A Gentleman's Honor

Finally! A Stephanie Laurens book where the man isn't a complete and utter idiot when it comes to love!

Don't get me wrong; I enjoy Laurens' books. But every single one of the men in the Cynster novels has more trouble admitting that they actually love someone than they would walking in front of an enemy's bayonet unarmed, and it drives me absolutely nuts. And they all decide to keep their ladies in the dark "for their own good." *snorts*

However, Anthony Torrington finally breaks Laurens' mold. Not only does he tell his lady love early in the novel that he loves and adores her (at least, it's early compared to her other heroes, some of whom don't ever say those words), but he also gives her all of the information that he has come show more across and has her involved in what's going on. This is probably what helped save her neck in the end.

What a breath of fresh air! How many problems in her other books would have been avoided if the men had actually trusted in the intelligence of the women they loved?

As to the plot itself, I find the traitor plot fairly overdone. Maybe once I read the entire Bastion Club series, I'll be ok with it. But right now, after having read two of the Bastion Club novels, I find it boring. I fairly skim over those parts; they just don't interest. That, however, is a personal preference. For all I know, she does that sort of plot very well; it's just not something I'm very interested.

The sex scenes were fairly standard Laurens scenes--full of "incandescently happy" and "soaring above on a plane he had never been to with any other woman--just with her." I personally think it's a fairly idealized view of sex, particularly sex with a virgin, but it makes for good reading. As usual, there was a heavy emphasis on family; I actually like that aspect of her novels. And though Laurens has done the spinster posing as a widow before, it wasn't quite like this, with the deception performed in front of the entire ton. That aspect of things was quite interesting, though I was somewhat disappointed that it was never revealed before the ton.

All in all, I enjoyed this novel. I greatly enjoyed the hero, more so than almost any other male Laurens has written about; I also enjoyed the heroine. Their relationship was one of the more interesting ones in Laurens' books as well, in my opinion. I definitely recommend it, if you like Regency romances. show less

Most of Stephanie Laurens' books are well worth the time and do hold one's interest. The Bastion Club series is an exceptional collection of books about men who spied for England until after Waterloo and now must take their place among the nobility, but on their terms.
Torrington meets a woman no one knows is impoverished over a corpse. Her secrets include some younger brothers, her marital status, and aforesaid financials, as she is in hopes of helping her younger sister to marry a man she could love and to ease the financial burden.
The characters grab your interest, and the mysteries of murder and treasonous sabotage are well done and keep the pages turning. I have reread it several times. My paperback copies kept wandering away, so I show more got the audio.
Jill Tanner does very well with the different characters and emotions. show less

I started reading this book in 2003 and for some reason I couldn't finish it. Having read the entire book this type I am not sure what the problem was. This is a very good book as are all the Stephanie Lauren books that have read to this point are. The underlying story of the treasonous bastard that is determined to undermine Alicia Carrington is enthralling and a page turn from the beginning. I love reading about some of the people that I came to enjoy in the Bar Cynster books. We get to see Harry “Demon” Cynster, his mother Lady Horatia, and Helena Duchess of St. Ives. These books must take place before the Bar Cynster got caught up in marriage and families.

Anthony “Tony” Blake, Viscount Torrington is an interesting man. I show more have always wondered how hard it must have been for spies during the earlier wars. I mean it took communications forever to get from one place to the next. There was no forensics to speak of and most of the time little to no backup. These men and woman were essentially on their own and most of the time their superiors probably didn't know exactly what they were doing or where they were. It is a testament of how good Tony was at his job that he survived for a decade. I do love that once he met Alicia he didn't play any games. He knew that he wanted her and set out to make her his very quickly. It was exciting to watch Tony and the rest of the Bastion Club plus Jack Hendon (CAPTAIN JACK’S WOMAN) solved the mystery of who killed the man that Alicia found at the beginning of the story. I also loved Tony’s cousin Miranda and his godmother Lady Amey. I would love to see a story for Miranda.

Alicia Pevensey aka Alicia Carrington is a running a long game in the hopes of securing a husband for her sister Adriana. She hopes that said husband will be able to support the family and keep them from poverty. She doesn't expect to find someone that will love her and want to marry her. Alicia is more than a little naive about men and what they may or may not want. All she has to go on is what she and her sister have read from etiquette books, which are more or less useless concerning the information that pertains to Alicia and Tony. It is amusing to watch her misunderstand what is really going on as far as Tony is concerned. Alicia is smart and quick but she has absolutely no experience in dealing with men of the ton. I was glad that she got through to Tony in the end. I was also glad that Adriana was able to find a husband that she could love.

As always this is a very good story as I said earlier. There is a tension that last right up to the moment that Tony beats the stuffing out of the villain and they learn there is another traitor in the Foreign Office. I also enjoyed getting a look at earlier characters and meeting so many new ones. It was also good to get to know the other men of the Bastion Club. They are seemed to get involved with the mystery and worked toward solving it quickly. This is a quick paced book that had me up several nights until late trying to see what was going to happen next. I am very glad that I didn't read the series when the books were coming out one a year. I enjoy reading each story while the last ones are fresh in my memory. If you love the historical romance genre you are going to love Ms. Laurens's books. show less

A Gentleman’s Honor - Laurens
Audio performance by Jill Tanner
3 stars

Bastian Club #2. Anthony Blake, Viscount Torrington, falls instantly into lust with a lady holding a knife over a corpse. Blackmail, treason, love, and eventual marriage in high society. It was a surprisingly good mystery. I enjoyed Alicia ‘Carrington’, her debutant sister, and their 3 younger brothers. Jill Tanner does a decent job with voices and accents. This was a predictable effortless book.It helped to pass the time while I did indoor and outdoor chores.

A Gentleman's Honor
2 Stars

While the murder/espionage plot has definite potential, there are too many implausible twists and turns.

Tony and Alicia have great chemistry, but the number of sex scenes is excessive and Laurens' purple prose is starting to grate on the nerves. I obviously need to take a break from her writing.

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!!

A Gentleman's Honor
2.5 Stars

While the murder/espionage plot has definite potential, there are too many implausible twists and turns.

Tony and Alicia have great chemistry, but the number of sex scenes is excessive and Laurens' purple prose is starting to grate on the nerves. I obviously need to take a break from her writing.