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Masters at Arms #6
Im Wirbel der Gefühle
Once a starveling bootblack, Christien Lenoir has risen to become the sword master known as Faucon, the Falcon. When a desperate gambler stakes his plantation in a late-night card game, sharp-eyed Christien antes up. For he wants River's Edge— and the tempestuous widow whose birthright it is. And he will stop at nothing to have both. Reine Cassard Pingre feels the only way to keep her beloved home—and her inheritance—is to accept Christien's bold proposal of marriage. Though she instantly mistrusts his purpose, and despite rumors that she had a hand in her husband's mysterious death, Reine cannot dissuade him from wedding…and bedding…her. Their union is electrifying, but the honeymoon may be cut short by the lurid secrets at the heart of River's Edge.
Paperback
First published January 1, 2010
About the author
Jennifer Blake
161 books546 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.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
April 15, 2013
Maitre d'armes Christien Lenoir wins a card game that hands him the Cassard family estate. It's all part of a master plan.
He'll let the family stay at the plantation—if the widowed Reine Marie Cassard Pingre will marry him.
Reine lives under a cloud. Her husband, Theodore, died under odd circumstances, and many in New Orleans believe she killed him. And why wouldn't she? The jerk treated her like dirt. But she didn't. Now she lives in her family home, raising a daughter and enjoying her freedom—no more men. Ever. Or so she hoped. Naturally, she has little choice but to accept Christien's "proposal." And naturally, an attraction develops.
Thing is, as I mentioned, Christien's motives aren't exactly pure. And very little is what it seems to be.
The surprises are a little obvious, but the fact that you see them coming is not necessarily a bad thing since they build some suspense. There's even some legitimate uncertainty as to how the requisite HEA will come about. The story works, the characters are likeable, and there's no unnecessary dumbness. This one didn't really grab me—I wasn't up half the night ripping through the pages, but I did like the characters and the story worked. So 3.5 stars.
He'll let the family stay at the plantation—if the widowed Reine Marie Cassard Pingre will marry him.
Reine lives under a cloud. Her husband, Theodore, died under odd circumstances, and many in New Orleans believe she killed him. And why wouldn't she? The jerk treated her like dirt. But she didn't. Now she lives in her family home, raising a daughter and enjoying her freedom—no more men. Ever. Or so she hoped. Naturally, she has little choice but to accept Christien's "proposal." And naturally, an attraction develops.
Thing is, as I mentioned, Christien's motives aren't exactly pure. And very little is what it seems to be.
The surprises are a little obvious, but the fact that you see them coming is not necessarily a bad thing since they build some suspense. There's even some legitimate uncertainty as to how the requisite HEA will come about. The story works, the characters are likeable, and there's no unnecessary dumbness. This one didn't really grab me—I wasn't up half the night ripping through the pages, but I did like the characters and the story worked. So 3.5 stars.
September 21, 2017
Beautifully written
Historic detail melds with almost poetic prose to form a delightful story about honor, love, friendship, duty, and even respect. The romance is more sensual than steamy, but that's OK. Enjoy!
Historic detail melds with almost poetic prose to form a delightful story about honor, love, friendship, duty, and even respect. The romance is more sensual than steamy, but that's OK. Enjoy!
May 29, 2016
Rated 4.3 Stars
Oh drat, this is the last book of the series. I'll surely miss it. At least the last one went out with a bang!
A Plantation, a stupid wager, a gambler who wins said plantation (and makes sure the daughter comes with it), a marriage of convenience (well mostly), ghost stories, murder, the innocent accused, the truth sets them free, and always, the beauty of LOVE.
Oh drat, this is the last book of the series. I'll surely miss it. At least the last one went out with a bang!
A Plantation, a stupid wager, a gambler who wins said plantation (and makes sure the daughter comes with it), a marriage of convenience (well mostly), ghost stories, murder, the innocent accused, the truth sets them free, and always, the beauty of LOVE.
October 24, 2017
4.5 stars!!!!
I loved the book, but was disappointed at the ending! It's a series for goodness sakes!!!! The last installment should have summed it all up in some fashion....unless, of course, there's another book to come.
I would love to read the story Croquier! Given the era and the New Orleans location it would be a fascinating book.
As to this one, it was very good.....extremely romantic, and the five-year-old daughter of the widow is darling and memorable. And I would recommend this book as I have the entire series. Well done!
I loved the book, but was disappointed at the ending! It's a series for goodness sakes!!!! The last installment should have summed it all up in some fashion....unless, of course, there's another book to come.
I would love to read the story Croquier! Given the era and the New Orleans location it would be a fascinating book.
As to this one, it was very good.....extremely romantic, and the five-year-old daughter of the widow is darling and memorable. And I would recommend this book as I have the entire series. Well done!
September 24, 2017
Riveting
This story was riveting and thoroughly enjoyable. Christien and Reine were a wonderful couple and I adored Reine's daughter Marguerite as she was totally adorable. The ending has me anxiously reading the pages to find out the conclusion and I wasn't disappointed. Awesome story and one I won't soon forget.
This story was riveting and thoroughly enjoyable. Christien and Reine were a wonderful couple and I adored Reine's daughter Marguerite as she was totally adorable. The ending has me anxiously reading the pages to find out the conclusion and I wasn't disappointed. Awesome story and one I won't soon forget.
September 30, 2018
Another great historical romance series by Jennifer Blake I read this month. Swords & hot men & mystery, suspense, romance, tied together in awesomeness.
Although I think I liked books 1-3 the best book 4 was very slow going. But the rest of the series was good. Read the series in 2 weeks.
I have enjoyed reading all of her books so far. She is a new author for me in 2018.
Although I think I liked books 1-3 the best book 4 was very slow going. But the rest of the series was good. Read the series in 2 weeks.
I have enjoyed reading all of her books so far. She is a new author for me in 2018.
July 3, 2017
All six books in this series are well written, filled with adventure and romance. This author delicately describes intimate scenes with thoughtful tact. Love the setting (New Orleans) and well formed characters. Highly recommend!
October 10, 2017
A book that keeps your attention.
I love a good romance and this was certainly one. The setting was one of mystery and secrets. Me. Blake does an excellent job in surprising the reader in what happens next.
I love a good romance and this was certainly one. The setting was one of mystery and secrets. Me. Blake does an excellent job in surprising the reader in what happens next.
May 15, 2024
Not a bad book by any means. Historical fiction/murder mystery with deception and romance. We love duel perspective books and this one is impressive writing wise. I didn’t love the story, a bit too spooky for my liking.
October 17, 2017
Always a great read from Jennifer Blake
I love her books. A little steamy but always a great story. I get lost into the characters and the lives going on in the story.
I love her books. A little steamy but always a great story. I get lost into the characters and the lives going on in the story.
December 8, 2017
Good read. Liked the historical detail.
April 2, 2019
Good book
March 28, 2010
Triumph At Arms is a vivid, exciting tale, lush with emotional intensity and accurate descriptions of antebellum New Orleans.
Sadly, This book is the last in Ms. Blake's Master at Arms series, about swordmasters in 1840's New Orleans. Historicals set in the United States are not exactly my cup of tea, but I decided to try the first of the series, Challenge to Honor. I was hooked.
Her heroes are exactly the kind of men I like--decent, honorable men who've been kicked around and it's made them better men. I also like how she's switched the usual roles. In most historicals, the men are the rich aristocrats, and the women lower on the scale. Here, the woman are all New Orleans nobility, and the sword masters are men who--gasp!--must work for a living. As far as New Orleans society went, these men were beneath the notice of our heroines.
I loved each and every story. Ms. Blake new series will be set in Norman England when knighthood was in flower. Again, not one of my favorite periods, but I'll try this one, too.
Sadly, This book is the last in Ms. Blake's Master at Arms series, about swordmasters in 1840's New Orleans. Historicals set in the United States are not exactly my cup of tea, but I decided to try the first of the series, Challenge to Honor. I was hooked.
Her heroes are exactly the kind of men I like--decent, honorable men who've been kicked around and it's made them better men. I also like how she's switched the usual roles. In most historicals, the men are the rich aristocrats, and the women lower on the scale. Here, the woman are all New Orleans nobility, and the sword masters are men who--gasp!--must work for a living. As far as New Orleans society went, these men were beneath the notice of our heroines.
I loved each and every story. Ms. Blake new series will be set in Norman England when knighthood was in flower. Again, not one of my favorite periods, but I'll try this one, too.
November 5, 2013
With cataract problems, I'm restricted to reading large print books from the library of which there is a limited choice. Neither the cover or the title really appealed to me thugh the story blurb did sound promising. Rather than have nothing to read (perish the thought!), I decided to give it a go. I'm glad I did, it proved to be a good read. I gather, from the author's notes, that it is one of a series of 'Masters at Arms' books, about a New Orleans brotherhood of master swordsmen who swear vengeance on those who have wronged innocent people. Christien Lenoir is no different; with the turn of the cards he has taken possession of a Louisiana sugar plantation and intends to do the same with the widowed daughter of the house, Reine Cassard Pingre. But Christien has an ulterior though noble purpose behind what could be perceived as a callous manoeuvre. A lovely surprise, this one. Makes me want to read more of her novels. Warning! racy scenes alert!
July 25, 2012
I loved the historical detail of the period in this romance. The vividness of the characterisation was complimented by the accurately narrated details of architecture, language and customs. A really good read. The only reason why it is not a 5 is because the ending was a bit too melodramatic for my taste.
August 30, 2015
Set in 1847 New Orleans
This book was boring. I could not get in to it. Took me forever to read.
The storyline was beyond predictable. Every time a minor or major problem arose, you could so tell what would happen next or who was at fault.
There was one interesting part, very near the end and very brief.
Not impressed what-so-ever
This book was boring. I could not get in to it. Took me forever to read.
The storyline was beyond predictable. Every time a minor or major problem arose, you could so tell what would happen next or who was at fault.
There was one interesting part, very near the end and very brief.
Not impressed what-so-ever
May 16, 2023
The last book in the series. Oh boy, I think this book is my second favourite after Rogue's Salute. I love Christien and Reine. I usually do not like having children present but little Marguerite was very sweet. I enjoyed the mystery too. The whole series made me want to be a part of their circle. I am a big Jennifer Blake fan.
December 4, 2011
very good
April 11, 2012
a bit boring
January 29, 2013
Like many of the recent Jennifer Blake books I've read, this book started slow. But it turned out to be a solid read and kept me entertained, although not as much as other books from this series.
August 30, 2013
Sexy hero!
April 6, 2014
I thought the story line was good. Not very romancer story. But I still want to read more of Jenifer Blake's stories.
January 6, 2015
I adored all of the Masters at Arms books. Each of the heroes was to die for. The stories were well plotted and the setting in old New Orleans was intriguing, to say the least.
September 15, 2023
i found this book supper hard to put down it was so good the best so far.
well done
well done
July 1, 2010
Master at Arms Series
April 25, 2017
A really, really good series. Based in a historical setting with strife, gallant heroes, lovely ladies, and beautiful romances.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews