[GUB]∎ Read The Edge of Desire Bastion Club Stephanie Laurens 9780061246364 Books

The Edge of Desire Bastion Club Stephanie Laurens 9780061246364 Books

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The Edge of Desire Bastion Club Stephanie Laurens 9780061246364 Books

I've just finished reading many of the other postings. It seems like many of us are in agreement. But where to start....?????
I have read all of Stephanie Lauren's Bastion Club and Cynster novels and have the following to say:

Her books have become so predictable and irritating and I think that most of her readers simply buy the books because we feel we have to know how the series will eventually conclude. Not so much of an endorsement, huh? I got roped into the trend by stumbling on the third book in the Cynster series and I thought, "wow, what an exciting new author" The book was a fresh approach and had interesting characters and plot. The love scenes were well and thoroughly written. I immediately obtained the prior two books and subsequently read all of the remaining releases (the intital 6 or 7) and was very well pleased. I felt the other books tied up the family very neatly. Then came the Bastion Club and, again, the first couple of books were different, fresh and intriguing -- with a more mature and responsible leading man (I thought it interesting that the focus of these books was predominately from the man's point of view) Anyway..... things started to go wrong around the third book in this series (or thereabouts) Then it dawned on me that the exact woman was being portrayed in each story; that the love/sex scenes were seemingly recycled and that more and more annoying traits were popping up with regularlity..... making it very difficult to finish the book (any of them) and less able to even care about the lead characters.

As many have said about this particular story (Edge of Desire), how many times do we have the Vaux excuse? The misunderstandings, the irrational behavior, etc etc??? I think Ms Laurens is trying to introduce a different kind of heroine; a gal who stands up for herself, her beliefs, her family and who really doesn't need (or so she thinks) a man in her life. She's the "modern" woman in an era where woman truly would never be represented as the rebel, know-it-all, iron-willed, bossy creature that so many of these "heorines" are portrayed as. Why is it that so many of these ladies are dead-set against falling in love and relying on a man and settling down with one? Are they somehow less than a woman if they fall in love? (isn't that why we read romance??) Almost without fail, Ms Lauren's leading ladies (in this series) are so eager to break the mold of the typical female lead character, that they become so unsympathetic and unrelatable. In this series, I liked the men a whole lot better.

Additionally, the love scenes -- as so many have said -- have become so gratuitous and repeated that they lose their appeal. Most fans of the genre will say they enjoy a well written and steamy love scene but I am finding myself skipping over these scenes as they are getting boring and monotonous. I can't believe I'm saying that! But it's true... they are written practically word for word as in her other novels.

In a nutshull, I am sorry to say that I am losing my devotion to Stephanie Lauren's books. I will probably read the final book in the series since Dalziel seems an intersting sort. But I hope that she takes a different approach and introduces a fresh stream of characters. It's sad that this series (which started out promising) is losing it's steam -- and she's losing her creative touch if she has to keep recycling the same old prose. You can't keep going to the same well and expect to pull up a full pail of water. Same goes for the "Cynster" series. She's squeezing every last drop from that as well. Now, every person to have bumped into a Cynster has their own story. I snoozed thru Charlie & Sara's story, barely got thru the one before that (see what I mean... they're becoming forgettable!) I'm about a third thru the Barnaby Adair story but am skipping here and there. I'm a little nervous because of the number of children on the Cynster family tree.... do we have 20 more novels on the back burner....waiting for these youngsters to grow up????

I would have given this higher than a two star rating but the whole Vaux thing did me in. I liked Christian and admire him more simply by his putting up with such a woman -- he must have the patience of a saint!

It would be nice if these comments were collected and forwarded to the authors. I really don't know that they understand that their loyal readers have become so disenchanted. I'll take quality over quantity any time. If there is a quota and a deadline that authors must fulfill, then this is a detriment to the reader and the story is being sacrificed. I have boxes of books stored away in my attic. Books that are worth reading over and over again. I'm sorry to say that the last few years have not produced many books that fall into the 'keeper' category or that which I could recommend whole-heartedly.

Sorry that this is a long post. But I enjoy sharing my thoughts as much as I enjoy reading what others have to say. I have made some smart buying choices by reading the comments of other readers.


Tags : The Edge of Desire (Bastion Club) [Stephanie Laurens] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. <blockquote> They proved their bravery fighting for His Majesty's Secret Serviceand were rewarded with brides of great beauty and breeding. But one memberof the Bastion Club has remained a bachelor . . . until now. Christian,Stephanie Laurens,The Edge of Desire (Bastion Club),Avon,0061246360,Romance - Historical - General,Love stories,Man-woman relationships,Regency fiction,AUSTRALIAN NOVEL AND SHORT STORY,FICTION Historical General,FICTION Romance Historical General,Fiction,Fiction - Romance,General Adult,Historical romance,MASS MARKET,RomanceHistorical,Romance: Historical,United States

The Edge of Desire Bastion Club Stephanie Laurens 9780061246364 Books Reviews

I love Stephanie Lauren's books in general. I have only been really disappointed in The Taste of InnocenceThe Taste of Innocence A Cynster Novel (Cynster Novels), which I really had trouble finishing. However, I liked the entire Bastion Club series, and enjoyed this installment of the series. Christian has some flaws which are nice in a hero. Leticia is a very strong woman who has to adapt to a really horrible situation, and then adapt again. I did think it was kind of dumb though, since she obviously knew Dalziel very very well that she didn't go to him to get in touch with Christian, but, of course, then there would be no story. I especially enjoyed any scenes with her and Dalziel, it was nice to see him be intimidated by someone after being such a god in all the other books. The only thing that really drove me crazy about this book was the reference to the Vaux temper constantly!! She has a temper, the family has a reputation, we get it, didn't need to hear about it every 5 pages. But, her books are a nice light read, enjoyable and you know that everything will turn out in the end. It's not deep reading but it isn't meant to be. I continue to look forward to her books.
THE EDGE OF DESIRE is the seventh book in the Bastion Club series. The Bastion Club is the refugee of seven English men from the matchmakers of the ton. These men were spies in France and have now returned to England to unexpected titles and the necessity of marriage. The last of the members of the Bastion Club unmarried is Christian Allardyce, the Marquess of Dearne. He has newer been able to find a wife because he is stool not over the woman who he loved twelve years before who married another man. Lady Leticia Randall comes seeking Christian's help when her husband is murdered.

I loved this book. It is different than others in the series because Christian and Leticia have a sad history. The mystery of the story concerning who murdered her husband was compelling. I was interested in the secrets that were slowly revealed through the book. The passing of the book was perfect. Just when I began to get annoyed with a secret, it was revealed. Getting both viewpoints, I felt for both Christian and Leticia because their past went so wrong. I openly rooted for these two to resolve their past and recapture their future.

I really enjoyed the gradual reveal of Dalziel. By the end of this book, the reader knows who he is and I couldn't wait to read the book of this unofficial member of the Bastion Club.
The Edge of Desire (Bastion Club) is one of my favorite books by Stephanie Laurens. Her books are great stories with plenty of sweet romance and sex. There are eight stories of eight men in the Bastion Club. Plus Captain Jack's Woman is recommended since Captain Jack helps out in several stories. The gentlemen of the Bastion Club have proven their courage while fighting England's enemies, but nothing has prepared them for dealing with that most formidable of challenges the opposite sex.
"Christian, I need your help. There is no one else I can turn to . . . L."
When Christian Allardyce, 6th Marquess of Dearne, reads those words, his world turns upside down. Lady Letitia Randall is a woman like no other, and the day he left her behind to fight for king and country was the most difficult of his life. He never forgot the feel of her lips against his, but never expects to see her again. Yet now she seeks his help, and Christian knows he will not resist her plea.
Letitia believes that Christian abandoned her when she needed him most, and she hates to call on his aid. But to clear her brother's name, she has sworn to use every weapon at her command, even if it means seducing her ex-lover. Yet all the while, Christian is waging a war of his own - a campaign of pure pleasure and sweet revenge that will take them both beyond the edge of desire.
I already had in Paperback and decided to get in also for more convenience.
I've just finished reading many of the other postings. It seems like many of us are in agreement. But where to start....?????
I have read all of Stephanie Lauren's Bastion Club and Cynster novels and have the following to say

