Captive Heart (Mass Market Paperback)

by Sarah McKerrigan (Author)
Key Phrases: warrior maid, stable lads, The Shadow, Sung Li, Colin du Lac (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Helena of Rivenloch refuses to allow a Norman, Pagan Cameliard, to force her little sister into marriage. But when she tries to slay the bridegroom, she's apprehended by his right-hnd man, Colin du Lac. Clever Helena manages to turn the tables, taking Colin hostage and spirits him away to a secluded cottage while she waits for a reply to her ransom demand. But Colin knows there will be no reply. Indeed, his abduction - by a woman - will likely amuse Pagan. So Colin passes the days with Helena, growing curiously beguiled by his beautiful, brazer captor. Despite the growing passion between them, Colin has no use for a warrior wife and Helena has no use for marriage. But can these two combatants declare a truce - before they conquer each other's hearts.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 360 pages
• Publisher: Forever (October 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0446616168
• ISBN-13: 978-0446616164
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.2 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #468,119 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Captive Heart, January 6, 2007

By	M. Nix "Joyfully Reviewed" - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Helena of Rivenloch is angry; angry at the world but most especially angry at the man that has come to their castle in order to marry her younger sister. The night before the wedding, Helena sneaks into the groom's bedroom and tries to stab him, only she is thwarted by his most trusted protector; Colin du Lac. Helena finds herself locked in the dungeon away from everyone so that a wedding can happen without interruption. Biding her time, she laughingly discovers that Colin is chivalrous and would never willingly harm a female captive. So, she does what any other warrior would do; she kidnaps him hoping to stop the wedding.

Colin du Lac can't believe that Helena actually thought she would be able to stab her sister's affianced groom. Not having a choice, Colin puts Helena into a cell in the dungeon so that she won't interrupt the vows between her sister and his overlord. When Helena cries out in dismay, Colin opens the door but too soon realizes that the joke is on him. Especially since he is the one now held at knifepoint and led away from the castle.

Helena vows to return Colin once the wedding has been cancelled. She has no idea that the sister she is protecting is not the sister being wed. Misconstrued information and mistakes plague Helena every step of the way, but one thing is certain, she wants Colin du Lac and she is not happy about that one bit.

Captive Heart is a solid, well written historical set during the time of arranged marriages and political unrest. Helena's intentions are honorable, even though the way she goes about trying to save her sister could be termed a bit comical. Her heart was in the right place and I think that is when she started making mistakes. Add a rascally Norman knight that set her heart aflame and Helena didn't stand a chance.
Sarah McKerrigan has a good story with Captive Heart. I love the time period in which the book is set and found it totally captivating. I can't wait to see if the third sister in this series gets her own novel!

Talia
Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Sword-Fighting Fun, June 8, 2007

By	Lisa Shea "LisaShea.com" - See all my reviews (TOP 10 REVIEWER)

I have always adored stories with independent, sword-swinging female characters, and was thrilled when I came across the trilogy written by Sarah McKerrigan. The first book, Lady Danger, tells the story of the eldest of three sisters - a mature, deliberate woman who strives to defend her family while falling in love with a worthy knight. She looks out for her two younger sisters.

Now, in this new tale, you hear the second sister's story - the wild, impetuous one.

I love the literary device of having these stories interweave. In Lady Danger, you hear bits and pieces of what is happening to Helena and Colin. They are "off stage" most of the time. In this book, you now get to hear what was going on, and learn more details about the overall storyline. It really does help to read Lady Danger first, so that the situations and characters are familiar to you.

I wondered how much I would really relate to Helena after reading Lady Danger. While Deirdre (the eldest sister) really appeals strongly to me, I shared her exasperation with Helena. Helena never thought first, would dive into dangerous situations and drag others with her. Colin feels exactly the same way - but of course he is also drawn to her impetuous nature.

The plotting is great, and I love the intricate worlds that are created. The personalities are both nicely developed and also quite different than those of the first book. Sarah isn't just churning out "book after book" with cookie-cutter heroes and heroines - they are very unique people. Again, for me, as much as I hate to admit it, I'd rather read variations of Lady Danger every year for the rest of my life :) Those characters really were powerful to me. I don't relate as well to reckless not-thinking main characters. But I realize that's my personality. I'm sure others will adore Helena and her act-first trait.

If I have any complaint, it's that the dialogue is an odd mix of modern slang and "Forsooths" which make it seem like a renaissance fair with costumed actors. You do tend to fall into the rhythm of that soon enough, though.

Highly recommended - and be sure to keep an eye out for the final book in the trilogy, about the youngest sister!

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars fine medieval romance , October 1, 2006

By	Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews (#1 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

In 1136, the Warrior Maids of Riveloch object to Pagan Caeliard arriving to take over the estate that they and their third sister Miriel have tended though King David sent his loyal knight to do so. Instead Helena and Deirdre plan to interrupt the nuptials. However, a drunken Helena is locked away by Pagan's top assistant Sir Colin du Lac.

The wedding goes on as planned, but a sober Helena revises her plot to prevent the marriage. She takes Colin prisoner using her wiles; she will offer him in exchange for Pagan leaving. However, her scheme further falls apart as she is attracted to her prisoner and worse he informs her that his liege wed Deirdre. As they fall in love, Helena fears for her independence if she marries the enemy.

The second Warrior Maids tale is a fine medieval romance starring a capable warrior woman and the kind knight who loves her. The story line parallels much of the time line that occurs in LADY DANGER so that readers of the first novel will see some of the secondary events take center stage in this story, but newcomers will have a stand alone tale. Sarah Kerrigan provides a wonderful historical romance that will gain her many sub-genre fans, who like this reader looks forward to the final sister's tale where the "Shadow" will hopefully be revealed (though the betting favorite is).

Harriet Klausner