Captive of Sin [Mass Market Paperback]

Anna Campbell (Author)

Book Description

Release date: October 27, 2009

Captive of Sin is Anna Campbell's latest romance about two tortured souls who, despite the odds, find a once-in-a-lifetime love. When Sir Gideon Trevithick vows to protect a defiant beauty whatever the cost, he’s dismayed to discover that she’s none other than Lady Charis Weston, England’s wealthiest heiress—and that the only way to save her from the violent stepbrothers determined to steal her fortune is to wed her himself!

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Campbell (Untouched) matches up two proud, wary victims of abuse in this smart Regency romance. Sir Gideon Trevithick, an English spy captured in India, was tortured for a year before rescuers brought him home as a national hero. After so long chained to his compatriots' corpses, he can't abide human touch, but he's still able to feel sympathy when he encounters battered Lady Charis Weston. She distrusts and despises men after being beaten by her greedy stepbrothers, who want to prevent her from inheriting a family fortune. Gideon tries to fight their growing attraction, believing the beautiful and warm Charis deserves better than a man so damaged by trauma and survivor's guilt, but Charis's clever plan to heal his wounded soul reveals delightful insight and leads to luscious love scenes. Readers will cheer for these lovable and well-crafted characters. (Nov.)
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From the Back Cover

He pledged his honor to keep her safe . . .

Returning home to Cornwall after an unspeakable tragedy, Sir Gideon Trevithick comes upon a defiant beauty in danger and vows to protect her whatever the cost. He's dismayed to discover that she's none other than Lady Charis Weston, England's wealthiest heiress—and that the only way to save her from the violent stepbrothers determined to steal her fortune is to wed her himself! Now Gideon must hide the dark secrets of his life from the bride he desires more with every heartbeat.

She promised to show him how to love—and desire—again . . .

Charis has heard all about Gideon, the dangerously handsome hero with the mysterious past. She's grateful for his help but utterly unwilling to endure a marriage of convenience—especially to a man whose touch leaves her breathless. Desperate to drive him mad with passion, she would do anything to make Gideon lose control—and fall captive to irresistible, undeniable sin.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Avon; Original edition (October 27, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0061684287
• ISBN-13: 978-0061684289
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (34 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #613,347 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Anna Campbell lives on the beautiful coast of Queensland in Australia. She has four times been voted Favorite Australian romance writer by the Australian Romance Readers Association (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012). Her first historical romance for Avon was the multi-award winning CLAIMING THE COURTESAN. CLAIMING THE COURTESAN which was followed by more multi-award winning books set in the Regency: UNTOUCHED; TEMPT THE DEVIL; CAPTIVE OF SIN; MY RECKLESS SURRENDER; and MIDNIGHT'S WILD PASSION. In 2012, Anna started an exciting new publishing partnership with Grand Central Publishing. SEVEN NIGHTS IN A ROGUE'S BED, the first book in her "Sons of Sin" series, is a gothic Beauty and the Beast story. Book 2 in the series, A RAKE'S MIDNIGHT KISS, comes out in September 2013. In July 2013, look out for a "Sons of Sin" novella, DAYS OF RAKES AND ROSES. Anna has also independently published two e-novellas, THE WINTER WIFE: A CHRISTMAS NOVELLA and THESE HAUNTED HEARTS: A REGENCY GHOST ROMANCE. Anna blogs with the Romance Bandits - www.romancebandits.com You can find out more about Anna and her books at her website: www.annacampbell.info

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Riveting, original story with wonderful leads October 29, 2009

By Melissa VINE™ VOICE

Format:Mass Market Paperback

Anna Campbell's latest offering Captive of Sin is unique and heartfelt with one incredibly brave and memorable hero. This is one of the best romance novels I have read this year.

Lady Charis Weston is the richest heiress in England but unable to access her funds for at least three more weeks until her birthday. She has two amoral, greedy and violent step brothers who have plans for her to marry so they can take her money and when she does not succumb to their wishes, they brutally beat her. Charis escapes but gets only as far as a local inn's stables before she must rest.

Gideon Trevithick has recently returned from India and is on his way to his ancestral seat when he discovers the badly bruised and injured Charis. These opening scenes are very well written as Ms. Campbell describes the tangible fear and distrust Charis has toward Gideon, even though he is nothing but kind. Charis lies to Gideon about her circumstances claiming she is on her way to visit an aunt in Portsmouth and that she was set upon by footpads. Eventually Gideon persuades her to accompany him to Portsmouth via his carriage.

In the close confines of this transport Gideon and Charis form a reluctant truce. Charis is rightfully nervous and Gideon longs to help Charis but realizes she is wary of him. In Portsmouth, Charis has no funds and makes a smart move by accepting Gideon's offer of sanctuary at his home. Gideon is incredibly noble but he is described as damaged and this becomes abundantly clear whenever Charis sees his reaction when he is physically touched. Gideon was a prisoner for a year in India and his torture has left him quite unable to withstand physical contact; he becomes violently ill, even a handshake or a caress will undo him....

This is absolutely heartbreaking for Charis as she now sees Gideon as her hero. His trauma is incredibly moving and Charis develops strong feelings of compassion and love for this tortured man. Yet she also desires him and is uncertain how she could ever have a physical relationship with Gideon.

Gideon also desires Charis. He is incredibly protective of her even though he does not know her full story (Charis has a tendency to reveal her past in small increments rather than share her entire story outright). His mission is to save her from her horrible family and in so doing the reader can see that this is in actuality Gideon's hope for redemption.

The tension in this book is marvelous. Gideon and Charis long for each other but any physical expression becomes overwhelming to Gideon and greatly discouraging for Charis. I wondered how these two would ever be able to have a normal romance. Yet the steady build up of sexual frustration and pent up desires kept me deeply engrossed in this story. When these two do touch it is powerful. But just as intense are Gideon's revelations about his past, these are haunting experiences which have wounded him in all ways, he bears physical scars but the mental ones are debilitating and keeping him from a normal life.

I truly liked both the leads. Charis is resourceful and has the courage of a long ago knight. She will battle anybody or anything for Gideon even risking her personal and emotional safety. Gideon is a hero in every sense of the word. He is just, protective and brave. He recognized the innate strength in Charis right from the start. The final third of this novel is sublime, beautifully penned. Their physical encounters are sensual and honest but also difficult for Gideon especially. These two wounded people must overcome great obstacles before they can have the relationship they both desire. This novel is riveting from the opening scenes to the heart warming ending. Read more ›

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Devoured every page November 11, 2009

By melina zora

Format:Mass Market Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

At long last! Dear Anna has done it again by inventing a story which does not remind you of another, with an irresistable hero, a wonderful heroine who has self esteem, pride courage and sense for a change, and a story so tensely wrought with adventure, it keeps you hanging on every line. I had read many books prior to this which did not deserve the paper they were written on, but this story made up for the previous disappointments.

Sir Gideon Trevithic is returning to his estate in Cornwall after serving his country in India. He returns a hero but what he endured there has left him with serious physical and mental scars. He is haunted by nightmares brought on by his ordeal, suffering from insomnia and panic attacks in the proximity of people,unable to bear the company of others ,except for two trusted friends. He simply cannot tolerate any form of intimacy, not even that of a handshake. This tortured man has ample compassion however, so when he comes across a severely abused woman hiding in the stables, he insists on helping, though he realizes that her pitiable story is a fabrication.

Lady Charis Weston is running away from her two stepbrothers who threaten to rape her, after having beaten her beyond recognition in an attempt to make her accept the hand of a man of their choice, . She is England's wealthiest heiress who will come into her fortune on turning twenty one. If she marries before that time, her husband will control her money. She must therefore, remain in hiding for the next three weeks until her birthday. If her brothers find her, she'll be forced into matrimony and then conveniently disposed of once their goal is achieved.... When she's offered a ride by this kind mysterious man, Charis accepts with relief and gratitude, although she must escape from him as well. She is aware that once he finds out her true identity he will have no option but to return her to her lawful guardians.

Gideon, is determined to offer sanctuary to this girl, no matter what the inconvenience to him. He takes her to his home which, despite its neglect, retains its grace and beauty, much like our broken hero, who remains noble and courageous. The heroine also acts with strength and resolve, agreeing to mary Gideon when she realizes it is the only sensible option. But she is not about to passively accept a marriage of convenience to a man who shirks at her mere touch. She has fallen in love with the strong, magnanimous man who at times seems vulnerable and fragile , his sanity hanging by a thread. Charis has fortitude, challenging this man's deep seated insecurities, patiently reawakening him to love, passion and trust.

It is an intensely emotional book, the hero and heroine remarkable in their courage yet they do posses human weaknesses which make them lifelike.Their characters are multilayered , parts of which are revealed as their love grows. The atmosphere is palpable, I felt as if I was watching a black and white movie like 'Jamaica Inn', so vivid are the descriptions of the landscape ,weather, the roads and cities. The suspense is intense as the stepbrothers are desperate and prepared to go to any lengths to get their hands on Charis' fortune. I absolutely loved it and wish that there were more writers who could write with such flair. Read more ›

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A grown-up's love story in spite of the very young protagonists November 4, 2009

By Old Latin teacher TOP 500 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Mass Market Paperback

Nobody in recent years does damaged souls healed by the power of love quite like Anna Campbell does. Her books remind me of what Mary Jo Putney used to write (The Rake, Dearly Beloved, etc.) or Laura Kinsale (Flowers From the Storm, The Prince of Midnight). Other reviewers have summed up the plotline, so I'm just adding my 5 stars for the book. I must agree with the reviewer who thought the hero's problems were too easily resolved, considering how deep his emotional trauma was, but it's still a very good plot and it is well written. The heroine is mature beyond her almost 21 years so the story should appeal to a wide age-range readership.

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars An exciting love story!! October 27, 2009

By A. Jacobs VINE™ VOICE

Format:Mass Market Paperback

I was always hesitant on reading historical romance books. I always thought that I would not understand the wording and that they might seem a little boring. I now know that when you have an author like Anna Campbell, there is no reason to hesitate. She made it feel like I was right there going through everything that the characters were going through. The wording was easy to comprehend even when using the old style of speaking. She captured me from page one all the way to the last page. A sweet and tender journey of two people with problems that end up facing them together so that they are no longer burden by their inner demons. A book that captures true romance and enough intrigue to keep me up all night reading. Ms. Campbell has now shown me the wonderful world of historical fiction. I am now hooked on finding more books from this author.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Well-written romance January 16, 2010

By Helen Hancox

Format:Mass Market Paperback

This book was a welcome relief from a succession of mediocre-or-worse historical romances that I had trudged through. Despite looking like any other historical romance on the outside, this book gripped from the first chapter and it held my attention the whole way through.

What was particularly noticeable in 'Captive of Sin' was that almost the entire book consisted of interactions between hero (Sir Gideon Trevithick) and heroine (Lady Charis Weston). The reader is deeply immersed into their lives as they encounter one another in a stable, travel together to Cornwall, then to Jersey, then back to Cornwall. Charis meets Gideon when she has run away from her stepbrothers after a beating and takes refuge in a stable; Gideon's sense of honour means he has to help her when it's plain she's in trouble. But the initial impression of Gideon as a hero, a strong and capable character, is soon shown to be only part of the story of this complex man.

Gideon is lauded as Hero after events in India but only his two closest companions know the truth of his time there. As Charis falls in love with Gideon she discovers some odd behaviours that he exhibits, most notably that he won't let anyone touch him. When they have to marry to protect Charis from her stepbrothers, she has to try to help Gideon come to terms with what ails him, whilst opening herself up to rejection by the man she loves.

The strong point of this story was its characterisation. Gideon and Charis are both very attractive people, in nature and behaviour as well as looks, and the reader is drawn into their world and wants the best for them. Charis initially comes across as perhaps a little weak but she learns a new strength as she begins to deal with her feelings for Gideon.... The gradual unveiling of the reason for his strange behaviour is well written and I found it all convincing. There are a lot of sex scenes in this book but they are tastefully done and I felt convinced by the romance and that this hero and heroine had truly found salvation in each other. A really good read!

Originally published for Curled Up With A Good Book © Helen Hancox 2010 Read more ›