Her books have become so predictable and irritating and I think that most of her readers simply buy the books because we feel we have to know how the series will eventually conclude. Not so much of an endorsement, huh? I got roped into the trend by stumbling on the third book in the Cynster series and I thought, "wow, what an exciting new author" The book was a fresh approach and had interesting characters and plot. The love scenes were well and thoroughly written. I immediately obtained the prior two books and subsequently read all of the remaining releases (the intital 6 or 7) and was very well pleased. I felt the other books tied up the family very neatly. Then came the Bastion Club and, again, the first couple of books were different, fresh and intriguing -- with a more mature and responsible leading man (I thought it interesting that the focus of these books was predominately from the man's point of view) Anyway..... things started to go wrong around the third book in this series (or thereabouts) Then it dawned on me that the exact woman was being portrayed in each story; that the love/sex scenes were seemingly recycled and that more and more annoying traits were popping up with regularlity..... making it very difficult to finish the book (any of them) and less able to even care about the lead characters.

As many have said about this particular story (Edge of Desire), how many times do we have the Vaux excuse? The misunderstandings, the irrational behavior, etc etc??? I think Ms Laurens is trying to introduce a different kind of heroine; a gal who stands up for herself, her beliefs, her family and who really doesn't need (or so she thinks) a man in her life. She's the "modern" woman in an era where woman truly would never be represented as the rebel, know-it-all, iron-willed, bossy creature that so many of these "heorines" are portrayed as. Why is it that so many of these ladies are dead-set against falling in love and relying on a man and settling down with one? Are they somehow less than a woman if they fall in love? (isn't that why we read romance??) Almost without fail, Ms Lauren's leading ladies (in this series) are so eager to break the mold of the typical female lead character, that they become so unsympathetic and unrelatable. In this series, I liked the men a whole lot better.

Additionally, the love scenes -- as so many have said -- have become so gratuitous and repeated that they lose their appeal. Most fans of the genre will say they enjoy a well written and steamy love scene but I am finding myself skipping over these scenes as they are getting boring and monotonous. I can't believe I'm saying that! But it's true... they are written practically word for word as in her other novels.

In a nutshull, I am sorry to say that I am losing my devotion to Stephanie Lauren's books. I will probably read the final book in the series since Dalziel seems an intersting sort. But I hope that she takes a different approach and introduces a fresh stream of characters. It's sad that this series (which started out promising) is losing it's steam -- and she's losing her creative touch if she has to keep recycling the same old prose. You can't keep going to the same well and expect to pull up a full pail of water. Same goes for the "Cynster" series. She's squeezing every last drop from that as well. Now, every person to have bumped into a Cynster has their own story. I snoozed thru Charlie & Sara's story, barely got thru the one before that (see what I mean... they're becoming forgettable!) I'm about a third thru the Barnaby Adair story but am skipping here and there. I'm a little nervous because of the number of children on the Cynster family tree.... do we have 20 more novels on the back burner....waiting for these youngsters to grow up????

I would have given this higher than a two star rating but the whole Vaux thing did me in. I liked Christian and admire him more simply by his putting up with such a woman -- he must have the patience of a saint!

It would be nice if these comments were collected and forwarded to the authors. I really don't know that they understand that their loyal readers have become so disenchanted. I'll take quality over quantity any time. If there is a quota and a deadline that authors must fulfill, then this is a detriment to the reader and the story is being sacrificed. I have boxes of books stored away in my attic. Books that are worth reading over and over again. I'm sorry to say that the last few years have not produced many books that fall into the 'keeper' category or that which I could recommend whole-heartedly.

Sorry that this is a long post. But I enjoy sharing my thoughts as much as I enjoy reading what others have to say. I have made some smart buying choices by reading the comments of other readers.