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Captive Innocence
A young widow is lured by the siren call of an exotic land in this steamy historical romance from the #1 New York Times bestselling author.
Fern Michaels takes us on a riveting journey, where a young woman finds her destiny opening new vistas of promise and hope . . .
Royall Banner ventured into a lush new unknown world to claim her family’s heritage. There, far from the reaches of civilization, she became entranced with the exotic, enigmatic Sebastian Rivera. As excitement with her new life consumed her, Royall found herself in the midst of a strange and troubling culture where stunning opulence mirrored terrible bondage. In the center of it all stood the plantation owner, who controlled the land and everyone on it—and who meant to have Royall for his own.
Praise for the novels of Fern Michaels
“Heartbreaking, suspenseful, and tender.”— Booklist on Return to Sender
“A big, rich book in every way . . . I think Fern Michaels has struck oil with this one.”—Patricia Matthews on Texas Rich
Fern Michaels takes us on a riveting journey, where a young woman finds her destiny opening new vistas of promise and hope . . .
Royall Banner ventured into a lush new unknown world to claim her family’s heritage. There, far from the reaches of civilization, she became entranced with the exotic, enigmatic Sebastian Rivera. As excitement with her new life consumed her, Royall found herself in the midst of a strange and troubling culture where stunning opulence mirrored terrible bondage. In the center of it all stood the plantation owner, who controlled the land and everyone on it—and who meant to have Royall for his own.
Praise for the novels of Fern Michaels
“Heartbreaking, suspenseful, and tender.”— Booklist on Return to Sender
“A big, rich book in every way . . . I think Fern Michaels has struck oil with this one.”—Patricia Matthews on Texas Rich
380 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 12, 1981
320 people are currently reading
411 people want to read
About the author
Fern Michaels
428 books6,545 followersFern Michaels isn’t a person. I’m not sure she’s an entity either since an entity is something with separate existence. Fern Michaels® is what I DO. Me, Mary Ruth Kuczkir. Growing up in Hastings, Pennsylvania, I was called Ruth. I became Mary when I entered the business world where first names were the order of the day. To this day, family and friends call me Dink, a name my father gave me when I was born because according to him I was ‘a dinky little thing’ weighing in at four and a half pounds. However, I answer to Fern since people are more comfortable with a name they can pronounce.
As they say, the past is prologue. I grew up, got a job, got married, had five kids. When my youngest went off to Kindergarten, my husband told me to get off my ass and get a job. Those were his exact words. I didn’t know how to do anything except be a wife and mother. I was also a voracious reader having cut my teeth on The Bobbsey Twins, Nancy Drew, The Hardy Boys, Cherry Ames and the like. The library was a magical place for me. It still is to this day. Rather than face the outside world with no skills, I decided to write a book. For some reason that didn’t intimidate me. As my husband said at the time, stupid is as stupid does. Guess what, I don’t have that husband any more. Guess what else! I wrote 99 books, most of them New York Times Best Sellers.
Moving right along here . . . Several years ago I left Ballantine Books, parted company with my agent, sold my house in New Jersey that I had lived in all my married life and in 1993 moved to South Carolina. I figured if I was going to go through trauma let it be all at one time. It was a breeze. The kids were all on their own at that point. The dump was a 300 year old plantation house that is listed in the National Registry that I remodeled. Today it is beyond belief as are the gardens and the equally old Angel Oaks that drip Spanish moss. Unfortunately, I could not get my ghost to relocate. This ghost has been documented by previous owners. Mary Margaret as we call her, is “a friendly”. She is also mischievous. It took me two weeks to figure out that she didn’t like my coffee cups. They would slide off the table or counter or else they’d break in the dishwasher. I bought red checkered ones. All are intact as of this writing. She moves pillows from one room to the other and she stops all the clocks in the house at 9:10 in the a.m. at least once a week. When the Azaleas are in bloom, and only then, I find blooms on my night stand. I have this glorious front porch and during the warm months I see my swing moving early in the morning when the air is still and again late in the day. She doesn’t spook the dogs. I always know when she’s around because the five of them line up and look like they’re at a tennis match. As of this writing we’re co-habiting nicely.
Most writers love what they do and I’m no exception. I love it when I get a germ of an idea and get it down on paper. I love breathing life into my characters. I love writing about women who persevere and prevail because that’s what I had to do to get to this point in time. It’s another way of saying it doesn’t matter where you’ve been, what matters is where you’re going and how you get there. The day I finally prevailed was the day I was inducted into the New Jersey Literary Hall of Fame. For me it was an awesome day and there are no words to describe it.
I’ve been telling stories and scribbling for 37 years. I hope I can continue for another 37 years. It wasn’t easy during some of those years. As I said, I had to persevere. My old Polish grandmother said something to me when I was little that I never forgot. She said when God is good to you, you have to give back. For a while I didn’t know how to do that. When I finally figured it out I set up The Fern Michaels® Foundation.
