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Jamesville #6
By the Book
From the moment ex-military man Jonah Sutter sets his eyes on Amanda, he can’t get her out of his head He’s not a forever kind of guy, but taking it slow and easy goes out the window when someone breaks into her home and she’s hurt. Jonah decides to move himself into her house until the threat has passed.
Rare book dealer Amanda Barrington has moved to Jamesville to start a new life. The moving truck is barely out the drive when she meets Jonah. The imposing man sets her pulse racing, and when someone breaks into her home looking for a specific book, Jonah is the first in line to protect her. She has no idea who the assailant is or what book he wants. All she knows is she feels safe in Jonah’s arms, no matter how cynical and world wary he appears to the rest of the world.
Each book in the Jamesville series is a standalone story that can be enjoyed in any order.
216 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 25, 2008
7 people are currently reading
137 people want to read
About the author
N.J. Walters
170 books1,277 followersOnce upon a time N.J. had the idea that she would like to quit her job at the bookstore, sell everything she owned, leave her hometown, and write romance novels in a place where no one knew her. And she did. Two years later, she went back to the bookstore and her hometown and settled in for another seven years.
One day she gave notice at her job on a Friday morning. On Sunday afternoon, she received a tentative acceptance for her first erotic romance novel and life would never be the same.
N.J. Walters is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author who has always been a voracious reader, and now she spends her days writing novels of her own. Vampires, werewolves, dragons, time-travelers, seductive handymen, and next-door neighbors with smoldering good looks—all vie for her attention. It’s a tough life, but someone’s got to live it.
One day she gave notice at her job on a Friday morning. On Sunday afternoon, she received a tentative acceptance for her first erotic romance novel and life would never be the same.
N.J. Walters is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author who has always been a voracious reader, and now she spends her days writing novels of her own. Vampires, werewolves, dragons, time-travelers, seductive handymen, and next-door neighbors with smoldering good looks—all vie for her attention. It’s a tough life, but someone’s got to live it.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
September 7, 2009
By The Book was a nice, sweet, hot little read (212 quick-moving pages) with a 'feel good' vibe, and a small dash of suspense thrown in for good measure. This is book #6 of the Jamesville series (Jamesville is a small town in Maine), but it definitely can be read as a stand alone, even though a couple of characters from past books pop up. Nothing too challenging or hard to understand here, just a simple romance between a couple of likable characters who never thought they'd find someone they'd want to share the rest of their lives with.
Amanda Barrington has recently moved her rare book business to Jamesville, Maine, looking for a fresh start. Her elderly friend/employer/mentor has recently passed away, and he's left all his worldly goods, including his collection of rare books, to Amanda. Since there's no longer anything keeping her in Vermont (no family--she was a foster child; no real friends--she's a bit of a loner) she decides to pull up stakes and move to Jamesville (where she knows at least two people--Cydi and Shamus O'Rourke from The Seduction of Shamus O'Rourke) and set up her rare book business there. Amanda met Cyndi when she handled the library of Cyndi's late father's estate, and they immediately became fast friends. Now that Amanda has moved into her 'new' 100 year old house, she's ready to meet her first client who's bringing over some boxes of old hardcover books she hopes to sell. The client, Elizabeth Sutter, is a recent divorcee looking to clear out some memories of her past, and maybe make a buck or two. When Amanda answers a knock at the door, she's expecting to see Elizabeth. But what she comes face-to-face with is something out of her most erotic fantasies: midnight black, shoulder length hair, pale green eyes with dark, thick lashes, rugged face made up of angles and planes, hard, muscular sexy body, and a deep voice that sends shivers down her spine...the guy standing there takes her breath away. Turns out he's Elizabeth's brother Jonah (not boyfriend...thank you Lord), and he's single. And plans on staying that way.
Jonah's fresh from the military (Special Forces) after 15 years, home again in Jamesville after his father's death, and living at the family homestead with his recently divorced sister and niece. He thinks there's something very enticing about the curvy, red-headed Amanda, and she makes him think of some very wicked things he'd like to do to her, but he's hesistant to get involved. Amanda looks like a 'forever' kind of girl, and he's no 'forever' kind of man. The last time he got involved with a beautiful woman (5 years ago), it turned out she was an enemy spy trying to get military secrets out of him. Of course Amanda doesn't appear to be a con artist, but Jonah does want to make sure his sister doesn't get swindled. So he turns a cynical eye on the whole book buying/selling proceedings and is less than charming. But while his mind tells him to stay away from the pretty shopkeeper, his body is telling him something else...
Well, as Amanda continues to unpack and settle in, she notices that there's something wrong with the electricity in her old house as a couple of her outlets aren't working. She knew she should have read the inspection report more carefully--houses as old as hers are sure to have some problems, but she was in a hurry to close the deal and start her new life. So she calls Shamus (who's a contractor) to ask if he can recommend an electrician--and guess who he sends right over? That's right--hottie Jonah is coincidentally an electrician!
So once Jonah is back in Amanda's house, it doesn't take long for him to make his move (and this guy moves fast!). They share a hot kiss that leaves both of them reeling and wanting more. But Jonah makes sure that Amanda knows that although he wants her, he doesn't want a permanent relationship. Amanda's unsure and sends him away. Later that evening they have phone sex (yes!) which leaves her reeling--again. But while on the phone Amanda hears an intruder, goes to investigate (against Jonah's wishes) and is choked by a masked man who asks "Where's the book?"
And so begins the relationship between Amanda and Jonah. After Jonah saves her from the intruder (who flees), Amanda decides to throw caution to the wind and settle for an 'affair only' with Jonah (after all, they're two consenting adults, and life's too short, etc.) Jonah becomes super protective, does the electrical work in Amanda's house and basically doesn't leave her side. They have some wild, passionate sex unlike anything Amanda has ever experienced, get along great even out of the bedroom, and of course Amanda finds herself falling...in...love--how did that happen? She was determined she was going to protect her independent little heart! Now what will she do when Jonah (inevitably) wants to move on? Or will he?
This was a nice, sexy read, and the pages just flew right by. I liked both Amanda and Jonah, two cautious people when it came to love, although I felt that maybe their backstories could have been developed just a bit more. Another 50 pages might have helped. The suspense angle was not all that suspenseful. I knew who the intruder was and what he was after almost immediately--I just didn't know why--which the author lets us in on near the end of the book when the intruder makes another foolish attempt to get this rare book. One thing that bugged me after all was revealed was why this guy didn't just ask Amanda for this book. I mean even I came up with a plausible reason that he could have given Amanda about why he wanted the book--he didn't have to resort to such drastic measures. I guess what I'm saying is that the suspense part of the plot didn't work so well for me, other than to push Amanda and Jonah together (which did work for me).:)
Now, the heat factor? A little hotter than most contemporaries, but short of erotic. Yes, there were some naughty words and some steamy action, but nothing kinky or 'out there'--just some good, hot passion.
So to sum up: quick read, mild suspense, likable, romantic characters, hot but not kinky bedroom scenes, and nice HEA--in short, a 'feel good' romance. 4 stars
Amanda Barrington has recently moved her rare book business to Jamesville, Maine, looking for a fresh start. Her elderly friend/employer/mentor has recently passed away, and he's left all his worldly goods, including his collection of rare books, to Amanda. Since there's no longer anything keeping her in Vermont (no family--she was a foster child; no real friends--she's a bit of a loner) she decides to pull up stakes and move to Jamesville (where she knows at least two people--Cydi and Shamus O'Rourke from The Seduction of Shamus O'Rourke) and set up her rare book business there. Amanda met Cyndi when she handled the library of Cyndi's late father's estate, and they immediately became fast friends. Now that Amanda has moved into her 'new' 100 year old house, she's ready to meet her first client who's bringing over some boxes of old hardcover books she hopes to sell. The client, Elizabeth Sutter, is a recent divorcee looking to clear out some memories of her past, and maybe make a buck or two. When Amanda answers a knock at the door, she's expecting to see Elizabeth. But what she comes face-to-face with is something out of her most erotic fantasies: midnight black, shoulder length hair, pale green eyes with dark, thick lashes, rugged face made up of angles and planes, hard, muscular sexy body, and a deep voice that sends shivers down her spine...the guy standing there takes her breath away. Turns out he's Elizabeth's brother Jonah (not boyfriend...thank you Lord), and he's single. And plans on staying that way.
