"Serena is an incredible heroine with so many wonderful hidden secrets..."
For several generations the people of Volarn have had a
decrease birth rate, with many of the women proving to be
sterile. The solution for Rhamus, one of the King's of
Volarn, was not an easy one. Hiring flesh merchants he
requests that they find women who would hopefully be able
to go through a Tarthra choosing and therefore be eligible
mates. Like all of the women kidnapped from Earth six foot two
wrestler Serena couldn't believe she was to become a baby
factory for some alien world. Firmly believing that
knowledge is power, she tried to learn as much as possible
about the people buying her. When finally faced with King
Rhamus, she is amazed that under different circumstances,
he would be the man of her dreams! So after discovering
she was getting married, rather than to just be an
unwilling bed mate, how can she know her feelings are her
own, when Rhamus openly admits that the Tarthra is to
create a love match between man and woman? Myra Nour has created a very interesting book and I was
sucked in with the idea for LOVE'S CAPTIVE. However,
everything was too perfect! Serena is tall and beautiful,
the men of Volarn are tall, well muscled and gorgeous; the
story moved slowly for me. The numerous well written and
passionate love scenes would have been perfect, except I
still have a hard time dealing with some of the coarser
language used in them. But the steam is still there! While Serena has her own fears and issues that she is
dealing with to adjust to her new life, Rhamus is
constantly out on patrols to insure the safety of his
people. A lot of time passes with Serena experiencing
situations, including a frightening situation with her
sister-in-law, Kasha who is out to intimidate her. But
mostly as a reader, we just know things happen, just not
the details. For example, she is getting to know the
people and a funny story is told about Jarvic, Rhamus's
cousin. We know the story is funny, just not what it
entailed. All of this was well worth reading as we learn about
Volarn's culture and then the unthinkable happens; Serena
is kidnapped by the enemy! What the enemy puts Serena
though is horrific and I really admire authors that are
able to create absolutely well written scenes rather than
taking an easy out. Also, the events leading to Serena's
recovery were well thought out, and I think very original.
Ms Nour has created a situation where Serena has to
discover that the emotions she has held locked deep with-in
herself about her husband and even her past effect her
present and future. LOVE'S CAPTIVE has thoroughly engaging secondary
characters with Kasha and Jarvic and I'm really excited to
know that they have their own stories. Even though I had a
problem with the story, I have to recommend this book.
Serena is an incredible heroine with so many wonderful
hidden secrets, that she will never stop amazing you! NOTE: LOVE'S CAPTIVE has been reissued, and I haven't read
the first version which was issued in May 2001.
Reviewed by Cynthia Eckert
Posted April 19, 2004
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