At eighteen, Gabrielle Brooks found herself alone in England following her mother's death. About to be handed over by a smarmy lawyer to a man completely unfit to be a guardian to anyone, let alone a young woman, Gabrielle decides her only option is to leave England and search for her father. Whilst growing up, she had rarely seen her father, for he was a merchant captain by trade and rarely home. At least, that was what his wife and daughter believed. It is only following capture by pirates that Gabrielle discovers his real trade: pirating. Nowadays, he prefers treasure hunting to seizing ships and their cargo, but nevertheless is a firm fixture in the pirating world. To say her discovery is a shock to her system is an understatement. Nevertheless, he is her father and she loves him – as he does her. He is embarrassed to have been found out, but happy to at long last have his daughter with him, just as he has always wanted.

The next three years are the best of Gabrielle's life. She loves their home on St. Kitts, and loves the sea even more. At twenty, she is as happy as a woman can be, and unmindful of all that she, as a young woman of her age back in England, would have experienced by now.

A passing comment by a member of her father's crew reminds her father that she has yet to find a husband and settle down. He decides it is time for Gabrielle to return to England, to claim her inheritance, be introduced to society and find a husband. Though Gabrielle wants to remain with her father, she wants to please him and secretly pines for a loving husband. Gabrielle, accompanied by two of her fathers most trusted men, makes her way to England – and James Malory's home. James Malory is a member of nobility and owes her father a debt,.The Malory's are to sponsor her for the season, introduce her to society and help her obtain a husband. Whilst James is very intimidating, Gabrielle likes the family, eventually getting past her wariness of James. What she cannot get over is her attraction to Drew Anderson, James's brother-in-law. He is a dashing Merchant Captain, determined never to wed. Yet, he is the only one who draws her. She finds fault with every other man she is introduced to but knows that marriage to Drew is impossible. Until she starts thinking maybe she can change his mind…Maybe she can get him to fall in love with her…Maybe she has found the only man with whom she can consider spending the rest of her life...

Having witnessed his mother's loneliness whenever his father was at sea, Drew Anderson is determined never to marry and place a woman in that position. The sea is in his blood. There is no other way of life for him. He has a woman in every port, for convenience. He stays away from virgins, and has never been so drawn to a woman that he has had to have her. Until Gabrielle. He wants, yet she is off limits to him. She's looking for a husband, is under the protection of his brother-in-law who is lethal with his fists and is quite possibly a virgin, though he doubts this since she is a pirate, after all. He tries his best at seduction, but fails. His attraction drives him to drink, culminating in the ruination of her reputation the night before he is to leave. He had not expected her to seek revenge. As a Captain, he cannot stand not being in charge of his ship, which is exactly what happens when Gabrielle and her pirate friends commandeer his ship, taking him and his crew prisoner. Thus begins a game of cat and mouse, as they toy with each other and their attraction escalates. Will Drew regain control of his ship? Will he break free of his bonds? What will he do to Gabrielle if he does? Was Gabrielle's taking his ship about more than just revenge?

Johanna Lindsey has produced yet another fabulous page turner of a novel! If, like me, you have been wishing, hoping and praying with all your might for Ms. Lindsey to write more of the Anderson brothers' stories, at long last here is one to temporarily sate your thirst. The Malory series is one of my all time favourites, and the Anderson brothers (James Malory's brothers-in-law) are just as fascinating a bunch as the Malory clan. Though not as much was known about them as the Malory's, my interest was very much piqued and I love them as much as I do the entire Malory family. One thing is for sure: Johanna Lindsey has a remarkable ability to pen characters who are at once dashing, dangerous, protective, intriguing, loving, admirable, eccentric, unusual, strong, determined and so much more, all at the same time! If I had to choose a favourite, I wouldn't be able to, but I know for certain that I'd love to be able to claim one of them for my own! Hey, while I'm fantasising, I'll make it all of them! Mmmmm… Captive Of My Desires is an excellent historical romance that I snapped up as soon as I could. The storyline is brilliant, the characters are amazing, we meet up with several previous characters (always a nice touch!) yet the main characters always hold your focus. Gabrielle and Drew's attraction leaps off the page at you; how either can resist as long as they do is amazing. You will find yourself immersed in the story so much that you will not be able to put it down – I know I couldn't! Captive Of My Desires is a must read, but not before you have read the other novels (preferably in order), as you will then be more in tune with all of the characters and know what is only hinted at in this book. This series will become a much loved and cherished favourite of yours with a pride of place setting on your keeper shelf, just as they are on mine.

Reviewed by: Elizabeth