Captured by the Woods

Book Three of the Mallox Series

Fiction - Womens
378 Pages
Reviewed on 02/05/2022
Buy on Amazon

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Author Biography

When I started writing novels four years ago, I never dreamed it would have such a meaningful impact on my life. I searched for ways to use my personal story to help others and realized that writing fiction might be just the right medium.

My emphasis is on deep character development within storylines that expose the hidden devastation of domestic abuse and sexual violence. I use fictional characters to offer information and encouragement to those suffering in silence.

In my novels, strong female characters are challenged by their psychological struggles with PTSD, eating disorders, depression and anxiety. Throughout the series, I introduce unconventional therapy practices including equine therapy and canine-assisted therapy, which are used in conjunction with traditional methods. My hope is that my readers will relate to these characters and learn about the benefits of asking for help.

In addition to writing, I run a small non-profit service dog organization which I founded in 2013. Our dogs are partnered with therapists who work with clients experiencing the effects of trauma. Each of our dogs has their own client caseloads that they see every week.

If you are dealing with past trauma, know someone who is, or just want to learn more, I hope you'll consider reading and sharing my books. The best way to help someone is to reach out to them. That's my goal, and that's why I'm a writer.

    Book Review

Reviewed by Tammy Ruggles for Readers' Favorite

Captured by the Woods: Book Three of the Mallox Series, by Lisa Burkett, is a gripping story of facing your fears and being brave enough to live the life you deserve. A drug dealer wants the main character Scarlett Baker dead, so she seeks refuge at the Mallox farm. Adjusting to a new place is hard on her, but she finds solace in the horses that are part of a program offering equine therapy. Little by little, she starts to regain her emotional footing, but the property that serves to protect her soon feels like a prison. Part of the confining feelings lies in fear associated with her past--one that she thought she'd buried deep a long time ago. But now she's come to a dead-end in herself: She has to face her fears, or she'll never have a future. Not one worth living anyway. Helpful people want to reach out, but it's the woods that call to her.

Once again this insightful author gives us a novel that delves deep into the psyche to unearth a gem that is both helpful and entertaining. Scarlett is a character you grow to care about, and you feel yourself working through her problems along with her. The equine therapy presented by Burkett is intriguing; the horses are a nice touch, and I like how she weaves it into the drama that unfolds with Scarlett. I also like how the author uses the woods in this story, almost a character in itself. This author's gift for character-building can be a blessing to readers who are going through trauma and need someone to identify with. Besides the healing nature of this book, the story itself is well-crafted, honest, and is full of rich details and descriptions that bring it all to life. If you like characters you can bond with and root for, and some psychological aspects woven through the plot, Captured by the Woods: Book Three of the Mallox Series, by Lisa Burkett, is a must-read.

Pikasho Deka

Captured by the Woods is the third installment of The Mallox Series by Lisa Burkett. Scarlett Baker arrives at Parkfield, Maine, determined to forge a new life devoid of the baggage of her past. She quickly acclimatizes herself and joins the Mallox horse farm as a barn manager. However, trouble arises when she finds herself attracted to the owner of the plot, Casey Tanner. Gradually, Scarlett rediscovers the joys of working on a farm, but her past in Minnesota still haunts her dreams. Circumstances become further complicated when the person trailing her gets acquitted by the court. Moreover, events from Scarlett's childhood refuse to let her move on. Can Scarlett find it in herself to let go of the demons of her past and embrace her new life amongst her new friends?

An absorbing tale about a woman trapped between her past and present, Captured by the Woods is a sparkling reminder of how events from people's pasts affect their lives years later and hamper them from coming out of their shells. Filled with romance, intrigue, and pulsating drama, author Lisa Burkett's enthralling slice-of-life tale keeps you engaged from start to finish and teaches you some valuable life lessons along the way. This is a character-driven drama, and as such, the pacing is deliberately slow. Scarlett's arc drives the narrative and plays the most significant role in moving the plot forward. I adored her relationship with Casey, and it was one of my favorite aspects of the book. Recommended to fans of contemporary romance and animal lovers.

Anne-Marie Reynolds

Captured by the Woods by Lisa Burkett is the third book in the Mallox series. Scarlett Baker has fled a drug dealer who wants to kill her and is hiding out on the Mallox farm, where she helps care for horses in a therapy program. The farm is protected by tough security and, as Scarlett starts her life over, she feels safe. But another fear is weighing her down, one that brings past memories back to life. The farm is surrounded by woods and they begin to uncover a trauma she has managed to keep hidden. Fear forces her to confront her past but she must do it alone, too fearful of allowing anyone in. Can Scarlett finally break free of her past and learn to live the life she always wanted?

Captured by the Woods by Lisa Burkett is a stunning read, one that made me wish I’d read the other books in the series. However, I felt it worked well as a standalone story too. The story has all the makings of a psychological thriller, bringing the fear and terror the main protagonist feels to the forefront. Well-written, the story gets its hooks into you, and you feel every emotion the characters go through. At times, you’ll be on the edge of your seat and you’ll be rooting for Scarlett all the way through. The characters are exceptionally well-developed, allowing you to get to know them inside out. The plot is action-packed, with a unique storyline that teaches you to find the courage to face your fears head-on. If you want a spellbinding story to read, this is the perfect one.