Search - The Duke's Captive

third book related to the winter garden series, can't wait to see what other characters from this book come out in later books

A deeply sensous book, THE DUKE'S CAPTIVE takes the angle of the tortured hero, who was held captive for 5 weeks by the heroine's sisters five years ago. At nineteen, Viola tried to help Ian by getting him food, giving him warmth and ultimately falling in love with him while he was in and out of drug-induced consciousness. Five years later, Ian has bits of memories, but is filled with an intense desire to get revenge on the only person left who hasn't been punished for the crime. Waiting for the right moment, he sets his plan in motion by coming back into her life, commissioning a painted portrait by her.

As an accomplished portrait artist, Viola's lived the past four years as a widow, with her only son and heir to her late husband's estate, by selling erotic portraits under an assumed name. Seeing Ian again has made her most intimate secrets come back to haunt her. Her attraction to Ian is immediate and Ian is not one to having let it go unnoticed. Ian is confused and bewildered by the fact that he wants Viola, and is constantly attracted to her for reasons he cannot fathom. As the plan unfolds, Ian finds himself more and more drawn to Viola. Trying to discover what really happened to him in the dungeon all those years ago will reveal more than he's bargained for, and perhaps there is redemption for them both.

Ashworth's writing is intense, with captivating characters that are deeply drawn and complex. We feel for Ian, yet we understand Viola's feelings as well. With references back to WINTER GARDEN, my favorite Ashworth book, this book had me enthralled from the very beginning. I enjoyed this one immensely, as I usually do with her books - I couldn't put it down!

I thoroughly enjoyed this story. A little dark, a little vengeful, a lot of sensuality, and two strong characters to lead you through it all. I couldn't put it down.