Rating: 
Summary: Long Laborious Read
Review: Setting - London 1815 --- First, I will say that I am a BIG Fan of Stephanie Laurens and was sincerely looking forward to the start of her new series. The premise of seven very eligible bachelors of rank and title - all home from dangerous missions on the continent following the battle of Waterloo forming a club of sorts to select their own brides and not be set upon or harangued by well meaning matchmakers sounded amusing and fun. Being familiar with Ms. Laurens work this was something I looked forward to. Tristan Wemyss, Earl of Trentham, is the first to be featured in this series. It is he who is overseeing the work being done on the home that these gentlemen were renovating as a 'club' to meet and commiserate with one another. Tristan, was the recipient of an unexpected large inheritance that came both with the responsibility of supporting fourteen older female aunts and cousins along with a time stipulation that made it imperative that he marry within a year or lose quite a bit of the monies that came with it. Naturally, our hero never planned marriage and was miffed that he would be forced into it. He finds himself attracted to a very attractive spinster living in the house next to their club. Leonora Carling, is attractive, a spinster - who appears to have no interest in marriage. After a series of unsuccessful burglaries and disturbing coincidences they form a partnership to delve into the matter - while both fight a burgeoning physical attraction. As to why I did not give this book a higher rating there were many reasons. Leonora Carling has to be one of the least likeable heroines I have ever encountered. She savors her independent lifestyle yet after about 100-200 pages she sets out to seduce Tristan, then the rest of the book has him trying to convince her to marry him as she continually refuses him. If it were not for some very typically wonderful sensual seductions on the part of Tristan I probably would not have finished this book. The mysterious burglaries and the reason for them was one of the weaker aspects of the plot and seemed to go round and round in circles where you really didn't even care to know the answer. Boring! In my opinion, this was not worthy of this authors talent as it appeared she was just filling a quota of pages - over 400 - which made this one of the more laborious reads of the year!
Rating: 
Summary: Excellent, Excellent, did I mention EXCELLENT !
Review: Stephanie does it YET again!! SUPERB beginning to her new series...
Another fantastic book from Stephanie Laurens. I had classed the Cynster Series as the best ever, but if the stories in this new Bastion Series continue on the same vein as this first book..then YOWSA !!, another WINNER.. The Bastion Club of seven masterful, dashing, and titled gentlemen captures every heart.This first tale of Tristan, Earl of Trentham and Leonora is a perfect beginning. Not a thin book at 464 pages, every one of them entertaining, I read it with delight and it left me feeling well satisfied. But alas, the next book, featuring Anthony, Viscount Torrington & Alicia is a month away from release... whatever shall I read till then..Nothing will feel up to the standards now set...(whimper..) just a polite lady-like whimper, I will recover, but not until I get the second book!!! *smiles
Rating: 
Summary: Stephanie Laurens burns up the pages...
Review: Stephanie Laurens burns up the pages in her latest release THE LADY CHOSEN, first book in her new series entitled "WELCOME TO THE BASTION CLUB". Ex-military men brought together by various circumstances and all needing to marry form the Bastion Club as a place of refuge from the demanding ton. This story is of Tristan Wemyss, Earl of Trentham who needs to marry in order to inherit his wealth. The men of the Bastion Club buy a home for their club in a quiet neighborhood and Tristan oversees the preparations. He first encounters Leonora Carling in her gardens. At first he watches her, admiring her from afar, and then meets her and finds himself immediately immersed in a mystery. Leonora Carling, a woman past marrying at the age of 26 years old, is both lovely and intelligent. Someone has been trying to break into her home and other homes that share a wall in the neighborhood. Tristan and Leonora, with a common goal of catching the culprit find themselves tracking leads together. In doing so, their fiery attraction sparks and ignites. The story takes a turn as the couple explores their newfound attraction and their affair finds themselves in all sorts of compromising situations - most notably on a Mahoney desk! Tristan is in hot pursuit to have Leonora as his wife, his "Lady Chosen", however she resists and refuses his offer of marriage. She long ago had set aside any plans for marriage and cherishes her independence and freedom to act as she wishes. Surrounded by academic men who rely on her to run the household, she has become set in her ways and marriage ideas put to rest long ago - until Tristan. But Tristan is not one to not get what he wants, and he wants Leonora. The story clearly jumps from a mystery to a passionate affair quite abruptly. The focus of the story pivoting suddenly in this manner is almost like reading two stories in one. Once the love affair consummates the mystery of the break-ins, so crucial in the first few chapters, falls to the wayside. Ms. Lauren's deftly picks up soon after, but a meshing of these two storylines or at least a more subtle turn would be my only complaint to this wonderfully entertaining story. Stephanie Lauren's has written a sizzling and sexy story of passion and love. The characters jump off the pages, and their attraction undeniable. I'm looking forward to the next in this series, due on September 2003, entitled A GENTLEMAN'S HONOR which will tell the story of Anthony Blake, Viscount Torrington and his bride. **Cynster fans will be surprised and delighted to see a brief appearance by Devil Cynster himself in LADY CHOSEN.
