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Awakening Desires #5
Jackson's Jewel
Fifth in the Awakening Desires series. The last thing Jackson Connors wants is a housekeeper. He likes his life just as it is—solitary and uncomplicated. Emerald Jewel is a New York designer with a stalker on her trail. She needs a place to hide out and Jackson’s farm is the perfect solution to her problem. The last thing she wants is to be attracted to her sexy new boss. Neither of them is prepared for the explosion of passion that flares between them. They try to resist, but the desire will not be denied. Jackson knows Emerald’s life is in New York and his is on the farm. He’ll eventually have to let her go, but he’s not about to let her face this threat on her own. But the stalker is getting closer to finding Emerald and will stop at nothing to possess her. As the threat around her escalates, she must face leaving Jackson to draw the danger away from the man she’s coming to love.
Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2008
About the author
N.J. Walters
148 books1,275 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 - 10 of 10 reviews
January 18, 2011
I'm a big fan of N.J. Walters Jamesville and Awakening Desires series--and although Jackson's Jewel is #5 in Awakening... and is related to Erin's Fancy and Capturing Carly , it can be read as a stand alone. In typical NJW style, it has an interesting plot (beautiful young accessories designer named Emerald is on the run from a stalker--needs a place to hide out while her hired PI investigates), a touch of suspense (just who is after our heroine...and how does he stay one step ahead of her and when will he make his final move?), one hot, swoon-worthy, lonely, alpha hero (hunky Jackson--the unmarried oldest of three siblings who is owner/operator of an apple orchard and a budding photographer), a heroine I wanted to shake a time or two (Hello--you're running for your life from a crazy stalker--how can you be thinking about jumping your new employer's bones the minute you see him?)and plenty of steamy sex scenes in unusual locales (a scorching encounter in the barn, the swimming hole, and bathtub) to fill up the pages.
Black-haired beauty Emerald Jewel, 30, our heroine, runs a business with her two sisters, Topaz and Sapphire in NYC. They design and sell jewelry and accessories and have a successful boutique in the city. The sisters are children of a famous folk/rock duo from the sixties and have grown up rather privileged. The parents are out of the country vacationing when the first of some unusual presents show up for Emerald at the boutique. At first she's flattered (does she have a secret admirer?), but then the disturbing phone calls start, and the presents get weirder (a wedding gown and a pair of handcuffs) and Emerald realizes she needs to put a stop to this. Of course the police are no help, so she hires a PI. While he investigates her former boyfriend and a couple of male associates, Emerald decides it's best to take off in her car to parts unknown and try to disappear (she doesn't want any harm to come to her sisters). She ends up in a small town called Meadow (state unknown)and jumps on a job she sees posted in the local mini-mart requesting a temporary housekeeper for a local farm. Perfect. (Although I had to wonder why she just didn't hire some bodyguards and stay put...but then if she did that, we wouldn't have a story, and then we would have never met lonely-apple-orchard-hunk-with-the-buns-of-steel, Jackson Connors.)
Ai-ya-yi, Jackson...
Here's their first meeting:
He looked to be at least a half a foot taller than her, if not a bit more, and she was five foot eight. It was hard to tell exactly how tall he was because he had a very muscular build. His gait was fluid as his long legs ate up the distance between them. The denim of his jeans outlined his thick thighs and she watched, fascinated by the play of muscles as he moved. The tight, faded material also cupped his male attributes. Emerald's mouth went dry as her body began to tingle.
His wide shoulders were encased in a faded blue T-shirt that brought out the color of his incredible blue eyes. They were almost the same color as the summer sky and right now they were focused on her. She tried to swallow, but it was impossible. Her breasts felt heavy and, the closer he got to her, the more she could feel her nipples tightening. (this happens a lot in the story) A low ache began between her thighs and she had to force herself not to fidget.
His face was too rugged to be called good-looking, but it had something even more important--character. His brown hair had reddish highlights that glinted under the morning sun. It was cut short in the back and brushed away from his forehead in the front, framing his face.
...his full lips were pursed in a severe line. They looked soft though. Emerald wondered what they would feel like against her mouth. Or maybe lower....Ignoring the fact that her panties were now damp (they get damp often in this book), she plastered a smile on her face.
Jackson...
Okay, before I get carried away with the descriptions..let's just say that Jackson, 34, is one fine physical specimen, Emerald is instantly in lust (so much so that she forgets all about her stalker for a while), Jackson is in serious lust too...they fight their feelings for all of a few hours before they can't wait any longer..but before they go all the way they both pull back and come to their senses. Emerald realizes that she's got a stalker after her and she really shouldn't be getting involved with a hunky stranger (even though she really, really wants to) and Jackson...well Emerald's his hired help and he doesn't know much about her except how luscious she is.
So, there's plenty of 'will they or won't they' (you know they will), and while the heat continues to build, Emerald and Jackson learn more about each other. Jackson wants to protect Emerald from the stalker (with the help of his brother Nathan the deputy--Capturing Carly-- and his brother-in-law/best friend Abel--Erin's Fancy), and insists she hides out on his farm. He'll protect her, and give her something to remember him by when she inevitably leaves to go back to her career and her city life. But what happens when what looks like a temporary fling between people with opposite lifestyles becomes something much more? Would Jackson ask Emerald to stay once the stalker is caught? Would Emerald stay if Jackson wanted her to?
Alright--the good: Easy read, and plenty hot. The H/h have explosive chemistry. The more I read about Jackson, the more I liked him and wanted him to get his HEA. He was a hard working, romantic, sexy guy with a big heart who practically raised his younger brother and sister by himself and took his responsibilities seriously. It was lonely for him out in the country with only his apple orchard to keep him company (!) (he was afraid to get serious with anyone or put his heart on the line because in his experience, anyone he ever loved either died or left him) and I wanted Emerald to realize she didn't have to move back to NYC and it was time to cut the old apron strings.
I had a few problems with Emerald (and that name--I kept thinking "Emeril"!) and her logic regarding the stalker, but since this wasn't really a suspense book, I let it slide. Also, she tended to flip flop a bit too much about her feelings for Jackson. First she wanted him and couldn't wait to get her hands on him and do all sorts of naughty things with him, then she was pulling back and trying not to get involved--I wanted to say "Make up your mind already girl!"
The ending was pretty predictible, a little sad, but did eventually put a smile on my face. And there was a kind of sweet epilogue! Hooray!
I'm wondering now if this is the end of the series, or if the author will continue with stories about the other Jewel sisters, Topaz and Sapphire? It seems she dropped a few hints about oldest sister Topaz and the bodyguard who was protecting her...If so, I'm sure I'll check it out. N.J. Walters can turn up the heat with the best of them, and she usually gives you enough of a story to go with all the steam. That's a winning combination for me. 4 stars
Warning: This book contains explicit sex (including simultaneous oral pleasuring), some bondage using a necktie, and some graphic language. Not for the faint of heart.
Black-haired beauty Emerald Jewel, 30, our heroine, runs a business with her two sisters, Topaz and Sapphire in NYC. They design and sell jewelry and accessories and have a successful boutique in the city. The sisters are children of a famous folk/rock duo from the sixties and have grown up rather privileged. The parents are out of the country vacationing when the first of some unusual presents show up for Emerald at the boutique. At first she's flattered (does she have a secret admirer?), but then the disturbing phone calls start, and the presents get weirder (a wedding gown and a pair of handcuffs) and Emerald realizes she needs to put a stop to this. Of course the police are no help, so she hires a PI. While he investigates her former boyfriend and a couple of male associates, Emerald decides it's best to take off in her car to parts unknown and try to disappear (she doesn't want any harm to come to her sisters). She ends up in a small town called Meadow (state unknown)and jumps on a job she sees posted in the local mini-mart requesting a temporary housekeeper for a local farm. Perfect. (Although I had to wonder why she just didn't hire some bodyguards and stay put...but then if she did that, we wouldn't have a story, and then we would have never met lonely-apple-orchard-hunk-with-the-buns-of-steel, Jackson Connors.)
Ai-ya-yi, Jackson...
Here's their first meeting:
He looked to be at least a half a foot taller than her, if not a bit more, and she was five foot eight. It was hard to tell exactly how tall he was because he had a very muscular build. His gait was fluid as his long legs ate up the distance between them. The denim of his jeans outlined his thick thighs and she watched, fascinated by the play of muscles as he moved. The tight, faded material also cupped his male attributes. Emerald's mouth went dry as her body began to tingle.
His wide shoulders were encased in a faded blue T-shirt that brought out the color of his incredible blue eyes. They were almost the same color as the summer sky and right now they were focused on her. She tried to swallow, but it was impossible. Her breasts felt heavy and, the closer he got to her, the more she could feel her nipples tightening. (this happens a lot in the story) A low ache began between her thighs and she had to force herself not to fidget.