READ FERN MICHAELS' FULL BIOGRAPHY HERE: http://www.fernmichaels.com/biography/
As they say, the past is prologue. I grew up, got a job, got married, had five kids. When my youngest went off to Kindergarten, my husband told me to get off my ass and get a job. Those were his exact words. I didn’t know how to do anything except be a wife and mother. I was also a voracious reader having cut my teeth on The Bobbsey Twins, Nancy Drew, The Hardy Boys, Cherry Ames and the like. The library was a magical place for me. It still is to this day. Rather than face the outside world with no skills, I decided to write a book. For some reason that didn’t intimidate me. As my husband said at the time, stupid is as stupid does. Guess what, I don’t have that husband any more. Guess what else! I wrote 99 books, most of them New York Times Best Sellers.
Moving right along here . . . Several years ago I left Ballantine Books, parted company with my agent, sold my house in New Jersey that I had lived in all my married life and in 1993 moved to South Carolina. I figured if I was going to go through trauma let it be all at one time. It was a breeze. The kids were all on their own at that point. The dump was a 300 year old plantation house that is listed in the National Registry that I remodeled. Today it is beyond belief as are the gardens and the equally old Angel Oaks that drip Spanish moss. Unfortunately, I could not get my ghost to relocate. This ghost has been documented by previous owners. Mary Margaret as we call her, is “a friendly”. She is also mischievous. It took me two weeks to figure out that she didn’t like my coffee cups. They would slide off the table or counter or else they’d break in the dishwasher. I bought red checkered ones. All are intact as of this writing. She moves pillows from one room to the other and she stops all the clocks in the house at 9:10 in the a.m. at least once a week. When the Azaleas are in bloom, and only then, I find blooms on my night stand. I have this glorious front porch and during the warm months I see my swing moving early in the morning when the air is still and again late in the day. She doesn’t spook the dogs. I always know when she’s around because the five of them line up and look like they’re at a tennis match. As of this writing we’re co-habiting nicely.
Most writers love what they do and I’m no exception. I love it when I get a germ of an idea and get it down on paper. I love breathing life into my characters. I love writing about women who persevere and prevail because that’s what I had to do to get to this point in time. It’s another way of saying it doesn’t matter where you’ve been, what matters is where you’re going and how you get there. The day I finally prevailed was the day I was inducted into the New Jersey Literary Hall of Fame. For me it was an awesome day and there are no words to describe it.
I’ve been telling stories and scribbling for 37 years. I hope I can continue for another 37 years. It wasn’t easy during some of those years. As I said, I had to persevere. My old Polish grandmother said something to me when I was little that I never forgot. She said when God is good to you, you have to give back. For a while I didn’t know how to do that. When I finally figured it out I set up The Fern Michaels® Foundation.
READ FERN MICHAELS' FULL BIOGRAPHY HERE: http://www.fernmichaels.com/biography/
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
August 23, 2009
I have to re-iterate. I was very young and stupid when I read this. This was not even part of the series I was reading. The name beguiled me and I did read. Last Fern Michaels book I ever read.
June 13, 2020
"Pride & Passion" Title change?(have not read ) blurb describes same story and character, Sebastian, except heroine's name is Marilyn Bannon -confused
Not much happening between Royall Banner {inherits rubber plantation} & Sebastian Rivera [self made plantation owner] w/ stupid blind hatred for likable faultless heroine after the exciting begininng -- they butt heads for too long. Could have been a 4 star BR -- some strangeness, interesting characters, * wtf scenes.
Not much happening between Royall Banner {inherits rubber plantation} & Sebastian Rivera [self made plantation owner] w/ stupid blind hatred for likable faultless heroine after the exciting begininng -- they butt heads for too long. Could have been a 4 star BR -- some strangeness, interesting characters, * wtf scenes.
February 25, 2022
Finding love
Royall came to Rio by ship from New England with Rosalie her Father's friend to his plantation. She was recently widowed by an older man. His older children and family were not nice to her.
While on the ship she went on shore to celebrate Mardi Gras and meet a Masked Buccaneer. They spent the evening festivities together and by nights end made passionate love. Figuring she would never see him again. On the ship she thinks she sees him but finds out Rosalie knows him. He is Sebastian Rivera. He makes love to her again on the ship. Everything goes good until he finds out she is half owner of the plantation next to his. He hates her and doesn't know why.
Great story of these two people with their love hate relationship. Sparks fly. He feels she is a spoiled, rich, pampered woman. But when a fever takes over the workers and slaves get a fever, she's the one who helps nurses them to health or helps bury the dead. She works along with Elena, the housekeeper. She shows strength she never she knew she had.
Sebastian and Royall lock heads but the strong attraction fights with them. Both too stubborn to give in. Loved their sparring and their heated fights.
Great story by Fern Michaels. Well written from beginning to the end.
Royall came to Rio by ship from New England with Rosalie her Father's friend to his plantation. She was recently widowed by an older man. His older children and family were not nice to her.
While on the ship she went on shore to celebrate Mardi Gras and meet a Masked Buccaneer. They spent the evening festivities together and by nights end made passionate love. Figuring she would never see him again. On the ship she thinks she sees him but finds out Rosalie knows him. He is Sebastian Rivera. He makes love to her again on the ship. Everything goes good until he finds out she is half owner of the plantation next to his. He hates her and doesn't know why.
Great story of these two people with their love hate relationship. Sparks fly. He feels she is a spoiled, rich, pampered woman. But when a fever takes over the workers and slaves get a fever, she's the one who helps nurses them to health or helps bury the dead. She works along with Elena, the housekeeper. She shows strength she never she knew she had.
Sebastian and Royall lock heads but the strong attraction fights with them. Both too stubborn to give in. Loved their sparring and their heated fights.
Great story by Fern Michaels. Well written from beginning to the end.
October 8, 2023
The Book
Captive Innocence is a Ballantine historical from 1981 when the “Fern Michaels” pseudonym represented the writing team of Roberta Anderson and Mary Kuzckir.
Readers should note that the “Captive” part of the title is misleading, as this humdrum romance has nothing to do with Michaels’ popular “Captive” series.
That epic ‘ripper saga began with Michaels’ first book, Captive Passions, starring the fearless female pirate Sirena Cordez. Unlike the 17th-century high seas backdrops of the “Captive” books, Captive Innocence is a plantation romance set in sultry Brazil during the late 1800s.
The Plot
The story of Captive Innocence follows Royall Banner (what a silly name!), a recently widowed young woman from New England. She travels to Rio with her dead father’s friend, Rosalie, to live at the plantation he left her in his will.
During Mardi Gras celebrations on the ship, things heat when a horny Royall views a muscled hunk dressed as a masked buccaneer. Her desire for this stranger inflames her. The feeling is mutual, so they share a passionate night. However, they neglect to exchange names or personal information.
Their mouths were too busy with other acts to engage in mundane conversation.
Little did Royall know the "buccaneer" is Sebastian Rivera, with whom her friend Rosalie is acquainted. Rosalie gives her the rundown on Sebastian, and our heroine is shocked to learn he is her neighbor, as Sebastian is also on his way to his plantation deep in the heart of Brazil.
When they meet again onboard the ship, Royall plays the "virtuous widow card, with lots of "How dare yous!" and "Why I’d never…!"
Sebastian despises her pretense, as he knows her true lusty nature firsthand, and treats her with contempt. As they continue their journey, Sebastian discovers that Royall is half-owner of the plantation next to his and develops a strong dislike for her.
Upon reaching shore, Sebastian and Royall go their separate ways. However, since they are neighbors, they soon meet again, sharing more encounters and grudgingly coming together.
Royall adapts to the South American setting, displaying resilience and compassion. As a fever spreads, she cares for workers and slaves, buries the bead, and brings hope to the living. Thus, her actions transform Sebastian’s scorn into admiration and love.
Sebastian and Royall navigate their love-hate relationship to an eventual happy ending.
My Opinion
Unfortunately, Captive Innocence falls short compared to Fern Michaels’ other historical romances from the 1970s and early ’80s. The book takes too long to get interesting, with almost 100 pages dedicated to “hump & dump” encounters lacking erotic build-up.
Their love-hate relationship seems rushed, and their connection lacks depth. Rather than creating real passion between Sebastian and Royall, Michaels merely “tells” the reader: “There was chemistry between them.”
Maybe it’s like one of those “Where’s Waldo?” books. It’s hidden in there; you need to look hard to find it, a tiny figure on the fringes.
The writing is rather bland compared to Valentina or Captive Passions. In this “Fern Michaels” collaboration, I wonder if Kuszkir slept in the back seat while Anderson drove with the cruise control.
On a positive note, the book does an excellent job of displaying Royall’s growth. She discovers her capabilities and resilience while caring for the sick during the fever outbreak. This adds depth to her character and showcases her ability to adapt and thrive.
Heat Factor: Slightly Warm
This book doesn’t swelter like an Equatorial tropical forest. This is no spicy samba but a mild pas-de-deux.
Final Analysis Of Captive Innocence
Captive Innocence has some intense moments, especially when showcasing Royall’s abilities to endure her new harsh environment. However, the slow start and run-of-the-mill love story made this Fern Michaels romance less enjoyable than her more hardcore, old-school bodice rippers.
Fans of Michaels’s women’s-fiction and romantic suspense of the past 25 years may find Captive Innocence underwhelming. Still, for those interested in exploring her writing style, it offers a glimpse into how Michaels’ earlier works differ from her modern output.
2.5 Stars
⭐⭐ 1/2
For more retro-romance reviews, visit: Sweet Savage Flame
Captive Innocence is a Ballantine historical from 1981 when the “Fern Michaels” pseudonym represented the writing team of Roberta Anderson and Mary Kuzckir.
Readers should note that the “Captive” part of the title is misleading, as this humdrum romance has nothing to do with Michaels’ popular “Captive” series.
That epic ‘ripper saga began with Michaels’ first book, Captive Passions, starring the fearless female pirate Sirena Cordez. Unlike the 17th-century high seas backdrops of the “Captive” books, Captive Innocence is a plantation romance set in sultry Brazil during the late 1800s.
The Plot
The story of Captive Innocence follows Royall Banner (what a silly name!), a recently widowed young woman from New England. She travels to Rio with her dead father’s friend, Rosalie, to live at the plantation he left her in his will.
During Mardi Gras celebrations on the ship, things heat when a horny Royall views a muscled hunk dressed as a masked buccaneer. Her desire for this stranger inflames her. The feeling is mutual, so they share a passionate night. However, they neglect to exchange names or personal information.
Their mouths were too busy with other acts to engage in mundane conversation.
Little did Royall know the "buccaneer" is Sebastian Rivera, with whom her friend Rosalie is acquainted. Rosalie gives her the rundown on Sebastian, and our heroine is shocked to learn he is her neighbor, as Sebastian is also on his way to his plantation deep in the heart of Brazil.
When they meet again onboard the ship, Royall plays the "virtuous widow card, with lots of "How dare yous!" and "Why I’d never…!"
Sebastian despises her pretense, as he knows her true lusty nature firsthand, and treats her with contempt. As they continue their journey, Sebastian discovers that Royall is half-owner of the plantation next to his and develops a strong dislike for her.
Upon reaching shore, Sebastian and Royall go their separate ways. However, since they are neighbors, they soon meet again, sharing more encounters and grudgingly coming together.
Royall adapts to the South American setting, displaying resilience and compassion. As a fever spreads, she cares for workers and slaves, buries the bead, and brings hope to the living. Thus, her actions transform Sebastian’s scorn into admiration and love.
Sebastian and Royall navigate their love-hate relationship to an eventual happy ending.
My Opinion
Unfortunately, Captive Innocence falls short compared to Fern Michaels’ other historical romances from the 1970s and early ’80s. The book takes too long to get interesting, with almost 100 pages dedicated to “hump & dump” encounters lacking erotic build-up.
Their love-hate relationship seems rushed, and their connection lacks depth. Rather than creating real passion between Sebastian and Royall, Michaels merely “tells” the reader: “There was chemistry between them.”
Maybe it’s like one of those “Where’s Waldo?” books. It’s hidden in there; you need to look hard to find it, a tiny figure on the fringes.
The writing is rather bland compared to Valentina or Captive Passions. In this “Fern Michaels” collaboration, I wonder if Kuszkir slept in the back seat while Anderson drove with the cruise control.
On a positive note, the book does an excellent job of displaying Royall’s growth. She discovers her capabilities and resilience while caring for the sick during the fever outbreak. This adds depth to her character and showcases her ability to adapt and thrive.
Heat Factor: Slightly Warm
This book doesn’t swelter like an Equatorial tropical forest. This is no spicy samba but a mild pas-de-deux.
Final Analysis Of Captive Innocence
Captive Innocence has some intense moments, especially when showcasing Royall’s abilities to endure her new harsh environment. However, the slow start and run-of-the-mill love story made this Fern Michaels romance less enjoyable than her more hardcore, old-school bodice rippers.
Fans of Michaels’s women’s-fiction and romantic suspense of the past 25 years may find Captive Innocence underwhelming. Still, for those interested in exploring her writing style, it offers a glimpse into how Michaels’ earlier works differ from her modern output.
2.5 Stars
⭐⭐ 1/2
For more retro-romance reviews, visit: Sweet Savage Flame
December 11, 2017
Ok
Not great shallow not well spaced seems like early writing. Don't like the era or history. Too much crap going on
Not great shallow not well spaced seems like early writing. Don't like the era or history. Too much crap going on
January 16, 2026
not what I expected at all. got very dark at the end. I needed a trama warning.
December 27, 2023
Royal Banner meets Sabastian when she finds out she is going to inherit a plantation from her Dad. When Sabastian find out who she is he wants nothing to do with her. It too late they are already is love. Good book
Read
August 31, 2015 Not one of her better books.
April 8, 2016
Great story
This was a great story, I love all of her books!!!! I recommend this author to everyone who loves a great story
This was a great story, I love all of her books!!!! I recommend this author to everyone who loves a great story
July 24, 2016
I loved it so so so good
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews