3.5 Burrowes' writing reminds me a lot of Mary Balogh's, in that all her protagonists turn out to be goodhearted and kind. Even the "Traitor Baron," an English lord who ended up fighting for the French during the Napoleonic Wars. The villain of the first book in the Captive Hearts series, Sebastian, our hero here, turns out to be not so bad after all (despite physically torturing the hero of book #1); all of the Englishmen who keep challenging him to duels now that the war is over have to eat their insults during the book's climax, when all the details of Sebastian's whys and wherefores are surprisingly revealed. Could have done with a bit more character nuance, myself, but I can see how the "misunderstood bad guy who's really squeaky clean good underneath" appeals to others.Seemed a bit improbable that Sebastian's love interest, the woman his aunt hires as her companion, isn't a bit more taken aback by the knowledge of Sebastian's interrogation methods at first; she gives him the benefit of the doubt pretty early on. But their developing relationship, written with Burrowes' trademark wit, kindness, and intelligent prose, progresses convincingly.Did not care for all the scenes from the pov of this book's villain, during which we had to be in his nasty head, hearing his rude comments about the people he's manipulating (and of course, the heroine's cruel relative is fat and flatulent—the really evil people always look the part, don't they?) Sebastian served as an interrogator for the French and held many English officers. His friend and comrade through most of the time was Michael Brodie. Now a baron, St Clair, is continuously challenged to duels by those same English officers. Millicent (Milly) is dyslexic and alone but for cousins who only want her for her money. She is hired to be Sabastian's aunt's companion and over time Sebastian and Millie come to regard each as friends. A moment of passion results in marriage which becomes important to both It is the telling of the rest of the story that was intricate and great reading. Mercia plays a part and Michael is seen in a new light.
What do You think about The Traitor (2014)?
Absolutely brilliant! She turned the villain into the hero. Review to follow.
—roxella
Better than book one in the series. Loved interplay between H and H.
—game
Very strong followup and compelling story!
—elizabethjaimes_27
