My Lord Jack (Highland Fling) [Mass Market Paperback]

Claudia is not happy to be living with an executioner. She had seen horrible things in France, and she has to learn that Jack is not a bad person just because of his job. Jack and Claudia both have a history they have to learn to accept and move past before they can fully allow their feelings for each other to be seen. But their love isn't just being hampered by their own histories and secrets. Outside forces are just as determined to keep them apart, even through deadly means.

Hope Tarr has created one of the most unique romance stories today with her story of the executioner and the former French courtesan. As crazy as it sounds, this story works. Hope Tarr's writing style is reminiscent of Diana Gabaldon's. Even though I usually don't like characters with heavy accents I had no trouble with Ms. Tarr's use of the Scottish dialect. I could hear Jack's beautiful Scottish brogue in my head as I read the words on the page. I found myself completely enthralled to the point that I didn't realize that it was the middle of the night before I finished the book. This is a one-sit read and I for one cannot wait to read many more Hope Tarr books. MY LORD JACK goes high on my list of recommended reads for this year.

Jack never intended to get involved with this woman or her problems but found himself speaking up for her when she is caught stealing a horse. Even worse, she is remanded to his custody for six months labor. Now he has to share his home and spend most everyday in her company. And this sentence also puts a crimp in Claudia's plans to find the father she never knew - a Scottish earl that may or may not know of her existence.

Claudia goes from pampered courtesan to working in a tavern. From fearing and loathing Jack and his profession to respecting and liking Jack the man. He surprises her in that he is actually very kind and gentle, an animal lover, a vegetarian and most unbelievably a virgin. He has vowed that he would never take a woman because of what happened to his mother - seduced and left to bear a child out of wedlock. But Claudia is quite a temptation for him. She's beautiful and resilient and he finds himself wanting her badly.

Though she had been the mistress of a guillotined French aristocrat for seven years, she knows little of love and tenderness - especially not from a man. But Jack's kind and gentle nature and handsome looks attract her as her former lover never did. They fall in love and then must face the villainous actions of Jack's half brother, his stepfather, not to mention Claudia's nefarious father. But love conquers all and Jack and Claudia are finally free to begin their lives anew.

A very sweet love story.