The Captive’s Release

Princess Finola’s father, the King of Talone, has created a huge diplomatic mess; he’s bound and determined to sell her to the highest bidder. The King of Hamre keeps a stable of concubines for his perverted pleasures and Finola’s beauty, grace, and intelligence will only be wasted there. So Finola flees.

Finola’s love Calder can never be her husband. He’s not titled, rich or exactly what he appears to be. Even though she’s allowed him certain liberties, she is still essentially pure. They are discovered by a patrol from Hamre; Finola defends herself, but she is taken captive. The captain of the party is the emotionally wounded Blaire Broadsword, brother to the King of Hamre. He taunts, teases and torments the sexually awakening princess until she can barely see straight, all the while preserving her virginity for his brother. Blaire’s honor will not permit himself to take his brother’s betrothed.

Calder lurks in the background during Finola’s betrothal like a snake in the grass, searching for a way to discredit Finola and Blaire. The princess knows not of the danger that surrounds her and Blaire vows to protect her at any cost.

Lucynda Storey packs a heck of a punch into the steamy and sensual pages of The Captive’s Release. Finola is my favorite kind of heroine - sassy, regal, and sharp-tongued. She’s been betrayed by someone she trusted and has finally found the man she wants to be with, only to have circumstances prevent them from being together. Blaire is dark, scarred, tortured - in short a man who needs a woman’s healing touch. The Captive’s Release proves that fairy tale endings still happen and Lucynda Storey hits it big with this modern look at “once upon a time”.

Reviewed by: Michelle