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Title: Challenge To Honor (Mira)
ISBN: 0778321703
Author:
Jennifer Blake
Publicate Date: 2005-01-01
Publish: 2005-01-01
List Price: $6.99
Average Customer Rating: 4.0
Format: Mass Market Paperback
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Amazon Lowest New Price: $6.77
Amazon Lowest Used Price: $0.01
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| Customer Review: |
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1: So hooked the first time, I read the whole series
I read this entire series and like in all my reviews this far, I didnt want it to end!!! This was an amazing historical romance. The idea of Fencing in and of itself is rather romantic to me. Throw in good looking men and a wonderfully written story and this book is definitely a good read. If you like historical romance novels you should read the entire series. Try to start with the first book though b/c it'll make WAY more sence that way. LOL
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2: 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.
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3: The dangerous sword masters of 1840's New Orleans
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.
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4: A good comeback vehicle
And somewhat sadly, that isn't much of a good thing. I agree that CtA is similar to Blake's old plots; but when you think about it, most of her books were similar, but she was such an awesome writer, it didn't matter.
I was excited about this release because I'd stumbled upon Blake's 70's, 80's and 90's historical romances in my local library and fell in love. Her novels were always heart wrenching, passionate, spiced with lovely historical details and set in the sultry climate of New Orleans. CtA had the New Orleans setting, the innocent heroine forced to bargain her virginity to the hardened hero; but it lacked the passion, the fire that her older books had.
I really contribute it to her evolved writing style. I was disappointed in the book mainly because the way she wrote it is a 180 from the way she wrote her older books. Okay, I understand that she had to catch up with the times and readers' expectations of being in the heroine AND the hero's head, but Blake's old writing style was wonderful and witty and dazzling; and the change of it into the current mode of writing was the largest issue I had with this book. Because of this change, that was why CtA lacked the sparkling passion, it was why the historical details didn't feel as natural, it was why the hero and heroine lacked the mysteriousness they had in Blake's old books(especially the broody hero!).
But I'll purchase and read the next installment; because I'm a huge Jennifer Blake fan. But if you want a serious, heart wrenching Blake classic; try "Spanish Serenade" or "Louisiana Dawn" or "Midnight Waltz".
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5: pretty good
For a historical romance, it was good. The heroine was ok, not annoying. I loved the hero (kind of a Rhett Butler vibe at times). Something about the tall, dark, and handsome swashbuckler always hooks me into a story. And I love revenge novels. He's what gave it 4 stars for me instead of 3.
I found the conflict a little silly though. She agrees to have sex with him so he won't kill her brother in a duel? Weak. He wasn't likely to kill him anyway. And the villain was too forced. Of course he'd be fat, old, and disgusting, nothing spells pure evil better!
The history and the setting were great though. What could be anymore romantic than antebellum New Orleans?
Worth reading if a fluffy romance is what you're looking for. :)
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