What do you think?
Winter Garden #4
The Duke's Captive
Vengeance would be his...
Ian Wentworth arrives in London with one goal: revenge. Now a duke of enormous wealth, he should settle down to the business of marrying and producing heirs. But nightmares of an ordeal from his past haunt him at every turn. All those he believes responsible have paid with their lives. All but one: Viola Bennington-Jones, the lovely Lady Cheshire. And he will not rest until he sees the tempting beauty suffer.
Viola keeps her secrets—and there are many—safe from society's prying eyes. When she first spies Ian at a glittering ball, the rush of recognition immediately turns to panic. Does he remember the tender touches that once passed between them? Does he feel the electric passion that binds them still? Or does he blame her for the awful horrors her kin bestowed upon him? The enigmatic duke holds her captive: in desperate thrall to his powerful sensuality, her future—and her heart—in his hands.
Ian Wentworth arrives in London with one goal: revenge. Now a duke of enormous wealth, he should settle down to the business of marrying and producing heirs. But nightmares of an ordeal from his past haunt him at every turn. All those he believes responsible have paid with their lives. All but one: Viola Bennington-Jones, the lovely Lady Cheshire. And he will not rest until he sees the tempting beauty suffer.
Viola keeps her secrets—and there are many—safe from society's prying eyes. When she first spies Ian at a glittering ball, the rush of recognition immediately turns to panic. Does he remember the tender touches that once passed between them? Does he feel the electric passion that binds them still? Or does he blame her for the awful horrors her kin bestowed upon him? The enigmatic duke holds her captive: in desperate thrall to his powerful sensuality, her future—and her heart—in his hands.
384 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2010
About the author
Adele Ashworth
11 books239 followersAdele Budnick was born in 1963. She has always felt she's led a rather dull life on her road to becoming a romance author. Unfortunately, she's also often been wrong.
From the first time she stepped onstage to sing Petula Clark's "Downtown" for a crowd (at the age of three in a Juarez, Mexico, hotel restaurant, dancing on the table at the urging of the Spanish-speaking waitresses), she knew she was destined to be a singer. Her first miscalculation.
At the age of six, as she watched one of the Apollo rockets take off on live Saturday-morning television, interrupting the most important TV shows of the decade—The Monkeys and Scooby-Doo—she decided she would become a diplomat. Much to her mother's chagrin, Adele was caught in a heated discussion with a telephone operator who insisted it simply wasn't possible to put a six-year-old child through to President Nixon at the White House just to make a complaint about important programming interruption. Diplomacy clearly wasn't for her.
In elementary school, Adele, being a voracious reader, decided she would be a defense attorney just like Nancy Drew's father. (One knew at any age that one couldn't make a living simply by being a mystery solver like Nancy, but solving crimes as an attorney seemed practical.) After three years of knowing she was destined for Harvard Law School, Adele finished every published Nancy Drew novel (53 of them at the time) and moved on to reading romance. Thus ended her dreams of solving crimes. The idea of law school seemed far less enjoyable after immersing herself in Victoria Holt at the age of twelve.
The Song Bird Years
Adele continued to pursue her singing into her teen years, deciding she was either going to be an editorial reader for a publishing company (because all she loved to do was read) or a Singing Superstar. She figured becoming a Superstar was probably an easier goal to achieve, and so, between reading romances (and in the late 70s there were very few to read), she practiced her art, training her developing coloratura soprano voice with private lessons from one of the best operatic instructors in the city of Albuquerque. Through numerous All-State Choir rehearsals, Jr. and High School choir practice, and various musical productions, she knew she was destined for stardom.
And then at the age of fifteen, her private vocal instructor told her the cold, hard facts: To really make it as a Broadway Singing Superstar, one not only has to read music well, but be able to act and dance and live on pennies. Adele does not dance (unless you count nightclubs in college and that time in Mexico when she was three…) and the "living on pennies" bit seemed highly questionable. Since her acting and music reading talents were also suspect, she decided Broadway might not be for her. Reality sure can be a shocker.
On the Career Path
In college as a journalism major (only because she had to major in something that might get her a paying job), she continued to pursue private vocal instruction with the University of Utah's finest, while performing in various musicals and college recitals. Having directed her through the lead in Cinderella, her drama teacher urged her to try out for local beauty—ahem—scholarship pageants. That was it. Adele was destined to be a singing, reading, reporting, Miss America.
Unfortunately, reality struck again. Not only was Adele a bit lacking in genius (to put it bluntly), being five feet and two inches tall, and possessing quite possibly the shortest legs in the history of womanhood left Adele doing well in talent portions of the contests, but lacking other…necessary attributes. Aside from being crowned Miss Sandy City and Miss Salt Lake County, the pageant thing never went anywhere. Alas, the Singing Beauty Queen future was out.
But Adele worked very hard at her favorite pastime and, by her senior year in college, she'd read just about every Kathleen E. Woodiwiss, Victoria Holt, Shirley Busbee, Laurie McBain,
From the first time she stepped onstage to sing Petula Clark's "Downtown" for a crowd (at the age of three in a Juarez, Mexico, hotel restaurant, dancing on the table at the urging of the Spanish-speaking waitresses), she knew she was destined to be a singer. Her first miscalculation.
At the age of six, as she watched one of the Apollo rockets take off on live Saturday-morning television, interrupting the most important TV shows of the decade—The Monkeys and Scooby-Doo—she decided she would become a diplomat. Much to her mother's chagrin, Adele was caught in a heated discussion with a telephone operator who insisted it simply wasn't possible to put a six-year-old child through to President Nixon at the White House just to make a complaint about important programming interruption. Diplomacy clearly wasn't for her.
In elementary school, Adele, being a voracious reader, decided she would be a defense attorney just like Nancy Drew's father. (One knew at any age that one couldn't make a living simply by being a mystery solver like Nancy, but solving crimes as an attorney seemed practical.) After three years of knowing she was destined for Harvard Law School, Adele finished every published Nancy Drew novel (53 of them at the time) and moved on to reading romance. Thus ended her dreams of solving crimes. The idea of law school seemed far less enjoyable after immersing herself in Victoria Holt at the age of twelve.
The Song Bird Years
Adele continued to pursue her singing into her teen years, deciding she was either going to be an editorial reader for a publishing company (because all she loved to do was read) or a Singing Superstar. She figured becoming a Superstar was probably an easier goal to achieve, and so, between reading romances (and in the late 70s there were very few to read), she practiced her art, training her developing coloratura soprano voice with private lessons from one of the best operatic instructors in the city of Albuquerque. Through numerous All-State Choir rehearsals, Jr. and High School choir practice, and various musical productions, she knew she was destined for stardom.
And then at the age of fifteen, her private vocal instructor told her the cold, hard facts: To really make it as a Broadway Singing Superstar, one not only has to read music well, but be able to act and dance and live on pennies. Adele does not dance (unless you count nightclubs in college and that time in Mexico when she was three…) and the "living on pennies" bit seemed highly questionable. Since her acting and music reading talents were also suspect, she decided Broadway might not be for her. Reality sure can be a shocker.
On the Career Path
In college as a journalism major (only because she had to major in something that might get her a paying job), she continued to pursue private vocal instruction with the University of Utah's finest, while performing in various musicals and college recitals. Having directed her through the lead in Cinderella, her drama teacher urged her to try out for local beauty—ahem—scholarship pageants. That was it. Adele was destined to be a singing, reading, reporting, Miss America.
Unfortunately, reality struck again. Not only was Adele a bit lacking in genius (to put it bluntly), being five feet and two inches tall, and possessing quite possibly the shortest legs in the history of womanhood left Adele doing well in talent portions of the contests, but lacking other…necessary attributes. Aside from being crowned Miss Sandy City and Miss Salt Lake County, the pageant thing never went anywhere. Alas, the Singing Beauty Queen future was out.
But Adele worked very hard at her favorite pastime and, by her senior year in college, she'd read just about every Kathleen E. Woodiwiss, Victoria Holt, Shirley Busbee, Laurie McBain,
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews
September 16, 2021
This was one intense, roller-coaster-ride of a book.
An intriguing, sexy, dangerous and dark game of cat and mouse.
Amazing character development.
Emotions so raw and intense.
A story of passion and hatred.
Of obsession and revenge.
Of longing, loneliness, healing and destiny.
Of love.
Highly recommended!
An intriguing, sexy, dangerous and dark game of cat and mouse.
Amazing character development.
Emotions so raw and intense.
A story of passion and hatred.
Of obsession and revenge.
Of longing, loneliness, healing and destiny.
Of love.
Highly recommended!
March 23, 2021
This one is difficult to process and then to rate.
It is riveting - with the suspense of the past, and now in the present as to what extent the H will go for vengeance and how strongly will the h be able to stand up to him amongst other things.
But yes, it also has many dark, unpalatable elements that leave one cold and uneasy.
Both the mcs are strong-willed, loath to back down, with axes to grind and both receive sympathy and censure equally from the reader.
It can be labelled a psychological thriller with battle of wits, wills and of the sexes.
And there's a lot going on - in the present and from the past to unravel correctly. So, at least there's not a boring moment.
It is riveting - with the suspense of the past, and now in the present as to what extent the H will go for vengeance and how strongly will the h be able to stand up to him amongst other things.
But yes, it also has many dark, unpalatable elements that leave one cold and uneasy.
Both the mcs are strong-willed, loath to back down, with axes to grind and both receive sympathy and censure equally from the reader.
It can be labelled a psychological thriller with battle of wits, wills and of the sexes.
And there's a lot going on - in the present and from the past to unravel correctly. So, at least there's not a boring moment.
May 5, 2011
If you like the captive/captor/you're-so-dead-when-I-get-you revenge romance then this should work for you, BUT (and I can’t stress this “but” enough), if “forced seduction” (basically the hero does what he wants and the heroine says no but in her head she wants it as badly as he does) is not your thing, then don’t read this book. The whole forced seduction bit gets very borderline at times but it’s turn on the broiler hot and will likely leave you panting when it’s over. Ashworth does a fine job of building tension and then taking the reader right over the cliff with some very smoldering steam and down and dirty OMG take-me-now-dammit sex ;D
Ashworth teases the reader with a mystery right off the bat so there’s no wasting time with setting the scene for endless pages. Rest assured that it’s not one of those annoying RS/caper romances either. Each chapter starts with a partial entry from the heroine’s diary from five years ago which heightens the mystery of what in the world happened and why, who is Lady Cheshire and what’s her involvement with the Duke of Chatwin? The Duke has one thing in mind that’s been eating at him like a disease for five years and he wants retribution so he sets out on the blackest of black revenge against Lady Cheshire. This isn’t one of those “Oooo, I’ll get you missy” revenge stories. The hatred he has for her consumes him day and night and nearly right to the end of the story. The author does a brilliant job with tit for tat as the two battle it out to get the upper hand. Slowly though they both realize that there is a profound love they share underneath all the hatred and you’d be surprised at how well the author brings them from one extreme to next with a hearty dose of fast and furious sex in between –this is unadulterated lust at its finest ;)
There are a number of surprising secrets throughout the novel but they never interfere with the h/h’s relationship. The chapters devoted to the Duke’s confinement of Lady Cheshire are scorching hot but again tread very close to the “she said no a-hole leave her alone” side. Those of you who liked Anna Campbell’s endearingly psychotic Duke of Kylemore from Claiming the Courtesan will likely love this guy.
Ian (the Duke) is 100% alpha, but he is so broken because of what happened to him that the author really makes you feel that he’s doing all he can to keep his head above water. He's at war with himself really to try to find some peace. Viola (Lady Cheshire) is no pushover either and does everything she can to head him off at the pass as he tries to destroy her life.
Though the book is a 5 star read, it doesn’t make the favourites shelf for me because it’s missing a more regency “sound” to it –which is not to say that it doesn’t have a regency feel because it does have that, but the characters don’t have that Julia Quinn/Lisa Kleypas regency speak which is too bad because it would have made the book even better. Another thing is that the author overused every possible image of discomfort with the heroine's “stays” –she squirmed in them, slouched in them, felt tight in them, got hot in them, felt altogether restricted by them etc etc etc etc and it was annoying to read it repeatedly. She needed some variety basically. I would have also liked to have read an epilogue because it all ended too abruptly. But all this is minor to the emotion that’s conveyed through the characters and their struggles. It’s a rare read to find an alpha hero with serious issues who still remains alpha and doesn't fall apart at the seams. The only other author I’ve read who did this well was Suzanne Enoch in England's Perfect Hero.
So here you have some serious hot tamale sex with edge of your seat sexual tension, meaner than mean an eye for an eye, a sometimes disturbingly dark emotional roller coaster ride and all wrapped around a well-written story. This was definitely a good read :D
Ashworth teases the reader with a mystery right off the bat so there’s no wasting time with setting the scene for endless pages. Rest assured that it’s not one of those annoying RS/caper romances either. Each chapter starts with a partial entry from the heroine’s diary from five years ago which heightens the mystery of what in the world happened and why, who is Lady Cheshire and what’s her involvement with the Duke of Chatwin? The Duke has one thing in mind that’s been eating at him like a disease for five years and he wants retribution so he sets out on the blackest of black revenge against Lady Cheshire. This isn’t one of those “Oooo, I’ll get you missy” revenge stories. The hatred he has for her consumes him day and night and nearly right to the end of the story. The author does a brilliant job with tit for tat as the two battle it out to get the upper hand. Slowly though they both realize that there is a profound love they share underneath all the hatred and you’d be surprised at how well the author brings them from one extreme to next with a hearty dose of fast and furious sex in between –this is unadulterated lust at its finest ;)
There are a number of surprising secrets throughout the novel but they never interfere with the h/h’s relationship. The chapters devoted to the Duke’s confinement of Lady Cheshire are scorching hot but again tread very close to the “she said no a-hole leave her alone” side. Those of you who liked Anna Campbell’s endearingly psychotic Duke of Kylemore from Claiming the Courtesan will likely love this guy.
Ian (the Duke) is 100% alpha, but he is so broken because of what happened to him that the author really makes you feel that he’s doing all he can to keep his head above water. He's at war with himself really to try to find some peace. Viola (Lady Cheshire) is no pushover either and does everything she can to head him off at the pass as he tries to destroy her life.
Though the book is a 5 star read, it doesn’t make the favourites shelf for me because it’s missing a more regency “sound” to it –which is not to say that it doesn’t have a regency feel because it does have that, but the characters don’t have that Julia Quinn/Lisa Kleypas regency speak which is too bad because it would have made the book even better. Another thing is that the author overused every possible image of discomfort with the heroine's “stays” –she squirmed in them, slouched in them, felt tight in them, got hot in them, felt altogether restricted by them etc etc etc etc and it was annoying to read it repeatedly. She needed some variety basically. I would have also liked to have read an epilogue because it all ended too abruptly. But all this is minor to the emotion that’s conveyed through the characters and their struggles. It’s a rare read to find an alpha hero with serious issues who still remains alpha and doesn't fall apart at the seams. The only other author I’ve read who did this well was Suzanne Enoch in England's Perfect Hero.
So here you have some serious hot tamale sex with edge of your seat sexual tension, meaner than mean an eye for an eye, a sometimes disturbingly dark emotional roller coaster ride and all wrapped around a well-written story. This was definitely a good read :D
November 6, 2021
THIS REVIEW MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS, SO FAIR WARNING, UPON READING THE REVIEW.
The Duke’s Captive is the fourth book in this series “Winter Garden” and this is an author I have been meaning to read her backlist but just haven’t gotten around to it yet. I have read loved this author over the years and I believe some of her books were part of the “Avon Romance Treasure” line if you are familiar with those. The Duke’s Captive was quite an interesting story, now this one is the last book in the series, but I was able to easily read this as a stand-alone. It did have some teasers to a previous book, but I do feel like it was distanced enough that you can read this book as it’s not an integral part of the series just loosely connected. I will say that I didn’t know what I would be getting with this but it did have a revenge plot, so be aware of that going in, and it won’t work for everyone. But I do think if you are in the right frame of mind or mood then this will be a fun plotline for you to enjoy.
THE DUKE’S CAPTIVE IS A SEXY CAPTIVATING TALE SET IN THE VICTORIAN ERA TO ENTICE YOU THAT FEATURES:
Ian-Inherited a Dukedom, the protective brother, emotionally damaged and scarred from PTSD
Viola-Widow, single mother of a five-year-old son, artist, keeper of secrets
In The Duke’s Captive, we set the stage with our hero, who is setting a trap for our heroine. Ian, five years previous, was kidnapped by the heroines, Viola, sisters and was chained, drugged, and treated like an animal and Viola was the only comfort he had. Ian was drugged and has blurred memories of believing he was sexually assaulted and even though Viola wasn’t fully complicit he still blames her because she was the only one that escaped punishment. And now its five years later and he has finally found her and is ready to place his revenge but his plan has holes in it including knowing actually what happened between him and Viola, and despite the secrets being kept, his plan of revenge turns into something deeper, and love enters his heart, and when the truth comes out, will Viola and Ian be able to find the love they have been craving all of these years?
A fierce heat lit his eyes when his gaze captured hers, and the intense hunger she witnessed in their dark depths made her heart skip a beat and her stomach twist in knots. He remembers something. . . .
In The Duke’s Captive, I was so enchanted by their chemistry, and from the very beginning, I just knew that this would be an entertaining read. You just never know what to expect in a revenge plot especially in a historical (because some of them can be total bananas) but I will say that in this one it definitely was written in such a way that really worked for me. Now I don’t read revenge plots very often, but this is a book I have been wanting to read so much over the years. I can’t tell you how long I have had this one on my wishlist and FINALLY, I read it and really enjoyed it. I wasn’t sure how I would feel about this story especially in the first chapters, but the evolvement was really beautiful in this one. I was charmed by their chemistry and so many swoony moments that will take your breath away. But there are also moments of pain and heartbreak from both our main protagonists. For most of the book, you aren’t sure where you stand with the heroine, you definitely sense so much more happening, but things don’t get revealed till in the second half of the story, so you really have to trust the author here to lead you right and it happens…TRUST ME, she will captive your heart but it gets slowly built throughout the story.
“When I can taste you and smell you and feel you like this, I fear I’ll never be able to rid myself of you, that you’ll go on haunting me night after night forever.”
There is one trope that needs to be mentioned in this one and explain because I know it’s a trope that many readers might struggle with: Secret Baby. Anyone that knows me knows how much I struggle with this trope and how it rarely works for me. Now you need to see this from the heroine’s point of view. This is more of a circumstance where the heroine fears the hero and what his reaction would be if she had told him the truth instead of marrying and finding protection. She loved Ian, but at the time, knew that they couldn’t be together and she did what needed to be done for her child. I really like how at the top of the chapter headings, we get excerpts from her journal and really showcase her side of the story in such an elemental way. We don’t get too much from her perspective that much, it happens, but we do see a flow of seeing both of their sides and seeing them work towards a relationship and how complex of a situation they are both in here. They have both sacrificed and been hurt, and it will take having faith in each other’s love that will help them learn to adapt and grow from the changes.
“But the one thing I want most, Viola,” he whispered, leaning in to nuzzle her ear, “is to see you happy, to hear you laugh, not from sarcasm or anxiousness, but from joy. I have dreams of it, maybe memories of it. I don’t know. But since I’ve come back into your life, I have never once heard you laugh from sheer happiness, and nothing, right now, haunts me more.”
Overall I found The Duke’s Captive to be a sensational read that captures the heart and soul to the depths, it’s a rough road of emotion, secrets, and the unraveling of the passions of the essence of humanity….BREATHTAKING~
The Duke’s Captive is the fourth book in this series “Winter Garden” and this is an author I have been meaning to read her backlist but just haven’t gotten around to it yet. I have read loved this author over the years and I believe some of her books were part of the “Avon Romance Treasure” line if you are familiar with those. The Duke’s Captive was quite an interesting story, now this one is the last book in the series, but I was able to easily read this as a stand-alone. It did have some teasers to a previous book, but I do feel like it was distanced enough that you can read this book as it’s not an integral part of the series just loosely connected. I will say that I didn’t know what I would be getting with this but it did have a revenge plot, so be aware of that going in, and it won’t work for everyone. But I do think if you are in the right frame of mind or mood then this will be a fun plotline for you to enjoy.
THE DUKE’S CAPTIVE IS A SEXY CAPTIVATING TALE SET IN THE VICTORIAN ERA TO ENTICE YOU THAT FEATURES:
Ian-Inherited a Dukedom, the protective brother, emotionally damaged and scarred from PTSD
Viola-Widow, single mother of a five-year-old son, artist, keeper of secrets
In The Duke’s Captive, we set the stage with our hero, who is setting a trap for our heroine. Ian, five years previous, was kidnapped by the heroines, Viola, sisters and was chained, drugged, and treated like an animal and Viola was the only comfort he had. Ian was drugged and has blurred memories of believing he was sexually assaulted and even though Viola wasn’t fully complicit he still blames her because she was the only one that escaped punishment. And now its five years later and he has finally found her and is ready to place his revenge but his plan has holes in it including knowing actually what happened between him and Viola, and despite the secrets being kept, his plan of revenge turns into something deeper, and love enters his heart, and when the truth comes out, will Viola and Ian be able to find the love they have been craving all of these years?
A fierce heat lit his eyes when his gaze captured hers, and the intense hunger she witnessed in their dark depths made her heart skip a beat and her stomach twist in knots. He remembers something. . . .
In The Duke’s Captive, I was so enchanted by their chemistry, and from the very beginning, I just knew that this would be an entertaining read. You just never know what to expect in a revenge plot especially in a historical (because some of them can be total bananas) but I will say that in this one it definitely was written in such a way that really worked for me. Now I don’t read revenge plots very often, but this is a book I have been wanting to read so much over the years. I can’t tell you how long I have had this one on my wishlist and FINALLY, I read it and really enjoyed it. I wasn’t sure how I would feel about this story especially in the first chapters, but the evolvement was really beautiful in this one. I was charmed by their chemistry and so many swoony moments that will take your breath away. But there are also moments of pain and heartbreak from both our main protagonists. For most of the book, you aren’t sure where you stand with the heroine, you definitely sense so much more happening, but things don’t get revealed till in the second half of the story, so you really have to trust the author here to lead you right and it happens…TRUST ME, she will captive your heart but it gets slowly built throughout the story.
“When I can taste you and smell you and feel you like this, I fear I’ll never be able to rid myself of you, that you’ll go on haunting me night after night forever.”
There is one trope that needs to be mentioned in this one and explain because I know it’s a trope that many readers might struggle with: Secret Baby. Anyone that knows me knows how much I struggle with this trope and how it rarely works for me. Now you need to see this from the heroine’s point of view. This is more of a circumstance where the heroine fears the hero and what his reaction would be if she had told him the truth instead of marrying and finding protection. She loved Ian, but at the time, knew that they couldn’t be together and she did what needed to be done for her child. I really like how at the top of the chapter headings, we get excerpts from her journal and really showcase her side of the story in such an elemental way. We don’t get too much from her perspective that much, it happens, but we do see a flow of seeing both of their sides and seeing them work towards a relationship and how complex of a situation they are both in here. They have both sacrificed and been hurt, and it will take having faith in each other’s love that will help them learn to adapt and grow from the changes.
“But the one thing I want most, Viola,” he whispered, leaning in to nuzzle her ear, “is to see you happy, to hear you laugh, not from sarcasm or anxiousness, but from joy. I have dreams of it, maybe memories of it. I don’t know. But since I’ve come back into your life, I have never once heard you laugh from sheer happiness, and nothing, right now, haunts me more.”
Overall I found The Duke’s Captive to be a sensational read that captures the heart and soul to the depths, it’s a rough road of emotion, secrets, and the unraveling of the passions of the essence of humanity….BREATHTAKING~
June 25, 2021
The Duke's Captive is not Regency Noir, and it's not a bodice ripper.
I was on the fence about reading this because I had read another book by Adele Ashworth and it was not for me. However, this book had been published a few years after the story that I had read, and after hearing this touted as something a lil controversial, I decided to give it a chance.
Very by the numbers, but it is readable, even if it makes absolutely no sense. The backstory had too many plotholes and unanswered questions. The inclusion of the diamond motive at the end was so out of left-field. The only thing that I can recall to tie in the diamond motive is a saying that involves gems. Please correct me if I'm wrong but the gem saying comes from the heroine's family, and it doesn't have any bearing on the diamond motive.
This was not controversial to me. Maybe someone can spell it out but the only scene that I recall is very similar to Lisa Kleypas' Worth Any Price where we call BDSM tying a few ribbons on the heroine's wrists, and we call it a day. Oh, and the ribbon-tying is a cathartic release for the hero with control issues. It was consensual to me since she verbally tells him to make her feel like what he did.
However, it was sexy at times, although it was too repetitive. The hero says or thinks I hate her but I am attracted to her. What did she do to me in the past? This happens like at least 3 times. The problem that I have is that these points were not expanded upon, teased out. It was the same thing regurgitated over and over again.
I was reminded of Victoria Vale's The Villain because it's also about a vengeful hero who uses the heroine as his means of revenge. However, The Villain truly whets the reader's appetite in dropping bread crumbs to the scandalous past.
I was on the fence about reading this because I had read another book by Adele Ashworth and it was not for me. However, this book had been published a few years after the story that I had read, and after hearing this touted as something a lil controversial, I decided to give it a chance.
Very by the numbers, but it is readable, even if it makes absolutely no sense. The backstory had too many plotholes and unanswered questions. The inclusion of the diamond motive at the end was so out of left-field. The only thing that I can recall to tie in the diamond motive is a saying that involves gems. Please correct me if I'm wrong but the gem saying comes from the heroine's family, and it doesn't have any bearing on the diamond motive.
This was not controversial to me. Maybe someone can spell it out but the only scene that I recall is very similar to Lisa Kleypas' Worth Any Price where we call BDSM tying a few ribbons on the heroine's wrists, and we call it a day. Oh, and the ribbon-tying is a cathartic release for the hero with control issues. It was consensual to me since she verbally tells him to make her feel like what he did.
However, it was sexy at times, although it was too repetitive. The hero says or thinks I hate her but I am attracted to her. What did she do to me in the past? This happens like at least 3 times. The problem that I have is that these points were not expanded upon, teased out. It was the same thing regurgitated over and over again.
I was reminded of Victoria Vale's The Villain because it's also about a vengeful hero who uses the heroine as his means of revenge. However, The Villain truly whets the reader's appetite in dropping bread crumbs to the scandalous past.
September 27, 2021
Much like Anna Campbell’s CLAIMING THE COURTESAN, I understand what the author is going for here—a more modernized version of Old Skool tropes—but it just doesn’t work.
Problem 1: it’s almost all telling of past experience/present angst with endless internal monologues & navel gazing, since the action which spurs the MCs’ conflict is over & done with years before pg 1. There’s no external tension, no real action or villain or even much of a plot arc.
