Set into the rich background of New Orleans of 1844,
GUARDED HEART by Jennifer Blake is a timeless story of
family and honor. Ariadne Faucher has an ulterior motive
when she attempts to engage Englishman Gavin Blackford to
teach her the fine art of fencing. Although it is socially
unacceptable for women to learn fencing, Gavin isn't overly
concerned with what others think, instead he is intrigued
by the young widow and her unusual request. In an effort to
protect Ariadne's reputation as a lady, by birth and by
marriage, Gavin arranges to come to a mutual friend's abode
late at night for private lessons. It's hard to know who is
more surprised by the experience as the lessons progress.
Gavin has never taught a woman to fence before, but he
quickly realizes that his newest student is far from being
average -in any way. Ariadne wanted to learn fencing so
that she could avenge the death of her foster brother, but
she has found that the simple truth might not be the whole
truth. The best lesson Gavin and Ariadne are learning is
the one that they are teaching each other: when you find
someone who makes you feel special, let nothing get in the
way of being together.
This is the fourth book in Jennifer Blake's 'Master at Arms'
series and all signs point to plenty more to
come. A diverse cast of characters from a wide range of
economic, educational, and cultural backgrounds are given a
rich backdrop in which to perform. Fencing and the rituals
that go into dueling are explained with care, making it all
the more relatable. The male friendships that make a family
bond, the female friendships that create a safe haven, and
the undeniable love between Gavin and Ariadne are special
enough to make this a story to remember. Knowing there are
three before, and possibly more after, this one should give
any fan of series romances a satisfied feeling.
They are the notorious swordsmen of New Orleans, bound by a
brotherhood of loyalty, skill and courage — infamous by
day, dangerous at night, loyal only to each other and the
women they love…
At ease making life-and-death decisions between breaths,
maître d'armes Nicholas Pasquale proposes marriage to a
beautiful and desperate stranger, a woman who offers
comfort to his irascible young charge and calmly tells him
the boy needs a mother. It is a challenge he can't resist.
Nor can Juliette Armant. Though pledged to the church since
infancy, she's been summoned to save her family in the only
way possible...by marriage. Once she is wed, she will claim
an ancestral marriage chest—and protect its secret contents
from the dubious intent of her twin sister, who wants the
treasure all to herself.
Juliette never dreamed such a practical arrangement would
explode with heady desire when a rogue's kiss unleashes the
sensual woman within. But someone is determined to stop the
wedding, willing to go to desperate lengths to claim the
chest, plunging Juliette into a fight to claim a legacy and
a love worth any price.
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