Jonah's fresh from the military (Special Forces) after 15 years, home again in Jamesville after his father's death, and living at the family homestead with his recently divorced sister and niece. He thinks there's something very enticing about the curvy, red-headed Amanda, and she makes him think of some very wicked things he'd like to do to her, but he's hesistant to get involved. Amanda looks like a 'forever' kind of girl, and he's no 'forever' kind of man. The last time he got involved with a beautiful woman (5 years ago), it turned out she was an enemy spy trying to get military secrets out of him. Of course Amanda doesn't appear to be a con artist, but Jonah does want to make sure his sister doesn't get swindled. So he turns a cynical eye on the whole book buying/selling proceedings and is less than charming. But while his mind tells him to stay away from the pretty shopkeeper, his body is telling him something else...
Well, as Amanda continues to unpack and settle in, she notices that there's something wrong with the electricity in her old house as a couple of her outlets aren't working. She knew she should have read the inspection report more carefully--houses as old as hers are sure to have some problems, but she was in a hurry to close the deal and start her new life. So she calls Shamus (who's a contractor) to ask if he can recommend an electrician--and guess who he sends right over? That's right--hottie Jonah is coincidentally an electrician!
So once Jonah is back in Amanda's house, it doesn't take long for him to make his move (and this guy moves fast!). They share a hot kiss that leaves both of them reeling and wanting more. But Jonah makes sure that Amanda knows that although he wants her, he doesn't want a permanent relationship. Amanda's unsure and sends him away. Later that evening they have phone sex (yes!) which leaves her reeling--again. But while on the phone Amanda hears an intruder, goes to investigate (against Jonah's wishes) and is choked by a masked man who asks "Where's the book?"
And so begins the relationship between Amanda and Jonah. After Jonah saves her from the intruder (who flees), Amanda decides to throw caution to the wind and settle for an 'affair only' with Jonah (after all, they're two consenting adults, and life's too short, etc.) Jonah becomes super protective, does the electrical work in Amanda's house and basically doesn't leave her side. They have some wild, passionate sex unlike anything Amanda has ever experienced, get along great even out of the bedroom, and of course Amanda finds herself falling...in...love--how did that happen? She was determined she was going to protect her independent little heart! Now what will she do when Jonah (inevitably) wants to move on? Or will he?
This was a nice, sexy read, and the pages just flew right by. I liked both Amanda and Jonah, two cautious people when it came to love, although I felt that maybe their backstories could have been developed just a bit more. Another 50 pages might have helped. The suspense angle was not all that suspenseful. I knew who the intruder was and what he was after almost immediately--I just didn't know why--which the author lets us in on near the end of the book when the intruder makes another foolish attempt to get this rare book. One thing that bugged me after all was revealed was why this guy didn't just ask Amanda for this book. I mean even I came up with a plausible reason that he could have given Amanda about why he wanted the book--he didn't have to resort to such drastic measures. I guess what I'm saying is that the suspense part of the plot didn't work so well for me, other than to push Amanda and Jonah together (which did work for me).:)
Now, the heat factor? A little hotter than most contemporaries, but short of erotic. Yes, there were some naughty words and some steamy action, but nothing kinky or 'out there'--just some good, hot passion.
So to sum up: quick read, mild suspense, likable, romantic characters, hot but not kinky bedroom scenes, and nice HEA--in short, a 'feel good' romance. 4 stars
April 7, 2012
The sixth installment in the Jamesville series, By The Book tells the story of former Army (Special Forces) operative Jonah Sutter, who was introduced in A Legal Affair, and antiquarian and rare books dealer Amanda Barrington, who was introduced in The Seduction of Shamus O'Rourke.
After the death of her elderly mentor and grandfather figure Seymour Morton, who'd unexpectedly made her the beneficiary of his entire estate, Amanda Barrington has packed her old life in Vermont and moved to Jamesville, ready to start a new chapter in her life. Having spent most of her formative years being shuffled from foster home to foster home, Seymour was the only family Amanda has ever known. Now that he's gone and she's alone again, she feels a change of scenery is due and Jamesville, where her friend Cyndi (the heroine in The Seduction of Shamus O'Rourke) lives, is the place to start anew. She's barely moved into her new home when a tall, dark and handsome man comes knocking on her door... Oh yes, moving to Jamesville was the best move she's ever made, all right!
