His Captive Bride

Stolen Brides Series (Volume 3)

By: Shelly Thacker

Narrated by: Julia Motyka

Kidnapped by a mysterious warrior, she's swept away to a hidden island paradise filled with pleasures…and secrets. Abducted from a trade fair, Lady Avril de Varennes awakens on Asgard Island, an enchanted paradise cloaked in mists and mystery, kept secret from the world for centuries. Against her will, Avril weds her arrogant captor, Hauk Valbrand - even as she vows to escape. Hauk believes himself beyond the reach of love, until his fiery captive bride begins to melt his heart of ice. But soon he must reveal the stunning truth about Asgard and its people - and Hauk and Avril must choose between love and honor, duty and desire…now and forever.

©2012 Shelly Thacker Meinhardt (P)2014 Shelly Thacker Meinhardt

Critic reviews

"With its richly drawn characters, powerful conflict and vividly imagined setting, His Captive Bride is a romantic fantasy lover's dream. When it comes to sweeping, sizzling historical romance, Shelly Thacker is a shining star!" ( New York Times best-selling author Lara Adrian)

"Five hearts (highest rating). An involving, beautiful story. I thought about the characters often at work, at the grocery store--wherever I was until I could get back to the book. A definite keeper." (TheRomanceReader.com)

"Powerful. From the very first page you're whisked away to a world where anything is possible." ( The Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

Interesting premise of a hidden island

These days it is hard to imagine there could be a hidden island that no one could find but in times past it could have happened. The story is a good one with a happy ending for everyone important.

Are there more?

I have enjoyed this series very much. Are there more books in the series? If so, I hope that Audible picks them up.

True love has no boundaries

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I highly recommend this book. This is truly one of the most beautiful love stories I've ever read (via audible).

What was one of the most memorable moments of His Captive Bride?

I don't give spoilers to story's. I believe the love, tenderness and sensuality is beautiful in this story.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

This story will make you smile and bring tears to your eyes. I listened to the audio version and could not take the ear buds from my ears. I didn't want anyone to interrupt the enjoyment of this book.

Any additional comments?

A must read.

Narration ruined a good story

I like Shelly Thacker's writing but goodness must Julia Motyka's narration be so overwrought and overly dramatic? I would encourage Ms Tacker to listen again and decide if all the overlaid drama via the narration is ruining her words. They hold enough drama. This makes the third book I've listened to and when I decided to listen to this one I was dismayed that the narrator was the same. Oh well.

Yummy Historical!

What made the experience of listening to His Captive Bride the most enjoyable?

I was taken away by the whole captive of a Viking angle. Sometimes a gal just has to go with that fantasy!!

Have you listened to any of Julia Motyka’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have listened to her throughout the series and really enjoyed her tone and pace. She has very distinct voices that are consistent throughout. I would definitely look for more of her work in the future!! She can only get better with time!

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I always get choked up at the end when they confess their feelings!! It is the key moment for me!

loved it

Stunning and excitement at every turn. captivating characters and story line. a good read definitely

Wonderful Fantasy Romance

What made the experience of listening to His Captive Bride the most enjoyable?

Julia is tremendous as a story teller. The oral tradition is endemic in my country of Trinidad and Tobago. Also, I grew up in an era of listening to radio serials with no television. Julia is so evocative of the various nuances of the many characters and she brings them to life. I enjoy listening to her rendering of the various voices as she narrates, she pulls you in to the book.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Hauk was my favourite. Strong personality, yet gentle and tender, caring for his 'captive bride' He is revealed gradually as a loving and romantic character and I loved how he watched over Avril keeping her safe and standing up for her at the appropriate time.

As the story progresses with much adventure, danger, and so many secrets, Hauk's heart is drawn to Avril's and ultimately she begins to respond to his love and care and her heart opens to him, even though still planning her escape to go to her daughter.

Have you listened to any of Julia Motyka’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Yes I have have listened to other narrations by Julia and I am a fan. She is just fantastic at story telling. Favorably compares with other performances by her.

Any additional comments?

At first, I felt that the story may have ended too abruptly. . . . but then again this is fantasy. On reflection, having read the whole story and re-reading parts leading up to the ending, noting the building of Avril and Hauk's relationship and the tenderness and love generated, I realized that you don't need to have it all revealed as you can fantasize and create your own endings to this romantic excursion into fantasy land. In your own mind, an exciting life for Hauk, Avril, and Giselle is guaranteed. Lovely, lovely!

Great work Shelly, keep it up.

Fantastic book

I really enjoyed this book and look forward to the rest of the series the author did a great job on the characters in the story. This book is well written and unable to put it down adventure. It has it all action adventure and romance.

Masterful Storytelling

I'm a longtime Shelly Thacker fan, and couldn't be happier to see her riveting stories coming out in audio. I love her knack for delivering sigh-inducing romance and breath-stealing action. Julia Motyka was the perfect narrator. Her performance added to the emotional impact of an already great story.

really a 2.5 rating - audio version is erratic

We all know how important first impressions are: to me they instantly set my attitude and mood for the rest of any encounter, be it a person, place or thing. While my first introduction to this author/narrator combination was more than rough, I had hopes that the second time around would be better. It was, marginally.

While I expected another in the line of a more historical feeling romance, this story held a feel that leaned to fantasy, with elements that were historically referential, but I never did quite shake that feel. All of the stories in the series refer to a tested by trial love match: where the brides are either captive or blindsided into a marriage, and the emotions and connection grow in time. A rather interesting premise if you are able to get over the ick factor in the power imbalance, but no more shocking to a historical romance fanatic than the lack of women’s power and position in the stories we love.

In this book we have Avril – captured by Hauk and brought to Asgaard, a remote Viking island that seems to hold residents in a sort of thrall. Viking lore combines with some undefined as to era historical elements that allow the relationship between the two to progress as they familiarize themselves with one another and their emotional connection does feel believable and possible. There is an epic struggle for Hauk and Avril to free themselves from the mysterious grasp of the island, and they show a solid connection that begs readers to follow along. Characters are fairly well developed, and their voices and actions feel correct as they progress through the story.

But, again we run into the stumbling block that is the narration from Julia Motyka. The introduction was more of what I had experienced in the other title: overly dramaticized delivery with pauses added for effect that only served to annoy and distract. Her delivery is erratic, with emphasis placed every 3rd to 5th word throughout the first few chapters. Imagine it as this: “he went TO the market and bought A pig for (pause) dinner.” After an hour of that – you are ready to call it a day. Fortunately that overreaching delivery did lessen as the story went on, while she never dissolved to monotone, the less emphatic delivery was characterized with unnecessary pauses added for effect, with several mispronunciations and almost falters that seemed to be reason for the pauses. I wanted better. I hoped that her style was affected for the style of the first narration that I reviewed, but I am not sure exactly what her style or plan is in presentation, and honestly am no longer intrigued enough to investigate.

I think that readers who are looking for a fantasy/historic story would enjoy this title in print form. I cannot say the same for the narrated version.

I received an AudioBook copy of the title via AudioBook Jukebox for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.