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“I have sworn twice in my life I would no longer touch you, Ara. And I have attempted it twice. But I am not a man that can stand by that particular vow.”
She prayed for death.
Stolen from her home, sold for her innocence, all Ara Detton wanted was death. One man stood in her way, Caine Farlington. Ara is forced to survive, forced to rebuild her life. A life that is orderly, busy—with a destiny that is her own. All would be perfect, if not for having to hide her love for the man that once saved her. The man that forced her to live, to survive, to flourish.
He refuses to let her go.
In search of his missing betrothed, Caine Farlington, the Earl of Newdale, quite by accident, saves Ara from the worst possible fate. Six years later, Ara is an indispensable part of his life—even if he has to curb his need to touch her at every turn.
The one you love is not always the one you think you need.
Neither one of them is prepared to let the other go. But to remain together, both must find redemption and learn to forgive secrets of the past.
Note: The Lords of Action books 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 naughty language, scenes with steamy heat, and moments that might possibly make you squirm.
“I have sworn twice in my life I would no longer touch you, Ara. And I have attempted it twice. But I am not a man that can stand by that particular vow.”
She prayed for death.
Stolen from her home, sold for her innocence, all Ara Detton wanted was death. One man stood in her way, Caine Farlington. Ara is forced to survive, forced to rebuild her life. A life that is orderly, busy—with a destiny that is her own. All would be perfect, if not for having to hide her love for the man that once saved her. The man that forced her to live, to survive, to flourish.
He refuses to let her go.
In search of his missing betrothed, Caine Farlington, the Earl of Newdale, quite by accident, saves Ara from the worst possible fate. Six years later, Ara is an indispensable part of his life—even if he has to curb his need to touch her at every turn.
The one you love is not always the one you think you need.
Neither one of them is prepared to let the other go. But to remain together, both must find redemption and learn to forgive secrets of the past.
Note: The Lords of Action books 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 naughty language, scenes with steamy heat, and moments that might possibly make you squirm.
292 pages, ebook
First published May 9, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 116 reviews
July 31, 2018
Fatal flaw ruined the story
Have you ever read a story whose premise was so Illogical that it made you angry, so ridiculous that it ruined the story for you? If so, you'll understand how I felt about "Vow." Now understand me, there are things I liked about this book: really good character development, an original plot, well written dialog, excellent descriptions of people and place, are to name just a few. However, the aforementioned ridiculous premise sets all of that aside and is, I believe, a fatal flaw.
**********SPOILERS**********
This story revolves around the abduction and sale of virgins in Regency London, some of whom are as young as 13-14. The story opens as our hero, Caine, attends a brothel auction of virgins with the intent of purchasing his kidnapped fiancé. Three girls are brought on stage hooded and wearing sheer chemises. Caine chooses and pays for the girl he believes to be Isabella, his fiancé. As luck would have it, it is not Isabella, but Arabella, the heroine of our story. Long story short, Caine and Arabella team up to keep attending 'virgin auctions' and buying/rescuing 1 or 2 girls at a time. The girls are then either taken home or settled in a home financed by Caine and overseen by Arabella (Ara.) This goes on for SIX YEARS. Have you identified what the fatal flaw is yet?
At no time was there any discussion whatsoever about going to the police, Bow Street Runners, the local magistrate, the newspapers or anyone else. This starfish approach to dealing with abduction and sexual slavery is naive in the extreme. Over 6 years they saved roughly 90 girls, but how many more were sacrificed that didn't need to be. The only rationale offered up was that Caine didn't want to endanger Ara's or the other girls' reputations by exposing the fact they'd once been sold in a brothel. It just doesn't make sense and what had been a solid 4-5 star story barely ends up with 2 stars.
Bottom line: this is a talented author, but I can't get past a story that was ruined by a ridiculous premise.
Have you ever read a story whose premise was so Illogical that it made you angry, so ridiculous that it ruined the story for you? If so, you'll understand how I felt about "Vow." Now understand me, there are things I liked about this book: really good character development, an original plot, well written dialog, excellent descriptions of people and place, are to name just a few. However, the aforementioned ridiculous premise sets all of that aside and is, I believe, a fatal flaw.
**********SPOILERS**********
This story revolves around the abduction and sale of virgins in Regency London, some of whom are as young as 13-14. The story opens as our hero, Caine, attends a brothel auction of virgins with the intent of purchasing his kidnapped fiancé. Three girls are brought on stage hooded and wearing sheer chemises. Caine chooses and pays for the girl he believes to be Isabella, his fiancé. As luck would have it, it is not Isabella, but Arabella, the heroine of our story. Long story short, Caine and Arabella team up to keep attending 'virgin auctions' and buying/rescuing 1 or 2 girls at a time. The girls are then either taken home or settled in a home financed by Caine and overseen by Arabella (Ara.) This goes on for SIX YEARS. Have you identified what the fatal flaw is yet?
At no time was there any discussion whatsoever about going to the police, Bow Street Runners, the local magistrate, the newspapers or anyone else. This starfish approach to dealing with abduction and sexual slavery is naive in the extreme. Over 6 years they saved roughly 90 girls, but how many more were sacrificed that didn't need to be. The only rationale offered up was that Caine didn't want to endanger Ara's or the other girls' reputations by exposing the fact they'd once been sold in a brothel. It just doesn't make sense and what had been a solid 4-5 star story barely ends up with 2 stars.
Bottom line: this is a talented author, but I can't get past a story that was ruined by a ridiculous premise.
June 1, 2016
It was good
A little too easy to read for me, it flowed smoothly. The secondary characters weren't really part of the story, just conveniently involved, and a new name would come in simply when it was convenient. It didn't take away from the story really, but it was closer to an easily produced "HEA."
The story was original, but surely they could have brought in the law instead of buying all the girls. Why wasn't that an option, I wonder.
Six years was too long for anything to happen. It just doesn't make sense that nothing would happen between Ara and Caine in six years. The miscommunication was astonishing, and way out there.
I doubt I would read it again, but I can't say it was a waste of time.
A little too easy to read for me, it flowed smoothly. The secondary characters weren't really part of the story, just conveniently involved, and a new name would come in simply when it was convenient. It didn't take away from the story really, but it was closer to an easily produced "HEA."
The story was original, but surely they could have brought in the law instead of buying all the girls. Why wasn't that an option, I wonder.
Six years was too long for anything to happen. It just doesn't make sense that nothing would happen between Ara and Caine in six years. The miscommunication was astonishing, and way out there.
I doubt I would read it again, but I can't say it was a waste of time.
March 26, 2018
I really struggled with this - the start was fine but then it all seemed to fall into pages and pages of navel-gazing and 'woe-is-me' and so on.
There was little real plot or character development and as one reviewer has already stated, there was on huge plot hole that had me thinking 'WTF???
There was little real plot or character development and as one reviewer has already stated, there was on huge plot hole that had me thinking 'WTF???
March 9, 2018
Barely finished the book
A young woman is kidnapped and taken to a brothel to be auctioned off. Her fiancé rescues her just in time only to find out he rescued the wrong girl and his fiancé is dead. Caine takes Ara to her home only to rescue her again after finding her beaten and thrown out of her home by her father. The two work together for 6 years rescuing girls from the brothel. They have fallen in love with each other and either don’t admit it to themselves or to each other.
The writing style took some effort to get use to, the dialogue was stilted, a lot of repetition and unnecessary drama. Caine was an ass most of the time and even though Ara was a good person, she was hard to like.
A young woman is kidnapped and taken to a brothel to be auctioned off. Her fiancé rescues her just in time only to find out he rescued the wrong girl and his fiancé is dead. Caine takes Ara to her home only to rescue her again after finding her beaten and thrown out of her home by her father. The two work together for 6 years rescuing girls from the brothel. They have fallen in love with each other and either don’t admit it to themselves or to each other.
The writing style took some effort to get use to, the dialogue was stilted, a lot of repetition and unnecessary drama. Caine was an ass most of the time and even though Ara was a good person, she was hard to like.
April 18, 2018
Good story, never though that what she went through was happening back then. Should have known that there are just sick people from the very beginning of time.
Story flowed well, several twist, communication between both MC lacked and was frustrating at times, but over all the story was exceptional. I believe I will continue with these series and keep an eye out for #2.
Story flowed well, several twist, communication between both MC lacked and was frustrating at times, but over all the story was exceptional. I believe I will continue with these series and keep an eye out for #2.
April 6, 2018
3.5 stars
I picked this up as an Amazon freebie and read it as a Book of the Month with my Freebie chicks!
This was a pleasant surprise of a book. I'm glad it was chosen as BOTM because I wouldn't have gotten to it otherwise and it would just be stewing on my TBR. It tells the story of Ara and Caine, who are brought together after a mistaken rescue at a brothel virgin sale. Ara ends up working for Caine running his household, and together they run a secret operation rescuing other girls who are put up for sale. Over 6 years they rescue countless girls and fall in love in the process.
Of course neither Caine nor Ara admit their feelings for each other, and a lot of the book is frustrating in that they both push the other one away in mistaken attempts to do the honorable thing. This misunderstanding goes on for quite a while and you want to yell at them to JUST TALK TO EACH OTHER. Seriously, a quick honest conversation could clear all of this up.
Fortunately while they're stewing over their suppressed feelings, there are other things going on. Word of their undercover operation may be getting leaked somehow, threatening both of their reputations and putting them and their rescued girls in danger. Caine learns he must find a wife in order to keep his estate afloat. And Ara is haunted by a horrifying secret she's been keeping about something that happened in the brothel all those years ago.
A few nice twists were thrown in which caught me off-guard and enhanced the story. Overall it was an enjoyable historical romance with a little mystery to keep it interesting.
I picked this up as an Amazon freebie and read it as a Book of the Month with my Freebie chicks!
This was a pleasant surprise of a book. I'm glad it was chosen as BOTM because I wouldn't have gotten to it otherwise and it would just be stewing on my TBR. It tells the story of Ara and Caine, who are brought together after a mistaken rescue at a brothel virgin sale. Ara ends up working for Caine running his household, and together they run a secret operation rescuing other girls who are put up for sale. Over 6 years they rescue countless girls and fall in love in the process.
Of course neither Caine nor Ara admit their feelings for each other, and a lot of the book is frustrating in that they both push the other one away in mistaken attempts to do the honorable thing. This misunderstanding goes on for quite a while and you want to yell at them to JUST TALK TO EACH OTHER. Seriously, a quick honest conversation could clear all of this up.
Fortunately while they're stewing over their suppressed feelings, there are other things going on. Word of their undercover operation may be getting leaked somehow, threatening both of their reputations and putting them and their rescued girls in danger. Caine learns he must find a wife in order to keep his estate afloat. And Ara is haunted by a horrifying secret she's been keeping about something that happened in the brothel all those years ago.
A few nice twists were thrown in which caught me off-guard and enhanced the story. Overall it was an enjoyable historical romance with a little mystery to keep it interesting.
March 30, 2025
2.5 🌟
The hero, Caine, is an English aristocrat freshly returned from war on the Continent when he discovers his childhood sweetheart has been abducted to be sold in a virgin auction in a seedy London brothel. He purchases who he believes is his Bella, only to discover later that the girl is Ari (short for Arabella) and his Bella is dead.
After being delivered safely back to her father's vicarage by Caine, Ari is beaten and kicked out for her non-existent "sins". Caine rescues her from the side of the road and brings her to London. He sets her up in a respectable home as his ward, claiming to society that she is a distant relation.
Over the following six years, Ari and Caine work together to save girls by buying them one at a time from virgin auctions. (Luckily Caine seems to have plenty of funds to do so, but strangely never goes to the authorities) Ari has been working as Caine's secretary - I had hoped this would go the way of Lorraine Heath's The Duke Hunt- and during this time a slow-burn romance has developed, however, both MCs have made personal vows which hinder them from acting on their feelings.
Unfortunately, the writing style is stilted and at times awkward ( at the beginning, the heroine doesn't use contractions, which makes her sound like a robot). There were too many plot holes for me to truly enjoy this. I persevered with this longer than I should have. The storyline was interesting, but I found the execution lacking.
This book contains descriptive love scenes.
The hero, Caine, is an English aristocrat freshly returned from war on the Continent when he discovers his childhood sweetheart has been abducted to be sold in a virgin auction in a seedy London brothel. He purchases who he believes is his Bella, only to discover later that the girl is Ari (short for Arabella) and his Bella is dead.
After being delivered safely back to her father's vicarage by Caine, Ari is beaten and kicked out for her non-existent "sins". Caine rescues her from the side of the road and brings her to London. He sets her up in a respectable home as his ward, claiming to society that she is a distant relation.
Over the following six years, Ari and Caine work together to save girls by buying them one at a time from virgin auctions. (Luckily Caine seems to have plenty of funds to do so, but strangely never goes to the authorities) Ari has been working as Caine's secretary - I had hoped this would go the way of Lorraine Heath's The Duke Hunt- and during this time a slow-burn romance has developed, however, both MCs have made personal vows which hinder them from acting on their feelings.
Unfortunately, the writing style is stilted and at times awkward ( at the beginning, the heroine doesn't use contractions, which makes her sound like a robot). There were too many plot holes for me to truly enjoy this. I persevered with this longer than I should have. The storyline was interesting, but I found the execution lacking.
This book contains descriptive love scenes.
June 9, 2017
VOW ( A Lords of Action Novel) May 2016 by K.J. Jackson
Our library in town has shelves and racks that display books of interest. I spotted VOW by K. J. Jackson. I hadn't read anything written by her so I brought the book home and I am glad I did.
Caine Farlington had gone off to war and left his fiancee at home. Upon arriving back he found that the day before he arrived his fiancee, Isabella, had been abducted. Following the trail to a nasty place called Jolly Vassal in London where they were about to sell "three virgins". He could not tell which one was Isabella because heavy veils covered the girl's heads. He heard one of the men call a girl "bella". She looked like his Isabella. He bought her but when he took the veil off he froze. it was not his Isabella but another girl named Ara (Arabella). She was a vicar's daughter. She told him that Isabella had died after they gave her something. Ara begged to be taken home, which was a twelve hour carriage ride, but that would also place him near Isabella's home. He stayed at an inn after dropping Ara off at a field near her home.
The next morning as they were leaving his coachman spotted something off on the side of the road. It was Ara. She had been beaten by her father and he had disowned her and threw her out. All she wanted to do was to die.
Caine carried her and put her into the carriage. He told her that he would be her guarding from now on. He put her up in one of his houses with a chaperone.
A month later Ara spotted the same carriage she had been brought to London in and there was a frightened girl inside. Ara followed it to the Jolly Vassal. Her chaperone, Mrs. Merrywent, brought Caine to Ara's carriage which was still parked in front of the Jolly Vassal. Ara begged Caine to go in and buy the girl. This was only the beginning for Ara and Caine's work of saving the "innocent". For the two of them to finally come together they had to overcome grief, guilt, and learn to forgive secrets of the past.
I thoroughly enjoyed K. J. Jackson's story of Ara & Caine and I am looking forward to searching out her other books. Happy Reading! Review by facebook.com\ReadingGenie\
Our library in town has shelves and racks that display books of interest. I spotted VOW by K. J. Jackson. I hadn't read anything written by her so I brought the book home and I am glad I did.
Caine Farlington had gone off to war and left his fiancee at home. Upon arriving back he found that the day before he arrived his fiancee, Isabella, had been abducted. Following the trail to a nasty place called Jolly Vassal in London where they were about to sell "three virgins". He could not tell which one was Isabella because heavy veils covered the girl's heads. He heard one of the men call a girl "bella". She looked like his Isabella. He bought her but when he took the veil off he froze. it was not his Isabella but another girl named Ara (Arabella). She was a vicar's daughter. She told him that Isabella had died after they gave her something. Ara begged to be taken home, which was a twelve hour carriage ride, but that would also place him near Isabella's home. He stayed at an inn after dropping Ara off at a field near her home.
The next morning as they were leaving his coachman spotted something off on the side of the road. It was Ara. She had been beaten by her father and he had disowned her and threw her out. All she wanted to do was to die.
Caine carried her and put her into the carriage. He told her that he would be her guarding from now on. He put her up in one of his houses with a chaperone.
A month later Ara spotted the same carriage she had been brought to London in and there was a frightened girl inside. Ara followed it to the Jolly Vassal. Her chaperone, Mrs. Merrywent, brought Caine to Ara's carriage which was still parked in front of the Jolly Vassal. Ara begged Caine to go in and buy the girl. This was only the beginning for Ara and Caine's work of saving the "innocent". For the two of them to finally come together they had to overcome grief, guilt, and learn to forgive secrets of the past.
I thoroughly enjoyed K. J. Jackson's story of Ara & Caine and I am looking forward to searching out her other books. Happy Reading! Review by facebook.com\ReadingGenie\
April 2, 2022
This story and these characters fell flat, for me. They didn't give me enough to want to continue. I dnf'd at 54%
April 17, 2025
Well written, with an unusual plot.
May 14, 2016
BUY BUY BUY..... Okay now that this part is out of the way. How many love authors that can tell a story that immerses you in the plot line? Definitely I do! I enjoy the characters the way this author has written them. The story has pathos, drama, plot line, romance, and passion. It keeps you reading and rooting for the characters as the plots unfold and you sit wondering what will happen to them next. The love and passion that is written inside the story will thrill you. I sincerely enjoyed this book! I look forward to more great reads from this author! I was given this book in return for an honest review. Swedenmom
April 3, 2018
Wordy
I think this book is OK, but too heavy with emotions and needless guilt. Ara was tedious and Caine only slightly less so. Ugh. Totally ridiculous. I found the brothel scenes and the rescue of the girls most interesting.
I think this book is OK, but too heavy with emotions and needless guilt. Ara was tedious and Caine only slightly less so. Ugh. Totally ridiculous. I found the brothel scenes and the rescue of the girls most interesting.
June 4, 2018
Another historical romance too provocative for its time. Except I didn’t care for the characters at all. Their personalities lack complexity and their misconceptions were silly or at least not explained in the best detail.
July 31, 2018
A quick read, but a little monotonous for my taste. The same things kind of kept happening over and over. Not a remarkable romance.
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley.
All opinions are my own.
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley.
All opinions are my own.
April 2, 2018
VOW : not so good. Waaay too much overthinking and misreading between he and she. Really ? Six years of non-decision ? Good storyline, but weak, un-tender loving.
March 6, 2022
Strange premise, but decent storytelling
I was extremely dubious about the whole book revolving around the idea of human trafficking in the form of women abducted and sold for their virginity... I don't know what unsettled me more-- the outlandish plot or the fact that, putting the unrealistic premise aside, the author actually pulled off a decent story.
The characters were a delight, albeit juvenile in demeanor to add dramatic flair, I suppose. I felt like I was reading about some junior high school kids in their early teens... who also ran households and did adult-like things. I have yet to learn the allure behind writing about characters who refuse to communicate with one another.... but rather torment themselves with these raw emotions that fester and send mixed-signals, causing confusion and, frankly, leave me frustrated by their stunning stupidity.
... but then I don't suppose there's any chance today's authors have the skills to tell a story without having the characters initiate their own drama.
So... that aside... there was no mystery as to how this story would conclude. The reading a mere formality to see how it ended, and I will say the author has a talent for storytelling... even with such an outlandish premise, I kept reading because I wanted to see how the plot would be crafted.
This is a brain candy read. It's entertaining, but nothing more. So, if you are reading for the sake of entertainment, it's not bad.
Though, I caution an audience who maybe triggered by rape or domestic violence... and those who don't like explicit premarital sex.
Overall, not bad.
I was extremely dubious about the whole book revolving around the idea of human trafficking in the form of women abducted and sold for their virginity... I don't know what unsettled me more-- the outlandish plot or the fact that, putting the unrealistic premise aside, the author actually pulled off a decent story.
The characters were a delight, albeit juvenile in demeanor to add dramatic flair, I suppose. I felt like I was reading about some junior high school kids in their early teens... who also ran households and did adult-like things. I have yet to learn the allure behind writing about characters who refuse to communicate with one another.... but rather torment themselves with these raw emotions that fester and send mixed-signals, causing confusion and, frankly, leave me frustrated by their stunning stupidity.
... but then I don't suppose there's any chance today's authors have the skills to tell a story without having the characters initiate their own drama.
So... that aside... there was no mystery as to how this story would conclude. The reading a mere formality to see how it ended, and I will say the author has a talent for storytelling... even with such an outlandish premise, I kept reading because I wanted to see how the plot would be crafted.
This is a brain candy read. It's entertaining, but nothing more. So, if you are reading for the sake of entertainment, it's not bad.
Though, I caution an audience who maybe triggered by rape or domestic violence... and those who don't like explicit premarital sex.
Overall, not bad.
October 16, 2018
I'm surprised by the huge differences in reviews, however I suppose that is due to the subject matter. I'm also surprised at the number of unidentified spoilers in many of the reviews. (My thanks to those who did identify them.) I am going to try to write a spoiler-free review, however I will have to share plot elements.
Caine went to war and left a fiance behind. When he returned he found out she was missing and tracked her to a virgin auction. The auction is done through a brothel and young innocent women are abducted to be auctioned. The girls are auctioned with hoods over their faces, so Caine thought he was buying his fiance when he bought Ara. After a rocky start and Caine rescuing Ara again, they team up to save other victims. This is where the plot thins for many readers because it seems implausible that they would continue for six years without exposure or assistance. I decided to overlook this and just enjoy the relationship between Ara and Caine.
There is sex but I didn't find it overly graphic. It is descriptive but there isn't much of it and it didn't bother me.
This is an unusual romance set in the regency period. I found it very interesting. It would have been better if Caine had been less of a jerk to Ara on several different occasions and if they had decided to branch out and get help for more victims. Ara is a strong woman - she had to be to survive her ordeal. Rather than curling up in a ball and wallowing in self pity, she decided to do something about it and help other victims. Good for her.
Caine went to war and left a fiance behind. When he returned he found out she was missing and tracked her to a virgin auction. The auction is done through a brothel and young innocent women are abducted to be auctioned. The girls are auctioned with hoods over their faces, so Caine thought he was buying his fiance when he bought Ara. After a rocky start and Caine rescuing Ara again, they team up to save other victims. This is where the plot thins for many readers because it seems implausible that they would continue for six years without exposure or assistance. I decided to overlook this and just enjoy the relationship between Ara and Caine.
There is sex but I didn't find it overly graphic. It is descriptive but there isn't much of it and it didn't bother me.
This is an unusual romance set in the regency period. I found it very interesting. It would have been better if Caine had been less of a jerk to Ara on several different occasions and if they had decided to branch out and get help for more victims. Ara is a strong woman - she had to be to survive her ordeal. Rather than curling up in a ball and wallowing in self pity, she decided to do something about it and help other victims. Good for her.
February 18, 2019
As the daughter of a country vicar, Arabella Detton never envisioned that she would be kidnapped by a brothel owner, much less be put up for auction to the highest bidder. All she can hope for now is just to survive whatever happens next.
Caine Fairington survived the war with one goal; marry his lovely Isabella. Upon returning, he learned that his love had been kidnapped and is to be sold at a virgin auction. Now he's on a mission to buy her back.
I have read several books by K.J. Jackson. I love her writing style and how she can weave an emotionally tight and dangerous story. I just wish her intimate scenes were not so graphic, nor her use of vulgarities so frequent.
That said, Vow: Lords of Action, Novel 1, is an entertaining and engrossing Regency era romance. It is packed full of energy and mayhem. Ara is a strong heroine and Caine is a difficult hero. Together they are passionate opposites who can't help but gravitate toward one another. Thankfully the supporting characters are just as deeply developed as the leads, and one will end up being the hero of the next book in the series. I was glad that the violence that is associated with virgin kidnapping and auctions did lead to redemption and renewal. Lastly, this is the first book in the series, however, it is a stand-alone novel with a very happy ending.
Disclosure: I also posted this review with Amazon (as Rural Reader) and with BookBub.
Caine Fairington survived the war with one goal; marry his lovely Isabella. Upon returning, he learned that his love had been kidnapped and is to be sold at a virgin auction. Now he's on a mission to buy her back.
I have read several books by K.J. Jackson. I love her writing style and how she can weave an emotionally tight and dangerous story. I just wish her intimate scenes were not so graphic, nor her use of vulgarities so frequent.
That said, Vow: Lords of Action, Novel 1, is an entertaining and engrossing Regency era romance. It is packed full of energy and mayhem. Ara is a strong heroine and Caine is a difficult hero. Together they are passionate opposites who can't help but gravitate toward one another. Thankfully the supporting characters are just as deeply developed as the leads, and one will end up being the hero of the next book in the series. I was glad that the violence that is associated with virgin kidnapping and auctions did lead to redemption and renewal. Lastly, this is the first book in the series, however, it is a stand-alone novel with a very happy ending.
Disclosure: I also posted this review with Amazon (as Rural Reader) and with BookBub.
April 11, 2020
Vow (Lords of Action, #1) by K.J. Jackson penned an intriguing tale set in England in 1816. The title alone tweaked my interest leading me to make pre-reading predictions. What would this vow be? Since this is the first book in the Lords of Action series, I knew that the male protagonist would be a male. What events would occur that required such a vow and to whom would the Lord make this vow to? Predictions made, I started reading and immediately found myself captivated to our lead characters, Ara Denton and Caine Farlington. In these complex and multi-dimensional characters, readers glean Ms. Jackson’s writing genius. Ara Denton suffers so much that it amazing how she deals with it. Caine also suffers but unlike Ara is suffering is mainly emotional. Circumstances bring them together at a virgin auction in a seedy brothel which Caine attends as part of his mission to find his abducted fiancée. Mistaking Ara for his fiancée, Isabella, Caine buys her. To discover what happens next, you’ll have to read this book.
Ms. Jackson demonstrates her abilities as a Regency Romance author. She successfully embeds her knowledge of the era in her characters, the setting and the dialog. All of which lends to the credibility of this tale. Through her characterizations she allows chemistry between Ara and Caine to move the plot along. This movement is further carried along by the well-thought out secondary characters, who help with the rising crescendo of the plot line. Ms. Jackson’s use of dialog permits readers to see the motives of our characters thereby providing us a view of the cultural mores of this period. Additionally, Ms. Jackson’s vivid descriptions allow readers to be drawn into each scene as if they are right there in the room as it rolls out. I highly recommend this book to lovers of this genre.
Ms. Jackson demonstrates her abilities as a Regency Romance author. She successfully embeds her knowledge of the era in her characters, the setting and the dialog. All of which lends to the credibility of this tale. Through her characterizations she allows chemistry between Ara and Caine to move the plot along. This movement is further carried along by the well-thought out secondary characters, who help with the rising crescendo of the plot line. Ms. Jackson’s use of dialog permits readers to see the motives of our characters thereby providing us a view of the cultural mores of this period. Additionally, Ms. Jackson’s vivid descriptions allow readers to be drawn into each scene as if they are right there in the room as it rolls out. I highly recommend this book to lovers of this genre.
March 31, 2018
Ara just hopes that someone would save her but she realizes that she will die a painful death at the hand of some man. But she is about to be saved by a real gentleman. Caine knows that he has to find his betrothed before it is too late. He thinks that the girl that he has bought is her but he is disappointed that it isn't her. But he hopes that Ara can move on from this horrible experience and find happiness one day. But Ara whole world is going to come crashing down and Caine is the only one she has left. He has no idea how to handle Ara but he knows that it is his duty to look after her. Ara knows that she has to tell Caine the truth but she is scared of what he will do.
Caine knows that the time has come for him to wed as his finances are in a bad way and he can't expect Ara and the girls to help. She can't believe that she won't be part of his life anymore as he is her whole world. But she can't tell him the truth about what she feels and she knew that she should have kept quiet about her time as a captive. Will Caine be able to forgive her before he loses the woman that he loves? A great read
Caine knows that the time has come for him to wed as his finances are in a bad way and he can't expect Ara and the girls to help. She can't believe that she won't be part of his life anymore as he is her whole world. But she can't tell him the truth about what she feels and she knew that she should have kept quiet about her time as a captive. Will Caine be able to forgive her before he loses the woman that he loves? A great read
April 24, 2020
Overall I really enjoyed this book.
I liked that it flowed well. Characters were fleshed out and a great backstory. I liked the secondary characters as they fit into the story well. I understand that some had an issue with the story due to the subject matter however it is a fictional b\piece of work so I was able to overlook the logical thinking of what was happening.
Yes, they should have gone for help but as a work of fiction, I understood why the author wrote it the way she did. I would say I was more shock at what happens to our heroine in the beginning from her own father supposedly a man of the church but it made for a good read and explained how our character became so involved in each other's lives.
This to me was an easy read one that held my attention. I enjoyed the banter between our hero and heroine. I liked that our heroine was strong and was a survivor. I like that our hero was noble and caring. The tension between the two was steamy and at time comical.
Overall I was upset or mad about any of it and truly enjoyed the book. I am excited to read the next installment.
I liked that it flowed well. Characters were fleshed out and a great backstory. I liked the secondary characters as they fit into the story well. I understand that some had an issue with the story due to the subject matter however it is a fictional b\piece of work so I was able to overlook the logical thinking of what was happening.
Yes, they should have gone for help but as a work of fiction, I understood why the author wrote it the way she did. I would say I was more shock at what happens to our heroine in the beginning from her own father supposedly a man of the church but it made for a good read and explained how our character became so involved in each other's lives.
This to me was an easy read one that held my attention. I enjoyed the banter between our hero and heroine. I liked that our heroine was strong and was a survivor. I like that our hero was noble and caring. The tension between the two was steamy and at time comical.
Overall I was upset or mad about any of it and truly enjoyed the book. I am excited to read the next installment.
May 22, 2020
K. J. Jackson's book, Vow, takes place in 1816 London. Caine Farlington enters the Jolly Vassal brothel and thinks he has bought the freedom of the woman he loves--Isabella. Instead when the woman's veil is removed, he is shocked to find a stranger. The woman he rescued is Arabella Denton. She tells him that Isabella is dead. When Arabella finally returns home, her father disowns her and Caine decides he will be her guardian. Arabella makes it her mission to rescue young girls that are being auctioned off at a brothel. When Caine's brother dies, he becomes the Earl of Newdale. For six years Caine continues to see that Arabella is taken care of. But it is now time for him to marry a proper lady from the ton. I liked Caine and Arabella and their mission to save young girls who had been kidnapped and taken to a brothel. Their story is full of twists and turns and surprises. It is truly a good vs. evil story and you can't help but wish for a HEA!
April 15, 2022
K. J. Jackson handles language like nobody’s business, and can infuse as much emotion into one paragraph as well as any writer I have discovered. And there are individual passages in this book, and her others, that are well done and emotionally complex and gripping. As a whole, however, this book is flat and frustrating. It opens in overcharged tragedy, then skips six years of a building relationship between the hero and heroine (!!!! Wouldn’t that have been nice for the reader?) during which time they have turned into Batman and Robin at night and constant companions by day and apparently Society doesn’t suspect a thing…although they are on a notorious brothel’s mailing list (snort). Then there’s this:
Heroine in throes of passion: I love you.
Hero: it’s just gratitude.
And that goes on for a good portion of the book. It’s just silly. The plot and the characters feel false and I felt manipulated and grumpy about it.
Heroine in throes of passion: I love you.
Hero: it’s just gratitude.
And that goes on for a good portion of the book. It’s just silly. The plot and the characters feel false and I felt manipulated and grumpy about it.
February 25, 2020
Interesting story
I really loved Ara and Caine, and how their characters developed. The story is also interesting and unique.
The only aspect I have an issue with is why didn't they involve the police? I feel like "saving" one girl every time, to the tune of 87 girls, was just continuously funding the bad guys. Why not get the police in there to bust up this virgin trafficking ring? They compare the bad guys to a hydra, where if you cut off one head, two more grow back, but I feel like there have to be better alternatives tthan just buying a girl every time a sale pops up.
Anyway, still the story and characters are well developed, and I really enjoyed the writing style. Good read!
I really loved Ara and Caine, and how their characters developed. The story is also interesting and unique.
The only aspect I have an issue with is why didn't they involve the police? I feel like "saving" one girl every time, to the tune of 87 girls, was just continuously funding the bad guys. Why not get the police in there to bust up this virgin trafficking ring? They compare the bad guys to a hydra, where if you cut off one head, two more grow back, but I feel like there have to be better alternatives tthan just buying a girl every time a sale pops up.
Anyway, still the story and characters are well developed, and I really enjoyed the writing style. Good read!
November 8, 2020
K.J. Jackson has written a poignant, tear jerking but ultimately uplifting happily ever after novel that starts with the horrific idea of men in Regency England stealing innocent young women and auctioning them off for their virginity. Although the premise is very disturbing in this day and age, the notion is not unbelievable, in my opinion. I did find it unfortunate that there was little effort in the story line to appeal to shutting down the practice using legal methods and that the "hero" was able to continue to do be an auction participant without consistently raising eyebrows. I thought that the author did a wonderful job of creating appealing main characters and I ultimately loved and enjoyed this book.
October 30, 2022
This book was decent. But, sometimes I had a hard time continuing to read it. It often made me cringe. I liked Ara’s character, she was very level headed and kind. I liked learning about and meeting all of the other girls that they saved, and I liked Mrs. Merriweather. But I was not a big fan of Caine, he seemed very ingenious and was just a crummy character in general. I was much more interested in learning about his friend Fletch, then I did about caring about what happened to him. I thought that the relationship was okay, but I wish that there was more communication between them. I wish there was more chemistry instead of endless pining and tension. I feel like the plot was good, but the execution was not great. Although I am looking forward to reading Fletch’s book, he seemed really interesting.
January 30, 2017
What an engrossing story of a girl taken captive and sold in a brothel to an Earl out to save his betrothed. With a mix-up in identity, Ara is saved and thus begins an intriguing relationship between two people whose secrets keep them apart. I found this story utterly captivating. It took twists and turns that were complete surprises. I loved that I couldn't always guess what was coming next. I also loved these two fascinating and complex characters. This novel was dark and disturbing in parts, but there was also a great deal of passion and love to balance things out. I was swept up in this gripping tale and am looking forward to the next in this series.
December 13, 2017
I literally could not put this book down. Ara Detton has been kidnapped and then left for dead in a field. Caine Farlinhton, Earl of Newfale finds her and forces her to survive. This is a story of two lost souls who end up finding each other and struggle for forgiveness in themselves. Ava stays on with Caine as his secretary and comrade in arms of saving as many girls who are in bad situations. Together they build a safe haven for those girls, while spending almost each day together. Ms Jackson is a master at creating a story with characters that find s place in your heart. This wonderfully written book never gives pause but entices the reader to rush through the pages to find out what happens. You will not be disappointed!!
May 27, 2019
Why does all the action happen off-screen? But seriously. Several major incidents that are highly important to the plot happen between scenes and we only find out about them after the fact through a whole lot of expository dialogue.
Outside of that, the characters are very one-sided and there are a lot of issues that could have been easily solved by people just talking to one another. Be warned. You will want to smack several characters at least once. Maybe a whole lot more than once.
It's definitely fluff, but it's not particularly well-written fluff. However, it's certainly a quick read.
Outside of that, the characters are very one-sided and there are a lot of issues that could have been easily solved by people just talking to one another. Be warned. You will want to smack several characters at least once. Maybe a whole lot more than once.
It's definitely fluff, but it's not particularly well-written fluff. However, it's certainly a quick read.
April 14, 2020
Respect
During this time of pandemic in 2020, there is little difference in the lack of respect for fellow human beings in 1816 of this story of "The Vow". Stealing women, young girls,all for money. Such a gross lack of respect. Whether today or years ago, putting others safety first can save lives. Such a moving, heart wrenching and heartfelt story that at least has a VERY happy ever after for the women saved and our heroes Arabella and Cain. No cheating or cliffhanger, proofreading was good, overall quality of writing was really good and you get some steamy intimacy scenes too. Enjoy!
During this time of pandemic in 2020, there is little difference in the lack of respect for fellow human beings in 1816 of this story of "The Vow". Stealing women, young girls,all for money. Such a gross lack of respect. Whether today or years ago, putting others safety first can save lives. Such a moving, heart wrenching and heartfelt story that at least has a VERY happy ever after for the women saved and our heroes Arabella and Cain. No cheating or cliffhanger, proofreading was good, overall quality of writing was really good and you get some steamy intimacy scenes too. Enjoy!
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