His face was too rugged to be called good-looking, but it had something even more important--character. His brown hair had reddish highlights that glinted under the morning sun. It was cut short in the back and brushed away from his forehead in the front, framing his face.
...his full lips were pursed in a severe line. They looked soft though. Emerald wondered what they would feel like against her mouth. Or maybe lower....Ignoring the fact that her panties were now damp (they get damp often in this book), she plastered a smile on her face.
Jackson...
Okay, before I get carried away with the descriptions..let's just say that Jackson, 34, is one fine physical specimen, Emerald is instantly in lust (so much so that she forgets all about her stalker for a while), Jackson is in serious lust too...they fight their feelings for all of a few hours before they can't wait any longer..but before they go all the way they both pull back and come to their senses. Emerald realizes that she's got a stalker after her and she really shouldn't be getting involved with a hunky stranger (even though she really, really wants to) and Jackson...well Emerald's his hired help and he doesn't know much about her except how luscious she is.
So, there's plenty of 'will they or won't they' (you know they will), and while the heat continues to build, Emerald and Jackson learn more about each other. Jackson wants to protect Emerald from the stalker (with the help of his brother Nathan the deputy--Capturing Carly-- and his brother-in-law/best friend Abel--Erin's Fancy), and insists she hides out on his farm. He'll protect her, and give her something to remember him by when she inevitably leaves to go back to her career and her city life. But what happens when what looks like a temporary fling between people with opposite lifestyles becomes something much more? Would Jackson ask Emerald to stay once the stalker is caught? Would Emerald stay if Jackson wanted her to?
Alright--the good: Easy read, and plenty hot. The H/h have explosive chemistry. The more I read about Jackson, the more I liked him and wanted him to get his HEA. He was a hard working, romantic, sexy guy with a big heart who practically raised his younger brother and sister by himself and took his responsibilities seriously. It was lonely for him out in the country with only his apple orchard to keep him company (!) (he was afraid to get serious with anyone or put his heart on the line because in his experience, anyone he ever loved either died or left him) and I wanted Emerald to realize she didn't have to move back to NYC and it was time to cut the old apron strings.
I had a few problems with Emerald (and that name--I kept thinking "Emeril"!) and her logic regarding the stalker, but since this wasn't really a suspense book, I let it slide. Also, she tended to flip flop a bit too much about her feelings for Jackson. First she wanted him and couldn't wait to get her hands on him and do all sorts of naughty things with him, then she was pulling back and trying not to get involved--I wanted to say "Make up your mind already girl!"
The ending was pretty predictible, a little sad, but did eventually put a smile on my face. And there was a kind of sweet epilogue! Hooray!
I'm wondering now if this is the end of the series, or if the author will continue with stories about the other Jewel sisters, Topaz and Sapphire? It seems she dropped a few hints about oldest sister Topaz and the bodyguard who was protecting her...If so, I'm sure I'll check it out. N.J. Walters can turn up the heat with the best of them, and she usually gives you enough of a story to go with all the steam. That's a winning combination for me. 4 stars
Warning: This book contains explicit sex (including simultaneous oral pleasuring), some bondage using a necktie, and some graphic language. Not for the faint of heart.
May 22, 2018
I’ve thought about going back reading MF sexy romances from time to time. There are good stories out there in this genre. After one of my worst reading disappointment in MM last month, I decided to try MF again, with an author that I enjoyed a few years ago with one of my favorite steamy romance from her.
Emerald decided to put some distance from her life in New York and a stalker that the police can’t identify but who is escalating. He even has access to her email and bank account. Needing some cash, Emerald found an add for a housekeeper needed in a farm, perfect to lay low for a few weeks. That’s how she meets Jackson, a very sexy and lonely farmer.
It's a stand-alone in this series. It’s really hot, quite insta-lust but not overly dramatic. The heroine is not a fragile damsel in distress blushing at every touch and Jackson is this strong, caring and sexy male, but not overbearing. There’s a bit of a suspense with the stalking, but it’s mainly about Emerald and Jackson’s fast-growing relationship. And damned, how HOT they are together.
In overall, I enjoyed this as much as I did years ago. And thinking about it, NJ Walters knows how to write very hot romances and a lot of her books were a hit for me. I will surely revisit some of her work.
Emerald decided to put some distance from her life in New York and a stalker that the police can’t identify but who is escalating. He even has access to her email and bank account. Needing some cash, Emerald found an add for a housekeeper needed in a farm, perfect to lay low for a few weeks. That’s how she meets Jackson, a very sexy and lonely farmer.
It's a stand-alone in this series. It’s really hot, quite insta-lust but not overly dramatic. The heroine is not a fragile damsel in distress blushing at every touch and Jackson is this strong, caring and sexy male, but not overbearing. There’s a bit of a suspense with the stalking, but it’s mainly about Emerald and Jackson’s fast-growing relationship. And damned, how HOT they are together.
In overall, I enjoyed this as much as I did years ago. And thinking about it, NJ Walters knows how to write very hot romances and a lot of her books were a hit for me. I will surely revisit some of her work.
June 25, 2025
I really liked this book.
June 2, 2009
Jackson Connors: Eldest son to a father who wanted nothing to do with his three kids, or the farm that has been in their family for generations. After his sister and brother marry and move out, he now lives alone on the ranch. The last thing he needs to ruin his day, on top of all his other worries, is a live-in housekeeper.
Emerald Jewel: Daughter of sixties hippy parents, has lived through the limelight and tight security that comes with her famous parents’ lifestyle. She and her two sisters have carved out a lucrative business for themselves despite all the people who want something from them. When she is targeted by a stalker, she runs; not only to protect herself, but also to keep her sisters out of harms way. She accepts the job as Jackson’s housekeeper on impulse to get away from her pursuer, but did she just drop herself into another situation that she has no control over?
Meadow, a small town, has seen the three Connor kids through the best and the worst of times. When Jewel enters Jackson’s life and things get a bit hairy for a time, the town rallies and does what every small town does – support their own.
Jewel and Jackson are dynamite together, and from the moment their eyes meet and their hands touch, the electric tension consumes you.
Ms. Walters has outdone herself with the love scenes in JACKSON’S JEWEL; they are hot, liberal and literally explode over the pages.
We have followed Jackson through a lot of personal growth and watched him shoulder more than his fair share of burden. For lovers of the Awakening Desires Series, Ms. Walters has done right by Jackson; he has found the perfect match in Emerald.
JACKSON’S JEWEL is best read as a part of the AWAKENING DESIRES series.
Emerald Jewel: Daughter of sixties hippy parents, has lived through the limelight and tight security that comes with her famous parents’ lifestyle. She and her two sisters have carved out a lucrative business for themselves despite all the people who want something from them. When she is targeted by a stalker, she runs; not only to protect herself, but also to keep her sisters out of harms way. She accepts the job as Jackson’s housekeeper on impulse to get away from her pursuer, but did she just drop herself into another situation that she has no control over?
Meadow, a small town, has seen the three Connor kids through the best and the worst of times. When Jewel enters Jackson’s life and things get a bit hairy for a time, the town rallies and does what every small town does – support their own.
Jewel and Jackson are dynamite together, and from the moment their eyes meet and their hands touch, the electric tension consumes you.
Ms. Walters has outdone herself with the love scenes in JACKSON’S JEWEL; they are hot, liberal and literally explode over the pages.
We have followed Jackson through a lot of personal growth and watched him shoulder more than his fair share of burden. For lovers of the Awakening Desires Series, Ms. Walters has done right by Jackson; he has found the perfect match in Emerald.
JACKSON’S JEWEL is best read as a part of the AWAKENING DESIRES series.
October 6, 2015
3.75 stars
March 24, 2013
Loved it. N.J. Walters knows how to write sexy books.
Jackson was amazing and sexy and Emerald was capable and loving.
I liked the addition of a bit of mystery. It added to the story without losing the romance focus.
Jackson was amazing and sexy and Emerald was capable and loving.
I liked the addition of a bit of mystery. It added to the story without losing the romance focus.
April 26, 2015
Like it I do
NJ Walters. Jackson's Jewel is a good read. A strong alpha male protecting his lover (what's not to like). I have to say that I am biased I have yet to read anything by NJ that I don't like. This is my guilty pleasure. Thank you !!!
NJ Walters. Jackson's Jewel is a good read. A strong alpha male protecting his lover (what's not to like). I have to say that I am biased I have yet to read anything by NJ that I don't like. This is my guilty pleasure. Thank you !!!
January 2, 2013
5/15/2010
August 25, 2012
NJ,really out did herself with this one so romantic and sizzling hot and sweet at the same time I love series themed books and she is one of the best I would and have recommended the entire series
January 3, 2017
Good read
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews