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Beloved Captor
Desdaine has fallen hard for space fighter ace, Jess Laren. The trouble is, Laren is a hero on the wrong side of the interplanetary war.
As a senior intelligence officer in the Ilzec Empire, Desdaine thinks his attraction to other men is his own secret. But when Laren is shot down in Ilzec airspace and found guilty of spying, Desdaine receives orders to carry out the execution. Desdaine didn’t think his outlawed desire was obvious, but apparently someone sees through him, and wants to know where Desdaine’s loyalty truly lies. Shamed and furious, Desdaine makes the only choice he can…
As a senior intelligence officer in the Ilzec Empire, Desdaine thinks his attraction to other men is his own secret. But when Laren is shot down in Ilzec airspace and found guilty of spying, Desdaine receives orders to carry out the execution. Desdaine didn’t think his outlawed desire was obvious, but apparently someone sees through him, and wants to know where Desdaine’s loyalty truly lies. Shamed and furious, Desdaine makes the only choice he can…
146 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2012
4 people are currently reading
294 people want to read
About the author
Jez Morrow
10 books203 followersI am a madam's granddaughter.
I write homoerotic fiction.
Scarlet Blade is a swashbuckling romance between a dashing Spanish nobleman and a fallen priest in colonial California.
In Chasing Shadows the trail of a killer leads two Chicago police detectives to each other.
Beloved Captor is a sci fi love story between a prisoner of war and his keeper.
Sovereign's Gladiator is a tale of lust, loyalty, betrayal, and love between a sovereign and his bodyguard.
Touch of a Wolf starts in a Philadelphia alley with anonymous sex between a young graduate student and an ageless wolf shifter from Valley Forge.
Force of Law is a Pretty Woman tale, but with a tomcat garage mechanic in the Julia Roberts role.
Shadow of a Wolf takes place in contemporary Washington DC. The men are wolf shifters.
Lover and Commander is science fiction.
The men are space fighter pilots.
In Name of a Wolf I'm back to wolves, but Craiglaren is a sort of highland neverwhere neverwhen.
The stories always involve two men. No threesomes. Always erotica. A strong plot. Always an HEA.
Other than that, I never know where the next road leads.
I write homoerotic fiction.
Scarlet Blade is a swashbuckling romance between a dashing Spanish nobleman and a fallen priest in colonial California.
In Chasing Shadows the trail of a killer leads two Chicago police detectives to each other.
Beloved Captor is a sci fi love story between a prisoner of war and his keeper.
Sovereign's Gladiator is a tale of lust, loyalty, betrayal, and love between a sovereign and his bodyguard.
Touch of a Wolf starts in a Philadelphia alley with anonymous sex between a young graduate student and an ageless wolf shifter from Valley Forge.
Force of Law is a Pretty Woman tale, but with a tomcat garage mechanic in the Julia Roberts role.
Shadow of a Wolf takes place in contemporary Washington DC. The men are wolf shifters.
Lover and Commander is science fiction.
The men are space fighter pilots.
In Name of a Wolf I'm back to wolves, but Craiglaren is a sort of highland neverwhere neverwhen.
The stories always involve two men. No threesomes. Always erotica. A strong plot. Always an HEA.
Other than that, I never know where the next road leads.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
January 22, 2012
Another good one from Ms. Morrow. The play of power is captivating.
March 7, 2018
2.5 stars
It was a rather meh story for me.
The premise was very intriguing, it was exactly what I like - a captive/captor kind of story. And add to that a sci-fi setting!
But I didn't like it. I didn't get the MCs and their actions... The whole basis of the MCs relationship was very weird.
I only liked Melton, but it couldn't save the story.
It was a rather meh story for me.
The premise was very intriguing, it was exactly what I like - a captive/captor kind of story. And add to that a sci-fi setting!
But I didn't like it. I didn't get the MCs and their actions... The whole basis of the MCs relationship was very weird.
I only liked Melton, but it couldn't save the story.
November 24, 2013
Fun but-too-short sci-fi-alternate universe headlining an adversarial romance. Morrow does a good job writing this user friendly for sci-fi shy readers. Morrow keeps it simple without sacrificing fantastical elements. The humor was great...& Melton the homeless vagabond cat under threat of extermination was priceless.
Morrow's books are way too short. The writing is skillful if it wasn't in such a hurry to get to the ending. The writing starts to suffer under such pressure.
Great dialogue after a night out binging on starmist--
“Are you alive?” Gatalan asked.
“I’m fine,” Desdaine said, puzzled.
“Fine?” Gatalan did not take that news at all well.
“I’m heaving up oysters. Where the fuck do you get off being fine!”
“I can’t remember anything.”
“Oh, you suck pig snouts!” Gatalan roared over the link.
“What, sir?”
“You were flying without a rocket! Here I am calling to make sure we didn’t kill you, and you’re feeling fine? Beat yourself with a chair! You need to be in pain!” Gatalan cut off the call with an angry slam.
Melton the cat's a keeper!
Morrow's books are way too short. The writing is skillful if it wasn't in such a hurry to get to the ending. The writing starts to suffer under such pressure.
Great dialogue after a night out binging on starmist--
“Are you alive?” Gatalan asked.
“I’m fine,” Desdaine said, puzzled.
“Fine?” Gatalan did not take that news at all well.
“I’m heaving up oysters. Where the fuck do you get off being fine!”
“I can’t remember anything.”
“Oh, you suck pig snouts!” Gatalan roared over the link.
“What, sir?”
“You were flying without a rocket! Here I am calling to make sure we didn’t kill you, and you’re feeling fine? Beat yourself with a chair! You need to be in pain!” Gatalan cut off the call with an angry slam.
Melton the cat's a keeper!
February 2, 2012
Uneven and childish.
Jez Morrow usually writes shamefully romantic love stories with predictable plots and characters. In Beloved Captor Jez has moved the surroundings into outer space (once again), but most of her basic elements are still in place.
Unfortunately, the story seems rushed. The characters are incomplete, unbalanced and childish. The make it worse, the pacing is off most of the time, and the plot felt like a fairy tale for small children.
There are a few enjoyable moments, but those can be counted on the fingers of one hand.
2,5 stars
Jez Morrow usually writes shamefully romantic love stories with predictable plots and characters. In Beloved Captor Jez has moved the surroundings into outer space (once again), but most of her basic elements are still in place.
Unfortunately, the story seems rushed. The characters are incomplete, unbalanced and childish. The make it worse, the pacing is off most of the time, and the plot felt like a fairy tale for small children.
There are a few enjoyable moments, but those can be counted on the fingers of one hand.
2,5 stars
August 10, 2016
Excellent captive story during a planetary war. I enjoyed this from beginning to end, the writing and pacing very well done and the slow burn to relationship excellent. This is my second book by this author, and I'll be looking for more.
August 7, 2015
Well, this is certainly unique, and I applaud its originality, but it really felt like it was missing the mark in terms of character development and the progression of the feelings between Desdaine and Laren.
May 19, 2018
This novelette could almost stand as a textbook case of what sci-fi romances should not be. Petty, shallow characters with motives wildly discrepant from what the setting would make them appear to be and whose erratic infringement of their background seems to be no skin off their nose, are evolving almost without any sustained plot (merely ideas thrown here and there) within a vagely space-operaesque world whose building the writer is utterly uninterested in. The ornery writing, all clunky action and rough-hewn or stilted dialogue (Laren speaks like a vapid teenager, not at all like a grown man and a sane man, let alone a celebrated team leader in the military : "“Fine. It's hugimonstrous. Well, the bomber boys think they win all the wars. They have this overblown monument to themselves in the shape of a life-sized bomber equipped with racks of lifesized bombs. And we over in fighters think, well, would they really miss one of those bombs?”"; Desdaine comically lacks any smoothness for a shadow operative: "“We'’re not all imbeciles,” Desdaine said. “It's just that the Savar have no theoretical physicists. We never harnessed electricity, much less the atom. I'm about as smart as ‘my kind’ gets.”"), is not descriptive in the least nor lush despite the pretentious wording (e.g. "The enemy planet Raudan was just now rising, a huge, blue-white disk, over the watery horizon. Its planetshine threw soft shadows of Laren's eyelashes across his finely carved cheekbones"; "Laren caught it. He stepped into one pant leg, then the other. Desdaine tried not to stare at him, but he kept glancing. The way Laren's sinews flowed with the twist of his body, the way his chest expanded as he reached his long arms into the sleeves, every way the man moved made Desdaine harder"). A literary form that suffers to such an extent from clumsy, vainglorious delusions of beau style destroys whatever paltry credibility a story of this kind could claim to possess.
April 10, 2017
One of the most passionate short books I have read. Both times reading this I felt fully under its spell.
Since my first read, every time I saw this cover or thought of this story I told myself that I had to reread it soon, and what better time than today?
And, I loved it just as much as the first time. Inventive and beautiful world. Lovely characters and touching scenes. Sexy. It felt true and right.
Since my first read, every time I saw this cover or thought of this story I told myself that I had to reread it soon, and what better time than today?
And, I loved it just as much as the first time. Inventive and beautiful world. Lovely characters and touching scenes. Sexy. It felt true and right.
June 21, 2019
I like this author, she may not be a particularly strong writer but for me she resonates. I liked this story and thought it was a lovely short story. I started and finished it while staying overnight at a hotel on the way to my vacation which tells you it isn't long but it hooked me and kept my interest. I love the ebb and flow of conversation and the easy way the two combatants attract and repel. they are comfortable and yet at odds with each other but there is the feeling of belonging together. Jess Laren is a pretty fly boy, at bit hard to get a read on as he's so easy going you're not even sure he's gay/bi. but the chemistry between the two is there. Desdaine is a mournful fellow, you feel for him and his life and treatment, and feel he really deserves some happiness. He does but has to go through a lot towards the end to get it. Love this author as always but her books are not for everyone so read with reservation!
November 12, 2016
"Beloved captor" was a strange read for me. On the one hand, the blurb immediately sounded interesting and the concept of enemies to lovers usually gets me hooked in no time.
Unfortunately, there were a few things that did not feel quite right with this book. Number one was that the connection of Desdain for his prisoner felt real, but not the other way round.
That was more of a Stockholm syndrome in my eyes.
Also, the setting with a war that shouted wrong so loudly but 2 soldiers who had not the slightest problem fighting in it, was not very appealing, to say the least.
The end also pissed me off a lot, I don`t want to spoil too much but I was certainly not happy how this story ended, even if it was supposed to be "happy".
It was somewhat entertaining while I read it, but if I had known what to expect I would have certainly skipped this one!
2,5 stars
Unfortunately, there were a few things that did not feel quite right with this book. Number one was that the connection of Desdain for his prisoner felt real, but not the other way round.
That was more of a Stockholm syndrome in my eyes.
Also, the setting with a war that shouted wrong so loudly but 2 soldiers who had not the slightest problem fighting in it, was not very appealing, to say the least.
The end also pissed me off a lot, I don`t want to spoil too much but I was certainly not happy how this story ended, even if it was supposed to be "happy".
It was somewhat entertaining while I read it, but if I had known what to expect I would have certainly skipped this one!
2,5 stars
February 12, 2015
Jez Morrow is an acquired taste and though I've so far liked all of her books, I think Beloved Captor is easily one of her best.
The world building isn't very in depth, yet there is enough for a reader to get a feel of the surroundings and the politics. The fact that neither side of the war was painted as absolutely villanous or heroic was a lovely touch.
The strange sort of balance existing between the MCs was great, as was the way their reunion was handled. Very strong four-star read.
The world building isn't very in depth, yet there is enough for a reader to get a feel of the surroundings and the politics. The fact that neither side of the war was painted as absolutely villanous or heroic was a lovely touch.
The strange sort of balance existing between the MCs was great, as was the way their reunion was handled. Very strong four-star read.
June 13, 2013
This was one of my favorite books by this writer. I couldn't put it down when I started reading it. I enjoyed the sci-fi quality of it, the world building was well done and the interesting relationship and twists between the two main characters. The story ended very nicely too.
January 14, 2012
Loved this!
It's a really sweet read and the two characters are perfect.
It's a really sweet read and the two characters are perfect.
December 21, 2014
I didn't mind the plot in general, but the characters and their actions didn't make much sense to me.
March 21, 2016
3.5 Stars
July 8, 2017
Beloved Captor by Jez Morrow was much like the little engine that could. A slow start to a potentially confusing novella that established new worlds and new creatures blossomed into an amazingly witty and lush love story along the way. And, to be frank, by its end, I wanted more and more of this witty, snarky, and erotically charged couple.
Fighter pilots are like gods to both worlds currently at war. So it is most refreshing to find that a rather large pocket of humility still nests within Raudan soldier, Jess Laren, unlike the man who would become his captor. Desdaine is the chief intelligence officer of Raudan’s sworn enemy, the Ilzec Empire. Meeting Jess on neutral territory where such things as homosexual acts are allowed despite them being a criminal offense on Ilzec, Desdaine propositions Jess. Jess, not ever having acted on his feelings for men before, is completely clueless to Desdaine’s veiled come on.
The two seemed destined to never meet again, until Jess’s plane is brought down on suspicion of spying and he is sentenced to death by the Ilzec government. Who will be carrying out his execution? Desdaine, of course. However, the powers that be have decided to play a nasty trick on both Desdaine and Jess and rather than meeting his death, Jess becomes the captive love slave of the seemingly cold and aloof Desdaine. But their two nations are at war, and the tide can turn at any time potentially leaving a growing tenderness to be jettisoned at any moment.
What a funny and sweet little tale, Beloved Captor turned out to be by story’s end. The witty exchanges between Jess and Desdaine that were coupled with breathtaking moments of sweet eroticism making it an enjoyable and quick read. I wanted so much more of these two men. This was a clear case of two characters that were larger than life and deserved more page time. The undercurrent of political intrigue that followed Desdaine was merely hinted at and I would have loved to see him in more scenes with other politicos. In so many ways, Desdaine was a mystery—from his Savar genetics to his fear about giving himself completely to Jess when he knew full well it would never end well.
Fighter pilots are like gods to both worlds currently at war. So it is most refreshing to find that a rather large pocket of humility still nests within Raudan soldier, Jess Laren, unlike the man who would become his captor. Desdaine is the chief intelligence officer of Raudan’s sworn enemy, the Ilzec Empire. Meeting Jess on neutral territory where such things as homosexual acts are allowed despite them being a criminal offense on Ilzec, Desdaine propositions Jess. Jess, not ever having acted on his feelings for men before, is completely clueless to Desdaine’s veiled come on.
The two seemed destined to never meet again, until Jess’s plane is brought down on suspicion of spying and he is sentenced to death by the Ilzec government. Who will be carrying out his execution? Desdaine, of course. However, the powers that be have decided to play a nasty trick on both Desdaine and Jess and rather than meeting his death, Jess becomes the captive love slave of the seemingly cold and aloof Desdaine. But their two nations are at war, and the tide can turn at any time potentially leaving a growing tenderness to be jettisoned at any moment.
What a funny and sweet little tale, Beloved Captor turned out to be by story’s end. The witty exchanges between Jess and Desdaine that were coupled with breathtaking moments of sweet eroticism making it an enjoyable and quick read. I wanted so much more of these two men. This was a clear case of two characters that were larger than life and deserved more page time. The undercurrent of political intrigue that followed Desdaine was merely hinted at and I would have loved to see him in more scenes with other politicos. In so many ways, Desdaine was a mystery—from his Savar genetics to his fear about giving himself completely to Jess when he knew full well it would never end well.
November 6, 2017
Stockholm Syndrome pure and simple.
April 26, 2020
I adored this book, I think the characters are well fleshed out, and real, and I just loved the adoration the two MC's have for each other.
June 7, 2022
3.45 stars
July 24, 2022
It's slow and somewhat intriguing. I don't think this book is given enough credit
February 18, 2014
There wasn't anything really wrong with this, but it wasn't exactly the most exciting thing I've read of late.
It's a super easy to read sci-fi novel. The book itself is a little static since the whole thing basically happens in one place, but it's a captive novel so that's to be expected.
The one problem I have with this is that Desdaine was a different species and that never really came into play and never really explained. I expected it to matter for some reason. Sure he wasn't liked or really respected on his home planet, but it didn't really play a part in the MCs relationship and I was thinking it should have at some point.
Anyway, if you're looking for a quick read with likable characters and no much actual conflict give this one a go.
It's a super easy to read sci-fi novel. The book itself is a little static since the whole thing basically happens in one place, but it's a captive novel so that's to be expected.
The one problem I have with this is that Desdaine was a different species and that never really came into play and never really explained. I expected it to matter for some reason. Sure he wasn't liked or really respected on his home planet, but it didn't really play a part in the MCs relationship and I was thinking it should have at some point.
Anyway, if you're looking for a quick read with likable characters and no much actual conflict give this one a go.
March 14, 2017
The first half is brilliant, the second half is sex.
I was prepared to give this book at least 4 stars and passionately argue with everyone who didn't agree with me, but these two morons just had to start fucking and ruin everything. Once they have sex, nothing else matters. The plot is gone, the interesting setting forgotten, the tension erased, their personalities altered and even the writing worsens.
The second half is not a complete disaster, but after such a good start it's a disappointment and the (obviously sex-related) ending is so freaking ridiculous I wanted to bang my head against a wall.
I was prepared to give this book at least 4 stars and passionately argue with everyone who didn't agree with me, but these two morons just had to start fucking and ruin everything. Once they have sex, nothing else matters. The plot is gone, the interesting setting forgotten, the tension erased, their personalities altered and even the writing worsens.
The second half is not a complete disaster, but after such a good start it's a disappointment and the (obviously sex-related) ending is so freaking ridiculous I wanted to bang my head against a wall.
June 21, 2012
The planets Ilzec and Raudan are at war in the universe of Beloved Captor. Desdaine is a Savar working as an intelligence officer for Ilzec. Jess Laren is the best fighter pilot of Raudan. Desdaine is love with Jess. After the Ilzec army uses a captured Jess as pawn in a cruel test of Desdaine, Jess is given to Desdaine as a sex slave. The MCs are interesting and emotionally compelling but a little unrealistic. I was surprised by how little violence there is in this book given the war and the sex slave set up. I liked the HEA ending.
June 29, 2013
Desdaine was a big guy with a tender heart. But I must admit at first he seemed very much a stalker when it came to Jess Laren... Well, he was inteligence so it was his job to know, but still. The pilot was a bit childish character, spontaneous and quick in judgment. One more thing a bit strange was a cat, who was and then just wasn't there. I mean, he was introduced and then I had a feeling that autor kept forgetting he exists.
June 22, 2020
Great world building in an engaging read that would have been perfect but lost a star over That bugged me a lot, but other than that it was an enjoyable read.
January 15, 2012
Desdaine was a unique character, I liked him a lot. He was emotional vulnerable and head strong. He couldn't be played as a fool, if he didn't allow it, and that was truly enjoyable part of this story. The romance between Jess and Desdaine was pulling part in this story. More or less it was funny to fallow how Jess planned to played with Desdaine feelings, but never succeeded.
July 21, 2016
More than life.
A lovely little sci-fi tale about enemies become captive/captors become lovers. Jez Morrow can pack a punch into a short quick read and melt me like no other. Desdaine was so broodingly head over heels and Laren was such a goner from the beginning. Such an adorable 'glib pig.' These two left quite an impression.
A lovely little sci-fi tale about enemies become captive/captors become lovers. Jez Morrow can pack a punch into a short quick read and melt me like no other. Desdaine was so broodingly head over heels and Laren was such a goner from the beginning. Such an adorable 'glib pig.' These two left quite an impression.
February 17, 2012
I've enjoyed some of Morrow's previous releases, even the werewolf ones and I rarely read paranormals. BC, by comparison, is a rather poor new release. The story had great potential which the author did not exploit at all. 2 and 1/2 stars.
June 4, 2015
Surprising depth
I was just hoping for some good smut- ended up with a surprisingly tender, yet not sappy, love story. The sci-fi/other world aspects fleshed out the story but the core tale about trust and healing. Also a lot of hot sex.
Recommended.
I was just hoping for some good smut- ended up with a surprisingly tender, yet not sappy, love story. The sci-fi/other world aspects fleshed out the story but the core tale about trust and healing. Also a lot of hot sex.
Recommended.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews