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Clemens Sisters #3
Captive
She was a slave to her desire . . . and to his!
A proper British governess, Louisa Clemens knows her place—and it certainly is not with the wild and exotic stranger she meets in Naples. Still, this commanding, mesmerizing man inflames her imagination in a most improper manner. When the magnificent Khair Bey steals into her bedroom, Louisa is transported to a breathtaking realm of sensual pleasure she had only previously imagined. And now she must flee his kisses and hot, demanding touch or she will be lost forever.
But on her journey home, Louisa is captured by pirates and spirited away to be auctioned off to the highest bidder—a bitter fate that turns shockingly sweet when she is purchased by the very man who has awakened her slumbering desires. Now she belongs to Khair Bey, body and soul—his mistress, his concubine, the most favored beauty in his harem. But as he initiates her into the art of lovemaking, Khair is enchanted by the powerful erotic charms and indomitable will of his captive English rose. And soon it will be the prisoner who possesses the master, passionately and completely . . .
A proper British governess, Louisa Clemens knows her place—and it certainly is not with the wild and exotic stranger she meets in Naples. Still, this commanding, mesmerizing man inflames her imagination in a most improper manner. When the magnificent Khair Bey steals into her bedroom, Louisa is transported to a breathtaking realm of sensual pleasure she had only previously imagined. And now she must flee his kisses and hot, demanding touch or she will be lost forever.
But on her journey home, Louisa is captured by pirates and spirited away to be auctioned off to the highest bidder—a bitter fate that turns shockingly sweet when she is purchased by the very man who has awakened her slumbering desires. Now she belongs to Khair Bey, body and soul—his mistress, his concubine, the most favored beauty in his harem. But as he initiates her into the art of lovemaking, Khair is enchanted by the powerful erotic charms and indomitable will of his captive English rose. And soon it will be the prisoner who possesses the master, passionately and completely . . .
272 pages, Paperback
First published January 21, 2009
9 people are currently reading
144 people want to read
About the author
Leda Swann
27 books40 followersLeda Swann is the writing duet of Cathy and Brent. We write out of our home overlooking the sea in peaceful New Zealand. When not writing we have busy lives bringing up four children and enjoying an adventurous outdoor life that ranges from the mountains to the sea.
We often get asked how our name Leda Swann came about. When we decided to write an erotic romance together we wanted a sexy name. We discussed how the Greek gods made for themselves a pretty good time of things, so a name from Greek mythology would be good. In any case, the word erotic comes from the Greek 'erotikos' and 'eros', meaning sexual love. We just needed to find a name that was more or less easily pronounceable. The tale of Leda and the Swan came to mind, and so Leda Swann was born.
We often get asked how our name Leda Swann came about. When we decided to write an erotic romance together we wanted a sexy name. We discussed how the Greek gods made for themselves a pretty good time of things, so a name from Greek mythology would be good. In any case, the word erotic comes from the Greek 'erotikos' and 'eros', meaning sexual love. We just needed to find a name that was more or less easily pronounceable. The tale of Leda and the Swan came to mind, and so Leda Swann was born.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
April 30, 2015
This book defines flat. There was nothing that worked me into a frothing haze of dislike, but there was nothing that hooked my attention. Louisa & Khair were walking cliches who repeated themselves repeatedly (pun very much intended :P) & inspired no interest on my part -- never for a moment did I forget these were characters on a page, & their conversations were stilted & wooden with no zip, zest, or sense of immediacy.
As if the cliched ripped-from-Regency-roms "women have rights, dammit!" battle of the sexes wasn't enough (zzzzzzzzzz...how many times has that trope been flogged?), Khair was the petulant foot-stomping hero who would make himself at home in cheesy modern Harlequins. This guy claims he's an alpha badass -- but he never shows any legit badassery, let alone brains or ruthless cunning. (And I'm not counting the . That was completely transparent.) Instead he's offended that his favored lady doesn't declare her undying love...and requires his mother to explain why women are so easily offended when it comes to their self-respect.
Yeah, his mother. Who lives with him.
Better watch out for this dude, ladies. He's dangerous.
As for Louisa...dim bulb central. Enough said.
Ironically, the erotic scenes weren't too bad (I'm not one to consult about this genre, but my verdict is "highly vanilla" -- unless oral & 69'ing is what you'd label hardcore). It was a good story concept, but the final product just didn't work. Overall it reminded me of Rangoon, but without Christine Monson's vivid historical backdrop, strong violence, & good writing to bolster a pair of lackluster leads.
Ah well. The adventure continues. I've got two other books by this author; hopefully they'll have more plot & less cliche.
As if the cliched ripped-from-Regency-roms "women have rights, dammit!" battle of the sexes wasn't enough (zzzzzzzzzz...how many times has that trope been flogged?), Khair was the petulant foot-stomping hero who would make himself at home in cheesy modern Harlequins. This guy claims he's an alpha badass -- but he never shows any legit badassery, let alone brains or ruthless cunning. (And I'm not counting the . That was completely transparent.) Instead he's offended that his favored lady doesn't declare her undying love...and requires his mother to explain why women are so easily offended when it comes to their self-respect.
Yeah, his mother. Who lives with him.
Better watch out for this dude, ladies. He's dangerous.
As for Louisa...dim bulb central. Enough said.
Ironically, the erotic scenes weren't too bad (I'm not one to consult about this genre, but my verdict is "highly vanilla" -- unless oral & 69'ing is what you'd label hardcore). It was a good story concept, but the final product just didn't work. Overall it reminded me of Rangoon, but without Christine Monson's vivid historical backdrop, strong violence, & good writing to bolster a pair of lackluster leads.
Ah well. The adventure continues. I've got two other books by this author; hopefully they'll have more plot & less cliche.
September 10, 2011
This was a surprise. I really didn't know if i wanted to read it, but it was cheap, and I'm a sucker for cheap reads. Long story short: A governess is seduced and ruined by a visiting royal. He decides she can never leave him, and kidnaps her on her way home, after she rejects him.
The first part of the book was me yelling at the heroine to fucking man up.
The middle part consisted of me yelling at the hero and what a fucking ass-hat he is. If you could punch a kindle, without damaging it, I would have kicked that kindle's ass.
Then the third part of the book happened. What can I say, I ended up liking it. It all worked out. Happy ending for all.
*snicker*
The first part of the book was me yelling at the heroine to fucking man up.
The middle part consisted of me yelling at the hero and what a fucking ass-hat he is. If you could punch a kindle, without damaging it, I would have kicked that kindle's ass.
Then the third part of the book happened. What can I say, I ended up liking it. It all worked out. Happy ending for all.
*snicker*
July 31, 2022
For this being my first smut book, it wasn’t terrible. Did not like the gaslighting and coercive behavior from lead male. Louisa and the guy’s mom were great though. Only one sex scene really had me go “AYOO” but for standard smut it was fine.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 8, 2017
at first I didn't like the way he relentlessly perused her maidenhood. then as I got further into the book I got it. it was a good book. love at first sight can make us all act irrational.
June 10, 2018
This one didn't sit well with me. It was nothing but rape scenes and kidnapping. Not fond of the arrogant and domineering male figure. Also not fond of slavery.
December 3, 2023
The book was well written. I enjoyed the plot and the main characters.
August 15, 2014
If you want to read about a controlling relationship this one is a doozy!
1876, Italy. Nursery maid Louisa gets deflowered (and therefore "ruined") by a Moroccan trader. In his mind taking her virginity means he gets to take the rest of her, too, and he basically orders her to go to Morocco with him. She (rightfully) freaks and books the first ship back to England. But then
What the hell? So he ruins her and makes any chance at a normal life in England impossible, then reaps the rewards? Louisa has no control over her destiny and ends up choosing the least icky option, which happens to be with this guy that doesn't respect her whatsoever. It's written as a happy ending, but it's a tragedy. I hoped things would turn around but they kept getting worse. Boooo. Boooooooo.
1876, Italy. Nursery maid Louisa gets deflowered (and therefore "ruined") by a Moroccan trader. In his mind taking her virginity means he gets to take the rest of her, too, and he basically orders her to go to Morocco with him. She (rightfully) freaks and books the first ship back to England. But then
What the hell? So he ruins her and makes any chance at a normal life in England impossible, then reaps the rewards? Louisa has no control over her destiny and ends up choosing the least icky option, which happens to be with this guy that doesn't respect her whatsoever. It's written as a happy ending, but it's a tragedy. I hoped things would turn around but they kept getting worse. Boooo. Boooooooo.
October 23, 2015
http://www.unbrindelecture.com/2015/1...
De mon plein gré est une romance qui n’est pas faite pour moi car je trouve l’histoire en elle-même un peu révoltante. Le personnage principal, auquel je me suis tout de suite attachée, est violentée, humiliée et trahie. Elle, qui apparaît au premier abord comme une femme sensée et intelligente, finit par souffrir du syndrome de Stockholm. C’est affligeant. Il n’en reste pas moins évident que les fans de kidnapping par amour sauront apprécier ce livre. Cela n’a pas été mon cas, dommage. J’espère que le prochain tome des Sœurs Clemens sera aussi touchant et passionnant que l’a été le tome 2.
De mon plein gré est une romance qui n’est pas faite pour moi car je trouve l’histoire en elle-même un peu révoltante. Le personnage principal, auquel je me suis tout de suite attachée, est violentée, humiliée et trahie. Elle, qui apparaît au premier abord comme une femme sensée et intelligente, finit par souffrir du syndrome de Stockholm. C’est affligeant. Il n’en reste pas moins évident que les fans de kidnapping par amour sauront apprécier ce livre. Cela n’a pas été mon cas, dommage. J’espère que le prochain tome des Sœurs Clemens sera aussi touchant et passionnant que l’a été le tome 2.
February 27, 2009
I have to admit that I found this book disappointing. I loved Swann's THE PRICE OF DESIRE...but this book was way too formulaic. I felt like I'd read all of this stuff before with Bertrice Small's novels in the 1980s. If you've never read a book about a woman seduced by a sexy Rudolph Valentino-esque character before, you may like it. But I found the story kind of dull...and the sex scenes...um...unstimulating.
September 23, 2009
Steamy story... Slightly irritating attitudes of the hero and heroine who act without communicating clearly, but otherwise nice little romantica with a different setting.
July 3, 2011
Review courtesy of Romance Junkies
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June 30, 2016
Weird the nook version notes 162 pages
January 17, 2016
3 1/2 stars. Fun, sexy story. I liked the character builiding by the author and the descriptions of the scenery of Morocco and its culture.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews