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A Knight's Captive
It’s 1066, a year of strange comets and portents, harsh battles, dying kings and Norman and Viking invaders. Compelled to go on pilgrimage in a restive northern England, war-worn Breton knight Marc de Sens knows his first obligation is to his three orphaned nieces. But then he encounters the stunning blonde beauty Sunniva and his life changes forever.
Thrust together by betrayal, Marc and Sunniva must find a way to survive these turbulent times, but both hold dark and deadly secrets and trust between them is slow to grow. What happens when their tentative truce is shattered? Will Marc be held captive by his past? Will Sunniva become his willing prisoner? And will they find a way to find love and free themselves?
(Previously published by Kensington Publishing, New York, in 2009. Nominated for the ‘Romantic Times’ Reviewers’ Choice Best Historical Novels Award, 2009.)
Thrust together by betrayal, Marc and Sunniva must find a way to survive these turbulent times, but both hold dark and deadly secrets and trust between them is slow to grow. What happens when their tentative truce is shattered? Will Marc be held captive by his past? Will Sunniva become his willing prisoner? And will they find a way to find love and free themselves?
(Previously published by Kensington Publishing, New York, in 2009. Nominated for the ‘Romantic Times’ Reviewers’ Choice Best Historical Novels Award, 2009.)
353 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2009
6 people are currently reading
75 people want to read
About the author
Lindsay Townsend
81 books61 followersLindsay Townsend is an English novelist with a passion for writing historical romance. Her books are published by Kensington Books, Bookstrand, Prairie Rose Publications, Audible, Ulverscroft Large Print and MuseItUp. Her earlier historical romances and romantic suspense novels are reissued through Kindle Direct.
Lindsay lives in Yorkshire, in the north of England, with her husband, Alan, and also has family in Devon. She loves singing, music, walking, reading and cooking - especially trying out old recipes.
She has been writing stories since the age of six, and has been a professional novelist for many years. Her previous books are romantic thrillers.
Lindsay lives in Yorkshire, in the north of England, with her husband, Alan, and also has family in Devon. She loves singing, music, walking, reading and cooking - especially trying out old recipes.
She has been writing stories since the age of six, and has been a professional novelist for many years. Her previous books are romantic thrillers.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
January 2, 2010
Townsend pens an intriguing historical romance with “A Knight’s Captive.” Set in England, 1066, as William the Conqueror takes the throne, “A Knight’s Captive” gives a gritty account of the times. Deception, greed, and lust run rampart in the Middle ages, yet the power of love shines in Townsend’s tale.
The novel starts with Sunniva accompanying her father, Cena, and her brothers on a pilgrimage to St. Cuthbert’s grave. Her father and brothers treat her poorly and she’s practically no better than a slave to them.
Also going on the pilgrimage to St. Cuthbert’s grave is Marc de Sens. Marc is a Norman who is traveling with his three nieces. Marc is their guardian. As the pilgrimage progresses, Marc saves Sunniva from a near rape. The attraction between the couple simmers with longing glances as they continue to interact on the pilgrimage. Marc, however, maintains a respectful distance as he observes how disrespectful Sunniva’s father and brother are to her.
As news of William the Conqueror spreads through England, Sunniva’s father and brother reluctantly join Ethered’s army and leave the pilgrimage putting Sunniva in Marc’s care. Marc soon discovers Cena and his sons have died in battle, leaving Sunniva as his heir. Sunniva must now travel to her newly inherited lands, but can she trust Marc, or are his motives for helping her more darker than she suspects?
Townsend’s writing quickly engages the reader’s curiosity about the past. Her attention to historical detail is spot on. The descriptions are balanced well, allowing the reader to picture the setting and characters in their minds.
Marc and Sunniva are interesting characters. Marc’s concern and care of his nieces are admirable, yet he seems to be followed by gossip that accuses him of being a woman killer. This gives his character a bit of an edge. Beneath the gossip, Marc is honest and loyal, traits any woman would admire in a man.
