What do you think?
Rate this book
Louisiana History #2
Louisiana Dawn
Cyrene Nolte's two brothers were fiercely protective of her. Because she was a virgin, no man was allowed near her. But when she rescued Rene Lemonnier from certain death and nursed him back to health in her stark little chamber, he aroused more than her interest. Once in his arms, Cyrene knew that the wickedness the brothers had sought to protect her from was a passion too exquisite to deny....
From the Paperback edition.
From the Paperback edition.
384 pages, Unknown Binding
First published January 1, 1987
About the author
Jennifer Blake
161 books545 followersA pseudonym used by Patricia Maxwell.
Jennifer Blake has been called a “pioneer of the romance genre”, and an “icon of the romance industry.” A New York Times and international best selling author since 1977, she is a charter member of Romance Writers of America, member of the RWA Hall of Fame, and recipient of the RWA Lifetime Achievement Rita. She holds numerous other honors, including two “Maggies”, two Holt Medallions, multiple Reviewer’s Choice Awards, the Career Achievement Award from Romantic Times BookReviews Magazine, and the Frank Waters Award for literary excellence. She has written over 60 books with translations in 20 languages and more than 30 million copies in print worldwide.
Jennifer and her husband reside in a lakeside Caribbean-style retreat in North Louisiana where they often entertain family and friends. Always a gardener, she spends much of her time encouraging her garden to bloom with her favorite daylilies and antique roses. She also enjoys walking her two dogs, Buffy and Lucky, and indulging in needlework, painting, and travel.
Jennifer Blake has been called a “pioneer of the romance genre”, and an “icon of the romance industry.” A New York Times and international best selling author since 1977, she is a charter member of Romance Writers of America, member of the RWA Hall of Fame, and recipient of the RWA Lifetime Achievement Rita. She holds numerous other honors, including two “Maggies”, two Holt Medallions, multiple Reviewer’s Choice Awards, the Career Achievement Award from Romantic Times BookReviews Magazine, and the Frank Waters Award for literary excellence. She has written over 60 books with translations in 20 languages and more than 30 million copies in print worldwide.
Jennifer and her husband reside in a lakeside Caribbean-style retreat in North Louisiana where they often entertain family and friends. Always a gardener, she spends much of her time encouraging her garden to bloom with her favorite daylilies and antique roses. She also enjoys walking her two dogs, Buffy and Lucky, and indulging in needlework, painting, and travel.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
April 15, 2014
Because I love you beyond thinking or telling; beyond duty or justice or pride of class; more than the service of my king, the towers of my father's house, or the cool and shining glories of France itself."... "I am bound to you and you to me. Why else were we born? Why else did the fates send you here and deliver me to you? Why else did you save my life unless it was to let me love you?"
Moving, right?
But this is just one of, unfortunately, only a few highlights in this supposedly historical romance.
The majority of this book consisted of truckloads of historical information about Louisiana, Flora and Fauna around New Orleans, and every shred of information about Parisian fashion at the time of Madame Pompadour the author could get ahold of.
And she never hesitated to bash me over the head with it...
I just wanted to read a romance story! *sigh*
Moving, right?
But this is just one of, unfortunately, only a few highlights in this supposedly historical romance.
The majority of this book consisted of truckloads of historical information about Louisiana, Flora and Fauna around New Orleans, and every shred of information about Parisian fashion at the time of Madame Pompadour the author could get ahold of.
And she never hesitated to bash me over the head with it...
I just wanted to read a romance story! *sigh*
April 18, 2022
3.5 stars
Read: 3/10/13
An adventure in New France
Read: 3/10/13
An adventure in New France
May 7, 2012
3.5 stars
Despite what the book description at GR says, Cyrene Nolté does not live with her "two brothers", she lives withsmugglers voyageurs Pierre, Jean and Gaston Breton (Gaston is Jean's son). The story is set in New Orleans during the colonial period; the year is not named, but Louis XV is king and Madame Pompadour is mentioned so I guess somewhere in the mid 1750s? Cyrene's mother died of sickness on the voyage to the Louisiana colony, and her father is presumed dead after falling into the river, and has been in care of the Breton men who are very protective of the young beauty. Any who, Cyrene meets up with René Lemmonier when she fishes him out of the river where he'd been left for dead and nurses him back to health. René's story is that he's come to New Orleans to escape the King's wrath over some *tryst* with Madame Pompadour, but it's soon clear that he's got a secret or two, and it somehow involves the Breton's smuggling activities.
Cyrene may love Rene, but her loyalties are to the Bretons who cared for her, and that puts the strain on her burgeoning relationship with René, and that's what the bulk of the story revolves around since these two can't seem to sit down and talk to each other - although you'll find that René's hands were a bit tied.
