Jackson Rule [Mass Market Paperback]

Sharon Sala (Author), Dinah McCall (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 23, 1996

For powerful emotion and unforgettable romance Sharon Sala can't be beat. This beautifully repackaged classic is sure to delight her long-time fans and attract new ones!

Jackson Rule had spent nearly half his life behind bars for murder. Now he was starting over--or trying to. Once he laid hungry eyes on his new employer, though, his resolve to lead a simple solitary life deserted him, replaced by yearnings for fierce, forbidden passion.

Preacher's daughter Rebecca Hill was raised to give folks the benefit of the doubt--though maybe this time she'd taken charity a bit too far. True Jackson Rule had paid his debt to society, and was a hard, honest worker. What threatened to undo her was the sheer burning desire she felt in his presence, and the sinking feeling that her heart would be his captive forever.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Rebecca Hill is a preacher's daughter and Jackson Rule is a convicted killer. But Rebecca sees something in the handsome, stoic man that reassures her, and she hires him to work in her greenhouse, much to the dismay of her father. For Jackson, the job Rebecca offers him is an opportunity for honest work and a decent life. He's deeply attracted to Rebecca, but he's a man not only molded by years in prison, but scarred to his soul by the violence of his childhood. Rebecca struggles to come to terms with her growing feelings for Jackson and his reluctance to see a future for them. When defending Jackson causes a rift with her father, she refuses to back down. And it isn't until tragedy strikes a beloved friend that Jackson teaches the preacher an important lesson about drawing conclusions from outward appearances and past mistakes. Still, a future for Rebecca and Jackson seems doubtful until a heroic act sets in motion events that change forever how the world views Jackson Rule. Dinah McCall's book is intensely emotional, with a strong plot and vivid characterizations. It's easy to see why this skillful contemporary received the prestigious Janet Dailey Award in 1996. --Lois Faye Dyer

About the Author

With over fifty books in print, award-winning author Sharon Sala, who also writes as Dinah McCall, still has to remind herself from time to time that this isn't a dream.

She learned to read at the age of four and has had her nose in a book ever since. Her introduction into romance came at an early age through the stories of Zane Gray, Grace Livingston Hill and Emily Loring. Her pride in contributing to the genre is echoed by the letters of her fans.

She's a four-time RITA finalist, Winner of the Janet Dailey Award, three-time Career Achievement winner from Romantic Times magazine, four-time winner of the National Reader's Choice Award and five-time winner of the Colorado Romance Writer's Award of Excellence, as well as numerous other industry awards.

Her books are regularly on bestseller lists, such as the New York Times extended list, USA Today, Publishers Weekly, Waldenbooks mass market, and many others.

She claims that, for her, learning to read was a matter of evolution, but learning to write and then being published was a revolution. It changed her life, her world and her fate.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: HarperTorch; Reissue edition (May 23, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0061083917
• ISBN-13: 978-0061083914
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.4 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (31 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #362,751 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ex-con and preacher's daughter must fight prejudice, May 1, 2000

By 

pontmarie (SF Bay Area) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Jackson Rule (Mass Market Paperback)

Andrew Jackson Rule leaves Angola penitentiary after spending half his life there for killing his abusive father. He finds that the world is not too kind to ex-cons, except in the form of Rebecca Hill, a preacher's daughter who runs a nursery, the only person who'll give him a job. Together, they fight everyone else's prejudice, including her father's. Jackson must also deal with his sister, who was severely abused by their father, and the revelation of Jackson's sacrifice is a very touching one. This is a wonderful book. Jackson is a bit too nice at times, but you can feel his pain. My favorite book by Sharon Sala/Dinah McCall.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Unbelievable Sacrifice and Love...Highly Recommended, April 12, 2005

By 

Tracy Talley "Book Addict" (Boston, MA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Jackson Rule (Mass Market Paperback)

This is one of those rare finds. You read it and you are so caught up in the story that you lose track of time and place. A story that takes you right into the heart of what the writer was envisioning. Usually I am sadly not a big fan of this author's work, but this book blows her others far out of the water!
(I won't go into the details of what the book was about since everyone else has, so from here on my reviews will reflect my thoughts on the book itself because frankly that is what I look for in reviews myself.)
The touching and sometimes emotional story between the character of Jackson and the woman who saves him Rebecca is completely unlike any other.
Jackson is so real and so hurt and 'damaged' you as the reader find yourself wishing you could crawl inside the story and help. His secret is so overwhelming and charged with emotion, it's hard to imagine he would keep it.
Rebecca is the epitome of what a heroine should be. She is very good-hearted and strong. She sees the good in him even though no one else does and she stands by him with conviction and hires him on at her greenhouse even with the 15 year prison sentence in his past. She sees him for who he really is.
I was touched and in awe of Jackson. The love between him and the heroine is very real and seems almost destined. As if they do exist and are out there somewhere.
But the most awe inspiring moment is when his deep and dark secret is revealed to her...you will cry. Get the tissues, seriously, you will need them.

Tracy Talley~@

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Eh..., July 19, 2006

By 

M. I. "krushedvelvet" (Old Bridge, NJ United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Jackson Rule (Mass Market Paperback)

Jackson Rule is not only the name of this book, but also the name of the male lead. The story begins on a momentous day in Jacksons life...he has just been released from serving a 15 year prison sentence. We get to look in as Jackson little by little begins to adjust to his new freedom. It is touching to see how appreciative he is of small things, and I found myself feeling frustrated right along with him as he goes in search for work, but is turned down again and again because of his past. Then, he crosses paths with Rebecca Hill, the owner of her own landscaping business...and she decides to take a chance on him and give Jackson a job...and so the romance begins.

Jackson Rule is just the sort of story that I would normally swoon over. A big, tough, emotionally tortured and misunderstood man is finally comforted and given the love he so desperately desires by a woman that he is completely shocked will give him the time of day. I just loooove the idea of it, but here, it just didnt work for me...
There were a few things that bothered me about this story...first, while I felt that Jackson was well developed, I was left feeling unsatisfied with Rebecca...I wanted more from her. I didnt feel like I got to know her well enough. As for Jackson, I liked him. He was well written, but the trouble I had with him was that he was TOO good. I mean, no one is that good...and just the fact that he happened to be in the right place at the right time to save others over and over...well, it just didnt ring true IMO. The biggest nit pick I had with this story, however, was not about the characters or plot, but the writing...so saccharine! There were moments when I would cringe...whether it was something one of the characters said or thought,it all came across as too cloyingly sweet. This authors writing style was just not for me.
I have, however, heard a lot of great stuff about this story. A lot of other readers love it. I cant say Jackson Rule was a bad book, but this is not an author that I see myself reading in the future.