A Fine Passion

This book's plot is a little different than the others so far. There is still the mystery of the last traitor which is still unresolved by the end of this story. This mystery is a little more subdued. There are hints at the very beginning but nothing that is urgent until much farther along in the book. There are two antagonists in this story a man that is the henchman of the final traitor and the stepmother of the heroine, Clarice Altwood. This all makes for an interesting story that will have you stay up late to figure out what is going to happen next.

Julius “Jack” Warnefleet, Baron Warnefleet of Minchinbury, finally has gotten fed up the Season in London and has come home. His head that was injured in the last story, A show more GENTLEMAN’S HONOR, has been bothering him and with the advice of his physician he plans on resting and recovering. He stumbles upon his future wife at the scene of an accident. He is enamored with her independence, stubbornness and take charge attitude. These two don’t hit it off at first mainly because Lady Clarice Altwood thinks Jack is a lazy peer that would rather enjoy himself in London than take care of the people on his home property. Jack takes great delight in proving her wrong. I liked Jack very much. He is one of those alpha males bred for warriors of old. He is protective, possessive and loyal to all those that he cares those that he cares for, friends and family and servants and tenants. He is also very good at managing all his holdings, making sure they are profitable and well maintained.

Clarice is a little hard to like. Her take charge attitude and arrogance can make her almost overbearing. She has been in charge for so long she doesn't want to give up any of her position. However Clarice is not perfect and she has learned to be happy with the life that she is currently living. She was banished to country for refusing to marry a man that she was found in a compromising position. The whole thing was arranged by her stepmother who is jealous of Clarice. The stepmother is a harpy of the first order. She pulls several stunts in this story that show for the nasty piece of work that she is. I just wish there had been a more permanent solution to the problem. The last attempt on Clarice was never really resolved and it would have been nice if there had been some punishment for the incident.

We get to see a little of Tristan Wemyss in this story but none of the others that have found wives so far. We also get to see more of Lady Osbaldestone shows up in this book which is always fun. I love when she makes an appearance. I sometimes wish I had a friend or family member her. She always makes every story enjoyable.

The traitor that is still running around free is no closer to being caught in this story. He does make a mistake and he loses an operative. As I said earlier this is one of those page turners that will have you up way later than you want to be. As always Ms. Laurens has written an amazing story filled with characters that grab your interest and won’t let you go. There are plenty of steamy love scenes that add just the right amount of spice to Jack’s and Clarice’s chase to the alter. This is a very good addition to the wonderful work that Ms Laurens has put out so far. I continue to look forward to each new book. show less

I adore this series!! Stephanie Laurens is a master at the Alpha Rake!! I love the men pursuing their ladies!!

What a great story! I laughed and cried many times! Such wonderful writing and really engaging characters!! I love this authors work!!

I adore this whole series and can not wait to see each man get his lady. It is a bit formula with the alpha male who is often chased finding a lady he wants and being forced to pursue her. But formula works that why we love it!

Each book has an add but of intrigue that draws you in. And Stephanie Laurens knows how to deliver the steam!!

I am currently on a Regency kick and this one was terrific!!

reread, bastion-club, traitor, dalziel, suspense, historical-novel

The men of the Bastion Club are second only to their erstwhile spy master.
I have read this series several times and still I am impressed with the imagination and skill that has gone into crafting this novel.
Jack Warnefleet was seriously concussed in the previous novel, the gets bowled over by the opinionated woman he meets upon coming across a near fatal carriage incident. Starts out with a bang and keeps moving along quickly.
Usual bouts of erotica (yes, the hormone spikes DO alleviate some nasty headaches. I know.).
Excellent read. If you haven't read it, you're missing out.
Jill Tanner does a good enough job, I just prefer that this series be done by a male voice.

A Fine Passion - Laurens
Audio performance by Jill Tanner
3 stars

Dalziel’s anonymous last traitor creates a convoluted mystery by arranging for false accusations of treason against a Church of England vicar/historian. It’s a very convoluted plot that holds up another hot love affair. I did enjoy the social downfall of the evil stepmother.

I have rather mixed feelings about this one. I liked the the two characters, and the initial storyline of the heroine who had replaced the hero as 'man of the house', However, I didn't like the everything-ends-well-ending which was completely overdone and unbelieveable (she goes from outcast to gods-gift-on-earth within a few weeks). The sex scenes were a little too frequent (although it fits the title) and it is ridiculous to link these to his concussion-needs-anaesthetics storyline.... all in all, a forgettable romance.

Continuing the Bastion series, Jack escapes London and being entrapped into marriage, only to find a neighbor is practically running his estates and the village. Chalice has no intentions of every marrying, but an affair with neighbor Jack will do just fine, until they fall in love with each other. And Jack is recalled to London to track a potential spy, and a crime that being pinned onto Chalice's uncle.

Stephanie Laurens is always a fun read, and she's back in good form with the novels in her Bastion Club series.