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Captured by Desire

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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

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.

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.

I really enjoyed this book. It made me laugh and also brought me to tears. It was very well written.

Florie Gilder, a very talented goldsmith, has a secret and a mission. Her secret lies in the gold pomander she confiscated from Lady Mavis. Now branded a thief, she is on the run and seeks sanctuary in an abandoned church.

Rane McAllister, a Robin Hood of sorts, is a skilled huntsman who spends his day poaching game to feed the starving locals. During an evening hunt, he mistakes Florie for a deer and accidentally fires his arrow which pierces her thigh. Riddled with guilt over shooting a maiden, he takes her to the church to care for her wound only to discover that she's a [supposed] thief on the run.

Florie is not Rane's usual type. He prefers buxom, fair-haired maidens who let him have his way with them. Most of them don't mind though for Rane is tall, blond and blue-eyed with bronzed skin and is nothing short of gorgeous. However, as most love stories go, there is something alluring about this slender, raven-haired beauty that makes Rane want to care for her. Florie, although aware Rane's beauty, is far from trusting and so even bleeding, she fights him tooth and nail.

Florie needs to make it back to the safety of her home with the pomander that holds the key to her future. But with Florie barely able to stand and knowing she is being hunted, Rane refuses to let her out of his sight. He knows she will be safe from Lady Mavis' evil clutches if she simply stays within the confines of the church.

Unfortunately, Lady Mavis also happens to be the wife of the sheriff who has given Rane instructions to secure Florie until an arrest can be made. Rane is now trapped between duty to his sheriff and a growing affection for Florie.

Kira Morgan did a fantastic job of developing these characters as well as weaving some element of mystery into the storyline. For most of the story, you're wondering who Florie really is and how the mystery of her identity will affect her relationship with Rane. It certainly kept me intrigued. Each character created the desired effect. I rooted for Rane and Florie while I loathed Lady Mavis.

The abandoned church provided a cozy and intimate, yet slightly awkward setting for Florie and Rane's growing romance with some of the love scenes occurring inside the church. The actual love making scene occurs in the forest, which was romantic and didn't violate the sanctity of the church. I thought this was very tastefully done.

I was really pleased with the finale of this book. Even though most of the novel moves at a leisurely pace with minor drama, Kira gave us some nail biting scenes at the end. The mystery of Florie's identity is solved and Lady Mavis gets her due, and our hero and heroine lived happily ever after.

I truly enjoyed this novel and can now say that I definitely have a book crush on Rane McAllister. I look forward to reading Kira Morgan's Seduced by Destiny.

Florie Gilder is a goldsmith by trade. She travels to a market to sell her wares, and also search for her birth father. While at the market her assistant unknowingly sells her only proof of her paternity. After trying to reason with the women who bought it, Florie resorts to returning the money quickly, grabbing the item, and running. While fleeing through the woods in search of sanctuary at a nearby church, Florie takes an arrow in the thigh when a huntsman mistakes her for an animal. The huntsman, Rane, is a gorgeous Scot from Viking decent, and also an excellent shot. He redirected the arrow at the last minute so as to not kill the woman, and carries her to the church which was her destination. Now he feels he owes her his protection even when the sheriff appoints him as her guard during the 40 days she claimed sanctuary.


Rane's good heart gets him far with the ladies, but he has no desire to settle down. Florie is jaded when it comes to love after witnessing the heartbreak experienced by her mother and stepfather. Rane and Florie both find themselves reevaluating their feelings as the days in sanctuary pass.


I loved this book. Rane is a gentle and caring soul, but still maintained the masculinity I find appealing in my historical romance heroes. It was so nice to see such a kindhearted man as the leading love interest. Florie's independence and spunk sets her apart from many other women in historical fiction. I found it fascinating that she had a trade typically suited for a man and excelled at it. The mysterious elements of the plot were well constructed, but the romance was front and center. Rane is my newest literary crush. A Vikings build with a Scottish brogue? Yes, please! I can promise his actions will make you swoon. Not as steamy as other books from this genre, but still one I recommend for all the die hard romantics out there.

[Captured by Desire][Morgan, Kira][Paperboundmassmarket]I was caught up in this book from the beginning. This is the first book that I have read by Kira Morgan and I am pleased to say that I have really enjoyed this historical romance. It has been a while since I have read a historical romance that the male character is sweet and loving from the beginning and it was kind of a nice change. I felt that this story came together well and flowed nicely from chapter to chapter. This book has great details and the characters just come to life. This is a fast paced story with a nice blend of mystery and romance that will keep you interested page after page.

This is a fantastic story about a strong woman who finds herself and comes to terms with a rogue who is really a sweetheart in disguise. I was also impressed that the romance (my wording for hot monkey love) was worked in so that you wanted it and the story wasn't dependent on it. I fell in love with Rane myself which is always a good sign for a hero in my book. Florie as the female lead is just wonderful and strong. I loved the fact that it is Florie who wants revenge. I wanted to be dashing through the forest with both of them. Of course, you need an evil character to make the whole thing work and Lady Mavis certainly fills the bill.

3.5 stars - I liked it.

I'm a huge fan of Highlander romance and going in I thought that this was going to be one of those types of reads with a sweet Scottish lass and a big strong Highland hero. As far as the heroine, Florie, yeah she fit that mold but the hero, Rane definitely did not! He was definitely big and strong but he wasn't a Highland warrior, he was a hunter and of Viking descent...not something I read about everyday so I thought he was marvelous. As for supporting characters, Father Conan was so sweet and the old rectory cat, Methuselah was a cute little add in. Josselin, Rane's youngest admirer was adorable! I was thinking to myself, this girl needs her own story and what do you know she's getting it in Kira Morgan's next book, Seduced by Destiny!

As for the story line itself I'll admit I was a little bored after the first few chapters but once Florie's injuries started to heal and she became her saucy self I became more interested. I'll be honest and say that I didn't really feel a love connection between Rane and Florie, it seemed more lustful. However by the end of the book I was satisfied that they really did love each other and Florie was ready and willing to give up everything to be with her love.

This was a nice romance I would recommend to readers of general market romance who are looking for something a bit different from the norm. I finished it on once day so it's a relatively quick read. Also it's mass market paperback so it's just the right size to take a long in your purse. :-)

*I received my copy from Anna Balasi @ Hachette Book Group in exchange for posting my honest review.*

CAPTURED BY DESIRE by Kira Morgan is an amazing historical romance set in 1548 Scotland. It is well written with depth and details. The characters and plot are well developed, easy to follow, and will definitely fall in love with. It has betrayal, romance, sensuality, wit, danger, spies,trust, acceptance, finding your heritage, and following your heart.It is fast paced, a page turner, set on the edge of your seat, with twists and turns. It will capture your heart from page one to the end. The hero, Rane, is handsome, sexy, a huntsman for the sheriff,Lord Gilbert, loved by all the women of his village, tender hearted, and keeps his promises.He is also part Scottish and part Viking, which is supposed to make him irresistible to all woman. Legend is their is a curse which makes women love him. The heroine, Florie, is tall, strong willed, a goldsmith, determined to not fall in love or lose her heart to anyone. She is determined to find her biological father from an treasured heirloom giving to her by her mother on her deathbed. This heirloom causes her trouble from the wife of the Lord Gilbert(Lady Mavis), she recognizes the heirloom and is determined to destroy it and its owner. What follows is a dramatic conclusion with adventure, love, hate, betrayal, and what could have been a disaster for both Florie and Rane and their love. I would highly recommend this book especially if you enjoy all the romance and splender of a wonderful amazing historical romance. This book was received for review and details can be found at Forever an imprint of Hachette Book Group and My Addiction and More.