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Affliction #1
Captivated
“I stood close to the edge looking down at what I thought was my death. Then, I somehow ignored the water and only saw him. He looked like a dark angel on a cloud of mist holding his arms out to me. I closed my eyes and inhaled deeply. Then I jumped.” Mindy
Mindy's new best friend, Markus Medina, witnesses Dean kill two people behind a club. Mindy has a hard time believing him, especially when he mentions that the bodies disappear. Poof! Into thin air. Markus decides he has to follow Dean around in order to get evidence that he's been killing people, so he doesn't sound like a nut to the police.
Despite Marcus' crazy theories about the possibility of Dean not being human. And not to mention the fact that he's dangerous. Mindy can't help that she may be falling in love with him. Even after hiding their feelings for each other from the world. Dean and Mindy being together stirs up dangers that neither of them could ever imagine. When she finds out about what Dean really is and the world he tried to keep her away from...it's already too late.
Mindy's new best friend, Markus Medina, witnesses Dean kill two people behind a club. Mindy has a hard time believing him, especially when he mentions that the bodies disappear. Poof! Into thin air. Markus decides he has to follow Dean around in order to get evidence that he's been killing people, so he doesn't sound like a nut to the police.
Despite Marcus' crazy theories about the possibility of Dean not being human. And not to mention the fact that he's dangerous. Mindy can't help that she may be falling in love with him. Even after hiding their feelings for each other from the world. Dean and Mindy being together stirs up dangers that neither of them could ever imagine. When she finds out about what Dean really is and the world he tried to keep her away from...it's already too late.
375 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 10, 2011
178 people are currently reading
3076 people want to read
About the author
E.M. Jade
6 books255 followersE.M. Jade is the author of Captivated, The Affliction Series and coming out with two new series, which includes Sleeping Darkness. She lives with three crazy kids and her Irish boyfriend, Ryan, that plays a guitar and accepts her randomness for what it is. She is a lover of visual arts who needs to be creative or she'll go insane! Loves Netflix binging and using her boyfriend as a pillow, cooking, baking, and crafts crafts CRAFTS!
Have a chat with her at emjade@emjadesrealm.com! Visit her website at www.emjadesrealm.com for some updates and just about anything related to her writing and projects!
Have a chat with her at emjade@emjadesrealm.com! Visit her website at www.emjadesrealm.com for some updates and just about anything related to her writing and projects!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 235 reviews
May 15, 2011
Wow loved...loved...LOVED this book! :)
I stumbled across this book on facebook and just the cover drew me in. (I'm a sucker when it comes to gorgeous book covers.)
I was lucky enough to be given the chance to read this book and review it and boy i wasn't disappointed. Not only is the cover fantastic but what lays inside is too.
I just couldn't put this book down it keeps you on your toes all the way through, your alway wondering whats going to happen next. So many twists and turns, not your average vampire story which is a great change. The characters are just wonderfully written, and always making you smile and laugh.
Mindy she's just so amazing so easy to relate too, her best friend Markus now he's a hoot i truely loved him he reminded me of my bestie. Can't forget hunky Dean *whistles* he can come protect me anytime! *winks* Who could say no to a hottie in leather and who rides a motorcycle?! *giggles*
I'd recommend this book to anyone and everyone... It would have to be one of the best books i've read this year so far and i can't wait to sink my teeth into the next one cause at the end your left wanting more! I must say I was truely *CAPTIVATED* ;)
I just have to include this little teaser oooo it give's me goosebumps -
I let out a huff and forced a smile. “You’re a vampire.”
I stated.
Dean tilted his chin up and smiled. “I have no fangs.”
He said through his teeth.
I examined the glistening white canines. They were
normal, just like mine. “You retract them when you don’t
need them.” I said.
Dean moved across the table and put his face up to
mine. His mouth was a torturous breath away from my
own. “Then why haven’t I sucked your blood Lina?” He
whispered right before pressing his soft lips against mine.
Then he inched towards my neck and lingered his lips on
my pulse. His soft breathing tickled my skin and triggered
a chill that shot up my spine. My blood jumped to a rush
and began to throb for him. If he were a vampire, I swear
I’d let him suck me. “Why aren’t I biting you right now?”
He whispered. It took everything I had in me not to melt
into the seat and land as a puddle on the ground.
I stumbled across this book on facebook and just the cover drew me in. (I'm a sucker when it comes to gorgeous book covers.)
I was lucky enough to be given the chance to read this book and review it and boy i wasn't disappointed. Not only is the cover fantastic but what lays inside is too.
I just couldn't put this book down it keeps you on your toes all the way through, your alway wondering whats going to happen next. So many twists and turns, not your average vampire story which is a great change. The characters are just wonderfully written, and always making you smile and laugh.
Mindy she's just so amazing so easy to relate too, her best friend Markus now he's a hoot i truely loved him he reminded me of my bestie. Can't forget hunky Dean *whistles* he can come protect me anytime! *winks* Who could say no to a hottie in leather and who rides a motorcycle?! *giggles*
I'd recommend this book to anyone and everyone... It would have to be one of the best books i've read this year so far and i can't wait to sink my teeth into the next one cause at the end your left wanting more! I must say I was truely *CAPTIVATED* ;)
I just have to include this little teaser oooo it give's me goosebumps -
I let out a huff and forced a smile. “You’re a vampire.”
I stated.
Dean tilted his chin up and smiled. “I have no fangs.”
He said through his teeth.
I examined the glistening white canines. They were
normal, just like mine. “You retract them when you don’t
need them.” I said.
Dean moved across the table and put his face up to
mine. His mouth was a torturous breath away from my
own. “Then why haven’t I sucked your blood Lina?” He
whispered right before pressing his soft lips against mine.
Then he inched towards my neck and lingered his lips on
my pulse. His soft breathing tickled my skin and triggered
a chill that shot up my spine. My blood jumped to a rush
and began to throb for him. If he were a vampire, I swear
I’d let him suck me. “Why aren’t I biting you right now?”
He whispered. It took everything I had in me not to melt
into the seat and land as a puddle on the ground.
September 2, 2011
Ugh!! I could not get into this book at all! I was sooo excited to read this book that I ordered it right away from amazon when I first discovered it here in goodreads. I was eager to read this book because the premise was interesting and I thought it would be a good story with a twist...but I was wrong. I had to force myself to finish this book. I was put off by the writing style first of all. And I kept on reading thinking the writing would get better, but noooo, not at all. I was so annoyed because I can honestly say most all her sentences are short and her prose just didn't, couldn't flow because of them.
"A low growl came from his chest. He lowered his head and dropped the log. The growl got louder and he showd his teeth. I was afraid to look behind me. I knew that's where he was looking. The dog started snarling. I began to shake. Flashes of cold fear were attacking my body. I slowly turned me head. It could be anything. A large animal maybe. I knew there were deer in the forest. Even bears. I wasn't prepared for a bear."
On and on it went and the short sentences didn't even add to the tension and dynamics of the plot or the story telling. I thought I could over look the writing style, but it just continued to add to my disappointment of the book, because I'm sorry to say that the problems for me did not end there.
Now, what got me really interested in the book to make me want to read it in the first place was the romance...I was looking forward to falling in love with Dean, with what all the other reviews were saying about him. However, if the main character does not even participate in the dialogue and only gives one statement answers, how can you expect me to relate to a mute who is so secretive in the story that we do not find out what he does and is by page 303 when the perspective changes to Dean? And in going back to the romance, the romantic situations were so...planned and forced that they seemed insencere. Geeze, I do not even want to go into how little I enjoyed the one-dimensional Mindy/Lina. I want to go even less in how similar the plot and stroy was to the "Vampire Academy" series, though I do believe I would have enjoyed or even tolerated the book better if it got close to how well "Vampire Academy" was done. And how predictable the story was! No surprises what so ever.
I think this is my first bad review and I'm sorry to have done it with this book. D. Apodaca, I congratulate you on your debute novel and hope you the best, though I wish I could have enjoyed your book. I have at least donated my copy of this book to my public library, so that maybe others would enjoy this book.
"A low growl came from his chest. He lowered his head and dropped the log. The growl got louder and he showd his teeth. I was afraid to look behind me. I knew that's where he was looking. The dog started snarling. I began to shake. Flashes of cold fear were attacking my body. I slowly turned me head. It could be anything. A large animal maybe. I knew there were deer in the forest. Even bears. I wasn't prepared for a bear."
On and on it went and the short sentences didn't even add to the tension and dynamics of the plot or the story telling. I thought I could over look the writing style, but it just continued to add to my disappointment of the book, because I'm sorry to say that the problems for me did not end there.
Now, what got me really interested in the book to make me want to read it in the first place was the romance...I was looking forward to falling in love with Dean, with what all the other reviews were saying about him. However, if the main character does not even participate in the dialogue and only gives one statement answers, how can you expect me to relate to a mute who is so secretive in the story that we do not find out what he does and is by page 303 when the perspective changes to Dean? And in going back to the romance, the romantic situations were so...planned and forced that they seemed insencere. Geeze, I do not even want to go into how little I enjoyed the one-dimensional Mindy/Lina. I want to go even less in how similar the plot and stroy was to the "Vampire Academy" series, though I do believe I would have enjoyed or even tolerated the book better if it got close to how well "Vampire Academy" was done. And how predictable the story was! No surprises what so ever.
I think this is my first bad review and I'm sorry to have done it with this book. D. Apodaca, I congratulate you on your debute novel and hope you the best, though I wish I could have enjoyed your book. I have at least donated my copy of this book to my public library, so that maybe others would enjoy this book.
June 20, 2011
oh wow! D! this book is STUNNING! I loved it! the characters are awesome! I LOVE DEAN! wow! WOW! I don't even know what to SAY about this book without spoilers..... I want to blurt it all out! and the ENDING! I was holding my breath for the last 20 or so pages! AHHHHH! I need book 2! NOW! STAT!
December 30, 2011
LOVE,LOVE,LOVE THIS BOOK!! I read approximately 4 paranormal young adult books a week on my Kindle. I devour books and always have. I picked up Captivated as another hopeful and loved it from the first page! Excellent character development, Excellent story line, Excellent adventure, and well written! I was hardbroken to find at the end that the next book in the series isn't due out til may. I wanted to keep reading! So if you love paranormal, with romance , strong characters and good fun storylines, do not hesitate to grab this book!Love,Love,Love this book!!!
June 2, 2011
I had never heard of this book until I came across it on facebook. I know they say don't judge a book by it's cover, but when it actually comes to books most of us do. The cover is what makes us pick it up in the first place. The cover of this book is mysterious, aside from the title and authors name, a beautiful face... which makes you want to find out what's awaiting you inside.
I was so curious to find out what this book was about that I got in contact with the author and asked to do a review. I didn't want to read anything about this book because I wanted to be surprised in case the author said yes I could review it. Obviously she did otherwise you wouldn't be reading this. :) I was so excited when she said yes and I finally got to read it!!! Not only is the book extraordinary, the author is as well!!! She was kind enough to let me review her book and keep in contact while awaiting my review. For me, I don't just enjoy a good book... I also enjoy a sweet author!!!
I myself wasn't expecting to get sucked in at the PROLOGUE but it happened!! I was completely sucked in!!! I started reading it one night after putting my little girl to bed and couldn't stop! I had to make myself put it down and even when I did I picked it up a few times and thought to myself "one more chapter" which turned into reading all but 4 before I really set it down at 7am to try and get some sleep! I was completely bewitched by this book, fully under it's spell!!!
This isn't your average "boy loves girl, girl loves boy and lets throw in some vampires" kinda story. There are so many twists and turns which makes you Need to know what's gonna happen next. You can make guesses about who and what people are but you don't really know for sure until you read it.
The way this book made me actually feel when I read it was unique! When I would read parts of the book that were about how Mindy feels about Dean it took me back. It was like I knew exactly what and how she feels. I knew the feeling of hoping that you see them in class or out and about. Doing things to "accidentally" run into them or just get a peek at them. The butterflies, the shyness, and the electricity. It was amazing!
All the characters in the book are wonderful! Some more mysterious than others but all in all I loved reading about each and every one of them, from Mindy's best friends to the bad guys, they were all truly remarkable!!
I have to admit though, the ending made me so mad because I didn't want it to stop on such an intense moment!!! It really leaves you wanting for more!!! I CAN NOT wait until the next book!!! I have to know what happens!!
I really recommend this book to anyone who loves Young Adult books!!!! I loved it so much that I'm going to purchase it that way I have it on my bookshelf for whenever I want to read it!!!
This book will take you for a ride and you will LOVE every bit of it!! You will truly be CAPTIVATED!!!!!
I was so curious to find out what this book was about that I got in contact with the author and asked to do a review. I didn't want to read anything about this book because I wanted to be surprised in case the author said yes I could review it. Obviously she did otherwise you wouldn't be reading this. :) I was so excited when she said yes and I finally got to read it!!! Not only is the book extraordinary, the author is as well!!! She was kind enough to let me review her book and keep in contact while awaiting my review. For me, I don't just enjoy a good book... I also enjoy a sweet author!!!
I myself wasn't expecting to get sucked in at the PROLOGUE but it happened!! I was completely sucked in!!! I started reading it one night after putting my little girl to bed and couldn't stop! I had to make myself put it down and even when I did I picked it up a few times and thought to myself "one more chapter" which turned into reading all but 4 before I really set it down at 7am to try and get some sleep! I was completely bewitched by this book, fully under it's spell!!!
This isn't your average "boy loves girl, girl loves boy and lets throw in some vampires" kinda story. There are so many twists and turns which makes you Need to know what's gonna happen next. You can make guesses about who and what people are but you don't really know for sure until you read it.
The way this book made me actually feel when I read it was unique! When I would read parts of the book that were about how Mindy feels about Dean it took me back. It was like I knew exactly what and how she feels. I knew the feeling of hoping that you see them in class or out and about. Doing things to "accidentally" run into them or just get a peek at them. The butterflies, the shyness, and the electricity. It was amazing!
All the characters in the book are wonderful! Some more mysterious than others but all in all I loved reading about each and every one of them, from Mindy's best friends to the bad guys, they were all truly remarkable!!
I have to admit though, the ending made me so mad because I didn't want it to stop on such an intense moment!!! It really leaves you wanting for more!!! I CAN NOT wait until the next book!!! I have to know what happens!!
I really recommend this book to anyone who loves Young Adult books!!!! I loved it so much that I'm going to purchase it that way I have it on my bookshelf for whenever I want to read it!!!
This book will take you for a ride and you will LOVE every bit of it!! You will truly be CAPTIVATED!!!!!
December 18, 2011
Mindy is starting a new school year.
Although it seems that her, and her best friend Dean have grown apart. Dean has changed. After the the death of his parents, he just don't talk to anyone.
There is a new boy in school this year. Sean. Who Mindy thinks is good looking. But, something about him is very standoffish to Mindy. What is it about Sean that has Dean always looking so angry now? What is up with the weird, strange things that are happening.
Which started when Sean came around. What is with him?
One night Mindy goes out with some of her friends. One of them, Markus, claims that he seen Dean kill two people outside the club.
Markus, Mr. Investigator- Secret Agent starts following Dean. Trying to figure out what is going on.
One night Markus convinces Mindy to go with him on one of his investigation adventures to stalk Dean. As they wait... and wait..to see nothing unusual. Only a couple, making out.. or are they? Finally they spot Dean. Binoculars in hand, spying away. Mindy cannot get her's to focus on anything. As she is messing with is Markus has the most horrific shaken up scared face going on. What did he see? Finally they adjust and she see's no one. Markus claims that Dean killed them, and then they disappeared. Bam, gone!
Mindy and Dean *swoon* are starting to talk more. Things seem to be coming back together between the two of them. The one thing that Dean worries about, is what it out there in the night. & keeping Mindy safe from something, but what? Mindy is confused as to WHY Dean makes her go home before night. What is wrong with him..
Unless...
FOR THE FULL REVIEW:
http://www.betweenthepagesreviews.com...
Although it seems that her, and her best friend Dean have grown apart. Dean has changed. After the the death of his parents, he just don't talk to anyone.
There is a new boy in school this year. Sean. Who Mindy thinks is good looking. But, something about him is very standoffish to Mindy. What is it about Sean that has Dean always looking so angry now? What is up with the weird, strange things that are happening.
Which started when Sean came around. What is with him?
One night Mindy goes out with some of her friends. One of them, Markus, claims that he seen Dean kill two people outside the club.
Markus, Mr. Investigator- Secret Agent starts following Dean. Trying to figure out what is going on.
One night Markus convinces Mindy to go with him on one of his investigation adventures to stalk Dean. As they wait... and wait..to see nothing unusual. Only a couple, making out.. or are they? Finally they spot Dean. Binoculars in hand, spying away. Mindy cannot get her's to focus on anything. As she is messing with is Markus has the most horrific shaken up scared face going on. What did he see? Finally they adjust and she see's no one. Markus claims that Dean killed them, and then they disappeared. Bam, gone!
Mindy and Dean *swoon* are starting to talk more. Things seem to be coming back together between the two of them. The one thing that Dean worries about, is what it out there in the night. & keeping Mindy safe from something, but what? Mindy is confused as to WHY Dean makes her go home before night. What is wrong with him..
Unless...
FOR THE FULL REVIEW:
http://www.betweenthepagesreviews.com...
October 21, 2011
I read the book in 3 hours, the start i was a little bit put off i felt like there was just loads of full stops and i found myself counting the words between the full stops and i also noticed 2 mistakes aswell but however when i got right into the story i soon forgot about them and was hooked! The whole time i kept thinking Dean was something else and was like :O when we found out what it was by the end of the book i just fell in love with him and wanted to slap Mindy by the end of the book so much she really pissed me off at the end and i felt like i wanted to climb in and comfort Dean haha!! I cannot wait for book 2, one of the best books i have read in a long time i loved the story and they way everything fitted together! Mostly i loved Dean i did feel Mindy had a stronger voice for telling the story than what Dean did but anyway im totally rambling, i loved captivated and feel so honoured that i got a copy of your book i await book 2 like mad!!
November 29, 2011
I was lucky enough to win a Kindle copy of this great read. Throughout the book I found myself guessing what was going on, some things obvious others quite hard. I found this read quite easy flowing and intriguing enough to keep me going back each night before bed, at some parts even speed reading to see what was at the end of the chapter.
The main character was easy to connect with, as well as her friends and class mates around her. With a story line that trails you along that slowly builds up to an epic ending that left me hanging big time. Emotional, heart breaking and leaving me wanting more. Can't wait to get my hands on the next book.
The main character was easy to connect with, as well as her friends and class mates around her. With a story line that trails you along that slowly builds up to an epic ending that left me hanging big time. Emotional, heart breaking and leaving me wanting more. Can't wait to get my hands on the next book.
February 4, 2012
I have never cried during a book before. The ending broke my heart and made me want to jump in the book and help in any way that I could. It was something that caught me by surprise and left me wanting to get my hands on book 2 immediately! I felt a connection with all the characters. The story line was different and refreshing. The characters were real and lovable. The twists and turns had me on the edge of my reading chair. This is a must read! I'll be following Deb's future books for sure.
April 20, 2011
Hello everyone! I'm new here! Anyways, I read the first 5 chapters of this book and it is AMAZING! The beginning is kind of slow, but once it hit the second chapter, I was hooked! She leaves you hanging making you want to read more. I can't wait to read the rest! I highly recommend this book!
May 19, 2011
Mindy Keenan starts a new school year, realizing that life must go on without Dean Aiken in it. Since the death of his parents Dean is not the same person Mindy use to know, she decides to move on.
A new student has enrolled in her year; he is hot, mysterious, charming and very straight forward. Something about him draws Mindy in, she just can’t put her finger on it, something slightly off, but also she feels captivated by him, the way he looks at her, all she knows is that now she sees more of Dean and he obviously doesn’t like Shane. A mystery in itself.
Markus, Mindy’s best friend witnesses Dean Kill two people one night outside the nightclub they were clubbing at. Markus is drawn into mysterious events, the disappearance of the bodies in front of him, and the possibility of Dean being a murderer. He searches to unfold mysteries he never thought possible and decides to take things into his own hands, and play Mr. Detective. Even though everything glows stop and red neon lights, Markus is determined to find out the truth.
Markus is determined to find out, what going on - he sneaks around in the shadows following Dean, and reveals more than he ever bargained for. Now his aim is to keep his secrets and keep Mindy safe. In the meantime, Dean and Mindy have rekindled a bond, Mindy sneaking out secretively to meet Dean and the love begins to blossom all over again. But is Dean able to keep Mindy safe from the creatures of the night – The boogey man. Dean insists that Mindy leave at nightfall every night, and Mindy starts to make her own assumptions, causing a rift between them and Dean decides it’s too dangerous for them to be together and once again pushes her away. Mindy determined and heartbroken wants to show Dean she loves him, and she is unable to just let him go. But will their friendship and love cost them more than they ever bargained for?
My Thoughts....
Wow!! I want me some piece of that action!!!
For starters – I think I am in love with a fictional character!! I know Bad! loll.. *blushes *
Dean – swoon ** heart palpitations * is buff, gorgeous, wash abs, muscles and geesh! I think I am in love!! I must say that the writer has created a god for us to worship over in this novel. I found myself working and dreaming of him – Holding that big sword – those big muscles flexing!! ** grabs wet cloth!! So you get it!! Dean was hot, irresistible not only to me but Mindy! Lol. His character came across hard, and careless, bold and yet kickarse, but in time you see the soft side to him. This man is a man of many colours if you may call it that. But certainly a creature for us to all wander about.
Mindy was your average girl, pretty, confident in her own ways, a tad withdrawn, but also her own person. Her personality the absolute opposite of Dean, but saying that their magnetic connection was defiantly sending sparks throughout this read. Love lies in the eye of the beholder.
I really enjoyed the Characters that D Apodaca created. Not flawless, but personalities of their own, for us the reader to enjoy and envisage. Descriptions, well outlined, and the reader able to picture whilst reading, to give a great insight into the story. I am a visual reader and love to be able to envisage whilst reading and Apodaca skillfully created this...
For starters , Initially I did find the first few chapters a tad slow paced, wandered when the action was going to start, but don’t be deterred by this, she is just getting us warmed up. So, start the engine let it idle for two chapters then you take off on a trip throughout these pages I’m sure that you won’t forget. After this, it’s steadily paced, throughout, enough to keep you in suspense, intrigued and also fascinated with the storyline. You will be wandering what’s happening- who where and why!! But it will also have you contemplating …. ** Scratching your head to work out who is, what and what’s going to happen. Believe me you will be surprised!
Dialogue flowed smoothly, and chapters fluently flowing from one until the next, and I must say a climax that will not only have you gasping ** but have you in turmoil as to where its headed.** I’m sure you will be grabbing that arm rest, and anticipating and thinking ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh nooooo what comes next ! A cliff hanger that will defiantly leave you clutching at your reader- book and searching for what’s next to come to find out, it’s the end!!!
I thoroughly enjoyed all the secondary characters, had myself in giggles at Markus and his macho man antics towards the end, but his loyalty was rewarding and refreshing. I’m sure he is a character you will also enjoy. Shane will have you baffled, his spunk but also secrets will leave you unsure, and as to what to think of him, till the very end and I’m sure you’ll wish you had that broomstick or bottle of Mt Franklin pure water!!! All villains were portrayed well, and we all hate them, and this was well achieved.
Idea behind the story line was unique, different, and the ending was definitely unpredictable. Not something you would suspect or ever wish for... I found myself at work, telling a fellow reader friend!! Oh no!!! She just did this to them!!! geesh !!!! I read my last pages in my 15 minute break at work, then dwelled and now eagerly anticipating the next book... This book will leave you thinking about it way past the last pages. ** Ill dream of Deannneee ** lol.. Sorry had to say that part lol.
An intriguing world created by D Apodaca, I’m sure that will leave you breathless, eager and frantically flipping right till the very end. Fantastic character development, characters you will fall in love with, hate and also wish more for... and an ending –a dead halt and think NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO !!!!
4 1/2 stars A MUST READ !!
A new student has enrolled in her year; he is hot, mysterious, charming and very straight forward. Something about him draws Mindy in, she just can’t put her finger on it, something slightly off, but also she feels captivated by him, the way he looks at her, all she knows is that now she sees more of Dean and he obviously doesn’t like Shane. A mystery in itself.
Markus, Mindy’s best friend witnesses Dean Kill two people one night outside the nightclub they were clubbing at. Markus is drawn into mysterious events, the disappearance of the bodies in front of him, and the possibility of Dean being a murderer. He searches to unfold mysteries he never thought possible and decides to take things into his own hands, and play Mr. Detective. Even though everything glows stop and red neon lights, Markus is determined to find out the truth.
