectable lady every should, but where many an intriguing gentleman might be found.

But forbidden excitement quickly turns to panic when Amanda discovers she’s quite out of her depth. She looks around for help–and is unexpectedly rescued by the Earl of Dexter. Lean, sensuous, and mysterious, he has delayed re-entering society, preferring instead of a more reckless existence on its fringes.

He’s the epitome of the boldly passionate gentleman Amanda has been searching for, but although his very touch makes it clear he’s willing to educate her in the art of love, Amanda has to wonder if such a masterful, lionized rake can be enticed into the ways of marriage.

My Thoughts:

On a Wild Night and On a Wicked Dawn (with Devil’s Bride) are my favorite Cynster novels. Amanda and Amelia are wonderful as Cynster females who want to take control of their own futures. In this novel, Amanda and Martin are well matched. Amanda craftily lures Martin into showing her sights that aren’t suitable for an unmarried gentle woman of the ton. I love their relationship. Martin’s conversations in his head about what Amanda is up to are classic. I could (and do) read this book over and over again.

Read again: February 16, 2007.