Masters at Arms Series by Jennifer Blake

They were professionally trained, highly skilled men of valor, but the roguish, dangerous sword masters were not always respectable...When her brother challenges New Orleans's most infamous swordsman to a duel, Celina Vallier boldly confronts his opponent, Rio de Silva, determined to thwart what would be her brother's certain death. The legendary maître d'armes agrees...for a price—Celina's innocence... moreThey were professionally trained, highly skilled men of valor, but the roguish, dangerous sword masters were not always respectable...When her brother challenges New Orleans's most infamous swordsman to a duel, Celina Vallier boldly confronts his opponent, Rio de Silva, determined to thwart what would be her brother's certain death. The legendary maître d'armes agrees...for a price—Celina's innocence.Though Rio is captivated by Celina's beauty and courage, she is also the perfect pawn for his revenge. She is to be betrothed to his sworn enemy, the Count de Lérida. And what sweet vengeance it would be to take the bride before the wedding.But neither anticipates the tangled web of scandal and danger that will soon follow. Devious plots are afoot, and Celina is wary of trusting anyone, including the man whose brazen sensuality tempts her to think of nothing but her own desires... less

They are perhaps the most dangerous men in New Orleans, skilled swordsmen who play by no rules but their own -- heroes to many, wicked to some, irresistible to the women they love...Lisette Moisant is a widow, courtesy of the swordsmanship of Caid O'Neill, one of the city's legendary matres d'armes. He bested her loathsome husband in a duel, but now she is a pawn of schemers who wish to steal her fortune and see her dead... moreThey are perhaps the most dangerous men in New Orleans, skilled swordsmen who play by no rules but their own -- heroes to many, wicked to some, irresistible to the women they love...Lisette Moisant is a widow, courtesy of the swordsmanship of Caid O'Neill, one of the city's legendary matres d'armes. He bested her loathsome husband in a duel, but now she is a pawn of schemers who wish to steal her fortune and see her dead. It is Caid to whom she turns for protection, and guilt leaves him no recourse but to agree to Lisette's request.But soon a whispering campaign is being waged against them, suggesting the two plotted to kill Lisette's husband all along, that she is a woman of loose morals and he is nothing short of a murderer. In a society where reputation is everything, the scandal and accusations threaten Lisette and Caid with ruin, and the person responsible will stop at nothing until they have paid with their lives. less

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... moreThey 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. less

The notorious swordsmen of New Orleans—charming by day, dangerous at night… They are the pride—and scourge—of New Orleans: a dashing fraternity of master swordsmen whose infamy is matched only by their skill in battle, their allegiance to each other and their passion for the women they love. At ease making life-and-death decisions between breaths, their exploits in the boudoir are as infamous as those on the dueling field... moreThe notorious swordsmen of New Orleans—charming by day, dangerous at night… They are the pride—and scourge—of New Orleans: a dashing fraternity of master swordsmen whose infamy is matched only by their skill in battle, their allegiance to each other and their passion for the women they love. At ease making life-and-death decisions between breaths, their exploits in the boudoir are as infamous as those on the dueling field. Bold, seductive and thrilling, the Masters At Arms series is swashbuckling romance at its finest by RWA Hall of Famer—and holder of RWA's Lifetime Achievement Award and Romantic Times' Career Achievement Award—Jennifer Blake. Volume One includes Books 1-3: CHALLENGE TO HONOR When Celina barters herself to Rio de Silva to keep him from dueling her brother, he accepts. But Rio harbors a secret far more perilous than the way he sets her soul aflame. DAWN ENCOUNTER When the husband she never loved is killed in a duel with Caid O’Neill, Lisette is left at the mercy of her rapacious father-in-law. Caid agrees to be the desperate woman’s protector—but how can they fight the forbidden love between an heiress and a master at arms? ROGUE'S SALUTE Juliette, called home from a convent just before taking her vows, is in dire need of a husband. Nicholas, notorious swordmaster and mentor to a houseful of street boys, is in need of a wife. Their practical arrangement soon explodes with heady desire, but someone’s trying to stop the wedding, and Juliette must fight to claim a love worth any price. less

Don't miss Book 5, GALLANT MATCH - on Countdown now. The notorious swordsmen of New Orleans--charming by day, dangerous at night... The last thing Gavin Blackford expects from an alluring and sophisticated lady at a New Year’s reception is a request to teach her how to kill a man. As a respected fencing master and duelist of renown, his usual clients are male. To refuse is his first impulse—but his curiosity is aroused by her unsettling combination of mystery and fiery intentions... moreDon't miss Book 5, GALLANT MATCH - on Countdown now. The notorious swordsmen of New Orleans--charming by day, dangerous at night... The last thing Gavin Blackford expects from an alluring and sophisticated lady at a New Year’s reception is a request to teach her how to kill a man. As a respected fencing master and duelist of renown, his usual clients are male. To refuse is his first impulse—but his curiosity is aroused by her unsettling combination of mystery and fiery intentions. Ariadne Faucher never expected Gavin to be armored with intelligence and intuition as well as strength. It can’t be allowed to matter. All she requires it to get close to him to touch—preferably with the point of a sword. Their lessons by candlelight are physically and emotionally intense, an escalating duel of hearts and minds. As tempers and passions rise, they draw ever nearer to the secret that has brought them together. But must it be a fight to the death—or can they turn and face their common enemy together? _______ Look for all the re-releases in the Masters At Arms series: Book 1: CHALLENGE TO HONOR Book 2: DAWN ENCOUNTER Book 3: ROGUE'S SALUTE Book 4: GUARDED HEART Book 5: GALLANT MATCH Book 6: TRIUMPH IN ARMS Each book may be fully enjoyed as a standalone read. The above reading order is simply recommended for the series chronology. less

Kerr Wallace has spent years studying swordplay, preparing to challenge his sworn enemy and avenge his brother's death. The scoundrel Rouillard, now living in Mexico as a profiteer, has decided to take a wife, and the lady requires an escort to Veracruz. Kerr seizes his chance—he will deliver the bride…and dispatch the groom.If only it were so easy. Headstrong Sonia Bonneval will do anything to escape this doomed marriage to Rouillard... moreKerr Wallace has spent years studying swordplay, preparing to challenge his sworn enemy and avenge his brother's death. The scoundrel Rouillard, now living in Mexico as a profiteer, has decided to take a wife, and the lady requires an escort to Veracruz. Kerr seizes his chance—he will deliver the bride…and dispatch the groom.If only it were so easy. Headstrong Sonia Bonneval will do anything to escape this doomed marriage to Rouillard. Coquettish ploys cannot melt the iron resolve of her damnable escort, however, and the voyage with Kerr becomes an exhilarating battle of wills. But a very real declaration of war forces them into even closer quarters—and greater temptation—in a fight for survival. Before the end, both must choose between duty and freedom—vengeance and passion. less

Once a starveling bootblack, Christien Lenoir has risen to become the sword master known as Faucon, the Falcon. When a desperate gambler stakes his plantation in a late-night card game, sharp-eyed Christien antes up. For he wants River's Edge—and the tempestuous widow whose birthright it is. And he will stop at nothing to have both.Reine Cassard Pingre feels trapped: the only way to keep her beloved home—and her inheritance—is to accept Christien's bold proposal of marriage... moreOnce a starveling bootblack, Christien Lenoir has risen to become the sword master known as Faucon, the Falcon. When a desperate gambler stakes his plantation in a late-night card game, sharp-eyed Christien antes up. For he wants River's Edge—and the tempestuous widow whose birthright it is. And he will stop at nothing to have both.Reine Cassard Pingre feels trapped: the only way to keep her beloved home—and her inheritance—is to accept Christien's bold proposal of marriage. Though she instantly mistrusts his purpose, and despite rumors that she had a hand in her husband's mysterious death, Reine cannot dissuade him from wedding...and bedding...her. Their union is electrifying, but the honeymoon may be cut short by the lurid secrets at the heart of River's Edge. less

The notorious swordsmen of New Orleans—charming by day, dangerous at night… They are the pride—and scourge—of New Orleans: a dashing fraternity of master swordsmen whose infamy is matched only by their skill in battle, their allegiance to each other and their passion for the women they love. At ease making life-and-death decisions between breaths, their exploits in the boudoir are as infamous as those on the dueling field... moreThe notorious swordsmen of New Orleans—charming by day, dangerous at night… They are the pride—and scourge—of New Orleans: a dashing fraternity of master swordsmen whose infamy is matched only by their skill in battle, their allegiance to each other and their passion for the women they love. At ease making life-and-death decisions between breaths, their exploits in the boudoir are as infamous as those on the dueling field. Bold, seductive and thrilling, the Masters At Arms series is swashbuckling romance at its finest by RWA Hall of Famer—and holder of RWA's Lifetime Achievement Award and Romantic Times' Career Achievement Award—Jennifer Blake. Volume Two includes Books 4-6: GUARDED HEART Swordmaster Gavin, consenting to Ariadne’s request to teach her how to kill a man, proves intelligent as well as strong. Their lessons by candlelight are physically and emotionally intense, a duel of hearts and minds. As tempers and passions rise, they draw closer to the secret that brought them together, and to the common foe who lurks nearby. GALLANT MATCH To find the murderer he’s sworn to kill, swordmaster Kerr Wallace hires on to escort the man’s fiancée to Mexico to meet her groom. Sonia despises the overbearing Kentuckian who’ll make it impossible to avoid the arranged marriage she dreads. But when their ship is attacked, they must join forces—and choose between love and vengeance to survive. TRIUMPH IN ARMS When a turn of the cards lands River’s Edge Plantation in Christien’s hands, he agrees to let lovely widow Reine, her irresponsible father and her young daughter remain—if the lady becomes his wife. But the secrets and dangerous events that swirl around the coming wedding threaten to tear them all apart. less