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Mastered By Love (Bastion Club, Bk 8)
Mastered By Love - Bastion Club, Bk 8
Author: Stephanie Laurens
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 h...  more »
ISBN-13: 9781615232680
ISBN-10: 1615232680
Publication Date: 2009
Pages: 434
Rating:
  • Currently 4.1/5 Stars.
 8

4.1 stars, based on 8 ratings
Publisher: Avon Books HarperCollins Publisher
Book Type: Hardcover
Other Versions: Paperback
Members Wishing: 0
Reviews: Member | Amazon | Write a Review

Top Member Book Reviews

reviewed Mastered By Love (Bastion Club, Bk 8) on + 1215 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 7
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.
SoBe avatar reviewed Mastered By Love (Bastion Club, Bk 8) on + 147 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 6
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.
j4smine avatar reviewed Mastered By Love (Bastion Club, Bk 8) on + 31 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 5
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.
reviewed Mastered By Love (Bastion Club, Bk 8) on
Helpful Score: 2
I don't know what is up with Ms. Laurens, but this is the second recent title that took me forever to get through. If it's any consolation, the last 1/4 was the most interesting & exciting part. Therefore, I'm glad I finished it. Took weeks, though, instead of just a day or two.
reviewed Mastered By Love (Bastion Club, Bk 8) on + 103 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
As always, Stephanie Laurens kept my attention from open to close! Having said that, I was a little disappointed in this book. All the other Bastion Club books had been leading up to this one mans story and I thought it fell a little flat. The suspense of who he really was didn't get played out much in this book. The "last traitor" didn't take action until the final pages. The entire book is focused on him convincing this lady to marry him. I've never read a Stephanie Laurens book I didn't love and she didn't let me down here either. But I guess I just expected more for the finale.
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waucondacarol avatar reviewed Mastered By Love (Bastion Club, Bk 8) on + 319 more book reviews
Wonderfully romantic escapism novel. The Bastion Club is a group of English gentlemen returned from the wars with Napoleon who all must marry. They form the Bastion Club and buy a residence in which to meet and share info on prospective brides and which debutantes and managing future mothers-in-laws to avoid. Of course there are mysteries which lead them to meet women they most likely would never have met in Almack's Assembly Room. The struggle between strong willed men and women ensue with lots of torrid romance thrown in.
wrestlingmom avatar reviewed Mastered By Love (Bastion Club, Bk 8) on + 51 more book reviews
i have really enjoyed this book series.it was good to see that stephanie didn't leave out the head guy.
reviewed Mastered By Love (Bastion Club, Bk 8) on + 285 more book reviews
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.

Book Wiki

People/Characters
Royce Varisey, aka Dalziel (Primary Character)

Genres: