Beyond Seduction (A Bastion Club Novel) Review

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(More customer reviews)Beyond Seduction starts hilariously with an interesting and fun hook. Very playful in the beginning, the romance does take some time to really build. Teasing us into just glimpses of the individualistic nuances of her characters, Laurens livens up a rather insipid meeting of her romantic leads. Once compatibility plays into the picture, the usual possessiveness most Lauren heros exhibit masterfully comes into play.
Gervase Tregarth, may be the fifth Earl of Crowhurst, a former spy for the British government and a force to reckon with all the matchmaking mammas in London, England, however, these skills are of no use to him when he cannot ever spend longer than a week in London before being summoned home to clean up some mess or another unknown vandals in his home town keep causing. After discovering it's not worth running back and forth, Gervase just gives up and decides to combine his Earldom duties and wife hunting into one. Looking around the community, he stumbles upon Madeline Gascoigne, someone he has known for years but never really assessed as a woman. Once he does, the idea sticks with him so much so that he becomes obsessed with determining their compatibility.
Madeline, on the other hand, quite at ease with her spinster role and guardianship of three young brothers doesn't really look upon Gervase's interst with much enthusiasm. Of course, most romance readers know how much this turns off the high and mighty Earl. Not a wit, of course. Soon the entanglements of two strong, stubborn individuals has the whole town keeping mum about their future as earl and countess. The final decision will be Madeline's to make and with her brothers' lives at stake, how can she refuse?
This book does borrow characters from the former Bastion Club books as well as hinting at the futures for Dalziel and Christian and the ever present traitor that always pops up in these books to cause trouble. In fact, it sounds like both these men will get their own books and readers are finally close to discovering the true identity of the enigmatic Dalziel. My bets on the traitor and Dalziel are relations of some sort... cousins, brothers even. Also, one of the other readers mentioned a tin mine scam. The details of this character and the result of his misdeeds are continued in the Cynster novel, "A Taste of Innocence."
A fun, romantic read, "Beyond Seduction" delivers where it should. Granted there are times when it dragged with a bit too much character development, but overall the plot, conversation, characters and humor flowed easily and entertainingly for anyone just coming into the series. However, it is a must read for those who have been following the Bastion Club series because it offers new insights and future intrigues for the upcoming books.


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A Fine Passion (A Bastion Club) Review

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(More customer reviews)Notice I said Liking it, not Loving it, hence the four stars instead of five. But don't let that deter you. It was still a good book. I really did start out almost detesting this book. I almost threw it down in disgust during the first several chapters, but ordered myself to persevere. I was very glad I did. About half-way through the book, I realized that somewhere along the way, unbeknownst to myself, I had started to like it. I laughed then, too, thinking that the author was pretty sneaky. Laurens made me almost hate both the hero and heroine at first, she being too much the uppity ice queen for my tastes, and he being seemingly much too interested in just sex. Then, somewhere along the way, they changed for the better.
By she and he I mean the heroine and hero. Clarice Altwood comes fom a very powerful family of the Ton. Despite this influence, she is disgraced by a past misdemeanor in which she refuses the marriage request of a certain unscrupulous man. Cast out , she believes, by her whole family, she retires from tonnish life to the country to live with her older cousin, James, who happens to be the only other black sheep in the family. She meets the hero, Jack , Baron Warnefleet, through distressing circumstances when he helps her rescue a familiar man from a phaeton accident on the side of the road. Though she treats Jack with icy disdain, he is instantly intrigued by her calm composure and confidence (her obvious charms don't hurt her here either) and is determined to find out more about her, and yes, to have her. It just so happens that he knows her cousin James very well, which is fortunate when James comes under suspicions of treason by a fellow collegue in the Bishop's palace. Together, Clarice and Jack set out to prove James's innocence, and in the process, discover enough about one another to build a relationship upon. It's a relationship that builds nicely, if somewhat frustratingly at times, throughout the book.
At first, I believed Clarice and Jack both to be too underdeveloped, too pigheaded and selfish most of the time to be likeable. As the story goes on though, you begin to see good reasoning behind Clarice's behavior. She has an unhappy experience with another man and is rightfully cautious of any in his social class, like Jack. Too, I felt Jack just wanted the typical one thing that a lot of romance heros only seem to want. You know what I mean. But then, at that half-way point I mentioned, I had to hand it to Stephanie Laurens; she had hooked me. I found myself "looking" back and forth at Clarice and Jack, seeing who would throw the next good verbal punch. These two went at eachother like they couldn't stand eachother at first, but eventually developed into a pair that had genuine feelings for eachother.
My two real and only gripes are about the actual scenes where you have Clarice thinking about Jack or vice versa or scenes where they are interacting, just the two of them. I hate to say that most of these scenes were terribly overwritten. There were just too many descriptive words used to describe what was only one real emotion in many cases. Where one to two good sentences would have sufficed, Laurens used whole paragrpahs sometimes. I felt like I'd never get to a point in the book where I wasn't constantly frustrated with Clarice and Jack. Thankfully though, once the secondary characters figure more into the story, it began to pick up nicely. The only other thing I didn't like was the nickname that Jack had for Clarice. Yes, I know, it's pretty picky, but I just couldn't help it. Nine times out of ten, instead of referring to her in his thoughts as Clarice, he calls her by this ridiculous nickname. It may seem unreasonable to some because he did have a reason for it, but I couldn't stand it whenever I came across it.
All in all, a pretty satisfying read in Laurens's latest series, the Bastion Club. If you haven't read the others in the series, I highly recommend you give them a try. While they didn't satisy all my wants for a great book, they were still good reads and worth the time.

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The men of the Bastion Club are powerful, loyal, and not averse to overcoming danger if they must. Now, after years of loyal service to the Crown, they each -- one by one -- must face that greatest danger of all ...love.

The last of his line, Jack, Baron Warnefleet, has fled London after nearly being compromised into marrying a dreadful female. Turning his back on the entire notion of marriage, he rides home to the estate he has not seen for years, determined to set in motion an alternative course of action.

But then in the lane before his gate, Jack rescues a startlingly beautiful lady from a menacing, unmanageable horse. However, while he begins by taking command, the lady continues by taking it back. Lady Clarice Altwood is no meek and mild miss. She is the very antithesis of the woolly-headed young ladies Jack has rejected as not for him. Clarice is delectably attractive, beyond eligible, undeniably capable, and completely unforgettable. Why on earth is she rusticating in the country?

That enigma is compounded by mystery, and it's quickly clear that Clarice is in danger. Jack must use every ounce of his cunning and wit to protect this highly independent and richly passionate woman ... who has so quickly stolen his heart.

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A Lady of His Own (Bastion Club) Review

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(More customer reviews)Although I've already read close to 200 romance novels this year (historical, medieval, erotic, contemporary, paranormal, etc.), this is the first book I've ever had the guts to write my personal opinion on...
Girlfriend (SL) is all that AND the bag of chips! I didn't think she could match the sensuality of "Devil's Bride", but she dun did it again with her seductive exchange of Charles' and Penny's pent up sexual desires for each other, which spans 13 years of abstinence for Penny and maturing into manhood for Charles. Although neither will openly admit loving the other, their individual exploration of each other's passions, expresses their love not just physically, but blissfully includes their hearts and souls. Something the two were too inexperienced to understand 13 years earlier when Penny surrendered her heart and virginity to Charles. Now a grown woman, spinster at 29, and him a bachelor, Earl in need of a wife at 33, Penny offers Charles another personal "invitation"; one in which she never extended to any other man since her first and only time with him. By continuously intensifying each kiss and embrace, they are awakened to each other's sensual growth and ripened maturity that only the nurturing of time and experience could hone; they welcome their differences as man and woman vs the experimenting adolescents of their past relationship. Their new relationship gradually develops, which now transcends the physical plane and drives deeper into their hearts. Penny and Charles are satisfyingly surprised by one another when they recognize their coupling isn't quite the same as they remembered that afternoon they tumbled in the barn when they were youths of 16 and 20 years old.
Charles slowly builds his plan of seducing Penny into surrendering her heart to him and becoming his wife. She relinquishes her stubborn attitude of `I am in control and call all the shots of my life' and little by little allows him to be the man in her life; friend, lover and protector. Her fervent moments of passion burst out as he guides her to "heaven" again and again by candle light and moon light; saturate his personal pleasure along slide ensuring hers. SL articulates very well their maturity, as well as the soul satisfying giving and taking of pleasure betwixt the found again lovers. SL had me in Penny's spell when Charles whispered a moan, succumbing to Penny's ravenous hungry eyes and seeking hands, "Whatever you wish, however you wish. I'm yours. Take me." Ohmigod...
The `who done it' murder mystery plot of the story will keep your mind contriving trying to out wit the author between the love scenes. Charles and Penny constantly share their ideas and are basically honest with each in their joint efforts to clear her family name and find a brutal murderer and spy. Therefore, leaving little room for blatant deceptions (lies), allows them to `go hand and glove' in impromptu situations they face during their investigations.
This is definitely a "deep read" - more than the surface of words in a book...mysteries of the heart's desires and yearning for the other half of its soul mate to "complete" the longing to be loved as no other can possibly do. -Nadine "Madame Jazze"


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The seven members of the Bastion Club have served loyally in the perilous service of the Crown. Now they've banded together to support one another through their most dangerous mission of all: getting married.

When Charles St. Austell returns home to claim his title as earl, and to settle quickly on a suitable wife as well, he discovers that experience has made him impatient of the young ladies who vie for his attention—with the exception of Lady Penelope Selborne. Years ago, Charles and Penelope's youthful ardor was consummated in an unforgettable afternoon. Charles is still haunted by their interlude, but Penny refuses to have anything more to do with him.

If controlling her heart was difficult before, resisting a stronger, battle-hardened Charles is well nigh impossible, yet Penelope has vowed she won't make the same mistake twice, nor will she marry without love. But when a traitorous intrigue draws them together, then ultimately threatens them both—will Penny discover she has a true protector in Charles, her first and only love, who now vows to make her his own?

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To Distraction (Bastion Club) Review

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(More customer reviews)I read all of Stephanie Laurens books, and will definitely read the next, but she has done better work and I really hope the next one is better. If I were to catagorize this volume, it would be a bodice ripper. Her hero is "male", "primitive", even "dangerous". To the point that I started counting the number of times she used the words. Eventually even that got old and I would just turn the page to get on with the story. Her heroine is "intelligent", "capable" and "independent", yet justifiably afraid of this dark large Alpha male :shiver:. Yeah right!
I agree with the other reviewers who felt that the book was 100 pages too long, most of it used for the tripe above. It almost felt like she was stretching it.
However, it does wind up nicely with two interesting little cliff hangers at the end. But at least the one about Dalziel seems to be tossed in as if she just remembered it. Apparently we will see the real villian of this place somewhere else as it seems she still has work for him.
If you have read her other novels, including Captain Jack's Woman, then this is one for you. But if you are just starting, I'd start elsewhere.

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The gentlemen of the Bastion Club have proven their courage while fighting England's enemies, but nothing has prepared them for dealing with that most formidable of challenges: the opposite sex.

Deverell, Viscount Paignton, is in desperate need of a wife. Unmoved by the matchmaking "herd,” he seeks help from his aunt, who directs him to a lady she vows is perfect for him. Dispatched to a country house party to look the lady over, he discovers her not swanning about among the guests but with her nose buried in a book in the library.

Phoebe Malleson is tempted to distraction by Deverell, but marrying him isn't part of her plan. Moved by an incident in her past, Phoebe has a secret cause to which she's committed. Unfortunately, telling Deverell to go away doesn't work, and he quickly learns of her secret. But someone powerful has her cause targeted for destruction—and her in their sights. Phoebe must accept Deverell's help…though the cost to them both might be dear—and deadly.

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Mastered By Love (Bastion Club) Review

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(More customer reviews)Finally, after so many wonderful stories we come to Dalziel. And that may be the source of some of my difficulty with the finale. Expectations that are raised way too high to be met. I like Dalziel so much that of course I expect much of his story. Fortunately I was very satisfied with his lady. Minerva Chesterton was raised by his parents from the age of six and for the last eleven years she has served as Wolverstone's chatelaine. But she has been fascinated and infatuated with Royce nearly all her life. As a little girl she followed him all over the estate and even got a bit of early sex education when she was eight by spying on him with the blacksmith's daughter. She loves every inch of Wolverstone and its people. Since Dalziel has been banished for 16 years she knows more about the running of Wolverstone than he does. She has also made deathbed promises to his parents to bring him up to speed and see him settled as Duke. There could be no better duchess for Wolverstone than Minerva.
My problem was with the plot. Dalziel is told that he must marry immediately because Prinny is so short of money that he is tempted to kill Dalziel so he can take back all his estates and his money. This is the thanks he gets after serving for so many years! I thought this was the most ignorant plot device I have ever read bar none. How can Prinny possibly pull this off since the whole ton knows about it? Nevertheless all the grand dames tramp out to Wolverstone to demand he marry immediately. They actually make up a list of women and tell him to pick one right this minute. This is Dalziel we are talking about. I expected him to raise one eyebrow and give them the Ducal glare. Let's not forget that Dalziel has not socialized in 16 years so doesn't really know any of the current crop of women. He was just expected to choose a woman and announce her name without asking her how she felt about it either. The grand dames were so adamant about it that they actually sat on their suit cases and threatened not to leave Wolverstone until he obeyed them.
Every time these woman made a new demand I was just outraged. Completely outraged. Dalziel would NEVER stand for such a thing. But Ms. Laurens has him meekly agree to let them know the name within one week. I really hate it when an author has a character act completely out of character. Not only was the plot device too stupid for words but Dalziel would never have tolerated being given an ultimatum from anyone, much less a pack of meddlesome women. This almost ruined the story for me. Dalziel had to rush his romancing of Minerva because these women kept sending messages about what they were going to do next if he didn't comply. And he never makes a peep about how dare they, or what right did they have, or who did they think they were or anything else. Is this the Dalziel we know?
I just had to close my mind to all that and concentrate on the developing love story. That was reasonably satisfying, more or less the typical Laurens. There were no surprises. You know the man is going to be surprised to find himself falling in love and the woman is going to refuse to marry just because he took her virginity. Many times I was reminded of Devil's story, probably one of my favorite Laurens novels, second only to his father's story. Just because I don't think the author was completely true to the character we know as Dalziel doesn't mean the book isn't worth reading. This is just my personal opinion and shouldn't keep anyone else from enjoying the latest offering from Stephanie Laurens. (Unless you're as outraged as I was, then all bets are off.)
Several reviews have also mentioned disappointment with the way the last traitor was handled. I felt the same way but this didn't interfere with my enjoyment of the story the way the above mentioned ultimatum did. Actually the resolution of the traitor was kind of thrown in at the last minute. The identity of the traitor is revealed to us early in the story. He seems so weak and ineffective that you will find it hard to believe he has evaded the great Dalziel and the Bastion Club members for so many years. The last traitor also leads me to my last complaints about the book. These are spoilers so don't read the next paragraph if you want to be surprised.
The end of the book feels very rushed. Minerva ends up actually saving Dalziel's life yet he never mentions it or even thanks her. Also thrown in at the end--Dalziel has guessed that their lovemaking has had the predictable result but Minerva never tells him the happy news nor is that discussed between them. These are conversations I would have liked to hear. With so many complaints you may wonder why I still give it four stars. It IS a good book and I doubt Laurens many fans will be disappointed. Perhaps my expectations were a bit too high and others will not have any problems with the plot devices. I didn't think her rating should suffer just because I believed Dalziel would have acted differently than she did. Too bad we can't ask Dalziel! It is a testament to Ms. Laurens skill that her characters come so alive for us and that we grow so attached to them as to argue about how they would behave.

