You like me!  You really, really like me!

It is very nice to find this after the kinda day I had yesterday and today is shaping up to be a repeat!  Gotta go, but enjoy this review with me!

http://fallenangelreviews.com/2010/February/merrylee-captured.htm

Captured

Waking up naked in a cargo hold, caged with scores of women and guarded by two huge feline-looking men, convinced Mari Damon of one thing. She’d been kidnapped! By aliens!Ekkatt had harvested countless “Earther” females over the years. His people didn’t eat them, but that didn’t mean they weren’t above supplying them to other species who did. Since they are akin to animals, Ekkatt felt little guilt over his role in their imminent deaths. Until one uppity redhead mysteriously awoke from stasis, demanding to be heard.

Surprised by Mari’s cognitive abilities, he allowed her to remain awake, listening and watching as she set about proving herself sentient and therefore deserving of life. By the time they reached his home world, she’d begun to learn his language. But when his attempt to persuade his superior to spare Mari results in her being deemed a worthy subject for dissection and study, Ekkatt risks execution to whisk her away to his mountain cabin. There, as their love blooms amidst the wild untamed grandeur of Ekkatt’s world, they battle hardship, wild animals and the treachery of a friend. Ultimately, they realize that only one option remains open to them. Setting out across rugged restricted territory, they make for the safety of a secret compound, knowing that the grueling trek could easily cost them their lives. But at least they’d die fighting for happiness and the new life Mari carried within her womb.

This beautiful, compelling story came about through a dream. In putting it down in writing, author Julia Rachel Barrett has produced an absorbing, well-written story that had me so caught up I read every last word of it in one evening. A day later, I’m still marveling at her gift for world-building. I can still close my eyes and envision Ekkat’s majestic home world – the giant durra Mari encountered, the imposing snow-clad mountains and thickly forested valleys, the roaring rivers and emerald lakes, even the grossly disgusting sepatha that almost killed Ekkatt.

Both main characters are strong, appealing individuals who alternately tugged tears and then laughter from me. I loved Ekkatt’s yellow cat eyes and long blue-black hair, not to mention the hard muscles beneath his bronzed skin. I loved Mari’s ability to explain the human condition to Ekkatt, his fondness for potty-mouth English and her enjoyment in teaching him how to kiss. I loved the tender loving care he took of Mari, a woman so much smaller than himself that he thought of as delicate and breakable when she was far from it. Most of all, I loved Mari’s witty, wise-cracking personality, her fortitude and soft heart. Her rapport with Ekkatt is so amazingly beautiful it took my breath away.

Captured is one of the best books I’ve ever read. And with the ending leaving a couple of dangling threads, I’m hoping Ms. Barrett has sequels planned for the brothers I won’t drop any spoilers to name. Beyond that, what more can I say, other than keep dreaming, Julia! Keep dreaming…

Reviewed by: Merrylee

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