A LADY OF HIS OWN

Author: Stephanie Laurens ISBN: 006059330X 10/2004 HISTORICAL Publisher: AVON
Time Period: April 1816

The seven members of the Bastion Club have served loyally in the perilous service of the Crown. Now they've banded together to support one another through their most dangerous mission of all: getting married. When Charles St. Austell returns home to claim his title as earl, and to settle quickly on a suitable wife as well, he discovers that experience has made him impatient of the young ladies who vie for his attention -- with the exception of Lady Penelope Selborne. Years ago, Charles and Penelope's youthful ardor was consummated in an unforgettable afternoon. Charles is still haunted by their interlude, but Penny refuses to have anything more to do with him. If controlling her heart was difficult before, resisting a stronger, battle-hardened Charles is well nigh impossible, yet Penelope has vowed she won't make the same mistake twice, nor will she marry without love. But when a traitorous intrigue draws them together, then ultimately threatens them both -- will Penny discover she has a true protector in Charles, her first and only love, who now vows to make her his own?

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

In this, her third Bastion Club novel, Stephanie Laurens continues her journey through the lives of an exclusive group of gentlemen, this time offering us the brooding, secretive, handsome Charles St. Austell, Earl of Lostwithiel. I truly loved Charles' character. He has depth and is a very protective, yet not overly aggressive man. He has his secrets and his past and his character comes together very nicely for the reader.

Penny is a very willful heroine and a good match for Charles. She has her own secrets and does not let him push her around, yet is very much the damsel in distress when the situation warrants! The plot was interesting and there are some very nice love scenes to spice things up a bit.

Now, for the one negative point. The story takes an exceedingly long time to pick up pace. I felt as if the first 100 pages were dragging on and on. By the last few chapters, I found myself hurrying just so that the book would end. It seemed very wordy and drawn out. All in all, it was a decent read, and I truly liked the characters and the plot.

Kristal Gorman