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Prisoner of Love
“Beverly Jenkins is renowned for her historical romances.” –Romantic Times “Beverly Jenkins has reached romance superstardom!” –Detroit Free Press Kansas, 1884 Abandoned by her husband, Elizabeth Franklin is struggling to keep up with the chores on her 60-acre farm. Desperate to stay in the only home she ever loved, the resourceful Elizabeth agrees to marry a prisoner, Jordan Yancey – an arrangement that will set him free while affording her the farm help that she so urgently needs. But what Elizabeth never expects is that this former prisoner will arouse the kind of passion and desire she’s only heard about and capture her instead... Jordan Yancey would do anything to get out of prison, and the arrangement with the pretty, but prim Elizabeth seems like a good bet – his freedom for a little farm work, and a wife on paper. He never imagines that his pretend bride will become the most magnificent woman he’s ever met…and that his sensuous little 'jailer' will be the one to free his heart... A sensual, steamy and deeply romantic story, Prisoner of Love by Blackboard bestselling author, Beverly Jenkins, is a historical romance to treasure!
80 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2007
113 people are currently reading
480 people want to read
About the author
Beverly Jenkins
69 books4,933 followersBeverly Jenkins is the recipient of the 2017 Romance Writers of America Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award, as well as the 2016 Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice Award for historical romance.
She has been nominated for the NAACP Image Award in Literature, was featured both in the documentary “Love Between the Covers” and on CBS Sunday Morning.
Since the publication of Night Song in 1994, she has been leading the charge for inclusive romance, and has been a constant darling of reviewers, fans, and her peers alike, garnering accolades for her work from the likes of The Wall Street Journal, People Magazine, and NPR. Her critically acclaimed Blessings series has been optioned for film by John Legend’s and Mike Jackson’s production company Get Lifted, and Hollywood and Broadway powerhouse Deborah Martin Chase.
To read more about Beverly and sign up for her newsletter, visit her at www.BeverlyJenkins.net.
She has been nominated for the NAACP Image Award in Literature, was featured both in the documentary “Love Between the Covers” and on CBS Sunday Morning.
Since the publication of Night Song in 1994, she has been leading the charge for inclusive romance, and has been a constant darling of reviewers, fans, and her peers alike, garnering accolades for her work from the likes of The Wall Street Journal, People Magazine, and NPR. Her critically acclaimed Blessings series has been optioned for film by John Legend’s and Mike Jackson’s production company Get Lifted, and Hollywood and Broadway powerhouse Deborah Martin Chase.
To read more about Beverly and sign up for her newsletter, visit her at www.BeverlyJenkins.net.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 131 reviews
August 23, 2023
I sure don’t encounter it a lot but my favorite thing (kink???) is one character offering an act of violence on behalf of the other character, and when asked that other character—without hesitation, mind you—is like yes absolutely commit violence on my behalf. God I love it.
January 22, 2025
5 stars
Wow, I am so impressed by what Beverly Jenkins managed to do in 80 pages!
Not a single sentence was wasted in this story about Elizabeth, a woman who agrees to marry a prisoner, Jordan Yancey, in an arrangement that gives him freedom and her the right to keep her farm. There was a compelling story, relationship development, heat and so much heart.
To be borrow Jordan’s words, hot damn!
Wow, I am so impressed by what Beverly Jenkins managed to do in 80 pages!
Not a single sentence was wasted in this story about Elizabeth, a woman who agrees to marry a prisoner, Jordan Yancey, in an arrangement that gives him freedom and her the right to keep her farm. There was a compelling story, relationship development, heat and so much heart.
To be borrow Jordan’s words, hot damn!
April 9, 2017
I needed a quick hit of romance and stumbled upon this Jenkins novella at the library. A marriage of convenience historical set in the American West? Yes, please!
Jenkins usually writes novels in the 385-page range and it shows - there's a lot of story considering the two digit page count. The conflicts are resolved quickly and easily with a single conversation. Elizabeth warms up to Jordan quickly, which is a bit hard to swallow because he was a convict when she married him. In fact, the plot is so minimal that the story ventures into PwP* territory. Don't get me wrong, I don't mind - the love scenes are great! - it's just not what I expected.
Her writing and historical chops are on fine display, so fans of Jenkins' other historicals will enjoy this quick hit of romance. If you're looking for an un-rushed story, though, you may want to try one of her longer titles.
* Porn without Plot
Jenkins usually writes novels in the 385-page range and it shows - there's a lot of story considering the two digit page count. The conflicts are resolved quickly and easily with a single conversation. Elizabeth warms up to Jordan quickly, which is a bit hard to swallow because he was a convict when she married him. In fact, the plot is so minimal that the story ventures into PwP* territory. Don't get me wrong, I don't mind - the love scenes are great! - it's just not what I expected.
Her writing and historical chops are on fine display, so fans of Jenkins' other historicals will enjoy this quick hit of romance. If you're looking for an un-rushed story, though, you may want to try one of her longer titles.
* Porn without Plot
January 4, 2014
I wish it were longer! I didn't want it to end!
March 23, 2023
Oh man, oh man, this was my first Miss Bev and it did NOT disappoint!
This was so heartwarming and uplifting and sensual, and even though it was only 75 pages nothing felt short-changed. Jordan and Elizabeth have great chemistry and I loved seeing Liz come alive under his care. I loved how they both instantly we're like "Yeah I'm gonna give this my all and I'm gonna be happy and have a good life with you," it was SO sweet!!! UGH!!!
Jordan Yancy is such a dream, truly, I think he's THEE man. He's building houses, he's open with his feelings and intentions, he's providing, he's freely and eagerly supplying consistent d*ck, he's everything to me, he's perfect. Lord have mercy, they don't make 'em like that anymore.
This was so heartwarming and uplifting and sensual, and even though it was only 75 pages nothing felt short-changed. Jordan and Elizabeth have great chemistry and I loved seeing Liz come alive under his care. I loved how they both instantly we're like "Yeah I'm gonna give this my all and I'm gonna be happy and have a good life with you," it was SO sweet!!! UGH!!!
Jordan Yancy is such a dream, truly, I think he's THEE man. He's building houses, he's open with his feelings and intentions, he's providing, he's freely and eagerly supplying consistent d*ck, he's everything to me, he's perfect. Lord have mercy, they don't make 'em like that anymore.
November 29, 2024
Ahhh this was cute! Jordan 😍😍😍😍
July 29, 2024
This was such a good short book. Elizabeth's husband abandoned her and she is forced to marry a prisoner so that she can keep her land. Jordan needs to get married as a condition of his parole. She is instantly attracted to Jordan but doesn't know what to do with her feelings. He makes quick work of showing her exactly what to do with those feelings.
When her husband showed up to try and reclaim his place I wanted Jordan to knock him into the next county. That newspaper man was a pain in the ass as well. But both of them were dealt with and Elizabeth and Jordan lived happily ever after.
I enjoyed this book so much.
When her husband showed up to try and reclaim his place I wanted Jordan to knock him into the next county. That newspaper man was a pain in the ass as well. But both of them were dealt with and Elizabeth and Jordan lived happily ever after.
I enjoyed this book so much.
July 27, 2024
Elizabeth has been abandoned by her husband, and in order to keep the farm she's worked so hard to maintain, she has to take a husband. Jordan is a prisoner, who can take a wife and work the land to avoid the hangman's noose. And so the two were wed. But could there be something more?
This was a short by Ms. Bev, but it still did not disappoint. The way she wrote the passion between Jordan and Elizabeth felt slow and easy, even though it happened fast. She told almost just as much story as her longer works and I swooned. Jordan was an honorable man, rugged and strong. But still able to be gentle with his wife and ease her mind. Elizabeth did what needed to be done and I loved her spirit. I liked that it wasn't a leap into love; it was a walk, with their eyes wide open, and the knowledge that they still had much to learn. Plus, the passion between these two smoked the pages. Loved it.
This was a short by Ms. Bev, but it still did not disappoint. The way she wrote the passion between Jordan and Elizabeth felt slow and easy, even though it happened fast. She told almost just as much story as her longer works and I swooned. Jordan was an honorable man, rugged and strong. But still able to be gentle with his wife and ease her mind. Elizabeth did what needed to be done and I loved her spirit. I liked that it wasn't a leap into love; it was a walk, with their eyes wide open, and the knowledge that they still had much to learn. Plus, the passion between these two smoked the pages. Loved it.
July 21, 2021
I read this for a book club I'm in (even though I didn't read it on time) and as my first Beverly Jenkins book, I definitely enjoyed it. It was a short and sweet novella between a newly widowed woman who needed help to care for her land after her husband abandoned her for another woman. She ends up getting Jordan, a recently pardoned man as her helper but also as her husband.
Jordan was really sweet. Grateful to be out of prison and equally as grateful to have been tied to a woman like Elizabeth who has a fire in her he slowly coaxes out of her. Even with the nosy town gossips about their relationship, Jordan was her backbone and confidence booster and I really enjoyed that aspect of the story.
It ends on a very happy note and I would definitely recommend this for someone looking to try out a Beverly Jenkins book for the first time.
Jordan was really sweet. Grateful to be out of prison and equally as grateful to have been tied to a woman like Elizabeth who has a fire in her he slowly coaxes out of her. Even with the nosy town gossips about their relationship, Jordan was her backbone and confidence booster and I really enjoyed that aspect of the story.
It ends on a very happy note and I would definitely recommend this for someone looking to try out a Beverly Jenkins book for the first time.
March 17, 2014
**POSSIBLE SPOILER**
I enjoyed this Beverly Jenkins short, it didn't really alleviate my craving for one of her books(I so love her male characters), being too short and all, but it was a good start. This is about Elizabeth and Jordan. Liz is a woman tending her Kansas farm alone, after her trifling husband went up East for business and met someone else and chose not to return. Jordan is a former Texas marshal who was wrongly convicted of murder and was sentenced to be hanged. As a stipulation of him getting his neck out of the hangman's noose he had to marry a woman and help her on her farm. Here enters Elizabeth who needed a man's help. Needless to say, from there, sparks flew and as the couple got more comfortable with one another they started to get closer. There were some parts that, had Liz been a modern woman, she'd have back handed a couple men, trying to suggest she was soft in the head and treat her like an idiot for marrying Jordan. Then, because you know it has to be coming, the trifling former husband returns wanting to reclaim his position after he realized the woman he left his wife for wasn't what he 'expected'. Damn fool! Jordan wasn't giving up his wife and his wife wasn't giving up her new husband either! Good quick read. **Just FYI the synopsis of this book almost reminds me, in part, of the book by Maggie Osborne, "The Wives of Bowie Stone" (LOVED IT), another good read. If you like the theme of condemned men being forced to marry a woman to avoid hanging, and how him and said woman eventually fall for one another, that is another book you could check out.
I enjoyed this Beverly Jenkins short, it didn't really alleviate my craving for one of her books(I so love her male characters), being too short and all, but it was a good start. This is about Elizabeth and Jordan. Liz is a woman tending her Kansas farm alone, after her trifling husband went up East for business and met someone else and chose not to return. Jordan is a former Texas marshal who was wrongly convicted of murder and was sentenced to be hanged. As a stipulation of him getting his neck out of the hangman's noose he had to marry a woman and help her on her farm. Here enters Elizabeth who needed a man's help. Needless to say, from there, sparks flew and as the couple got more comfortable with one another they started to get closer. There were some parts that, had Liz been a modern woman, she'd have back handed a couple men, trying to suggest she was soft in the head and treat her like an idiot for marrying Jordan. Then, because you know it has to be coming, the trifling former husband returns wanting to reclaim his position after he realized the woman he left his wife for wasn't what he 'expected'. Damn fool! Jordan wasn't giving up his wife and his wife wasn't giving up her new husband either! Good quick read. **Just FYI the synopsis of this book almost reminds me, in part, of the book by Maggie Osborne, "The Wives of Bowie Stone" (LOVED IT), another good read. If you like the theme of condemned men being forced to marry a woman to avoid hanging, and how him and said woman eventually fall for one another, that is another book you could check out.
July 29, 2020
Wow .. I do love twists in my books . I really enjoyed Prisoner of Love because its not what i expected it to be . Both Elizabeth and Jordan find their way to each other and help each other grow. I enjoyed the sexy times in the novel as well .
February 8, 2016
I needed a Beverly Jenkins fix.
November 15, 2016
This book
I thought this story was excellent. I hope there is a sequel to this book. Easy reading and very enjoyable.
I thought this story was excellent. I hope there is a sequel to this book. Easy reading and very enjoyable.
May 25, 2020
Another wonderful Black historical romance by Madame Jenkins. It’s not a long book, it’s get right to the point and then introduces characters that come at you light a freight train. I became a endeared to the two main characters right from the start. That’s always important for me, if I don’t like them reading about them doesn’t hold the same amount of attraction. Elizabeth is a prim proper from back east, but as a Black woman she does not have the privilege of fragility. Although she is tender hearted she is also strong. She has held her own until it is just no longer viable to continue alone. Next comes the most unheard of arranged marriages yet to Jordan Yancy. This one is not arranged by parents at the end of a shotgun, but by the sheriff’s arrangement in his office. She needed help to keep the farm going, he needed to marry or face the gallows. Neither had a choice. He was relieved and she was scared to death. They felt each other out and plodded along day by day until the romance began to bud, with a few bumps along the way, and then we get to the happily ever after.
February 8, 2024
This was an enjoyable little novella. I went in not really knowing how it would unfold (the title and the description didn’t exactly entice me, but I was interested enough to read it.) When I started the book, I didn’t realize it was a novella. In the way of many novellas (for me), the story felt a bit quick, and I felt like it could be a bit longer. The romance could have more time to develop, and the situations could have more time to unfold. Because they didn’t, I felt the sting of insta love which I don’t really enjoy.
All in all, it was a nice read for the airplane, but I will stick to longer novels when I can.
3.5 rounded to 3
All in all, it was a nice read for the airplane, but I will stick to longer novels when I can.
3.5 rounded to 3
October 1, 2020
Can I just say that I LOVE this author. She has the ability to write period pieces and inform you of issues of that time but still make you fall in love with the characters. Both the male and female characters were very strong in their beliefs. I loved the support and consideration they gave to each other through the difficult times they faced.
March 22, 2022
delightful
This is a fun, delightful novel. I always love how Ms Bev includes community in her stories, and I loved the development between Elizabeth and Jordan. I wasn’t super fond of the conflict in the form of Elizabeth’s ex showing back up, but for the pacing of the novella it worked really well. All in all, a delightful quick read.
This is a fun, delightful novel. I always love how Ms Bev includes community in her stories, and I loved the development between Elizabeth and Jordan. I wasn’t super fond of the conflict in the form of Elizabeth’s ex showing back up, but for the pacing of the novella it worked really well. All in all, a delightful quick read.
July 10, 2022
God bless Ms. Bev for writing a 78 page novella and including something like 4 steamy love scenes in it. It was a marriage of convenience + instalove where Elizabeth and Jordan fall in love fairly quickly after having to marry to save her farm; the villain got his due fairly quickly and they found their HEA just as quickly - it was a steamy, lovely, quick paced read and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
August 19, 2025
Prisoner of Love delivers everything I love about Beverly Jenkins—rich history, strong characters, and a swoon-worthy romance. Yancy will steal your heart with his charm and devotion, and the Elizabeth's strength makes their love story unforgettable.
January 16, 2021
4.5/5
Wooooow Beverly you went steamy with this one. This is one short, spicy, and fun novella! Really wanted an extra 20ish pages though
Wooooow Beverly you went steamy with this one. This is one short, spicy, and fun novella! Really wanted an extra 20ish pages though
August 24, 2023
A perfect novella! Beverly Jenkins sure packed a lot of character and plot into this 70-ish page novella!
May 21, 2020
This novella was so good Jordan and Elizabeth were amazing together. My only complaint is that I wish this were a full blown book because I want so much more of their story.
September 30, 2023
What does Ms. Bev NOT do well? Such a great novella. If my husband ran off with another woman and I had to marry a parolee to keep my farm and it turned out like this?? Worth it. For such a short story, it packs a punch and I think that’s why I love Beverly Jenkins so much. She writes delightful characters that are fully realized and gives them odds to overcome that they work on together. The FMC was strong and smart. The MMC was very much “THIS IS MY WIFE AND SHE’S AMAZING”. Highly recommend if you’re new to her work and want to get a feel for her storytelling!
Read
July 5, 2014I believe I've read every book Ms. Jenkins has written. I am a huge fan of her writing style and how she incorporates history into her writing. I enjoyed this one as well, it just was too short. I'm hoping that, as with her other writings, she will further develop the Yancys in other stories. There's so much more there! But never disappointed in her stories.
November 7, 2015
Refinement
As always Ms Jenkins has delivered another vivid love story! At first introduction Elizabeth and Mr. Yancy put the readers imagination in overdrive. This was a quick and fulfilling read. I can't say much more without wanting to share every little twist and turn. What I will say is I'm now in search of a Mr. Yancy!
As always Ms Jenkins has delivered another vivid love story! At first introduction Elizabeth and Mr. Yancy put the readers imagination in overdrive. This was a quick and fulfilling read. I can't say much more without wanting to share every little twist and turn. What I will say is I'm now in search of a Mr. Yancy!
May 7, 2014
Love it!
I chose to give this book 5 stars because I can't give it 10! I love this book so much, I have it on my kindle and I also have it on my bookshelf. This is a book that you will definitely read several times. Thanks Mrs. Beverly for sharing your gift!
I chose to give this book 5 stars because I can't give it 10! I love this book so much, I have it on my kindle and I also have it on my bookshelf. This is a book that you will definitely read several times. Thanks Mrs. Beverly for sharing your gift!
September 1, 2016
Prisoner of Love
A short cute read. I love romance and Beverly Jenkins never fails. Could I or would I marry a stranger much less a prisoner to save everything I've worked hard for?
A short cute read. I love romance and Beverly Jenkins never fails. Could I or would I marry a stranger much less a prisoner to save everything I've worked hard for?
October 12, 2015
It was engaging right from the beginning, however it is not long enough! There is opportunity for a sequel!
January 24, 2016
My second one...
I'm not sure what's taken me so long to purchase Mrs. Jenkins novels, but I'm hooked! They're all very well written and incredibly heartwarming.
I'm not sure what's taken me so long to purchase Mrs. Jenkins novels, but I'm hooked! They're all very well written and incredibly heartwarming.
April 22, 2016
To be expected
A great read! Just too short!!!! I am a lifelong fan; keep them coming. You can't go wrong with BJ!
A great read! Just too short!!!! I am a lifelong fan; keep them coming. You can't go wrong with BJ!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 131 reviews