Gallant Match (Thorndike Romance) [Large Print] [Hardcover]

Jennifer Blake (Author)

Book Description

Series: Thorndike Romance | Publication Date: November 2009

The dashing maîtres d’armes of New Orleans has taught him artistry in combat…

and audacity in the pursuit of love Kerr Wallace has spent years preparing to avenge his brother’s death. Now the perpetrator intends to marry, and the lady requires an escort to Mexico. Kerr seizes the chance to deliver the bride...and dispatch the groom! But Sonia Bonneval will do anything to escape marriage, and the voyage with Kerr becomes an exhilarating battle of wills. Soon they are forced into even closer quarters – and greater temptation – in a very real fight for survival.

Before the end, both must choose between duty and freedom, vengeance and passion...

--This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Sonia Bonneval will not go to Mexico to marry Jean Pierre Rouillard, no matter how many men her father hires to escort her. As far as her latest guard, Kerr Wallace, is concerned, Sonia is his ticket to Mexico, and he is determined to get the lady there. What Kerr isn’t telling Sonia is that she doesn’t have to worry about marrying Jean Pierre since he plans on killing him. In the latest addition to her Men at Arms series, Blake blends her retro style of historical romance with refreshingly different settings—New Orleans and Mexico in the 1840s—to create a captivating romance, rich in intrigue and passion. --John Charles --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 513 pages
• Publisher: Thorndike Press; Lrg edition (November 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1410418200
• ISBN-13: 978-1410418203
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 5.6 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,413,632 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Jennifer Blake has been called "the steel magnolia of women's fiction" for her enduring career as an author. She has also been lauded as a "pioneer of the romance genre" and an "icon of the romance industry." A New York Times and international best selling author from the publication of "Love's Wild Desire" in 1977, she is a charter member of Romance Writers of America, member of the RWA and Affaire de Coeur Halls 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 65 books with translations in 20 languages and more than 30 million copies in print. Jennifer and her husband live on a lake in northern Louisiana.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars terrific historical romance, February 3, 2009

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Gallant Match (Mass Market Paperback)

In 1846 in New Orleans, Kentuckian sword master Kerr Wallace is proud to have earned the honor of being recognized as a maitre d'armes after years of obsessive training. However, through all that hard work, he also has not lost his focus. He lives for one thing; to avenge the death of his brother killed by Pierre Rouillard who resides like a noble in Mexico.

When Pierre decides to bring his Creole fiancé Mademoiselle Sonia Bonneval to him in Vera Cruz, he hires Kerr to escort her; unaware of the man's deep grudge against him. Sonia surprises Kerr as she refuses to marry Pierre in a marriage arranged by her family. However, though attracted to her he ignores her wishes as he has two vows to complete. First he pledged to deliver her to Pierre safe and sound; second he pledged to his late sibling he will kill Pierre. The trek is dangerous, but the biggest peril awaits the travelers in Vera Cruz.

The latest Master at Arms historical romance (see CHALLENGE TO HONOR, GUARDED HEART, and ROGUE'S SALUTE) is terrific entry in a strong mid nineteenth century saga. The story line is refreshed by partially moving out of New Orleans (especially in Mexico) and by the Kentucky hero who has become a maitre d'armes for all the wrong reasons. Fans will relish how the French Creole Mademoiselle Sonia bursts his unshakable resolve with love as his objective turns from killing her fiancé to keeping her safe especially from her fiancé. GALLANT MATCH lives up to its title as an exciting pairing of two wonderful protagonists.

Harriet Klausner