A lady desperate to escape. A hot-tempered earl in the wrong place and wrong time. A journey across the English isle that sends sparks flying and forges an attraction that neither can deny.A lady desperate to escape.Miss Evalyn Swanson is desperate to escape her stepfather and his nefarious plan to hawk her off to his vicious business partner. With time running out, she spies salvation at a house … out, she spies salvation at a house party in Lincolnshire. Salvation in the form of one hulking, brooding Scotsman that is conveniently traveling north. North, where she can disappear for good.
A hot-tempered earl in the wrong place and wrong time.
With his sister just married to his bitter enemy, Lachlan Ruddington, Earl of Dunhaven is in no mood to entertain the whimsical notions of a chit straight from the ballroom. Even if she’s an enchanting sprite, he has no time for anything other than quick dabbles with the opposite sex. He has an estate to right. A senile grandfather to battle. And a few more enemies he needs to mete out justice to.
An escape not quite according to plan.
Try as he might, Lachlan discovers the draw of Evalyn undeniable—though he’ll refuse it for as long as he can. Propriety demands it. His heart that he never thought to lose to an English lass demands it. The danger that lurks around her demands it. But if they can survive, they may just discover the truest love could be the love neither one of them ever anticipated.
Join the adventure today! You’ll love The Iron Earl, the first in the Valor of Vinehill series and a can’t-miss enthralling regency romance by USA Today bestselling author, K.J. Jackson.
Note: The novels in the Valor of Vinehill series by K.J. Jackson are each stand-alone stories and can be read individually in any order. These historical romances are set in the Regency and Victorian eras, and do not shy away from scenes with steamy heat, occasional naughty language, and moments that might possibly make you squirm.
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What a great book! If you’re looking for an absorbing, fast-paced tale of romance and excitement, this is a great book for you. It was definitely a page-turner!
Great book, series, and characters.
Another great story with wonderful characters!
I don not like this era but I love this author
Loved it! Enjoyed every part.
A good read
Excellent book. I love this series. Very engrossing and have to read it all at once!
I read a lot of these Scottish romances and I’m always happy to find one that is not so generic. I liked this story and followed up by reading Lachlan’s sister’s story, which was also very good.
I really enjoyed this book & Evalyn & Lachlan slowly became a couple you rooted for to win at love. Miss Evalyn Swanson has been able to survive so much in her life, yet she still has the strength of mind to devise a plan to escape her evil stepfather. She discovers a solution at a house party in the form of a hulk of a Scotsman, Lachlan Ruddington, Earl of Dunhaven. Lachlan was a brooding, strong minded character who is attracted to Evalyn but does not want to a serious relationship with a English miss. Over time the attraction can’t be denied & propriety & the danger surrounding her forces them in to action. Can the survive the danger facing them? Will they get their HEA? I highly recommend this wonderful romantic tale of love found.
WOW!!! A fantastic story! It kept my attention page after page. There is so much emotion and realistic feelings in the telling of this story that I was able to empathize with the characters. The lead female character, Evalyn – Eva, has strength that she does not realize. She has suffered under the unthinkable emotional and physical abuse of her stepfather for over twenty years. He sold her to a sadist and she found a way to escape before the marriage could happen. Lachlan, Lord Dunhaven, allowed Evalyn to join his men and travel back to Scotland. He knew she was the stepdaughter of his enemy Baron Falsted. He made her journey as unbearable as he could. Evalyn never complained and kept up with his men. During their travels, he began to see, really see who she was. A frightened chit but at the same time having indomitable inner strength. He becomes determined to protect her. In order to keep the Baron from snatching Evalyn back, he marries her. But his reason is less than admirable. As time passes, as difficult as it is for the both of them, a kernel of hope and trust begins to grow. But is it enough? Despite Lachlan’s temper, he never once raised his hand to Evalyn. He was angered on her behalf for what was done to her and for the danger she was still in. When Evalyn finally learned why Lachlan married her, she became despondent. But fortunately, Lachlan’s feelings have changed. Lachlan’s grandfather wanted her gone. The Baron appeared to take her back to his home. Even though she was married to Lachlan, it did not stop the ugly events from unfolding. I have read other books that have eluded to and/or described horrific sadistic abuse and it made me uncomfortable. This book did the opposite. I was inspired by Evalyn’s restorative spirit and Lachlan’s desire to be a better man. This is a well written book and I highly recommend it. I received an Advanced Readers Copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Love every one of her books.
Evalyn wanted to corner a man in the secluded alcove ringed with evergreen hedges. Since she was afraid he would leave she cut the front of her gown burying her breasts and told him that she wanted to go with him when he left. She wanted to run away from her stepfather and the man he had decided she would marry. Lord Dunhaven she told him her name was Evalyn–Eva and he told her his name was Lachlan she told him that he was soused but he agreed to let her go with them when he left which she would be leaving about midnight. She told him she needed to disappear and Scotland was the place to disappear into. She was helping Rupe with the cooking and she was serving the man when she tripped into the stew on one man he picked her up and slapped her across the face and she ran away as quick as she could when Lachlan got back no one had seen her for two hours and he went to find her and found her he did and promised her that no one would get her again. To find out what happens to Eva and Lachlan you must read the book. It’s a very good book well written…
Our heroine in this story is a remarkable woman. A woman, who was physically and mentally abused by her stepfather, finds a way to escape her stepfather and the man her stepfather is marrying her to. The strength and will that Evalyn displays has the man who helped her escape falling in love with her and willing to bear his grandfather’s wrath to marry her and protect her. This story the growth and maturity of a woman and man as they learn to face adversity and trust each other. This is a story worth reading and kept me enthralled until the last page.
The Iron Earl
Valor of Vinehill book 1
by K.J. Jackson
K.J. Jackson takes us on an exciting adventure through the scenic wilderness of Scotland. This was an exhilarating read!
Miss Evalyn Swanson is in a desperate situation, she needs to escape her evil stepfathers machinations to betroth her to if possible a more evil man. Evalyn needs to control her dipilitating fear long enough to persuade Lachlan the Earl of Dunhaven to take her with him, she’ll do whatever she needs even blackmail. After all, if he treats his sister with tenderness after she married against his wishes then he has a heart, then she has a chance, right?
Lachlan has rushed from his home in Scotland to save his sister but instead finds himself saving against his will the stepdaughter of the man he’s been seeking revenge for. He’s hardened his heart to his enemy’s daughter he’ll take her with him but he’s positive she’s in colaberation with his enemy to spy on him. So begins their journey, for Evalyn it’s a treacherous one, determined to disappear so her stepfather can never find her she’ll endure travelling at the gruelling pace Lachlan has set. She can never EVER go back to the life of terror and abuse she lived.
Lachlan and Evelyn’s life on the road wasn’t easy, his attraction to her was difficult for him to control, he decides to make her his mistress but upon witnessing Evelyn reactions to certain situations and after learning of the horrific tortures she suffered at the hands of her stepfather his heart slowly begins to soften towards her, so much so that he’s decided that he’ll make her his wife!
What an amazingly emotional read! K.J. Jackson has done it again, she pulls the reader and weaves her magic around the characters world. I loved the heat Lachlan and Evelyn danced around every time they were together. The secondary characters were well developed and added some tension to our couple. This was an EPIC beginning to a fantastic new series!
I recieved a complimantary copy from the author. This is my honest unbiased opinion.
A romance filled with danger, suspense and unresolved pain, this standalone novel deals with treachery in its worst form. Knowing she has to make her escape Evalyn targets Lachlan Ruddington as the most likely person to help her, even if she has to use blackmail. Setting out for Scotland is harder than Evalyn envisaged as dressed only in her ballgown and dancing slippers, she treads the wilds in the company of Lachlan ’s band of warriors. Determination forces her to keep going, even when she is in so much pain that she can hardly put one foot in front of the other. Through her bravery and endurance, she wins Lachlan and his men over. However, arrival at their destination only brings the next series of problems to the fore. Lachlan is a strong hero, attempting to put right the wrongs of the past whilst being stymied by his manipulative grandfather. Evalyn, on the other hand, may have been beaten down but she was far from broken. There is an excellent plot, although somewhat brutal at times, but the story does come to a most satisfactory resolution. I received a copy of this book as a gift and this is my honest and voluntary review.
The Iron Earl is the first book I have read by K. J. Jackson, but certainly will not be the last. I felt transformed by this beautiful tale which poignantly captures Evalyn’s urgent desire to escape her father and his ill intentions for her at any odds, going off with a group of Scottish men alone, risking her reputation and propriety. Evalyn questions her decision many times as she faces unforseen perils on the long, arduous journey but stands firm and determined, putting one foot literally in front of the other. Lachlan & his men treat Evalyn with scorn and derision but her perseverance slowly begins to wear them over. Lachlan himself doesn’t know whether to admire or hate her but oh how the sparks do fly. The depth of these characters was moving as was their pain, growth, camraderie, and love. This story features intense drama, suspense, and lots of heat and is a must read!
— I received an advance complimentary copy of this book and am delighted to voluntarily offer this review.
Whenever I see a new book by one of my favorite authors K. J. Jackson, I know it will be exactly what I look for in historical romance and because I have loved every story she has written! Plus this is the start of a new series so there will be many books to come!
What I did not expect was on the first page I would have tears filling my eyes as the prologue talked about the horrors the hero Lachlan and his family had endured during the Highland clearances in Scotland. One man stood out he would seek revenge.
Fast forward a few months to England where he is attending a party and he meets Evalyn. Well not exactly meets, she launches herself at him in the garden and begs him to take her to Scotland that very night with him and his men. Eva was such a strong, determined heroine that had endured so much at the hands of her stepfather and he had worse plans for her future. Lachlan was such a brawny, almost immovable force, thus the moniker Iron Earl. On their long journey to Scotland, she faced many trials and even though he was attracted to her, Lachlan held back for as long as he could.
What an adventure and a heart melting story that I literally could not put down once I started. This author has a wonderful way of drawing you in with her characters that seem so real with their emotions that tumble off the page. I felt for both of these two with what they endured but they were meant for each other, I just hoped they could figure it out by the end!
I highly recommend this book and any written by this author. You will thank me in the end!
I loved this engrossing love story.
All that Lachlan, the Iron Earl, can think of is revenge. All that Evalyn can think of is escape. Both opposing goals and imperfect plans. Thankfully, not all ill conceived plans are successful.
Wow. The Iron Earl by K.J. Jackson is a page-turning, heart-pounding novel that moves quickly through a tightly woven tale with a few twists, turns and surprises. The plot and each character is well developed, within a believable Regency era Scotland. I loved the true Lachlan and I cheered for him as he fought his demons. The terror that forced Evelyn to run for her life made me want to cry. Lastly, the chemistry between Lachlan and Evelyn was steaming hot.
Content alert:
The “f” word is used three times.
The other swear words are non-religious and confined to hells and damns.
The marital intimacy is moderately described.
The abuse described could be a trigger for those who have been abused.
Disclosure: I received an ARC of this book from the author via BookFunnel. I am voluntarily submitting my honest review. I also submitted this review to Amazon (as Rural Reader) and Good Reads.
Evalyn is trying to escape and flee from her stepfather and the forced marriage he plans for her with his reprehensible partner, when she meets Lachlan, Lord Dunhaven, a Scottish earl. She begs Lachlan to let her join him and his group as they leave the area to return to Scotland. Lachlan reluctantly agrees to let her travel with his group. It is a long, arduous journey and Evalyn is greatly challenged. Little by little she manages to gain the respect of Lachlan as well as his men. Lachlan’s feelings for her change over the long journey home when he learns of her stepfather’s cruel treatment and he observes the strength of her character.
I really liked this book. It held my attention throughout. The plot was good, there was plenty of action, and I loved the slow building romance between the two main characters. Once again, K.J. Jackson delivers a gripping, emotional and romantic read. I’m looking forward to the next in this new series. I received an advance copy of this book and voluntarily submit this review.
This is an amazing story. It is an exciting, emotional, dramatic, surprising, intriguing read. It has a complex and very attention grabbing plot or story line. I loved this and couldn’t put it down. Honestly the best I have read in awhile and one I will be reading over and over. I was given a review copy and voluntarily review it.