Rating:
Summary: Great, fast, and complete read.
Review: Stephanie Laurens does it again. I don't know how she keeps her writing going strong, but she does. I have been a long time fan and was excited about the thought of a new series. I wasn't disappointed. You can pretty much get the idea of the story above in the Editorial Review or the back of the book. Tristan is a strong and complete character. He has been working as a spy during the wars and isn't used to needing/wanting someone else in his life. But he appreciates, cherishes, and respects Leonora. Leonora Carling, the girl next door literally, is a strong female who knows her worth and what she really wants out of life. Her intelligence keeps her even with Tristian. A trait that he admires. The development of their relationship is steady and complete. You can see it evolving into a realistic thing. The mystery keeps this book going even past the romance portion of this book. This "partnership" works at solving the mystery of why someone wants in Leonora's her house. Devil Cynster (Devil's Bride) even makes a quick appearance in this book. That was wonderful to see some of her old character. I definitely recommend this book to old fans and new fans alike. If you like a good regency romance with a good plot, you will definately enjoy this one. This book is going on my "keeper" shelf to stay and re-read as often as possible.
Rating:
Summary: A nice romance once you can get into the story
Review: The first installment of the Bastion Club finds our founding members setting up shop next door to Miss Leonora Carling and her bookish brother and uncle. Constantly seeing her in her garden, Tristan Wemyss, Earl of Trentham instigates a meeting between the two. Instantly he's intrigued. Then things get interesting at the club, which is still under renovations, when the building gets broken into. As Tristan keeps "accidentally" running into Leonora and both are plagued with the same brake-ins, the couple join forces to solve the mystery. When Leonora is attacked on the street the "firmly on the shelf" wallflower decides she wants to know what she will miss by never marrying. Her charming next-door neighbor seems the perfect rake to have a secret tryst with. Only having Tristan suddenly becoming a proper gentleman and proposing was never part of her plan! I finally finished THE LADY CHOSEN! Wow - it took me almost two months to read. Before you choose to skip this book, know it has an excellent mystery wrapped within a very sensuous romance. My dilemma was that the first 150 or so pages really drag. There is a lot of day-to-day activity without anything interesting really happening. (After thought, I don't think this is meant to loose the interest of the reader but more to express the frustration of Leonora's situation - wait, wait, wait, something happens, back to waiting; kind of like a stake out.) The romance between Tristan and Leonora was interesting to watch develop because he wants to marry her, and she wants him, but not as a husband! As he lays siege to her heart, it is roll reversal as the guy convinces the woman they are perfect for each other. Just so both fans and prospective readers understand, I have not read most of her other books so if you have never read a book by Ms Laurens, I wouldn't recommend starting with this one because she is a wonderful author with a great story telling ability and I'd hate for you to miss the rest of her stories because you couldn't get into this one. Because I couldn't get into this book, I have to rate it low. After the events in the story picked up, I was sucked in and enjoyed the story, but I think the book could have been a lot shorter; therefore easier to read!
Rating:
Summary: A nice romance once you can get into the story
Review: The first installment of the Bastion Club finds our founding members setting up shop next door to Miss Leonora Carling and her bookish brother and uncle. Constantly seeing her in her garden, Tristan Wemyss, Earl of Trentham instigates a meeting between the two. Instantly he's intrigued. Then things get interesting at the club, which is still under renovations, when the building gets broken into. As Tristan keeps "accidentally" running into Leonora and both are plagued with the same brake-ins, the couple join forces to solve the mystery. When Leonora is attacked on the street the "firmly on the shelf" wallflower decides she wants to know what she will miss by never marrying. Her charming next-door neighbor seems the perfect rake to have a secret tryst with. Only having Tristan suddenly becoming a proper gentleman and proposing was never part of her plan! I finally finished THE LADY CHOSEN! Wow - it took me almost two months to read. Before you choose to skip this book, know it has an excellent mystery wrapped within a very sensuous romance. My dilemma was that the first 150 or so pages really drag. There is a lot of day-to-day activity without anything interesting really happening. (After thought, I don't think this is meant to loose the interest of the reader but more to express the frustration of Leonora's situation - wait, wait, wait, something happens, back to waiting; kind of like a stake out.) The romance between Tristan and Leonora was interesting to watch develop because he wants to marry her, and she wants him, but not as a husband! As he lays siege to her heart, it is roll reversal as the guy convinces the woman they are perfect for each other. Just so both fans and prospective readers understand, I have not read most of her other books so if you have never read a book by Ms Laurens, I wouldn't recommend starting with this one because she is a wonderful author with a great story telling ability and I'd hate for you to miss the rest of her stories because you couldn't get into this one. Because I couldn't get into this book, I have to rate it low. After the events in the story picked up, I was sucked in and enjoyed the story, but I think the book could have been a lot shorter; therefore easier to read!
Rating:
Summary: Introducing the Bastion Club
Review: The war is over. Napoleon is exiled to St. Helena. And now the soldiers return to make their future and find a wife. But, there are many more young women than eligible men. To protect themselves from the determined mamas and doting papas looking to snag any presentable male into marriage, our war heros form the Bastion Club at Number 12 Montrose Place. This first book in the series starts with the establishment and installation of the club next door to Miss Leonora Carling's uncle, Sir Humphrey. And Miss Carling wants to know if the members of the new club are responsible for the disturbances at Number 14. The story is well told. Laurens does not try to introduce all 7 of her titled gentlemen in this first book; she gives us the overview and then concentrates on the Earl of Trentham, Tristan Wemyss, and his pursuit of Miss Carling.
Rating:
Summary: Introducing the Bastion Club
Review: The war is over. Napoleon is exiled to St. Helena. And now the soldiers return to make their future and find a wife. But, there are many more young women than eligible men. To protect themselves from the determined mamas and doting papas looking to snag any presentable male into marriage, our war heros form the Bastion Club at Number 12 Montrose Place. This first book in the series starts with the establishment and installation of the club next door to Miss Leonora Carling's uncle, Sir Humphrey. And Miss Carling wants to know if the members of the new club are responsible for the disturbances at Number 14. The story is well told. Laurens does not try to introduce all 7 of her titled gentlemen in this first book; she gives us the overview and then concentrates on the Earl of Trentham, Tristan Wemyss, and his pursuit of Miss Carling.
Rating:
Summary: Not a Cynster, but if you can get past that, you'll enjoy it
Review: There is something different about this book, something that sets it apart from the Cynster series. Laurens' writing has evolved, and there is a definite difference with this novel. I suspect this was intentional on her part, to differentiate the Bastion Club from the Cynsters and this reader appreciated that difference. Other fans might not. If you are expecting a Cynster book, you will be disappointed. If you can read this series with fresh eyes, I think you will enjoy it. Unlike the Cynster books, the heroine in The Lady Chosen only has one TSTL moment. I found it refreshing to read a heroine who is described as intelligent and actually have her actions back it up. The hero is a typical alpha male, but never does anything that will make you cringe. Actually, all of his actions are quite endearing and understandable. Also refreshing was the frank and honest manner in which the hero and heroine dealt with each other. They communicated (what a novel idea!) and actually worked through problems as they occurred instead of letting them fester out of control. Perhaps it did make for less emotional tension in the novel, but I didn't miss it. Theirs was a wonderfully believeable relationship. One where when the love was finally acknowledged, the reader understood why they had fallen and could name reasons other than lust. Not that there isn't enough lust in the story. Laurens is known for her keen ability to capture pure heat on the page, and this story is no exception. Although it seemed to me as if she has toned down the love scenes from say, Scandal, I suspect this is in response to readers feedback that she had gone a wee bit far. This reader was not of that opinion, but I know that several other readers were. Laurens weaves a perfectly believeable tale that is also entertaining. She even threw in a few humorous moments. You'll find yourself smiling several times during the story. Be prepared for a different read from those she gave us with the Cynster series, and I think you will enjoy this book as I did.
Rating:
Summary: Hipper than usual regency drama
Review: This author is a very good writer of dialog and is a whole lot hipper than most other novelists in this genre. I felt like I was here and now in 2003, listening to 1800s dialog with a current vibe to it. It made reading very cool. The skullduggery in this complex plot is capable of producing a few heart pounding moments more commonly experienced in Stephen King novels, etc. I liked this a lot. My one dissonant note and why I gave only 3 stars is that Ms. Laurens writes gross out sex scenes. The ripe imagry created in one intimate interlude between Ella and Tristan was utterly vulgar. This is my first look at this author and I hope that this aforementioned blunder will not appear in her other romance novels. No woman wants to find herself viewed by her lover this way. Read the story, you'll find out.
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