This is a typical Jennifer Blake romance, nothing earth shattering, but a good solid read that is perfect for a rainy Sunday afternoon. Colonial stories are fairly common, but it is rare to have one set in the French colonies instead of the British, so a big thumbs up for that as well as the care Blake takes with the historical details and mindset. 3.5/5 stars.
Despite what the book description at GR says, Cyrene Nolté does not live with her "two brothers", she lives with
Cyrene may love Rene, but her loyalties are to the Bretons who cared for her, and that puts the strain on her burgeoning relationship with René, and that's what the bulk of the story revolves around since these two can't seem to sit down and talk to each other - although you'll find that René's hands were a bit tied.
This is a typical Jennifer Blake romance, nothing earth shattering, but a good solid read that is perfect for a rainy Sunday afternoon. Colonial stories are fairly common, but it is rare to have one set in the French colonies instead of the British, so a big thumbs up for that as well as the care Blake takes with the historical details and mindset. 3.5/5 stars.
could-not-finish
March 21, 2018CNF 3/20/18 @15% ch 3 completed.
Despite the superbly done detail of the time period and lives of h and her guardians, I have a really bad feeling about this book. The two MCs and what appears to be the premise of the plot are giving me alarms of a book that may not agree with me.
Despite the superbly done detail of the time period and lives of h and her guardians, I have a really bad feeling about this book. The two MCs and what appears to be the premise of the plot are giving me alarms of a book that may not agree with me.
May 10, 2015
I enjoy lots of books; however Jennifer Blake just enthralled me with her romance. She put real thought into all of her books. I enjoy the added historical data from the books. Great read.
March 10, 2014
Cyrene saves a notorious womanizing rake, Rene Lemonnier, from the river while she lives with her over-protective guardians, the Breton brothers. What she asks for in repayment sweeps Rene into becoming her protector besides her lover. In the 1800s in the French colonies of Louisiana politics, pirates, passion and betrayal set even the wildest of hearts ablaze. Very few get out alive, especially with the grandest treasure of all—true love. Cyrene and Rene must fight hard to win all or risk losing everything if they gamble their hearts and souls to the wrong people, places and desires along the way.
A fabulous read by Jennifer Blake…Louisiana Dawn is just as its title sounds—a warm, hot, welcoming, promising ray of sunshine. I loved reading this amazing book!
A fabulous read by Jennifer Blake…Louisiana Dawn is just as its title sounds—a warm, hot, welcoming, promising ray of sunshine. I loved reading this amazing book!
May 31, 2016
I almost never read romances or historical fiction, but I enjoyed this view into settlement history. Cyrene seeks personal and financial independence despite the severe limitations on women's roles. Story moved along nicely and sex scenes satisfying without being overly explicit. A nice introduction to the genre, for me.
January 22, 2015
The plot is contrived and drama leading to her chastity event utterly irritating.
November 29, 2019
I really enjoyed this historical romance although it was the first I've ever read. The author allows you to get to know the character and to draw your own conclusions from the novel. It's like the pages are portals which will allow you to travel back to the 1800s. And I really like that I learnt a lot about the importance of the colonial city - New Orleans and the Mississippi River to France. But I think that the information was a little too much and there were some unneeded details about the trade relationships between France and England (and the indians..). The intrigue in the plot unfolds in really interesting way and it keeps you on your toes from the begining to the very end! I really liked the story line and the romantic relationship between Rene Lemonnier & Cyrene Nolte. The fell in love with each other despite all the prejudice they had but they couldn't overcome their pride and admit it. Eventually in the end after the truth had come out they found each other in the other's embrace.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 10, 2023
It wasn’t the greatest of Jennifer Blake’s stories. It was a slow burn with the conflict reveal at the very end. In my opinion, the twist at the end was hidden either too well or too horribly (depending on how you look at it). Usually there are better clues. The main couple did not have believably written chemistry. Overall it wasn’t the worst book I’ve ever read and because I want to read this series, I wanted to read this book, but it seemed just an odd amalgamation.
May 24, 2017
Okay story line, thought the heroine was too stubborn and very unrealistic.
November 9, 2020
I abandoned this 180 pages in. The story dragged and I couldn't stay interested.
September 18, 2022
Historical romance set in French controlled New Orleans. Twists and turns that were unnecessary but was still a good read.
April 14, 2023
DNF. 3 days of trying to finish and couldn't even get halfway through. Soooo slow. The main characters are not likable. 1 star
February 28, 2024
A bodice ripper, but kind of feminist? Who knew?
Want to Read
March 22, 2025winter pile
May 6, 2025
DNF at 38%.
August 24, 2025
I expected something romantic and fun to switch my brain off. Instead, I got some history sprinkled with romance, which made it feel less fun-stupid and more just plain stupid.
