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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.
384 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1999
11 people are currently reading
212 people want to read
About the author
Jennifer Blake
176 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.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
November 11, 2024
Luke is romantic suspense story set in Louisiana. Although It is the second book in the contemporary Louisiana Gentleman series, it can easily be read as a stand-alone.
April Halstead is a successful romance author; however, the story opens with her receiving some vile verbal abuse during a live radio phone-in. April is naturally shocked and upset by this. Her (very handsome) childhood sweet-heart Luke Benedict is soon on her doorstep offering his support after he overheard the interview. April is reluctant to accept the help of the boy who broke her heart, but Luke is determined to try one last time to win her back.
It seems that someone is determined to cause trouble for April, following her to a writers conference, and back home where more problems occur. April is forced to accept Luke’s help when he takes her deep into the swamps to hide.
This story has a lovely small town setting with an enemies to lovers storyline. With just a handful of key players, I appreciated the way that the author brought the story to life. I also enjoyed the romantic writer theme within the romance story.
April Halstead is a successful romance author; however, the story opens with her receiving some vile verbal abuse during a live radio phone-in. April is naturally shocked and upset by this. Her (very handsome) childhood sweet-heart Luke Benedict is soon on her doorstep offering his support after he overheard the interview. April is reluctant to accept the help of the boy who broke her heart, but Luke is determined to try one last time to win her back.
It seems that someone is determined to cause trouble for April, following her to a writers conference, and back home where more problems occur. April is forced to accept Luke’s help when he takes her deep into the swamps to hide.
This story has a lovely small town setting with an enemies to lovers storyline. With just a handful of key players, I appreciated the way that the author brought the story to life. I also enjoyed the romantic writer theme within the romance story.
December 27, 2018
This was a good read. I liked the characters, the suspense, action, personalities, spunk, strength and courage, some steaminess, self-reflection, and the HEA. Great for passing time, the lazy-day read, or just something to curl up with. There are some good thinking moments and some exasperating and aggravating parts. Keeps you on your toes, written well and has you turning pages. Maybe not like a tornado, but like a smooth, lazy river with a few small rapids thrown in. Enjoy
February 16, 2022
Luke Benedict and April Halstead were teenage sweethearts until Luke was in a car accident. Another girl was in the car with Luke and she was killed. Afterward he and April broke up.
April is a romance writer who is receiving harassing phone calls. Luke finds out when April is taking calls during a radio interview and the person calls in. Luke decides to devote his time to protecting April saving her from having acid thrown at her while in New Orleans for a writer's convention. After April just misses being on a boat that explodes, Luke takes her into the swamp for safekeeping until he and his cousin, who is the sheriff, can find the person behind the attacks. In the meantime, Luke is discovering he is the "model" for all of April's heroes.
The second book in the Louisiana Gentlemen series. Just an okay read. Not enough emotion or angst for me.
April is a romance writer who is receiving harassing phone calls. Luke finds out when April is taking calls during a radio interview and the person calls in. Luke decides to devote his time to protecting April saving her from having acid thrown at her while in New Orleans for a writer's convention. After April just misses being on a boat that explodes, Luke takes her into the swamp for safekeeping until he and his cousin, who is the sheriff, can find the person behind the attacks. In the meantime, Luke is discovering he is the "model" for all of April's heroes.
The second book in the Louisiana Gentlemen series. Just an okay read. Not enough emotion or angst for me.
February 11, 2019
Didn't particularly like this book. I got no real reasoning behind the plot and the romance made no sense to me.
Add that I couldn't care about the MCs...
Add that I couldn't care about the MCs...
November 15, 2010
I was introduced to Ms. Blake when I read "Kane." Whiled I thought "Kane" was just all right, I thought "Luke" was much better.
The heroine, April Halstead, is a writer who's been suffering from a seriously bad case of writers block and dealing with threats for her to stop working on her current project. Luke Benedict comes from the family April is writing her next book about. He takes it upon himself to protect her from her would-be assailants and whisks her away on his pontoon boat to the middle of the Louisiana Bayou. Luke knows the waters like the back of his hands and feels confident he can keep her protected until the threat passes. While his caveman tendencies would be considered archaic, as does April, most readers won't be able to help falling in love with Luke. He's chivalrous, sexy and eventually has April melting under his spell. Of course at first she resists being kidnapped by him, but the more time they spend alone on his boat the more she falls for him (again).
Ms. Blake's depiction of the sultry south is rich and vibrant, which tells me that she's telling it from first-hand experience. She spends a great amount of time painting a clear picture for the reader. She also created tangible chemistry between the April and Luke. Both are stubborn and determined to override the other. The two of them fit together perfectly.
The heroine, April Halstead, is a writer who's been suffering from a seriously bad case of writers block and dealing with threats for her to stop working on her current project. Luke Benedict comes from the family April is writing her next book about. He takes it upon himself to protect her from her would-be assailants and whisks her away on his pontoon boat to the middle of the Louisiana Bayou. Luke knows the waters like the back of his hands and feels confident he can keep her protected until the threat passes. While his caveman tendencies would be considered archaic, as does April, most readers won't be able to help falling in love with Luke. He's chivalrous, sexy and eventually has April melting under his spell. Of course at first she resists being kidnapped by him, but the more time they spend alone on his boat the more she falls for him (again).
Ms. Blake's depiction of the sultry south is rich and vibrant, which tells me that she's telling it from first-hand experience. She spends a great amount of time painting a clear picture for the reader. She also created tangible chemistry between the April and Luke. Both are stubborn and determined to override the other. The two of them fit together perfectly.
January 15, 2009
Will the hero induce the heroine to fall in love with him by the end of Jennifer Blake's novel, Luke? Of course, its a romance novel and the heroine, April Halstead, just happens to be a romance novelist. A romance novelist with an evil enemy out to destroy her. Luckily, Luke shows up to save April -- from herself.
January 2, 2013
Kind of cheesy!
May 3, 2013
plot a bit slow but still a good read
November 5, 2015
Nice romance taking place in the Louisiana Bayou. Good read.
October 26, 2014
enjoyable...
December 20, 2014
great book like other too. nice work Jenn!
January 26, 2015
Outra dica bacana da Cris Reinbold!!!! embora, pra ser sincera, tenha gostado mais do "Jardim de Escândalos" da mesma autora. Agora fiquei curiosa pelos outros livros da série....
March 4, 2016
The book seemed to annoy me throughout the book. Idk maybe it was because he had slept with so many women and it annoys me that they didn't really discuss it.
Currently reading
September 28, 2009Only on third chapter
January 23, 2012
Just Ok. The plot really didn't grab me as I hoped but still a good little read to past the time.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews