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Helena of Rivenloch has no desire to be ordered around by a man, nor will she allow it to happen to her sister, Deirdre, who’s about to be forced into marriage. The Rivenloch women were raised as warriors, and no man can keep them down—so Helena kidnaps the groom’s right-hand knight, Colin du Lac, in an effort to stop the wedding.
Colin du Lac is amused when Helena takes him hostage and keeps him captive in a cottage not far from Castle Rivenloch. No one will take her seriously or bargain with her for his return—that’s not the way it works. Besides, Helena’s sister is probably even now falling under the spell of her new husband and doesn’t need saving from her fate: marriage to the new lord of Rivenloch.
As the days pass and her sister doesn’t show up, Helena begins to suspect that her ruse isn’t going to work. And the longer she’s alone with Colin, the harder it becomes to resist surrendering her body and heart to the surprisingly noble knight.
Captive Heart is for every woman who likes a heroine who fights a man at every turn and will not surrender to his commands just because it’s expected of her. Though I found Helena to be a bit too cold and mean and reckless for my liking, Colin proved to be an admirable match for her, and he refused to lie down and whimper at her command. I like strong women who can fend for themselves, but I’ve grown weary of kick-butt heroines who treat men as if they’re lower than pond scum. In my opinion, a woman can be strong and assertive yet gentle and nurturing, as it’s in their nature to be (think Melanie Wilkes from Gone with the Wind).
Once again, Sarah McKerrigan takes us on a lusty adventure in medieval Scotland, where battles are fought over land and power and castles are laid in siege. Take a leap back to the past and experience a time of swordplay and courageous knights and warrior women who are worthy of each other’s love. Medieval Scotland springs to life under the knowledge and skillful imagination of the author, and I’m still eagerly awaiting Miriel’s story—the third warrior maiden of Rivenloch.
Note: For more on the Maiden Warriors of Rivenlock, see Margaret’s review of Lady Danger.
