Luke [Large Print] [Hardcover]

Jennifer Blake (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 2001

A ‘Louisiana Gentleman’ novel - Luke Benedict figures he’s the only one in Turn-Coupe, Louisiana, who can save novelist April Halstead from someone intent on revenge. If only he could get April to cooperate. Years ago, he let her down, and she’s never been able to forgive him. But that’s not about to stop Luke, and if he’s got to kidnap a woman who despises him to keep her safe, then that’s exactly what he’ll do. This is a first time regular print hardcover previously available in a mass market edition.

--This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In the second installment of her Turn-Coupe, La., series (after Kane), Blake introduces her newest heroine, famed romance author April Halstead. April's life is threatened when she decides to use one of Luke Benedict's ancestors in her latest book. Although Luke's family would prefer that April "not stir up something that could rear up and bite them," Luke feels obligated to protect her, presumably because the pair had once been high school sweethearts. When April ends up on the wrong end of some nasty phone calls, a drive-by shooting and a boat explosion, Luke whisks her off in his luxurious pontoon boat where the inevitable love affair begins. Their idyllic respite is short-lived when they are discovered; soon, April is forced to draw upon her own resources to save herself. Blake offers countless insights into the joys and torments of being a popular author.

Copyright 1999 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

Luke Benedict is going to help April Halstead, whether she wants him to or not. While April might dismiss the threatening phone calls she has been receiving, Luke knows there is more to it than just a dissatisfied reader of April's romance novels. Especially since April's work-in-progress involves researching the history of the Benedict family, and a few of Luke's far-flung relatives might not want someone digging into their past. Of course, when it comes to suspects, there is also April's ex-husband, who desperately wants to get back together with April or perhaps just with her money. Luke knows just how easily angry words can escalate into violence, which is why he has appointed himself April's unofficial bodyguard until she is either safe or she kills him herself. Romance legend Blake sure knows how to mix romance and suspense, delivering a high-voltage blend of steamy passion and spine-tingling danger that will delight fans of Sandra Brown and Linda Howard. --Booklist,June 1, 2011 --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 428 pages
• Publisher: Thorndike Press (May 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 078622620X
• ISBN-13: 978-0786226207
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 5.8 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,424,221 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

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hot, Spicy and Satisfying, March 2, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Luke (Benedict Trilogy) (Mass Market Paperback)

Every woman should have a hero like Luke in her life. Failing that, we can at least read his story and pretend, for a moment, that we're the love of his life, his 'final conquest', April Halstead. This is a great read, spiced with hot Southern nights and blended with mystery. April is a writer who uses words as her weapon, but Luke, knowing that mere words will not protect her, places himself in the role of knight, whether she wants him to or not. The resulting friction is steamy and satisfying, as are all novels from the 'Queen of Romantic Fiction', Jennifer Blake.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A good read, January 25, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Luke (Benedict Trilogy) (Mass Market Paperback)

In Turn-Coupe, Louisiana Luke Benedict hears the stalker threatening romance writer April Halstead while she is a guest on a radio show. He immediately races over to her home, but receives a chilly reception because the twosome has a history together in which he failed her thirteen years ago. April wonders what happened to her secure world. First, her ex-spouse wants to return, a concept she abhors. Then the stalker has assailed her via the Internet, telephone, and mail. Now the worst, Luke, who she still loves, has arrived on the scene

Luke plans to ignore April's wishes that he leaves her alone. Instead, he decides to protect the only person he has ever loved even if he has to kidnap her. However, Luke,s intentions fail as April's determined enemy abducts her, leaving it up to him to save his beloved.

With LUKE, Jennifer Blake demonstrates why she is one of the most highly regarded romance writers of all times. The story line is filled with fried emotions, plenty of action, and a first love that just will not quit, overcoming false pride. The lead characters are warm and charming, though the villains are more cartoonish than real in nature. The award winning Ms. Blake appears to have written another international best seller.

Harriet Klausner

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars luke, November 3, 2005

By 

bev brown "bev" (lone pine,ca) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Luke (Benedict Trilogy) (Mass Market Paperback)

luke figures he's the only one in Turncoupe, Louisiana, who can save novelist April Halstead from someone intent on revenge...

If only he could get her to cooperate. years ago Luke let her down in the worst possible way.

great read