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McClellan Brothers #3

Tempting Torment

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False Pretenses

Desperate to escape to America with her life—and that of the infant in her arms—Jessa Winter quickly weds a mortally wounded man, planning to flee England as his widow. She doesn't count on Noah McClellan's will to live—or his determination to make her deliver on all of their marriage vows. But baby Gideon and her own hidden secrets must be protected— even as Noah's passionate demands tempt her to trust him with everything: the truth, her life, and her heart.

Lead To True Passions

Noah has every intention of getting his due from the cunning female who's played him for a fool. As they sail for America, he is torn between outrage and growing tenderness for this beautiful woman he now calls wife. Jessa's recklessness nearly cost him his life—yet he cannot fight the burgeoning desire to tease and tempt her into sharing more than just his name.

445 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1989

201 people are currently reading
257 people want to read

About the author

Jo Goodman

60 books479 followers
To find characters to illustrate my first family saga, I cut out models from the Sears catalogue. I was in fourth grade, but it was a start. In seventh grade I wrote a melodrama about two orphan sisters, one of whom was pregnant. There was also a story about a runaway girl with the unlikely name of Strawberry and one about mistaken identities and an evil blind date. My supportive, but vaguely concerned parents, sighed with relief when I announced I was going to write children's books. They bought me an electric typewriter and crossed their fingers, but somehow PASSION'S BRIDE came out. No one was really surprised.
I graduated from Indiana University of Pennsylvania with a major in biology and a minor in chemistry and some notion that I would do marine research. Years of competitive swimming didn't help me anticipate seasickness. A career change seemed in order. I began working with adolescents and families, first as a childcare worker and later, after graduating from West Virginia University with a master's degree in counseling, as a therapist. I am currently the executive director of a child caring/mental health agency and find my work and my writing often compliment each other. One grounds me in reality and the other offers a break from it.

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5 stars
153 (39%)
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135 (34%)
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76 (19%)
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21 (5%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
Profile Image for K..
96 reviews16 followers
December 19, 2009
This review is mostly to comment on what an audio reader gives or takes away from a book. I definitely got the feeling this book would have been better (probably 4 stars) had I read it myself.

Jill Tanner is consistently irritating in her reading of books for me. Here's a rundown of things she does that irritate the heck out of me and ruin a book (many good ones):

1) Her male voices sound too feminine. That said, she still manages to give them an unfemininely annoying quality. Even though they aren't deep enough to resonate as a man without adding too much of my own imagination, they are dintinctly gruff and nasally. It's disconcerting to add this much of my own "ignore reader" factor to get past it and stay focused on the writer's work itself.

2) Her females sound too old for their ages. A lot of readers have this problem for me. Many times the narrator is an older woman, and older women's voices tend to drop a bit from when they were younger. Many great readers can give their voice a bit higher note without sounding squeaky to get by this problem. It's quite markedly lacking with Tanner when her heroine is supposed to be 20-22 years old, yet sounds 40-50. It's just another quality that takes away from the book.

3) She has little to no voice inflection change to each of the characters, unless she throws on a heavy cockney accent to some of them. In this one, the hero was an American, but he sounded like any other British character in the story. I understood that people in America in the late 1700's may very well have had British accents still, but his character was born and raised in America, and the accent was as heavy as ever. She should have at least toned it down.

4) In this one, Tanner did what is my number 1 pet peeve on narrators, which was she made them all sound fairly cynical and unlikeable in her delivery. The hero sounds perpetually pissed off at everyone and everything with the voice inflections she gives him. Goodman can walk a fine line anyway with how antagonistic she can write her characters, and Tanner made me hate this hero, even when I started realizing toward the end of the middle that the book was getting better. I was having to REALLY edify my listening to get past her rendition of the hero (especially). Neither hero nor heroine were that likeable to begin with through half the book due to her narration. Noah treated the heroine with overwhelming distain for her lying, and Jessa, well . . . lied at every turn to him over and over, which even wore me out! With this type of premise, I felt it was ESSENTIAL that the reader should put a LOT of empathy into the delivery of each character so that I, the listener, could at least try to appreciate where they were coming from and why they were so validated in their positions and reactions. Instead, Tanner made the hero so "gumpy and grouchy," and just plain MEAN to the heroine SO MUCH, that I hated him and didn't feel a scrap of sympathy for his position. It didn't make any sense that I should be that unfeeling for him when the heroine was lying her pants off and deceiving him CONSTANTLY. She was supposed to have very good reasons for doing so, but agian, no empathy injection into the character by the reader, just left me feeling cold.

4) Spots where the H/h were supposed to be having fun (FINALLY -- and this is a REEEALLLY LOOONNNNGGG book) she gave no lightness or fun spark sounds to at all. Just didn't make me believe it.

5) Finally, is it possible to make a villainous sound like a total biddy, to the point where I hated her more than I even should have? She was described as startlingly beautiful and haughty. Instead she just sounded like an "old biddy." It was all wrong. Tanner should have made her sound "beautiful and sly" instead. She was way off the mark for this character.

Audiobooks are ALL ABOUT the reader's acting abilities, because they are not like reading a book yourself. They are like listening to a very long movie. A really talented reader can turn a so-so book into a fantastic experience, and likewise a crummy reader can make a decent book cringe-worthy. Tanner's delivery is just flat out annoying.

I remember when I bought this book thinking I probably should skip it when I saw that Jill Tanner was the reader. I've barely gotten by her renditions of better books than this before, but I tend to like Jo Goodman, and the pickings for historical romances are getting slim for me (I've listened to a lot of audiobooks). Historical romances are my favorites, so I thought I'd give her one more shot. AARRG! Never again. I've had it with this reader, and if I really want to experience any other books I see she's the narrator on . . . I'll just buy the book and read it myself!

3, maybe 3.5 stars for Jo Goodman's writing; 1 star for Jill Tanner's annoyingly consistent delivery!

Note to self: Put Tanner as narrator into the same file as Laurel Merlington -- "Avoid like the Plague!"
K.
Profile Image for Keri.
2,103 reviews121 followers
February 26, 2015
I love Jo Goodman, but this dated book was difficult to get through. I got whiplash from the hero's emotional bipolar actions throughout most of the book. Heck I wanted to jump overboard with the heroine to get away from him...better yet, push him over. The last 1/4 of the book was the best part of the book, but really couldn't save the rating.
Profile Image for FliesInMyEyes.
21 reviews17 followers
July 22, 2018
I would give five stars to Jo Goodman's skill as a writer and a story teller, but this book made me want to break things. This was not a love story; This was a study of the "nice guy" condition and what happens when the "nice guy" thinks a woman is laughing at him.


It also illuminates how a misstreated woman winds up internalizing her partner's contempt of her and develops affection for her abuser. I thank Goodman for taking me on this journey. I'll definitely be less trigger happy in the future to ask, "why didn't she just leave?"
Profile Image for Space Cowgirl.
4,133 reviews144 followers
June 28, 2022
Too Tormented 💔 with Head Games
I really disliked this ADULT historical novel that takes place both in England and in the newly independent America.

The characters dislike each other, distrust each other, and treat each other like trash. Noah, the main male character tries to give nefarious ulterior motives to everything his wife does and everything she says.
I did not enjoy this kind of relationship throughout most of the book.
Profile Image for Margaret Watkins.
3,547 reviews88 followers
February 1, 2018
Noah is the calm, peace loving brother with an inconvenient tendency towards seasickness. It is therefore almost cruel that his family voted him as the most suitable candidate to undertake an inspection of his in-laws' properties in England. Next to seasickness, Noah also dislikes rocking carriages, but on this particular journey he is distracted by Jessa and her son Gideon, a journey that results in him almost losing his life and culminates in a marriage that he can't really remember. It galls Noah to realise that he was coerced into marriage, even if his wife is very much to his liking. When he decides to take his new wife with him back to America, his reasons aren't immediately clear, even to himself. However he does realise that Jessa has an urgent need to remove herself and her baby from England and that she is in danger. For the most part Noah acted out of character, however he has never been in a situation such as this before and he's not exactly sure what he is dealing with. In the process he hurts Jessa, but without the facts he finds himself on a slippery slope. When Noah gets his new bride and son home, truths are revealed and he has to review his stance. There were a number of gaps in this story but they were dealt with in ensuing explanations which kept the reader in the loop. The story is well written with adventure and intrigue and a number of characters from previous books in this series were reintroduced to the reader. Despite being part of a series, this book can be read as a stand alone and does come to a satisfactory ending. I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily post this review. This is my honest review.
162 reviews3 followers
February 1, 2018
The 3rd & final book in the McClellans trilogy...well done JO ....u presented all d stories in dis trilogy superbly... all d 3 books could be read as standalone stories still d connect was never broken...kuddos to u dis book also turned out good in ur kitty...

Another gripping romantic adventure involving the McClellans. this story is about Noah McClellan who is in England to manage his brother and sister-in laws estates and Jessa Winter a lady who becomes a nanny due to circumstances ...she is On the run with the heir of an Estate, his life in danger from his guardian who wants the baby dead. As his nanny she’ll do anything to protect him. Noah is unknowingly dragged into her scheme of things & gets married to her...

Both of dem fall in love on d way to america...all d elements r present in d book . There’s intrigue, deception, kidnapping, romance , action, adventure , passion , sex , highway men angle ... the author Jo has successfully scriptted dis book ...it is fast paced not boring at all ... the plot is well developed & written sowell dat i read d book in one sitting as it was very captivating...

Jo has a very good penmanship & her story concepts r fresh... i loved all d 3 books in d series & not a single book disappointed me ...it is worth a read ...i would recommend it as it is a must read, i would like to read more of JO's books...

“I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily review this book. This is my honest review."






Profile Image for Yvonne.
250 reviews1 follower
February 10, 2018
One of the things I liked about this book was that it is long. It gave me as a reader the chance to get to know the characters more in depth rather than just a surface knowledge of them. I couldn't put the book down because I wanted to find out what happened in the end.
We first meet Jessa Winter when she is a nanny. We see down the road what exactly happens to her in that position. She meets Noah McClellan on a stage coach where he gets injured. When she thinks he is dying she ends up marrying him so that she can escape her past as his widow and get out of the country. Most of the story we get to learn more of both of the characters. Noah McClellan is there from America to take care of some business for his family. He thinks it is going to be a quick easy trip but it turns out to be nothing like what he expected to happen.
Jessa Winter is smart and quick thinking except where Noah McClellan is concerned. And the same goes for him about Jessa. Noah is otherwise and easy going guy from what we are told, that his family considers him the level headed one of the bunch. That is why it is interesting to see him unnerved by Jessa on their trip across the Ocean. Both Jessa and Noah seemed like real people with faults rather than the stereotypical perfect romance novel people. I liked that. Sometimes both characters seemed a little crazy but that tends to be life. There was a villain or two. The McClellan family is a great group of characters.
I have not read the other books in this series. I will now have to go find them because I liked this one. I did manage to keep up with this book as a stand alone fine.
I received this book for free from ebook discovery. I voluntarily review this book. This is my honest review.
Profile Image for Maria Dariotis .
783 reviews17 followers
January 29, 2018
The final in the McClellans trilogy, focuses on Noah McClellan and Jessa Winter. On the run with the heir of an Estate, his life in danger from his guardian who wants the baby dead. As his nanny she’ll do anything to protect him.

Pretending she’s a widow the opportunity arises to marry a man on deaths door, and travel to America as his widow. Unfortunately for her he survived and now she’s married to a man she knows nothing about....except that he’s trustworthy, incredibly handsome and she’s extremely attracted to him.

Noah McClellan was in England to manage his brother and sister-in laws estates everything was going according to plan until it wasn’t. He fell into lust with a widow in a carriage was shot by bandits and married and angel. What he didn’t expect was to fall in love with the woman that was making his life difficult.

An amazing story that keeps you wanting more! There’s intrigue, deception, and kidnapping. Emotional and passionate keep the reader on a roller coaster ride that keep one glued to every single page.

I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily review this book. This is my honest review.
221 reviews
July 17, 2021
Wow! Another Great story by Jo Goodman! I loved the main characters, Jessica Winters and Noah McClellan! Jessica Winters had no choice but to save the child she loved dearly! She has to lie and steal. She took drastic measures and had help from her friends below her "station" in life. Noah McClellan, being a lawyer, was “selected” to make the trip to England on behalf of his sister and brother's spouses to manage and settle affairs with their Estates. Noah and his fiancé were ready to marry but since she detests the British because of the war, the wedding will be held when Noah returns. He didn't want to go but he finally relented and made the trip. He ends up being wounded and becomes entangled in the web of lies Jessica Winters has created. Needless to say, it was a messy affair for both Jessica and Noah but in the end a family is created and love conquers all. You will have to read the story to see how everything unfolds. I loved it!
2,440 reviews29 followers
February 16, 2018
This was another adventure packed story in this enjoyable series. It has secrets, intrigue, revenge and some romance. I did feel the pace was slow at times but this didn’t stop me reading until the end. I can’t say I immediately took to Jessica as not only did she use Noah at a time of his physical weakness but also lied consistently. It was good to catch up with the rest of the McClellan family but this can easily be read as a standalone. I received a copy from eBooks Discovery and have voluntarily and honestly reviewed it.
2 reviews8 followers
April 11, 2021
Listened to it online. Great narrator! I really liked the story, the characters, the choice of words, the style. Doesn’t assume that people who read these kind of stories aren’t educated and don’t expect a certain standard. My first book of this kind. I enjoy historical fiction in general. My only question is why does the cover have to be so abhorrently ugly? Would have never ever checked the book out if I hadn’t chosen the audio version. PLEASE update the cover, it’s a story of substance and not a trash novel! Otherwise 5 stars
2,102 reviews38 followers
January 30, 2018
4.5 stars ~ Another gripping romantic adventure involving the McClellans. The courage of a defenseless baby's nanny to preserve the infant's life from his greedy guardians and the lengths she took to keep him alive, to the extent of deceiving Noah MCClellan into marriage and leave England under his protection. What I can't help but react to is the pathetic and tragic character of Hilary Bowen. Her wealth and beauty did not save her from becoming the spoil of war by the British occupation in Philadelphia and her father's neglect and indifference to what happened to her did not help either. Instead her experience has warped her perception/reason and Noah's rejection was the final straw. The author has managed to create characters and situations that are not only credible and relatable but also empathic. Oh, there is humor, too... so a well~rounded and solid work.

P.S. ~ "I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily post this review. This is my honest review."
Profile Image for Cindy.
114 reviews
February 18, 2018
I have always been a big fan of Jo Goodman which I have read many of. Though there are three books in this series this is the first book I have read in the series and I enjoyed every minute of it. I adjusted wanted to keep turning the pages to see where Noah and Jessa ended in the end. Great read.

I received this book for an honest review from e-book discovery.
Profile Image for Katie Thompson.
361 reviews1 follower
February 19, 2018
I really enjoyed this book. There were plenty of twists and turns. The book was long enough to let the story build and flow. The characters were well developed, even though at times you may want to smack Noah or shake Jessa.

I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily review this book. This is my honest review.
Profile Image for Laurla2.
2,614 reviews9 followers
Read
January 10, 2021
slow beginning, or maybe it was just being in jail made it difficult to get into. but i enjoyed the story even though it was something i wouldn't normally have picked otherwise. still, i could have done without the ridiculous references to noah helping write the constitution and all the names of famous people.
488 reviews
February 8, 2023
Goodman, for the love of God,

if you are going to start with a premise like that
cant you please make sure you are writing credible angst?

please just make a dare to yourself to not write any body betrayal as well and a heroine that doesnt become stupid when next do the hero


christ.....
15 reviews
January 26, 2018
Excellent conclusion to an awesome trilogy. Once again Jo Goodman brilliantly weaves her plot keeping the reader turning pages well into the night. I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily review this book. This is my honest review.
879 reviews3 followers
February 19, 2018
This is a well written romance with mystery, and plenty of twist and turns. The characters are interesting and well developed. I enjoyed reading this book. It is the first I have read from this author and I plan to read the others in the series.
Profile Image for Lori Morris.
109 reviews1 follower
June 29, 2021
Always excellent!

Jo Goodman books are always excellent! I'm a sucker for stories with a baby. Adam/Gideon is a delight! Wonderful characters. You won't be disappointed. Happy reading! LoriKatt~
Profile Image for Terryan.
742 reviews
April 21, 2023
Good story as it kept me interested and entertained. A reasonable amount of action, romance and angst. I guess I had better read the other books in the series as I started with this one first, my mistake.
Profile Image for Nostalgic .
209 reviews1 follower
March 17, 2019
Great

A good read. Full of adventure and love. Liked the characters and there vulnerable sides. Loved the mischief of baby Gideon, had me laughing in parts. Good read
645 reviews12 followers
March 27, 2020
This was an interesting story. I liked the characters mostly, but the way Noah treated Jessa got a bit old. The chapters are very long. What I didn't care for was the descriptive sex scenes.
Profile Image for Marjorie.
2,099 reviews4 followers
April 7, 2020
Beautiful story

This was a good story from the beginning until the end. Noah and Jessa were faithful through all their trials.
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