Niniver Carrick is an unusual woman -- chosen by her clan to lead them after the laird's death. She has no intention of sharing her power with a husband, but she must convince her willful suitors to leave her alone. To that end, she seeks out her neighbor, Marcus Cynster, and asks him to act as a sort of enforcer. Marcus is determined to have Niniver; he believes she's his fated bride. It's just a matter of getting her to say yes.

I really enjoyed reading A MATCH FOR MARCUS CYNSTER. Stephanie Laurens has been writing about the Cynsters for years, and the Carricks are their neighbors. Her familiarity with the lands and the families helps sweep you into the story. Laurens surrounds the hero and heroine with a wonderfully diverse collection of characters -- good, bad, and misguided -- and the central plot, the love story, is balanced with a dark past, a dangerous mystery, and a few laughs. Like Marcus, we know Niniver will eventually come around, but the getting there is sometimes thrilling and often delightful.

A MATCH FOR MARCUS CYNSTER is part of a larger series of Cynster novels, but it stands on its own. I recommend A MATCH FOR MARCUS CYNSTER for readers who enjoy historical romances.