Problem 2: Ian is a wannabe-alpha who wanks on about needing revenge for his man-pain, yet doesn’t know the whole truth & is too weak-willed to listen to anyone who tries to enlighten him (namely heroine Viola). Furthermore, others who know the facts—like his sister—don’t bother to give him said information due to his hurt feels & nebulous revenge pushing everyone away. 🤢🤮 This dude is no alpha. He’s not even a quietly-strong beta. He’s just a whiny pussy.
Problem 3: Ian’s reasoning on his choice of victim is questionable, but we-the-readers know the issue at heart, & faulty logic runs rampant in revenge-lust roms. 🙃 What I do quibble with is his ultimate goal. Even when he takes his revenge, it’s not enough because his true desire is control—not in a sexy Alpha way, but rather a petulant foot-stomping that boils down to wounded pride. Ian’s vision of alpha behavior is stalking, life manipulation “for her own good,” & putting Viola in the position where she must acknowledge that he makes her hooha weep, therefore she belongs to him if he chooses want her, not want her, marry her, or not marry her. It’s about abasement that she doesn’t deserve—abasement that he realizes is wrong in the final pages, but only after being (literally) handed the truth by someone else, despite Viola repeating those same facts from the get-go. In simple terms: he wants to make her weaker than him.** And that kind of hero isn’t a hero at all, no matter the subgenre. Old Skool bodice ripper, new-era HR, Harlequin, indie s&m—no matter how their relationship is expressed in the bedroom, the common thread in a quality hero is his viewing the heroine as one who deserves his best effort (however flawed that might be), not to serve as a punching bag for his emoz.
Problem 4: despite being set in the 1850s, it’s not victorian in the least. It’s just another regency that uses corsets. 🙄
2 stars, mostly because I finished it (tho I skipped some of the more tedious scenes) & the eye-catching cover. I also thought Viola was a decent character with intriguing aspects, but she was wasted on a douchebag hero & boring storyline.
**Compare this to the central relationship in Millie Adams’ MARRIAGE DEAL WITH THE DEVILISH DUKE, wherein the hero—who also has a shitty past, & much more long-term shit than Ian’s—uses his alpha-dom behavior to show the heroine how strong & beautiful she is, both in bed & out of it.
Problem 1: it’s almost all telling of past experience/present angst with endless internal monologues & navel gazing, since the action which spurs the MCs’ conflict is over & done with years before pg 1. There’s no external tension, no real action or villain or even much of a plot arc.
Problem 2: Ian is a wannabe-alpha who wanks on about needing revenge for his man-pain, yet doesn’t know the whole truth & is too weak-willed to listen to anyone who tries to enlighten him (namely heroine Viola). Furthermore, others who know the facts—like his sister—don’t bother to give him said information due to his hurt feels & nebulous revenge pushing everyone away. 🤢🤮 This dude is no alpha. He’s not even a quietly-strong beta. He’s just a whiny pussy.
Problem 3: Ian’s reasoning on his choice of victim is questionable, but we-the-readers know the issue at heart, & faulty logic runs rampant in revenge-lust roms. 🙃 What I do quibble with is his ultimate goal. Even when he takes his revenge, it’s not enough because his true desire is control—not in a sexy Alpha way, but rather a petulant foot-stomping that boils down to wounded pride. Ian’s vision of alpha behavior is stalking, life manipulation “for her own good,” & putting Viola in the position where she must acknowledge that he makes her hooha weep, therefore she belongs to him if he chooses want her, not want her, marry her, or not marry her. It’s about abasement that she doesn’t deserve—abasement that he realizes is wrong in the final pages, but only after being (literally) handed the truth by someone else, despite Viola repeating those same facts from the get-go. In simple terms: he wants to make her weaker than him.** And that kind of hero isn’t a hero at all, no matter the subgenre. Old Skool bodice ripper, new-era HR, Harlequin, indie s&m—no matter how their relationship is expressed in the bedroom, the common thread in a quality hero is his viewing the heroine as one who deserves his best effort (however flawed that might be), not to serve as a punching bag for his emoz.
Problem 4: despite being set in the 1850s, it’s not victorian in the least. It’s just another regency that uses corsets. 🙄
2 stars, mostly because I finished it (tho I skipped some of the more tedious scenes) & the eye-catching cover. I also thought Viola was a decent character with intriguing aspects, but she was wasted on a douchebag hero & boring storyline.
**Compare this to the central relationship in Millie Adams’ MARRIAGE DEAL WITH THE DEVILISH DUKE, wherein the hero—who also has a shitty past, & much more long-term shit than Ian’s—uses his alpha-dom behavior to show the heroine how strong & beautiful she is, both in bed & out of it.
April 8, 2013
If romance novels are anything to go by, there must be more Dukes in England than there are mice.
Five years ago, our hero-the-Duke was kidnapped by evil sister duo, drugged and starved and chained in a dungeon for 5 weeks. Why? It's a romance novel, go with it. Now he's out gunning for revenge for the surviving third sister - who was neither a kidnapper nor a jailer but whom he blames for not letting him out and who he kinda thinks raped him. But he is not just revenge-motivated - he is also super-obsessed with her. This sister is now a widow with a small boy, is a painter, and has a secret or dozen. People seem to either love this book for being 'intense' or loathe it due to stuff heroine does to hero or hero does to heroine. I am oddly in the middle - I didn't care enough about either of them to find anything intense, and also not enough to get mad about things. Though realistically - while there is some serious questions about consent in what he does with her, there is no question at all that what she did with him was not consensual in any way - ummmm, if a dude is drugged out of his mind, enough to not remember anything or know what his name is, or even if he has a name, having sex with him is not romantic or even legal under modern laws, no matter if he is asking you for it and no matter the genders involved. Hero thinking it OK once he figures it out years later notwithstanding.
This said, this is not the book to read for morality or even realism. If you like BDSM-lite fantasies involving period-dressed effed up people though - go for it.
Five years ago, our hero-the-Duke was kidnapped by evil sister duo, drugged and starved and chained in a dungeon for 5 weeks. Why? It's a romance novel, go with it. Now he's out gunning for revenge for the surviving third sister - who was neither a kidnapper nor a jailer but whom he blames for not letting him out and who he kinda thinks raped him. But he is not just revenge-motivated - he is also super-obsessed with her. This sister is now a widow with a small boy, is a painter, and has a secret or dozen. People seem to either love this book for being 'intense' or loathe it due to stuff heroine does to hero or hero does to heroine. I am oddly in the middle - I didn't care enough about either of them to find anything intense, and also not enough to get mad about things. Though realistically - while there is some serious questions about consent in what he does with her, there is no question at all that what she did with him was not consensual in any way - ummmm, if a dude is drugged out of his mind, enough to not remember anything or know what his name is, or even if he has a name, having sex with him is not romantic or even legal under modern laws, no matter if he is asking you for it and no matter the genders involved. Hero thinking it OK once he figures it out years later notwithstanding.
This said, this is not the book to read for morality or even realism. If you like BDSM-lite fantasies involving period-dressed effed up people though - go for it.
March 25, 2021
3.5 stars.
Preeti’s review made me want to read this one 😘😂.
Once I started, is hard to put it down ❤️.
It has a very good and unusual storyline, you can say a little bit dark for HR, and I like it.
But heroine’s career here similar with the other heroine’s I’ve just read before this book. That made this one is not too unusual anymore.
Also, the hero is too kind to put him in the antiheroes category! 😂.
Don’t get me wrong, he was bad but is too mild for an antihero character 😘.
However, this book is a good one to start if you plan to read those means boys in HR’s books 😂.
❤️
Preeti’s review made me want to read this one 😘😂.
Once I started, is hard to put it down ❤️.
It has a very good and unusual storyline, you can say a little bit dark for HR, and I like it.
But heroine’s career here similar with the other heroine’s I’ve just read before this book. That made this one is not too unusual anymore.
Also, the hero is too kind to put him in the antiheroes category! 😂.
Don’t get me wrong, he was bad but is too mild for an antihero character 😘.
However, this book is a good one to start if you plan to read those means boys in HR’s books 😂.
❤️
July 1, 2010
He was out to seek revenge. She was trying to protect those she loved and everything she built. Passion, betrayal and lust brought them together. The Duke’s Captive is a fast paced tale of betrayal and forgiveness. Tied together through a turbulent past, Ian and Viola has to let go everything they hold dear to find a passion they had never known existed.
Ian Wentworth is a deeply troubled man. Moved by vengeance, the handsome duke only goal is to bring down Viola Bennington-Jones. Years ago they had met. He was held captive and drugged and she was the only one there to comfort him. Through the foggy memories, his only visions are of her. He waited long enough to get his satisfaction for her minor part in his abduction but when he finally sees her, his emotions is turned upside down. The internal battle begins as he slowly remembers what they had shared.
Viola is a young widow, caring for her son. Viola holds plenty of secrets. Staying one step ahead of the game, she plays her cards when necessary. The one man that she has been avoiding for years has now made his appearance back in her life after she has come out of mourning. Facing her past is harder than she could have ever imagined. Each moment that she spends around Ian, brings her closer to those emotions that she has long ago hidden.
