A Lady of His Own (Bastion Club) (Mass Market Paperback)

~ (Author) "A log shattered in the grate; sparks sizzled and flew..." (more)
Key Phrases: dressing stool, priest hole, master bedchamber, Mother Gibbs, Wallingham Hall, Foreign Office (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Regency romance juggernaut Laurens shows signs of fatigue in the third book of her Bastion Club septet (after The Lady Chosen and A Gentleman's Honor). Lord Charles St. Austell, earl of Lostwithiel, is one of the seven noble members of the Bastion Club ("a last bastion against the matchmakers of the ton") who served as spies during the Napoleonic wars and who still do a bit of investigating for the Crown when they're not braving eager ladies on the marriage mart. At his country estate, Charles encounters old friend (and old flame) Lady Penelope Selborne, who's up to her neck in intrigue. Penny's late brother may have been involved in schemes to smuggle secrets to France during the war—schemes that seem to be continuing with new sources even after his death. The novel features all the steamy sensuality for which Laurens is known, but the sex scenes lack the spark typical of her best work; Penny and Charles spend far too much time staring longingly at each other, dutifully denying their own urges. The unwieldy spy plot, meanwhile, progresses with agonizing slowness as the two interrogate every suspicious newcomer in town. Dedicated fans will probably stick with Laurens through the remaining four Bastion Club titles, but she's going to have to pick up the pace if she's to keep others intrigued.
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Product Description

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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Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 448 pages
• Publisher: Avon (September 28, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 006059330X
• ISBN-13: 978-0060593308
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 5 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (28 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #96,111 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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• This is item 4 in The Bastion Club Series.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

31 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I'll Take Charles...A Man of My Own, September 30, 2004

By	Nadine A. Jackson "Madame Jazze" (Boston, MA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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"

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Worth it, October 5, 2004

By	kkt - See all my reviews

Like the characters in the novel, I think Stephanie Laurens' style has matured some in this book. Penny and Charles seemed realistic to me, as did their responses to each other and how they eventually decide to let themselves love each other. Since they know each other well, they have a deeper relationship than one that seems to be just passonate but almost casual sex. Reminded me of the long term friendship in A Secret Love, which is probably my favorite SL book.

All that said, the spy sub-plot is over done, doesn't make sense and drags on way too long. I felt the book ended up being 50-100 pages longer than the story warranted due to the silly spy story. This applies to the other Bastion Club books, too, which don't have the compelling but simple story of her earlier work.

If you love SL books, it is worth buying this one. Not her best, but the passion is there and the characters realistic and believable.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Passion and Intrigue! Don't miss it!, October 6, 2004

By	S. D. Grady "Sasha @ writing.com" - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The 3rd in the Bastion Club series and the best. This time we are in Cornwall with Charles and Penny. They are a pair of stubborn and high-strung lovers, never getting enough of eachother. The intrigue comes from a mystery surrounding jeweled pill boxes and state secrets being passed to the French during the Napoleanic Wars.

If you love lots of hot, steamy love scenes mixed with international espionage during the Regency, you will have a blast reading the latest of Stephanie Laurens. If you have a "modesty meter" don't read it.