HIS CAPTIVE LADY

Author: Carol Townend ISBN: 9780373305483 7/2008 HISTORICAL Publisher: HARLEQUIN
Time Period: Medieval, 1068, East Anglia and Wessex

CAPTURED BY THE WARRIOR! Lady Erica had tried to bring peace to her people, so that they could join forces against the Normans.  Instead she became captive to the Saxon warrior, Saewulf Brader! Wulf was, in truth, a Norman captain spying on the enemy. Chaste yet fearless Lady Erica wasn't part of his plan.  Her beauty was as disarming as it was captivating, but Wulf knew that once she discovered his deception, their fragile bond of trust would be destroyed.

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

Carol Townend's HIS CAPTIVE LADY is a medieval romance lover's dream! It is so well written I felt completely surrounded by history, drawn back in time to a place where love could bring a tender touch to a very hard life. I was as captive as Lady Erica!

This is much more than a romance. It is a glimpse into history, one that brings the Norman/Saxon feud to life. Wulf is a warrior whose prospects depend solely on his acumen as a warrior. When he's given a less-than-desirable assignment he knows the way to win his Leige's favor is by doing his best, despite the danger that threatens to kill him at every turn. His mission takes on an added danger—of the female kind—when Lady Erica arrives hoping to find peace in the arms of the enemy. Wulf is drawn to her immediately, even though he knows there can never be any hope for him with the likes of the beautiful woman. After all, she is a lady and he is just a spy.

The details in this story are so rich and vivid, it is impossible not to clearly see every scene, hear each spoken word, feel every character's emotions. This author has a flair for historical storytelling that is truly enchanting. While I never felt like I was being taught anything, reading this book was very much like having a tutorial session. I learned so much about garrison courtyards, liege lords and Saxon marriages, just to name a few things. The truth is that all learning should be as enjoyable and entertaining as this was.

I fell headfirst into the characters and story of HIS CAPTIVE LADY—and honestly loved every minute. Wonderfully well done!

Kay James