The man on Amanda's doorstep is Jonah Sutter, an ex-military man who was born in Jamesville but has only been back to his hometown a few months ago, after dedicating the last fifteen years to the Army. He's instantly attracted to Amanda, but he doesn't do relationships and doesn't want anything permanent. He knows she's a forever kind of woman, and therefore "dangerous" to his bachelor ways, but that doesn't stop him from trying to convince her to have a temporary affair with him. At first, Amanda is wary of getting involved with Jonah, because she isn't sure her heart can survive an affair with him, but when she's almost killed in an attempted robbery of her newly opened bookstore, she realizes life is too short and decides to give in to her attraction to Jonah and enjoy their affair for as long as it lasts. But will this be enough for her? Will she be able to prevent her heart from breaking when their affair ends? For she's sure it will end eventually. Won't it?
After being somewhat disappointed with the previous book, A Legal Affair, I'm happy to say that this series is back on track with By The Book. Jonah and Amanda were very likable, and their falling in love was believable. Their loves scenes were hot and, thankfully, not kinky at all. Sometimes sweet and classic vanilla is all I want... ;)
The story was fast paced and entertaining, but the mystery/suspense regarding who attacked Amanda was very simplistic. It was pretty obvious who the "perp" was and his actions didn't make much sense, but since that wasn't really the main focus of the story, I let it go.
All in all, this was a very enjoyable and easy read. I really like the "feel good" atmosphere that's part of the Jamesville series, and these books have become comfort reads to me. Well done again, Ms. Walters! :)
After the death of her elderly mentor and grandfather figure Seymour Morton, who'd unexpectedly made her the beneficiary of his entire estate, Amanda Barrington has packed her old life in Vermont and moved to Jamesville, ready to start a new chapter in her life. Having spent most of her formative years being shuffled from foster home to foster home, Seymour was the only family Amanda has ever known. Now that he's gone and she's alone again, she feels a change of scenery is due and Jamesville, where her friend Cyndi (the heroine in The Seduction of Shamus O'Rourke) lives, is the place to start anew. She's barely moved into her new home when a tall, dark and handsome man comes knocking on her door... Oh yes, moving to Jamesville was the best move she's ever made, all right!
The man on Amanda's doorstep is Jonah Sutter, an ex-military man who was born in Jamesville but has only been back to his hometown a few months ago, after dedicating the last fifteen years to the Army. He's instantly attracted to Amanda, but he doesn't do relationships and doesn't want anything permanent. He knows she's a forever kind of woman, and therefore "dangerous" to his bachelor ways, but that doesn't stop him from trying to convince her to have a temporary affair with him. At first, Amanda is wary of getting involved with Jonah, because she isn't sure her heart can survive an affair with him, but when she's almost killed in an attempted robbery of her newly opened bookstore, she realizes life is too short and decides to give in to her attraction to Jonah and enjoy their affair for as long as it lasts. But will this be enough for her? Will she be able to prevent her heart from breaking when their affair ends? For she's sure it will end eventually. Won't it?
After being somewhat disappointed with the previous book, A Legal Affair, I'm happy to say that this series is back on track with By The Book. Jonah and Amanda were very likable, and their falling in love was believable. Their loves scenes were hot and, thankfully, not kinky at all. Sometimes sweet and classic vanilla is all I want... ;)
The story was fast paced and entertaining, but the mystery/suspense regarding who attacked Amanda was very simplistic. It was pretty obvious who the "perp" was and his actions didn't make much sense, but since that wasn't really the main focus of the story, I let it go.
All in all, this was a very enjoyable and easy read. I really like the "feel good" atmosphere that's part of the Jamesville series, and these books have become comfort reads to me. Well done again, Ms. Walters! :)
October 18, 2016
Insta everything. Very steamy. I think this one is my most favorite after The Return of Patrick O'Rourke.
March 2, 2019
The sixth book in the Jamesville series by N.J. Walters. Amanda Barrington moves to Jamesville and expands her book selling business. She is good friends with Shamus and Cyndi. When a new client brings her some old books to sell she meets Jonah Sutter, her client's brother. Later, when she discovers her house has electrical problems, Jonah shows up to fix the issues. Meanwhile, someone breaks into her house and seems to be looking for something.
I have enjoyed this series and it was nice to revisit it. I don't know why I didn't grab this ages ago and read it but now I have and I enjoyed it too. It is a bit on the spicy side but that didn't effect the story for me at all. Sometimes, too many or too explicit sex scenes bother me but this didn't.
I have enjoyed this series and it was nice to revisit it. I don't know why I didn't grab this ages ago and read it but now I have and I enjoyed it too. It is a bit on the spicy side but that didn't effect the story for me at all. Sometimes, too many or too explicit sex scenes bother me but this didn't.
June 2, 2009
Taking the chance of a lifetime, single and starting a business in a new town, antiquarian Amanda Barrington gets down to business trying to sort out the mess that is her house and home.
Before she’s even had a chance to unpack the coffee pot, her first customer was at the door. Excited at the prospect of digging into her passion she opens the door to a man who’s all man and promptly forgot everything else.
Ex-military and not very trusting, Jonah Sutter, having just come back to small town Jamesville, finds himself instantly attracted to the new business owner who stood on the other side of the door to him. Helping out family he hardly expects to find romance at the beginning of the day.
With the temperature sizzling between them, they are brought back to earth when Amanda realizes she needs Jonah for more than just overhauling her electrical system – but also to protect her from the unknown danger that has just entered her life.
Jonah is not big on commitment, but when someone dares touch Amanda he breaks all his rules and sets out to protect her – little did he know that his heart was more at risk than he even realized.
It’s always a pleasure returning to Jamesville and on this our sixth visit with Ms. Walters; we are treated to nothing less than same small town madness, pettiness and downright vindictiveness. Amanda and Jonah are classic Walters’s creation, two people not ready to commit but who have little or no power to stop the emotional rollercoaster - love.
Amanda and Jonah are both likable protagonist, they are compatible in so many ways, but with life experience and challenges, one wants to embrace the unfamiliar and have someone to call her own, while the other has move around and on to the next thing for so long it’s second nature to him and he can’t imagine anything else.
BY THE BOOK is a thrilling read with some of the usual suspects making an entrance and new people are introduced to us from the Jamesville community. Ms. Walters’s fictional community is a wonderful town to which I am always eager to return.
Before she’s even had a chance to unpack the coffee pot, her first customer was at the door. Excited at the prospect of digging into her passion she opens the door to a man who’s all man and promptly forgot everything else.
Ex-military and not very trusting, Jonah Sutter, having just come back to small town Jamesville, finds himself instantly attracted to the new business owner who stood on the other side of the door to him. Helping out family he hardly expects to find romance at the beginning of the day.
With the temperature sizzling between them, they are brought back to earth when Amanda realizes she needs Jonah for more than just overhauling her electrical system – but also to protect her from the unknown danger that has just entered her life.
Jonah is not big on commitment, but when someone dares touch Amanda he breaks all his rules and sets out to protect her – little did he know that his heart was more at risk than he even realized.
It’s always a pleasure returning to Jamesville and on this our sixth visit with Ms. Walters; we are treated to nothing less than same small town madness, pettiness and downright vindictiveness. Amanda and Jonah are classic Walters’s creation, two people not ready to commit but who have little or no power to stop the emotional rollercoaster - love.
Amanda and Jonah are both likable protagonist, they are compatible in so many ways, but with life experience and challenges, one wants to embrace the unfamiliar and have someone to call her own, while the other has move around and on to the next thing for so long it’s second nature to him and he can’t imagine anything else.
BY THE BOOK is a thrilling read with some of the usual suspects making an entrance and new people are introduced to us from the Jamesville community. Ms. Walters’s fictional community is a wonderful town to which I am always eager to return.
June 25, 2025
My favorite of this series so far.
July 23, 2015
Too short and insta-love.
February 19, 2017
I love Jamesville
N.J. Walters goes from sweet to sexy in the Jamesville series. Amanda and Jonah are my favorite couple, and I enjoy the story line that they go through together.
N.J. Walters goes from sweet to sexy in the Jamesville series. Amanda and Jonah are my favorite couple, and I enjoy the story line that they go through together.
November 1, 2014
First read: November 2013
Reread: October 2014
Reread: October 2014
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews