The Beguilement of Lady Eustacia Cavanaugh (The Cavanaughs Book 3) Kindle Edition

If you don't know or like classical music this is a great love story and study of a lady with a phobia because of a cruel mother but IF you DO love Classical music--then this is a totally joyous experience with music you can almost hear (the original written by this hero) and the concerts given by their proteges !Both main characters love music and want to give British musicians a chance during a phase where "only European musicians were thought to be worthy of the "ton's events"! You can hear the music but it's just a part of the main theme of rescuing the heroine from her fear and obsession about being "like her narcissistic, cruel" mother! I loved the reading, the entire tone of this novel. It was a joy to read a novel with no grammar problems, no expressions of the year 2000 being used in this period piece! BRAVO and ENCORE!!!!

Stacie Cavanaugh has an idea to encourage members of the Ton to patronize English musical students, but she needs the help of Frederick, Marquess of Albury and a noted musician, to make her dream come true. He isn't interested in performing for the Ton though he was once a musical star, but he is interested in Stacie so eventually he agrees.I'm hot and cold on Stephanie Laurens books. Some I enjoy very much and others I find predictable and overdramatic. This is one of the latter types. I thought the book started out strong with the musical emphasis, but later the number of unsuccessful murder attempts was ridiculous (hence the overdramatic label). The romantic plot with Stacie's dismal view toward marriage and Frederick working to overcome it was predictable.I also find Ms. Laurens' writing can verge on the purple, especially in the sex scenes. The almost breathless sentence fragments annoy me. I do like the Cavanaughs and I'm hoping I'll enjoy Godfrey's story more.

Stacie Cavanaugh looks just like her mother, who was cruel, selfish, and manipulative. Stacie has sworn she will never marry or allow any man to fall in love with her, so that she will never hurt anyone the way her mother hurt her father. She has decided to devote her life to promoting the careers of English musicians, which means she will need the help of the elusive Lord Frederick. Of course, not only does beautiful music happen, but marriage and love. Everything would be perfect if someone wasn't trying to kill them. This book is another of Stephanie Laurens ' tales of people who become more together than they thought possible, with a mystery to solve on the way to happily ever after.

I must admit that all the Cavanaugh stories are great, but this one is more poignant. Stacie grew up under her mother's thumb. Unlike most young women of the Ton, she has no interest in marriage for very good reasons, in her opinion. She does, however, love music. To that end she comes up with a scheme to draw Frederick Brampton, a reclusive Lord, into her musical endeavors. This story has more emotional punch than others. In fact,the mystery and action don't start, until about 70% through the story.The pace is leisurely, but turns rapid once the mystery occurs. The tone is positive with a mostly character oriented storyline that includes lots of action at the end. There are some steamy scenes and vivid and endearing characters. I would recommend reading at least the Cavanaugh stories in order, if you have not read Stephanie Laurens yet. Start with The Taming of Ryder Cavanaugh of the Cynster Sisters duo, before reading the rest in order. Now we have to wait for Godfrey's book, the last unwed Cavanaugh, which won't be out until July 2020, sigh...! Enjoy!

Take this review with a grain of salt because today was mammogram day and that always makes me grumpy. But boy did this story drag for me. It should have been a perfect fit for me. I love music and especially love musical leading men. Bruno Mars could get me to do almost anything by writing a song about me. But there was no depth to Frederick or Eustacia-her very name drove me nuts (sorry to anyone with this name. It's just not my favorite.) Musicians are typically passionate people but I felt nothing. The conflict in this book was so small...or was there even one? Idk. You would think multiple murder attempts would be super engaging but no, not this time. I might have even been rooting for the villain to succeed in order to add some spice. And writing this lack luster review literally has me shaking my head. Laurens' writing is usually on par with other greats like Mary Balough, Julia Quinn, and Gaelen Foley, but not this time. I'm sad because this is my first "don't like" for Laurens. As for steam rating, it was very PG or even G rating. It was more like reading about a brother and sister.

Obviously I am not a writer, but I love reading. I enjoy Stephanie Laurens' books because of their depth, you get swept up in the story and if I can, I try to read her books in one sitting. I hate to lay them down. This one included a mystery that kept me reading until I found out who the culprit was. The interactions between the characters are believable and they've become good friends (to me) by the end. If you've read her other books, you'll know that she keeps getting better with each book, but I enjoy going back and re-reading her older books, too.

This is a love story all the way through... both stronger and a bit quieter than most I’ve read. I liked both the hero and heroine, the surrounding cast was believable and didn’t overwhelm the romance.

I had a problem laying this book down because I couldn't wait to see what was going to happen next. The mystery of who was behind the clumsy accidents kept me wondering and engrossed. This book has whetted my appetite for the next installment; the story of Kit. A year is a long time to wait!

When Lady Eustacia Cavanaugh pleads with Fredrick, Marquess of Albury, a noted musician to help her latest cause of helping young English musicians from schools other than the Royal Academy gain a better reputations and experience performing in front of the Haut Ton.To save her reputation after a stumble and caught by Frederick and any gossip, Fredrick suggests a sham engagement lasting several months. As he knows Stacie's older brothers, telling them and their wives that his feelings for Stacie are stronger than he expected, asking advice on how to extend their meetings.After getting an agreement from Fredrick, Stacie agrees to marry him. While honeymooning at their country estate, strange incidents start to happen. On the third attempt, Fredrick and Stacie head for London, were more attempts are made. When the rest of the immediate family learn what is happening, Stacie remarks that it is similar to the attacks on Ryder while he courted Mary.The culprit or culprits are named and a plan is put in place and invitations sent. Once the guests have arrived and a meal consumed and announcements are made. Eventually the truth is revealed as to who and why, before all ends well.

…… but the are some holes in this plot.The heroine is supposed to be mad on music, but I fear it is only a dilettante interest, as she never plays or even practices.She is afraid of commitment because her mother was promiscuous and malicious. The hero is pursued by a homicidal maniac who is only vaguely connected to him.I was not wholly persuaded by this, but I suppose it works if suspend your disbelief.

What I love about Stephanie is when you read one of her books you meet heroes and heroines from previous books and it is lovely to have a catch up to see how life is treating them and their families. I think I have read everything she has written in the last ten years. Her plots keep up with the atmosphere and history of the period.

As with all her other books she never lets you down. Her books which ever series you are reading and I have read most of them always have an interesting plot and believable characters.

I enjoyed this book as all of Stephanie Lauren's this a great series as always look forward to more books from this ladyThey well researched and a very good story line