What do you think?
Rate this book
Louisiana Knights #1
Lancelot of the Pines
Bullets, betrayal and forbidden love--Meet Deputy Lance Benedict, the first of the Louisiana Knights...
CHIVALRY LIVES IN THE SULTRY SOUTH!
Mandy wants only to be left alone; she knows nothing about the disappearance of her much older husband, and less about the thug who tried to abduct her. Forced to hide out in a backwater town, the last thing she needs is an overbearing deputy's protection.
Lance, saddled with the protective instinct that goes with the name of Arthur's most trusted knight, is stunned by his reaction to Mandy's courage and beauty. But is he putting his life on the line for an innocent in danger--or for a Black Widow?
_____________
All books in the Louisiana Knights series are standalones. No cliffhangers!
CHIVALRY LIVES IN THE SULTRY SOUTH!
Mandy wants only to be left alone; she knows nothing about the disappearance of her much older husband, and less about the thug who tried to abduct her. Forced to hide out in a backwater town, the last thing she needs is an overbearing deputy's protection.
Lance, saddled with the protective instinct that goes with the name of Arthur's most trusted knight, is stunned by his reaction to Mandy's courage and beauty. But is he putting his life on the line for an innocent in danger--or for a Black Widow?
_____________
All books in the Louisiana Knights series are standalones. No cliffhangers!
293 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 10, 2016
288 people are currently reading
589 people want to read
About the author
Jennifer Blake
171 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 - 30 of 70 reviews
September 2, 2016
This was an okay read for me. Didnt like the pushing away the h does and she seemed a bit too manipulative in the beginning which made it hard for me to warm up to her. Also her marriage to Bruce was not something I like reading about in a romance.
Lance was a sweet H but again he's connection to the h on an emotional level seemed to come out of nowhere. Oneminute he isn't trusting her as far as he can throw her and the next he's risking his life and his job for her? Didnt ring very believable to me.
Then theres the whole murder/stalker thing going on. The hired killers and the wild chase in the "baby" RV missed its mark on suspense. It was again just okay.
Safety: Yes, no OW/OM drama - neither are virgins. Ends with a super rushed HEA.
Its the first of a series. Really want to know more about Trey and Zeni but not sure I'll remember to check back in with this series.
Lance was a sweet H but again he's connection to the h on an emotional level seemed to come out of nowhere. Oneminute he isn't trusting her as far as he can throw her and the next he's risking his life and his job for her? Didnt ring very believable to me.
Then theres the whole murder/stalker thing going on. The hired killers and the wild chase in the "baby" RV missed its mark on suspense. It was again just okay.
Safety: Yes, no OW/OM drama - neither are virgins. Ends with a super rushed HEA.
Its the first of a series. Really want to know more about Trey and Zeni but not sure I'll remember to check back in with this series.
April 7, 2017
Reviewed for Romancing the Readers Blog:
http://romancingthereaders.blogspot.c...
I haven't read a book of Jennifer Blake's since I read her Louisiana Gentlemen series which ran from 1998-2002. The main reason I haven't read her in a while is because I not really a huge fan of historical's and that's what she started writing after finishing this series.
When I noticed that she was back to contemporaries I was so excited and bought them all right away, and then quickly forgot about them. Or really pushed them aside to read other books.
I'm trying really hard not to do that any more so I decided to read Lancelot of the Pines. What a cool title. The whole series has cool titles. Like her other contemporaries that I read, Lancelot of the Pines is in the same theme as the other series.
This is a shorter story only about 225 pages but that didn't bother me because it was so well written. I really enjoyed the characters and the story. Loved Lance. He was so...I can't even describe it. I know, not a good thing for a reviewer. All I can say is he hit all the points I like in my hero's.
I think you'll find the story to be very fast paced and enjoyable. I really liked the whole idea of it. Poor Mandy is very misunderstood. Some people didn't really care about what was underneath the outside. In many ways she reminded me of being very fragile inside with a tough outer shell.
I'm so glad that I took the time to read Lancelot of the Pines and can't wait to read the other books in the series.
Follow me on:
https://www.facebook.com/RomancingThe...
@Romancingreader
http://romancingthereaders.blogspot.c...
I haven't read a book of Jennifer Blake's since I read her Louisiana Gentlemen series which ran from 1998-2002. The main reason I haven't read her in a while is because I not really a huge fan of historical's and that's what she started writing after finishing this series.
When I noticed that she was back to contemporaries I was so excited and bought them all right away, and then quickly forgot about them. Or really pushed them aside to read other books.
I'm trying really hard not to do that any more so I decided to read Lancelot of the Pines. What a cool title. The whole series has cool titles. Like her other contemporaries that I read, Lancelot of the Pines is in the same theme as the other series.
This is a shorter story only about 225 pages but that didn't bother me because it was so well written. I really enjoyed the characters and the story. Loved Lance. He was so...I can't even describe it. I know, not a good thing for a reviewer. All I can say is he hit all the points I like in my hero's.
I think you'll find the story to be very fast paced and enjoyable. I really liked the whole idea of it. Poor Mandy is very misunderstood. Some people didn't really care about what was underneath the outside. In many ways she reminded me of being very fragile inside with a tough outer shell.
I'm so glad that I took the time to read Lancelot of the Pines and can't wait to read the other books in the series.
Follow me on:
https://www.facebook.com/RomancingThe...
@Romancingreader
June 12, 2016
Well-written, story with some humorous conversations, pretty interesting side characters, and the author actually keeps the secret of 'whodunit' until the end. I liked the MCs. The editing and proofreading were great.
My only complaint was the repetition and that's something that really irritates me when it gets to be too much. This was almost too much and I found myself starting to skim. It brought my rating down. I haven't read any other books by this author, but repetition seems to be worst in historicals in my experience, so maybe that is a writing style in those books? At any rate, that's one reason I rarely read them any more and I have stopped reading a few other authors for that reason (namely E. L.). I don't need to be told the same thing more than twice. This comes very close to what I would describe as a 'contemporary bodice-ripper'.
My only complaint was the repetition and that's something that really irritates me when it gets to be too much. This was almost too much and I found myself starting to skim. It brought my rating down. I haven't read any other books by this author, but repetition seems to be worst in historicals in my experience, so maybe that is a writing style in those books? At any rate, that's one reason I rarely read them any more and I have stopped reading a few other authors for that reason (namely E. L.). I don't need to be told the same thing more than twice. This comes very close to what I would describe as a 'contemporary bodice-ripper'.
February 29, 2016
I'm a long time fan of Jennifer Blake's Louisiana based historical romances and can now easily add the Louisiana Knights series to the list. I tend to become bored with contemporary romances, but Blake brings in a good mix of adventure, action and mystery, keeping me engaged from the first page to the last. Her storyline is
interesting, her plot is well developed, and her characters are likable. By the end of the book, I felt like I knew the residents of this little town. I can't wait to visit them again in book two, Galahad in Jeans.
interesting, her plot is well developed, and her characters are likable. By the end of the book, I felt like I knew the residents of this little town. I can't wait to visit them again in book two, Galahad in Jeans.
May 20, 2018
J'ai apprécié cette histoire et les personnages sont facilement attachants. Juste un petit bémol, il y a quelques longueurs.
June 19, 2016
Lance is a deputy sheriff who is on administrative leave after shooting someone. Even though he's not suppose to be working, the sheriff asks him to keep an eye on Mandy. Her much older, wealthy husband is missing and someone shot at her and attempted to kidnap her.
I loved this story. It's full of suspense and has the reader wondering who is after Mandy and why. Lance didn't know if she had anything to do with her husband's disappearance so he didn't know whether to protect her or lock her up. This is a well written story that had me on the edge of my seat. The chemistry between this couple was terrific. They didn't like or trust each other at first so when they started to have feelings for each other it made the story more intriguing.
Even though Lance wasn't technically on duty protecting Mandy he did his job well and constantly looked out for her. Lance thought she was a gold digger and murdered her husband for his money but he found out he was very wrong. Mandy had such a hard life but didn't want to tell Lance about it or play on his sympathies. She was a wonderful, strong woman - far from a gold digger. She was quite independant but I couldn't help feel sorry for her as I got to know more about her life.
This is a really good romantic suspense that I highly recommend.
I loved this story. It's full of suspense and has the reader wondering who is after Mandy and why. Lance didn't know if she had anything to do with her husband's disappearance so he didn't know whether to protect her or lock her up. This is a well written story that had me on the edge of my seat. The chemistry between this couple was terrific. They didn't like or trust each other at first so when they started to have feelings for each other it made the story more intriguing.
