Mastered by Love by Stephanie Laurens ****
Dalziel can master me anytime
Of all her books, Cynster or Bastion Club, this is probably my favorite, with The Bastion Club being my favored series. I was led to expect a lot from Dalziel's book, and in some ways it did not live up to that (hence the 4 star rating, instead of 5). What I loved, though, is that the cipher that was Dalziel became the Duke of Wolverstone, Royce Varisey. Royce puts a very stern face out to the world. He's an ex-assassin, he is an ex-spy-leader, an exiled son, and from a family that is not known for showing any emotion. After a 16 year absence, even someone who *should* know him the best (Minerva, his parents' ward and his chatelaine), doesn't really know the "new" him.
Coming home has been emotionally wrenching for him. The hoped for reconciliation with his father has been denied him. The homecoming is, therefore, bittersweet. In his grief, Royce becomes a bit more vulnerable than he was ever able to be as Dalziel. Which is something I liked. Most of this authors' characters are from the exact same mold, to a point where it's like reading the same book, different day. In this case, while the same characteristics exist (the "alpha" attitude, the commanding and protectiveness, etc.), they were tempered by the flesh-and-blood man that Royce was able to become. Minerva is second only to Alicia Carrington (A Gentleman's Honor) as my favorite heroine, with Penny Selborne (A Lady of His Own) coming up third. She is not the obnoxious kind of strong, but a loving foil for a man like Royce, who needs someone who *won't* fear him. Because she sees that the persona he had as Dalziel is the one that was fake.
I was quite happy to have "the last traitor" be a back-story to the romance. I prefer it that way. And let's be honest here, without pages and pages of VERY hot sex scenes, it just wouldn't be a Stephanie Laurens book. The development of feelings from a man who has felt nothing for 16 years was a rough road. Royce knew he cared, but that was a large leap for him. Minerva was aware of her feelings, but afraid of loss. Why? Because he must marry. And so far as everyone knows, he fully intends to follow in the family footsteps -- marriage for social and financial gain, for status, not love (or even like). The family history is to choose more or less randomly, and that is what everyone expects.
It is entirely possible that the Prince Regent would institute an effort to reclaim the Varisey holdings. As mentioned in the book, it wasn't likely to succeed. But if he were to marry, that threat would be removed. The "grand dames" just didn't see a need to dally. And Royce, while resenting being pressured (and hurt by the crown's treatment of him) recognized this. It just took him a while to figure out what he DID want. At that point, he could capitulate without the fight, so why argue? I don't know why being willing to play society's rules (especially after being a fish out of water for over a decade), could be considered being a pushover.
Much like in other books by this author, the heroine often feels unworthy or unlikely to be the lady of choice. In this case, Minerva had more reason than some. So while the feet dragging was a little annoying, it was at least understandable. I liked Royce's efforts to seduce her and his pleas for help from his half-brother Hammish. Royce had no experience seducing a woman! And given what we'd known of Dalziel, that I can believe. So his hesitance, his uncertainty, is actually a boon to me, not something negative. I especially loved the "compromising" that took place! That was a GREAT scene, and the book should be read just to see how Dalziel can handle an undesirable circumstance.
Ultimately, I liked how Minerva accepted his past. How she was respectful of him, not overbearing and controlling. I liked the ending. Even the reveal of the traitor was not unexpected -- the other books led up to the fact that it HAD to be someone with a personal vendetta against Dalziel; remember, he never NEEDED the treasure. He did it for the fight, which was always pitted against Royce alone. The only complaint with how this was handled is that my favorite BC members weren't really mentioned (Anthony and Charles).
And, again I really, really liked the sex scenes. Hoo-boy! The one where he literally carried her off to his bed on his shoulder? THAT was hot. These scenes were probably some of SL's best, in that Royce was forceful yet vulnerable to Minerva's participation, and not the "leader" in everything, like in other books. She may not have known everything, but Minerva could hold her own. And Royce's description? Yummy! We'd only really gotten a rather vague sense of him before. But this? This was everything to hope for. And more. :D
Ultimately, I'd consider this about a 4 1/2 star read. The characters were how I would have wanted them to be. My complaints are minor. The one thing I AM upset about is that, while the Cynster books are now extending to something like 3rd cousins twice removed, the Bastion Club series has come to an end. I would have loved many more. And just because it is my way, some of the phrases in this book were laughably funny. Which, for me, is only an added benefit, as we can then use it on our blog.
If my review appeals to you, then you will probably enjoy the book. If what I enjoy isn't what you look for, you will probably be disappointed. I hope you're in the former group, because I feel as if this book does the series justice, especially for the end.
Next time I'll put on some lederhose and sing "Adelvice". That should shatter the Captain Von Trapp illusions most thoroughly..
Posted by: Moncler jackets | 09/30/2011 at 04:24 AM