Sunniva is a more complicated character. She begrudgingly puts up with her father’s bad behavior toward her and this hardens her. At the time of his death, Sunniva’s trust has been destroyed, and while attracted to Marc, she doesn’t know how to trust him. Sunniva lies to him about being engaged, and it’s only as Marc earns her trust by his deeds, does she begin to lower her defenses.
Townsend’s dialogue reflects the nature of the times while not weighing down the reader. Her love scenes are sophisticated for romance readers with passionate, yet tasteful scenes between Marc and Sunniva.
Overall, “A Knight’s Captive” will take you into the past to discover a love that will last lifetime.
The novel starts with Sunniva accompanying her father, Cena, and her brothers on a pilgrimage to St. Cuthbert’s grave. Her father and brothers treat her poorly and she’s practically no better than a slave to them.
Also going on the pilgrimage to St. Cuthbert’s grave is Marc de Sens. Marc is a Norman who is traveling with his three nieces. Marc is their guardian. As the pilgrimage progresses, Marc saves Sunniva from a near rape. The attraction between the couple simmers with longing glances as they continue to interact on the pilgrimage. Marc, however, maintains a respectful distance as he observes how disrespectful Sunniva’s father and brother are to her.
As news of William the Conqueror spreads through England, Sunniva’s father and brother reluctantly join Ethered’s army and leave the pilgrimage putting Sunniva in Marc’s care. Marc soon discovers Cena and his sons have died in battle, leaving Sunniva as his heir. Sunniva must now travel to her newly inherited lands, but can she trust Marc, or are his motives for helping her more darker than she suspects?
Townsend’s writing quickly engages the reader’s curiosity about the past. Her attention to historical detail is spot on. The descriptions are balanced well, allowing the reader to picture the setting and characters in their minds.
Marc and Sunniva are interesting characters. Marc’s concern and care of his nieces are admirable, yet he seems to be followed by gossip that accuses him of being a woman killer. This gives his character a bit of an edge. Beneath the gossip, Marc is honest and loyal, traits any woman would admire in a man.
Sunniva is a more complicated character. She begrudgingly puts up with her father’s bad behavior toward her and this hardens her. At the time of his death, Sunniva’s trust has been destroyed, and while attracted to Marc, she doesn’t know how to trust him. Sunniva lies to him about being engaged, and it’s only as Marc earns her trust by his deeds, does she begin to lower her defenses.
Townsend’s dialogue reflects the nature of the times while not weighing down the reader. Her love scenes are sophisticated for romance readers with passionate, yet tasteful scenes between Marc and Sunniva.
Overall, “A Knight’s Captive” will take you into the past to discover a love that will last lifetime.
January 30, 2010
This is a very nice book! I appreciated the relationships of uncle to nieces, the good humor of the heroine in the midst of abuse and misuse by her father and brothers, the grace and honor and courage of the 12th century Crusader knight who seeks to be faithful to his family and to his vows of chivalry, and the artistic way the author tells this story as she intertwines the streams of these colorful characters. There are some portions of the book that are just a little tedious, but by in large, this is a great historical romance!
January 23, 2011
loved it!
September 21, 2012
A lovely escape into Medieval England, complete with spunky heroine and hardy, handsome hero. Townsends's prose is among the best of romance novelists. Worth the read.
October 28, 2020
Hmm only allowed 1 star?
December 26, 2011
Well, this book was the final book in my book challenge... and I gotta say that I was glad it was done.. At the beginning it started off really good and came to a really good and fine moments.. but as you read along and the mysteries come to light.. you find out that you were already anticipating them.. like the story of the hero killing a woman and connecting it with his niece's story.. so, as I reached the end I was really glad it was done, cause I just wanted to start with something else! So, I won't say it was not good... No. I'd rather say that it was good if you weren't anticipating starting another book in another series that you love so much.. I hope that I wasn't so unfair to this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 5, 2010
I was pretty bored about halfway through. But it did pick up towards the end. After all was said and done, I guess I did enjoy it. I just wish it didn't take so long to get its act together.
September 6, 2013
This is a good read! Just another author in an endless list to add to my "authors to look into" list.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews