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Bastion Club #6
Beyond Seduction
In a moment of recklessness, Gervase Tregarth, 6th Earl of Crowhurst, swears he'll marry the next eligible lady to cross his path. Cloistered at his ancestral castle in Cornwall, with nary a suitable woman for miles, he never expects he'll have to fulfill his pledge, at least not until the London Season begins. But then he meets his neighbor, the very appealing Madeline Gascoigne.
Years of secret service to the Crown have taught Gervase the value of always having a loophole—there will be no wedding if he and Madeline are incompatible in any way. So he sets out to prove that they would make a most dreadful match . . . by luring her into his arms and, ultimately, his bed.
From their very first kiss, Gervase discovers that the headstrong and independent Madeline is no meek country miss . . . and that the fire between them will burn long beyond that first seduction.
Years of secret service to the Crown have taught Gervase the value of always having a loophole—there will be no wedding if he and Madeline are incompatible in any way. So he sets out to prove that they would make a most dreadful match . . . by luring her into his arms and, ultimately, his bed.
From their very first kiss, Gervase discovers that the headstrong and independent Madeline is no meek country miss . . . and that the fire between them will burn long beyond that first seduction.
462 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published August 28, 2007
164 people are currently reading
1729 people want to read
About the author
Stephanie Laurens
206 books5,586 followersStephanie Laurens was born in Sri Lanka, which was at the time the British colony of Ceylon. When she was 5, her family moved to Melbourne, Australia, where she was raised. After continuing through school and earning a Ph.D. in Biochemistry in Australia, Stephanie and her husband moved to Great Britain, taking one of the last true overland journeys from Katmandu to London.
Once in London, Stephanie and her husband both began work as research scientists in Kent. They lived in an area surrounded by history. Their own cottage was built in the 16th century, while next door were the protected ruins of an early Roman villa, and nearby was a 14th century castle.
After four years in England, Stephanie and her husband returned to Australia, where she continued to work in cancer research, eventually heading her own research laboratory. One evening Stephanie realized that she did not have any more of her favorite romance novels to read. After years of thinking about writing her own novel, during nights and weekends for the next several months, she began crafting her own story. That manuscript, Tangled Reins, was the first of her books to be published. After achieving a level of success with her novels, Stephanie "retired" from scientific research and became a full-time novelist. Her novels are primarily historical romances set in the Regency time period.
Stephanie and her husband live on peaceful acreage on the outskirts of Melbourne. If she isn't writing, she's reading, and if she's not reading, she's tending her garden.
Once in London, Stephanie and her husband both began work as research scientists in Kent. They lived in an area surrounded by history. Their own cottage was built in the 16th century, while next door were the protected ruins of an early Roman villa, and nearby was a 14th century castle.
After four years in England, Stephanie and her husband returned to Australia, where she continued to work in cancer research, eventually heading her own research laboratory. One evening Stephanie realized that she did not have any more of her favorite romance novels to read. After years of thinking about writing her own novel, during nights and weekends for the next several months, she began crafting her own story. That manuscript, Tangled Reins, was the first of her books to be published. After achieving a level of success with her novels, Stephanie "retired" from scientific research and became a full-time novelist. Her novels are primarily historical romances set in the Regency time period.
Stephanie and her husband live on peaceful acreage on the outskirts of Melbourne. If she isn't writing, she's reading, and if she's not reading, she's tending her garden.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 173 reviews
June 7, 2019
***3.0 "Worst Hero/Heroine names" stars***
Gervase Tregarth and Madeline Gascoigne.
Love Madeline's personality!!
Totally enjoyed the mystery, the abductions, and the action.
Gervase Tregarth and Madeline Gascoigne.
Love Madeline's personality!!
Totally enjoyed the mystery, the abductions, and the action.
August 21, 2023
Reread on August 19, 2023: The hero parenting three young half-sisters, the heroine parenting three young half-brothers… the symmetry is pleasing to me. This is the very best Stephanie book type, focusing on estate management and country events. Folks, you know how much I love organizing a local fair. Boring to many but not me! For once, the suspense element was actually threaded coherently from the beginning with a satisfactory pay-off (will wonders never cease?). The child kidnapping aspect was handled well. This is probably the best “Last Traitor”-centric book in the series.
The scene where Madeleine disarms Dalziel with a sword and hands his ass to him… that page alone deserves to hang in the Louvre. ONE MILLION STARS.
Idk, I have a soft spot for older heroines who feel like they’ve lost their chance for love/marriage because they’ve prioritized familial obligations at the expense of their own dreams. They can’t fathom the hero finding them attractive or marriageable material. It’s that feeling of discovering a previously closed door suddenly open again. SL has written this precise archetype before (see Alathea in A SECRET LOVE) but that’s also a book I love… I am predictable. Now admittedly, the romantic beats are VERY similar to every SL book in existence, but that goes unsaid for SL, lol.
