Pink Heart Reviews
His Captive
Diana Crosby
Zebra, November 2007, 315 pp
ISBN-10: 1420101080
ISBN-13: 978-1420101089
Medieval, circa 1296
$3.99 (US) $5.99 (CDN)
Reviewed by Laurel
March 2008
Kidnapped from her home and held for ransom, Lady Nichola Westcott, does not believe a word that comes from Sir Alexander MacGruder’s mouth when he promises that no harm will come to her. All he wants is the ransom from her brother and he will set her free. Unbeknownst to him, they are penniless, her brother Griffin, the Baron of Monceaux has depleted their coffers dry and she was secretly selling precious family heirlooms to provide food and make ends meet. She is starting to fall for Alexander with his caring and tender ways, especially after a failed escape attempt landed her in a nettle bush. It’s not soon after that the captive becomes a guest, melting the tough warrior’s heart, secretly hoping he will never return her home.
Seeking justice and revenge for his father’s death, Alexander travels to Northern England in the hopes of murdering Griffin, but a secret panel allows him to flee and escape enraging Alexander who then kidnaps his sister. On the journey to Scotland and his home, he pushes his developing feelings for Nichola away to no avail. When they arrive at his homeland he tucks her away in the tower, while trying to convince his brothers this is the right thing to do. But when word comes that Nichola’s brother is dead, it is soon discovered that she is penniless. This information places her in harm’s way as one of Alexander’s brothers is convinced she is nothing but a English Spy and devises a plan that will rid her from his brother’s life.
HIS CAPTIVE is the debut novel for upcoming and talented author Diana Cosby. The story pulls you in right from the first chapter, and while the characters waffled back and forth on their desires and love for each other for a fair majority of the novel I found it only mildly annoying. As it was often the cause for misunderstandings between the two main characters, proving to be the catalyst for an exciting and nail biting ending, as loyalties and family ties are tested and twisted, and you can’t wait to see how it all ends. I really enjoyed HIS CAPTIVE and the characters, and I look forward to reading more from this author. She left an impression on me, in this time in Historical Romance where stories and plotlines are often overused and have become boring—Diana Cosby was able to take such a plotline making it uniquely her own. It’s an enjoyable debut novel.