I really enjoyed this book. I have never read a book by Adele Ashworth. I have to admit that she wooed me. The characters had chemistry immediately but they did not act on it. The emotional connection was there but the author slowly peeled off the layers to get to the core. Ian was a strong character. I understood his reasons for revenge but at times I felt he went over board with his tactics and I was almost taken out of my comfort zone. Each chapter begins with an insight to their brief binding encounter by Viola. I instantly liked Viola. She was a mature and sophisticated character. Her emotions and actions were realistic. Her feelings came straight off the pages and touched me.
My only problem was that the entire book was based on betrayal and I thought that the author should have explained better why he was held captive. Her explanation was summed up very briefly at the end. For all the pain and suffering, I wanted more. Still, I did not feel as though this lessened my feelings towards the book.
The love scenes were hot and tastefully written. The author does a great job at making sure the sex was not substituted for love. Viola understands that while they have great sexual chemistry, she can’t mistake that for him loving her.
The Duke’s Captive is a sizzling romance with many secrets and twists in the plot that will keep the audience captivated. I know Adele Ashworth has made a fan out of me. I recommend this book for any reader who enjoys a tender love story with a bit of drama.
Ian Wentworth is a deeply troubled man. Moved by vengeance, the handsome duke only goal is to bring down Viola Bennington-Jones. Years ago they had met. He was held captive and drugged and she was the only one there to comfort him. Through the foggy memories, his only visions are of her. He waited long enough to get his satisfaction for her minor part in his abduction but when he finally sees her, his emotions is turned upside down. The internal battle begins as he slowly remembers what they had shared.
Viola is a young widow, caring for her son. Viola holds plenty of secrets. Staying one step ahead of the game, she plays her cards when necessary. The one man that she has been avoiding for years has now made his appearance back in her life after she has come out of mourning. Facing her past is harder than she could have ever imagined. Each moment that she spends around Ian, brings her closer to those emotions that she has long ago hidden.
I really enjoyed this book. I have never read a book by Adele Ashworth. I have to admit that she wooed me. The characters had chemistry immediately but they did not act on it. The emotional connection was there but the author slowly peeled off the layers to get to the core. Ian was a strong character. I understood his reasons for revenge but at times I felt he went over board with his tactics and I was almost taken out of my comfort zone. Each chapter begins with an insight to their brief binding encounter by Viola. I instantly liked Viola. She was a mature and sophisticated character. Her emotions and actions were realistic. Her feelings came straight off the pages and touched me.
My only problem was that the entire book was based on betrayal and I thought that the author should have explained better why he was held captive. Her explanation was summed up very briefly at the end. For all the pain and suffering, I wanted more. Still, I did not feel as though this lessened my feelings towards the book.
The love scenes were hot and tastefully written. The author does a great job at making sure the sex was not substituted for love. Viola understands that while they have great sexual chemistry, she can’t mistake that for him loving her.
The Duke’s Captive is a sizzling romance with many secrets and twists in the plot that will keep the audience captivated. I know Adele Ashworth has made a fan out of me. I recommend this book for any reader who enjoys a tender love story with a bit of drama.
May 29, 2014
This is the fourth in a series, and it has a complicated backstory that may have been explained better in earlier books. In short, before the action of this book begins: Ian was held captive for five weeks and chained in a dungeon by Viola's two sisters, who kept him heavily drugged. Viola went to see him every 2-3 days, giving him food and sponge baths. She was very attracted to him and ended up fondling and eventually having sex with him while he couldn't understand or object, apparently because in his incoherent state he "begged" her. She assisted in his escape in some vague and indirect way, unable to do more because she was afraid of her sisters and getting in trouble.
Now it's years later and her sisters have both gotten their just deserts but, to Ian's fury, Viola was absolved of all responsibility in the kidnapping. He can't remember much from his captivity except vague memories of Viola sexually caressing him, and he's enraged by her violation of him while he was in a drugged stupor. So he vows to take revenge on her, tracks her down in London where she (recently widowed) is living with her young son as a painter, pretends not to recognize her, and commissions a portrait so that he can use the time alone to psychologically torture her. Along the way he finds out that she is a notorious painter of erotic art and uses the information to blackmail her; and when he finds out her son is actually his, he threatens to expose her and take the child away. Eventually, Ian kidnaps Viola and takes her into the country to torture her (sexually, of course), apparently the climax of his revenge plot. In the last few pages, they fall in love or something.
Anyone who reads a lot of these has to acknowledge that seduction, reluctance, and sometimes even non-consent are par for the course in the world of romance novels. Many readers enjoy these elements because they create a sense of attraction so irresistible that it contradicts rational desires. But yikes, this book seems to have trouble drawing a line in the sand between acceptable cajoling and straight up rape. For me, Ian's anger was justified-- I wouldn't enjoy reading a romance in which a man takes repeated sexual advantage (over the course of weeks!) of a woman too drugged to tell her elbow from a doorknob, even if she did "beg" him. Apparently the reversal of gender roles makes all this a-okay. The excuses Viola made for her role in the kidnapping and captivity seemed incredibly thin and unbelievable; she had no right to be so satisfied with herself about it. Honestly, her inclusion as an "innocent" accomplice to the kidnapping seemed a contrived and flimsy way of explaining Ian's motivations when he acted out the highly fetishized bondage/"rape" scene later in the book.
The dialogue tended to be heavy and angsty, in keeping with the overall tone of the book. I was inclined to sympathize with Ian in the beginning because of what he'd been through, but his cruelty and manipulativeness (constantly mortifying, blackmailing, and emotionally abusing Viola) lost him most of his sympathy points. For Viola's part, until she could offer a credible explanation as to why she allowed a man's captivity to go on for five weeks as she visited him only sparingly to feed and sexually abuse him, I wasn't really going to like her much. She also creeped me out when she talked of regularly masturbating to a painting she had made of Ian in chains. Remember the brutal context of his imprisonment and it starts to seem like the kind of thing you shouldn't eroticize.
But if you enjoy the captivity and coercion elements of this story, you'd probably enjoy Johanna Lindsey's Surrender My Love, which bears several similarities to this one, and which didn't gross me out quite as much when I read it (which admittedly was 15 years ago). Lindsey wrote several books featuring non-consent/reluctance in the 1980s, as did Catherine Coulter. I don't resent this book as a throwback to that era of romance novels, but I just found it unpleasantly angsty and disturbing.
Now it's years later and her sisters have both gotten their just deserts but, to Ian's fury, Viola was absolved of all responsibility in the kidnapping. He can't remember much from his captivity except vague memories of Viola sexually caressing him, and he's enraged by her violation of him while he was in a drugged stupor. So he vows to take revenge on her, tracks her down in London where she (recently widowed) is living with her young son as a painter, pretends not to recognize her, and commissions a portrait so that he can use the time alone to psychologically torture her. Along the way he finds out that she is a notorious painter of erotic art and uses the information to blackmail her; and when he finds out her son is actually his, he threatens to expose her and take the child away. Eventually, Ian kidnaps Viola and takes her into the country to torture her (sexually, of course), apparently the climax of his revenge plot. In the last few pages, they fall in love or something.
Anyone who reads a lot of these has to acknowledge that seduction, reluctance, and sometimes even non-consent are par for the course in the world of romance novels. Many readers enjoy these elements because they create a sense of attraction so irresistible that it contradicts rational desires. But yikes, this book seems to have trouble drawing a line in the sand between acceptable cajoling and straight up rape. For me, Ian's anger was justified-- I wouldn't enjoy reading a romance in which a man takes repeated sexual advantage (over the course of weeks!) of a woman too drugged to tell her elbow from a doorknob, even if she did "beg" him. Apparently the reversal of gender roles makes all this a-okay. The excuses Viola made for her role in the kidnapping and captivity seemed incredibly thin and unbelievable; she had no right to be so satisfied with herself about it. Honestly, her inclusion as an "innocent" accomplice to the kidnapping seemed a contrived and flimsy way of explaining Ian's motivations when he acted out the highly fetishized bondage/"rape" scene later in the book.
The dialogue tended to be heavy and angsty, in keeping with the overall tone of the book. I was inclined to sympathize with Ian in the beginning because of what he'd been through, but his cruelty and manipulativeness (constantly mortifying, blackmailing, and emotionally abusing Viola) lost him most of his sympathy points. For Viola's part, until she could offer a credible explanation as to why she allowed a man's captivity to go on for five weeks as she visited him only sparingly to feed and sexually abuse him, I wasn't really going to like her much. She also creeped me out when she talked of regularly masturbating to a painting she had made of Ian in chains. Remember the brutal context of his imprisonment and it starts to seem like the kind of thing you shouldn't eroticize.
But if you enjoy the captivity and coercion elements of this story, you'd probably enjoy Johanna Lindsey's Surrender My Love, which bears several similarities to this one, and which didn't gross me out quite as much when I read it (which admittedly was 15 years ago). Lindsey wrote several books featuring non-consent/reluctance in the 1980s, as did Catherine Coulter. I don't resent this book as a throwback to that era of romance novels, but I just found it unpleasantly angsty and disturbing.
June 16, 2010
I’ve had The Duke’s Captive on my shelf for over a year, I bought it last summer after it was first released and remember being all geared up to read it, but then of course my interest in other books took over and I ended up putting it on my shelf only to pick it up this weekend. Boy was I surprised by how much I actually enjoyed it! So often with me I start reading a historical romance and half way through I end up getting bored and have to push myself to finish the book. This usually happens about the time the h/h get together in the biblical sense. For some reason I feel like time and again the tension I so loved between h/h, the banter and intrigue and suspense of the whole will they won’t they and when will it happen? Scenario goes out the window as soon as they get it on. The Duke’s Captive was one of those books that had me glued to the pages until the very end. I read this book in about a day because it takes off from the beginning and doesn’t let up until the end.
I will state right off the bat that I am a fan of the ‘revenge romance’ trope. If you aren’t a fan, or can’t get over having the h/h battling it out in a high stakes game of wills for much of the novel than this might not be for you.
Things I loved:
The revenge romance scenario Ashworth does not shy away from making this a very angsty and often heart wrenching story. The hero was kidnapped five years prior to the opening of the book. He was kidnapped by the heroine, Viola’s two sisters and held for five weeks in a dungeon. His psyche took a beating and since his escape Ian has been tormented by his inability to remember all the details of his captivity and how Viola played a role in his life and abduction during that time. When Ian finally tracks Viola down the battle is on between these two and one thing among many that I really appreciated was how the revenge romance was high on the revenge. Ian is pissed and is bent on making everyone who hurt him all those years ago suffer. Viola is his intended victim and he goes after her with a vengeance. I liked that this scenario was believable. You really want to hate Ian in certain moments, because you glean insight into Viola’s thoughts and her actions during that time through her journal entries which mark the beginning of each chapter. So right away you know some of the truth about Viola’s involvement during Ian’s abduction. But you can’t hate the guy. He wounded, scared and looking for someone to basically show him that life can go on and he can live well in it. Ian melted my heart even though he comes across for much of the novel as very cold and austere.
In a revenge romance I feel like too often the hero is too quickly bowled over by the heroine’s beauty or charms and forgets what he intended in the first place. With Ian and Viola it’s different. They both feel a heated attraction to one another, but they are both – for different reasons willing to deny their attraction and then succumb to it. The whole way this story places out is really flawless and very well executed. The evolution of feelings is perfectly played out.
The history These two are not strangers meeting for the first time. They have a past, a sordid, tarnished, inescapable past that only ends up heightening the passion and love these two eventually come to accept from one another. I loved the journal entries that marked each chapter of the book. These entries are really what hooked me when I first wanted to read this book over a year ago. They are beautiful and sad and you cringe and smile all at the same time when you read Viola’s thoughts.
The Hero and Heroine These two are perfect together and I especially loved Viola. She’s strong and fierce. Won’t sit back and let Ian ruin her and I liked that she tried to fight him and best him at his own games. She’s a tough cookie and strong willed. She’s also very tender and loving and cares a lot about Ian. She knows he’s trying to destroy her and yet she can’t help but love the man she used to know and feels is still somewhere inside the angry and disgruntled man standing before her. Ian in turn is cold much of the time, but he never really tries to deny his feelings for Viola. He accepts them and then tries to use his attraction against her – which in my opinion fits with the whole theme of the novel. He’s bitter and angry, but is shielding a deeper hurt and yearning that he only reveals to Viola. You could tell that Ian had once been a honourable man, only now affected by his past.
Lack of ‘big misunderstanding’ or ‘filler plot’ Again too many times authors fill the book with unnecessary characters, circumstances or problems between h/h because they feel it’s a sure fire way to heighten suspense or tensions or whatever. Really it’s just irritating and makes me lose interest entirely. Adele Ashworth never once strayed into either one of these areas. The h/h come to blows several times but out of these confrontations there is honesty and more secrets revealed. It’s a slow progression to learning the entire truth about Ian’s time in the dungeon and Viola’s role in it all and that is what keeps the story, these two characters and the tension going. There are really no secondary characters to interfere with the plot that is about these two people. Ian and Viola are the stars of the show and they are together in almost every scene. I hate it when hero and heroine are apart for several chapters as they converse with meaningless characters just for the sake of drawing everything out and really appreciated that there was none of that in this book. There are no misunderstandings, only secrets that are hard to admit to one another. Nothing is drawn out for an immeasurable amount of time and the slow reveal of secrets kept is perfectly timed to keep the reader invested.
As for the issue of this book verging on a ‘forced romance’, similar to Anna Campbell’s Claiming the Courtesan , I haven’t read Campbell’s book through, only the first 70 pages or so, but from my understanding and reviews I’ve read, that novel is much more of a ‘forced romance’ I think it’s clear in this one that both the hero and heroine have strong feelings for one another, Viola especially admits more than once prior to their love scenes that she cares for Ian and has strong feelings for him. This isn’t a “heroine says no but her body says yes scenario” she says yes and means yes and has no regrets after the fact. Ian is pushy and manipulative in some scenes but what I found interesting is how the ‘forced’ part was reversed. .
In this sense The Duke's Captive strays far from Campbell's novel which is very much in your face about the revenge the hero is going to inact against the heroine. I think the waters are muddier there. Although I in no way am condemning Campbell's book. I think that for some, it would just be harder to swallow while reading.
This book is, however, an all consuming revenge romance where the hero is bent of destroying the heroine for what he sees as his justice against the only person who escpaed retribution for his kidnapping. His feelings for Viola are apparent, but I appreciated that the need for revenge didn't wane in favour of the 'all consuming love'.
This was a great book with a lot of depth and feeling and the emotions run high through out. In my opinion a perfect revenge romance.
I will state right off the bat that I am a fan of the ‘revenge romance’ trope. If you aren’t a fan, or can’t get over having the h/h battling it out in a high stakes game of wills for much of the novel than this might not be for you.
Things I loved:
The revenge romance scenario Ashworth does not shy away from making this a very angsty and often heart wrenching story. The hero was kidnapped five years prior to the opening of the book. He was kidnapped by the heroine, Viola’s two sisters and held for five weeks in a dungeon. His psyche took a beating and since his escape Ian has been tormented by his inability to remember all the details of his captivity and how Viola played a role in his life and abduction during that time. When Ian finally tracks Viola down the battle is on between these two and one thing among many that I really appreciated was how the revenge romance was high on the revenge. Ian is pissed and is bent on making everyone who hurt him all those years ago suffer. Viola is his intended victim and he goes after her with a vengeance. I liked that this scenario was believable. You really want to hate Ian in certain moments, because you glean insight into Viola’s thoughts and her actions during that time through her journal entries which mark the beginning of each chapter. So right away you know some of the truth about Viola’s involvement during Ian’s abduction. But you can’t hate the guy. He wounded, scared and looking for someone to basically show him that life can go on and he can live well in it. Ian melted my heart even though he comes across for much of the novel as very cold and austere.
In a revenge romance I feel like too often the hero is too quickly bowled over by the heroine’s beauty or charms and forgets what he intended in the first place. With Ian and Viola it’s different. They both feel a heated attraction to one another, but they are both – for different reasons willing to deny their attraction and then succumb to it. The whole way this story places out is really flawless and very well executed. The evolution of feelings is perfectly played out.
The history These two are not strangers meeting for the first time. They have a past, a sordid, tarnished, inescapable past that only ends up heightening the passion and love these two eventually come to accept from one another. I loved the journal entries that marked each chapter of the book. These entries are really what hooked me when I first wanted to read this book over a year ago. They are beautiful and sad and you cringe and smile all at the same time when you read Viola’s thoughts.
The Hero and Heroine These two are perfect together and I especially loved Viola. She’s strong and fierce. Won’t sit back and let Ian ruin her and I liked that she tried to fight him and best him at his own games. She’s a tough cookie and strong willed. She’s also very tender and loving and cares a lot about Ian. She knows he’s trying to destroy her and yet she can’t help but love the man she used to know and feels is still somewhere inside the angry and disgruntled man standing before her. Ian in turn is cold much of the time, but he never really tries to deny his feelings for Viola. He accepts them and then tries to use his attraction against her – which in my opinion fits with the whole theme of the novel. He’s bitter and angry, but is shielding a deeper hurt and yearning that he only reveals to Viola. You could tell that Ian had once been a honourable man, only now affected by his past.
Lack of ‘big misunderstanding’ or ‘filler plot’ Again too many times authors fill the book with unnecessary characters, circumstances or problems between h/h because they feel it’s a sure fire way to heighten suspense or tensions or whatever. Really it’s just irritating and makes me lose interest entirely. Adele Ashworth never once strayed into either one of these areas. The h/h come to blows several times but out of these confrontations there is honesty and more secrets revealed. It’s a slow progression to learning the entire truth about Ian’s time in the dungeon and Viola’s role in it all and that is what keeps the story, these two characters and the tension going. There are really no secondary characters to interfere with the plot that is about these two people. Ian and Viola are the stars of the show and they are together in almost every scene. I hate it when hero and heroine are apart for several chapters as they converse with meaningless characters just for the sake of drawing everything out and really appreciated that there was none of that in this book. There are no misunderstandings, only secrets that are hard to admit to one another. Nothing is drawn out for an immeasurable amount of time and the slow reveal of secrets kept is perfectly timed to keep the reader invested.
As for the issue of this book verging on a ‘forced romance’, similar to Anna Campbell’s Claiming the Courtesan , I haven’t read Campbell’s book through, only the first 70 pages or so, but from my understanding and reviews I’ve read, that novel is much more of a ‘forced romance’ I think it’s clear in this one that both the hero and heroine have strong feelings for one another, Viola especially admits more than once prior to their love scenes that she cares for Ian and has strong feelings for him. This isn’t a “heroine says no but her body says yes scenario” she says yes and means yes and has no regrets after the fact. Ian is pushy and manipulative in some scenes but what I found interesting is how the ‘forced’ part was reversed. .
In this sense The Duke's Captive strays far from Campbell's novel which is very much in your face about the revenge the hero is going to inact against the heroine. I think the waters are muddier there. Although I in no way am condemning Campbell's book. I think that for some, it would just be harder to swallow while reading.
This book is, however, an all consuming revenge romance where the hero is bent of destroying the heroine for what he sees as his justice against the only person who escpaed retribution for his kidnapping. His feelings for Viola are apparent, but I appreciated that the need for revenge didn't wane in favour of the 'all consuming love'.
This was a great book with a lot of depth and feeling and the emotions run high through out. In my opinion a perfect revenge romance.
September 24, 2017
1.5. That might be a stretch. Disturbing and very unbelievable. I also still think the heroines actions in the past were awful. I kept waiting for the secret and it was so unbelievable I can't believe I wasted my time reading this!
June 29, 2025
Every once in a while I need an overbearing angry hero to just grab the heroine and kiss her and seduce her while she’s saying no lol. I said once in a while okay?! I still dig it and think it’s romantic even if it’s absolutely appalling to consider IRL. Just let me live this fictional fantasy, okay? She secretly wants it and we all know it. It’s fine.
This book has some freaking intense revenge plots. I meaaaaaan. Dear God. Our hero has been kidnapped, chained up, drugged, r*ped. Y’all. This poor man. So after *most* everyone has been brought up on charges, Ian has been lying in wait and angst about the young sister who came and took care of him while he was being held hostage. Because even though she nursed him she should have rescued him. Amiright? So when Viola gets out of mourning her late husband, Ian is BACK. And he’s out to RUIN HER! And maybe he has some kidnapping plots of his own??
Viola is tortured by her past and just wants to escape it but you can’t escape feelings, pal. You just can’t. Even if those feelings are for a dude that freaking hates you. And when Ian shows back up hell bent on ruining her, she’s gonna take some shots to ruin him right back. Obvs within reason because still feelings. Lots of feelings.
Loved this one. It is sooooo politically incorrect but I just loved it. Let me imagine that this could be romantic and not horrifying??? Okay?! Geeeessshhh.
This book has some freaking intense revenge plots. I meaaaaaan. Dear God. Our hero has been kidnapped, chained up, drugged, r*ped. Y’all. This poor man. So after *most* everyone has been brought up on charges, Ian has been lying in wait and angst about the young sister who came and took care of him while he was being held hostage. Because even though she nursed him she should have rescued him. Amiright? So when Viola gets out of mourning her late husband, Ian is BACK. And he’s out to RUIN HER! And maybe he has some kidnapping plots of his own??
Viola is tortured by her past and just wants to escape it but you can’t escape feelings, pal. You just can’t. Even if those feelings are for a dude that freaking hates you. And when Ian shows back up hell bent on ruining her, she’s gonna take some shots to ruin him right back. Obvs within reason because still feelings. Lots of feelings.
Loved this one. It is sooooo politically incorrect but I just loved it. Let me imagine that this could be romantic and not horrifying??? Okay?! Geeeessshhh.
December 1, 2010
This story seemed to leave me with more questions than answers. Feeling as if I missed something as there were references to diamonds and other things that were not explained, I checked out the authors other books and found that this is a part of the Winter Garden series ( I had this added to the series now to avoid this confusion for anyone else) It seems that A Notorious Proposition is all about Ian's time in captivity, the how, when and why's of it, but it is his sister Ivy's story.
I did enjoy this story and loved the intense feelings between Viola and Ian, but I am sure I would have enjoyed it more had I read the others in the series first. I think I will try to read the series then reread this cause I did like the characters but I think I would enjoy it more with knowledge of the captivity.
I did enjoy this story and loved the intense feelings between Viola and Ian, but I am sure I would have enjoyed it more had I read the others in the series first. I think I will try to read the series then reread this cause I did like the characters but I think I would enjoy it more with knowledge of the captivity.
June 18, 2012
I enjoyed the first part, but their bickering got to me.
He wouldn't listen to her...I mean, come on, give the woman a chance to explain what happened and how she felt. Nope, he was too pig headed and stubborn and out for revenge.
I hate books where they don't talk and constantly bicker, then kiss and bicker and kiss.
I had to really skip and speed read through the rest. I couldn't get into their constant chatter back and forth. Lies, secrets, not talking, not listening and stubborn-closed minds. Didn't make for the best story for me.
I did feel for Viola though. She could have happily loved Ian and been with him if he didn't have such a stubborn streak. She did what she had to and I sympathize with her. They did waste a lot of years, when they could have been together.
He wouldn't listen to her...I mean, come on, give the woman a chance to explain what happened and how she felt. Nope, he was too pig headed and stubborn and out for revenge.
I hate books where they don't talk and constantly bicker, then kiss and bicker and kiss.
I had to really skip and speed read through the rest. I couldn't get into their constant chatter back and forth. Lies, secrets, not talking, not listening and stubborn-closed minds. Didn't make for the best story for me.
I did feel for Viola though. She could have happily loved Ian and been with him if he didn't have such a stubborn streak. She did what she had to and I sympathize with her. They did waste a lot of years, when they could have been together.
January 31, 2011
4.5 stars
Probably if I read it at any other time this would be a keeper but my mood was too bad to really grasp its worth. Anyway, I loved it and will definitely read more books by Ms Ashworth as soon as possible.
PS: This has been compared to Claiming the Courtesan and while I see the similarities, in the end I hated CtC with a passion but loved this, so don't let your dislike for one book prevent you from reading the other (if that's the reason you haven't read it yet).
Probably if I read it at any other time this would be a keeper but my mood was too bad to really grasp its worth. Anyway, I loved it and will definitely read more books by Ms Ashworth as soon as possible.
PS: This has been compared to Claiming the Courtesan and while I see the similarities, in the end I hated CtC with a passion but loved this, so don't let your dislike for one book prevent you from reading the other (if that's the reason you haven't read it yet).
February 4, 2020
Satisfying
Had all of that old school historical romance greatness! Enemies to lovers, but also second chance. So much past pain and lots of angst. A little bit of a “dark” romance! I did feel like it dragged a little. And an epilogue would have been nice.
Had all of that old school historical romance greatness! Enemies to lovers, but also second chance. So much past pain and lots of angst. A little bit of a “dark” romance! I did feel like it dragged a little. And an epilogue would have been nice.
March 9, 2015
Dangerous Duke, Strong Lady, Erotic paintings & Revenge...complete package!
Even after 5 years, Ian-Duke of Chatwin was not able to forget those horrible 5 weeks which injured his soul. To get his peace he decided to take revenge from Voila-Now the respected widow(for the wrong she & her family did). The chase begin.
His tortured soul tried every trick to make her suffer, but she strongly face his wrath.
His final act of revenge make me stressed but than he suffered much more than it. He was a man, but man too have fears, dignity, heart & soul.
My heart goes to Voila, she did nothing wrong but still she bear. And when surrender in their passionate moment, that proof she was the strongest character of book who love him & her child selflessly.
“I want what any man in my position would want from you. A tremor of sheer terror sliced through her, though she managed to hold herself steady before him, her eyes flashing obstinacy. “Which position would that be tonight, your grace? Duke of Chatwin seeking conversation with his portrait artist over dinner? Or are you just a wounded soul who lives only for revenge?
----
You’ve never experienced the nightmares that still haunt me,” he continued, “the anxiety that cloaks me still when darkness falls and I’m alone in silence with memories that seem like yesterday. You don’t awaken in the middle of the night, awash with panic, filled with rage you can’t ignore or explain because every single day you’re reminded of the time you were violated by an unseen demon—
----
She refused to allow him to destroy the life she’d built for her child because of a personal past he couldn’t overcome. Hell hath no fury like a mother scorned, and if he brought war between them, she would fight him with her claws.
I love this book for many reasons, one of is Adele writing. I love the way she focus on critical human nature, their emotions, their mind. She amaxingly portray Ian pshycology and Voila was perfect for him in all ways. I like the way she let him come over his demons on his own.
I prefer some more chapter for detailed ending, but still I enjoy this book. It kept me hook from start.
And I think the real reason of his restlessness and Chasing Voila was their love. It was power of her real love which make him appear in her life again when she had lose all hope to reach him.
Even after 5 years, Ian-Duke of Chatwin was not able to forget those horrible 5 weeks which injured his soul. To get his peace he decided to take revenge from Voila-Now the respected widow(for the wrong she & her family did). The chase begin.
His tortured soul tried every trick to make her suffer, but she strongly face his wrath.
His final act of revenge make me stressed but than he suffered much more than it. He was a man, but man too have fears, dignity, heart & soul.
My heart goes to Voila, she did nothing wrong but still she bear. And when surrender in their passionate moment, that proof she was the strongest character of book who love him & her child selflessly.
“I want what any man in my position would want from you. A tremor of sheer terror sliced through her, though she managed to hold herself steady before him, her eyes flashing obstinacy. “Which position would that be tonight, your grace? Duke of Chatwin seeking conversation with his portrait artist over dinner? Or are you just a wounded soul who lives only for revenge?
----
You’ve never experienced the nightmares that still haunt me,” he continued, “the anxiety that cloaks me still when darkness falls and I’m alone in silence with memories that seem like yesterday. You don’t awaken in the middle of the night, awash with panic, filled with rage you can’t ignore or explain because every single day you’re reminded of the time you were violated by an unseen demon—
----
She refused to allow him to destroy the life she’d built for her child because of a personal past he couldn’t overcome. Hell hath no fury like a mother scorned, and if he brought war between them, she would fight him with her claws.
I love this book for many reasons, one of is Adele writing. I love the way she focus on critical human nature, their emotions, their mind. She amaxingly portray Ian pshycology and Voila was perfect for him in all ways. I like the way she let him come over his demons on his own.
I prefer some more chapter for detailed ending, but still I enjoy this book. It kept me hook from start.
And I think the real reason of his restlessness and Chasing Voila was their love. It was power of her real love which make him appear in her life again when she had lose all hope to reach him.
June 24, 2015
It seems I have now read 1 and 4 of this series. I need to read number 3, as it is how Ian got captured. This book is a revenge story. Ian was kidnapped and held for 5 horrible weeks, which he only vaguely remembers. He thinks Viola was part of it, so seeks revenge. She is a talented artist and Ian, the Duke approaches her, pretending he doesn't remember her. He tries to trap her, she manages to humiliate him, and a psychological war ensues. They both have secrets that eventually come out. And love conquers all. This has been on my shelf for awhile, and I decided this summer to try to read all the A's. I really enjoyed this book. Could not put it down. I now must find the next 2!!
June 25, 2014
This was a did-not-finish book. The entire plot revolves around the duke being kidnapped 5 years ago and what the heroine had to do with it. I'm about halfway done with the book and there is not any romance.
It's just accusations back and forth. "I know what you did." "No, you don't." "Tell me!" "Tell you what?"
I gave up.
It's just accusations back and forth. "I know what you did." "No, you don't." "Tell me!" "Tell you what?"
I gave up.
March 17, 2015
I think the fact that I gave it one star sums up my opinion of this book. Having said that I liked Viola the central character I just didn't like Ian. He was selfish a bully and I would not have given him the time of day.
June 18, 2010
Wow, This was a very intense book, and there is a lot of morally ambiguous behavior on the part of both hoer and heroine. For his part, Ian pretty much put his desire for revenge against Viola out there but Viola kept secrets from Ian for much of the book, until it was all stripped away. It's a very angsty book, but it was totally appropriate.
There is what I would call a forced seduction scene in it, that fit completely with Ian's thirst for revenge, and his interpretation of past events. Normally, I'm not down with scenes of this nature, but given Ian's recollections and feelings of betrayal, violation, and horror at his past with Viola and her sisters, I was able to read it and not hate Ian (although I was sad that he went through with it).
Here is a man who, from his viewpoint, was held captive, raped, and starved near to death. I thought Ian's recollections of his time in captivity were very well handled, realistically portrayed, and so very, very sad. As was his desire for revenge - for some sort of retribution, really, against the one who got away without any legal punishment.
This gets 4 instead of 5 because I never truly bought that Viola couldn't get word to someone, and I never truly got the reason for the kidnapping in the first place. I thought it was a mistake to leave that reveal until the very end. It should have been brought out with the rest of Viola's revelations.
There is what I would call a forced seduction scene in it, that fit completely with Ian's thirst for revenge, and his interpretation of past events. Normally, I'm not down with scenes of this nature, but given Ian's recollections and feelings of betrayal, violation, and horror at his past with Viola and her sisters, I was able to read it and not hate Ian (although I was sad that he went through with it).
Here is a man who, from his viewpoint, was held captive, raped, and starved near to death. I thought Ian's recollections of his time in captivity were very well handled, realistically portrayed, and so very, very sad. As was his desire for revenge - for some sort of retribution, really, against the one who got away without any legal punishment.
This gets 4 instead of 5 because I never truly bought that Viola couldn't get word to someone, and I never truly got the reason for the kidnapping in the first place. I thought it was a mistake to leave that reveal until the very end. It should have been brought out with the rest of Viola's revelations.
June 15, 2014
When last we saw Ian, he was recovering from being kidnapped by evil sisters and kept chained to a wall in a dungeon and used for sex. Today he an earl out to get revenge on the youngest of the evil sisters, Viola. Of course, Viola wasn’t really evil, or a part of the kidnapping, but was, in fact, responsible for saving his life and securing his freedom at great personal cost. In addition, Viola is an accomplished erotic artist. Her talent is the reason she apparently was able to find someone to marry her and raise the bastard child she had with Ian. Five years later, Viola is a widow and like every other hurt fellow, he is bent on revenge against the widow. Naturally, the revenge must be social, financial, and sexual in nature.
There is something about this story that I find distasteful. If I had to take a guess, I’d say that something is the non consensual sex that dominates this tale. From Viola’s “innocent” ministrations to the drugged and chained Ian to his kidnapping and sexual assault of her, this one was just one great big old orgy of non consensual sexy times.
There is something about this story that I find distasteful. If I had to take a guess, I’d say that something is the non consensual sex that dominates this tale. From Viola’s “innocent” ministrations to the drugged and chained Ian to his kidnapping and sexual assault of her, this one was just one great big old orgy of non consensual sexy times.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 3, 2010
This was the first book by Adele Ashworth that I have read and it wont be the last. I loved this book, the plot was really interesting and although I got the feeling that this isn't really a stand alone book and more likely a second in a series I never felt "out of the loop" with the characters.
THE DUKE'S CAPTIVE is a revenge themed historical with really steamy love scenes. Ian Wentworth was kidnapped and held hostage in a dungeon, chained to a wall by Viola's sisters. She did everything she could do to help him and make sure he survived and she did eventually manage to have him rescued. This all takes place 5 years before the begining of the book. Now Ian wants revenge agains Viola because he can't remember much but he believes that she didn't do everything in her power to help him, she just used him and his body. He now plans to do the same to her.
It's a nice blend of mildly erotic and a emotional romance and I just haven't read many books like this one.
THE DUKE'S CAPTIVE is a revenge themed historical with really steamy love scenes. Ian Wentworth was kidnapped and held hostage in a dungeon, chained to a wall by Viola's sisters. She did everything she could do to help him and make sure he survived and she did eventually manage to have him rescued. This all takes place 5 years before the begining of the book. Now Ian wants revenge agains Viola because he can't remember much but he believes that she didn't do everything in her power to help him, she just used him and his body. He now plans to do the same to her.
It's a nice blend of mildly erotic and a emotional romance and I just haven't read many books like this one.
February 7, 2022
An intriguing story that definitely held my interest. He is out for revenge after being kidnapped and left for dead years earlier. He believes that one of the women that had held him captive was not convicted of the crime so he sets out to hurt her in any way possible. She has come out of mourning for the death of her husband which now gives him the opportunity to seek his revenge. She is a talented artist plus also an artist under an alias. He will go to any lengths to make her his mistress, even threatening to expose her to all society and imprison her. She has a son by him but he does not know. It's a battle of wits each trying to hurt the other but at the end neither can deny the love burns for one another. HEA ending.
May 31, 2020
Enjoyable read. I was surprised to see that this book explored something that you don't see often in a literature or in a real life: the fact that men have a right to consent to a sexual act. It is a sad fact that men don't feel that they can make complaints about unwanted sexual attention or harassment. And I appreciated the fact that the main character in this novel, Ian, is really vocal about that.
February 29, 2012
Wow. this book was awful. I kept rooting for bad things to happen both to him and to her as they were so idiotic. I am slightly surprised that I even finished this book, given that every 30 pages I was shaking my head over how mad these peurile characters were making me
January 11, 2021
The longing I had been longing for
Another spectacular romance filled with the perfect balance of mystery, suspenseful love, and longing gazes. A truly great read for any historical fiction fan.
Another spectacular romance filled with the perfect balance of mystery, suspenseful love, and longing gazes. A truly great read for any historical fiction fan.
December 3, 2022
I didn’t quite expect this book to be so dark when I first read it. Although objectively there’s nothing wrong with it I just couldn’t care for the hero at all and I wanted him to actually grovel for forgiveness at the end.
July 22, 2014
Sorry but I couldn't get past the viciousness of the "hero's" intentions particularly on an innocent party.
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