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The men of the Bastion Club proved their bravery secretly fighting for their country. Now their leader faces that most dangerous mission of all: finding a bride.

As the mysterious leader of the Bastion Club known as "Dalziel," Royce Varisey, tenth Duke of Wolverstone, served his country for decades, facing dangers untold. But as the holder of one of England's most august noble titles, he must now take on that gravest duty of all: marriage.

Yet the young ladies the grand dames would have him consider are predictably boring. Far more tempting is his castle's willful and determinedly aloof chatelaine, Minerva Chesterton. Beneath her serene faÇade lies a woman of smoldering sensuality, one who will fill his days with comfort and his nights with sheer pleasure. Determined to claim her, he embarks on a seduction to prove his mastery over every inch of her body . . . and every piece of her heart.

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The Edge of Desire (Bastion Club) Review

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(More customer reviews)What starts off as a rather slow book developed into something that was interesting and enjoyable, if flawed in places. Lady Leticia Randall's husband is murdered and her brother Justin is the only suspect - he was at the house that evening and has fled the scene, leaving behind bloodstained clothing at his rooms. Yet Leticia knows Justin wouldn't have killed Randall and so she goes for help to one man she can trust, her former lover, Christian Allardyce, the 6th Marquess of Deane.
Christian and Leticia's history is complicated. Everyone thought they would marry but twelve years before Christian went off to serve King and country and whilst he was away Leticia married Randall. They've barely seen each other since but Christian immediately comes to Leticia's aid.
As they begin to search for clues to the murder they discover that Leticia really didn't know a great deal about her husband. As his private affairs are slowly unpicked Leticia and Christian find that he is a man of many secrets and that it will take more expertise than they have to get to the bottom of them. At the same time as the search for the truth of Randall's murderer, Christian has to try to convince Leticia to trust him and to come to see that her place is by his side. But if they get too close to the truth of the murderer, might they not be risking their own safety?
This was a surprisingly long book and it moved quite slowly. The interest built step by step as the layers in the plot were brought to light. After the first few chapters the book settled into a rather uneasy format where we followed Christian and Leticia's murder investigation during the day and then spectated on their bedsport at night, then on to the next day. As the book made progress we spent more time on the investigation and less on the romance and this was rather an improvement. As far as the romance side went, it was understated in some ways as it was a rekindling of love between people who had been incredibly close in their past. The characterisation of both Christian and Leticia was sparse at times - Leticia has a temper, we learn, and Christian is very controlled and calm, but this reader never felt like she really got to know them.
Although I did enjoy this book I was rather dubious about some of the behaviour of the main characters in that historical context. The lead couple spending pretty much every night in bed in each others' houses, with Lady Randall a widow of just a few days and still theoretically in deep mourning, felt rather too unlikely. Where were all the servants in a Marquess's house who would normally have noticed this kind of thing. It appeared necessary for Laurens' romance side of the plot but it all felt a bit too modern for the Regency period.
Despite this the rest of the book was a good read and I didn't guess the murderer until the end when they were revealed. Although part of a series this book worked well on its own and set up the reader for the next and last in the series, featuring Royce Dalziel.
Originally published for Curled Up With A Good Book © Helen Hancox 2008

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