Captive of Sin

by Anna Campbell

Book Overview

Captive of Sin is Anna Campbell's latest romance about two tortured souls who, despite the odds, find a once-in-a-lifetime love. When Sir Gideon Trevithick vows to protect a defiant beauty whatever... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0061684287
• Release Date: October 2009
• Publisher: Avon
• Length: 372 Pages
• Weight: 0.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 4.2" x 6.8"

Customer Reviews

Yes, Yes, Yes!!!

Finally a GREAT book this year! I'm on my 1000th romance novel and it takes a lot for me to finish most of the crap that's on the shelves these days. I have to wait forever for Linda Howard, Elizabeth Hoyt, Mary Balogh and Carolyn Jewel to write new stuff and I was DESPERATE for something good to read. Plus, I'm not into the current trend of Vampires, Werewolves, Witches and other shape-shifter, paranormal books. So, I was so excited to see this book was coming out. Here's what we have in "Captive of Sin:" (1.) Handsome hero and beautiful heroine as the leads who (2.) Act like adults, (3.) are somewhat forced into marriage, (4.) Fall in love each other, (5.) are hot for each other, but still(6.) everything's not right between them. Ladies (and gentlemen)this is definitely My Kind of Romance! Angsty, Character-drive, conflict is between the hero and heroin, but is not the ridiculous, petty, variety. Some outside villains, Sex scenes are a nice mix of torrid and romantic. Hero drops a well-placed F-bomb on the heroine... *sigh* it doesn't get any better! Thank you Anna Campbell. So far, you are 4 for 4!

A grown-up's love story in spite of the very young protagonists

Nobody in recent years does damaged souls healed by the power of love quite like Anna Campbell does. Her books remind me of what Mary Jo Putney used to write (The Rake, Dearly Beloved, etc.) or Laura Kinsale (Flowers From the Storm, The Prince of Midnight). Other reviewers have summed up the plotline, so I'm just adding my 5 stars for the book. I must agree with the reviewer who thought the hero's problems were too easily resolved, considering how deep his emotional trauma was, but it's still a very good plot and it is well written. The heroine is mature beyond her almost 21 years so the story should appeal to a wide age-range readership.

Riveting, original story with wonderful leads

Anna Campbell's latest offering Captive of Sin is unique and heartfelt with one incredibly brave and memorable hero. This is one of the best romance novels I have read this year. Lady Charis Weston is the richest heiress in England but unable to access her funds for at least three more weeks until her birthday. She has two amoral, greedy and violent step brothers who have plans for her to marry so they can gain her wealth and when she does not succumb to their wishes, they brutally beat her. Charis escapes but gets only as far as a local inn's stables before she must rest. Gideon Trevithick has recently returned from India and is on his way to his ancestral seat when he discovers the badly bruised and injured Charis. These opening scenes are very well written as Ms. Campbell describes the tangible fear and distrust Charis has toward Gideon, even though he is nothing but kind. Charis lies to Gideon about her circumstances claiming she is on her way to visit an aunt in Portsmouth and that she was set upon by footpads. Eventually Gideon persuades her to accompany him to Portsmouth via his carriage. In the close confines of this transport Gideon and Charis form a reluctant truce. Charis is rightfully nervous and Gideon longs to help Charis but realizes she is wary of him. In Portsmouth, Charis has no funds and makes a smart move by accepting Gideon's offer of sanctuary at his home. Gideon is incredibly noble but he is described as damaged and this becomes abundantly clear whenever Charis sees him physically touched by others. Gideon was a prisoner for a year in India and his torture has left him quite unable to withstand touching or being touched; he becomes violently ill. This is absolutely heartbreaking for Charis as she now sees Gideon as her hero. His trauma is incredibly moving and Charis develops strong feelings of compassion and love for this tortured man. Yet she also desires him and is uncertain how she could ever have a physical relationship with Gideon. Gideon also desires Charis. He is incredibly protective of her even though he does not know her full story (Charis has a tendency to reveal her past in small increments rather than share her entire story outright). His mission is to save her from her horrible family and in so doing the reader can see that this is in actuality a chance of redemption for Gideon. The tension in this book is marvelous. Gideon and Charis long for each other but any physical expression becomes overwhelming to Gideon and greatly discouraging for Charis. I wondered how these two would ever be able to have a normal romance. Yet the steady build up of sexual frustration and pent up desires kept me deeply engrossed in this story. When these two do touch it is powerful. But just as intense are Gideon's revelations about his past, these are haunting experiences which have wounded him in all ways, he bears physical scars but the mental ones are debilitating and keeping him from a normal life.

An exciting love story!!

I was always hesitant on reading historical romance books. I always thought that I would not understand the wording and that they might seem a little boring. I now know that when you have an author like Anna Campbell, there is no reason to hesitate. She made it feel like I was right there going through everything that the characters were going through. The wording was easy to comprehend even when using the old style of speaking. She captured me from page one all the way to the last page. A sweet and tender journey of two people with problems that end up facing them together so that they are no longer burden by their inner demons. A book that captures true romance and enough intrigue to keep me up all night reading. Ms. Campbell has now shown me the wonderful world of historical fiction. I am now hooked on finding more books from this author.