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The Captive
What's a little bondage between enemies?
Women should be sweet, mild mannered...docile. Unfortunately, Lady Gwendolyn, a rich Saxon widow, is none of those things.
And Viking warrior Wulf Geirsson wants her desperately! One glimpse of the brazen beauty scrambling over the castle ramparts, and he knows he has to have her. Especially when she takes a tumble and lands at his feet.
But Wulf quickly finds that taking Gwendolyn and keeping her are two different things. And once she decides to engage in a seductive assault of her own, he's the one captivated...
Women should be sweet, mild mannered...docile. Unfortunately, Lady Gwendolyn, a rich Saxon widow, is none of those things.
And Viking warrior Wulf Geirsson wants her desperately! One glimpse of the brazen beauty scrambling over the castle ramparts, and he knows he has to have her. Especially when she takes a tumble and lands at his feet.
But Wulf quickly finds that taking Gwendolyn and keeping her are two different things. And once she decides to engage in a seductive assault of her own, he's the one captivated...
217 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2010
4 people are currently reading
312 people want to read
About the author
Joanne Rock
570 books1,455 followersJoanne Rock is a USA Today bestselling author of over one hundred works of popular fiction, including domestic suspense and romantic suspense. A frequent speaker at regional and national writing conferences she enjoys giving back to the writing community that nurtured and inspired her early career. She has a Masters degree in Literature from the University of Louisville and has taught fiction, film, and writing at the college level. When she's not writing, Joanne enjoys travel to gather new ideas.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
June 14, 2015
I was expecting a steamy, short, medieval. The Captive was a medieval and it was short, so two out of three. The writing was off. It felt like parts were edited out of the book that the author referred to later. Descriptions were not there. How the hero carried the heroine to and on the boat, up to the abandoned church, etc. I couldn't get the picture in my mind because the author didn't provide it.
In hindsight, I should have put this one down when I kept scrunching up my nose at scenes and thinking, "That was dumb." But I persevered because wanted to see if it improved. It didn't.
The characters had potential! The heroine, Gwendolyn, was supposed to be afraid of a man's touch because of the brutality she suffered by her deceased husband, yet one page she's afraid, the next she's having an orgasm when the hero touches her private parts.
The intimate scenes needed some serious work. I didn't feel any connection between the two, and the scenes were too vague, short and nondescriptive as with the overall descriptions throughout the book.
In hindsight, I should have put this one down when I kept scrunching up my nose at scenes and thinking, "That was dumb." But I persevered because wanted to see if it improved. It didn't.
The characters had potential! The heroine, Gwendolyn, was supposed to be afraid of a man's touch because of the brutality she suffered by her deceased husband, yet one page she's afraid, the next she's having an orgasm when the hero touches her private parts.
The intimate scenes needed some serious work. I didn't feel any connection between the two, and the scenes were too vague, short and nondescriptive as with the overall descriptions throughout the book.
March 30, 2010
Lady Gwendolyn of Wessex will be damned before she became a bargaining chip in the Saxon war against the Vikings. So she decides to split from the keep, but unfortunately falls into the hands of Wulf Geirsson who promptly whisks her away into the woods. Gwen’s furious. How dare this heathen treat her like that?! Of course her indignation would be much more realistic if she didn’t actually enjoy every moment spent in the hulking Dane’s company.
This was a cute, quick-read, sexy tale of a medieval widow coveted on all sides. Some want her for her lands and riches, some want her as a bargaining chip to gain as much power as possible, and Wulf wants her simply because she stirs his blood. ;) But unfortunately she’s a Saxon and he’s a Dane so their relationship is doomed. Or is it?
If you want to know how an early Dark Age rendition of Romeo and Juliet with a happy ending might sound like, you might as well pick up this story. There’s drama, action, mayhem, romance, treachery, revenge, sex, a headstrong Saxon beauty, and a yummy brute of a Viking. Not memorable, but still a nice diversion.
This was a cute, quick-read, sexy tale of a medieval widow coveted on all sides. Some want her for her lands and riches, some want her as a bargaining chip to gain as much power as possible, and Wulf wants her simply because she stirs his blood. ;) But unfortunately she’s a Saxon and he’s a Dane so their relationship is doomed. Or is it?
If you want to know how an early Dark Age rendition of Romeo and Juliet with a happy ending might sound like, you might as well pick up this story. There’s drama, action, mayhem, romance, treachery, revenge, sex, a headstrong Saxon beauty, and a yummy brute of a Viking. Not memorable, but still a nice diversion.
January 18, 2021
Slow and subtle Viking romance
4 stars
When Vikings attack the hall where she is staying, rich Saxon widow Gwendolyn refuses to give up without a fight. But when her daring leads to her falling at the feet of Viking warrior Wulf, she realises she may be in deeper than she anticipated.
Wulf didn't plan his raid to find captives but one look at the wilful Gwendolyn and he knows he has to take her. But as he soon finds out, taking Gwendolyn and keeping her are two very different things.
When I first started to read this book I assumed it would be all strong, brawny Vikings raiding English villages, stealing away innocent maidens and sailing on the high seas. So I was more than a little surprised when the story was actually a lot slower than the mad paced adventure I thought it would be.
That's not necessarily a bad thing though as it gave you time to get to know the characters. Gwendolyn was a delight. She was a strong woman who knew her own mind but still had insecurities, faults and while being impulsive, was sensible with it. Wulf was the strong, silent type and while I knew he was a tough leader, he did tend to be a lot softer and calmer than you might expect a Viking warrior to be. Together the couple worked well and they had some good chemistry although not as hot as some I have read.
The story held me from beginning to end and I did enjoy the battle of wills between Wulf and Gwendolyn. The ending was wrapped up nicely and overall this was an enjoyable story that I very much enjoyed. If you enjoy a Viking romance without too much war or wickedness then I would recommend this book to you. 4 stars.
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July 19, 2020elibrary
July 16, 2022
Wulf Geirsson is the man.. I like him a lot.
June 23, 2021
n the heart of the Middle Ages, war rages up and down the English coast, and one sought-after Wessex widow is not immune to its bite.
Wulf Giersson hasn’t come to Wessex on the normal Danish raiding mission, per se. He’s got his own troubles with more than one king—the enemy, and his own! He hopes that in capturing Richard of Alchere’s household will afford him some time to deal with them. But then Gwendolyn throws a wrench into his plans. Though he’s attracted to Gwendolyn from the start, the specter of a lost love stands in his way for anything more than martial (no that’s not a typo) success.
Gwendolyn is a rich Saxon widow brought up by well-educated parents who wanted nothing more for their daughter than a good life and a good marriage. Unfortunately, things didn’t work out as they hoped and when her husband died, his family won’t let her go so easily. There’s her fortune to consider, after all. And why should Alchere care for Gwendolyn when all he wants is her money? He’s a nasty piece of work anyway–going so far as to burn her late-parents’ beloved books!)
When she won’t cower in her room and embroider one more dress, like a good little widow she chances to get caught spying on the invaders, she finds herself in the enemy’s hands.
What happens? Well, let’s just say for a second there, I was biting my nails at the end. And if you’re looking for the sparks between these two ill-suited lovers, yes, they fly all over the place here! Gwendolyn is just as curious about her captor as he is of her.
Hey, this is a Blaze novel, after all. ;)
The Captive certainly puts the 9th century Danish raids in a different light. Historians know now that the “Dark Ages” as they’re mistakenly called weren’t so dark, and the eloquent and educated Gwendolyn is a finely drawn portrait of what a young maid could maybe have aspired to, given half the chance.
Wulf Giersson hasn’t come to Wessex on the normal Danish raiding mission, per se. He’s got his own troubles with more than one king—the enemy, and his own! He hopes that in capturing Richard of Alchere’s household will afford him some time to deal with them. But then Gwendolyn throws a wrench into his plans. Though he’s attracted to Gwendolyn from the start, the specter of a lost love stands in his way for anything more than martial (no that’s not a typo) success.
Gwendolyn is a rich Saxon widow brought up by well-educated parents who wanted nothing more for their daughter than a good life and a good marriage. Unfortunately, things didn’t work out as they hoped and when her husband died, his family won’t let her go so easily. There’s her fortune to consider, after all. And why should Alchere care for Gwendolyn when all he wants is her money? He’s a nasty piece of work anyway–going so far as to burn her late-parents’ beloved books!)
When she won’t cower in her room and embroider one more dress, like a good little widow she chances to get caught spying on the invaders, she finds herself in the enemy’s hands.
What happens? Well, let’s just say for a second there, I was biting my nails at the end. And if you’re looking for the sparks between these two ill-suited lovers, yes, they fly all over the place here! Gwendolyn is just as curious about her captor as he is of her.
Hey, this is a Blaze novel, after all. ;)
The Captive certainly puts the 9th century Danish raids in a different light. Historians know now that the “Dark Ages” as they’re mistakenly called weren’t so dark, and the eloquent and educated Gwendolyn is a finely drawn portrait of what a young maid could maybe have aspired to, given half the chance.
June 26, 2010
A Viking Warrior's Sweet Prisoner
Gwendolyn of Wessex’s early life had been a wonderful adventure, thanks to her parents, two wealthy scholars who had traveled the world. Now, at age twenty, she finds herself widowed and once more under the control of a powerful nobleman, Richard Alchere. The Norsemen’s attack on Alchere’s keep is a welcome relief from her days of tedious embroidery, but she hadn’t planned on being rescued by a Viking warrior, Wulf Geirsson.
Wulf and his men are estranged from King Harold, a vengeful Norseman who still blames Wulf for his sister’s untimely death. Gwendolyn is a fine Saxon prize, but Wulf finds himself fleeing Norseman and Saxon alike as he strives to keep his noble captive. Over time, however, Gwendolyn comes to care for her handsome Viking and Wulf soon fears that he is also falling for his lovely prisoner.
Gwendolyn of Wessex’s early life had been a wonderful adventure, thanks to her parents, two wealthy scholars who had traveled the world. Now, at age twenty, she finds herself widowed and once more under the control of a powerful nobleman, Richard Alchere. The Norsemen’s attack on Alchere’s keep is a welcome relief from her days of tedious embroidery, but she hadn’t planned on being rescued by a Viking warrior, Wulf Geirsson.
Wulf and his men are estranged from King Harold, a vengeful Norseman who still blames Wulf for his sister’s untimely death. Gwendolyn is a fine Saxon prize, but Wulf finds himself fleeing Norseman and Saxon alike as he strives to keep his noble captive. Over time, however, Gwendolyn comes to care for her handsome Viking and Wulf soon fears that he is also falling for his lovely prisoner.
December 12, 2012
I liked this book quite a lot. The characters were easy to read about and the story was exciting and fast moving.
I was just looking at the cover and I hope the guy they have on it isn't supposed to be Wulf. He had dark hair and blue eyes (gotta love that!). I have to say that I liked him as a person, too. He wasn't the typical Viking marauder. He was really a nice guy. He was intuitive, kind and compassionate and he never made her beg.
I liked Gwendolyn, too. I felt bad for her in certain parts of the book. She doubted his sincerity at times and given the circumstances, I can see why she was. But she had a good heart and a lively spirit.
This was a pretty good book.
I was just looking at the cover and I hope the guy they have on it isn't supposed to be Wulf. He had dark hair and blue eyes (gotta love that!). I have to say that I liked him as a person, too. He wasn't the typical Viking marauder. He was really a nice guy. He was intuitive, kind and compassionate and he never made her beg.
I liked Gwendolyn, too. I felt bad for her in certain parts of the book. She doubted his sincerity at times and given the circumstances, I can see why she was. But she had a good heart and a lively spirit.
This was a pretty good book.
March 16, 2012
I love Rock's work, but I just couldn't get into this one. I was caught up in the names, and I couldn't really get the visuals right in my head. There were some great scenes, though. I especially loved the one in the cabin when he goes out to hunt for food and when he comes back he realises that he would do anything to protect his captive. I really got into the story around the middle of the book, and after that my brain was used to the names, and the conflicts that presented themselves. The heroine also grew on me too.
March 24, 2010
This stunning masterpiece is the first, and from what I hear (sadly) maybe the last Historical in the Blaze line. It's hot, the heroine is spunky and not about to let men decide her future no matter what she has to do. And there are Vikings of the big, sexy variety. Read it. Or the Vikings will won't come for you...
July 16, 2010
Oh, if only this had been marketed as an other world fantasy, or as alternate history--then I wouldn't have had so much trouble with it. But it is set as a straight historical romance, and some of the details are just so implausible that any chance I had of getting into the story was totally ruined.
August 7, 2013
3 and 1/2 stars!!
I really enjoyed this delightful book!! though at times I found myself smiling at the use of words that I'm sure wouldn't be in their vocab at the time :)
The story was a quick-paced one, even though it felt like it dragged in a couple of places.. certain moments felt a bit abrupt for me.. but all in all, quite a nice read :)
If you like Vikings, you'll like this one ;)
I really enjoyed this delightful book!! though at times I found myself smiling at the use of words that I'm sure wouldn't be in their vocab at the time :)
The story was a quick-paced one, even though it felt like it dragged in a couple of places.. certain moments felt a bit abrupt for me.. but all in all, quite a nice read :)
If you like Vikings, you'll like this one ;)
March 26, 2012
Well done for a Blaze - scorching hot sex scenes. For a medieval romance, there's a lot lacking, and way too many modern sensibilities for our erstwhile hero and heroine.
March 30, 2016
Not her best book,..it was a difficult start, to much alone,....
the end is better!
the end is better!
May 15, 2011
Joanne Rocks! Definitely. This is the best Historical Blaze I've read so far.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews