What do you think?
Rate this book
Sweetly Contemporary Collection Part 1
From Amazon:
Get all the passion without the sex in these early contemporary works by international bestseller and award-winning author Jennifer Blake.
THE ABDUCTED HEART
He called her a stowaway. She called him a kidnapper. What better way could a romance start?
APRIL OF ENCHANTMENT
Room for love ... Is Justin really preparing to marry someone else in the elegant historical mansion Laura is restoring for a wedding?
BAYOU BRIDE
She was set to be Paul's pretend fiancée before his older brother spirited her away. Lucien wouldn't really marry her in a backcountry Cajun ceremony to stop her from ruining Paul's engagement party. Would he?
Get all the passion without the sex in these early contemporary works by international bestseller and award-winning author Jennifer Blake.
THE ABDUCTED HEART
He called her a stowaway. She called him a kidnapper. What better way could a romance start?
APRIL OF ENCHANTMENT
Room for love ... Is Justin really preparing to marry someone else in the elegant historical mansion Laura is restoring for a wedding?
BAYOU BRIDE
She was set to be Paul's pretend fiancée before his older brother spirited her away. Lucien wouldn't really marry her in a backcountry Cajun ceremony to stop her from ruining Paul's engagement party. Would he?
465 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 18, 2012
108 people are currently reading
546 people want to read
About the author
Jennifer Blake
170 books542 followersA pseudonym used by Patricia Maxwell.
Jennifer Blake has been called a “pioneer of the romance genre”, and an “icon of the romance industry.” A New York Times and international best selling author since 1977, she is a charter member of Romance Writers of America, member of the RWA Hall 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 over 60 books with translations in 20 languages and more than 30 million copies in print worldwide.
Jennifer and her husband reside in a lakeside Caribbean-style retreat in North Louisiana where they often entertain family and friends. Always a gardener, she spends much of her time encouraging her garden to bloom with her favorite daylilies and antique roses. She also enjoys walking her two dogs, Buffy and Lucky, and indulging in needlework, painting, and travel.
Jennifer Blake has been called a “pioneer of the romance genre”, and an “icon of the romance industry.” A New York Times and international best selling author since 1977, she is a charter member of Romance Writers of America, member of the RWA Hall 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 over 60 books with translations in 20 languages and more than 30 million copies in print worldwide.
Jennifer and her husband reside in a lakeside Caribbean-style retreat in North Louisiana where they often entertain family and friends. Always a gardener, she spends much of her time encouraging her garden to bloom with her favorite daylilies and antique roses. She also enjoys walking her two dogs, Buffy and Lucky, and indulging in needlework, painting, and travel.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
August 22, 2017
It felt extremely weird for this reader of erotic romance to have three books in a row that were fairly PG rather than XXX in nature. The three arrogant males however were over-the-top for me and their prospective partners a little too forgiving to be honest.
I loved however all three settings for the stories and in each one it was a few of the secondary characters that really kept me interested and engaged.
In the first book it was Abuelita, she was an elderly lady with a young-at-heart attitude who had more sense than either female or male lead combined.
In the second book, believe it or not it was Myra, the female character who was so hateful she was scary good at it.
The third book was probably Marie, her cooking skills were phenomenal sounding and would love to have been able to taste some of her dishes.
I loved however all three settings for the stories and in each one it was a few of the secondary characters that really kept me interested and engaged.
In the first book it was Abuelita, she was an elderly lady with a young-at-heart attitude who had more sense than either female or male lead combined.
In the second book, believe it or not it was Myra, the female character who was so hateful she was scary good at it.
The third book was probably Marie, her cooking skills were phenomenal sounding and would love to have been able to taste some of her dishes.
April 1, 2019
Good books
You people should just read these three books yourselves and write your own review on this novel yourselves and I really enjoyed reading three books very much so. Shelley Ma
You people should just read these three books yourselves and write your own review on this novel yourselves and I really enjoyed reading three books very much so. Shelley Ma
June 6, 2017
Great read
This book was a great read unable to put it down. Characters made you think. Would give this book five stars
This book was a great read unable to put it down. Characters made you think. Would give this book five stars
April 26, 2020
Enjoyment
I enjoyed listening to it. The stories are good and bring out the story in the states. It was good read.
I enjoyed listening to it. The stories are good and bring out the story in the states. It was good read.
January 3, 2023
Awesome
I loved this book from the very beginning. It is an awesome book. I recommend this book to everyone who reads
I loved this book from the very beginning. It is an awesome book. I recommend this book to everyone who reads
February 25, 2017
Pleasant reading
These books are enjoyable and pleasant to read. They are a bit outdated but I knew that before I started. It was nice to read a romance without any sex scenes for a change.
These books are enjoyable and pleasant to read. They are a bit outdated but I knew that before I started. It was nice to read a romance without any sex scenes for a change.
September 28, 2014
General Overview:
Bayou Bride seemed to mirror some of the scenes from April of Enchantment, sometimes I felt like I was reading the same book. [The house description]. I noticed similarities between the three novels, I am not sure if it was a deliberate act by the author or that some where along the way, her stories merged[bearing in mind they were not prequels or sequels]. All the heroes were just too cold and tense up with anger too often especially Lucien. In addition, I felt that the first kiss between all three hero and heroine with just so sudden and forced.
The Abducted Heart (3.5 stars)
It is my favourite story in the collection, I am not sure if it is a combination of the most tolerable hero or that I was more intrigued by that story. I like how Anne and Ramon met and also their last scene in the story. I also enjoyed that passion between the two, the 'oh so hot feeling but I am keeping you at arms length.' I appreciate how affected Ramon felt by Anne sudden appearance in his life.
April of Enchantment (2.5 stars)
It is just ridiculous how Justin would not include his fiance, Myra in the furnishing of the house where they would reside. At the ending of the story it reminded me of Rebecca, I just could not shake off that feeling. Laura was a bit to clingy to the house she was restoring, it was very odd the way she reacted to people's opinion of the house. There were certain aspects of the story that was truly enjoyable [the storm scene, the beginning of the novel etc] This story also made the description of old architecture so alive.
Bayou Bride 1.5 stars
I am not sure what to make of the heroine and hero. I do not like Lucien, he is overbearing and bossy and certainly Sherry's indecisiveness did not help. Kidnapping a woman is not romantic at all, Sherry sums it up nicely:
"This was the twentieth century, for heaven sake! No matter how much a man might dislike a situation, he did not react with such a drastic solution," but she showed her indecision when she ask "...did he?"
Bayou Bride seemed to mirror some of the scenes from April of Enchantment, sometimes I felt like I was reading the same book. [The house description]. I noticed similarities between the three novels, I am not sure if it was a deliberate act by the author or that some where along the way, her stories merged[bearing in mind they were not prequels or sequels]. All the heroes were just too cold and tense up with anger too often especially Lucien. In addition, I felt that the first kiss between all three hero and heroine with just so sudden and forced.
The Abducted Heart (3.5 stars)
It is my favourite story in the collection, I am not sure if it is a combination of the most tolerable hero or that I was more intrigued by that story. I like how Anne and Ramon met and also their last scene in the story. I also enjoyed that passion between the two, the 'oh so hot feeling but I am keeping you at arms length.' I appreciate how affected Ramon felt by Anne sudden appearance in his life.
April of Enchantment (2.5 stars)
It is just ridiculous how Justin would not include his fiance, Myra in the furnishing of the house where they would reside. At the ending of the story it reminded me of Rebecca, I just could not shake off that feeling. Laura was a bit to clingy to the house she was restoring, it was very odd the way she reacted to people's opinion of the house. There were certain aspects of the story that was truly enjoyable [the storm scene, the beginning of the novel etc] This story also made the description of old architecture so alive.
Bayou Bride 1.5 stars
I am not sure what to make of the heroine and hero. I do not like Lucien, he is overbearing and bossy and certainly Sherry's indecisiveness did not help. Kidnapping a woman is not romantic at all, Sherry sums it up nicely:
"This was the twentieth century, for heaven sake! No matter how much a man might dislike a situation, he did not react with such a drastic solution," but she showed her indecision when she ask "...did he?"
October 6, 2014
Although I liked the story lines and settings, the author spent so much time describing details that i really couldn't visualize. The plants, furniture, housing styles and types are all very interesting to me, but i would have liked more story. She used adjectives and verbs that I have never seen or used in conversation and the dialogue was too formal. Just ok for me.
November 25, 2014
This was a good clean book, with no sex scenes. The only problem I had with this book(s) was the fact the writer kept on and on and on in describing things. I finally would scan and skip those parts. But other than that I enjoyed this. If you like good clean romance novels, then you will really enjoy this one.
September 14, 2016
I enjoyed reading these three stories. They are gentle romances, pleasant stories. Jennifer Blake is excellent at description, so whether she is describing houses, furniture or the rivers round the bayou you can visualise exactly what she is talking about. Not too much angst, you realise from the outset that there will be a happy ever after. Ideal holiday reading. Worth 3.5 stars
July 14, 2015
There was a lot of detail for scenic, era, and surroundings. But the (lack of) real relationships was too abruptly turned around. The story line of the third was particularly distasteful to spend time reading about. Otherwise, the writer writes well.
September 10, 2015
This is the 1st books I read by Jennifer Blake. The only thing I liked was the food that was mentioned in the story. The story line & characters were too boring & dull for me. I would check other books by Ms. Blake just didn't like this one.
February 24, 2016
Sweetly Contemporary Collection - Part1
These were three of the most intriguing, romantic, and loving contemporary romance books. I was so caught up in each book that I couldn't put it down. I love each one. I would definitely recommend these books to read!
These were three of the most intriguing, romantic, and loving contemporary romance books. I was so caught up in each book that I couldn't put it down. I love each one. I would definitely recommend these books to read!
April 23, 2016
Uplifting romances
All three books where wonderful. Full of adventure. I really like this author. She brings so much of what the Louisiana life and surrounding places and antiques that are found. Excellent
All three books where wonderful. Full of adventure. I really like this author. She brings so much of what the Louisiana life and surrounding places and antiques that are found. Excellent
August 3, 2016
Very nice, sweet stories!
September 16, 2014
Good intriguing and full of turns
you be Dr k owning what is gonna happen next. the author is very descriptive with her imagination. good book.
you be Dr k owning what is gonna happen next. the author is very descriptive with her imagination. good book.
November 2, 2014
Strangely, two of the three books in this collection had a similar thread running through them: The leading lady being helplessly abducted by the man. That apart, the books are well-written.
June 21, 2015
A good read!
April 4, 2015
Great Little Reads
Like a great short book on the weekend? This has three fun romance books. Escape with this set, the sun and a drink.
Like a great short book on the weekend? This has three fun romance books. Escape with this set, the sun and a drink.
August 5, 2015
The book was well written but not my cup of tea.
April 11, 2016
Very sweet series
I was looking for romance stories that weren't rated X and finally found them here. They are hard to find nowadays. These were perfect.
I was looking for romance stories that weren't rated X and finally found them here. They are hard to find nowadays. These were perfect.
December 5, 2016
Very Sweet
Love the story and romance. The more you read the sweeter the story can't wait to read more by this author.
Love the story and romance. The more you read the sweeter the story can't wait to read more by this author.
December 24, 2016
Please see individual stories for review.
February 26, 2020
Sweet
Fun, sweet romance. I enjoyed it as I did her others. Its almost like a Hallmark movie, which I adore!!
Fun, sweet romance. I enjoyed it as I did her others. Its almost like a Hallmark movie, which I adore!!
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews