Challenge to Honor

I just finished CHALLENGE TO HONOR with a sense of coming home--home to a great traditional historic romance. Like a favorite dance to a favorite tune. Ms. Blake has never been in better form with her impressive knowledge and use of the setting--New Orleans in 1840. And I do love a carefully written book with good use of vocabulary. Rio is one of those almost infallible heroes that never lets you--or the heroine--down. Those guys are becoming an endangered species. Celina is all a heroine should be--strong, beautiful, and smart. I am looking forward to the next book in this series, DAWN ENCOUNTER. Can't wait to see what Caid is up to.

Rio de Silva is one of about 50 legendary maitre d'armes, or sword masters, who make their homes in the Exchange Alley in 1840 New Orleans. They are a group of men of fearsome athletic power and reputation who are idolized by society but never introduced to young ladies from good families. Each of these men have their own fencing salons where they teach the intricacies of fencing and there was fierce competition among them. When her brother challenges Rio to a duel, Celina Vallier confronts him to try and stop the duel. But Celina doesn't realize that she is the perfect pawn for Rio's revenge, for she is to be betrothed to his sworn enemy. What sweet vengeance it would be to take the bride before the wedding. But neither anticipates the tangled web of scandal and danger that will soon follow. This was an excellent book and Ms. Blake captured the flavor of old New Orleans completely. Living in Louisiana, I never new of the Master of Arms and their stories are truly fascinating. I can't wait for the next book in this series.

Gorgeous, tortured, desperate heroes who lack social respectability, but more than make up for it in honor, strength, and passion---what could be better? In her new series, Jennifer Blake brings to life the maitre d'armes of New Orleans, men who taught young aristocrats the skills in swordplay that would help them survive the duels that were common affaires in French Creole society. Young gentlemen revered the swordmasters the way modern teens idolize rock stars or sports heroes. But while the swordmasters were as cultured as any Creole and were fiercely loyal to one another, Creole families would never have allowed the maitres d'armes access to their debutante daughters. Enter Celina Vallier. Celina is no ordinary young belle. When her brother is embroiled in a duel with Rio de Salva, a swordmaster who is guaranteed to win, she doesn't sit at home wringing her hands and waiting for the outcome. She takes action, making a deal with Rio that jeopardizes her reputation, her future and her life. For there is more at stake than the outcome of the duel. She and Rio are both battling enemies and events that threaten to destroy them. As always, Ms. Blake's characters are valiant, shrewd, passionate and strong. The odds against their happiness are great, but their determination to win is greater. They deserve to win. And you deserve to spend a few days engrossed in the sparkling world of antebellum New Orleans that Ms. Blake has recreated just for you. Buy it today!

A nice tight plot; an interesting setting, and well-rounded lead characters who fall in love almost against their wishes, does make this a good read! I never read anything by this author although I know she's been writing for many years. I'll have to look over her backlist. I hope the whole series will be as interesting as this book, but I have my doubts...only because series romances never seem to live up to their promise. They pretty much begin to repeat themselves. Still, based on what I liked about this novel, I'll probably give Caid's story a look-over.

In 1840 New Orleans, Celina Vallier visits Rio "Silver Shadow" de Silva to persuade the "Master of Arms" not to duel her brother Denys. Rio says it is a matter of honor as Denys challenged him, but Celina counters that he made the disparaging remark about her. To her shock, Rio says Denys was not his target, but the sibling immediately stepped into the void that her fiancé failed to do. He also says there is one way she can persuade him to accept disgrace by refusing to duel her brother. Her innocence is worth the price to save Denys' life. Rio is stunned by Celina's courage and is even greater shocked by the attraction he feels to the spunky woman. However, he knows he must not lose sight that she is a pawn in his personal war of vengeance with her fiancé Count de Lerida. Celina sees Rio as her possible escape from a marriage with the odious Count. Of course the Count is a great manipulator of people who will not sit idly by. This opening act of the Masters of Arms series is a delightful historical romance starring two likable lead characters, and a fine support cast that adds depth to mostly the French New Orleans' lifestyle and a nasty villain. Besides the strong protagonists, the will written story line enables the audience to feel they are in the city in 1840 as a rich tapestry of history is cleverly interwoven into the fabulous plot. This is quite a treat for Americana fans and a challenge for Jennifer Blake to top this tale with her next honorable rogue novel. Harriet Klausner