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A Fine Passion (A Bastion Club)
by Stephanie Laurens
Product Group: Book
Publisher: Avon (2005-08-30)
ISBN: 0060593318
EAN: 9780060593315
Dewy Decimal #: 813.54
Mass Market Paperback: 448 pages
Release Date: 2005-08-30
SKU: MOZ128437
Condition: Very Good
Comments: 0060593318 MMPB free of markings. Cover shows light wear. Interior & spine evidence only gentle use; overall, a very serviceable copy. Your book will be carefully protected for transit in sturdy, weather-resistant packaging. We are prompt, efficient, communicative.
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Editorial Reviews
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Product Description
The men of the Bastion Club are powerful, loyal, and not averse to overcoming danger if they must. Now, after years of loyal service to the Crown, they each -- one by one -- must face that greatest danger of all ...love. The last of his line, Jack, Baron Warnefleet, has fled London after nearly being compromised into marrying a dreadful female. Turning his back on the entire notion of marriage, he rides home to the estate he has not seen for years, determined to set in motion an alternative course of action. But then in the lane before his gate, Jack rescues a startlingly beautiful lady from a menacing, unmanageable horse. However, while he begins by taking command, the lady continues by taking it back. Lady Clarice Altwood is no meek and mild miss. She is the very antithesis of the woolly-headed young ladies Jack has rejected as not for him. Clarice is delectably attractive, beyond eligible, undeniably capable, and completely unforgettable. Why on earth is she rusticating in the country? That enigma is compounded by mystery, and it's quickly clear that Clarice is in danger. Jack must use every ounce of his cunning and wit to protect this highly independent and richly passionate woman ... who has so quickly stolen his heart.
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Customer Reviews
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Plot Holes Ruin Romance
Rating  (2)
Date: 2008-01-23
I've had mixed luck with Stephanie Laurens: the first book I read of hers I disliked but then someone lent me _The Lady Chosen_, which I enjoyed. This book, _A Fine Passion_, seemed to be ok for a while but then went drastically downhill. Unlike some other reviewers, I actually like strong female characters but like some other reviewers, I could have lived with about half the number of sex scenes in this book, title or no. and the explanation that the heroine had read racy books and wanted to try out what she'd read was so out of period as to be laughable.
However, what really annoyed me about this book were gaping plot holes (WARNING: Spoilers):
* The heroine's stepmother is established as a harpy who could be an obstacle to the heroine's returning to the ton after a long-ago scandal and to the heroine's brothers finding wives because the stepmother has some blackmail over them. They find sneaky ways around her maneuvering, and then near the end of the book, you find out that the heroine knew something really scandalous about the stepmother that she could have used as leverage right away but was holding in reserve in case her stepmother didn't relent after all. This explanation made no sense at all: if you're dealing with a blackmailing bitch and you have blackmail in return, why wouldn't you use it right away?
* The heroine is carried away by scroungy men (possibly hired by her stepmother) at a masked ball and the hero rescues her but the abductors get away. While he's comforting her, other attendees at the ball arrive to see them in a passionate embrace. Later, there's a long scene where the hero tells her that despite assurances by the matrons at the ball that they can nip any scandal in the bud, there will still be scandal and she has to marry him. She refuses and the next night they attend a ball where she's accepted by everyone and no one even mentions the occurrence.
Sloppiness like this really breaks the unwritten contract between authors and their readers. If you set up a nasty character whom other characters have to outwit, pulling an ace out of your sleeve at the end is unfair. Similarly, setting up a situation that supposedly can only have one outcome and then ignoring it when the plot doesn't need it any more yanks the reader right out of believing your situations. I finished this book in a very annoyed frame of mind.
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alpha male meets alpha female, all sorts of sparks fly!
Rating  (5)
Date: 2007-11-24
I ended up really liking this couple. They're both intelligent, cynical and well intentioned. But he starts out a bit arrogant and smug, while she's got an attitude and a sharp tongue. They've both had bad experiences with "love" and don't trust the opposite sex even though they are immediately attracted to each other. The cool thing here is how they learn to trust and respect each other, bring out the well-hidden romantic in each other (loved the rose blossom scene!), and each ends up a better person for having worked together towards a common goal. And of course they indulge in lots of extremely hot sex along way.
One of my favorite of the Bastion series - all of which I recommend. Enjoy!
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Good book!
Rating (5)
Date: 2007-08-02
I was surprised to see the negative reviews of the book!
I thought it was a great read, definitely a keeper. I liked how Clarice is a strong, independent woman and Jack doesn't want to change that about her. I think the book had the right amount of romance, the right amount of intrigue...and a hint of this elusive Dalziel, who I can't wait to learn more about.
Stephanie Laurens, as always, delivered!
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A Fine Read!
Rating (5)
Date: 2007-04-09
1 out of 1 customers found this reveiw helpful
This novel is a part of Stephanie Laurens' Bastion Club series. I have not been able to read the other titles, but this one is a stellar read - well worth the time, effort, and expense.
Jack Warnefleet - Baron Warnefleet - is a semi-retired military spy. He is returning home to Avening Manor after an extended absence of seven years - thirteen total. He had decided to be married, and was seeking a wife in Town. He was hunted by the matrons and their daughters until he decided to never marry and exercise succession upon a distant relative.
Clarice Altwood - Lady Clarice - is twenty-nine years old, and lives with her cousin, Sir James Altwood, in Avening proper. She was sent there after being banished by her father for refusing to marry a bad man just under seven years from the start of the story.
This is an incredible story of love and passion. Clarice is a strong, intelligent woman. Jack is such a strong and intelligent man that he glories in her strengths (after being a bit miffed at the same), and allows her to be who she is.
As originally noted, this book is well worth your time, effort, and money to read. It is on my to-be-kept list, and ever will be. I never tire of re-reading this story, and hope you enjoy it as much as I.
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Jack and Clarice-SPOILERS
Rating  (4)
Date: 2007-03-06
Favorite scene with Clarice-
Telling off her ex by letting him have it in the balls. Classic. She sure knows how to take care of herself, despite the fact that she needs, and wants, a little help from Jack.
Favorite scene with Jack-
Trying to discover the identity of a certain man, first at the tavern, and then with urchins. This scene made me think that Jack wanted kids after this. He was so wonderful with the urchins. Jack is a people person. Always calm and gentle, never demanding. He got what he wanted out of them because of this.
Together-
Finally confessing their love for each other, both wanting each other and kids and to return to the countryside.
What did you like about Clarice-
Her strength, her stubborness, her bossiness. Changing. She was so stuck in her ways, but then changed for the better because of Jack. Everyone, almost everyone, loved her, and wanted and needed her help. She would do anything for anyone, especially her family. She never put herself first. Allowing, and wanting, Jack to save her. I love how she tries, even does so, puts the fear of God into people. She doesn't let gossip get to her. She holds her head up high and knows how to put people in their place without resorting to threats.
What didn't you like about Clarice-
There wasn't anything I didn't like about Clarice.
What did you like about Jack-
This was one tough warrior dude. It was so funny that the only thing that he was afraid of was matchmaking mamas and their daughters. Although he vowed never to marry and have kids, he wanted to marry Clarice and have kids with her. I love how at first, he was jealous that everyone wanted Clarice's help, and not his.
What didn't you like about Jack-
There wasn't anything I didn't like about Jack. Well, one thing, but it's not a dislike. It's more that he didn't want to marry and have kids. Although I'm a loner, and like being single right now, I do want to get married and have kids. I don't want to be alone the rest of my life.
Casting Jack, I'd cast Hugh Jackman.
Casting Clarice, I'd cast Kate Winslet.
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