Even though Lance wasn't technically on duty protecting Mandy he did his job well and constantly looked out for her. Lance thought she was a gold digger and murdered her husband for his money but he found out he was very wrong. Mandy had such a hard life but didn't want to tell Lance about it or play on his sympathies. She was a wonderful, strong woman - far from a gold digger. She was quite independant but I couldn't help feel sorry for her as I got to know more about her life.
This is a really good romantic suspense that I highly recommend.
June 14, 2016
I really enjoyed this story. Lance who is a police officer is on administrative leave until a investigation is finished. He had shot a football player that was drunk and threatening him. He didn't kill him, but any time a police officer shoots his gun, a full investigation has to be done. Since he is on leave, he is asked by the sheriff to keep an eye on Mandy. She is young and beautiful. Her husband is missing, and someone is after Mandy. I loved how the story progressed. We didn't find out who the villain was till the end. I loved how over time Mandy and Lance fell in love. It took time for the two to build up trust. Lance had a heart of gold, and would do anything to protect Mandy. With that being said Mandy was not helpless. She fought back when she needed too. She was a good mixture of sweet, and tough. Both Hero and Heroine were excellent for the story. I loved the suspense, action, and romance that was weaved throughout the pages of this book.
June 11, 2016
A great story
I love how this story progressed, it starts with two people not quite liking each other. Both having their own opinions of what each other is like, the cop who thinks she's a money hungry woman. The girl who thinks the cop is like everyone else in her life, thinking she's guilty of things she didn't do. But when Mandy's dead husbands associate come after her forcing not her and Lance to run, lines are blurred and he sees her for who she really is. I really love the chemistry these two have with each other, I feel they were written really well. I love how they grow together in this story and learn about each other, their love isn't one that starts out great but it grows to become awesome. If you enjoy a book that starts off with some headbutting, a whole lot of suspense then turn into a sweet and tender love then this is the book for you.
I love how this story progressed, it starts with two people not quite liking each other. Both having their own opinions of what each other is like, the cop who thinks she's a money hungry woman. The girl who thinks the cop is like everyone else in her life, thinking she's guilty of things she didn't do. But when Mandy's dead husbands associate come after her forcing not her and Lance to run, lines are blurred and he sees her for who she really is. I really love the chemistry these two have with each other, I feel they were written really well. I love how they grow together in this story and learn about each other, their love isn't one that starts out great but it grows to become awesome. If you enjoy a book that starts off with some headbutting, a whole lot of suspense then turn into a sweet and tender love then this is the book for you.
September 1, 2017
Original rating was 3 stars. Upped it to 4 by the end of the book.
It was a bit frustrating because we really weren't informed of much history of the girl being protected, so couldn't figure out why she needs protection and why someone was shooting at her.
Then there was a lot of unreleased sexual tension which at first was great reading, but it got old after many many lusty hidden looks at each other.
Eventually, near the end it got a bit exciting as far as the mystery part. Ended up really enjoying it and just skipped over some of the repetitive "longing" descriptions.
Really enjoyed the characters in the book and look forward to reading about his cousins love adventures.
It was a bit frustrating because we really weren't informed of much history of the girl being protected, so couldn't figure out why she needs protection and why someone was shooting at her.
Then there was a lot of unreleased sexual tension which at first was great reading, but it got old after many many lusty hidden looks at each other.
Eventually, near the end it got a bit exciting as far as the mystery part. Ended up really enjoying it and just skipped over some of the repetitive "longing" descriptions.
Really enjoyed the characters in the book and look forward to reading about his cousins love adventures.
December 31, 2018
Lance is my new favorite hero!
Whew! What a sexy leading man! Lance is assigned to keep an eye on Mandy while she's in town, and his dedication to his job not only puts him under her skin but it also leads him to learning a lot more about her case than his boss expected. The suspense and intrigue is only exceeded by the smoldering hot chemistry between these two, and together they get to the bottom of the story surrounding her missing husband - an believe me, it's not what you think.
It's a wonderful story with a beautiful setting and memorable characters. Everything a reader could want packed into one delightful small Southern town.
Whew! What a sexy leading man! Lance is assigned to keep an eye on Mandy while she's in town, and his dedication to his job not only puts him under her skin but it also leads him to learning a lot more about her case than his boss expected. The suspense and intrigue is only exceeded by the smoldering hot chemistry between these two, and together they get to the bottom of the story surrounding her missing husband - an believe me, it's not what you think.
It's a wonderful story with a beautiful setting and memorable characters. Everything a reader could want packed into one delightful small Southern town.
