Customer Reviews

Challenge To Honor (Mira)

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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

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".

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!

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.

A nice tight plot; an interesting setting, and well-rounded lead characters who fall in love almost against their will does make this a good romance. I've 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. In my experience 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.

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.

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. :)

First book in her Master of Arms series.
This is the story of Rio de Silva master swordsman and duelist and Celina Vallier a daughter of the New Orleans
French Creole aristocracy. In the city's society, the swordsmen are admired, feared, and sought out, but not
considered part of polite society. They may be invited to some social functions, but are not suitable companions
or matches for the daughters of high society. Rio has his own agenda seeking revenge for actions taken against
his family in Spain which changed his life in drastic ways. Celina is drawn into this when one of his actions draws
her brother into a duel with him.
We are introduced to the group of sword masters, the Code Duello, the ateliers they run to teach the young men
of society how to handle the foil and the society in which they move.
Blake gives us a good picture of 1830 to 1850 New Orleans, LA. Her careful research and attention to detail gives
us a feel for life in this time and place. You can see, smell, and feel what it was like to be part of these peoples'
lives. One of the reasons I read historical fiction is for the insight into the time and place the story takes place.
Jennifer Blake provides more than most authors. I read romance for the development of relationships and the
"Happily Ever After." Both are given with well developed characters and a plot that unfolds satisfactorily. I look
forward to reading the rest of the 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

I was introduced to Ms. Blake by a fellow reader of romance. Her stories always managed to transport me back in time to the steamy, lazy, southern days. I loved to read about New Orleans during her golden era and the men and women who lived and loved during that time. I was thrilled to find out that Ms. Blake was back to penning her historical romances and that she was starting off a new series with the title "Challenge to Honor." As a result I pre-ordered it and anxiously awaited it's arrival. I was sad to find out though that within the cover of this book was basically a re-telling of some of her older stories. Just names had changed not much else.

Celina Vallier is a pawn in life. Her father wants to marry her to a Spaniard that she finds repulsive but she is a good daughter and is willing to do as told. This was not a problem until she met and made a deal with Rio de Silva for safety of her brother Denys. She promises Rio her honor and the fact that they are instantly attracted each other. Rio makes her feel alive and he listens to her. It's only a matter of time before she is in his arms. What she doesn't know right away is that Rio wants revenge against her fiance. This does not stop them from falling in love with each other. But Rio is not suitable for her in social circles, and if he dares to make public his love for Celina he could loose all that he has worked for. Will he choose love or will honor win out?

Ms. Blake still manages to create vivid characters whom stand out from other characters that readers of historical and other genre's of romance incounter. We are introduced to several of them as the groundwork for the upcoming series. Although I enjoyed this read I felt that it fell a little short due to the fact that there was really nothing "new." This is not to say that this is not a worth while read...it is but it I hope that the future books in this series tend to be a little more fresh and new. Less formula would help. In any event Ms. Blake has returned to her fans with a read that will transport us back to a magical time in New Orleans that no longer exists with characters the reader will care about. I look forward to Caid's story in the future and recommend Ms. Blake's latest effort.

Official Reviewer for www.romancedesigns.com