After reading the first instalment of Charity Hills's adventures, Burning Innocence, I was interested in following the next part of her story in Burning Captivity. Carol Storm, again, did not disappoint!
After her passionate love affair with her benefactor's handsome nephew, Harry, Charity is distraught to find him in a compromising situation with sexy pop star, Lola Montez. Adding to her stress is a message full of lurid pictures of kindly Lady Beddington, sent by rich rival Lady Margaret, which she wants to use to ruin her. Determined to do what she can to help, Charity offers herself to Margaret as her personal assistant - though this means more than just filing papers and attending fancy meetings! Through her acquaintance with Lady Margaret, Charity befriends jolly old Lord Humphrey Babcock (or Lord Humpty as she affectionately calls him!) and becomes an important part of Margaret's business dealings, which usually involve her submitting to the 'discipline' of her partners. Charity knows she is doing the right thing but as the story progresses, we find out that nothing is quite as innocent as Margaret makes it out to be!
Just like Charity herself, this story is spirited and exciting. I enjoyed reading Charity's development, following on from her first adventure. Away from Harry this time, she is much more independent and intent on making decisions for herself! This is especially fun to read alongside the devious power of Lady Margaret and her fearsome housekeeper, Vera. These two are both dead-set on coercing Charity into doing as they say, whether that is being involved in a wetlands housing project, or simply taking a bath and then going to bed! This sly, quiet manipulation is an interesting part of the story, and also leads to a great scene near the end which (without spoiling it!) shows that Charity still has some of that famous, sassy fire left in her! It was definitely fun to read her bold American attitude in a tight-laced, elegant English society.
Carol's writing is, as ever, bouncy, energetic and easy to get along with. She has such a lovely way of moving along a plot and winding in so much intrigue and action and steaminess. The entire story is full of great pairings with a lot of chemistry, such as the unique blend of teasing friendship and sex between Charity and Humphrey, and the scorching romance of Charity and grocery boy Greg! Just like in the first story, her partners, whether that is Lady Margaret or Vera or Sir 'Humpty', enjoy spanking her, which adds to the idea of her almost constantly being under the influence of someone else, while also trying to forge her own way in the world! And, of course, ever present in her mind is Harry - this relationship, though he is hardly in the story, is one full of love that obviously has not died yet!
This novella was a delight to read, jam-packed with fabulous characters and an engrossing plot. Carol Storm really captures her audience's attention with her electric story writing. And I do hope that there are more escapades for Charity still to come!