The Captive

Starred review from May 19, 2014
Prolific favorite Burrowes (The MacGregor’s Lady) launches a Regency trilogy that explores the wounds left behind at the end of a war. Christian Severn, Duke of Mercia, was captured and tortured by the French. After gaining his freedom, his drive for revenge is interrupted by Gillian, the recently widowed Countess of Greendale, who reminds him of his duty to his young daughter. Gillian joins the ducal household for various believable reasons, and Burrowes deftly builds the romantic tension amid lovely layers of domestic tranquility and honest conversations. Gillian has war wounds of her own, and the thoughtful exploration of her own captivity adds to the engrossing story. The unusual twists and turns along the way to the satisfying conclusion—and some insight into the earlier life of a favorite character from the Duke’s Obsession series—will leave readers eager to grab the sequels. Agent: Steve Axelrod, Axelrod Literary Agency.

July 1, 2014
Two battered aristocrats find solace in each other's company. Christian Severn, Duke of Mercia, has vowed vengeance on the Frenchmen who tortured him during months of captivity, giving him a purpose now that he has returned to society "a scarred, emaciated duke." His wife and son died during his imprisonment, and his 7-year-old daughter is struggling emotionally at his country estate. Gillian, Countess of Greendale, his wife's recently widowed cousin, travels to London to cajole him back to the estate, convinced it will benefit both father and daughter to be together. Christian agrees, provided she will go with him to help care for the daughter he barely knows and run the household, since he must restore order to the duchy. Gilly, in a pragmatic, efficient yet somehow tender way, whips the household into shape and maneuvers Christian and his daughter toward health but balks when Christian wants to marry her. She has a few scars of her own. While Gilly and Christian contemplate life together, a shadowy enemy attacks them in a number of ways; as Christian hunts down their adversary, he'll need to look beyond his own assumptions and thirst for vengeance to keep his new love safe and find peace. The popular, prolific Burrowes begins a new series with her signature mix of emotional intensity, lush storytelling and intelligent writing. Christian and Gilly face their traumas and self-doubts, while Burrowes subtly explores some universal and relevant truths about abuse, shame, love and forgiveness. Smart, compelling and captivating.

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July 1, 2014
Burrowes deals with historical PTSD for both the hero and heroine in this unique and well-written continuation of her Windham series. Christian Severn, Duke of Mercia, was held captive and tortured by the French for years and has trouble functioning after he is released. He is comforted by Gilly, a cousin of his deceased wife, who helps him manage with his daughter. Gilly herself is recovering after the death of a cruel and abusive husband, and the parallel Burrowes draws between them adds depth to the appealing story. Christian's troubles are not finished, as attempts on Gilly's life indicate. He and she are forced to face people who helped cause their pain, leading to a satisfying ending. The prequel appearance of Devlin St. Just, from The Soldier (2011), as Christian's friend will delight Burrowes' fans as he supports and empathizes with Christian. Burrowes spares no details in descriptions of the torture her lovers endure in painful but powerful scenes, but even though she deals with such serious issues, the characters and their love make for a memorable romance.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2014, American Library Association.)