Imprisoned!
These romances have heroes and heroines who, guilty or innocent, were convicted of a crime or taken prisoner and so spent time imprisoned or exiled. Included in this list are prisoners of war and people committed to a lunatic asylum.
(List begun 02/03, updated 10/14)
[fusion_accordion divider_line=”no” class=”” id=””][fusion_toggle title=”Medieval Romances” open=”no”]- The Secret Swan (2001) by Shanna Abe (A at AAR)
Tristan Geraint, held for ransom by the French for eight years - Rose of Rapture (1985) by Rebecca Brandewyne
Isabella Ashley, imprisoned in the Tower for treason - Heart of Night (2001) by Taylor Chase (renaissance) (B at AAR)
Sir Adrian Thorne, held in Bedlam - The Beauty (2001) by Claire Delacroix (B+ at AAR)
Angus MacGillivray, imprisoned and tortured during the Crusades - The Blue Viking (2001) by Sandra Hill (B- at AAR)
Maire Campbell, imprisoned in a cage by her enemy - Chieftain (1994) by Arnette Lamb
Drummond MacQueen, imprisoned in England for years - Lord of the Mist (2001) by Ann Lawrence
Cristina le Gros, convicted of treason - Saxon Bride (1996) by Tamara Leigh (A at AAR)
Rhyannin, accused of murder - Touch of Enchantment (1997) by Teresa Medeiros (B+ at AAR)
Colin of Ravenshaw and Tabitha Lennox, imprisoned together - The Witch and the Warrior (1998) by Karyn Monk
Gwendolyn MacSween, convicted of witchcraft - One Knight in Venice (2001) by Tori Phillips
Jessica Leonardo, convicted of heresy - My Beloved (1999) by Karen Ranney (A at AAR)
Sebastian of Langlinais, a prisoner of war for years - In Pursuit of the Green Lion (1990) by Judith Merkle Riley (A at AAR)
Gilbert de Vilers, a prisoner of war, held without ransom
- The Marriage Debt (2005) by Louise Allen
Nicholas Lydgate, Marquess of Seaton, convicted of highway robbery - A Tryst with Trouble (2010) by Alyssa Everett (B at AAR)
James, Marquess of Beningbrough, held on charges of murder - Marrying the Royal Marine (6/2010) by Carla Kelly – HH-998 (A- at AAR)
Polly Brandon & Lt. Col. Hugh Junot, captured by French soldiers - Reforming Lord Ragsdale (1995) by Carla Kelly (A at AAR)
Emma Costello, found guilty of treason and sold into indenture - Kindred Spirits (2002) by Allison Lane (B at AAR)
Marianne Barnett, forced into a lunatic asylum - That Sweet Enemy (1982) by Marjorie May (Dinah Dean)
Captain Armand Dufour, taken prisoner during the English/Russian invasion of the Batavian Republic
- To Rescue a Rogue (2006) by Jo Beverley (B at AAR)
Lord Darius Debenham, held captive and drugged during the Napoleonic Wars - The Forbidden Rose (2010) by Joanna Bourne (A/A at AAR)
William Doyle, imprisoned as a spy - The Spymaster’s Lady (2008) by Joanna Bourne (A/A- at AAR)
Annique Villiers and Robert Greyson Fordham, held captive as spies - Moonraker’s Bride (1973) by Madeleine Brent (partly set in China)
Lucy Waring, imprisoned for theft, and Nicholas Sabine, imprisoned for trespassing - McClairen’s Isle: The Reckless One (2000) by Connie Brockway (C+ at AAR)
Raine Merrick, held prisoner by the French - Vice Avenged (1971) by Lolah Burford
Bysshe, Marquis of Gore, thrown into the Bastille for revenge - The Captive (2014) by Grace Burrowes (A- at AAR)
Christian Severn, Duke of Mercia, held as a POW in France - Robert’s Lady (2000) by Nicole Byrd (B- at AAR)
Robert Holt, Viscount Manning, held as a POW in France - Captive of Sin (2009) by Anna Campbell (B+ at AAR)
Sir Gideon Trevithick, imprisoned as a spy in India - Untouched (2007) by Anna Campbell (B+ at AAR)
Matthew Lansdowne, Marquess of Sheene, imprisoned as insane - Don’t Tempt Me (2009) by Loretta Chase (A- at AAR)
Zoe Octavia Lexham, imprisoned in a harem for 12 years - The Sea Wife (2003) by Holly Cook (A- at AAR)
Myles Dampier, convicted of kidnapping and transported - The Tide of Life (1976) by Catherine Cookson
Francis Stuart, imprisoned for manslaughter - The Rebel and the Redcoat (1980) by Jan Constant
Anstey Fraser, held on murder charges - The Winter Rose (2008) by Jennifer Donnelly (partly set in Africa) (A- at AAR)
Sid Malone aka Charlie Finnegan, spent several years in prison - England’s Perfect Hero (2004) by Suzanne Enoch (B at AAR)
Robert Carroway, held as a POW in France - To Have and To Hold (1995) by Patricia Gaffney (A at AAR)
Rachel Wade, convicted of murder - Sara Dane (1954) by Catherine Gaskin (set in Australia)
Sara Dane, convicted of theft and transported to Australia - Shadows of the Heart (1996) by Tracy Grant
Paul Lescaut, held on charges of murder - Shores of Desire (1997) by Tracy Grant
Robert Lescaut, held on charges of murder - To Desire a Devil (2009) by Elizabeth Hoyt (B+ at AAR)
Reynaud St. Aubyn, held captive for seven years by American Indians - A Company of Swans (2006) by Eva Ibbotson (partly set in Brazil) (A at AAR)
Harriet Morton, imprisoned as unchaste and insane by her family - The Hidden Heart (1986) by Laura Kinsale
Gryphon Meridon, held on charges of murder - The Prince of Midnight (1990) by Laura Kinsale (A at AAR)
S.T. Maitland, convicted of highway robbery - Scandal in Spring (2006) by Lisa Kleypas (B at AAR)
Matthew Swift, convicted of grand larceny - The Wedding (1995) by Edith Layton
Dulcie Dawn Blessing, held in debtor’s prison - The Perils of Pleasure (2008) by Julie Anne Long (A- at AAR)
Colin Eversea, convicted of murder - Some Like It Wicked (2008) by Teresa Medeiros (A- at AAR)
Simon Westcott, jailed for debt and having seduced a magistrate’s daughter - Surrender to a Stranger (1995) by Karyn Monk (A- at AAR)
Jacqueline Doucette, held in a French prison and condemned to death during the Revolution - Night in Eden (1997) by Candice Proctor (set in New South Wales) (A at AAR)
Bryony Wentworth, convicted of manslaughter - Whispers of Heaven (2001) by Candice Proctor (set in Tasmania)
Lucas Gallagher, convicted of murder and anti-government activity - The China Bride (2000) by Mary Jo Putney (B+ at AAR)
Kyle Renbourne, held prisoner in China - No Longer a Gentleman (2012) by Mary Jo Putney
Greydon Sommers, Lord Wyndham, held by the French for espionage - An Offer from a Gentleman (2001) by Julia Quinn (B+ at AAR)
Sophia Beckett, held on charges of theft - So in Love (2004) by Karen Ranney (B at AAR)
Jeanne du Marchand, confined to a convent for bearing an illegitimate child - City of Jasmine (2014) by Deanna Raybourn
Evangeline & Gabriel Starke, held captive by Bedouins - The Lily Brand (2005) by Sandra Schwab (B at AAR)
Troy Sacheverell, held as a POW in France - Tatiana and Alexander (2003) by Paullina Simons (A/A at AAR)
Alexander Belov, first held as a POW by the Germans and later sentenced to a Soviet penal camp - Dream Fever (1991) by Katherine Sutcliffe (set in New Zealand) (A at AAR)
Nicholas Sabre, exiled to New Zealand for killing a man in a duel - Whisper His Name (1999) by Elizabeth Thornton (B- at AAR)
Abigail Vayle, imprisoned for treason - Love Alters Not (1987) by Patricia Veryan (A at AAR)
Captain Anthony Farrar, held on charges of desertion and murder - Shanna (1977) by Kathleen E. Woodiwiss
Ruark Beauchamp, convicted of murder
- Imagine (1995) by Jill Barnett
Hank Wyatt, convicted of murder - Family Man (1999) by Carol Carson (B- at AAR)
Rider Magrane, convicted of rustling cattle - The Gentleman Caller (1998) by Megan Chance (D- at AAR)
Jack Waters, convicted of murder - Defiant (2012) by Pamela Clare (A-/A- at AAR)
Lady Sarah Woodville, held by the Shawnee - Surrender (2006) by Pamela Clare (B- at AAR)
Lady Anne Campbell, convicted of theft and indentured - Untamed (2008) by Pamela Clare (A- at AAR)
Morgan MacKinnon, held as POW by the French - If My Love Could Hold You (1989) by Elaine Coffman
Walker Reed, convicted of murder - Hannah’s Vow (2002) by Pam Crooks
Quinn Landry, convicted of murder - Captive Bride (2011) by Bonnie Dee
Alan Sommers, held in a Confederate prison - Portraits (1996) by Stef Ann Holm
Wyatt Holloway, convicted of murder - Maddie’s Justice (2000) by Leslie LaFoy (C+ at AAR)
Maddie Rutledge, convicted of murder - The Rainbow Season (1979) by Lisa Gregory
Luke Turner, convicted of rape - The Charade (2000) by Laura Lee Guhrke (B at AAR)
Katie Armstrong, convicted of theft and transported to the colonies as an indentured servant - Conor’s Way (1996) by Laura Lee Guhrke (A at AAR)
Conor Branigan, convicted of attempted robbery - Always to Remember (1996) by Lorraine Heath (A/B- at AAR)
Clayton Holland, pacifist convicted of desertion - Texas Splendor (1999) by Lorraine Heath (B at AAR)
Austin Leigh, convicted of murder - Angel (11/1994) by Ruth Langan – HH-245
Quin McAllister, held in a Confederate prison - The Horse Soldier (2001) by Merline Lovelace (B+ at AAR)
Major Andrew Garrett, held in a Confederate prison - A Reason To Believe (2007) by Maureen McKade (B- at AAR)
Rye Forrester, held three months in a stockade for desertion - Sing My Name (2011) by Ellen O’Connell (A at AAR)
Matt Slade, first imprisoned as a former Rebel soldier, then convicted of theft - The Promise of Jenny Jones (1997) by Maggie Osborne
Jenny Jones, convicted of murder - A Stranger’s Wife (1999) by Maggie Osborne (B+ at AAR)
Lily Dale, convicted of murder - The Wives of Bowie Stone (1994) by Maggie Osborne (A at AAR)
Bowie Stone, court-martialed and convicted of murder - Relentless (1994) by Patricia Potter
Rafe Tyler, court-martialed and convicted of theft - The Bride Fair (2002) by Cheryl Reavis (B at AAR)
Colonel Max Woodard, held in a Confederate prison - The Prisoner (1992) by Cheryl Reavis (B+ at AAR)
Captain John Howe, held in a Confederate prison - Nobody’s Angel (1992) by Karen Robards
Ian Connelly, Marquis of Derne, convicted of attempted murder and transported to the colonies - Siren (2005) by Cheryl Sawyer (B at AAR)
Leonore Roncival, imprisoned in Cuba while awaiting trial for piracy - Homeward Bound (1995) by Linda Shertzer
Jesse Taylor, held in a Confederate prison - Morning Glory (1989) by LaVyrle Spencer (A at AAR)
Will Parker, convicted of murder - Primrose Lane in Secret Valentines (1997) by Katherine Sutcliffe
Joe Norton, convicted of robbery
- The Night in Question (9/2002) by Harper Allen – HI-680 (A- at AAR)
Julia Tennant, convicted of murder - A Not-So-Perfect Past (4/2009) by Beth Andrews – HSR-1556 (B at AAR)
Dillon Ward, convicted of manslaughter - Lady Luck (2012) by Kristen Ashley
Ty Walker, convicted of murder - Whispers in the Dark (2012) by Maya Banks
Nathan Kelly, held as a POW - Every Move She Makes (2001) by Beverly Barton (C+ at AAR)
Reed Conway, convicted of murder - Lone Wolf’s Lady (9/1998) by Beverly Barton – SIM-877
Luke McClendon, convicted of murder - Timberline (1996) by Deborah Bedford
Ben Peshall, convicted of murder and destruction of property - In the Line of Fire (3/2002) by Beverly Bird – SIM-1138
Danny Gates, convicted of mob activity - Letters to Kelly (4/2003) by Suzanne Brockmann – SIM-1213 (B- at AAR)
Jax Winchester, held in a Central American prison over one year for possession of drugs - Out Of Control (2002) by Suzanne Brockmann (A/B+ at AAR)
Kenneth “WildCard” Karmody & Savannah Von Hopf, held captive by a crime lord in Indonesia - Billy Bob Walker Got Married (1993) by Lisa G. Brown (A at AAR)
Billy Bob Walker, convicted of fighting and destruction of property - Crazy For Loving You (1994) by Lisa G. Brown
Jubal Kane, convicted of breaking and entering and theft - Remember Me, Cowboy (10/1998) by Caroline Burnes – HI-485
Slate Walker, convicted of bank robbery - Just a Little Bit Dangerous (4/2002) by Linda Castillo – SIM-1145
Abby Nichols, convicted of 2nd degree murder and given a life sentence - Skin Deep (2012) by Pamela Clare
Megan Hunter, convicted of shoplifting and of drug possession - Unlawful Contact (2008) by Pamela Clare (B+/B+ at AAR)
Marc Hunter, convicted of murder - Don’t Mess with Texas (2011), reissued as Only in Texas by Christie Craig (B at AAR)
Dallas O’Connor, convicted of drug charges - The Daughter (1998) by Jasmine Cresswell
Maggie Slade, convicted of murder - No Sin Too Great (1996) by Jasmine Cresswell
Jack Fletcher, convicted of murder - Safe Haven (7/1999) by Evelyn Crowe – HSR-850
Avery Jensen, convicted of fraud - Suspicion’s Gate (3/1992) by Justine Davis – SIM-423
Travis Halloran, convicted of murder - Wicked Secrets (3/1994) by Justine Davis – SIM-555
Trey Logan, held prisoner in Central America - Commitments (1988) by Barbara Delinsky
Derek McGill, convicted of murder - The Renegade and the Heiress (11/2001) by Judith Duncan – SIM-1114 (B+ at AAR)
Finn Donovan, convicted of manslaughter - When Morning Comes (12/1984) by Judith Duncan – HSR-143
David Spencer, held prisoner in Central America - This Time Forever (1992) by Kathleen Eagle (A at AAR)
Cleveland Blackhorse, convicted of murder - Bridget Jones: the Edge of Reason (2000) by Helen Fielding
Bridget Jones, held on the suspicion of drug smuggling - Bedtime for Bonsai (2008) by Elaine Fox (B- at AAR)
Dylan Mersey, convicted of drug possession - The Bad Penny (6/1993) by Susan Fox – HSR-326
Maggie Deaton, convicted of livestock theft - Last Man Standing (2012) by Cindy Gerard
Joe Green, held on charges of murder in Sierra Leone - To the Brink (2006) by Cindy Gerard
Darcy Prescott, held by terrorists in the Philippines - Outcast Woman (6/1992) by Lucy Gordon – SSE-749
Mike Stallard, convicted of embezzlement - For the Love of Grace (1995) by Ginna Gray
Jake Paxton, convicted of murder - The Edge of Heaven (2002) by Teresa Hill (A- at AAR)
John “Rye” Ryan, convicted of auto theft and 2nd degree murder - Her Perfect Life (2006) by Vicki Hinze
Kate Slater, held as a POW in Iraq - Aces High (1989) by Kay Hooper
Katrina Keller, imprisoned in East Germany for espionage - MacKenzie’s Mountain (4/1989) by Linda Howard – SIM-281 (A at AAR)
Wolf MacKenzie, convicted of rape - MacKenzie’s Pleasure (2/1996) by Linda Howard – SIM-691
Barrie Lovejoy, held by terrorists - Long Way Home (2001) by Janis Reams Hudson (B+ at AAR)
Duncan Malone, convicted of murder - About That Night (2012) by Julie James (B at AAR)
Kyle Rhodes, convicted of cyber terrorism - The Testimony (10/1983) by Robin James (Sharon & Tom Curtis) – THTH-1 (C+ at AAR)
Jesse Ludan, convicted of obstruction of justice (witholding evidence in a criminal investigation) - Phoenix Rising (5/1989) by Mary Kirk – SSE-524
Peter Lericos, convicted of murder - Rendezvous with Revenge (7/1998) by Miranda Lee – HP-1967
Abby Richmond, convicted of drug possession - Exile’s End (9/1992) by Rachel Lee – SIM-449 (A at AAR)
Ransom Laird, betrayed by a CIA operative and served 4 years in prison - Fever Dreams (1997) by Laura Leone (A- at AAR)
Madeleine Barrington & Ransom, held by corrupt soldiers in South America - In the Cold (2005) by Jeanie London
Violet Lierly, imprisoned in a detention camp in Bosnia - River Rising (1999) by Merline Lovelace (B+ at AAR)
Ryan McMann, convicted of possession of illegal substances and a violation of the Mann Act - Final Approach to Forever in Special Report (12/2000) by Merline Lovelace – SIM-1045
Ryder Hamilton, served in prison - Love, Lies and Alibis (1/1999) by Linda Markowiak – HSR-819
Jake Monroe, convicted of 2nd degree murder in the commission of a robbery - Prisoner (2014) by Annika Martin and Skye Warren
Grayson Kane, convicted of killing a police officer - Jackson Rule (1996) by Dinah McCall (A at AAR)
Jackson Rule, convicted of murder - Hard Time (2014) by Cara McKenna (B at AAR)
Eric Collier, convicted of assault with a deadly weapon - Perfect (1993) by Judith McNaught (A at AAR)
Zack Benedict, convicted of murder - The Redemption of Matthew Quinn (10/2002) by Kathleen O’Brien – HSR-1086
Matthew Quinn, convicted of embezzlement - Guilt by Association (4/1988) by Marilyn Pappano – SIM-223
Christopher Morgan, held on the suspicion of treason - Suspicion (1997) by Marilyn Pappano
Tucker Caldwell, convicted of murder - Breathing Room (2002) by Susan Elizabeth Phillips (B at AAR)
Isabel Favor, held on charges of disturbing the peace and destruction of property - Home for Christmas (12/1998) by Patricia Potter – SIM-897 (A at AAR)
Ryan Murphy, convicted of murder - Taming the Night (1999) by Paula Detmer Riggs (A at AAR)
Summer Laurence, convicted of drug possession with intent to sell - Paroled! (7/1992) by Paula Detmer Riggs – SIM-440
Dr. Tyler McClane, convicted of child molestation - Rough Passage (4/1991) by Paula Detmer Riggs – SD-633
Jake Cutter, convicted of voluntary manslaughter - One Summer (1993) by Karen Robards (B- at AAR)
Johnny Harris, convicted of murder - Remember Me (12/1999) by Sharon Sala (C+ at AAR)
Frankie LeGrand, held captive for two years by an obsessed crime lord - Maggie’s Man (4/1997) by Alicia Scott – SIM-776
Cain Cannon, convicted of murder - Someone to Believe In (2005) by Kathryn Shay (B+ at AAR)
Bailey O’Neal, convicted of harboring a fugitive - Angel Meets the Badman (4/2000) by Maggie Shayne – SIM-1000
Jake Nash, convicted of murder - If Tomorrow Comes (1985) by Sidney Sheldon
Tracy Whitney, convicted of theft - Convictions (2/1986) by Beverly Sommers – HAR-137
Eddie Mello, convicted of bank robbery - Badlands (2014) by Jill Sorenson (B+ at AAR)
Owen Jackson, convicted of assault - Riding Dirty (2014) by Jill Sorenson
Cole “Shank” Shepherd, convicted of aggravated assault and arson - Honor Bound (1986) by Erin St. Claire (Sandra Brown) – SIM-144
Lucas Greywolf, initiated demonstration where violence ensued including injuries to police - Night Fall (1995) by Anne Stuart
Richard Tiernan, convicted of murder; did not serve his sentence - On Thin Ice (2011) by Anne Stuart (A- at AAR)
Finn MacGowan, held by political rebels in South America - Ritual Sins (1997) by Anne Stuart
Luke Bardell, convicted of manslaughter - Still Lake (2002) by Anne Stuart (B- at AAR)
Thomas Ingram Giffin aka John Smith, convicted of murder - Darkling I Listen (2001) by Katherine Sutcliffe (A at AAR)
Brandon Carlyle, convicted of murder - Kat (9/1994) by Linda Turner – SIM-590
Lucas Valentine, convicted of rape - Fugitive Hearts (9/2001) by Ingrid Weaver – SIM-1101
Remy Leverette, convicted of murder - The Guilty Wife (8/1997) by Sally Wentworth – HP-1902
Lucie Wallace, convicted of robbery - The Judas Kiss (1/1982) by Sally Wentworth – HP-480
Lyn Maxwell, convicted of drug smuggling - Captive in the Spotlight (3/2013) by Annie West – HP-3127
Lucy Knight, convicted of manslaughter - Whisper My Love (5/1998) by Gayle Wilson – HI-466
Rio Delgado, convicted of being an accessory to murder - The Last Chance Ranch (8/1995) by Ruth Wind – SSE-997
Tanya Bishop, convicted of murder - Meant To Be Married (7/1998) by Ruth Wind – SSE-1194 (A at AAR)
Elias Santiago, convicted of statutory rape - Beneath a Texas Sky (1/2002) by Rebecca Winters – HSR-1034
Dana Turner, convicted of murder - Strangers When We Meet (4/1997) by Rebecca Winters – HSR-737
Nick Armstrong, held captive in Iraq after the Gulf War - A Father’s Heart (5/1998) by Karen Young – HSR-786
Daniel Kendrick, convicted of child molestation
- Stolen (2003) by Kelley Armstrong (B+ at AAR)
Elena Michaels, held prisoner by a group that studies paranormals - Out of Time (1997) by Marilyn Campbell
Luke Templeton, convicted of murder - Demon From the Dark (2010) by Kresley Cole
Carrow Graie & Malkom Slaine, held captive by the Order - Dreams of a Dark Warrior (2011) by Kresley Cole (B at AAR)
Regin the Radiant, held captive by the Order - The Skypirate (1995) by Justine Davis (A at AAR)
Califa Claxton, imprisoned and branded with a slave collar for letting a slave escape - Lady of Hay (1986) by Barbara Erskine
Matilda de Braose, held in prison by King John - Conspiracy Game (2006) by Christine Feehan (C- at AAR)
Jack Norton, held captive by rebels in Congo - Deadly Game (2007) by Christine Feehan
Ken Norton, held captive by rebels in Congo - Skin Heat (2011) by Ava Gray (A- at AAR)
Zeke Noble, imprisoned in an experimental lab - Fantasy Lover (2002) by Sherrilyn Kenyon (B+ at AAR)
Julian of Macedon, held prisoner in a scroll/book for 2000 years - Tiger Eye (2005) by Marjorie M. Liu (B at AAR)
Hari, held prisoner in a puzzle box and forced to serve whoever owned it - Caged Warrior (2013) by Lindsey Piper (B+ at AAR)
Audrey MacLaren, captive gladiator - Gabriel’s Ghost (2005) by Linnea Sinclair
Chasidah Bergren, court-martialed and sent to a prison planet - Dark Stranger (2009) by Susan Sizemore
Zoe Pappas & Matthias Raven, held in an alien prison camp - Last Hour of Gann (2013) by R. Lee Smith
Amber Bierce, held prisoner by slave traders - Lover Avenged (2009) by J.R. Ward (B- at AAR)
Rehvenge, imprisoned by the Symphath king - Lover Awakened (2006) by J.R. Ward (A/B+ at AAR)
Zsadist, held captive as a blood slave
This list is currently closed for submissions.