Captured by Desire
by Kira Morgan
- Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
- Publisher: Forever (August 1, 2010)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0446548189
- ISBN-13: 978-0446548182
Product DescriptionReview:
In 16th century Scotland, young Miss Florie Gilder runs away from her drunken foster father to find her real father and her noble heritage. Along the way, she is accused of theft, becomes a fugitive hiding in a forest, and is accidentally wounded by a handsome local huntsman. The huntsman--a Robin-Hood figure who poaches wild game from the landowner's estate to feed the starving poor--carries the beautiful maiden to a church where she is guaranteed 40 days of sanctuary from the law. During that time, he learns her true story, falls in love with her, and helps her in her quest, at the risk of his own life. Smitten with him, she worries more for his survival. But enemies of the state are seeking to overturn the Catholic royals, while a vicious noblewoman is out to destroy Florie. (2010)
Florie is beautiful and independent considering that she has had to take care of herself for years. She is an expert goldsmith but her drunken foster father has been taking credit for her work. She has come to the Selkirk Fair to sell her wares and also to look for her true father. She gets accused of stealing her own family heirloom by the Selkirk Sheriff’s very greedy wife, Lady Mavis, forcing Florie to seek sanctuary in the local, run down, church. Mavis has many secrets and she is willing to do anything to hide the heirloom, even if it means arranging to kill Florie.
Rane is the Sheriff’s successful huntsman, but he also sneaks food for the starving crofters. After he accidentally shoots Florie he takes her into the church to take care of her. Florie believes he is there to protect her and doesn’t know he has been given guard duty to make sure she doesn’t’ escape. Florie tries hard to resist the community’s Viking heartthrob especially since all the ladies are ready to throw themselves at him. Rane is a true charmer and actually a nice guy after all. He can’t understand why Florie won’t return the heirloom to Lady Mavis and he almost thinks that Florie cares only for the gold.
I liked learning about Hnefataf, a game similar to chess and I liked the character of the blind priest. The villainess, Lady Mavis, is a particularly nasty character. I really enjoyed the fun banter between sassy Florie and flirtatious Rane. The romance was sweet, sensual and warm but, to be honest, I thought this part of the story went on and on. I was ready to get back to the action and mystery.
The writing is really quite lovely with a very good flow and pace. Here is one example I liked when Florie succumbs to her desires for Rane and they are kissing: "All the while she kept making those sounds, moans that were at once demanding yet helpless, deliberate yet fearful, expert yet artless." This is a good, enjoyable read, especially if you are ready for a story rich in the romance element.
xxx
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