I picked this book up at a book sale and it happened to be the first Stephanie Laurens book I had ever read. I loved it! Even though there was a significant age difference between Sebastian and Helena, I thought they were wonderful together. My initial rating would have been 5 stars. Since I enjoyed it, I decided to pick up Devil's Bride, since the hero that book is their son.

Then I found out the rest of their story and was very disappointed. SPOILERS on their relationship ahead...

Unfortunately, in Devil's Bride, it's revealed that Sebastian cheated on Helena (a few years after they got married!) and sired Scandal. Of course, this means that a lot of the enjoyment of this book is lost due to Sebastian's future infidelity. Knowing that Sebastian dies when Devil is 15 and cheats on Helena is not exactly 'happily-ever-after in romance land' material. It may seem silly but I was really disappointed. ( )

I enjoyed reading it although it could've been a prequel to all the Cynster books. The age gap between them bothered me but I set it aside because since this is a love story, anything can happen and it's plausible at that time. To start, the story is very romantic, the title was explained through and through and it was really fitting. As the other reviews said, characters are parallel with Devil and Honoria, but in this case, Helena is more feisty compared to Honoria. It may be the case because she is also titled and was brought up that way. Stephanie Laurens really created the atmosphere, sexual tension, character conflict (internal and external), and made the story all the more interesting. Helena is very strong, like all other heroines, it's because of her unflinching character towards a tyrant that piques the hero's interest, in this case, Sebastian. The arrogant manner, the elegance, and the tyrannical manhandling of things, those are some traits Devil got from his father, but his looks and manipulative nature are from his mother. There's an afterword that tells the story of what happens next in the secondary characters' lives. ( )

The story opens with Helena wandering through a moonlit Convent courtyard being surprised by a man who steals a kiss before stealing away. Little does she know that that man is Sebastian Cynster so when she spies him seven years later across a crowded ballroom she's not sure about what to do.

When her guardian starts demanding she obey him and betray her love she's not sure what to do next. There are wheels within wheels and what her guardian is asking may damage their reationship.

It's nothing spectacular but great fun, it sucked me in and kept me reading well past my bedtime. ( )

This special volumne is about, Sebastion and Helena, who are the parents of the Cynster's who inhabit this series.Having read stories about three of their sons, I was curious about the parents who spawned such a crew.
It is an interesting story, and the personalities of both are extremely independent and powerful, all of which aid them in their very prominent and powerful positions in this society.

I was very excited when this book came out. Finally we get to learn more about the last Duke and Helena. ( )