Read via audio (narrated by Steven Crossley).
The scene where Madeleine disarms Dalziel with a sword and hands his ass to him… that page alone deserves to hang in the Louvre. ONE MILLION STARS.
Idk, I have a soft spot for older heroines who feel like they’ve lost their chance for love/marriage because they’ve prioritized familial obligations at the expense of their own dreams. They can’t fathom the hero finding them attractive or marriageable material. It’s that feeling of discovering a previously closed door suddenly open again. SL has written this precise archetype before (see Alathea in A SECRET LOVE) but that’s also a book I love… I am predictable. Now admittedly, the romantic beats are VERY similar to every SL book in existence, but that goes unsaid for SL, lol.
Read via audio (narrated by Steven Crossley).
July 5, 2022
This historical was not for me! I enjoyed the romance enough but there were side plots I could not get into. I felt like the story took for ever and I was ready for it to end which is not how I like to feel while reading. I think this story/writing did not have anything wrong with it, it was just not for me.
January 27, 2025
The sex was fine, the rest was boring.
December 5, 2017
3.5 it just feels like most these stories repeat themselves. It's like an ongoing circle.
He wants her, she doesn't, well yes she beds him but not sure what could be. Then changes her mind and so on....
He wants her, she doesn't, well yes she beds him but not sure what could be. Then changes her mind and so on....
August 26, 2021
Beyond Seduction
3 Stars
Gervase Tregarth, Earl of Crowhurst, returns to his family estate in Cornwall and is manipulated by his younger sisters into pledging to marry the first suitable woman to cross his path. Ironically, that woman just happens to be his neighbor, Madeline Gascoigne. Determined to convince himself that Madeline and he are incompatible, Gervase decides to lure her into his bed only to discover that the headstrong and independent Madeline is his perfect match. Now all he has to do is convince her of that fact.
Unfortunately, this is one of the weaker installments in the series mainly due to the fact that Madeline and Gervase's romance lacks the chemistry that characterizes all of the other couples in the series and their sex scenes are more mechanical than sensual.
The suspense plot, however, is very compelling as more information is revealed about the mysterious traitor mentioned in book #4. There is also a wonderful sense of community when events take a dangerous turn and several of the Bastion Club members as well as the locals join forces to aid Madeline and Gervase.
In sum, a satisfying read overall and I look forward to the villain getting his much-deserved comeuppance although that probably won't be until the last book.
3 Stars
Gervase Tregarth, Earl of Crowhurst, returns to his family estate in Cornwall and is manipulated by his younger sisters into pledging to marry the first suitable woman to cross his path. Ironically, that woman just happens to be his neighbor, Madeline Gascoigne. Determined to convince himself that Madeline and he are incompatible, Gervase decides to lure her into his bed only to discover that the headstrong and independent Madeline is his perfect match. Now all he has to do is convince her of that fact.
Unfortunately, this is one of the weaker installments in the series mainly due to the fact that Madeline and Gervase's romance lacks the chemistry that characterizes all of the other couples in the series and their sex scenes are more mechanical than sensual.
The suspense plot, however, is very compelling as more information is revealed about the mysterious traitor mentioned in book #4. There is also a wonderful sense of community when events take a dangerous turn and several of the Bastion Club members as well as the locals join forces to aid Madeline and Gervase.
In sum, a satisfying read overall and I look forward to the villain getting his much-deserved comeuppance although that probably won't be until the last book.
May 6, 2022
This was just too silly for me.
November 8, 2017
“Beyond Seduction” Is the story of Madeline and Gervase.
Since it took me three days to read a book which normally takes maximum of three hours should be telling of how much it captivated me.
Same exact plot as previous stories.
Hero wants to get married.
Some issue, over here sibling pressure, forces him to his country estate.
Sees heroine who is totally not interested.
Sets his eyes on her and proceeds to seduce her and her objections.
Heroine later agrees.
Background of a crime, and in this case smuggling.
Nothing new with this one.
Average One time read.
Safe
2/5
Since it took me three days to read a book which normally takes maximum of three hours should be telling of how much it captivated me.
Same exact plot as previous stories.
Hero wants to get married.
Some issue, over here sibling pressure, forces him to his country estate.
Sees heroine who is totally not interested.
Sets his eyes on her and proceeds to seduce her and her objections.
Heroine later agrees.
Background of a crime, and in this case smuggling.
Nothing new with this one.
Average One time read.
Safe
2/5
Read
February 15, 2018DNF! I have listened to about three hours of this on audio book and I just can’t get into it. I start to day dream of other things while listening as it can’t hold my attention. So I won’t rate it because I didn’t come close to finishing.
July 7, 2015
3.5 Stars! I hadn't been planning on reading this one right when I did, but once I started reading it, I didn't want to stop. I'm so close to the end of this series, and with it, Dalziel's story. The anticipation is big for that one. I will get it out of the way early in this review and mention again how much I like Dalziel ;) He played a nice-sized part in this story, and I enjoyed seeing how he worked alongside Gervase and Christian, and Charles too. Those two also aided in the mystery solving and/or crime-stopping. It was good to see Charles and Penny again, and Christian, well, he's nicely set up for his story, the last of the Club yet unmarried. I'm already interested in finding out what's up with him and his mystery woman who comes knocking.
But anyway, back to this story. So, yea. Casting search turned up Josh Kloss, who does a good job fitting my mind's idea of Gervase, so I'm rollin' with it: . I pretty much liked him the whole way through the book, he never really did anything to bug me. I liked how he cared for his sisters, and how he handled their mischief making. The girls themselves were likable, and I liked the way they teased Gervase, and their family dynamic. I liked the setting in Cornwall, with the cliffs and the sea playing a large part. One of my favorite things was the boathouse. It was a lovely change from the usual run of trysting locales, and somewhat unique, though it was not lacking the requisite day bed :p
Madeline was a good heroine for me too. I enjoyed her character, the way she took charge of the care of her brothers, and how she managed everything with the locals. Just like the other heroines in this series, she was strong and smart, and perfectly capable. When it came to the love scenes, I really liked how she had no qualms about taking what she wanted. He started things, but instead of waiting for him to teach her the lessons, she took his lead and ran with it. I liked the way they sometimes wrestled for control, too. I gotta say the way their relationship developed worked great for me. Of course, Madeline was a little obtuse and oblivious to his desire to marry her, which is not surprising, but in the end, I liked how she worked it through and came to realize it was what she wanted as well.
The mystery aspect was a bit of a slow burn, but then when it all started coming together towards the end, it got to be very intriguing. Malcolm Sinclair makes a little appearance, and I started to think he was in on it somehow perhaps... Then he exits stage left and is not seen again, and it's revealed that the villain is none other than the one last mystery traitor who escaped from the Bastion guys, and Dalziel before, and There were exciting bits, and in this last third of the book I was flying through the pages to the finish. I really liked the way it ended, it was another good addition to the series.
Onward to the next one soon!
Oh, and I need to mention my favorite scene! Best scene ever.
But anyway, back to this story. So, yea. Casting search turned up Josh Kloss, who does a good job fitting my mind's idea of Gervase, so I'm rollin' with it: . I pretty much liked him the whole way through the book, he never really did anything to bug me. I liked how he cared for his sisters, and how he handled their mischief making. The girls themselves were likable, and I liked the way they teased Gervase, and their family dynamic. I liked the setting in Cornwall, with the cliffs and the sea playing a large part. One of my favorite things was the boathouse. It was a lovely change from the usual run of trysting locales, and somewhat unique, though it was not lacking the requisite day bed :p
Madeline was a good heroine for me too. I enjoyed her character, the way she took charge of the care of her brothers, and how she managed everything with the locals. Just like the other heroines in this series, she was strong and smart, and perfectly capable. When it came to the love scenes, I really liked how she had no qualms about taking what she wanted. He started things, but instead of waiting for him to teach her the lessons, she took his lead and ran with it. I liked the way they sometimes wrestled for control, too. I gotta say the way their relationship developed worked great for me. Of course, Madeline was a little obtuse and oblivious to his desire to marry her, which is not surprising, but in the end, I liked how she worked it through and came to realize it was what she wanted as well.
The mystery aspect was a bit of a slow burn, but then when it all started coming together towards the end, it got to be very intriguing. Malcolm Sinclair makes a little appearance, and I started to think he was in on it somehow perhaps... Then he exits stage left and is not seen again, and it's revealed that the villain is none other than the one last mystery traitor who escaped from the Bastion guys, and Dalziel before, and There were exciting bits, and in this last third of the book I was flying through the pages to the finish. I really liked the way it ended, it was another good addition to the series.
Onward to the next one soon!
Oh, and I need to mention my favorite scene! Best scene ever.
March 4, 2017
It seems that the same formula continues in the 6th Bastion book. Here it's Gervase who spots his woman, local spinster and neighbor Madeline, decides he's going to marry her and then sets out to seduce her in order to convince her. She of course is set against it and it takes all his skill and wiles to convince her. I'm sick of the formula. Really.
This one is slightly set apart by the fact that Madeline doesn't outright reject marriage - she just cannot fathom that Gervase would honestly consider her for the role of his countess. When he sets out to seduce her she claims several reasons why he shouldn't. He sees this as a challenge and sets out to undermine her beliefs. She thinks he's playing a game whereby he gets a dalliance and a little fun before he returns to London to find his bride. He is going to manipulate the hell out of her: strategize, plan, seduce and outflank until she's right where he wants her - warming his bed (and he actually means this to mean marrying him...since she'll be warming the Earl's bed, where his countess sleeps...pathetic euphemism, really). So imagine his frustration when, despite the success of his seduction, she can't seem to understand that he plans to marry her. That's probably because he didn't bother telling her (or hinting in any meaningful way). He told everyone else in the whole damn village, but not her. I'm just not a huge fan of the whole manipulation angle and I'm especially not a fan of the "victory" and the "triumph" when he gets his way.
Despite my irritation, it wasn't that bad of a book. It's long, filled with sex scenes and the mystery doesn't really show up until very late in the book...most of it focusing on the romance. The mystery of the "last traitor" remains, but we're getting closer to figuring him out. I was still interested and wanted the characters to be happy - I didn't hate them or anything, but always felt a bit of irritation about the manipulation. Although she has some TSTL thought moments...like, she can't marry him until she has proof of his love but mere words from the man she loves and trusts simply won't cut it. Why?
And on a completely random note this one quote from our heroine raised my eyebrows - "Like all the males of her acquaintance, he was totally at ease naked." ALL? Really? How could she possibly have such knowledge? How many men has she seen casually strolling about naked in the village? It just boggles the mind.
This one is slightly set apart by the fact that Madeline doesn't outright reject marriage - she just cannot fathom that Gervase would honestly consider her for the role of his countess. When he sets out to seduce her she claims several reasons why he shouldn't. He sees this as a challenge and sets out to undermine her beliefs. She thinks he's playing a game whereby he gets a dalliance and a little fun before he returns to London to find his bride. He is going to manipulate the hell out of her: strategize, plan, seduce and outflank until she's right where he wants her - warming his bed (and he actually means this to mean marrying him...since she'll be warming the Earl's bed, where his countess sleeps...pathetic euphemism, really). So imagine his frustration when, despite the success of his seduction, she can't seem to understand that he plans to marry her. That's probably because he didn't bother telling her (or hinting in any meaningful way). He told everyone else in the whole damn village, but not her. I'm just not a huge fan of the whole manipulation angle and I'm especially not a fan of the "victory" and the "triumph" when he gets his way.
Despite my irritation, it wasn't that bad of a book. It's long, filled with sex scenes and the mystery doesn't really show up until very late in the book...most of it focusing on the romance. The mystery of the "last traitor" remains, but we're getting closer to figuring him out. I was still interested and wanted the characters to be happy - I didn't hate them or anything, but always felt a bit of irritation about the manipulation. Although she has some TSTL thought moments...like, she can't marry him until she has proof of his love but mere words from the man she loves and trusts simply won't cut it. Why?
And on a completely random note this one quote from our heroine raised my eyebrows - "Like all the males of her acquaintance, he was totally at ease naked." ALL? Really? How could she possibly have such knowledge? How many men has she seen casually strolling about naked in the village? It just boggles the mind.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 20, 2014
I really enjoyed the beginning of the book with the disclosure of Gervase's difficulties in his estate and the reasons behind. I really liked how he had his eyes opened thanks to his sisters' interference and how he came to see Madeline differently.
Though she had many characteristics redundant with previous heroines in the series - 29 yo, spinster, willing to try out intimacy with a man, she seemed more real and interesting than previous others.
I also really liked the investigation plot, with the last traitor treasure being discovered by accident and the subsequent sequences. What I also appreciated was the strong links between the investigation and the development of the romance, which felt really strong and long-lasting.
One of my favorite books in this series so far.
Though she had many characteristics redundant with previous heroines in the series - 29 yo, spinster, willing to try out intimacy with a man, she seemed more real and interesting than previous others.
I also really liked the investigation plot, with the last traitor treasure being discovered by accident and the subsequent sequences. What I also appreciated was the strong links between the investigation and the development of the romance, which felt really strong and long-lasting.
One of my favorite books in this series so far.
May 18, 2017
4.5 stars. Solid historical romance, with a substantial plot element (linked in to the overarching series plot). The heroine is refreshing -- the capable guardian of her younger brothers and their estate, so capable as to pass under the gender radar. The hero is stock. The internal plot is to do with the heroine's never believing that anyone could ever want her, or to marry her, as a woman. Her insecurities and misgivings could have been developed more fully, but in this novel the author never enters completely into the thoughts and feelings of either of her protagonists. There's always a slight distance which prevents the reader from caring more deeply, and so this otherwise solid novel is a 4.5.
December 7, 2015
Hero finds romance with girl-next-door.
June 19, 2023
El libro 6 de la serie Bastion se inicia con Gervase regresando a casa para lidiar con el último lío q armaron sus hermanas pequeñas. Pero lo q realmente lo impresiona no es el lío en sí mismo sino el motivo del mismo. Enteradas de su búsqueda de esposa, las niñas - adolescentes más bien - se han pasado los últimos 6 meses creando pequeños desastres domésticos para obligar a su hermano mayor a no quedarse en Londres donde pueda ser atrapada x una dama q no le convenia.
Sencilla trama q nos abre el que será el romance entre Gervase&Madeleine, q obviamente no es una dama de Londres sino una joven lugareña, vecina y conocida de Gervase de toda la vida. Lo q nos plantea una parte interesante de la trama, q es el "descubrimiento" q hace Gervase - gracias a la perspicacia de sus hermanas pequeñas - de esta dama q tiene todas las cualidades para ser su condesa y q sin embargo a quien él había ignorado olímpicamente. Así vemos como Gervase va dándose cuenta de cómo era necesario y más q apropiado darle una segunda mirada a Madeleine y cómo queda prendado de ella, en lo q se da cuenta de la personalidad q ella mantiene oculta tras la fachada responsable de hermana mayo y tutora de tres jóvenes tambien adolescentes. Luego vendrá la campaña de seducción, muy bien llevada y orquestada. En este punto no hay grandes sorpresas, solo una gran terquedad por parte de Madeleine q sigue sin ver que con Gervase están hechos el uno para el otro.
La parte también muy interesante de la trama está en el personaje oscuro y todavía desconocido q hemos conocido en libros anteriores. Ese "traidor" sin nombre al q Dalziel se encuentra dando caza desde hace varios meses y q logra escapar cada vez q lo tenemos cerca. Este es un ingrediente q la autora ha sabido utilizar muy bien xq no solo tenemos suspense sino una buena dosis de acción q nos hace contener el aliento durante unas cuantas páginas.
Pero sobre todo lo q rescato de esta novela es como la autora sabe jugar con sus tramas y personajes, xq cuando en otros libros de la serie ha hecho que los dos protagonistas lleven todo el peso de la trama, aquí juega hábilmente con ambos, dando el suficiente protagonismo a Gervase&Madeleine pero poniéndolos en el contexto de su lugar de nacimiento, su relacionamiento con las personas q están bajo su responsabilidad, tanto miembros de sus familias como miembros de la comunidad de la q ambos son líderes; dándonos una idea de un tiempo q ya no existe pero q uno piensa q fue bueno xq existían costumbres y sobre todo valores que con el tiempo, lastimosamente, se han ido perdiendo.
Solo quedan dos libros más, y para mejor, el final de este nos sugiere de que va la historia de Christian....aunq realmente no sugiere nada, solo te da una probadita para dejarte con todas las ganas de más...
Sencilla trama q nos abre el que será el romance entre Gervase&Madeleine, q obviamente no es una dama de Londres sino una joven lugareña, vecina y conocida de Gervase de toda la vida. Lo q nos plantea una parte interesante de la trama, q es el "descubrimiento" q hace Gervase - gracias a la perspicacia de sus hermanas pequeñas - de esta dama q tiene todas las cualidades para ser su condesa y q sin embargo a quien él había ignorado olímpicamente. Así vemos como Gervase va dándose cuenta de cómo era necesario y más q apropiado darle una segunda mirada a Madeleine y cómo queda prendado de ella, en lo q se da cuenta de la personalidad q ella mantiene oculta tras la fachada responsable de hermana mayo y tutora de tres jóvenes tambien adolescentes. Luego vendrá la campaña de seducción, muy bien llevada y orquestada. En este punto no hay grandes sorpresas, solo una gran terquedad por parte de Madeleine q sigue sin ver que con Gervase están hechos el uno para el otro.
La parte también muy interesante de la trama está en el personaje oscuro y todavía desconocido q hemos conocido en libros anteriores. Ese "traidor" sin nombre al q Dalziel se encuentra dando caza desde hace varios meses y q logra escapar cada vez q lo tenemos cerca. Este es un ingrediente q la autora ha sabido utilizar muy bien xq no solo tenemos suspense sino una buena dosis de acción q nos hace contener el aliento durante unas cuantas páginas.
Pero sobre todo lo q rescato de esta novela es como la autora sabe jugar con sus tramas y personajes, xq cuando en otros libros de la serie ha hecho que los dos protagonistas lleven todo el peso de la trama, aquí juega hábilmente con ambos, dando el suficiente protagonismo a Gervase&Madeleine pero poniéndolos en el contexto de su lugar de nacimiento, su relacionamiento con las personas q están bajo su responsabilidad, tanto miembros de sus familias como miembros de la comunidad de la q ambos son líderes; dándonos una idea de un tiempo q ya no existe pero q uno piensa q fue bueno xq existían costumbres y sobre todo valores que con el tiempo, lastimosamente, se han ido perdiendo.
Solo quedan dos libros más, y para mejor, el final de este nos sugiere de que va la historia de Christian....aunq realmente no sugiere nada, solo te da una probadita para dejarte con todas las ganas de más...
October 26, 2025
I think this is one of my favorite heroines in this book, but lord this book feel like it took forever. Maybe because I’m so wanting to read the next two characters’ books, but still.
Read
February 13, 2022Favorite of this series.
October 23, 2014
Well we are getting down to the last few in the Bastion Club, well one official member of the club and Dalziel. Five of these men have found their wives and are now happily married living a quiet life after risking so much. Gervase Tregarth, Earl of Crowhurst, hasn't been able to stay in London long enough to even really start looking for a bride. Something keeps calling him home, one problem after another that needs his attention to solve. It takes some investigation and stake outs to find the culprits, his half-sisters. They are afraid that Gervase will marry someone that will send them off to the Great Aunt in Yorkshire. So he makes a deal to stay home for the summer and seriously look for a suitable bride closer to home. He is more than a little surprised when that perfect woman walks in his door to apologize for her brothers and his bull being turned with the milk cows. What follows is a battle of wills between Gervase and Madeline Gascoigne. Madeline is convinced that Gervase is only interested in her because she is an older woman that is available and he is bored. Gervase knows better and is willing to lay siege to her objections. There is also the chase to try and capture the final traitor that Dalziel has been after for so very long.
Gervase is like the rest he is of warrior stock. He has a protective streak a mile wide. He never thought that he would find himself as Earl of Crowhurst. However fate has different ideas about that. He, also like the others, is tired and wants to find some peace and happiness after all the ugliness of war. There is also the problem of his half-sisters, one is soon to be old enough to come out and one is close behind. He needs a wife to help make the debut a success. When Madeline stops by on her rounds he is stuck by how attracted he is to her. I am not sure he is prepared for how hard it is to win Madeline. He never gives up though. Gervase is arrogant and hardheaded but he is also compassionate and caring. He is all alpha male and a tender lover. He also recognizes that Madeline is the guardian of her brother Viscount Gascoigne and that she will be until he is twenty one.
Madeline, for the last decade, has been seen as the de facto Gascoigne. He father set his will up so she would be able to take care of her brothers after he died. She has enjoyed a certain amount of freedom because of this. She rides astride her horse; she manages the estate and the income that it earns. She knows all the local people and they respect her. She has made herself a strong and self-reliant woman and as such most consider her on the shelf, a spinster. For the most part Madeline is happy with her life but she does miss having companionship with someone other than her aunt and brothers. She fights falling in love with Gervase because she just can’t imagine that he could ever care for her. She is, however, the perfect mate for him. She proves that over and over throughout the story.
We don’t get to see much of the other members of the Bastion Club in this book. The only ones are available to come to Gervase's aid or Christian and Dalziel. When Dalziel finds out that the man that he is searching for is involved with the kidnapping of one of Madeline brothers he rushes off with the others in hopes of finally catching the man. I am beginning to think that this traitor is a family member or a very close friend. It is driving me crazy because we get to see so much about the man in this story. He is so sure Dalziel will recognize him if Dalziel sees him, but he doesn't seem worried about the other members of the Bastion Club.
This is a wonderful story that can be a little slow in places but the last several chapters are fast paced and build to a brilliant climax. I hate to say this but I was glad that the woman that worried Gervase's sister so much was dealt with in a very permanent way. As always these characters are enjoyable and you hope that they will one day get stories of their own, especially the Gervase's sisters and Madeline's brothers. I would be remiss in not mentioning that Ms. Laurens writes for very steamy love scenes and Gervase and Madeline are very imaginative about taking each other to new heights of pleasure. I am looking forward to reading the next book in this series.
Gervase is like the rest he is of warrior stock. He has a protective streak a mile wide. He never thought that he would find himself as Earl of Crowhurst. However fate has different ideas about that. He, also like the others, is tired and wants to find some peace and happiness after all the ugliness of war. There is also the problem of his half-sisters, one is soon to be old enough to come out and one is close behind. He needs a wife to help make the debut a success. When Madeline stops by on her rounds he is stuck by how attracted he is to her. I am not sure he is prepared for how hard it is to win Madeline. He never gives up though. Gervase is arrogant and hardheaded but he is also compassionate and caring. He is all alpha male and a tender lover. He also recognizes that Madeline is the guardian of her brother Viscount Gascoigne and that she will be until he is twenty one.
Madeline, for the last decade, has been seen as the de facto Gascoigne. He father set his will up so she would be able to take care of her brothers after he died. She has enjoyed a certain amount of freedom because of this. She rides astride her horse; she manages the estate and the income that it earns. She knows all the local people and they respect her. She has made herself a strong and self-reliant woman and as such most consider her on the shelf, a spinster. For the most part Madeline is happy with her life but she does miss having companionship with someone other than her aunt and brothers. She fights falling in love with Gervase because she just can’t imagine that he could ever care for her. She is, however, the perfect mate for him. She proves that over and over throughout the story.
