Search - Mastered By Love (Bastion Club, Bk 8)

Although I LOOOOVE Stephanie Laurens, I was disappointed in this book. This was the end of the Bastion Club series, but it was just the story of how Dalziel, the mastermind spy coordinator, seduced his chatelaine into becoming his duchess. And that story has been done before, ad nauseum. I really expected to see A LOT more about the Last Traitor, but it was only lightly touched upon during the story, and then wrapped up very neatly in the last few pages of the book. Sorry, but this was one was sadly disappointing for me.

As there's no summary for the book, I've posted this from SL's website (my review's at the bottom):

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, 10th 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 grandes dames would have him consider are predictably boring. Far more tempting is his castle's willful and determindedly aloof chatelaine, Minerva Chesterton. Beneath her serene facade 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.

*******
So....

Expectations are a bitch. In particular, high ones.

I'd waited eagerly for this one, this last story in the Bastion Club series, bought it the day it came out (had to go to 2 stores as it was sold out at the first), and eagerly devoured it... So What's there to say about it?

It was a bit of a disappointment,really. Not bad mind you, in particular seeing the other members of the Bastion Club was a bonus, & Devil Cynster was an added surprise. But after building up 'the last traitor storyline in the last 7 books, I'd thought it would have played more of a part in the overall story in this last book of the series.

Additionally who the bad guy was and why he was bad both seemed more like a cop out then anything else. I guess my overall issues were that the plot seemed a bit lighter in this go round and there were just so many unnecessary characters!

Despite her rather liberal view of the inner workings of regency society, SL is always a keeper for me, but this was def. not her best.

I have read, and will continue to read, every book by Stephanie Laurens. That said, this 'grand finale' was a total let-down. Mysterious, dangerous master strategist and spy leader Dalziel/Royce loses his edge, and turns into just a run-of-the-mill duke looking for a bride to bear his heir. I expected so much more from him. And the evil killer/traitor who has evaded capture in earlier books in the series is rather easily caught and killed, in my opinion, and in fact, plays a very small role in this last book. What's with that? Ah, well . . . I'll still read whatever Stephanie Laurens puts out.

i have really enjoyed this book series.it was good to see that stephanie didn't leave out the head guy.

MASTERED BY LOVE
The men of the Bastion Club proved their bravery secretly fighting for their country. Now their leader faces the 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 the 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 facade 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.

From the back cover...

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 the 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 facade 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.