My Lord Jack [NOOK Book]

Great Read

Can a hangman and a refugee of the French Revolution learn to live under the same roof?

With France in chaos, Claudia barely escaped the mobs with her life. Determined to find her father, a Scottish nobleman, she finds herself alone and penniless in a strange land. Unable to afford the rest of the trip to her father's land, she makes the unfortunate decision of trying to steal a horse. Caught before she even gets the horse out of the stall, she finds herself facing death yet again. Just as the sentence is about to be imposed, Jack Campbell, the hangman himself, speaks for her.

Claudia and Jack find themselves stuck with each other for the next six months. As Claudia attempts to cope with her new circumstances, she finds herself attracted to her rescuer. Jack also finds himself attracted to Claudia. Soon the chemistry between them sparks. However, Jack's half brother, Callum, hates Jack deeply and will do anything to see Jack's happiness destroyed. Claudia's past comes back to haunt her in the form of her father, who is not the benevolent figure she's always imagined. Will Jack and Claudia fall prey to Callum's schemes? Will Claudia's father insist on shaping her future?

Claudia is the classic fish out of water. Her life as a courtesan in France wasn't perfect, but it is what she was used to. Life in Scotland with Jack is rougher and much simpler. At first Claudia hates it and plans to escape as soon as possible. However, she gradually grows to respect the people in Jack's village. I enjoyed watching her transform from a pampered courtesan to a strong and caring woman. As Claudia's attraction to Jack grows, she is still upset by his occupation. Her last memories of France are of bloody executions in the street, and she can't help but view Jack in the same light. She knows Jack is a gentle man, but will she be able to overcome her prejudice against his occupation?

Jack proved to be one of the gentlest executioners I have the pleasure of reading about. He genuinely respects all forms of life from the people in his community to the mouse that lives in his home. He sees his position as an executioner as a way to ensure that justice is done, and he takes pride in making sure that those he must hang do not suffer. Claudia is unlike any woman he's ever known. At first he is annoyed and frustrated by her. He finds himself endeared by her innocence in some matters and intimidated by her experience in others. Despite his conflicting emotions, it isn't long before he discovers he's fallen in love with her.

One of the things that I liked most about My Lord Jack was that Claudia and Jack were able to learn from each other. Jack teaches Claudia to appreciate the more simple things in life while she teaches him to dance. Claudia is also more experienced in the bedroom. Many stories I've read have portrayed the woman as a virgin with the man being more knowledgeable. It was interesting to have these roles reversed, and it made for a very touching love scene between Claudia and Jack.

Jack's occupation also proved to be quite interesting. I don't think I've ever read a story where the hero was a hangman. I wasn't sure how this would figure in to the story, but Ms. Tarr makes it work seamlessly. Jack's position not only allows him to save her at the beginning of the story, but is also instrumental in saving her later on in the story as well.

Originally posted at the Long and Short of It Romance Reviews

Highly recommended!

I loved Ms. Tarr's hero and heroine. It was an unusual story with lots of twists and turns. But most of all, the author creates characters who are very human and whom the reader will care about. She also does a great job of developing the setting -- 18th century Scotland.

A WONDERFUL SCOTTISH HISTORICAL ROMANCE!

MY LORD JACK by Hope Tarr is a wonderful historical romance set in 1798 Scotland. It is well written using Scottish dialog of the era that adds authenticity to the story and if full of banter between the hero and heroine. The plot is easy to follow as well as the characters who will capture your heart and have you setting on the edge of your seat. It has wit, romance, danger, adventure, betrayal, trust, sensuality, falling in love and finding the truth. The hero, Jack, is handsome, strong, lonely, loves animals, is kind, considerate, illegitimate,compassionate and the hangman. The heroine, Claudia, is beautiful, half French, escaping the revolution of France, trying to find her noble father, is illegitimate, a courtesan, strong willed,and prosecuted as a horse thief. For this thievery, she is to hang until Jack, steps forward on her behalf. She is placed into his custody for six months, Jack, immediately feels a connection to her, but tries to deny it. Claudia is also finding him easy to fall in love with. Jack's half brother demises him,and is out to destroy Jack and Claudia. What follows is a test of true love with hardship and sacrifice. The father, Claudia, as so hoped would love her turns out to be a worst enemy, than Jack's half brother. This is a story of love, sacrifice, deceit, betrayal, friendship and with a happy ever after ending. I would highly recommend this story especially if you enjoy Scottish romance and adventure. This book was received for review from Net Galley and details can be found at Carina Press and My Book Addiction and More.

Okay

I've read 'A Rogue's Pleasure' and I found it to be the better story. I don't know what I didn't like about this one, but it just didn't capture my interest. I found the characters and the storyline boring.

exciting Scottish historical romance

In 1793, Claudia Valemont knows her life in France is over as the Revolution has swept away everything she holds dear including her beloved mother. To avoid the guillotine, Claudia leaves her beloved homeland for Scotland, home of a father that she has never met or whom knows she even exists. So she flees for Linlithgow, current abode of her sire Gerald Drummon, the Earl of Aberdaire, without the money to pay for bed and breakfast. Desperate she tries to steal, but is caught.

Though her crime is petty, the sentence is death. However, the hangman Lord Jack persuades her jailers to indenture her to him for three months as a more fitting penalty. As Claudia and Jack argue and fall in love, her goal remains seeking her sire for salvation and not the wonderful hugs and kisses of a savage.

LORD JACK is an exciting Scottish historical romance that the sub-genre pure bloods will relish. The more casual reader will find the accents provide authenticity yet disrupt the flow of the dialogue. Still, the lead couple is a delightful duo, whose verbal duels make for fine fun. Fans of late eighteenth century character-driven romances with a strong dialect will hopefully try this terrific tale while those who prefer less genuineness in the ripostes will instead tar the lead character banter.

Harriet Klausner

No text was provided for this review.

No text was provided for this review.