Captain Jack's Woman

The Bastion Club Novels

By: Stephanie Laurens

Narrated by: McCallister Lee

Length: 13 hrs and 13 mins

Publisher's Summary

They meet in a clash of swords, drenched in the moonlight of Britain's rugged eastern coast: Captain Jack, his handsome features etched in silver and shadow, his powerful physique compelling "Kit" Cranmer to surrender. He is her dream lover come vividly alive, and his command of the smuggling gang is absolute. His all-knowing gaze penetrates her disguise as the male leader of a rival gang with frightening ease, and his "punishment" with kisses leaves her maidenly modesty in tatters. Suddenly Kit finds she's only too delighted to explore with Jack the pleasures conventionally reserved for married ladies - little knowing what dangerous forces she's unleashing, for even as Kit revels in midnight gallops and cottage rendezvous, Captain Jack is laying a gentle trap that will curtail her freedom and bind her to him with a ring, a promise - and ties of devotion and desire.

©2013 Stephanie Laurens (P)2013 Blackstone Audio

THE BEST KIND OF ROMANCE!

This book is such a sumptuous read! It’s like eating your favorite, most exotic fruit one juicy bite at a time! After reading the synopsis of the book, I thought I was in for a story about smuggling gangs in the rookeries of London, or something of that sort…but this fantastic story was far more (and far from that initial image). This story takes place in the beautiful countryside of Norfolk, England during tumultuous times between France & England, as both countries are at war with one another. Yet, the main characters are, in fact, aristocrats involved in underground, clandestine activities during the danger of the night. Both of our leads have gotten involved in managing smuggling gangs for different reasons. I think that’s one of the most interesting aspects of this book---aristocrats by day, and smugglers by night! How exciting is that???

THE HEROINE:
Lady Kathryn Cranmer, otherwise known as “Kit” is such a likeable heroine! She is a maverick, and no one knew this better than her manipulative aunt & uncle who tried to marry her off for 6 years in London. After deeming her “unmarriageable,” Kit was returned to live with her beloved grandfather in the country. Yet, Kit has as much fire, curiosity and need for adventure as her beautiful black Arab horse and she’s beckoned into the night. Kit is one amazing woman. She has razor-sharp instincts, is daring, and a thrill-seeker, at heart.

THE HERO:
OMG, I loved the hero, Lord Jonathan Henden (aka “Captain Jack)!! As Kit put it, he is “supremely male”…lol. Henden’s reputation precedes him. He is a beautiful specimen of a man with a respected military career, and a “rake” among the ladies. Yes, this man is a master of his own world, until a courageous, beauty with amethyst eyes and red locks of hair, dressed as a boy comes to rock his world. And, yes, this man works hard at keeping his world in check, but he finds himself working harder at unlocking the secrets that await him in discovering love in a woman, who is every bit his counterpart in instincts, stubbornness, ability and drive.

THE ROMANCE:
I loved the first time Captain Jack and Kit met. Their chemistry is off the charts and full of this animal attraction. There is a clever parallel between the attraction and unsettling connection that goes on between both of their horses (Jack’s grey stallion & Kit’s black Arab) and the riders….lol Since the initial meeting (which began as a sword fight) Captain Jack knew there was something “off” in the young lad who lead one of the smuggling gangs in the area; and when he finds out she is a woman! --Whoa!!! Talk about seeing sparks fly!! ---The two strike a deal, join forces; but I don’t think either of them were prepared for the powerful force that compels them to each other!

I adored the unveiling that occurred between both Jack and Kit as they learned about each other. Neither shared their true identify and station, with one another, so it was so fun to see the discovery of their secrets peeled off in layers (and much like their clothes…LOL). I also loved their teasing little games, and their relationship blossom in every stage of their commitment to one another. This novel is an absolute indulgence for the “helpless romantic” because the leads fall in love and share a passion with one another that is like molten lava! Yes, this is a steamy, “rock the boat—don’t come-a-knocking” romance without the unhelpful drama and angst that usually plague novels these days. I absolutely LOVED this book!!!

This novel is such a treat! You will feel the exhilaration as Kit and Captain Jack race through the countryside, both escaping and fooling the “Revenue” soldiers. You will be intrigued as they survive multiple dangers from all sides, and uncover a mystery related to top secret, governmental affairs. And, if riding the English countryside at a break neck pace, and engaging in covert governmental operations is not enough, the intertwined romance is another challenge that is sure to dazzle and keep your heart rate up!

NARRATOR:
I really enjoyed the narrator. She created such a perfect, crisp and young voice for Kit. I also enjoyed her male voices and ability to tell a story with proper timing and inflections. What can I say?--McCallister Lee was great!

LAST THOUGHTS:
This is an ever-moving story with vivid characters, who came across as real, with characteristics and inner challenges that seemed reflective of their time. I loved the supporting characters that moved within Captain Jack and Kit’s precociously, balanced world of the aristocracy by day, and smuggling runs by night. The ending and epilogue were perfect, and I hope this book captures your heart as it has captured mine. This is my first Stephanie Lauren’s book, but definitely not my last!

FINALLY!! Captain Jack's Woman

This is a prequel to The Bastion Club stories that I've waited for. It's NOT a Cynster or Bastion story. It has a flavor all it's own. But I have to say that Captain Jack is rather like Devil Cynster in that he's autocratic. Kit might be the standard for the Cynster women in later books. She's fearless and a perfect mate for Captain Jack.

The story has plenty of romance and a LOT of sex in it with a slight mystery. I like that the plot has spies in it--but that's a personal favorite of mine.

If you enjoy Stephanie Laurens stories...the Bastion Club and the Cynsters, you'll enjoy this one, too.

My only complaint is that I never knew that George had an accent. LOL.

IT'S GOT ALL THE INGREDIENTS TO MAKE A GOOD H/R

I enjoy all of Stephanie Lauren's books but this one, in my opinion, has to be one of her best - with a handsome, arrogant Smuggler/Rake/Lord/Spy Hero and a headstrong independent fearless Heroine that get caught up in a sizzling passion whilst perusing illicit exploits with a gang of smugglers.

SL transports you back to the shores of Regency England and has really captured the essence of a good historical romance story that I love so much.... it's got excitement, adventure, mystery, murder, spies, secrets, humor, great characters, lots of sex, an enjoyable question of 'oh when are they going to find out who the other person truly is?' and a passionate love story that somehow never really runs smoothly.

Worth a credit? Yes her books are all fairly similar, predictable and, let's face it, quite unrealistic but they captivate my imagination, they put a sappy smile across my face and I'll happily continue to buy them - so that's a YES to the credit.

Regency Romance At It's Best!!!!

This book was great. The story was very exciting and full of adventure and I just could not put it down. I adored Kit Cranmer's character and you can't help but love Captain Jack. Stephanie Lauren's seems to have put a lot of thought into her characters and their personalities. A great listen that is filled to the brim with steamy love scenes.
The story revolves around Catherine "kit" Cranmer who has a bit of a wild streak and enjoys riding her pure bread Arab across the country side dressed as a man in the dead of night. She ends up leading a small band of smugglers, and joins forces with the
Hunstanton gang and their leader Captain Jack. However the Hunstanton gang is smuggling more then just Brandy and Lace, and Kit has a bit of a problem when it comes to smuggling spies.
McCallister Lee was fantastic with the delivery of the story.

Literary porn

If you like lots of deliciously descriptive sex in your romance novel, then this is the one for you. So much that I actually forgot the plot line. Mayhaps, it is a good thing, because the plot of the story was weak. Good characters, predictable outcome, and good narration, worth a credit.

Terrible

Jack is horrible. Dont read this book if you are a woman with any sense of self worth. The 'hero' Captain Jack is an egotistical, sexually manipulative arse. I suppose this means the story is historically accurate, but jeez. He bullies and manipulates Kit at every turn, even after she's saved his life and those of his friends on multiple occasions. He doesn't know anything about her, doesnt listen when she speaks, and yet for some reason she keeps 'melting' into his arms?! And then she has to 'get back' at him though various schemes? That's a healthy relationship. I kept reading, skipping over the gratuitous sex scenes where Jack had once again manipulated Kit into complacency via sex, to see what was going to happen with the plot, but it left me pissed off for the last 3 hours of the book waiting for her to grow a backbone and him to grow a conscience. Now, at 30 min left I can't even finish this train wreck of a story. And I'm in a terrible mood.

Good till the end

It was a pretty good story with decent narration. However, the ending was irritating. I get really tired of authors writing these "strong and firey" female characters who get wronged and are on the path to throwdown, only to have them completely back off and submit. WTF. At least have it out before completely giving in.

Fully annoyed by chapter 26

It started off good... but then the pattern of a woman who kept saying she was strong and independent, but never acted like it, emerged. I kept getting so disappointed at how she reacted to being treated like a child. Just sulking then forgiving everything because she had great sex... it really got old fast. Couldn’t finish.

At least there is a plot

This is not a particularly well written book. However, I happen to think Ms. Lauren's is a better writer than many of her contemporaries and I gather those who determine what constitutes a good romance novel and what constitutes a poor romance novel disagree with me. Only one of her books is consistently rated highly by critics. And it wasn't this book, which is one of her earlier ventures as she moved on from writing Harlequin Regency clones.

But this book is saved by the same thing that saves many of Ms. Lauren's more readable books - there is a plot. It may be far fetched and it may be implausible, but there is a story beyond just the back and forth between two people trying to figure out if they hate each other or love each other. So many books in this genre are about nothing but the relationship, so if the relationship isn't plausible to the reader or if one of the characters isn't particularly sympathetic then the book has absolutely nothing else to fall back on.

I give Ms. Lauren's credit. This book starts a story arc that carries through another 9 or 10 novels in this particular series, and bleeds into her Cynster and Bride series as well. The plot never overshadows the love story and many times it should be emphasized more than it is. But it is always there, usually in the background, ready to remind the reader that there is more to the story and helping the author avoid dwelling too long on the romance at any given time.

I thought the narrator did a good job.

If you read any enjoyed other Lauren's novels, especially the Bastion Club series, then you will enjoy this.

passss

the heroine is dumb. the hero is basically all knowing. the book is sex with random conflicts in between. no character development.

Captain jacks women

Very entertaining, clever characters and exciting plot and plotting. To much sex but didn't spoil story.

Excellente

For me it is the best of Stephanie Laurens books one of the best romances I have ever listen to

What a delight!

As a controversial disliker of Laurens… I’m shocked—and pleased— to report I finally enjoyed on one her books. Mary Jane Wells (narrating as McCallister Lee I guess) might be the culprit, at least in part, because she always makes books better. But there was something so enchanting about Kit and Jack’s respectively unique brands of stubborn arrogance. It has all the elements of an old classic, kidnapping included, but feels fresh despite that. It also didn’t follow much of a genre trope, but rather was a blend of many—making the various plots feel intriguing and rompy all at once. Plus bonus points for endlessly delicious steamy scenes that never felt gratuitous and often times made me giggle.

Wow, so good. Will be listening to this again and again!

excellent

Excellent story, very nice narration and breathtaking scenes.I will love to read more from this author.

fun but odd accents

enjoyed the story, but how come the locals had a Somerset accent rather than a Norfolk one?

Brilliant

Lovely story, superbly read. I listen to a lot of audible stories and this was truly well worth listening to.

Funny

Thank thank goodness - finally a feisty lead lady, that is complex and doesn't simper or change to comply with an alpha male.
Great plot some hot scenes, but cracking characters, this narrator is very good but sometimes lulled me into a sleepy stupor, couldn't listen to this whilst tired.

Best Narrator

The author should sack all the other narrators she has used and let this woman be her soul narrator. This lady is actually someone who makes these books enjoyable. Others I've dipped into make the author's work sound like utter trash. My toes curl with the cringing mispronunciations. This lady is a star and makes the book worth listening to. Lovely steamy novel that kept me enthralled.

Beyond irritating!

The arrogance of Captain Black who solves relationship problems with steamy sex rather than discussion and the weak will of Kit, who lost all power of conviction, in fact she lost all power, everything! she became a panting, gasping, quivering mindless heap, just at his touch, even when she was justified in her stance, was a constant source of irritation. I wanted to slap them, both! The story starts off quite well but from the moment when Jack discovers who Kit really is, his bullish, controlling attitude really sets my back up ...and he was SO SO smug! Uuuuurrrghh!! I just about made it to the end of the book by skipping sex scenes. Needless to say, not up for a re read.

Better than I expected for a regency romance...

...and the reader wasn't bad either, though some odd accents such as our hero's (pretty posh) best friend speaking in Somerset - rather than Norfolk, though I think it should have been RP!! - and a fluent french-speaking Englishman speaking with a french accent ....