We don’t get to see much of the other members of the Bastion Club in this book. The only ones are available to come to Gervase's aid or Christian and Dalziel. When Dalziel finds out that the man that he is searching for is involved with the kidnapping of one of Madeline brothers he rushes off with the others in hopes of finally catching the man. I am beginning to think that this traitor is a family member or a very close friend. It is driving me crazy because we get to see so much about the man in this story. He is so sure Dalziel will recognize him if Dalziel sees him, but he doesn't seem worried about the other members of the Bastion Club.
This is a wonderful story that can be a little slow in places but the last several chapters are fast paced and build to a brilliant climax. I hate to say this but I was glad that the woman that worried Gervase's sister so much was dealt with in a very permanent way. As always these characters are enjoyable and you hope that they will one day get stories of their own, especially the Gervase's sisters and Madeline's brothers. I would be remiss in not mentioning that Ms. Laurens writes for very steamy love scenes and Gervase and Madeline are very imaginative about taking each other to new heights of pleasure. I am looking forward to reading the next book in this series.
April 22, 2020
He de decir que el anterior libro me costó un poco pero con la historia de Gervase la autora ha conseguido reengancharme a la trama a pesar de lo largos que son, sobre todo con el tema del último traidor. Impecable como siempre, con las maravillas de la histórica y los tintes del espionaje de época que lo hacen genial.
April 17, 2021
2021 reread. I don't know what was wrong with me that it's taken this long to revisit this part of the Bastion Club. I couldn't place it before but I have long remembered the private boat house escape that Gervase and Madeline enjoyed. Reading this book again was a delight.
The only downside was that I did not love the new narrator even after the last narrator was so subpar. He'd sound angry rather than intense or seductive, and his accents made the characters sound old (the men) or ridiculous (the women). I guess it's time to make the trip to dig up my paperback copies from my parents' house.
The only downside was that I did not love the new narrator even after the last narrator was so subpar. He'd sound angry rather than intense or seductive, and his accents made the characters sound old (the men) or ridiculous (the women). I guess it's time to make the trip to dig up my paperback copies from my parents' house.
September 13, 2016
This is a historical romance that tries hard to also be a historical fiction novel at almost 500 pages ebook/15.5 hours audiobook. It doesn't quite achieve being excellent at either genre. The romance is lacking a certain emotional/playful connection. The mystery is lacking enough depth to be truly interesting on it's own. Overall, this was only good, not great. I'd give this author another try, though probably not from this series (I haven't read the other books from this series, it can be read as a standalone).
March 9, 2012
lagi2 ya.. Heronya terlalu sabar bisa menghadapi heroin nya yg yaaahh... tidak pernah terpikir buat merit dan berkeluarga
bagian yg paling aku suka adalah, siapa si musuh abadinya Dalziel?
tadinya aku pikir Malcom Sinclair tp kek nya bukan deh, ada satu orang lain lagi
dan feeling gw bilang itu orang yg lumayan deket sama Dalziel, saingan sejak dr kecil atau entahlah..
tinggal 1 buku lagi baru baca yg Dalziel hehehe XD
bagian yg paling aku suka adalah, siapa si musuh abadinya Dalziel?
tadinya aku pikir Malcom Sinclair tp kek nya bukan deh, ada satu orang lain lagi
dan feeling gw bilang itu orang yg lumayan deket sama Dalziel, saingan sejak dr kecil atau entahlah..
tinggal 1 buku lagi baru baca yg Dalziel hehehe XD
April 7, 2022
Boring. Long for no reason. Too much filler. I literally skipped pages at a time until I saw dialogue. Boring. Only finished to get a clue about the villain. Boring. Unnecessarily wordy. Boring.
November 29, 2015
they start to be repetitive so cannot read too many in a row or they get stale.
March 12, 2020
4 Stars
March 18, 2023
In previous books in the series, Gervase keeps being called home. Finally, we, the readers, find out what it's all about.
His sisters, having seen what happened when one of their neighbors got married, are terrified. They do not want to be shipped off to some boarding school. Instead, they wreak havoc around Gervase's estate in order to keep an eye on him and who he is dating. In a moment of pique, Gervase promises to marry the next woman he sees (who fulfills a list of criteria, including him liking her (he's not stupid)) .
This is a romance novel so a woman shows up pretty darn quick. He doesn't exactly believe that she'd fit his requirements having known Madeline Gascoigne in the past but now he's at least looking at her with new eyes.
Madeline needs Gervase's help. She's not looking for a husband; she's her brother's guardian and she has to keep that estate together. But there is an electricity between them that she wants to explore.
There are the same basic beats as the rest of the books in the series: Man wants to get married, woman doesn't, they get married, but with its own little twists.
His sisters, having seen what happened when one of their neighbors got married, are terrified. They do not want to be shipped off to some boarding school. Instead, they wreak havoc around Gervase's estate in order to keep an eye on him and who he is dating. In a moment of pique, Gervase promises to marry the next woman he sees (who fulfills a list of criteria, including him liking her (he's not stupid)) .
This is a romance novel so a woman shows up pretty darn quick. He doesn't exactly believe that she'd fit his requirements having known Madeline Gascoigne in the past but now he's at least looking at her with new eyes.
Madeline needs Gervase's help. She's not looking for a husband; she's her brother's guardian and she has to keep that estate together. But there is an electricity between them that she wants to explore.
There are the same basic beats as the rest of the books in the series: Man wants to get married, woman doesn't, they get married, but with its own little twists.
October 2, 2025
Rambunctious Siblings, Villains, and a Fated Romance
Draw back to his castle in Cornwall, Gervase Tregarth had to rein in his young half-sisters. They were deliberately causing mischief so that Gervase would not marry a noblewoman from London. Their reason was an unfortunate marriage of a local nobleman to a particularly scandalous lady. They wanted Gervase to marry a local noblewoman that he had know since childhood - Madeline Gascoign. Madeline has sacrificed her own search for love to bring up her three young brothers. Because of her position, she was looked on as one of the men and less as a woman. It takes Gervase a while to realize the woman he was destined to marry was right under his nose, and it takes Madeline considerably more time to revisit her true womanly charms. Among their discoveries, a group of villains from both London and Cornwall threaten their happiness. But with the help of other members of the Bastion Club, disaster is averted.
Draw back to his castle in Cornwall, Gervase Tregarth had to rein in his young half-sisters. They were deliberately causing mischief so that Gervase would not marry a noblewoman from London. Their reason was an unfortunate marriage of a local nobleman to a particularly scandalous lady. They wanted Gervase to marry a local noblewoman that he had know since childhood - Madeline Gascoign. Madeline has sacrificed her own search for love to bring up her three young brothers. Because of her position, she was looked on as one of the men and less as a woman. It takes Gervase a while to realize the woman he was destined to marry was right under his nose, and it takes Madeline considerably more time to revisit her true womanly charms. Among their discoveries, a group of villains from both London and Cornwall threaten their happiness. But with the help of other members of the Bastion Club, disaster is averted.
October 12, 2020
the bastion club
years ago read the book where he marries the girl next door which gave us intimate details of the address and its interiors. Later books all had different locations and pushed them aside. Just finished this one and the 'really' of liked it, is only half. Should have been called Beyond mushy. my god, how many seductive make out scenes can you insert into one book. Other than that i did really like the book, the plot, the kids, the adults, the setting. Have taken to looking up antique maps of the areas the books are settled in, in this case the tip of Cornwall in 1816. Our President is on drugs and this was an essential distractions. Usually find Laurens short on comic relief, a little would be welcome. But Daziel's appearance did bring this really up to really like.
years ago read the book where he marries the girl next door which gave us intimate details of the address and its interiors. Later books all had different locations and pushed them aside. Just finished this one and the 'really' of liked it, is only half. Should have been called Beyond mushy. my god, how many seductive make out scenes can you insert into one book. Other than that i did really like the book, the plot, the kids, the adults, the setting. Have taken to looking up antique maps of the areas the books are settled in, in this case the tip of Cornwall in 1816. Our President is on drugs and this was an essential distractions. Usually find Laurens short on comic relief, a little would be welcome. But Daziel's appearance did bring this really up to really like.
August 1, 2017
2.5 stars -it was OK/I liked it
I haven't read a Stephanie Laurens book in years. A regular diet of them saw me like them less and less because it's the same story told over and over again. Having said that, I didn't might another go around years later because I did enjoy the first of Laurens' Cynster book series. I got exactly what I expected, and I now have my Laurens fill for another few years.
This time I listened to the audio version, narrated by Steven Crossley. In general he did a good job but some of the female voices I found to be awkward.
And no, it's not an error. I am leaving the same review for Book 7 of the Bastion Club because I feel the same way.
I haven't read a Stephanie Laurens book in years. A regular diet of them saw me like them less and less because it's the same story told over and over again. Having said that, I didn't might another go around years later because I did enjoy the first of Laurens' Cynster book series. I got exactly what I expected, and I now have my Laurens fill for another few years.
This time I listened to the audio version, narrated by Steven Crossley. In general he did a good job but some of the female voices I found to be awkward.
And no, it's not an error. I am leaving the same review for Book 7 of the Bastion Club because I feel the same way.
October 11, 2023
I enjoyed this one a lot. Which makes me even more sure that the problem I had with the last book was more me than the book. I’m not even going to attempt to spell the H/H names here. Good grief, where did she come up with these names! However, I loved the romance, the symmetry of each of them being responsible for younger siblings. I loved that everyone else knew they were perfectly matched while neither of them had a clue. There is a lot of great horsemanship and sword play in this one, which always makes me happy. The mystery is a good one. Dalziel features, which is great because he’s such a great character. And the Last Spy mystery continues.
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