Captured by Desire [Mass Market Paperback]

Kira Morgan (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 2010

Young Florie Gilder has always known that her biological father is a noble--her only evidence an heirloom gold belt. Living as a commoner, she earns her keep as apprentice-jewelry-designer in her foster-father's goldsmithing shop. Secretly hoping to find her real father, she offers to sell the goldsmith's wares in the town of her birth--at the Selkirk Fair. With her heirloom gold belt on display, she hopes it will be recognized by her real father.

Leaving her booth at the Fair to take a moment's respite, Florie returns to find that a Lady Mavis Fraser of the Scottish court bought the gold belt (Mavis knows that her husband Lord Fraser would instantly recognize the belt as the link to the whereabouts of his illegitimate daughter whom he seeks to be reunited with, but such a reunion would foil Mavis's claim to her husband's estate). Florie, pursuing Lady Mavis, gives her back her money, wrests back the belt, and flees into the forest. Claiming Florie stole it from her, Mavis makes the authorities promise to find and execute Florie. Meanwhile, Rane MacAllister,a local hunter in the forest, mistakes the hiding Florie for a deer, wounding her with an arrow. He carries her to a local church where she will be guaranteed 40 days of sanctuary. When Lady Mavis hears the church has Florie, she commands Rane to guard her, but in the process he falls in love with her. Lady Mavis sets fire to the church, hoping to kill Florie, but Florie escapes. Rane's penalty for letting her escape will be death. At the eleventh hour, Florie returns, and must decide which she wants more--Rane's life, or her noble lineage...

(2011)

Editorial Reviews

Review

Starred review from Publishers Weekly for Seduced by Destiny:

"Morgan follows 2010's Captured by Desire with a delightful romance set in 16th-century Scotland....Readers weary of Scottish romance cliches will be thrilled to see these cheeky commoners trading blows and puns far away from drafty castles."
(Publishers Weekly 2010)

"A wonderful and rich tapestry of a novel." (Bertrice Small, New York Times bestselling-author 2010)

"A rich, sensual, pull-at-the-heartstrings romance." (Monica McCarty, New York Times bestselling author 2010)

"A finely crafted tale...a satisfying read." (Jennifer Ashley, USA Today bestselling-author 2010)

Raves for Captured by Desire:

"...A seductive blend of romance, excitement, and intrigue with a dose of humor thrown in. With interesting characters that grab the reader's attention and a storyline that demands each page eagerly [be] turned, this is a must read for fans of historical romance. Robin Hood move over, Rane MacAllister is the new archer in town."

Score: 4 out of 5 points! (www.nightowlreviews.com 2010)

"Highly dramatic and very exciting....Loved the story" (www.romancereviewsmag.com 2010)

"Ever so sensual and emotional....the story is solid and very romantic." (yankeeromancereviewers.blogspot.com 2010)

FIVE STARS ! "...An entertaining fast-paced sixteenth century historical romance....Historical readers will enjoy this exciting twisting tale as love arrives when you least expect it." (barnesandnoble.com/Captured-by-Desire/Kira-Morgan Harriet Klausner 2010)

"It takes a good writer to take the reader to a place and time and have them feel as if they are there with the characters, and Ms. Morgan does just that with ease and entertainment." (www.marygramlich.com The Reading Reviewer )

Rated "8" -- VERY GOOD!

Heat Level: Rated "4" -- HOT ! (www.TheSeasonForRomance.com )

From the Back Cover

A WOMAN ON THE RUN

Florie Gilder is a beautiful and celebrated goldsmith--and a fugitive from the law.  Thought to have stolen a precious heirloom that is the key to here true heritage, she seeks sanctuary in a church...only to be discovered by Rane McAllister.  Chivalrous and charming, this broad-shouldered archer is bound by oath to prevent this feisty "thief" from escaping into the countryside. He does, but at a price.

A MAN ON THE HUNT

Florie chafes at being anyone's prisoner. let alone that of a man sent by her accuser.  But Rane, alone with Florie in this abandoned cloister, begins to conquer her guarded heart--and ignites a fiery passion.  Now as their enemies gather to bring about their ruin, Florie and Rane will need courage, wits, and, most of all, love, to survive being...

Captured By Desire

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Forever (August 1, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0446548189
• ISBN-13: 978-0446548182
• Product Dimensions: 4.2 x 1.5 x 6.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,420,577 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Kira Morgan (pseudonym for Glynnis Campbell)

When Glynnis isn't writing historical romance, she's the voice of several cartoon characters, the wife of a rock star, and the mother of two nerdy kids.

Glynnis started her eclectic career as a ballerina in her hometown of Paradise, California, where she became the city's Gold Nugget Queen. She graduated from CSU Chico with a degree in Music with Distinction, singing arias by day and playing rock and roll at night.

Moving to Los Angeles with her college sweetheart, Glynnis co-wrote music for award-winning science films for WARDS and BIOMEDIA ASSOCIATES, then joined the CBS RECORDS all-girl rock band, THE PINUPS, appearing on MERV GRIFFIN, DANCE FEVER, and LAUGH TRACKS. She showed up as the drummer in TOM JONES' video of "It'll Be Me" and recorded vocals for several children's albums with BECKWITH AND TOWNER.

While working as a typographer in a graphic arts studio, she continued to perform in Los Angeles nightclubs. Meanwhile, as Glynnis Talken, she wrote selections and provided voices for the best-selling JUMPSTART line of educational computer games, lent her voice to TIME-WARNER audiobooks, including A DRAGON-LOVER'S TREASURY OF THE FANTASTIC and STAR WARS audio adventures, playing everything from a rubber duckie to a Jedi knight, and landed the lead role as JULIE WINTERS in the MTV animated series, THE MAXX. Her mystic speeches and death screams can currently be heard on BLIZZARD's Games of the Year as The Rogue in DIABLO and DIABLO II, and as Sarah Kerrigan in STARCRAFT.

A lifelong love of towering castles, trusty swords, and knights (and damsels) in shining armor prompted Glynnis to try writing historical romance. Her premiere novel, MY CHAMPION, was a finalist for a RITA, the romance industry's equivalent of an Oscar, for "Best First Book." Her subsequent MY WARRIOR, MY HERO, and A KNIGHT'S VOW received multiple awards and critical acclaim.

Under the nom de plume of Sarah McKerrigan, Glynnis has written three medieval romance novels for Warner Books featuring kick-arse warrior wenches: LADY DANGER, CAPTIVE HEART, and KNIGHT'S PRIZE.

Glynnis' husband of 23 years is Richard Campbell, vocalist/bass player who has performed with Natalie Cole, Badfinger, Tiny Tim, Joe Cocker, Ashford & Simpson, Edgar Winter, Ringo Starr, Simon Kirk, Peter Frampton, Three Dog Night, Chuck Negron, Dave Mason, and is currently touring with America. Her daughter Brynna has created her own major, Entertainment Industry Promotion, and is pursuing a singer/songwriter career, and her son Dylan is attending college as a percussionist.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I really enjoyed reading a leading hero who was a truly good guy from the start instead of being a rogue who becomes reformed, July 27, 2010

By 

Bookaholics Reviewer (Bay Area, California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Captured by Desire (Mass Market Paperback)

Captured By Desire by Kira Morgan

Historical Romance - July 27th, 2010

4 ½ Stars

Captured by Desire is the story of a beautiful goldsmith named Florie Gilder. She has come to the Selkirk Fair to find her real father but finds herself thrown into a disastrous situation when she loses the heirloom that is the key to her true heritage. In a fit of rashness she steals it back and finds herself running from the law as an accused thief! Luckily she finds herself thrown into the path of Rane MacAllister. He mistakenly shoots her with his arrow but vows to take care of her at all costs and protect her from those who would come after her. With Rane's help Florie is able to take sanctuary in a local church where law allows her to stay for forty days without the law coming after her. Rane stays by her side to care for her and as the two spend more time together they become more and more attracted to one another. Unfortunately, there are many secrets and threats that these two will have to overcome before they can give their hearts to one another.

I found Captured by Desire to be a fantastic story filled with mesmerizing characters. I become invested in right from the start. Rane MacAllister was especially enjoyable to read. As someone who often reads historical novel I really enjoyed reading a leading hero who was a truly good guy from the start instead of being a rogue who becomes reformed as the story moves along. I also liked Florie as the female lead who had a lot to deal with but still found the ability to preserver through all her troubles. My only complaint about Florie was that she could have been more trusting of Rane considering everything he was risking just to help her.

Overall, I found this to be a fabulous story that was fun and exciting to read with character that you could really feel for and want to find a happy ending together. If you love historical romance stories, especially one with a fantastic Scottish element you will absolutely love this new novel by Kira Morgan.

Reviewed by Mary from the Bookaholics Romance Book Club

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Rane McAlister is every woman's fantasy. Hawt!, July 27, 2010

By 

Theresa M. Studer "Terra57" (Hopedale, MA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Captured by Desire (Mass Market Paperback)

This book caught me off guard with it's romantic intensity. Ever so sensual and emotional this is sure to catch you in the huntsman's bulls eye having cupids arrow slice deliciously into your soul. A grappling story of life's injustices, curses and down right evil greed that add the perfect touches to a story of true love at first sight.

Florie Gilder is truly beautiful, delicate, petite, stubborn as the day is long and a much admired goldsmith in her own right. Even making pieces that have Princess Mary of Scotland commissioning Florie for her own use.

What Florie really needs though is to find her real father for she is a bastard child raised by her mother and a Goldsmith of high standing in his guild. With her mother now gone and her step father in his cups more than out, Florie decides that it's time for her to see for herself if she can make it as a goldsmith and find the man who sired her. Being naive and far too trusting sets off a chain of events that will show Florie just what the real world is really like outside of Stirlin.

Rane McAlister is a Viking God in every physical way possible. Tall, light haired with golden skin from being outside working, a mannerism that speaks of a kind gentle giant. He has a skill as a huntsman of the highest standing but one skip of the arrow from a moments distractions puts him in a place that causes him emotional pain so searing that it will surely take this kind and generous hunk of man and change him forever.

The story is solid and very romantic. Light but with a dark reality strewn from greed and just plain evil. It shows a compassion and forgiveness that all of us should take a lesson from. The author has most certainly captured the true essence of the times and dear God am I glad to live in this day and age. A nice piece of fluff to let you escape your own harsh reality even for just a little bit.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Terrific!, July 28, 2010

By 

Detra Fitch "Always hunting good books." (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Captured by Desire (Mass Market Paperback)

Set in Spring, 1568, Scottish Lands. Florie Gilder is a respected apprentice of a goldsmith, who happens to be her foster father. Her precious crafts have often been for the Princess May herself. She is even well known to the queen. The only item Florie has left from her deceased mother is a golden pomander. This pomander is more than a trinket. It holds the secret to learning who her real father is. Florie only knows he is from Selkirk. Thus, Florie attends the Selkirk Fair. But due to a mix-up, Florie finds herself fleeing with her pomander as Lady Mavis Fraser begins exclaiming Florie to be a thief.

Lady Mavis Fraser is the cruel wife of the sheriff of Selkirk, Lord Gilbert Fraser. Upon seeing the pomander, Lady Mavis knows her future is at stake. She must be rid of it quickly. The only way to be sure is for her to obtain the piece and melt it down. However, Florie has been granted sanctuary by Father Conan, the blind priest of a run-down church. Lady Mavis once held the status as the English Crown's most valuable spy. Unwilling to wait forty days (the terms of sanctuary), Lady Mavis begins using her connections and begins devising Florie's death.

Rane MacAllister, Huntsman to Lord Gilbert, poaches in the sheriff's forest to feed the starving people. Accidently, Rane shoots an arrow into Florie's leg. Having the guilty feeling of shooting a lady is bad enough, but then the sheriff tasks his with guarding Florie and preventing her escape. As Rane tends Florie's wound, passions ignite. The enemy is at the door and it will take all they have simply to survive the next forty days.

**** FOUR STARS! A tantalizing story of love set in an era filled with traitorous people. The characters are well developed and the author's talent shines on every page. I foresee a rewarding career in this author's future. ****

Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.