Captive

Walsh (Caged in Winter) entices readers with the lure of romance and a hint of mystery. Madison Frost, the daughter of a prominent Chicago businessman, looks like she has it all. But her father is often absent, and Maddie spends quite a bit of time taking care of her alcoholic mother while attending Northwestern University. Maddie is completely shocked when she is kidnapped and taken to a remote cabin. While her captor, Ghost, initially frightens her, Maddie is eventually drawn to the enigmatic man, whose rough attitude hides a caring nature. As Maddie and Ghost reveal their innermost secrets to each other, they give in to their mutual attraction in love scenes described with sensuous detail. But how can Maddie forgive Ghost for kidnapping her and build an honest, egalitarian relationship with him? Intense heat and complex characters help propel the novel despite the predictable plot. (Mar.)