March 12, 2026
“Women must be protected.”
“Why? To ensure their purity or their fidelity? There is a difference between protection and imprisonment.”
“Why? To ensure their purity or their fidelity? There is a difference between protection and imprisonment.”
June 13, 2020
This is the first historical romance novel that I read of this type.
The book is intriguing and fascinating. The description of the sex scenes is so vivid and detailed that you feel like you've see it in a movie. The development of the action grabs the attention so much that it is difficult to break away. The denouement was unexpected, which is extremely satisfying, considering the skillful entanglement of events.
The only thing which I missed a bit was more tenderness and romance between the main characters, more romantic scenes that reveal the deep feelings of the characters towards each other, not just the passion between them. Apart from this small flaw for me, I really liked the novel.
A novel that is both entertaining due to the graceful combination of adventure, mystery, romance and eroticism in one.
Това е първият исторически романтичен роман, който прочетох от този тип.
Книгата е интригуваща и завладяваща. Описанието на секс сцените е толкова живо и подробно, че имаш чувството, че го гледаш във филм. Развитието на действието грабва вниманието толкова много, че е трудно да се откъснеш. Развръзката беше неочаквана, което е изключително удовлетворяващо, като се има предвид умелото заплитане на събитията.
Единственото, което на мен ми липсваше малко е по-голяма нежност и романтичност между главните герои, повече романтични сцени, които разкриват дълбоките чувства на героите един към друг, а не само страстта между тях. Освен този малък недостатък за мен, много ми хареса романа.
Роман, който едновременно е забавен поради изящната комбинация от приключения, мистерия, романтика и еротика в едно.
The book is intriguing and fascinating. The description of the sex scenes is so vivid and detailed that you feel like you've see it in a movie. The development of the action grabs the attention so much that it is difficult to break away. The denouement was unexpected, which is extremely satisfying, considering the skillful entanglement of events.
The only thing which I missed a bit was more tenderness and romance between the main characters, more romantic scenes that reveal the deep feelings of the characters towards each other, not just the passion between them. Apart from this small flaw for me, I really liked the novel.
A novel that is both entertaining due to the graceful combination of adventure, mystery, romance and eroticism in one.
Това е първият исторически романтичен роман, който прочетох от този тип.
Книгата е интригуваща и завладяваща. Описанието на секс сцените е толкова живо и подробно, че имаш чувството, че го гледаш във филм. Развитието на действието грабва вниманието толкова много, че е трудно да се откъснеш. Развръзката беше неочаквана, което е изключително удовлетворяващо, като се има предвид умелото заплитане на събитията.
Единственото, което на мен ми липсваше малко е по-голяма нежност и романтичност между главните герои, повече романтични сцени, които разкриват дълбоките чувства на героите един към друг, а не само страстта между тях. Освен този малък недостатък за мен, много ми хареса романа.
Роман, който едновременно е забавен поради изящната комбинация от приключения, мистерия, романтика и еротика в едно.
December 25, 2016
Cyrene Nolte lives on a Louisiana flat boat with two brothers, Pierre and Jean Breton, who took her in after her father drowned and her mother died of illness. Jean’s son Gaston is about her age but she thinks of him as a brother. They work as boatmen but smuggle goods between the English, the French and the Natives. The three men watch her very carefully to preserve her honour. This is a bit annoying for Cyrene.
Exactly.
But fate intervenes. A body is dumped in the river. She decides to strip the clothes from it and poles out to do so, when she realises he is still alive. She ropes him and lugs him onboard.
Her ‘catch’ is René Lemonnier, the Sieur de Vouvray, a newly arrived wastrel and rake from Paris. The town is full of gossip about him and he has evidently caught the eye of the governor’s wife, Marquise de Vaudreuil-Cavagnal. He is a very handsome man.
Cyrene convinces the Bretons to let her nurse him back to health. Her fee for this service is the loss of her virginity. René is happy to oblige.
But then he sticks around. He offers to go upriver with them on their next smuggling trip.
And then Cyrene just can’t get rid of him - not that she is even sure she wants to.
But by the time she is installed in his town house as his mistress, wearing expensive gowns, and attending the Governor’s masked ball as René’s partner, she can’t work out how this all happened.
***
René is a bit of a scoundrel and is very likely to push a deal. He is of course, not what he seems.
But nor is Cyrene. She has been well educated back in France, was part of a well to do family that tried to support her mother when she married a gambler, but cut them all off after one too many scandals. Thus the trip to the New World.
The story gets quite convoluted. It feels like an early work even though it’s published in 1987. There are just too many twists - if that makes sense - and then a huge info dump for the final twist during the court case.
The Marquise is a smuggling rival, her agent Touchet is a back stabber.
Cyrene seems very young and naive. She has no clue what will happen to her once she’s rid of that pesky honour. Silly girl. She attracts unwelcome attention everywhere.
As René’s mistress she has some protection but she’s more trapped now, than she was before. And she ties herself in some irrational logic knots.
We’ll steal back our stuff seized by the Governor because it really belongs to us. What the? Given three grown men go along with her, she can’t be totally blamed… but it’s just not a good idea.
Lots of Louisiana history stuff. It does skim over the slaves (like most of Blake’s books do) and the Natives here are friends and family. One of the Breton brothers is married to the local head woman.
3 stars
Ridding herself of her inconvenient chastity could be difficult. If no man was allowed near her because she was a virgin, then it was also true that she must remain a virgin because no man was allowed near her. (Kindle Locations 613-615).
Exactly.
But fate intervenes. A body is dumped in the river. She decides to strip the clothes from it and poles out to do so, when she realises he is still alive. She ropes him and lugs him onboard.
Her ‘catch’ is René Lemonnier, the Sieur de Vouvray, a newly arrived wastrel and rake from Paris. The town is full of gossip about him and he has evidently caught the eye of the governor’s wife, Marquise de Vaudreuil-Cavagnal. He is a very handsome man.
Cyrene convinces the Bretons to let her nurse him back to health. Her fee for this service is the loss of her virginity. René is happy to oblige.
But then he sticks around. He offers to go upriver with them on their next smuggling trip.
And then Cyrene just can’t get rid of him - not that she is even sure she wants to.
But by the time she is installed in his town house as his mistress, wearing expensive gowns, and attending the Governor’s masked ball as René’s partner, she can’t work out how this all happened.
***
René is a bit of a scoundrel and is very likely to push a deal. He is of course, not what he seems.
But nor is Cyrene. She has been well educated back in France, was part of a well to do family that tried to support her mother when she married a gambler, but cut them all off after one too many scandals. Thus the trip to the New World.
The story gets quite convoluted. It feels like an early work even though it’s published in 1987. There are just too many twists - if that makes sense - and then a huge info dump for the final twist during the court case.
The Marquise is a smuggling rival, her agent Touchet is a back stabber.
Cyrene seems very young and naive. She has no clue what will happen to her once she’s rid of that pesky honour. Silly girl. She attracts unwelcome attention everywhere.
As René’s mistress she has some protection but she’s more trapped now, than she was before. And she ties herself in some irrational logic knots.
We’ll steal back our stuff seized by the Governor because it really belongs to us. What the? Given three grown men go along with her, she can’t be totally blamed… but it’s just not a good idea.
Lots of Louisiana history stuff. It does skim over the slaves (like most of Blake’s books do) and the Natives here are friends and family. One of the Breton brothers is married to the local head woman.
3 stars
April 17, 2013
I enjoyed this historical set on the Mississippi River near and around New Orleans early 1800's. There was quite a bit of action and intrigue between the main character's. Our hero is rich and connected and able to manipulate the heroine and keep secret's and is a rather complicated character. I appreciate that. The Heroine is capable and smart and totally not fooled by the hero so there is a spark between them that causes believable tension.
I learned about flatboats, French political turmoil with Louisana and all the other foreign influence in the region at that time. Oh and the romance was enjoyable to watch as it unfolded as well.
Recommended for romance lovers who love romance on a river!
I learned about flatboats, French political turmoil with Louisana and all the other foreign influence in the region at that time. Oh and the romance was enjoyable to watch as it unfolded as well.
Recommended for romance lovers who love romance on a river!
September 14, 2016
Pretty good. Enjoyed it mostly, but wasnt outstanding. Well written story and pretty decent plot. Romance was good. Characters were good. I would recommend.
I read this book a second time and want to add that the intrigue in this plot unfolds with excellence by this gifted writer. There is a surprise ending that I hadnt foreseen. The historical background is wonderful. The romance is tense.
I read this book a second time and want to add that the intrigue in this plot unfolds with excellence by this gifted writer. There is a surprise ending that I hadnt foreseen. The historical background is wonderful. The romance is tense.
May 19, 2015
This was one of the dumbest books I have ever read! The main female character is a spoiled selfish brat completley unaware of her feelings and emotions. The writing was so bad it was as if I was reading Fifty shades again. Complete waste of time!
February 19, 2025
I am a big fan of her books. This one, just like a couple of others, did not speak to me much as I wanted it to. I did not find it very exciting, and yes the men she lives with are not her brothers, I do not know why it says that. I still enjoyed her brilliant writing.
March 6, 2014
It was just OK for me. I felt the story was rather slow.
June 6, 2013
LOTS of typos
August 28, 2015
The plot twists had my mind spinning. Who could be trusted? What is the truth? This is a good mystery and love story. There was a lot of description so it felt like you could picture everything.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews