Captive [Mass Market Paperback]

Joan Johnston (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 1996

She was a gorgeous rebel.

Defying all the rules, daring to speak her mind, Charlotte Edgerton declared her independence before she even entered the Earl of Denbigh's home. Her new guardian immediately made her a prisoner in her own room—until she agreed to learn the lady-like arts. Furious, she complied. Anything to buy her freedom from Denbigh. She's even marry a man she didn't love to get away from her domineering guardian. In fact, love was the furthest thing from her mind...

He was the Earl who vowed to tame her.

Lionel Morgan, Earl of Denbigh, had been betrayed at the altar by another woman and vowed that no female would ensnare him again. Then Charlotte Edgerton burst into his life. Denbigh wasn't prepared for this headstrong American—or the passions she inspired on first sight. He knew only that he had to civilize her, present her at court, and Almack's, and then marry her off to the highest bidder. It wasn't until he nearly lost her that he realized the truth: She'd somehow reversed their roles and become the captor of his heart.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Regency and historical romance devotees will find Johnston's (The Inheritance) latest lively and well-written, and her characters perfectly enchanting. Lady Charlotte Edgerton, Charlie to her friends, is an American fish who finds herself in stuffy English waters when her father dies and leaves her to the care of the Earl of Denbigh. Denbigh has two duties: to civilize Charlie and to find her a suitable husband-only it can't be him. Haunted by his fiancee's suicide, Denbigh mistrusts women. In spite of Charlotte's innocent appeal, he refuses to let himself become involved and tries his best to alienate her affections. But Charlotte?an American through and through?won't take no for an answer. An exciting secondary plot involving a duke bent on avenging his brother's murder by dishonoring Denbigh's sister adds an element of mystery.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From the Publisher

She was a gorgeous rebel.

Defying all the rules, daring to speak her mind, Charlotte Edgerton declaredher independence before she even entered the Earl of Denbigh's home. Her newguardian immediately made her a prisoner in her own room--until she agreed tolearn the lady-like arts. Furious, she complied. Anything to buy her freedomfrom Denbigh. She's even marry a man she didn't love to get away from herdomineering guardian. In fact, love was the furthest thing from her mind...

He was the Earl who vowed to tame her.

Lionel Morgan, Earl of Denbigh, had been betrayed at the altar by another womanand vowed that no female would ensnare him again. Then Charlotte Edgertonburst into his life. Denbigh wasn't prepared for this headstrong American--orthe passions she inspired on first sight. He knew only that he had to civilizeher, present her at court, and Almack's, and then marry her off to the highestbidder. It wasn't until he nearly lost her that he realized the truth: She'dsomehow reversed their roles and become the captor of his heart.

Copyright © 1996 by Joan Mertens Johnston.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Dell (April 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0440222001
• ISBN-13: 978-0440222002
• Product Dimensions: 4.2 x 1 x 6.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #310,118 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #10 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Romance > Authors, A-Z > ( J ) > Johnston, Joan

More About the Author

Joan Johnston, the New York Times bestselling author of the Bitter Creek novels A STRANGER'S GAME, THE NEXT MRS. BLACKTHORNE, THE RIVALS, THE PRICE, THE LONER, THE TEXAN, THE COWBOY, and the historicals NO LONGER A STRANGER and COLTER'S WIFE, has written more than forty award-winning historical and contemporary romance novels. She received a master of arts degree in theater from the University of Illinois and graduated with honors from the University of Texas School of Law at Austin. Joan Johnston lives in Colorado and South Florida.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars There are Four Capitves in this story..., July 27, 2009

By 

Maria Marius (Pittsburgh, PA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Captive (Mass Market Paperback)

This well written book has different "levels." There is the story that the editorial reviewer is all excited about--the tale of Charlotte, the poor misbehaved American heiress who drives her autocratic English guardian crazy with her outspoken antics until he locks her in her room... with predictable but delightful consequences. It's a very well done romp and it's thoroughly enjoyable. The "secondary story" is that of the Earl's sister, Olivia, who has allowed herself to become a frightened recluse after an accident that left her badly injured. She sees herself as nothing but a homely cripple, and turns herself into a prisoner in her own home. Until she must chaperone the irrepressible Charlotte at a ball at Almack's... and her brother's sworn enemy asks her to dance. Olivia's story is bittersweet, believable and not the usual one for the genre. There is more than one kind of captivity. In his or her own very different ways, the four main characters are all held prisoner by past events. The impediments to happiness for both Charlotte and Olivia are rational, not overdone. The misunderstandings are also believable and not simply put there in lieu of an actual plot. All of the characters grow and change, their emotions and choices "fit" and they are never merely pretty cardboard figures. I'd say more about the plotlines but that would spoil the fun. This book is about romance and love, not merely descriptions of physical contact. It's a very well-done book that was still rewarding the second time I read it. No doubt it will be just as good the third time!

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable and funny, July 28, 1998

By 

K. Prins (Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Captive (Mass Market Paperback)

This was the first book by Joan Johnston that I had read that wasn't in the Silhouette or Harlequin line and I was pleasently surprised. An interesting premise and I loved Charlotte. She was headstrong and not afraid of doing what she wanted. I also enjoyed the other small stories that Ms. Johnston incorporates into her books. Go out and find the others in this line. You won't be dissapointed.

9 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars First in Captive Series, August 26, 2001

By 

Stacy Wallace (Lumberton, TX United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Captive (Mass Market Paperback)

This book was delightful. I fully enjoyed Charlotte's outspoken frankness and her views on equalality among everyone. She helped the Earl of Denbigh shed his much too stuffy attitude. And she helped heal his heart from a disasterious courtship from an unfortunate victim. I do so hope that the rest in this quartet series are as enjoyable as this one.