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Prisoner of My Desire
CAPTIVE OF LOVE
Spirited Rowena Belleme must produce an heir--or incur the dangerous wrath of a ruthless stepbrother, who stands to forfeit his ill-gotten wealth. And the magnificent Warrick deChaville is the perfect choice to sire her child--though it means imprisoning the handsome knight...and forcing him to bend to her amorous whims.
SLAVE OF PASSION
Vowing to resist but betrayed by his own virility, noble Warrick is intoxicated by Rowena's sapphire eyes and voluptuous beauty. Yet all the while he plans a fitting revenge--eagerly awaiting the time when his sensuous captor becomes his helpless captive ... and is made to suffer the same rapturous torment and exquisite ecstasy that he himself has endured.
Spirited Rowena Belleme must produce an heir--or incur the dangerous wrath of a ruthless stepbrother, who stands to forfeit his ill-gotten wealth. And the magnificent Warrick deChaville is the perfect choice to sire her child--though it means imprisoning the handsome knight...and forcing him to bend to her amorous whims.
SLAVE OF PASSION
Vowing to resist but betrayed by his own virility, noble Warrick is intoxicated by Rowena's sapphire eyes and voluptuous beauty. Yet all the while he plans a fitting revenge--eagerly awaiting the time when his sensuous captor becomes his helpless captive ... and is made to suffer the same rapturous torment and exquisite ecstasy that he himself has endured.
425 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1991
636 people are currently reading
9519 people want to read
About the author
Johanna Lindsey
148 books7,267 followersJohanna Helen Howard was born on March 10, 1952 in Germany, where her father, Edwin Dennis Howard, a soldier in the U.S. Army was stationed. The family moved about a great deal when she was young. Her father always dreamed of retiring to Hawaii, and after he passed away in 1964 Johanna and her mother settled there to honor him.
In 1970, when she was still in school, she married Ralph Lindsey, becoming a young housewife. The marriage had three children; Alfred, Joseph and Garret, who already have made her a grandmother. After her husband's death, Johanna moved to Maine, New England, to stay near her family.
Johanna Lindsey wrote her first book, Captive Bride in 1977 "on a whim", and the book was a success. By 2006, with over 58 Million copies of her books have been sold worldwide, with translations appearing in 12 languages, Johanna Lindsey is one of the world's most popular authors of historical romance.
Johanna's books span the various eras of history, including books set in the Middle Ages, the American "Old West" and the popular Regency England-Scotland. She has even written a few sci-fi romances. By far the most popular among her books are the stories about the Malory-Anderson Family, a Regency England saga.
Johanna Lindsey died on Oct. 27, 2019 in Nashua, N.H. She was 67.
In 1970, when she was still in school, she married Ralph Lindsey, becoming a young housewife. The marriage had three children; Alfred, Joseph and Garret, who already have made her a grandmother. After her husband's death, Johanna moved to Maine, New England, to stay near her family.
Johanna Lindsey wrote her first book, Captive Bride in 1977 "on a whim", and the book was a success. By 2006, with over 58 Million copies of her books have been sold worldwide, with translations appearing in 12 languages, Johanna Lindsey is one of the world's most popular authors of historical romance.
Johanna's books span the various eras of history, including books set in the Middle Ages, the American "Old West" and the popular Regency England-Scotland. She has even written a few sci-fi romances. By far the most popular among her books are the stories about the Malory-Anderson Family, a Regency England saga.
Johanna Lindsey died on Oct. 27, 2019 in Nashua, N.H. She was 67.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 820 reviews
February 13, 2021
5 problematic, triggering stars!!!
DISCLAIMER:
THIS BOOK CAN HELP YOU BLOCK THE HYPOCRITES, CANCEL CULTURISH- REVIEWERS AMONG OUR WONDERFUL READING COMMUNITY. ANYONE WHO GIVES A LOW RATING TO PRISONER OF MY DESIRE ON THE BASIS OF SO-CALLED "PROBLEMATIC CONTENT" BUT GIVES MORE THAN 3 STARS RATINGS TO:
THAT'S SOMEONE WHOSE OPINION IS BIASED AND CAN'T HELP YOU FIND THE BEST BOOKS. THIS BOOK IS SO SO GOOD!
*takes a breath*
* starts review*
Wow! 'Twas a wild ride! So many triggering, cringe-worthy moments, plus miscommunication, innapropiate sex, worst fictional father in the history of fiction, and a few of facepalming moments but SO SO GOOD!!!!! I got hooked from the first chapter and didn't want to stop reading, but had to 'cuz the feelz!!!
GUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUYYSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!! You have to read this, it's a hell of a book and definitely addictive. You might not like some things, but you won't get bored.
END OF REVIEW! READ THIS BOOK!
Side note:
Kinda unrelated, but as soon as I was done, I checked my friends' reviews and....
I blocked a few people. Seriously I'm here for the gore, political incorrectness, and triggering sex. Double standards have no place in my life. I found a couple of people that complained about the rapey stuff, which admitdly is cringeworthy so beware, but then they had high ratings for books that I read that I know for a fact contain way more innapropiate content.
Case in point
a book so problematic that I've never finished for different reasons, one of those is mature age Drogo rapes 13 YO Danaerys, in like chapter 4 or 6, but nobody cares if it's problematic all you see is glowing praise. Let's be honest, many "influencers" and bloggers in Goodreads are afraid of posting trigger warnings in their Game of thrones reviews 'cuz they are afraid of the backlash of the TV series fans.
#cowards
But if a book is written by a woman
then it's like they always scream: HOW DARE YOU WRITE BOOKS SO PROBLEMATIC!!!!
#DoubleStandard
I hate the word "problematic" cuz it's like used against books and authors. These books
Problematic in so many different levels, H's are dark and they torture people including their love interests and that's what makes those books SO DARN GOOD! I love THEM!!!! Love them not so much because the darkness and the problematic issues but mostly cuz these books are well-written.
Gimme more of that!! The word problematic is used in Goodreads by a few honest people but mostly by hypocrites paid reviewers. If it's their favorite authors they don't say book has problematic content, but if it's something less famous like
they ask you not to read the book 'cuz booohooo problematic content. I pick up books exactly because I love problematic, triggering content so I block the hypocrites and that way when I look for reviews in Goodreads I can't find their hypocritical, cancelculturish, biased opinions. If those filthy hypocrites recommend a book, I avoid that book, and if they say: don't read this book...it makes me want to read it!
Sorry for getting political, but it's so unfair that Johanna Lindsey sensei doesn't get more credit.
GUUUUYYYSSS I recommend this book!
DISCLAIMER:
THIS BOOK CAN HELP YOU BLOCK THE HYPOCRITES, CANCEL CULTURISH- REVIEWERS AMONG OUR WONDERFUL READING COMMUNITY. ANYONE WHO GIVES A LOW RATING TO PRISONER OF MY DESIRE ON THE BASIS OF SO-CALLED "PROBLEMATIC CONTENT" BUT GIVES MORE THAN 3 STARS RATINGS TO:
THAT'S SOMEONE WHOSE OPINION IS BIASED AND CAN'T HELP YOU FIND THE BEST BOOKS. THIS BOOK IS SO SO GOOD!
*takes a breath*
* starts review*
Wow! 'Twas a wild ride! So many triggering, cringe-worthy moments, plus miscommunication, innapropiate sex, worst fictional father in the history of fiction, and a few of facepalming moments but SO SO GOOD!!!!! I got hooked from the first chapter and didn't want to stop reading, but had to 'cuz the feelz!!!
GUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUYYSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!! You have to read this, it's a hell of a book and definitely addictive. You might not like some things, but you won't get bored.
END OF REVIEW! READ THIS BOOK!
Side note:
Kinda unrelated, but as soon as I was done, I checked my friends' reviews and....
I blocked a few people. Seriously I'm here for the gore, political incorrectness, and triggering sex. Double standards have no place in my life. I found a couple of people that complained about the rapey stuff, which admitdly is cringeworthy so beware, but then they had high ratings for books that I read that I know for a fact contain way more innapropiate content.
Case in point
a book so problematic that I've never finished for different reasons, one of those is mature age Drogo rapes 13 YO Danaerys, in like chapter 4 or 6, but nobody cares if it's problematic all you see is glowing praise. Let's be honest, many "influencers" and bloggers in Goodreads are afraid of posting trigger warnings in their Game of thrones reviews 'cuz they are afraid of the backlash of the TV series fans.
#cowards
But if a book is written by a woman
then it's like they always scream: HOW DARE YOU WRITE BOOKS SO PROBLEMATIC!!!! #DoubleStandard
I hate the word "problematic" cuz it's like used against books and authors. These books
Problematic in so many different levels, H's are dark and they torture people including their love interests and that's what makes those books SO DARN GOOD! I love THEM!!!! Love them not so much because the darkness and the problematic issues but mostly cuz these books are well-written.
Gimme more of that!! The word problematic is used in Goodreads by a few honest people but mostly by hypocrites paid reviewers. If it's their favorite authors they don't say book has problematic content, but if it's something less famous like
they ask you not to read the book 'cuz booohooo problematic content. I pick up books exactly because I love problematic, triggering content so I block the hypocrites and that way when I look for reviews in Goodreads I can't find their hypocritical, cancelculturish, biased opinions. If those filthy hypocrites recommend a book, I avoid that book, and if they say: don't read this book...it makes me want to read it!Sorry for getting political, but it's so unfair that Johanna Lindsey sensei doesn't get more credit.
GUUUUYYYSSS I recommend this book!
November 17, 2017
4.5 enjoyable stars.
Really enjoyed this one.
Asshole hero who does redeem himself. Liked Rowena. She could stand up for herself.
Sorry, Friday night! Too tired for a long review.
Really enjoyed this one.
Asshole hero who does redeem himself. Liked Rowena. She could stand up for herself.
Sorry, Friday night! Too tired for a long review.
February 14, 2021
Reread 2/2021
Original review
I love this book the beginning was a little different for me, but I still loved it.I HOPE I DON'T RUB SOMEONE THE WRONG WAY, but I just want to say this before I give my thoughts on the book.
Most of these authors are starting to write or have written aggressive love scenes, I accept this because I know it's all for entertainment. I think if you know that the author always writes aggressive love scenes then don't read the books if you find them offensive and degrading. I am not talking about this book in particular but other books because even when the scene is nowhere near rape, some readers are quick to say rape and I think the word is always being thrown around in these book reviews. Mainly for the historical romance novels. You can say no for disagreeing with me,however, I think some readers throw the word to frequently out there. The word gets thrown around that the value of the word is lessened because its such a strong word and women who have been through such a very violent act would read some of these books and think no way can it compare to what they have been through. Yes, I have read a handful of books that actual has rape scenes in them.
There is 1 book that I have read where the female was raped and abuse by 5 men, and it was a romance novel by a well known historical romance author, and that to me is offensive and to me that was RAPE. Some of these women in the historical romance novel might be unwilling at first, but a quarter way through their love scenes, they are willing and not saying no, and if they wake up in the morning and did not say they were rape then it's not rape. Some might think differently on what they think rape is, as for me, like I said, I do not like seeing the word get thrown around in these reviews like its just another word.
Book Thoughts
I loved this book it's what you expect from a historical romance, the drama, love, miscommunication and good characters. Lady Rowena was between a rock and a hard place and had to do what she did because of her evil stepbrother. And even though what she had to do to Lord Warrick wasn't her idea, she had to do what she had to do. Lord Warrick was a bit more aggressive towards her in return, because I guess some men don't want their manhood to be taken away like that. I mean all around, this was a good book very strong chemistry between the hero and heroine..
If you're really a die hard historical romance reader, and you know what to expect from them, and you love Johanna Lindsey, or you're just discovering her, get this book...and I hope you like it.
Original review
I love this book the beginning was a little different for me, but I still loved it.I HOPE I DON'T RUB SOMEONE THE WRONG WAY, but I just want to say this before I give my thoughts on the book.
Most of these authors are starting to write or have written aggressive love scenes, I accept this because I know it's all for entertainment. I think if you know that the author always writes aggressive love scenes then don't read the books if you find them offensive and degrading. I am not talking about this book in particular but other books because even when the scene is nowhere near rape, some readers are quick to say rape and I think the word is always being thrown around in these book reviews. Mainly for the historical romance novels. You can say no for disagreeing with me,however, I think some readers throw the word to frequently out there. The word gets thrown around that the value of the word is lessened because its such a strong word and women who have been through such a very violent act would read some of these books and think no way can it compare to what they have been through. Yes, I have read a handful of books that actual has rape scenes in them.
There is 1 book that I have read where the female was raped and abuse by 5 men, and it was a romance novel by a well known historical romance author, and that to me is offensive and to me that was RAPE. Some of these women in the historical romance novel might be unwilling at first, but a quarter way through their love scenes, they are willing and not saying no, and if they wake up in the morning and did not say they were rape then it's not rape. Some might think differently on what they think rape is, as for me, like I said, I do not like seeing the word get thrown around in these reviews like its just another word.
Book Thoughts
I loved this book it's what you expect from a historical romance, the drama, love, miscommunication and good characters. Lady Rowena was between a rock and a hard place and had to do what she did because of her evil stepbrother. And even though what she had to do to Lord Warrick wasn't her idea, she had to do what she had to do. Lord Warrick was a bit more aggressive towards her in return, because I guess some men don't want their manhood to be taken away like that. I mean all around, this was a good book very strong chemistry between the hero and heroine..
If you're really a die hard historical romance reader, and you know what to expect from them, and you love Johanna Lindsey, or you're just discovering her, get this book...and I hope you like it.
August 7, 2022
“I will decide what your life is worth, Rowena,” Warrick cut in. “As it happens, a castle— nay, a hundred castles— cannot compare with what you mean to me.” Rowena Belleme is left with no choice but to follow her step brother’s commands or else he’ll kill her mother. To secure an alliance with an aging but wealthy man, Rowena must produce an heir. Unfortunately, her eldery husband died before they could consummate the marriage to which she is secretly grateful for. But her step brother has other plans including begetting an heir by having her sleep with another man, but the man in question is no serf but Warrick De Chaville, the proud and ruthless Lord of Fulkhurst. Warrick vows to humiliate Rowena as she has humiliated him when he’s set free by the very woman he loathes. And so begins the tale of Rowena being the prisoner of Warrick’s desire.
Prisoner of my desire is the second book I’ve read from Johanna Lindsey. This book is one of her most popular books and I believe it is called a bodice ripper. If you are more of a morally righteous person when it comes to fiction or sensitive to the themes present in older HR books, then you should skip this one. This book contains many things that would offend many readers so only read this if you know what you’re signing up for. I, for one, knew what I was getting myself into so all the things that should have been offensive did not really surprise me. I enjoyed it for what it was: a piece of fiction. Doesn’t mean I agree with the problematic things mentioned, but it’s fiction so I don’t really care to invest myself and write a review why this book would be considered vile. Just putting that out there in case someone judges me for reading this book.
I have no strong feelings towards the heroine. She did what she was forced to do and paid dearly for her sins. I don’t condone her actions nor would I condemn her for it. Regarding her character, I just felt like she wasn’t fully fleshed out in a way. She was strong for sure, she loved her mother and she hated yet desired the hero but nothing more. She is not really that interesting but neither is she super boring. She makes for an okay heroine and that’s it.
The hero isn’t much better. He is a very hateful man. He wanted revenge on Rowena and he got it and more. He has a traumatic backstory that we’re supposed to sympathize with and make the readers understand why he is the way he is but it’s the same old back story every tortured hero have so it doesn’t really captures reader as it should’ve. I was like…okay and moved on. I didn’t like how until the very end he didn’t trust Rowena and ordered to lock her in the dungeons and his solar again. Good for the h that she decided to leave him. There were times when he showed his care for Rowena but I feel it doesn’t make up for the things she endured in his hand.
This is definitely no romance book. If you want a swoon-worthy romance with dreamy heroes, look elsewhere. This is the least romance-y romance book I’ve read next to Ravishing the heiress by Sherry Thomas. The hero and heroine were definitely attracted to each other yet they loathed one another. It does get boring for a time but the second half kind of made up for it. Johanna writes in a way that makes the book feel lighter despite its darker themes. There are no romantic love declarations here, no pining, and not much of a chemistry too. It was an entertaining read for what it was, but it is definitely not a good representation of romantic love.
The plot is definitely one of the more insane ones in the world of historical romance, the hero is flawed and unapologetically so. He is an older hero too so he has three teenage daughters (two legitimate and one by-blow) and had two wives while the heroine was younger and more innocent than he was. Not really my thing when either the h/H has a family prior to meeting each other but it’s a preference so I doubt it would bother other readers much. I’d say It is realistic too considering it was during the medieval era so he obviously had to have heirs and marry for power. I thought the events leading up to the ending were a bit too rushed and I don’t really like how this author doesn’t write epilogues. The hero and heroine spent the entire book hating each other, or thinking they hated each other which took away from the romance. I wish they pined for each other more. I’ve had a hard time picking a quote as there aren't many romantic / swoon-worthy ones. It was definitely lust driven which isn’t really my thing. Nevertheless, it was an enjoyable read. Not very good but not bad either.
Prisoner of my desire is the second book I’ve read from Johanna Lindsey. This book is one of her most popular books and I believe it is called a bodice ripper. If you are more of a morally righteous person when it comes to fiction or sensitive to the themes present in older HR books, then you should skip this one. This book contains many things that would offend many readers so only read this if you know what you’re signing up for. I, for one, knew what I was getting myself into so all the things that should have been offensive did not really surprise me. I enjoyed it for what it was: a piece of fiction. Doesn’t mean I agree with the problematic things mentioned, but it’s fiction so I don’t really care to invest myself and write a review why this book would be considered vile. Just putting that out there in case someone judges me for reading this book.
I have no strong feelings towards the heroine. She did what she was forced to do and paid dearly for her sins. I don’t condone her actions nor would I condemn her for it. Regarding her character, I just felt like she wasn’t fully fleshed out in a way. She was strong for sure, she loved her mother and she hated yet desired the hero but nothing more. She is not really that interesting but neither is she super boring. She makes for an okay heroine and that’s it.
The hero isn’t much better. He is a very hateful man. He wanted revenge on Rowena and he got it and more. He has a traumatic backstory that we’re supposed to sympathize with and make the readers understand why he is the way he is but it’s the same old back story every tortured hero have so it doesn’t really captures reader as it should’ve. I was like…okay and moved on. I didn’t like how until the very end he didn’t trust Rowena and ordered to lock her in the dungeons and his solar again. Good for the h that she decided to leave him. There were times when he showed his care for Rowena but I feel it doesn’t make up for the things she endured in his hand.
This is definitely no romance book. If you want a swoon-worthy romance with dreamy heroes, look elsewhere. This is the least romance-y romance book I’ve read next to Ravishing the heiress by Sherry Thomas. The hero and heroine were definitely attracted to each other yet they loathed one another. It does get boring for a time but the second half kind of made up for it. Johanna writes in a way that makes the book feel lighter despite its darker themes. There are no romantic love declarations here, no pining, and not much of a chemistry too. It was an entertaining read for what it was, but it is definitely not a good representation of romantic love.
The plot is definitely one of the more insane ones in the world of historical romance, the hero is flawed and unapologetically so. He is an older hero too so he has three teenage daughters (two legitimate and one by-blow) and had two wives while the heroine was younger and more innocent than he was. Not really my thing when either the h/H has a family prior to meeting each other but it’s a preference so I doubt it would bother other readers much. I’d say It is realistic too considering it was during the medieval era so he obviously had to have heirs and marry for power. I thought the events leading up to the ending were a bit too rushed and I don’t really like how this author doesn’t write epilogues. The hero and heroine spent the entire book hating each other, or thinking they hated each other which took away from the romance. I wish they pined for each other more. I’ve had a hard time picking a quote as there aren't many romantic / swoon-worthy ones. It was definitely lust driven which isn’t really my thing. Nevertheless, it was an enjoyable read. Not very good but not bad either.
February 8, 2021
I enjoyed it more than I should...
*** Kind of spoilery***
My tears had barely dried before I was supposed to love the hero for realising his monumental stuff up and believe in his declarations of love. Prisoner of my Desire is one of those historical romances that I hate to love. The hero was an utter, utter bast*rd. He is cranky, rude and despicable. He has his reasons, but his resentments and hostilities at times made me want to get my own bloody whip out and chase him down…not that I have a whip mind you. I wanted the hero to suffer more…suck up to the heroine more…scream from the rooftops his love…more.
Rowena, poor bloody Rowena. Her brother Gilbert made my skin crawl. His lust-filled gaze and the simpering need for Rowena were the stuff of nightmares. He wants her but has no hesitations in using her in his war against his archenemy Lord Fulkhurst. First of all, he beats Rowena’s mother to get her to marry a really, REALLY old Lord who promises Gilbert an army if Rowena marries him. Rowena, seeing her mum suffering, agrees to the horrible deed. The old Lord, wrinkled, blind and deaf is keen for the bedding but luckily keels over after the wedding but before the bedding. Gilbert, knowing that his plans won’t come to fruition if Rowena doesn’t produce an heir, finds a replacement (who looks like the old bugger) to impregnate her.
Oh my lordy... the serf who is shackled to the bed for Rowena to climb onto, mount, ride (rape) turns out to be none other than Gilbert’s enemy. Geez…what a stuff up.
Warrick, Lord Fulkhurst, was on the way to claim a new bride. He’s already had two that I think he frightened to death, and now Warrick is attempting to trap a third and hopefully beget a son. He already has two legit and one non-legit daughter’s (bastard is not a nice term), but a boy to carry on his legacy is what he desires. Unfortunately, his plans go haywire when he is attacked and kidnapped before he gets to his betrothed. Shackled to a bed, he finds out that his “job” is to be the stallion to an exquisite filly that he can’t deny he’s attracted to. Used and abused, he finally is unshackled, given clothes and sent on his way. Little did they know, he has a reputation for holding a grudge. Nobody gets away with taking from him, especially his dignity, freedom…and seed. He will have his revenge.
Poor Rowena, she is wracked with guilt for taking advantage of the man, but little did she know who she was taking advantage of. When Lord Fulkhurst attacks her new home, Gilbert does a runner and tells her to beg for mercy. Once she is faced with Lord Fulkhurst, it didn’t matter what type of begging she did, he was going to be a wee bit cranky.
Prisoner of my Desire was a hard book to love, especially when you couldn’t help but despise the hero for most of the book. It’s an extremely steamy read that bordered on kinky, with its dubious consent and rough taking. You can’t help but feel throughout the whole book. Your feelings range from anger to tears, laughter to dread and blushing to gagging. To be honest, if Rowena had had to bed the old coot, I think I would have thrown up a little.
Prisoner of my Desire was a love story that does have a happy ending, but it was a journey that had some unpleasantness to it. I really enjoyed it and struggled to tear my eyes away from my kindle. I’m very glad that my Facebook friends introduced me to Johanna Lindsey and her sick and twisted love stories.
*** Kind of spoilery***
My tears had barely dried before I was supposed to love the hero for realising his monumental stuff up and believe in his declarations of love. Prisoner of my Desire is one of those historical romances that I hate to love. The hero was an utter, utter bast*rd. He is cranky, rude and despicable. He has his reasons, but his resentments and hostilities at times made me want to get my own bloody whip out and chase him down…not that I have a whip mind you. I wanted the hero to suffer more…suck up to the heroine more…scream from the rooftops his love…more.
Rowena, poor bloody Rowena. Her brother Gilbert made my skin crawl. His lust-filled gaze and the simpering need for Rowena were the stuff of nightmares. He wants her but has no hesitations in using her in his war against his archenemy Lord Fulkhurst. First of all, he beats Rowena’s mother to get her to marry a really, REALLY old Lord who promises Gilbert an army if Rowena marries him. Rowena, seeing her mum suffering, agrees to the horrible deed. The old Lord, wrinkled, blind and deaf is keen for the bedding but luckily keels over after the wedding but before the bedding. Gilbert, knowing that his plans won’t come to fruition if Rowena doesn’t produce an heir, finds a replacement (who looks like the old bugger) to impregnate her.
Oh my lordy... the serf who is shackled to the bed for Rowena to climb onto, mount, ride (rape) turns out to be none other than Gilbert’s enemy. Geez…what a stuff up.
Warrick, Lord Fulkhurst, was on the way to claim a new bride. He’s already had two that I think he frightened to death, and now Warrick is attempting to trap a third and hopefully beget a son. He already has two legit and one non-legit daughter’s (bastard is not a nice term), but a boy to carry on his legacy is what he desires. Unfortunately, his plans go haywire when he is attacked and kidnapped before he gets to his betrothed. Shackled to a bed, he finds out that his “job” is to be the stallion to an exquisite filly that he can’t deny he’s attracted to. Used and abused, he finally is unshackled, given clothes and sent on his way. Little did they know, he has a reputation for holding a grudge. Nobody gets away with taking from him, especially his dignity, freedom…and seed. He will have his revenge.
Poor Rowena, she is wracked with guilt for taking advantage of the man, but little did she know who she was taking advantage of. When Lord Fulkhurst attacks her new home, Gilbert does a runner and tells her to beg for mercy. Once she is faced with Lord Fulkhurst, it didn’t matter what type of begging she did, he was going to be a wee bit cranky.
Prisoner of my Desire was a hard book to love, especially when you couldn’t help but despise the hero for most of the book. It’s an extremely steamy read that bordered on kinky, with its dubious consent and rough taking. You can’t help but feel throughout the whole book. Your feelings range from anger to tears, laughter to dread and blushing to gagging. To be honest, if Rowena had had to bed the old coot, I think I would have thrown up a little.
Prisoner of my Desire was a love story that does have a happy ending, but it was a journey that had some unpleasantness to it. I really enjoyed it and struggled to tear my eyes away from my kindle. I’m very glad that my Facebook friends introduced me to Johanna Lindsey and her sick and twisted love stories.
September 10, 2020
4 Stars
Overall Opinion: This was kind of a wild idea for a story! I’m happy I read it! I feel kind of bad for saying so though, because rape is never a good thing 🙈 I liked the characters and I enjoyed their banter and relationship. I would’ve liked more of their HEA, but I know I’m being greedy and others would’ve been (and are) just fine with the ending. It was an oldie but a goodie!
Brief Summary of the Storyline: This is Rowena and Warrick’s story. Rowena is forced into marriage to an ancient lord by her step-brother in exchange for gaining his troupes to use against his mortal enemy. What they don’t expect is that the old lord dies before he can impregnate Rowena, so her step-brother finds her alternative and holds him captive to help Rowena sire an heir. There are some big secrets held and revealed, some sexy times, and some sweet moments...and they get a HEA ending.
Point Of View (POV): This alternated between focusing on Rowena and Warrick in 3rd person narrative.
Overall Pace of Story: Good (though the ending was rather quick). I never skimmed and I thought it flowed well.
Instalove: No, they are more like hate-to-love
H (Hero) rating: 3.5 stars. Warrick. I liked him but he also really sucked at communicating.
h (heroine) rating: 4 stars. Rowena. I liked her. I appreciated her smarts and ability to adapt to her situation.
Sadness level: Low, no tissues needed
Push/Pull: Yes
Heat level: Good. They have some good tension, chemistry, and scenes -- but not so much it takes away from the story.
Descriptive sex: Yes
OW (Other Woman)/OM (Other Man) drama: Yes
Sex scene with OW or OM: No
Cheating: No
Separation: Yes
Possible Triggers: Yes
Closure: This had some closure with what I would call a HEA ending. I would’ve liked to experience more of their future though.
Safety: This one should probably be either Safe with exception or Not Safe for most safety gang readers depending on personal preferences.
Overall Opinion: This was kind of a wild idea for a story! I’m happy I read it! I feel kind of bad for saying so though, because rape is never a good thing 🙈 I liked the characters and I enjoyed their banter and relationship. I would’ve liked more of their HEA, but I know I’m being greedy and others would’ve been (and are) just fine with the ending. It was an oldie but a goodie!
Brief Summary of the Storyline: This is Rowena and Warrick’s story. Rowena is forced into marriage to an ancient lord by her step-brother in exchange for gaining his troupes to use against his mortal enemy. What they don’t expect is that the old lord dies before he can impregnate Rowena, so her step-brother finds her alternative and holds him captive to help Rowena sire an heir. There are some big secrets held and revealed, some sexy times, and some sweet moments...and they get a HEA ending.
Point Of View (POV): This alternated between focusing on Rowena and Warrick in 3rd person narrative.
Overall Pace of Story: Good (though the ending was rather quick). I never skimmed and I thought it flowed well.
Instalove: No, they are more like hate-to-love
H (Hero) rating: 3.5 stars. Warrick. I liked him but he also really sucked at communicating.
h (heroine) rating: 4 stars. Rowena. I liked her. I appreciated her smarts and ability to adapt to her situation.
Sadness level: Low, no tissues needed
Push/Pull: Yes
Heat level: Good. They have some good tension, chemistry, and scenes -- but not so much it takes away from the story.
Descriptive sex: Yes
OW (Other Woman)/OM (Other Man) drama: Yes
Sex scene with OW or OM: No
Cheating: No
Separation: Yes
Possible Triggers: Yes
Closure: This had some closure with what I would call a HEA ending. I would’ve liked to experience more of their future though.
Safety: This one should probably be either Safe with exception or Not Safe for most safety gang readers depending on personal preferences.
September 28, 2010
Skip this book. The story was ok in some ways, but I was frustrated by the relationship between Warrick and Rowena.
They both acted like they hated each other, and they wanted to hate each other. But, the truth was they desired each other, and love was beginning. Their words and actions were insincere. They were playing mind games with each other of one-upmanship. I was not drawn to this.
I accept dishonesty and insincerity for a variety of reasons, for example: standard romance protocol, discovering someone’s true feelings, doing a good deed, plans of revenge, undercover investigations, etc. I do not accept dishonesty and illogical actions when a normal rational person would be honest in that situation. I was frequently frustrated and angry with the insincere and illogical actions of Rowena and Warrick in this story.
Story brief: Evil stepbrother Gilbert wants the Kirburough land, owned by Lyons. Gilbert beats Rowena’s mother and holds her hostage, to force Rowena to marry Lyons. Gilbert needs Rowena to get pregnant by Lyons so Gilbert can get ownership of the property. Lyons dies before he consummates the marriage. Gilbert sends his men to find a substitute with the same hair and eye coloring of Lyons. They find Warrick and chain him to the bed. Rowena has sex with him to get pregnant. Warrick escapes, returns to capture Rowena, and sends her to his dungeon. He then has her chained to his bed and does the same to her.
The relationship conflicts were created through miscommunication and inaccurate assumptions. There were many occasions that angered me, but in the interest of saving some writing time, I have chosen two examples, described below.
CAUTION SPOILERS:
When Warrick was chained to the bed and Rowena was first brought to him, Rowena should have told him the truth -- her mother was held prisoner and would be killed if Rowena did not get pregnant by Warrick. Rowena also should have told him she would try to find the key to free him. She did not tell him either of these things. Her reason was that she didn’t want to get his hopes up in case she was unable to find the key. He wanted her to remove his gag so he could talk to her, but she wouldn’t remove it. By not being honest with him, he thought she was doing this for her own greed, and he hated her. Talk about miscommunication – she wouldn’t even take his gag off so she could talk to him. They were both held as prisoners in the same room, and one would think they would at least talk to each other to find a way out of their dilemma.
I was also unhappy that she didn’t tell him her real name. There were a number of times when telling Warrick her name would have solved some problems, but she never did, which bothered me. One example was when Warrick was laying siege to Gilbert’s castle for 33 days. Rowena could have told him about the secret door because she used to live there. This would have helped Warrick win the battle sooner and with less risk, but she didn’t. Her reasons were not justified.
Sexual language: mild. Number of sex scenes: nine. Setting: 1152 England. Copyright: 1991. Genre: historical romance.
For a list of my reviews of other Johanna Lindsey books, see my 5 star review of “Gentle Rogue” posted 6/14/08.
They both acted like they hated each other, and they wanted to hate each other. But, the truth was they desired each other, and love was beginning. Their words and actions were insincere. They were playing mind games with each other of one-upmanship. I was not drawn to this.
I accept dishonesty and insincerity for a variety of reasons, for example: standard romance protocol, discovering someone’s true feelings, doing a good deed, plans of revenge, undercover investigations, etc. I do not accept dishonesty and illogical actions when a normal rational person would be honest in that situation. I was frequently frustrated and angry with the insincere and illogical actions of Rowena and Warrick in this story.
Story brief: Evil stepbrother Gilbert wants the Kirburough land, owned by Lyons. Gilbert beats Rowena’s mother and holds her hostage, to force Rowena to marry Lyons. Gilbert needs Rowena to get pregnant by Lyons so Gilbert can get ownership of the property. Lyons dies before he consummates the marriage. Gilbert sends his men to find a substitute with the same hair and eye coloring of Lyons. They find Warrick and chain him to the bed. Rowena has sex with him to get pregnant. Warrick escapes, returns to capture Rowena, and sends her to his dungeon. He then has her chained to his bed and does the same to her.
The relationship conflicts were created through miscommunication and inaccurate assumptions. There were many occasions that angered me, but in the interest of saving some writing time, I have chosen two examples, described below.
CAUTION SPOILERS:
When Warrick was chained to the bed and Rowena was first brought to him, Rowena should have told him the truth -- her mother was held prisoner and would be killed if Rowena did not get pregnant by Warrick. Rowena also should have told him she would try to find the key to free him. She did not tell him either of these things. Her reason was that she didn’t want to get his hopes up in case she was unable to find the key. He wanted her to remove his gag so he could talk to her, but she wouldn’t remove it. By not being honest with him, he thought she was doing this for her own greed, and he hated her. Talk about miscommunication – she wouldn’t even take his gag off so she could talk to him. They were both held as prisoners in the same room, and one would think they would at least talk to each other to find a way out of their dilemma.
I was also unhappy that she didn’t tell him her real name. There were a number of times when telling Warrick her name would have solved some problems, but she never did, which bothered me. One example was when Warrick was laying siege to Gilbert’s castle for 33 days. Rowena could have told him about the secret door because she used to live there. This would have helped Warrick win the battle sooner and with less risk, but she didn’t. Her reasons were not justified.
Sexual language: mild. Number of sex scenes: nine. Setting: 1152 England. Copyright: 1991. Genre: historical romance.
For a list of my reviews of other Johanna Lindsey books, see my 5 star review of “Gentle Rogue” posted 6/14/08.
April 25, 2010
There is so much I'm willing to forgive in a HR taking place in the Middle Ages. I would actually prefer not to have woman's lib and obnoxiously feisty (or male-wannabe) heroines fettered during this time. But there is one interesting feature in this book - the heroine rapes the hero.
Scandalous, I know. It's really unbelievable and I was anxious about how it was all going to work. It does, in my favorite way - angry sex, guilt and occassional moments of soul-sucking love.
Rowena's step brother, Gilbert d'Ambray has the hots for her, but in no way is marrying her acceptable, especially when she would be more useful in marrying old depraved men who could supplement his forces against Warrick deChaville, and produce a male heir. But when the chosen groom dies before consummation, a 'serf' with similar features is chosen and Rowena is 'encouraged' to do the deed. Of course, it was no serf that was captured but Warrick, and Rowena has to forcefully seduce this man for 3 days. Until she finds a way to free him, but he returns with his armies, this time wanting his revenge.
Warrick has some serious issues. He has a tendency to thirst for revenge and has no tolerance for getting the whole story. Plus he has snotty daughters and he's frequently an arrogant bastard. Yet, he does have some good qualities. He's funny and has a nice smile (when he finally loosens up) and he's big and hunky, and he doesn't kill women (just emotionally/sexually tortures them or whips them as a type of disciplinary action - not the heroine, but his daughter). But, considering the time period, he wasn't too bad. Warrick is ashamed that his body betrayed him when Rowena rapes him, so he tries to repay the favor to a 10 fold, but its really not the same. Rowena is repentant and asks for forgiveness repeatedly and takes the punishment that she deems fair. I just wish that Warrick wasn't such a hardass and actually listened to her explanations.
Rowena's brother isn't too bad either - just kinda dumb. Weird how I actually kinda felt sorry for him and hoped that he could redeem himself and get his own HEA.
Rowena goes through a lot of guilt and self-sacrifice. Somehow, there's a part of me that enjoys this kind of suffering. She's a strong character who gets stuck is a very uneasy situation. It doesn't help that most of the men in her life suck. Once she realizes her power over Warrick and stops felling all guilty, she gets to be really cool. She's also preggers during most of this.
There was some issue with diction in this book. Like 'Manroot' was used generously. This is such a disgusting word that I had to convert the word to enjoy those parts at all. Sex has a bit of dubious consent, but not as bad as the Vikings (but then again, anything is better than that). Inadvertantly, there is some bondage.
I may be saying bad things about this book, but I honestly really liked it. There were no real bad guys, but lots of men doing bad things, thinking that they have the right to. The heroine is strong and likable and so are the additional female characters.
Scandalous, I know. It's really unbelievable and I was anxious about how it was all going to work. It does, in my favorite way - angry sex, guilt and occassional moments of soul-sucking love.
Rowena's step brother, Gilbert d'Ambray has the hots for her, but in no way is marrying her acceptable, especially when she would be more useful in marrying old depraved men who could supplement his forces against Warrick deChaville, and produce a male heir. But when the chosen groom dies before consummation, a 'serf' with similar features is chosen and Rowena is 'encouraged' to do the deed. Of course, it was no serf that was captured but Warrick, and Rowena has to forcefully seduce this man for 3 days. Until she finds a way to free him, but he returns with his armies, this time wanting his revenge.
Warrick has some serious issues. He has a tendency to thirst for revenge and has no tolerance for getting the whole story. Plus he has snotty daughters and he's frequently an arrogant bastard. Yet, he does have some good qualities. He's funny and has a nice smile (when he finally loosens up) and he's big and hunky, and he doesn't kill women (just emotionally/sexually tortures them or whips them as a type of disciplinary action - not the heroine, but his daughter). But, considering the time period, he wasn't too bad. Warrick is ashamed that his body betrayed him when Rowena rapes him, so he tries to repay the favor to a 10 fold, but its really not the same. Rowena is repentant and asks for forgiveness repeatedly and takes the punishment that she deems fair. I just wish that Warrick wasn't such a hardass and actually listened to her explanations.
Rowena's brother isn't too bad either - just kinda dumb. Weird how I actually kinda felt sorry for him and hoped that he could redeem himself and get his own HEA.
Rowena goes through a lot of guilt and self-sacrifice. Somehow, there's a part of me that enjoys this kind of suffering. She's a strong character who gets stuck is a very uneasy situation. It doesn't help that most of the men in her life suck. Once she realizes her power over Warrick and stops felling all guilty, she gets to be really cool. She's also preggers during most of this.
There was some issue with diction in this book. Like 'Manroot' was used generously. This is such a disgusting word that I had to convert the word to enjoy those parts at all. Sex has a bit of dubious consent, but not as bad as the Vikings (but then again, anything is better than that). Inadvertantly, there is some bondage.
I may be saying bad things about this book, but I honestly really liked it. There were no real bad guys, but lots of men doing bad things, thinking that they have the right to. The heroine is strong and likable and so are the additional female characters.
March 1, 2021
I LOVE this swoon-worthy historical romance. The story is so well-written it kept me full of anxiety from start to finish. It is common knowledge women have no rights during this historical time. Therefore it is no surprise that Lady Rowena who is both beautiful and a noble becomes a pawn to be used for war. My heart ached for her as I read through each injustice she experienced. I felt like I was holding back my tears for the first half of the book. Then I became hopeful only to fall harder into sadness. My spirits only lifting at the very end.
July 24, 2024
Read: 7/21/24
WTF? How did I end up loving this crazy book?
Plot:
Rowena's world ended when her evil stepfather, through treachery, killed her father. He then forced Rowena's mother into marriage and bankrupted her lands. There are no repercussions in this lawless land, thanks to King Stephen.
3 years later, Rowena's SF attacks another neighbor's castle, except this time, he f**ks with the wrong man. Now he's dead, and Lord F (forgot his title) is not done. There is still the son. Rowena's stepbrother needs a powerful army and will marry her to a very powerful old man to get it. Once pregnant, the SB plans to kill the old lord. Then, he can control the wealth and men through Rowena. He also plans to have Rowena in his bed. He is obsessed with her. I love that JL uses the word "obsessed " and not love. Rowena only agrees to the match after she watches her SB beat her mother.
Rowena's new groom is beyond repulsive! His disgusting looks aside, he is also an evil man who killed his previous wives. If she doesn't get with child in the next MONTH (not plural), he will give her to his man while he watches. Needless to say, she is not upset when he dies in bed before consummating the marriage. Unfortunately, her rotten SB won't give up all that wealth. His smart idea? Hid the body and kidnap a man with similar coloring as her dead husband to impregnate Rowena. Why would Rowena agree to this plan? If not, her SB will kill her mother. Too bad for him, he picks the wrong man.
Warwick is on his way to meet his betrothed and stops at an inn for a good night's reast. He sent his men ahead and has just his squire with him. While in the bath house, he is attacked and beaten senselessly. He wakes up naked, gagged, and chained to a bed. He doesn't expect the stunning, virginal woman to rape him in order to steal a child from him. Who does? I don't know which was more violent, the mother's beatings or Warwick's muffled screams and violent shudder. Having his body betray him is the worst of the humiliation for him. Rowena can't keep raping this poor man. After 3 days, she finally finds the key to Warwick's chains and has her maid set him free. She thinks she'll never see him again. Oh boy, is she in for a surprise!
Warwick returns 2 days later with an army. Rowena's despicable SB abandons her thinking that she'll be ransomed off. Their enemy, Lord F, doesn't harm women. They don't know that Lord F and Warwick are the same man. Who doesn't see that coming! Rowena doesn't get to see Lord F's face before a giant in armor jerks her to his knight and tells his man to bring her to his dungeon. He states that "she is a lady no longer."
Rowena spends a month in Lord F's dungeon before the Lord summons her to his bedroom. She is shocked to see Warwick. He is understandably blinded with fury, and she will suffer for it, especially when he learns that the rape resulted in a child. Warwick chains Rowena to his bed and gives her "like for like" what was done to him, including having her body betray her as his did him.
After the 3 days are finished, her next punishment begins. Warwick has his new serf assigned to humiliating tasks. Unfortunately, he can't rid himself of his lust for her, and this causes him to contradict himself. He threatens to beat her for this and that, but never does . When he notices that the peasants' clothing he makes her wear irrates her skin, he lets her wear better quality attire. Rowena, who has been used and abused, starts to see that beneath Warwick's gruff exterior lies a man who can love as fiercely as he can hate.
Warwick has a tragic backstory that has made him into the hard man he is now. He doesn't forgive a wrong, and boy did Rowena wrong him! Still, he can't stay away from her. Rowena is not afraid of him and teaches him to laugh again. She slowly turns his home into a real home after all these years. Of course, he doesn't know that Rowena is the stepsister of his enemy and the lands he was been capturing are hers. What will happen when he learns the truth? What new treachery is her SB planning now? Will their love survive others who try to destroy it or will they accomplish that on their own?
Conclusion:
This is definitely one of JL's older books. I really shouldn't have enjoyed this crazy story as much as I did. It's like a car wreck that I couldn't look away from. I loved it! I wish it had an epilogue. It didn't need one, I just didn't want it to end.
I also applaud JL for showing that rape can be as horrible for a man as it is for a woman. I've read other books wih a similar plot (not many, TG🙏) and they tend to gloss over how terrible the rape was because it was a man.
I highly recommend this book but it's not for the faint of heart! Don't try it if you're not a Bodice-ripper fan to begin with
WTF? How did I end up loving this crazy book?
Plot:
Rowena's world ended when her evil stepfather, through treachery, killed her father. He then forced Rowena's mother into marriage and bankrupted her lands. There are no repercussions in this lawless land, thanks to King Stephen.
3 years later, Rowena's SF attacks another neighbor's castle, except this time, he f**ks with the wrong man. Now he's dead, and Lord F (forgot his title) is not done. There is still the son. Rowena's stepbrother needs a powerful army and will marry her to a very powerful old man to get it. Once pregnant, the SB plans to kill the old lord. Then, he can control the wealth and men through Rowena. He also plans to have Rowena in his bed. He is obsessed with her. I love that JL uses the word "obsessed " and not love. Rowena only agrees to the match after she watches her SB beat her mother.
Rowena's new groom is beyond repulsive! His disgusting looks aside, he is also an evil man who killed his previous wives. If she doesn't get with child in the next MONTH (not plural), he will give her to his man while he watches. Needless to say, she is not upset when he dies in bed before consummating the marriage. Unfortunately, her rotten SB won't give up all that wealth. His smart idea? Hid the body and kidnap a man with similar coloring as her dead husband to impregnate Rowena. Why would Rowena agree to this plan? If not, her SB will kill her mother. Too bad for him, he picks the wrong man.
Warwick is on his way to meet his betrothed and stops at an inn for a good night's reast. He sent his men ahead and has just his squire with him. While in the bath house, he is attacked and beaten senselessly. He wakes up naked, gagged, and chained to a bed. He doesn't expect the stunning, virginal woman to rape him in order to steal a child from him. Who does? I don't know which was more violent, the mother's beatings or Warwick's muffled screams and violent shudder. Having his body betray him is the worst of the humiliation for him. Rowena can't keep raping this poor man. After 3 days, she finally finds the key to Warwick's chains and has her maid set him free. She thinks she'll never see him again. Oh boy, is she in for a surprise!
Warwick returns 2 days later with an army. Rowena's despicable SB abandons her thinking that she'll be ransomed off. Their enemy, Lord F, doesn't harm women. They don't know that Lord F and Warwick are the same man. Who doesn't see that coming! Rowena doesn't get to see Lord F's face before a giant in armor jerks her to his knight and tells his man to bring her to his dungeon. He states that "she is a lady no longer."
Rowena spends a month in Lord F's dungeon before the Lord summons her to his bedroom. She is shocked to see Warwick. He is understandably blinded with fury, and she will suffer for it, especially when he learns that the rape resulted in a child. Warwick chains Rowena to his bed and gives her "like for like" what was done to him, including having her body betray her as his did him.
After the 3 days are finished, her next punishment begins. Warwick has his new serf assigned to humiliating tasks. Unfortunately, he can't rid himself of his lust for her, and this causes him to contradict himself. He threatens to beat her for this and that, but never does . When he notices that the peasants' clothing he makes her wear irrates her skin, he lets her wear better quality attire. Rowena, who has been used and abused, starts to see that beneath Warwick's gruff exterior lies a man who can love as fiercely as he can hate.
Warwick has a tragic backstory that has made him into the hard man he is now. He doesn't forgive a wrong, and boy did Rowena wrong him! Still, he can't stay away from her. Rowena is not afraid of him and teaches him to laugh again. She slowly turns his home into a real home after all these years. Of course, he doesn't know that Rowena is the stepsister of his enemy and the lands he was been capturing are hers. What will happen when he learns the truth? What new treachery is her SB planning now? Will their love survive others who try to destroy it or will they accomplish that on their own?
Conclusion:
This is definitely one of JL's older books. I really shouldn't have enjoyed this crazy story as much as I did. It's like a car wreck that I couldn't look away from. I loved it! I wish it had an epilogue. It didn't need one, I just didn't want it to end.
I also applaud JL for showing that rape can be as horrible for a man as it is for a woman. I've read other books wih a similar plot (not many, TG🙏) and they tend to gloss over how terrible the rape was because it was a man.
I highly recommend this book but it's not for the faint of heart! Don't try it if you're not a Bodice-ripper fan to begin with
April 3, 2021
3.5 stars
I love the premise and the writing. Rowena was a great h, I could relate to her and I'm amazed by how strong she was after everything that happened to her. She's really sassy and smart.
I finished the book in record time, because I couldn't put it down. This could have been a 5 star read because the book is really gripping, but a few personal preferences and triggers ruined my overall enjoyment. I don't like that H has older daughters, that he punishes one of them to the same tragedy that afflicted Rowena's life and the misunderstandings were a little over the top for my taste. I'm glad I read this book because it's not often that I find premises that are so original. I highly recommend this book, if you don't have triggers.
I love the premise and the writing. Rowena was a great h, I could relate to her and I'm amazed by how strong she was after everything that happened to her. She's really sassy and smart.
I finished the book in record time, because I couldn't put it down. This could have been a 5 star read because the book is really gripping, but a few personal preferences and triggers ruined my overall enjoyment. I don't like that H has older daughters, that he punishes one of them to the same tragedy that afflicted Rowena's life and the misunderstandings were a little over the top for my taste. I'm glad I read this book because it's not often that I find premises that are so original. I highly recommend this book, if you don't have triggers.
July 1, 2024
Might be the first time I become more interested after the couple gets together.
July 10, 2023
Would I read it again? No. Will I ever forget it? Absolutely not.
I didn’t have a terrible time and I liked the romance by the end (but wanted more on-the-page groveling and him being cute instead of the time jump) but yeah I’ll just go reread Kiss of a Demon King to scratch the “kidnapped to bring forth seed” itch
**Spoiler**
You’re telling me he whipped his daughter but couldn’t kill Gilbert??? More violence against women than the literal villain??? Trash
I really expected more in the retribution department at the end. Like yeah she “fixed” him and now he doesn’t always want revenge but couldn’t it have happened like just a bit later 😭
I didn’t have a terrible time and I liked the romance by the end (but wanted more on-the-page groveling and him being cute instead of the time jump) but yeah I’ll just go reread Kiss of a Demon King to scratch the “kidnapped to bring forth seed” itch
**Spoiler**
You’re telling me he whipped his daughter but couldn’t kill Gilbert??? More violence against women than the literal villain??? Trash
I really expected more in the retribution department at the end. Like yeah she “fixed” him and now he doesn’t always want revenge but couldn’t it have happened like just a bit later 😭
May 10, 2019
4 ❤️⛓❤️⛓❤️⛓❤️🌟s
Considering it was written more than 25 years back, this historical romance was very intriguing, unique and daring!!
I liked her writing style as well as the characters and it was fast paced. Aye!!!!
Considering it was written more than 25 years back, this historical romance was very intriguing, unique and daring!!
I liked her writing style as well as the characters and it was fast paced. Aye!!!!
November 10, 2017
"I am glad 'twas you."
LOVED THIS ONE! Didn't want to put it down. This was my first book by this author. And I will definitely be looking for more from her.
May 30, 2018
"Prisoner of my Desire" is the story of Rowena and Warrick.
Now, I have to clarify that this book will not be for everyone- but if you enjoy old school romances, bodice rippers and Johanna Lindsey-then you won't have any problem with it.
The book starts with our heroine, Rowena Belleme being witness to the brutal whipping of her mother by her lecher stepbrother- and to save her she is forcefully married to an old haggard asshat. However, before consummation, the old man dies and the stepbrother takes it on himself to find a replacement so she can beget a heir.
Much to her surprise, he enslaves a virile and king sized man- and Rowena is forced to "rape" him- not knowing that he is a noble knight, and tables are about to be turned on her pretty quick!
What follows is a deliberate escape, the captor becoming the captive and some good old fashion JL type of torture- including servitude, evil past OW and daughters and humiliation.
The hero is definitely more aged than the heroine- having 2 legitimate and 1 illegitimate daughters from 2 dead wives and a serf, but he is not cruel to Rowena. There is passion, reluctance and a HEA.
That being said, I found the end abrupt and wished this had a better resolution.
Is this one of my favorite JL romances, or even hero? No! Is this her best captive romance? Hell nah.
But if you want to destress with a reluctant romance, and dont have a lot of triggers (semi consensual sex, public whippings, humiliation, tying up)- you might enjoy this.
Safe
3/5
Now, I have to clarify that this book will not be for everyone- but if you enjoy old school romances, bodice rippers and Johanna Lindsey-then you won't have any problem with it.
The book starts with our heroine, Rowena Belleme being witness to the brutal whipping of her mother by her lecher stepbrother- and to save her she is forcefully married to an old haggard asshat. However, before consummation, the old man dies and the stepbrother takes it on himself to find a replacement so she can beget a heir.
Much to her surprise, he enslaves a virile and king sized man- and Rowena is forced to "rape" him- not knowing that he is a noble knight, and tables are about to be turned on her pretty quick!
What follows is a deliberate escape, the captor becoming the captive and some good old fashion JL type of torture- including servitude, evil past OW and daughters and humiliation.
The hero is definitely more aged than the heroine- having 2 legitimate and 1 illegitimate daughters from 2 dead wives and a serf, but he is not cruel to Rowena. There is passion, reluctance and a HEA.
That being said, I found the end abrupt and wished this had a better resolution.
Is this one of my favorite JL romances, or even hero? No! Is this her best captive romance? Hell nah.
But if you want to destress with a reluctant romance, and dont have a lot of triggers (semi consensual sex, public whippings, humiliation, tying up)- you might enjoy this.
Safe
3/5
Read
November 16, 2025This was so problematic and wacky that I don’t know how to rate it at all.
I think the top reviews of this book summarized the plot very well and the thing is I enjoyed it very much but at the same time I feel guilty for enjoying it 😭
In a nutshell Warrick MMC was kidnapped by Rowena’s (FMC) family and she was forced to rape him. Yuck I know. Rowena does not want to do it but to protect her mother from further abuse, she did it. Eventually she helped Warrick to escape but as a form of revenge Warrick conquered Rowena’s home and made her his prisoner where she will work as a serf and be raped by Warrick at night. just WTF 💀
I think the top reviews of this book summarized the plot very well and the thing is I enjoyed it very much but at the same time I feel guilty for enjoying it 😭
In a nutshell Warrick MMC was kidnapped by Rowena’s (FMC) family and she was forced to rape him. Yuck I know. Rowena does not want to do it but to protect her mother from further abuse, she did it. Eventually she helped Warrick to escape but as a form of revenge Warrick conquered Rowena’s home and made her his prisoner where she will work as a serf and be raped by Warrick at night. just WTF 💀
December 26, 2016
Just reread this for the 2nd time and I forgot how much I had loved it. I read it years ago and I couldn't quite remember it so I read it again and it was wonderful. I loved Johanna Lindsey in her early writing years and read every book. I didn't quite like all of them because there were a couple with heros and ow and I hated that but this one was good.
The H was very cruel in the beginning of the book but he had reason to be I guess. I did like that he felt terrible when he realized how wrong he had been and he tried to atone. I also liked that she was strong enough not to just fall over when he said he was sorry. She made him work for it.
And Gilbert? He started out as an evil villain but then at the end he seemed like he wasn't as bad as he was painted. He did save her life. I guess there are many facets of personality but that one was a whoa there. What happened to the guy from the beginning of the book?? It didn't really compute. Now that I think about it the same could be said about Warrick who did horrible things to the h sometimes yet did incredibly nice things for her too. He redeemed himself. So I guess Gilbert could too.
I am glad I reread it. I even raised the stars because I liked it so much. Definitely a keeper.
The H was very cruel in the beginning of the book but he had reason to be I guess. I did like that he felt terrible when he realized how wrong he had been and he tried to atone. I also liked that she was strong enough not to just fall over when he said he was sorry. She made him work for it.
And Gilbert? He started out as an evil villain but then at the end he seemed like he wasn't as bad as he was painted. He did save her life. I guess there are many facets of personality but that one was a whoa there. What happened to the guy from the beginning of the book?? It didn't really compute. Now that I think about it the same could be said about Warrick who did horrible things to the h sometimes yet did incredibly nice things for her too. He redeemed himself. So I guess Gilbert could too.
I am glad I reread it. I even raised the stars because I liked it so much. Definitely a keeper.
December 14, 2025
I have been dying to read this historical romance, and it did not disappoint! In the beginning, the heroine is forced to try and have a baby with the hero, who is kidnapped, for reasons out of her control. She eventually lets him go, but he is so angry, he decides to kidnap her and do the same to her to get his revenge. And he wants to make sure she feels pleasure from it. Lines blur and they start feeling things for each other. This was definitely messy but so entertaining. An old school bodice ripper that I had a lot of fun reading! No one does it like Johanna Lindsey!
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September 21, 2021
⤅ For a book where the hero and heroine are set up to rape each other, this is... surprisingly sweet.
I think that's partially why I only gave it three stars in the end. With this premise, I wanted something a bit darker and more emotional, with a hero who constantly makes the heroine pay for her mistakes with her body, etc. What I got was an almost frothily light historical romance filled with humour and a distinct lack of angst.
It's the middle of the Anarchy, and the teenaged Lady Rowena has just been married off to some horrible old lord by her stepbrother Gilbert. When the lord keels over dead on the wedding night, however, Gilbert realises she needs to fall pregnant as quickly as possible so he can continue to control the lord's men. So he kidnaps some random serf with the same blond hair and grey eyes of the dead lord to father Rowena's child.
Only, he's accidentally kidnapped a neighbouring lord, who's intent on vengeance after he escapes. Warrick de Cheville is infuriated at how he was tied down and humiliated by Rowena, so he vows to do everything to her which was done to him - three nights tied to his bed, etc. He's doubly angered by the fact that her gambit worked and she's pregnant.
I've known about this book for a long time, but was initially put off by the fact that the hero already has multiple kids - two legitimate daughters from dead wives, and an illegitimate one from a mistress. However, another Johanna Lindsey book where the hero already has a kid happens to be one of my all-time favourite romances (Gentle Rogue) so I thought I'd give it a shot. I'm glad I did; there was actually surprisingly minimal OW drama. The one OW who tries to get involved is summarily exiled by the hero. He had no attachment to any of his previous wives, and he has a stereotypically medieval indifference to his daughters. He's a dreadful father and I massively sympathised with his daughters... but he's a good love interest for Rowena.
This actually reads broadly like a much lighter version of Brenda Joyce's The Conqueror. I love that book, but here Warrick wasn't possessive and obsessed enough for my liking, hence the three stars. It's a shame - I love books where the heroine keeps the hero locked up, even better if he escapes and returns for revenge. But the tone here (verging on comedy) was a bit wrong for the subject matter.
I think that's partially why I only gave it three stars in the end. With this premise, I wanted something a bit darker and more emotional, with a hero who constantly makes the heroine pay for her mistakes with her body, etc. What I got was an almost frothily light historical romance filled with humour and a distinct lack of angst.
It's the middle of the Anarchy, and the teenaged Lady Rowena has just been married off to some horrible old lord by her stepbrother Gilbert. When the lord keels over dead on the wedding night, however, Gilbert realises she needs to fall pregnant as quickly as possible so he can continue to control the lord's men. So he kidnaps some random serf with the same blond hair and grey eyes of the dead lord to father Rowena's child.
Only, he's accidentally kidnapped a neighbouring lord, who's intent on vengeance after he escapes. Warrick de Cheville is infuriated at how he was tied down and humiliated by Rowena, so he vows to do everything to her which was done to him - three nights tied to his bed, etc. He's doubly angered by the fact that her gambit worked and she's pregnant.
I've known about this book for a long time, but was initially put off by the fact that the hero already has multiple kids - two legitimate daughters from dead wives, and an illegitimate one from a mistress. However, another Johanna Lindsey book where the hero already has a kid happens to be one of my all-time favourite romances (Gentle Rogue) so I thought I'd give it a shot. I'm glad I did; there was actually surprisingly minimal OW drama. The one OW who tries to get involved is summarily exiled by the hero. He had no attachment to any of his previous wives, and he has a stereotypically medieval indifference to his daughters. He's a dreadful father and I massively sympathised with his daughters... but he's a good love interest for Rowena.
This actually reads broadly like a much lighter version of Brenda Joyce's The Conqueror. I love that book, but here Warrick wasn't possessive and obsessed enough for my liking, hence the three stars. It's a shame - I love books where the heroine keeps the hero locked up, even better if he escapes and returns for revenge. But the tone here (verging on comedy) was a bit wrong for the subject matter.
February 13, 2018
Ever since i read my first book (and only) by Johanna Lindsey "Paradise Wild",i knew that she are a terrific author with very Uniqe stories,and just WOW,"Prisoner of my Desire" really turns tables when it comes to the trope of bodice ripper.Really Entertaining and Sexy!
As the historical time are from 1100s in this one,you have to expect many things that makes you unease.For one thing,the hero has a bastard.This was very common in this time,so it does not bother me at all.Not when the sexy and epic romance took place between the hero and heroine.God how i love it!
The heroine rapes the hero!!!Thats so new,and i really enjoyed reading this whole Crazyness!!!Hahaha what an sadistic bitch i am sometimes!!!But the hero gets his revenge when he imprison her to punish her for the three nights of rape she put him through.MUHAHAHA!(GOD how horrible i am)But all the while they fall in love against their will,and gets prisoners of theirs desires!
Love how Smitten and Jealous Warrick deChaville was when it came to Rowena!He never could stop staring and desiring her!GOD how i enjoyed it when she made him grovel at the end!I loved both Warick and Rowena very much!They are perfect for each other!!!!
I am really ashamed that this is my second book by Johanna Lindsey!I will certainly read more of her books.Either way this one deserves 100 stars!
As the historical time are from 1100s in this one,you have to expect many things that makes you unease.For one thing,the hero has a bastard.This was very common in this time,so it does not bother me at all.Not when the sexy and epic romance took place between the hero and heroine.God how i love it!
The heroine rapes the hero!!!Thats so new,and i really enjoyed reading this whole Crazyness!!!Hahaha what an sadistic bitch i am sometimes!!!But the hero gets his revenge when he imprison her to punish her for the three nights of rape she put him through.MUHAHAHA!(GOD how horrible i am)But all the while they fall in love against their will,and gets prisoners of theirs desires!
Love how Smitten and Jealous Warrick deChaville was when it came to Rowena!He never could stop staring and desiring her!GOD how i enjoyed it when she made him grovel at the end!I loved both Warick and Rowena very much!They are perfect for each other!!!!
I am really ashamed that this is my second book by Johanna Lindsey!I will certainly read more of her books.Either way this one deserves 100 stars!
December 30, 2021
Well, well, what can I say? There's bodice ripper and there's a bodice ripper. The book is problematic on so many levels, but it was a good rollicking ride. It managed to elicit a couple of guffaw and chuckles from me (probably unintentionally). I was shaking my head at a couple of scenes too. I wasn't particularly bothered by the infamous rape scenes as well. It took on a cartoonish aspect to me, maybe due the writing style and excessive euphemism (manroot, anyone?). I guess the scenes weren't meant to titillate.
Going to the characters. Warrick was to die for (NOT!). His cavalier attitude towards women and especially towards his illegitimate daughter was just unforgivable. He is just a poor excuse for a hero. Rowena is pretty okay, I guess. She showed her backbone in certain places.
I have to say I'm disappointed with the villain, not getting his comeuppance. He, instead gain back his own keep. And this, after all the shite he put Rowena through. It just doesn't seem fair.
I'm glad I took the plunge and see what the hullabaloo was all about. Is this a re-read? Nope. Once was more than enough. However, don't take it seriously and treat it as pure entertainment. This book was a product of its time and it definitely wouldn't fly now. Kudos to Ms. Lindsey for originality, though.
Going to the characters. Warrick was to die for (NOT!). His cavalier attitude towards women and especially towards his illegitimate daughter was just unforgivable. He is just a poor excuse for a hero. Rowena is pretty okay, I guess. She showed her backbone in certain places.
I have to say I'm disappointed with the villain, not getting his comeuppance. He, instead gain back his own keep. And this, after all the shite he put Rowena through. It just doesn't seem fair.
I'm glad I took the plunge and see what the hullabaloo was all about. Is this a re-read? Nope. Once was more than enough. However, don't take it seriously and treat it as pure entertainment. This book was a product of its time and it definitely wouldn't fly now. Kudos to Ms. Lindsey for originality, though.
March 6, 2018
Another 2018 favorite!
I wasn’t sure if I’d love it as much as I did. I guess you could say like Rowena, I fell in love with Warrick page by page, little by little and a bit unexpectedly. This man or should I say fire breathing dragon (I loved it when Rowena referred to him as such) was not easy to love nor did he love easily. But sweet and strong Rowena would be his undoing.
Fabulous story filled with wonderful characters.
Johanna Lindsey is a new author for me and it thrills me to say I will be reading more from her. Prison of my Desire was that unexpected and unputdownable read. ❤
August 15, 2023
If you are triggered by absolutely anything, don’t read this book.
“You do not hurt women, even when you have reason to,” she cried, literally five minutes after he horse-whipped his daughter with a scabbard. “Maybe he isn’t all cruelty,” she thought, after weeks of nonstop sexual assault by both of them. I had to google “serf” because my knowledge of feudal England is admittedly thin. The stepbrother tells her that she needs a blonde baby and he’d just do it himself except for his accursed black hair.
What in the the Honey Bunches of Fuck did I just read.
“You do not hurt women, even when you have reason to,” she cried, literally five minutes after he horse-whipped his daughter with a scabbard. “Maybe he isn’t all cruelty,” she thought, after weeks of nonstop sexual assault by both of them. I had to google “serf” because my knowledge of feudal England is admittedly thin. The stepbrother tells her that she needs a blonde baby and he’d just do it himself except for his accursed black hair.
What in the the Honey Bunches of Fuck did I just read.
July 6, 2020
This book was something else. I'm just going to put this out there, the heroine rapes the hero, and the hero then kidnaps and rapes the heroine in vengeance...
So, this book tells the story of Lady Rowena Belleme and Warrick deChaville. Rowena is forced to marry an old, dying man and must produce an heir. On their wedding night, however, Rowena's husband dies, and her stepbrother threatens to kill her mother if she doesn't get pregnant by the guy he kidnapped.
Warrick deChaville, mistaken a serf, wakes up in a dungeon, chained naked to a bed. When an angel appears, he is hopeful she will help him escape only to be shocked when she informs him of her plan. She must 'steal' his seed to produce an heir. Warrick is livid by the woman and by his traitorous body that responds to her seductions.
When Warrick manages to escape, he goes back and kidnaps Rowena. She's put in a dungeon just as he was and treated the same only difference in her situation: she's pregnant.
I only started reading Johanna Lindsey last week, and I can honestly say her books aren't for everybody. Her books deal with rape, abuse, slavery, and I know if this had been a modern romance, I would have stopped reading it, but with historical fiction, it's a bit different, I feel.
Overall, I liked this book, but so far, not my favorite. I wanted more groveling from Warrick when he found out that Rowena raped him not for greed but because she was threatened, but it seems that these women just forgive their men quite quickly. Other than that, I enjoyed this!
November 9, 2012
Yorum yakında.
August 10, 2021
3.5 out of five stars. It was good but I needed more grovel from the hero and the humilation/sexual torture she was put through was a bit much for me to properly forgive him
March 1, 2021
I loved this book! Beautiful Rowena and gorgeous Warrick deserve each other.
September 26, 2011
I'll start this review by saying that for the last six months I've been working on writing a book of my own. It's undergone numerous drafts. It's stolen countless nights of sleep. My obsession with it has turned me into a downright social pariah. But still I write, knowing and not caring that it will never get published. Less than 1% of people do. And of those who do only a select few will ever gain notoriety.
It's discouraging, to say the least, when I think on those statistics. Even more so when I remember that most aspiring authors overrate there capabilities and fail to see their own flaws. Naturally, I begin to second guess myself. I come up with ridiculous excuses why no one can read what I've written. Maybe because deep-down I know that what I've written is completely shitty and people will make fun of me for it?
But then I read a book like this and I'm left disturbed and confused. I don't know if my fears should be assuaged, if I should be highly insulted, or if I should rant and raise my fists to the heavens over the vast injustice of the publishing industry. I would like to freely admit that this is an example of a book that is completely shitty and needs to be made fun of, but I'm not going to do that. I refuse to show my petty jealousy. Instead I'm going to offer congratulations to Johanna Lindsay for being in that reputed 1%. I don't know how in God's creation she did it, but I'm impressed.
It's discouraging, to say the least, when I think on those statistics. Even more so when I remember that most aspiring authors overrate there capabilities and fail to see their own flaws. Naturally, I begin to second guess myself. I come up with ridiculous excuses why no one can read what I've written. Maybe because deep-down I know that what I've written is completely shitty and people will make fun of me for it?
But then I read a book like this and I'm left disturbed and confused. I don't know if my fears should be assuaged, if I should be highly insulted, or if I should rant and raise my fists to the heavens over the vast injustice of the publishing industry. I would like to freely admit that this is an example of a book that is completely shitty and needs to be made fun of, but I'm not going to do that. I refuse to show my petty jealousy. Instead I'm going to offer congratulations to Johanna Lindsay for being in that reputed 1%. I don't know how in God's creation she did it, but I'm impressed.
March 14, 2018
I don't have an accurate shelf for this one since I don't typically read bodice rippers. I made an exception based on all the positive reviews. Though I don't think it's a five star read, I am definitely glad I invested the time to read it. This started out very strong with the heroine married off to an old lecher and then forced to rape the hero when he dies unexpectedly. I suspect that scene alone is what drives most of the five star reviews. I was right there in the room feeling the hero's vicious anger and the heroine's shame and awkwardness. However, the rest of the book was just ok. The middle made for some entertaining moments, but the ending fell flat. I wished the author had put as much effort into the final scene as she did in the first.
I suspect in it's hey day, this book packed quite a punch. Though by today's standards, Rowena and Warrick's relationship would miss the mark. They definitely lusted for one another, but their love was questionable.
It's definitely worth a read if you want something different, and don't object to the un-pc machinations found in bodice rippers.
I suspect in it's hey day, this book packed quite a punch. Though by today's standards, Rowena and Warrick's relationship would miss the mark. They definitely lusted for one another, but their love was questionable.
It's definitely worth a read if you want something different, and don't object to the un-pc machinations found in bodice rippers.
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