In Captivated, the first in the Donovan Legacy series by Nora Roberts, screenwriter Nash Kirkland comes into town, having heard about the local witch, hoping to use her story as the basis for his next screenplay. When Nash walks into her Metaphysical shop, Morgana Donovan finds him cute, but somewhat annoying, then comes to realize fate has more in store for the two of them than Nash realizes—although Morgana does, and it's the one thing that drives her, throughout the story—and she does it, in no uncertain terms, while infuriated that Nash just won't take her word for it, and settle down to her way of thinking. Well, that seems quite difficult since Nash is a hardened skeptic; with every attempt Morgana makes to try to prove she’s a witch, and only one in a family of witches, clairvoyants and others of a metaphysical lilt, he’s not about to buy it, constantly trying to wheedle the secret to her trickery out of her, and/or attempting to debunk every showcase of power she presents to him.

Yet for all that, there is an attraction between the two, decidedly so. But how can they make any kind of life if Nash won’t believe in what Morgana is? How can they, if he can’t trust her with her own secrets, beyond those of a working horror screenwriter, that is? How are they going to come to terms with all this? You’ll have to read to find out!

As I’ve said elsewhere, I thought Captivated was a pretty good novel. It is an older title (first published in 1992), and I think you can tell Ms. Roberts was just getting her feet wet with the "witch" idea but it was a good read—short, sweet. Morgana and Nash are a nice couple—I could sort of identify with poor Nash, and there were things that I found a little cliché, but all in all, it was an enjoyable read. I recommend it if you're looking for some light reading on a cold winter afternoon—or any afternoon, for that matter.

~Webmistress