Markus is determined to find out, what going on - he sneaks around in the shadows following Dean, and reveals more than he ever bargained for. Now his aim is to keep his secrets and keep Mindy safe. In the meantime, Dean and Mindy have rekindled a bond, Mindy sneaking out secretively to meet Dean and the love begins to blossom all over again. But is Dean able to keep Mindy safe from the creatures of the night – The boogey man. Dean insists that Mindy leave at nightfall every night, and Mindy starts to make her own assumptions, causing a rift between them and Dean decides it’s too dangerous for them to be together and once again pushes her away. Mindy determined and heartbroken wants to show Dean she loves him, and she is unable to just let him go. But will their friendship and love cost them more than they ever bargained for?
My Thoughts....
Wow!! I want me some piece of that action!!!
For starters – I think I am in love with a fictional character!! I know Bad! loll.. *blushes *
Dean – swoon ** heart palpitations * is buff, gorgeous, wash abs, muscles and geesh! I think I am in love!! I must say that the writer has created a god for us to worship over in this novel. I found myself working and dreaming of him – Holding that big sword – those big muscles flexing!! ** grabs wet cloth!! So you get it!! Dean was hot, irresistible not only to me but Mindy! Lol. His character came across hard, and careless, bold and yet kickarse, but in time you see the soft side to him. This man is a man of many colours if you may call it that. But certainly a creature for us to all wander about.
Mindy was your average girl, pretty, confident in her own ways, a tad withdrawn, but also her own person. Her personality the absolute opposite of Dean, but saying that their magnetic connection was defiantly sending sparks throughout this read. Love lies in the eye of the beholder.
I really enjoyed the Characters that D Apodaca created. Not flawless, but personalities of their own, for us the reader to enjoy and envisage. Descriptions, well outlined, and the reader able to picture whilst reading, to give a great insight into the story. I am a visual reader and love to be able to envisage whilst reading and Apodaca skillfully created this...
For starters , Initially I did find the first few chapters a tad slow paced, wandered when the action was going to start, but don’t be deterred by this, she is just getting us warmed up. So, start the engine let it idle for two chapters then you take off on a trip throughout these pages I’m sure that you won’t forget. After this, it’s steadily paced, throughout, enough to keep you in suspense, intrigued and also fascinated with the storyline. You will be wandering what’s happening- who where and why!! But it will also have you contemplating …. ** Scratching your head to work out who is, what and what’s going to happen. Believe me you will be surprised!
Dialogue flowed smoothly, and chapters fluently flowing from one until the next, and I must say a climax that will not only have you gasping ** but have you in turmoil as to where its headed.** I’m sure you will be grabbing that arm rest, and anticipating and thinking ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh nooooo what comes next ! A cliff hanger that will defiantly leave you clutching at your reader- book and searching for what’s next to come to find out, it’s the end!!!
I thoroughly enjoyed all the secondary characters, had myself in giggles at Markus and his macho man antics towards the end, but his loyalty was rewarding and refreshing. I’m sure he is a character you will also enjoy. Shane will have you baffled, his spunk but also secrets will leave you unsure, and as to what to think of him, till the very end and I’m sure you’ll wish you had that broomstick or bottle of Mt Franklin pure water!!! All villains were portrayed well, and we all hate them, and this was well achieved.
Idea behind the story line was unique, different, and the ending was definitely unpredictable. Not something you would suspect or ever wish for... I found myself at work, telling a fellow reader friend!! Oh no!!! She just did this to them!!! geesh !!!! I read my last pages in my 15 minute break at work, then dwelled and now eagerly anticipating the next book... This book will leave you thinking about it way past the last pages. ** Ill dream of Deannneee ** lol.. Sorry had to say that part lol.
An intriguing world created by D Apodaca, I’m sure that will leave you breathless, eager and frantically flipping right till the very end. Fantastic character development, characters you will fall in love with, hate and also wish more for... and an ending –a dead halt and think NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO !!!!
4 1/2 stars A MUST READ !!
August 4, 2011
"I let out a huff and forced a smile. “You’re a vampire.”
I stated. “Then why haven’t I sucked your blood Lina?” He
whispered right before pressing his soft lips against mine.
Then he inched towards my neck and lingered his lips on
my pulse.
( I want to apologize now, this review is lacking alot compared to my other reviews, it was one of those books that honestly was hard to really write a review, without making it a spoiler review and I didnt want to give you guys any spoilers (: )
You know that feeling when you find a book that was just so great, all you want to do is read it again, OR when a book is so great that you would almost do anything to have your hands on book 2 right then? That's the feeling Captivated by D. Apodaca left me.
Captivated is threw the eyes of Mindy and Dean. Mindy and Dean use to be best friends, but after a tragic accident of Dean parents death...they never even speak now. Dean is completely cut off from everyone at school, and Mindy couldn't care less. Why should she? Him and her had been best friends, now he won't even look at her.
Just when Mindy thought this was going to be another boring year of high school...weird things start to happen...theres a new guy at school, Shane...and Mindy knows he is gorgeous, and well perfect but she cant help the thought in the back of her head..that something is just off about him. Dean looks angry all the time now...and weird things are happening ever since Shane showed up..
One night while Mindy and her two best friends Markus and Tanya are at a club, Markus tells Mindy he saw Dean kill two people outside the club...but when Mindy asks where are the bodies..Markus decides to confide in her and tells her, that after Dean killed them...their bodies disappeared..Mindy knows he must be crazy, Dean couldn't kill someone...and why would their bodies just disappear ? But as Dean starts to let Mindy back into his life, she is falling hard for him..and the more she gets to know him, the more she wonders if Markus is telling the truth...Dean is gone a lot...and lately he is very protective over Mindy, but why? When Mindy decides to investigate she falls into something she never could have imagined..and right when she discovers what Dean truly is...it may be too late...
This book was well to sum it up in one word, perfect. When I first heard about Captivated, I thought "hey, this sounds good" but now that I have finished Captivated I'm like "omg omg omg, BEST THING EVER YOU MUST READ THIS" I seriously just loved this book, all the characters are likable, and you can really see character development in Mindy Dean and Markus, which is nice since alot of books lack character development these days. I feel this book also had really good portions of everything in it, I never felt like anything was forced, the book honestly just flowed really nicely from beginning to end, never too much action, never too much romance, everything was just perfect. After reading Captivated, I can honestly say I will be reading every single one of D's future works, this book was nothing short of amazing.
Oh and can I add Dean and Mindy are one of my favorite couples now? Seriously, they are totally up there with Clary and Jace, Ash and Meghan.
Go read this now!!!!!!!
Thank you D for letting me read and review your wonderful novel (:
I stated. “Then why haven’t I sucked your blood Lina?” He
whispered right before pressing his soft lips against mine.
Then he inched towards my neck and lingered his lips on
my pulse.
( I want to apologize now, this review is lacking alot compared to my other reviews, it was one of those books that honestly was hard to really write a review, without making it a spoiler review and I didnt want to give you guys any spoilers (: )
You know that feeling when you find a book that was just so great, all you want to do is read it again, OR when a book is so great that you would almost do anything to have your hands on book 2 right then? That's the feeling Captivated by D. Apodaca left me.
Captivated is threw the eyes of Mindy and Dean. Mindy and Dean use to be best friends, but after a tragic accident of Dean parents death...they never even speak now. Dean is completely cut off from everyone at school, and Mindy couldn't care less. Why should she? Him and her had been best friends, now he won't even look at her.
Just when Mindy thought this was going to be another boring year of high school...weird things start to happen...theres a new guy at school, Shane...and Mindy knows he is gorgeous, and well perfect but she cant help the thought in the back of her head..that something is just off about him. Dean looks angry all the time now...and weird things are happening ever since Shane showed up..
One night while Mindy and her two best friends Markus and Tanya are at a club, Markus tells Mindy he saw Dean kill two people outside the club...but when Mindy asks where are the bodies..Markus decides to confide in her and tells her, that after Dean killed them...their bodies disappeared..Mindy knows he must be crazy, Dean couldn't kill someone...and why would their bodies just disappear ? But as Dean starts to let Mindy back into his life, she is falling hard for him..and the more she gets to know him, the more she wonders if Markus is telling the truth...Dean is gone a lot...and lately he is very protective over Mindy, but why? When Mindy decides to investigate she falls into something she never could have imagined..and right when she discovers what Dean truly is...it may be too late...
This book was well to sum it up in one word, perfect. When I first heard about Captivated, I thought "hey, this sounds good" but now that I have finished Captivated I'm like "omg omg omg, BEST THING EVER YOU MUST READ THIS" I seriously just loved this book, all the characters are likable, and you can really see character development in Mindy Dean and Markus, which is nice since alot of books lack character development these days. I feel this book also had really good portions of everything in it, I never felt like anything was forced, the book honestly just flowed really nicely from beginning to end, never too much action, never too much romance, everything was just perfect. After reading Captivated, I can honestly say I will be reading every single one of D's future works, this book was nothing short of amazing.
Oh and can I add Dean and Mindy are one of my favorite couples now? Seriously, they are totally up there with Clary and Jace, Ash and Meghan.
Go read this now!!!!!!!
Thank you D for letting me read and review your wonderful novel (:
May 31, 2012
-Itching for Books Review
I was worried the story wouldn't be as alluring as that cover but fortunately, it completely satisfied my taste. This book lives up exceedingly well to its title. Captivated is addictive, possessing, magnificent, and electrifying in every way possible. No amount of words in the English dictionary could possibly define how breathtaking it truly is.
Mindy's such an adorable character; she's bubbly, embodies a remarkable gift of being the last to figure things out, and evidently has a severe case of the lusting disease. I know us girls tend to drool on hotties, but too much drooling is an understatement when it comes to Mindy. She did it for most of the book. If that's exactly what Deb intended on taking this character then she succeeded tremendously, but let me stress again that Mindy is in fact adorable.
This is the kind of girl that you either really like or extremely despise; there's no in between. If you haven't taken to her personality from start then there's no way you'll grow into loving her. Luckily, she became my fictional best friend from the synopsis. And in any case, the intense emotions between her and Dean were just too heated to not find intriguing. I know, I'm a sucker for romance amidst terror, but who isn't, which leads me to the main man himself.
Dean had me puzzled most of the time. One minute he's hot and into Mindy, the next he's pushing her away and acting as if she didn't exist. I get that losing his parents in such a dreadful way left him cold over the years, but why must he remain so secretive even after I passed the middle of the book. He held things in far too long and just when it seemed like he was about to spill it all, he changes the topic. This uneasiness increased my curiosity and shot me down at times. Still, I loved it. His dark persona always left me wanting more.
Another significant thing abut this story is the very seductive and frail character, Shane. Aside from the obvious fact that we share the same name with the difference being that I'm a girl, Shane's presence was one of great mystery. It bothered me that he didn't appear in the 'light' ever too often but when he finally did, his words would hypnotize not only Mindy but me, the reader, as well.
Lately, I've been reading quite a few books with constraint minor characters who play no part in the development of the major characters nor in the rising action of the story. Tanya, in my opinion, was barely needed, as not only was she busy being absent from school and hooking up with boys, she was significantly absent from the book as well. Tanya was totally out of the loop from start; her best friends kept secrets from her and from themselves. That was quite amusing for me. Markus on the other hand was the only character solving most of the mystery while everyone else got lost in finding romance.
As for the plot, it kept me interested. Then again that's not even the word to describe my obsession with this book. I felt heartbroken whenever I had to put it down and snap back to reality. Captivated had me obsessed, and at times hallucinating. You can't imagine the mount of times I referred to my friend as Mindy or Dean. I know. I'm silly, but I beg you not to judge a girl who's simply a book lover at heart. Thank you, Deb, for giving us wonderful and fast paced writing.
http://itchingforbooks.blogspot.com/2...
I was worried the story wouldn't be as alluring as that cover but fortunately, it completely satisfied my taste. This book lives up exceedingly well to its title. Captivated is addictive, possessing, magnificent, and electrifying in every way possible. No amount of words in the English dictionary could possibly define how breathtaking it truly is.
Mindy's such an adorable character; she's bubbly, embodies a remarkable gift of being the last to figure things out, and evidently has a severe case of the lusting disease. I know us girls tend to drool on hotties, but too much drooling is an understatement when it comes to Mindy. She did it for most of the book. If that's exactly what Deb intended on taking this character then she succeeded tremendously, but let me stress again that Mindy is in fact adorable.
This is the kind of girl that you either really like or extremely despise; there's no in between. If you haven't taken to her personality from start then there's no way you'll grow into loving her. Luckily, she became my fictional best friend from the synopsis. And in any case, the intense emotions between her and Dean were just too heated to not find intriguing. I know, I'm a sucker for romance amidst terror, but who isn't, which leads me to the main man himself.
Dean had me puzzled most of the time. One minute he's hot and into Mindy, the next he's pushing her away and acting as if she didn't exist. I get that losing his parents in such a dreadful way left him cold over the years, but why must he remain so secretive even after I passed the middle of the book. He held things in far too long and just when it seemed like he was about to spill it all, he changes the topic. This uneasiness increased my curiosity and shot me down at times. Still, I loved it. His dark persona always left me wanting more.
Another significant thing abut this story is the very seductive and frail character, Shane. Aside from the obvious fact that we share the same name with the difference being that I'm a girl, Shane's presence was one of great mystery. It bothered me that he didn't appear in the 'light' ever too often but when he finally did, his words would hypnotize not only Mindy but me, the reader, as well.
Lately, I've been reading quite a few books with constraint minor characters who play no part in the development of the major characters nor in the rising action of the story. Tanya, in my opinion, was barely needed, as not only was she busy being absent from school and hooking up with boys, she was significantly absent from the book as well. Tanya was totally out of the loop from start; her best friends kept secrets from her and from themselves. That was quite amusing for me. Markus on the other hand was the only character solving most of the mystery while everyone else got lost in finding romance.
As for the plot, it kept me interested. Then again that's not even the word to describe my obsession with this book. I felt heartbroken whenever I had to put it down and snap back to reality. Captivated had me obsessed, and at times hallucinating. You can't imagine the mount of times I referred to my friend as Mindy or Dean. I know. I'm silly, but I beg you not to judge a girl who's simply a book lover at heart. Thank you, Deb, for giving us wonderful and fast paced writing.
http://itchingforbooks.blogspot.com/2...
May 18, 2011
I want me a DEAN!!
I can whole heartily say that I absolutely, 100%, fell in love with this book, the characters and their world!
This will be a series that will grab a hold of you and won't let go until you've reached the end & are trying to sell your first born to get a copy of the next book!
A new school year has started for Mindy and she has come to terms with the fact that, her once best friend, Dean is no longer apart of her life. But when a new, extremely gorgeous, student by the name of Shane starts at her high school, she seems to be noticing Dean a lot more. There's something about Shane that she can't put her finger on. Yes he's gorgeous, but he sets off an alarm in her. Maybe it's the hypnotic was he looks at her or possibly how his voice seems to make everyone swoon, but whatever it is she can tell that Dean doesn't like......at ALL.
Mindy's best friend Markus knows that something is totally off about Shane too, but it's Dean's bad boy side that has him on high alert. So he decides that they need to take matters into their own hands and find out what's really going on with him. With a little common sense, and the help of way too many crime show re-runs, they venture out to see if they can prove any of the theories that Markus has are real.
While staking out the alley behind a popular night club via rooftop, Mindy swears that nothing is going to happen. Suddenly Markus is in a tizzy about seeing Dean kill someone and that they disappeared. Poof!
Sounds unlikely I know, but this just eggs-on the slight obsession that Mindy's got brewing for Dean.
Trying to shake what Markus has been saying about Dean, Mindy knows where her heart lies. After all these years, she knows that regardless of his hard outward appearance, and bad boy image, that Dean is the one for her. As she's slowly trying to break down his walls it abruptly comes to an end. Heart broken, Mindy isn't ready to just let him go, and she knows, deep down, that Dean isn't ready to let her go either.
OK, it's SOOOOOOOO hard for me to sum up this book without giving away a TON of spoilers! The author was so brilliant with the layout of this book and conveying her characters in such a strong manner. Though I will admit the first couple chapters are slightly rough, the rest of the book more then makes up for it! I found myself falling in love with Dean (his badboy-ness, his looks, his muscles, I could go on & on), hating Shane, and crying/screaming at the end for Mindy & Dean. Speaking of endings, this book has a cliff hanger like you wouldn't believe!! It reminds me of the one that Karen Marie Moning had in Dreamfever. It will leave you sitting in your bed yelling, 'What the F***!', then harassing & bribing the author to hurry the sequel along.
Needless to say, I am currently sending chocolates to D. Apodaca twice a week in hopes that it will
encourage the writing process.
I can whole heartily say that I absolutely, 100%, fell in love with this book, the characters and their world!
This will be a series that will grab a hold of you and won't let go until you've reached the end & are trying to sell your first born to get a copy of the next book!
A new school year has started for Mindy and she has come to terms with the fact that, her once best friend, Dean is no longer apart of her life. But when a new, extremely gorgeous, student by the name of Shane starts at her high school, she seems to be noticing Dean a lot more. There's something about Shane that she can't put her finger on. Yes he's gorgeous, but he sets off an alarm in her. Maybe it's the hypnotic was he looks at her or possibly how his voice seems to make everyone swoon, but whatever it is she can tell that Dean doesn't like......at ALL.
Mindy's best friend Markus knows that something is totally off about Shane too, but it's Dean's bad boy side that has him on high alert. So he decides that they need to take matters into their own hands and find out what's really going on with him. With a little common sense, and the help of way too many crime show re-runs, they venture out to see if they can prove any of the theories that Markus has are real.
While staking out the alley behind a popular night club via rooftop, Mindy swears that nothing is going to happen. Suddenly Markus is in a tizzy about seeing Dean kill someone and that they disappeared. Poof!
Sounds unlikely I know, but this just eggs-on the slight obsession that Mindy's got brewing for Dean.
Trying to shake what Markus has been saying about Dean, Mindy knows where her heart lies. After all these years, she knows that regardless of his hard outward appearance, and bad boy image, that Dean is the one for her. As she's slowly trying to break down his walls it abruptly comes to an end. Heart broken, Mindy isn't ready to just let him go, and she knows, deep down, that Dean isn't ready to let her go either.
OK, it's SOOOOOOOO hard for me to sum up this book without giving away a TON of spoilers! The author was so brilliant with the layout of this book and conveying her characters in such a strong manner. Though I will admit the first couple chapters are slightly rough, the rest of the book more then makes up for it! I found myself falling in love with Dean (his badboy-ness, his looks, his muscles, I could go on & on), hating Shane, and crying/screaming at the end for Mindy & Dean. Speaking of endings, this book has a cliff hanger like you wouldn't believe!! It reminds me of the one that Karen Marie Moning had in Dreamfever. It will leave you sitting in your bed yelling, 'What the F***!', then harassing & bribing the author to hurry the sequel along.
Needless to say, I am currently sending chocolates to D. Apodaca twice a week in hopes that it will
encourage the writing process.
February 21, 2012
Ya know when you read a synopsis of a book and you think that it's going to be this great book, and then you read it and it kinda sucks? Well this is NOT that book.
This book completely lived up to my expectations. It was full of action in all the right places and there were plenty of heart melting moments to balance everything out. And then there was the ending, but I'll get back to that in a minute...
Mindy and Dean were childhood friends. That is until the night Dean comes home to find his parents brutally murdered after seeing a weird pale man go into the woods behind his house. After that everything changed. Dean stopped talking to Mindy, or anyone else for that matter, and as for Mindy? Well she kind of moved on. Made new friends. Did her own thing. And tried to not worry to much about the boy that no longer talked to her. That is until she notices him looking at her, and she can't help but to question why. Why is he suddenly always staring at her. That cold dead stare always boring into her. Also why did this seem to start around the time that Shane, the new kid, showed up? And why is it that every time Shane talks to her does she almost feel hypnotized by the this perfect new kid?
When the secrets start to unravel, and the pieces start to fall together, the real question is will Mindy pick the right guy? Or the wrong monster?
I loved this book! Yeah, okay sure there were a few editing errors, but nothing major. And I felt there were a few places where things could be sewn up a little tighter, just to pull it all together more smoothly, but in the end this was a great fast read that kept me on the end of my seat. But lets get back to the best/worst part....the ending.
Of course I can't tell you what happens at the very end, because where would the fun be in that? But what I can say is this...this author, Deb Apodaca, has guts. Most authors can't resist the urge to give us all our HEA. They always leave some glimmer of hope at the end, or they do a total fairytale moment where the guy always gets the girl, and the reader always swoons. Not here folks. At the very end she pulls the rug out from under our feet and gives us reality, and in reality things aren't always so pretty now are they? Which leaves me wanting more that anything to see where the next book in this series is going to go. Because even though hope has been taken away, I as a reader refuse to believe that, so I will hang on to hope and prey for that twist to come out of left field and make everything all okay again.
So do yourself a favor and pick this up. Join me and fall in love with Dean in a way that is usually reserved for Edward Cullen. Or Jacob depending on what team you were on. Lol *winks*
This book completely lived up to my expectations. It was full of action in all the right places and there were plenty of heart melting moments to balance everything out. And then there was the ending, but I'll get back to that in a minute...
Mindy and Dean were childhood friends. That is until the night Dean comes home to find his parents brutally murdered after seeing a weird pale man go into the woods behind his house. After that everything changed. Dean stopped talking to Mindy, or anyone else for that matter, and as for Mindy? Well she kind of moved on. Made new friends. Did her own thing. And tried to not worry to much about the boy that no longer talked to her. That is until she notices him looking at her, and she can't help but to question why. Why is he suddenly always staring at her. That cold dead stare always boring into her. Also why did this seem to start around the time that Shane, the new kid, showed up? And why is it that every time Shane talks to her does she almost feel hypnotized by the this perfect new kid?
When the secrets start to unravel, and the pieces start to fall together, the real question is will Mindy pick the right guy? Or the wrong monster?
I loved this book! Yeah, okay sure there were a few editing errors, but nothing major. And I felt there were a few places where things could be sewn up a little tighter, just to pull it all together more smoothly, but in the end this was a great fast read that kept me on the end of my seat. But lets get back to the best/worst part....the ending.
Of course I can't tell you what happens at the very end, because where would the fun be in that? But what I can say is this...this author, Deb Apodaca, has guts. Most authors can't resist the urge to give us all our HEA. They always leave some glimmer of hope at the end, or they do a total fairytale moment where the guy always gets the girl, and the reader always swoons. Not here folks. At the very end she pulls the rug out from under our feet and gives us reality, and in reality things aren't always so pretty now are they? Which leaves me wanting more that anything to see where the next book in this series is going to go. Because even though hope has been taken away, I as a reader refuse to believe that, so I will hang on to hope and prey for that twist to come out of left field and make everything all okay again.
So do yourself a favor and pick this up. Join me and fall in love with Dean in a way that is usually reserved for Edward Cullen. Or Jacob depending on what team you were on. Lol *winks*
August 2, 2012
Captivated started out as what seemed to be my favorite read of August. The story-line was different and very intriguing. But as I continued to read, I noticed the lack of character in the writing, the choppy sentences. I kept waiting for it to change, but it never did. The protagonist started off so strong-willed to me, but as the story progressed, she just seemed like any other teenage drama queen. I have many pet peeves, but putting constant exclamation points at the end of sentences in the monologue is a turn off for me. It's necessary sometimes, but not all the time.
I will give Apodaca credit for such an original idea though, and the spin she took with it. There were moments where things began to pick up again, but they just didn't last too long. Dean, the male interest, doesn't talk at all for a good half of the book, he's just there. And near the end, things suddenly switched to his perspective. Maybe if this had been continuous through the book, I would know who Dean is. the story moved too quick without you really knowing what's going on. I'm still not sure why Mindy was captured to begin with.
Apodaca also touched a subject very delicate to most young teenagers: rape and sexual assaults. I'm not a prude so reading about this sort of thing isn't news to me, but the way Apodaca went with it in her story was a little offensive and misleading, even to someone who's never been in such a problem. The main character, Mindy, seemed to brush it off as nothing, smiling when she should have been afraid. Yes everyone is different and handles things differently, but I could sense that the author didn't want to emphasize that part of the book so she made the character minimize with a smile. I saw the reasoning, but I just didn't like it. Something else could have been in place of that. You can't take a BIG problem and turn it into a SMALL problem, not even in a book. With that said, every time the incident was brought up in the book, I didn't enjoy reading so much.
The ending was exciting, I had to admit. I wasn't expecting a cliffhanger that big. I think I will definitely be reading book 2, just to see where the story goes or if it gets any better.
I will give Apodaca credit for such an original idea though, and the spin she took with it. There were moments where things began to pick up again, but they just didn't last too long. Dean, the male interest, doesn't talk at all for a good half of the book, he's just there. And near the end, things suddenly switched to his perspective. Maybe if this had been continuous through the book, I would know who Dean is. the story moved too quick without you really knowing what's going on. I'm still not sure why Mindy was captured to begin with.
Apodaca also touched a subject very delicate to most young teenagers: rape and sexual assaults. I'm not a prude so reading about this sort of thing isn't news to me, but the way Apodaca went with it in her story was a little offensive and misleading, even to someone who's never been in such a problem. The main character, Mindy, seemed to brush it off as nothing, smiling when she should have been afraid. Yes everyone is different and handles things differently, but I could sense that the author didn't want to emphasize that part of the book so she made the character minimize with a smile. I saw the reasoning, but I just didn't like it. Something else could have been in place of that. You can't take a BIG problem and turn it into a SMALL problem, not even in a book. With that said, every time the incident was brought up in the book, I didn't enjoy reading so much.
The ending was exciting, I had to admit. I wasn't expecting a cliffhanger that big. I think I will definitely be reading book 2, just to see where the story goes or if it gets any better.
March 27, 2012
Mindy and Dean used to be best friends...always there for each other...always making each other smile but then everything changed. The Dean Mindy knew disappeared, he became distant and reclusive and along with the loss of his radiant smile, Mindy lost his friendship.
Now, a few years later, Mindy has a new best friend, Markus. He is funny and kind and always there for Mindy. No-one could replace what she had with Dean but she is happy with her friends, Markus and Tanya.
Most of the time when Mindy looks at Dean she feels frustrated, frustrated that he shut her out of his life and that he is not the same guy that she used to know so well.
Though, once in a while, Mindy will catch a look in his eye that reminds her of the old Dean. As Mindy starts to pay more attention to Dean so does Markus but for completely different reasons.
Markus witnessed Dean kill two people while out one night and with no bodies left at the scene, Markus is left wondering who or what Dean is.
While Dean and Mindy begin to rekindle their friendship and discover their love for each other, Markus is determined to find out the truth about Dean. Mindy finds herself pulled into Dean's dangerous world, a world he never wanted her to become aware of and one that she is now right in the middle of.
Captivated is a story full of suspense, romance and action that will keep you on the edge of your seat. It pulls you in and you won't be able to tear your eyes away from the page. With twists and turns that you won't see coming, a backstory that will pull on your heart strings and characters that you will get emotionally attatched to, Captivated is a must read.
D. Apodaca has a very visual writing style, one that I thoroughly enjoyed. Her characters are vivid and you will live in the moment with them.
A beautifully written book full of heart and emotion. You will be counting down the days until the sequel is released.
5/5
*Thank-you to D. Apodaca for providing me with a copy of Captivated to review.
Now, a few years later, Mindy has a new best friend, Markus. He is funny and kind and always there for Mindy. No-one could replace what she had with Dean but she is happy with her friends, Markus and Tanya.
Most of the time when Mindy looks at Dean she feels frustrated, frustrated that he shut her out of his life and that he is not the same guy that she used to know so well.
Though, once in a while, Mindy will catch a look in his eye that reminds her of the old Dean. As Mindy starts to pay more attention to Dean so does Markus but for completely different reasons.
Markus witnessed Dean kill two people while out one night and with no bodies left at the scene, Markus is left wondering who or what Dean is.
While Dean and Mindy begin to rekindle their friendship and discover their love for each other, Markus is determined to find out the truth about Dean. Mindy finds herself pulled into Dean's dangerous world, a world he never wanted her to become aware of and one that she is now right in the middle of.
Captivated is a story full of suspense, romance and action that will keep you on the edge of your seat. It pulls you in and you won't be able to tear your eyes away from the page. With twists and turns that you won't see coming, a backstory that will pull on your heart strings and characters that you will get emotionally attatched to, Captivated is a must read.
D. Apodaca has a very visual writing style, one that I thoroughly enjoyed. Her characters are vivid and you will live in the moment with them.
A beautifully written book full of heart and emotion. You will be counting down the days until the sequel is released.
5/5
*Thank-you to D. Apodaca for providing me with a copy of Captivated to review.
January 2, 2012
When I read the prologue for "Captivated," I thought this is going to be so good. Boy, was I wrong. The storyline had amazing potential but the mediocre writing, lack of sound characterization and a weak execution of the plot made this a difficult read for me at times.
At the age of 13 Mindy and her best friend Dean experienced a life changing event. After seeing a man whose arms were covered in blood leaving Dean's house, the two stumbled upon the dead bodies of Dean's father and mother. After that day, their relationship changed and they were no longer friends.
Fast forward: When Mindy begins a new school year, she and her friend Markus begin thinking about their new classes and their hopes. Mindy sees Dean and cannot believe how much he has changed. He is 6'6" and built like a brick house. Simply put, he is gorgeous. However, he is also non communicative and acts as though Mindy is invisible. Then one night while at a local club she agrees to take a walk with her ex boyfriend only to find herself being attacked. He attempt to rape her. However, before the deed is done, she is rescued by Dean. Now this is where the story line starts to fall apart. Mindy is giddy about almost being raped because she was rescued. Really? Also, I have to admit there really wasn't too much about her personality that made me like or dislike her. For the most part she was a silly, whiney, airhead. I tired of all of ranting and raving about her love for Dean. Instead of this book being 375 pages, the author could have reduced it down by 75 pages be eliminating all of the droning on and on.
None of the characters were truly exciting for me and the vampire theme was typical. There was nothing new or really unique about it. I will say this, the ending was truly unexpected and caught my attention; but not enough to make me continue with the series. Sorry Ms. Apodaca different strokes for different folks. This book was not for me.
At the age of 13 Mindy and her best friend Dean experienced a life changing event. After seeing a man whose arms were covered in blood leaving Dean's house, the two stumbled upon the dead bodies of Dean's father and mother. After that day, their relationship changed and they were no longer friends.
Fast forward: When Mindy begins a new school year, she and her friend Markus begin thinking about their new classes and their hopes. Mindy sees Dean and cannot believe how much he has changed. He is 6'6" and built like a brick house. Simply put, he is gorgeous. However, he is also non communicative and acts as though Mindy is invisible. Then one night while at a local club she agrees to take a walk with her ex boyfriend only to find herself being attacked. He attempt to rape her. However, before the deed is done, she is rescued by Dean. Now this is where the story line starts to fall apart. Mindy is giddy about almost being raped because she was rescued. Really? Also, I have to admit there really wasn't too much about her personality that made me like or dislike her. For the most part she was a silly, whiney, airhead. I tired of all of ranting and raving about her love for Dean. Instead of this book being 375 pages, the author could have reduced it down by 75 pages be eliminating all of the droning on and on.
None of the characters were truly exciting for me and the vampire theme was typical. There was nothing new or really unique about it. I will say this, the ending was truly unexpected and caught my attention; but not enough to make me continue with the series. Sorry Ms. Apodaca different strokes for different folks. This book was not for me.
July 30, 2016
Deze recensie is als eerste geplaatst op Carpe Libra
Het heeft even geduurd voordat ik goed en wel in Captivated zat. Maar vanaf dat moment werd het boek beter met elke bladzijde die ik omdraaide. Tot het met een knal eindigde en me met open mond en totaal verbluft achterliet. Wat een cliffhanger! Ik weet zeker dat ik zo snel mogelijk het volgende deel ga opzoeken. Ik moet weten hoe het verder gaat!
Captivated is zeer goed in elkaar gezet. Stukje bij beetje werden puzzelstukken geopenbaard. Hints worden hier en daar gegeven over hoe de puzzelstukjes mogelijk in elkaar kunnen zitten. Ik koppelde niet altijd de juiste stukjes aan elkaar en werd dus herhaaldelijk op een dwaalspoor gezet. Dan moest mijn brein weer volop aan het werk om te kijken hoe alles wel in elkaar zat. Allerlei mogelijkheden gingen door me heen en ik heb met veel plezier deze puzzel opgelost :D Tenminste, dat dacht ik totdat ik die laatste paar pagina's las...
Veel meer uitweiden over dit verhaal ga ik niet doen. Dit is gewoon een boek dat je zelf moet ervaren en ik wil de pret niet bederven ;) Ik wil wel nog even opmerken dat ik niet echt snapte waarom we tegen het eind van het verhaal ook een gedeelte door de ogen van Dean bekijken. Niet dat het niet interessant was of dat Dean een saaie gedachtegang heeft. Ik was alleen gewend geraakt aan Mindy en ik vond het niet echt meerwaarde hebben. Misschien dat het volgende deel meer duidelijkheid geeft...
Captivated is een boek dat met de minuut leuker werd en eindigde in een spectaculaire ontknoping. Een verhaal dat je zelf ervaren moet hebben, dus ik geef niet te veel weg. Ik raad dit boek aan voor iedereen die van puzzelen houdt :)
March 5, 2014
This book could be the next twilight(i would say harry potter but there are no warlocks or witches). It has everything:a forbidden love(Dean-Mindy), supernatural beings(vampires), a break up that will give you a heartache to last for ages,a killer line(like Edward's "ask me the most basic question:what do we eat???")(“I let out a huff and forced a smile. “You’re a vampire.”
I stated.
Dean tilted his chin up and smiled. “I have no fangs.”
He said through his teeth.
I examined the glistening white canines. They were
normal, just like mine. “You retract them when you don’t
need them.” I said.
Dean moved across the table and put his face up to
mine. His mouth was a torturous breath away from my
own. “Then why haven’t I sucked your blood Lina?” He
whispered right before pressing his soft lips against mine.)bad bad hot hot evil vampires that want to harm everyone, a huge battle between bad and good.
Sounds familiar??Well even it does reminds you of twilight it has nothing to do with the specif book.First of all it ends bad. Like really really bad.Its the second book I have read that has a bad ending. I think the first one was feathermore but i'm not sure. Second its more well written that the first book of twilight saga. Third no werewolves. Just vamps. But mostly its very well written. So i think if you love vamps but found twilight a shit you'll probably love this.
As for me it wasn't blood of gold B.V. Larson but it wasn't love is darkness by Caroline Hanson either. More like frost fire by Olivia Rivers or the vampire manifesto......
I stated.
Dean tilted his chin up and smiled. “I have no fangs.”
He said through his teeth.
I examined the glistening white canines. They were
normal, just like mine. “You retract them when you don’t
need them.” I said.
Dean moved across the table and put his face up to
mine. His mouth was a torturous breath away from my
own. “Then why haven’t I sucked your blood Lina?” He
whispered right before pressing his soft lips against mine.)bad bad hot hot evil vampires that want to harm everyone, a huge battle between bad and good.
Sounds familiar??Well even it does reminds you of twilight it has nothing to do with the specif book.First of all it ends bad. Like really really bad.Its the second book I have read that has a bad ending. I think the first one was feathermore but i'm not sure. Second its more well written that the first book of twilight saga. Third no werewolves. Just vamps. But mostly its very well written. So i think if you love vamps but found twilight a shit you'll probably love this.
As for me it wasn't blood of gold B.V. Larson but it wasn't love is darkness by Caroline Hanson either. More like frost fire by Olivia Rivers or the vampire manifesto......
April 3, 2012
i received this book from the Author for review, this story is very good the book was very exciting and very interesting to read i look forward to reading other books by this Author, i am glad i got the chance to review this book, this book was never dull or boring, it was very very good, it was just the right speed not to fast not to slow, this book caught my interest from t...he very beginning until the very end, it was a very good read, i give this book 5 stars, i highly recommended this book to anyone who likes paranormal books, it is a must read, i really enjoyed the storyline alot, i can not wait for the 2nd book in this series, i found this book to be a very great story, i hope that there is a 3rd book and 4th and 5th and so on in this series, everyone buy this book if you want to read a great paranormal book, the only part of the book i did not like was the ending,
January 10, 2012
this story is very good the book was very exciting and very interesting to read i look forward to reading other books by this Author, i am glad i got the chance to review this book, this book was never dull or boring, it was very very good, it was just the right speed not to fast not to slow, this book caught my interest from the very beginning until the very end, it was a very good read, i give this book 5 stars, i highly recommended this book to anyone who likes paranormal books, it is a must read, i really enjoyed the storyline alot, i can not wait for the 2nd book in this series, i found this book to be a very great story, i hope that there is a 3rd book and 4th and 5th and so on in this series, everyone buy this book if you want to read a great paranormal book, the only part of the book i did not like was the ending,
February 25, 2012
Loved this book, couldn't put it down!!
However from a critique point of view, it was really badly edited. I have read review before when people comment on the editing and I have never noticed before. I would think, you obviously weren't into the story enough to even notice!
However, with this book I was totally into the story! Really loved it! But found myself reading over paragraphs and sentences because it was worded incorrectly and didn't make sense. I have noticed the odd spelling or grammical (sp?) error in the previous book, but this was whole sentences..
But that being said, loved the charactors in this book, it was captivating right from the dramatic beginning! Loved how the story developed and now hate not knowing what is going to happen to our heroine... bring on book 2!!
However from a critique point of view, it was really badly edited. I have read review before when people comment on the editing and I have never noticed before. I would think, you obviously weren't into the story enough to even notice!
However, with this book I was totally into the story! Really loved it! But found myself reading over paragraphs and sentences because it was worded incorrectly and didn't make sense. I have noticed the odd spelling or grammical (sp?) error in the previous book, but this was whole sentences..
But that being said, loved the charactors in this book, it was captivating right from the dramatic beginning! Loved how the story developed and now hate not knowing what is going to happen to our heroine... bring on book 2!!
February 27, 2012
Captivated is the story of Mindy and Dean. They were childhood friends until Dean's parents are murdered and he turns his back on everyone. Now, a few years later Mindy is happy with her life and her best friends. Everything is fine until strange things start happening and they seem to involve Dean. With Dean back in the picture Mindy is having a hard time controlling her feelings.
This book was amazing! It was a great story. I didn't figure out what was going on with Dean until we are told. The tension between Dean and Mindy is exciting. There is a HUGE cliffhanger at the end of this book!! I need to read the next one now!!
This book was amazing! It was a great story. I didn't figure out what was going on with Dean until we are told. The tension between Dean and Mindy is exciting. There is a HUGE cliffhanger at the end of this book!! I need to read the next one now!!
October 24, 2011
This is an author not afraid to think outside he box and take a leap. Captivated will grab readers right from the Prologue, and not allow you a breath til the very end. The romance is hot, and the headache is palpable. Be ready to laugh and cry in this whirlwind story that will deny reads their simple happily ever after. The drastic conclusion left me in a uproar, and in despair for the characters of the intense read. I'm anxious to see just where D. Apodaca will take this story from here. Congratulations on such a beautiful book, and truly amazing story. BOOKWHISPERER RECOMMEND!!!!!!!!!!
January 27, 2012
This book really spoke to me. It was just so compelling! I hated to put it down to go to work this morning, and I kept thinking about it all day. The one thing that made this book over-the-top awesome for me was the character Dean. He was so well-written, so sexy, so DELICIOUS! *sigh* I loved the pace of the story too. There never seemed to be any "filler" to pad the pages like you find in some other books. In fact, the only problem I can find with this book, is that I'm dying to know what happens in the next installment! Well done!
February 13, 2012
I loved this book it was amazing. It has everything a good book should. It's exciting, thrilling, heart breaking, and funny. I loved the main characters Dean and Mindy. It does start of a little slow but it picks up quickly. Once I got into reading it I couldn't put it down. I can't wait until the next book. There is a huge cliff hanger at the end of the book and usually I don't like those but it adds to the book. I was left wanting more. I will for sure be picking up the next book.
5/5 stars
5/5 stars
October 26, 2011
ten out of ten!! i LOVE LOVE LOVE captivated!!! the ebook version from amazon is even better than the paperback i own. i guess there was more editing done to it which made it even better and i didn't think that was possible! ive read this book twice this month and had to buy a copy for my kindle so i can carry it around with me. this is the BEST vampire book ive read for young adults! i can't wait for Unattainable!
October 29, 2011
IT IS REALLY GOOD!!!......IT STANDS OUT FROM EVERYTHING I READ!!! 4 ONCE VAMPIRES R THE BAD PPL!! WHILE SLAYERS ARE THE PEACEMAKERS!!....AWESOME READ. I RLLY DID ENJOY THIS BOOK. IT PLAYED LIKE A MOVIE IN MY HEAD. AND EVERY EMOTION WAS STRONG. I WAS ON THE VERGE OF TEARS.....AFTER I READ IT N THOUGHT OF HOW DEAN IS NOW LONELY MY TEARS FELL!!!.....:'(......CAN'T WAIT 4 THE NEXT ONE!! I RECOMMEND PPL 2 READ IT!!
January 31, 2012
I don't even know what to say. I really loved this book. It's hillarious and kept me on the edge of my seat. At times I was holding my breath! It was never dull and I reccomend it to everyone. The ending was one of the most interesting cliffhangers I've ever read EVER. It didn't cut through the story, but created another problem that you need to read the next book! I cannot wait for book 2! I'm officially hooked.
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