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A Noble Captive
A Roman tribune is captured and presented to the enemy’s priestess—who holds his life in her hands . . .Strong, proud, honorable—Marcus Livius Tullio embodied the values of Rome. Captured on the high seas and brought to the Temple of Kybele, he was drawn to the woman who gave him refuge.Fierce, beautiful, determined—Helena despised all that Rome stood for. In sheltering Tullio, she had to subdue her awareness of him—or she might confess all! The soldier’s strength and nobility tempted her to lean on him, but she knew that to succumb would be to betray her people. . . .Praise for Michelle Styles“Sexual tension, nonstop action, and spice.” — RT Book Reviews
296 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 2006
5 people are currently reading
85 people want to read
About the author
Michelle Styles
127 books198 followersBorn and raised near San Francisco Califorinia, Michelle Styles currently lives a few miles south of Hadrian's Wall with her husband, three children and menagerie of pets. An avid reader, she became hooked on historical romance when she discovered Georgette Heyer, Anya Seton and Victoria Holt in her school's library. Michelle enjoys writing stories in a wide range of time periods including Roman, Viking, Regency and early Victorian. Her website can be found at www.michellestyles.co.uk
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
August 21, 2019
This month’s prompt to pick something at random felt freeing and overwhelming all at once. If, like me, you have a fairly generous TBR, you may know exactly what I mean. Since I’d been craving a Harlequin Historical for a while, I narrowed things down by going over to my shelf of Harlequins and just pulling one out at random. I ended up with A Noble Captive by Michelle Styles. This novel, set on Crete during the days of the Roman Republic, was definitely an unusual historical and largely an enjoyable one as well.
Tribune Marcus Livius Tullio is captured on the high seas with his men and brought by pirates to Crete. When the pirates come to pay tribute, Marcus is able to remember just enough of the rituals of the temple goddess to request the protection of the goddess Kybele. Upon hearing the ritual words, the sibyl feels bound to shelter the Roman prisoners on the temple grounds until their ransom comes from Rome.
We as readers quickly learn that something is amiss. The “sibyl” is in fact Helena, the sibyl’s assistant and niece. Because the sibyl’s position amid the rival factions of seafarers is precarious at best, Helena is trying to protect her seriously ill aunt by appearing in disguise until her aunt hopefully recovers. Marcus figures out early in the story that something is not quite right at the Temple of Kybele as well and he also finds himself quite drawn to the sibyl’s beautiful and intelligent assistant. The two form an alliance and friendship of sorts, though the romance in this novel is definitely of the slow-burning variety.
This is a partial review. You can find the complete text here: https://allaboutromance.com/august-tb...
Tribune Marcus Livius Tullio is captured on the high seas with his men and brought by pirates to Crete. When the pirates come to pay tribute, Marcus is able to remember just enough of the rituals of the temple goddess to request the protection of the goddess Kybele. Upon hearing the ritual words, the sibyl feels bound to shelter the Roman prisoners on the temple grounds until their ransom comes from Rome.
We as readers quickly learn that something is amiss. The “sibyl” is in fact Helena, the sibyl’s assistant and niece. Because the sibyl’s position amid the rival factions of seafarers is precarious at best, Helena is trying to protect her seriously ill aunt by appearing in disguise until her aunt hopefully recovers. Marcus figures out early in the story that something is not quite right at the Temple of Kybele as well and he also finds himself quite drawn to the sibyl’s beautiful and intelligent assistant. The two form an alliance and friendship of sorts, though the romance in this novel is definitely of the slow-burning variety.
This is a partial review. You can find the complete text here: https://allaboutromance.com/august-tb...
January 7, 2022
Mar Egeo, 75 a.C.
Marco Livio Tullio viene catturato da una nave di pirati e condotto su un’isoletta sperduta a nord di Creta e tenuto prigioniero nel tempio di Cibele con tutta la sua ciurma in attese che giunga da Roma il riscatto.
Elena è la nipote della sibilla e futura sacerdotessa: è stata allevata sin da bambina a svolgere questo compito ma in cuor suo non si sente affatto pronta. La dea non le parla come fa con sua zia Flavia.
L’incontro con Tullio le fa desiderare qualcosa di nuovo, una vita normale con un marito e dei figli ma lui rappresenta il nemico. Elena dovrà compiere una scelta: rimanere con il suo popolo o tradirlo per un romano.
Primo libro che leggo con questa ambientazione storica e non è andata come previsto. Mi aspettavo un romanzetto leggero che si legge in poco tempo invece mi sono annoiata a morte.
Elena è un’invasata religiosa che rischia il collo ogni due per tre tanto ‘la dea la protegge’ non ascolta nessuno e soprattutto non accetta l’aiuto di nessuno.
Tullio ha rischiato la vita ben due volte per salvare sta sciroccata, prima da una caverna piena di zolfo e poi da una tempesta e c’è stato un misero grazie tirato per i capelli.
Capisco che tu sia invaghito di lei ma rischiare così la vita è da idioti.
Per il resto noia, tedio e fastidio.
Marco Livio Tullio viene catturato da una nave di pirati e condotto su un’isoletta sperduta a nord di Creta e tenuto prigioniero nel tempio di Cibele con tutta la sua ciurma in attese che giunga da Roma il riscatto.
Elena è la nipote della sibilla e futura sacerdotessa: è stata allevata sin da bambina a svolgere questo compito ma in cuor suo non si sente affatto pronta. La dea non le parla come fa con sua zia Flavia.
L’incontro con Tullio le fa desiderare qualcosa di nuovo, una vita normale con un marito e dei figli ma lui rappresenta il nemico. Elena dovrà compiere una scelta: rimanere con il suo popolo o tradirlo per un romano.
Primo libro che leggo con questa ambientazione storica e non è andata come previsto. Mi aspettavo un romanzetto leggero che si legge in poco tempo invece mi sono annoiata a morte.
Elena è un’invasata religiosa che rischia il collo ogni due per tre tanto ‘la dea la protegge’ non ascolta nessuno e soprattutto non accetta l’aiuto di nessuno.
Tullio ha rischiato la vita ben due volte per salvare sta sciroccata, prima da una caverna piena di zolfo e poi da una tempesta e c’è stato un misero grazie tirato per i capelli.
Capisco che tu sia invaghito di lei ma rischiare così la vita è da idioti.
Per il resto noia, tedio e fastidio.
December 7, 2008
A Noble Captive chronicles the romance between Helena, the priestess’ assistant at a pagan temple, and the prisoner who has just been transported to the same temple – a strong-willed Roman suffering anguish after his capture by pirates. The two are thrown together in a story that is centred around a single location – the island temple – but manages to pack plenty of plot and incident in along the way.
In Helena, Michelle Styles has created a pleasingly complex heroine, one who is both sympathetic and at the same time self-willed, somebody the reader can feel for while at the same time respect. In her hero, Marcus Livius Tullio, Michelle has captured an essentially Roman ‘character’, focusing on all that is admirable about that race, while giving equal weight to Tullio’s own personality and focusing on his own inner turmoils.
An engaging cast of supporting characters flesh out the rest of the book and there are many well-drawn figures to equal the hero and heroine. A sub-plot concerning the romance between Quintus and Galla is particularly engaging and one feels that their own story could fill a book. Meanwhile, corrupt officials and bloodthirsty pirates are always present in the backdrop, adding a palpable sense of mystery and tension to the proceedings.
There is plenty of reference to period detail which helps add to the overall authenticity of the book and the author gives a good idea of what life was like during the Roman period, from the day-to-day chores carried out by servants to the bartering and merchanting that was carried out on the high seas.
A Noble Captive is an engaging and well-researched Historical romance that should entertain any fan of the genre. Michelle Styles deserves kudos for ably bringing to life the ancient past.
In Helena, Michelle Styles has created a pleasingly complex heroine, one who is both sympathetic and at the same time self-willed, somebody the reader can feel for while at the same time respect. In her hero, Marcus Livius Tullio, Michelle has captured an essentially Roman ‘character’, focusing on all that is admirable about that race, while giving equal weight to Tullio’s own personality and focusing on his own inner turmoils.
An engaging cast of supporting characters flesh out the rest of the book and there are many well-drawn figures to equal the hero and heroine. A sub-plot concerning the romance between Quintus and Galla is particularly engaging and one feels that their own story could fill a book. Meanwhile, corrupt officials and bloodthirsty pirates are always present in the backdrop, adding a palpable sense of mystery and tension to the proceedings.
There is plenty of reference to period detail which helps add to the overall authenticity of the book and the author gives a good idea of what life was like during the Roman period, from the day-to-day chores carried out by servants to the bartering and merchanting that was carried out on the high seas.
A Noble Captive is an engaging and well-researched Historical romance that should entertain any fan of the genre. Michelle Styles deserves kudos for ably bringing to life the ancient past.
July 24, 2011
Enticing book with both suspense and romance involved....
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews