The Captive Heart

bertrice small has done it again, yet somehow magically better as always.. though that seems impossible . i read this book in a day and a half, and i missed the characters and story when it was over. it is definitley a book i will hold on to for re-reading in the future. And get your hands on it, because shes coming out with another border lord book in 2009, and i know you dont want to be left behind! good reading!

The entire book was phenominal until the ending! I was thrilled to finally read this book and the ending was horrible!!! This is not typical Bertrice Small. It reads towards the end like she was in a rush to finish and just threw something together. Very disappointing!!!

Great Purchase. I own all of Bertrice Small's books and I would highly recommend her very good reading.

In 1461 the war seems to impact everyone even the court of King Henry VI and Queen Margaret. With her dad the royal physician to the queen dying, Alix Givet needs a home for herself and her father Alexander. Margaret arranges for her to marry an abusive Northumbrian aristocrat, Hayle Wattison, son of a baron. With the death of her beloved dad, Alix considers running away from her odious brutish husband. She feels euphorically free when the beast kills himself. That lasts a nanosecond as her father-in-law informs her he will marry her. Rather than being wed to another abuser, Alix flees on foot heading towards wintry Scotland. Laird Malcolm Scott saves her life and though he vowed never to marry after his wife betrayed him, they fall in love and wed. However, her former father-in-law is coming to claim his bride. This heated fifteenth century historical romance emits enough steam to melt the snow that nearly kills the courageous heroine. Die hard fans of Bertrice Small will enjoy the torrid romance between Malcolm and Alix. However, other readers need to consider the extremes of the prime cast; whereas the led duet is 100% good and honorable, the psychopathic baron is 200 proof amoral evil. Harriet Klausner

1461 The war in England has forced Henry VI, his family and all their loyal retainers to become fugitives. They've traveled from place to place seeking shelter from anyone still loyal enough to aid them. Alix Givet is the daughter of Queen Margaret's physician and she's also the Queen's goddaughter. With the weather getting colder it's become obvious that Alix's father is very ill and can't continue traveling. Alix is willing to do whatever must be done in order to make her father's final days comfortable but the marriage arranged by her father and the queen is more than a little worrisome. Hayle's disdain for Alix is immediately apparent. He has a mistress whom he would like to marry but because she's of low birth and he's a future baron such a union would never be accepted. Despite Alix's misgivings and Hayle's abusive attitude, they go through with the wedding and bedding but it's definitely not the love match Alix's parents shared. Alix vows to do her best to make her marriage bearable for as long as her father lives. When Alix's father passes away she's devastated, but even more stunning is the fact that Hayle's mistress and child died in childbirth. When Alix could have used some support instead she is faced with a surly child-man who blames her for everything that's gone wrong in his life and attempts to kill her. Hayle commits suicide to `be with his true love' and Hayle's father proposes a shocking idea. He believes that since his only son is dead, Alix should marry him and he's willing to buy the church's agreement. Alix's only hope is to leave England for Scotland where she hopes to find Queen Margaret. Before reaching her destination or even a suitable shelter a winter storm sets in and she falls asleep between a couple of great horned shaggy cattle. The following morning she's found and quickly brought to the attention of Laird Malcolm Scott. Malcolm's been through a disastrous marriage of his own and has no intention of marrying again. There's no denying he's attracted to Alix and his young daughter certainly becomes attached to the young woman. As time goes on, it's an attraction he's finding it harder to ignore but Alix's experience has her leery of any sort of sexual interaction. CAPTIVE HEART is the third book in Bertrice Small's series THE BORDER CHRONICLES. Filled with memorable characters, stunning situations and historical facts entwined throughout the storyline this is a book that promises to satisfy readers' desire for a believable storyline that speaks to your heart. I found it extremely easy to empathize with the characters and was completely enchanted by Malcolm's five-year-old daughter Fiona. There are even a few twists to the plot that stunned me and even broke my heart. Bertrice Small has been one of my favorite authors for many years and her books will always have an honorary place on my bookshelves. While this book is a part of THE BORDER CHRONICLES series, you do not have to read th