Mastered by Love

A Bastion Club Novel

By: Stephanie Laurens

Narrated by: Steven Crossley

Length: 15 hrs and 34 mins

Publisher's summary

The men of the Bastion Club proved their bravery secretly fighting for their country. Now their leader faces the most dangerous mission of all: finding a bride.

As the mysterious leader of the Bastion Club, known as “Dalziel,” Royce Varisey, tenth Duke of Wolverstone, served his country for decades, facing dangers untold. But as the holder of one of England’s most august noble titles, he must now take on the gravest duty of all: marriage.

Yet the young ladies the grande dames would have him consider are predictably boring. Far more tempting is his castle’s willful and determinedly aloof chatelaine, Minerva Chesterton. Beneath her serene façade lies a woman of smoldering sensuality, one who will fill his days with comfort and his nights with sheer pleasure. Determined to claim her, he embarks on a seduction to prove his mastery over every inch of her body - and every piece of her heart.

Stephanie Laurens began writing as an escape from the dry world of professional science. Her hobby quickly became a career when her novels captivated readers around the globe, making her one of the romance world’s most beloved and popular authors. She has been writing for more than twenty years and is a New York Times, Publishers Weekly, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today best-selling author.

©2009 Savdek Management Proprietory Ltd (P)2012 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

“An outstanding story of love, honor, and commitment. The characters’ behavior reflects the deepest meanings of these words. The depth and intensity of their feelings show what romance and love really mean.” ( Romantic Times, Top Pick)

“Laurens brings her Bastion Club series to a splendid conclusion with the story of the club leader’s own romantic comeuppance. Composed of equal measures of sexy romance and dangerous intrigue, Mastered by Love is irresistible.” ( Booklist)

“Erotically specific yet emotionally touching and infinitely romantic, this electrically charged, danger-tinged romance deliciously concludes Laurens’ Bastion Club series.” ( Library Journal)

This one was very good!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

This book was excellent, again great story line.

Have you listened to any of Steven Crossley’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Yes, I do like his performances with these books.

Slightly disappointing

The narrator made the 37yr old Duke sound like a 70-yr old which really spoilt the book for me. The story itself was ok - I do enjoy Stephanie Laurens' books in general.

Way better than I thought

Where does Mastered by Love rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Not my favorite but definitely up there.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Mastered by Love?

When all the women cornered Royce.

What about Steven Crossley’s performance did you like?

He made Royce the man I knew he would be.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I laughed and cried and got mad and anxious all through the book.

Any additional comments?

So sorry for this series to end. The bastions have been my favorites.

Repetitive

How many times can the same theme be repeated? I literally skipped entire chapters and missed nothing.

Never again.

Would you try another book from Stephanie Laurens and/or Steven Crossley?

No and yes the narrator is good.

Would you be willing to try another book from Stephanie Laurens? Why or why not?

No, I would not. I never quite got the hang of this story,

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

No.

Paperback is much better

I read this book a long while ago when it first was published. Stephanie Laurens is one of my favorite authors and I enjoyed the story. The characters, even in the written word were stiff and uninteresting....to me. Unfortunately Mr Crossley didn't do much to give the characters depth or interest. He is not one of my favorite narrators and poor narrators diminish the quality of a book and it's characters.

I loved Mastered by Love!

A Stephanie Laurence book is always a treat for me and this one was no exception. I loved the story, the characters and the plot. As expected there are a lot of red hot love scenes to melt your panties 😋. The narrator was okay-ish although the voice he used for the heroine was awful and screetchy. Made me miss Simon Prebble sooo much. But, overall I enjoyed the book a lot.

Passable

Would you try another book from Stephanie Laurens and/or Steven Crossley?

Maybe. This is the first time I have tried a book from both Stephanie Laurens and Steven Crossley. If you enjoy a lot of sex scene this will be good for you, otherwise I suggest you should look for another book.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

No big surprises.

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Steven Crossley?

Holter Graham or Rosalyn Landor.

Was Mastered by Love worth the listening time?

No. I found it extremely painful to finish listening to Steven Crossley narrating the book.
He was fine with certain male characters, but for the main character Steven Crossley made him sound like a dead bore and not powerful enough. The worse thing is him narrating the main female character's voice. She came out sounding whinny and annoying.

So, the story it self is passable and perhaps easier to read. Paired with Steven Crossley's voice, I have to say I did not enjoy the characters very much.

Not worth the price

I only listened to the 1st chapter as soon as the narrator starting the voice imitation i was gone. It was terrible. I did like his voice just as per the other review his acting voices has much to be desired. I will buy the book

AWFUL voices

What would have made Mastered by Love better?

Narrator!!!! Honestly I am only about an hour into this 15 hour novel and so disappointed. I do not think I can finish it due to the narration. The narrator himself has a nice voice...but the characters...UGH. Minerva (the heroine) is AWFUL. He makes her sound (very hard to explain) whiny, stupid, choppy, etc. It sounds like they are trying to portray her as one of the characters they want you to dislike. Even the hero sounds stupid at times. I love ALL of the Bastion novels and love love love Simon Prebble. I took a chance and bought this novel based on the reviews but I do not forsee "getting used to" Minervas voice. I can normally envision the heroine immediatly as such when Rosalyn Landor or Simon Prebble are the narrators....this one, i want to throw her out the window into the lake praying she shuts up. What a waste of money :-( And this novel above all else should be awesome as it is the finale to the Bastion novels....but I cannot listen anymore. Trust me, SAVE your MONEY and hope they record it later with a better narration. If you do not believe me go ahead and buy it and you get your first taste of Minerva at 25 minutes and you will agree...

What could Stephanie Laurens have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

I dont know because I cannot finish it because of narrator.

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Steven Crossley?

Simon Prebble or Rosalyn Landor or Susan Erickson (just about anyone)

What character would you cut from Mastered by Love?

did not get that far