August 12, 2019
I actually read this as part of the Jennifer Blake box set, but I'm not sure if I want to plunge back into that when the next is not connected to this one, so I thought I'd review this separately. As always, books on the kindle mean I read them when I'm out and about, so that's not the best situation for reading something. I did enjoy this - it was a little overly sweet at times, and Lancelot is actually a bit of the bad guy in the Arthur story (at least according to Mallory) so it was interesting to have Lance be the good guy here. I did enjoy the read and look forward to getting to the others in the box set.
August 7, 2017
Adonis in blue jeans, Venus In distress
Well written romance mystery with the usual characters. The required Adonis in blue jeans and Venus in distress are featured as are a feisty elderly woman and an unusual waitress. All of the characters leave the reader wanting to learn even more about them leaving openings for more books
Well written romance mystery with the usual characters. The required Adonis in blue jeans and Venus in distress are featured as are a feisty elderly woman and an unusual waitress. All of the characters leave the reader wanting to learn even more about them leaving openings for more books
July 27, 2017
Quick feel good holiday read.
Too prefect to be true storyline. If you want escapism this is your dream come true. Pretty women and men. Friendly locals and comic book villains what more can I say. Enjoy.
Too prefect to be true storyline. If you want escapism this is your dream come true. Pretty women and men. Friendly locals and comic book villains what more can I say. Enjoy.
November 19, 2018
Heartwarming
Heartwarming, second chance at love! You'll fall in love with Lancelot and Mandy! Baggage from both their pasts and murder hang over them as they discover their second chance at love ❤️! It's a great read ! Take the journey to the truth!
Heartwarming, second chance at love! You'll fall in love with Lancelot and Mandy! Baggage from both their pasts and murder hang over them as they discover their second chance at love ❤️! It's a great read ! Take the journey to the truth!
July 27, 2021
This romantic suspense was filled with intrigue. I loved the main characters and felt the attraction between them. I felt the storyline was a little slow, and was missing something to make it more. Maybe the next book of the series will be a faster pace.
February 1, 2022
good knights
Well camelot never really appealed, but these modern day knights are the stuff of fairytales. Lance is her protecter, although, Mandy is wary of the protection. Only time together will reveal their true feeling. Overall good read.
Well camelot never really appealed, but these modern day knights are the stuff of fairytales. Lance is her protecter, although, Mandy is wary of the protection. Only time together will reveal their true feeling. Overall good read.
June 12, 2017
I've been reading the series out of order (read the third, then the first), which probably isn't recommended but had no trouble following anything.
July 11, 2017
And they say chivalry is dead.
Not my usual genre of reading. Decided to try something different, and I have to say I was pleasantly surprised.
Not my usual genre of reading. Decided to try something different, and I have to say I was pleasantly surprised.
July 30, 2017
Free Ebook
He's a sheriff deputy, she's his assignment. But he finds that she is more than a person of interest and of real interest to him.
He's a sheriff deputy, she's his assignment. But he finds that she is more than a person of interest and of real interest to him.
August 19, 2017
Pleasure to read.
Nice book with colorful characters and full of action for the knights of Chamelot to defend their titles and win the hearts of their readers.
Nice book with colorful characters and full of action for the knights of Chamelot to defend their titles and win the hearts of their readers.
November 8, 2017
I now have fond thoughts about the merits of RV travel thanks to Lance and Mandy.
December 8, 2017
Good reading
Enjoy the story and the contents of the book. The actions pack and loving info make want to read more.
Enjoy the story and the contents of the book. The actions pack and loving info make want to read more.
April 11, 2018
good fun
October 11, 2018
Terrific!
I liked the suspense, the romance, and it kept my interest throughout the book. I really like the southern flair.
I liked the suspense, the romance, and it kept my interest throughout the book. I really like the southern flair.
December 16, 2018
Enjoyable.
January 14, 2019
It was good for a short read, but nothing to read again. Ehhh,I’ve read better.
February 6, 2019
A predictable, but PG rated romance.
September 7, 2021
Lancelot
A decent quick read. A little heavy on describing things of little interest to the story, but still a good read.
A decent quick read. A little heavy on describing things of little interest to the story, but still a good read.
March 3, 2022
4.5 Stars
March 25, 2022
This was a great read! It was fast paced and fun. I loved the relationship development and getting to know the other Benedict's. Definitely recommend!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews