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Touched by Fire #1

Embracing the Knight

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Miss Claire Ashford knows exactly what she wants out of life — to marry for love. When she finds herself alone in the woods with none other than notorious rake Ian Michael Caldwell, Viscount Knightly, her chances of a proper match are ruined. He is willing to sacrifice himself for the sake of her reputation, but she is determined not to marry anyone out of obligation.

For years, Ian has wanted nothing more than to, one day, marry Miss Claire Ashford. When fate forces them into a compromising situation, he vows to do just that. In spite of every effort, she refuses his suit. Not one to easily give up, Ian drafts assistance from an unlikely source.

As her first season continues, Claire finds it increasingly difficult to keep her distance from Ian. His charm, and ability to stir feelings inside of her she didn’t know existed, makes it hard to remember why she refused him in the first place. With his relentless pursuit and her weakening resolve, she desperately wants to give in to him. However, after seeing he hasn’t changed his rakish ways, how can she trust him not to break her heart, again?

215 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 12, 2016

503 people are currently reading
271 people want to read

About the author

Jenn Langston

19 books36 followers
Jenn Langston is a writer and a lover of historical romances. She developed her love of reading romance novels at a very young age. What began as the simple joy of reading developed into a passion to write.
She lives in the beloved state of Texas where she was born and raised. With her husband, three beautiful children, and three cats, she has a full house. There is never a dull moment, but always time to read and write.

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5 stars
100 (29%)
4 stars
110 (32%)
3 stars
91 (26%)
2 stars
25 (7%)
1 star
17 (4%)
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
Profile Image for Joan.
2,207 reviews
February 20, 2018
dnf at 15%

What a farago. I got up to chapter 3 before I couldn't take any more of this nonsense.

A woman 'diving' into a stream?? Give me a break. A stream, by its very nature, is small - you can paddle in it usually, or lie down in it at a pinch though the bottom is quite often rocky, but no way you can 'dive' into it even when it is flooded and then there is NO WAY ON EARTH you should be even trying to step into it.

But there, she is, naked ( of course) having stripped off before 'she dove into the clear water' and now washing her hair in said stream and thinking lustful thoughts about her sensual male companion who s likewise stripping off to show his manly torso (of course).

What a couple of plonkers. There was no sensible reason given for the two of them to be walking back to London through the woods. It was just .... stupid. The snake bite was the final straw f0r me.

I deleted the book before it got to the 'healing power of sex' bit which I am sure was going to make an appearance sooner rather than later. ;)
Profile Image for Holly Bargo.
Author 42 books145 followers
November 24, 2019
DNF - I just couldn't finish it

Assumptions, jumps to conclusions, incorrect tenses, and malapropisms combine to create a books that could be good, but isn't. And I couldn't get further than 28%. This story needs a good editor for more than mere copy editing. The plot and character development need help, too. Also, are there poisonous snakes in England?
Profile Image for Leigh.
192 reviews9 followers
September 2, 2018
Right off the bat, the prologue gives superb context for the story and created a desire in the reader to see each of the group of boys do well in their lives. "Touched by Fire" makes sense in a very literal way, as each of the boys was affected by the fire the experienced. But also in a more subtle way, in that this experience was hellish for them all, and once you've been touched by hell, you're never quite the same. Each of the boys was affected in a different manner, in a different part of themselves.

Jumping forward in their lives, the reader is introduced to an adult Ian and Claire. As children, their lives had intertwined as children's are whose siblings are friends. In this case, it was Claire's brother who was friends with Ian, and she was the quintessential "tag-along." In their present day, Claire harbors a great deal of hurt feelings toward Ian, who she had always secretly had a crush on. Something had happened in their childhood that caused him to suddenly change.

Coming back from a pleasant afternoon picnic, Ian and Claire - who are only sharing a carriage due to a last-minute change by her friend - are waylaid by highwaymen who rob them and leave them stranded. Having learned harsh lessons early in his life, Ian refuses to be daunted by a walk through the woods. At least not for himself. He is, however, very upset at this unpleasant turn of events for Claire. After all, he has long dreamed of marrying her, and seeing her scared, stressed, and miserable is the last thing he wants.

Ian's dedication to Claire and desire to see her happy and safe is truly heartwarming. He is a good man. Somehow, though he has clearly earned her ire, and he's really not sure how. The mystery of how these two can care so much about each other and yet keep slipping through each other's fingers makes for a charming and delightful read.

My favorite part of the story is the ending. I love how things work out and the attention to detail, remembering special moments, and celebrating love. It was a lovely read that made me excited to read the rest of the series.


Read this and more of my reviews at:
www.memoirsofabookwyrm.com
Profile Image for Bambing.
75 reviews3 followers
November 26, 2016
It was hard to finish this book. It was not coherent nor was it fluid. I felt like it was jumping all over the place. So were the two main characters. There was too much push and pull between them. While resistance and some conflict are always expected, there were too many instances in the story that I wanted to whack them upside the head and tell them to make up their minds. Maybe the story would have been better if it was shorter as that kind of conflict can only be used for so long in one story.

*Review is based on an ARC*
3,542 reviews14 followers
February 21, 2018
Embracing the Knight by Jenn Langston is a well-written historical romance. Ms. Langston has filled this story with fantastic characters. Ian and Claire are robbed by highwaymen and turned out of their carriage. The love each other but neither is aware of the other's feelings. There is plenty of drama, action, sizzle and bits of humor in this story to keep readers engaged. There was a point in the story where I wanted to roll my eyes and tell the characters to grow a backbone and tell the other how they feel. Embracing The Knight is book 1 of the Touched By Fire Series but can be read as a standalone. This is a complete story, not a cliff-hanger.
38 reviews
March 10, 2018
This was not my first book of the series .I had first come across Enslaving the Day and had loved it immensely .I was eager to learn about how Claire and Ian came about to be together. It was not bad but it was nothing compared to the 2nd book and with my pretty lofty expectations I was sorely dissapointed. There is this misunderstanding trope which keeps gong on and on and on until the end nearly. Both the H and h frustated me beyond belief and I cant believe I completed this .Some who have begun the series might like it but not me ,not after the beautifully woven story of Gordon and Annalise ,when I knew the author could do much better. That being said I still have not given upon the series yet.
Profile Image for Auj.
1,681 reviews118 followers
August 4, 2025
I've had this freebie on my Kindle forever; I don't know why it took me forever to read it.

This is a classic I-have-loved-you-for-years brother's best friend romance, but still enjoyable. I knew the two would end up together, but I didn't know how! Both were in love with the other, and had been for years, but of course, neither realized. They nearly married other people, too.

I really thought Claire & Ian made a great couple and can see them happily together for the rest of their days. I also really liked Claire's dad. His death & Ian's housekeeper's unrequited love were sad touches.
21 reviews
March 16, 2018
Extremely frustrating. JUST TELL HER YOU LOVE HER ALREADY. This whole thing could have been wrapped up in half the time, at least.

I really want to know what happens in the next book with Gordon and Annalise but I don’t know if I can put myself through the pain of it. If there’s a constant push and pull the ENTIRE BOOK like this one, I’ll lose my mind.
88 reviews
April 15, 2018
Review

This is a very good story, I love the fact you put a little of everything in your story, I will definitely keep reading your books, I also recommend this book to everyone who likes romance and just enough sex and a little mystery in a story, thank you for your story, I throughly enjoyed it
Profile Image for Lydia Timpson.
554 reviews4 followers
June 12, 2022
One honest conversation

That's all it would have taken. I understand that some miscommunication or crossed wires are expected in books like this but sometimes the characters go from a simple misunderstanding to being obtuse.
Here is an example.
If the two of them bothered to have one honest conversation they would have been married within days.
It got annoying by the end.
Profile Image for Cyrene Olson.
1,412 reviews18 followers
June 30, 2017
I really enjoyed this book and loved the sheer escape into Claire and The Viscount relationship. I read the sneak peak of book 2 and am already hooked. Reviewed by Jennifer

Full review at UncagedBooks.com
1,834 reviews3 followers
December 2, 2017
Average

This book is an average story. It became too mundane and repetitive with Claire leading Ian on and then turning him down. It should be shorter which would make it a better read.
Profile Image for Kbee.
1,532 reviews4 followers
February 26, 2018
Audible Romance Package

AUDIOBOOK: Listened February 24
7hrs 34min

Narrators: Charlotte Cole & Wiil M Watt(first time narrators)
Though it started with a bang after 3 hrs in I just couldn't get into it...no action and just some talk about reputations.
Profile Image for Lana Birky.
1,696 reviews23 followers
November 14, 2018
I enjoyed this book & the characters were great. The lack of communication drove me crazy at times but the book would not have worked if they did communicate! I highly recommend this read & am looking forward to the next book in the series.
4 reviews
February 25, 2018
Great read.

This is a great book. I enjoyed the historical aspect of the era. It was a fast read. I will be reading more in the future.
4,852 reviews8 followers
March 6, 2018
Romance novels

Thank you for these wonderful romance series. Please keep writing more of these wonderful books. Thank you very much for these books.
Profile Image for Kimberly.
729 reviews
August 22, 2018
I listened to the audiobook of this and it was fabulous!! The narrators were amazing, English accents and all!
220 reviews
February 20, 2020
The titles a bit of but that could be forgiven if the book wasn’t about teenage lust. 👎🏽
Profile Image for Rosario Barrera.
679 reviews2 followers
September 17, 2023
Misunderstandings abound

A very fun read about two people in total denial about being in love with each other. There’s friendship, also love unrequited- a lot of warring emotions.
Profile Image for Becka.
404 reviews5 followers
October 15, 2016
I usually love Jenn Langston but this book just seemed really rushed and half hearted. I didn't believe the love between the hero and heroine, it just didn't seem to appear. As for the complete disregard for behaviour during the mourning period, it was just not at all consistent with this era. All in all, a complete dissapointment.
Profile Image for Kathy Tozzi.
239 reviews9 followers
October 12, 2016
Embracing the Knight
Jenn Langston

This is the story of 3 childhood friends, Ian Caldwell, Marcus Hera and Gordon Ashford (Ian's best friend). The three of them were together in fun times as well as not so fun. An accident in their youth left the three of them scarred for life.
Now fast forward a few years, Ian now called Lord Knightly reconnects with Claire Ashford. Ian had had feelings for Claire as children but never thought to act on any of his feelings because of his best friend, her brother. Claire had also hid her crush on Ian from everyone, Ian was a womaniser she had no intention of becoming another of his conquests.
I really do not like giving spoilers for any books so I guess I should end here before I give things away.
* *This book was provided to me free in exchange for an honest review**
Actually this is the first book I have read from Jenn Langston but it will definitely not be my last. If you enjoy a nice historical type of romance, you should give her a try.
Profile Image for JR Maxwell.
399 reviews1 follower
December 19, 2020
This book was literally everything I look for in this genre. Hearts in my eyes.
Profile Image for Joan Osborne.
413 reviews
April 21, 2017
Conflicted

This book really had me conflicted. I had no problems with either Claire or Ian and genuinely liked them both but I felt the whole story was nothing but misunderstandings that could easily have been resolved if only they would have talked openly with each other. The more that I read, the more frustrated I got with the two of them. Some honesty about their feelings towards each other would have easily solved everything. I debated what rating to give this book before settling on three stars. As I stated, I really liked both Claire and Ian and I felt the chemistry between them throughout the story but I just want something more from a romance then two people who are just too afraid to say "I love you," and do nothing but misread each other. After a while of reading, I find it rather tedious. However, I would definitely give this author another go because her characters were fun and I would like to read about Ian's friends and see how the author develops their stories.
137 reviews2 followers
April 22, 2017
I did enjoy this book but it seemed to take forever to get to the end too much fuss and muss but a light hearted read
57 reviews
February 21, 2018
Boring, boring, boring!

Once I start a book I feel compelled to finish it but in this book I met my match ... I didn't get beyond the first three chapters before the story became totally tedious. What little plot there was, was unbelievable, the dialogue was boring and the hero and heroine devoid of character. The good news is, I got it free from Bookbub.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews

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