Tempting Torment

By: Jo Goodman

Narrated by: Jill Tanner

Length: 17 hrs and 8 mins

Publisher's summary

Jo Goodman's best-selling novels of romance and adventure unite brave, beautiful women with their charismatic soul mates. Tempting Torment tells the breathtaking story of Jessa Winter and Noah McClellan. In 1787, desperate to leave England, Jessa marries the mortally wounded Noah expecting to become his widow and escape to America. But she hasn't counted on his will to survive - nor his desire to make her his wife in body as well as name.

©1989 Jo Dobrzanski (P)2003 Recorded Books,LLC

Turn about rating

I liked the story overall and although it was long I found it enjoyable. Started slow and a bit ordinary like most other books but after about 30 minutes it picked up speed and became more engaging. Although I enjoyed the book the story is somewhat Cinderella like in that it’s unrealistic and yet fun to listen to. For that reason I cannot give it a 4.

Better than expected.

It took me a while to get into this book but once I did, it was worth it! The heroine's devotion to doing the right thing and the hero's determination to see things through helped me hang on too.
I will give another one of her books a try.

Fun story

I liked this story. I was able to listen while cleaning and was kept entertained. I liked the narrator as well!

Romantic, engaging, enthralling!

Any additional comments?

The story is well written with romantic attraction, impossible obstacles, forgiveness, and revenge. The characters are human, frustrating, adorable, and redeemable. There is all kinds of love; romantic, sexual, family, parental. And all kinds of selfishness, hatred, and resentment. Jo Goodman writes a wonderful, complete romantic tale -- there is none better.

I'd forgotten what a great book this is...

My personal benchmark for a good book has always been whether or not I would read it again. Some books are actually better the second, or even third time around. Tempting Torment is one of them.

I left this one on my "shelf" for longer than usual because it isn't really my favorite time period. I generally prefer Regency or early Victorian settings. This one is set after the Revolutionary War, with a hero who is involved in re-writing the Articles of Confederation.

It begins in England with a heroine desperate to save an infant heir from an unscrupulous pair of guardians, moves to America and includes just about everything anyone might want to see in a period romance novel. Highwaymen, a nasty ex-fiancee, a huge loving family in the background, a hero behaving like a jackass, and a long suffering heroine - not to mention a background written so well that you feel as if you are there.

I hope the author will make more of her books available on audio - and you will, too after you hear this one.

DNF - Mild spoilers ahead.

The narrator did a good job. Her voice had good inflection and differeniated the various characters well.

The low rating was for the writing. I tired of the constant back and forth squabbling and selfish attitudes of the lead characters. By Chapter 13, they were having "angry" sex which is not something I enjoy reading about in a romance novel. He wanted the use of her body. his "wh*re" as he put it and she bent to his demands to get what she wanted but removed herself emotionally. This went on for several nights. Ewww ... she wasn't the only one who felt the need to scrub herself clean afterwards; I felt the need myself after reading it.

Furthermore, there were inconsistencies in the writing. The first time the couple have sex, she is a virgin and is not sure of herself. The second time, she is a sexual "lioness" and pleasures him without any instruction from him. Very unlikely. He also claims to be concerned about the possibility of her making him an accessory in whatever crime she is involved in which is another unlikely scenario. There is also continuous incongruencies in their feelings for each other which just doesn't make sense to me. It reminded me of the childhood game of plucking daisy petals, "He loves me, he loves me not" but in a cruel way.

I feel the need to cleanse my literary palate so am moving on to a good romance story. I am not invested in reading further about two irredeemable people. I DNF at Chapter 13 and will not be downloading this author again. I regret the waste of time.

a liar and a idiot

what a struggle to finish this book the story didn't held my attention I find it dull and long I hate liars so it's a no go for me the narrator aww put me to sleep