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Captured Desire
Captured Desire is the first in the Captured Standalones. They can be read separately or together. Captured Desire is an enemies to lovers captive dark romance with dual POV and an HEA. It contains content only suitable for adults.
Iris
I’ve always lived with shame and guilt from my strict upbringing. But then on a secret trip to a resort in Miami, I meet the hottest man I’ve ever seen.
He’s tall, sexy, dark haired, and he wants me badly.
Maybe he’s my ticket to getting rid of the religious guilt I’ve felt for my entire twenty-one years.
After one night that leaves me reeling, I wake up to find him gone. And I shouldn’t have, but I snoop on his laptop.
He’s not just any man—he’s Duran Esposito, one of the city’s most notorious Mafia playboys. He’s got wealth, power, and resources. And he just walked in and realized I saw confidential documents on his computer.
Duran
I’m a notorious playboy, but after one night with Iris, I’m ready for reform. The problem is…I just k*dnapped her thinking she was a spy after she snooped on my laptop. Now I’m stuck on an island with a girl who has a sassy comeback for everything.
I thought she would crumble, but she’s feisty. And I can’t control how much that gets me going.
The only problem…she’s just as broken as I am. We’re too much alike—we both hide our pain behind sarcasm and isolation. But when we’re together…everything is different.
Can I make this better? Can we forgive our tumultuous beginnings and give this a chance?
This is fully rewritten version of the novella published under the title "Captured Darkness." It bears some similarities to the original work.
Iris
I’ve always lived with shame and guilt from my strict upbringing. But then on a secret trip to a resort in Miami, I meet the hottest man I’ve ever seen.
He’s tall, sexy, dark haired, and he wants me badly.
Maybe he’s my ticket to getting rid of the religious guilt I’ve felt for my entire twenty-one years.
After one night that leaves me reeling, I wake up to find him gone. And I shouldn’t have, but I snoop on his laptop.
He’s not just any man—he’s Duran Esposito, one of the city’s most notorious Mafia playboys. He’s got wealth, power, and resources. And he just walked in and realized I saw confidential documents on his computer.
Duran
I’m a notorious playboy, but after one night with Iris, I’m ready for reform. The problem is…I just k*dnapped her thinking she was a spy after she snooped on my laptop. Now I’m stuck on an island with a girl who has a sassy comeback for everything.
I thought she would crumble, but she’s feisty. And I can’t control how much that gets me going.
The only problem…she’s just as broken as I am. We’re too much alike—we both hide our pain behind sarcasm and isolation. But when we’re together…everything is different.
Can I make this better? Can we forgive our tumultuous beginnings and give this a chance?
This is fully rewritten version of the novella published under the title "Captured Darkness." It bears some similarities to the original work.
- GenresRomanceDark Romance
269 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 19, 2023
76 people are currently reading
673 people want to read
About the author
Raya Morris Edwards
25 books947 followersRaya Morris Edwards is the author of the Sovereign Mountain Series, the Welsh Kings Trilogy, and more! She lives near the mountains, but never close enough. When not writing, she's probably spending time with her family and dogs somewhere in the hills or traveling in the Blue Ridges.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
September 23, 2023
Captured Desire by Raya Morris Edwards is the 1st book in the Captured Mafia world which is complete.
Tropes:
✔️ MF Romance
✔️ Mafia Romance 🇮🇹
✔️ Enemies to Lovers
✔️ Sexual Exploration/ Education
✔️ Reformed Playboy
✔️ Forced Proximity
✔️ Available on KU
POV: First Person Duel 👩🧑
Rating: 10/10 (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️)
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️/3
🌶 Starts about 10%
These Esposito brothers are really going to kill me one day… this was 👩🏼🍳 💋 perfection. Obviously my heart still belongs to Lucien but Duran definitely is a close second in the Captured mafia world (very close). Loved getting to know Iris and Duran better, feisty Iris is my absolute favorite. And Duran can call me good girl any day.
LOTS OF SPICE… 🌶️🌶️but damn was it good. Definitely some tenderness in there too, but lots of kink.
I am so excited these two got a rewrite… I was not in love with their original story and wanted so much more. If you did read Captured Darkness you will see some similarities to the overall story line but this is much better (in my opinion) and more filled out… if that makes sense.
✨“If you want to do dirty things to me, princess, all you have to do is ask.”✨
Iris Scavo finds herself having an encounter with a mysterious stranger.
Now she's his prisoner and she's wondering why she was ever attracted to him in the first place...but she can't seem to keep away.
Taking Iris causes a bigger stir than Duran anticipates. And now he's so deep in, he's not sure how to get out.
Or if he even wants to anymore.
𝘾𝙝𝙚𝙘𝙠 𝙏𝙧𝙞𝙜𝙜𝙚𝙧𝙨: Religious Guilt, Drugged, Abduction, Violence, Attempted SA, Grief
Tropes:
✔️ MF Romance
✔️ Mafia Romance 🇮🇹
✔️ Enemies to Lovers
✔️ Sexual Exploration/ Education
✔️ Reformed Playboy
✔️ Forced Proximity
✔️ Available on KU
POV: First Person Duel 👩🧑
Rating: 10/10 (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️)
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️/3
🌶 Starts about 10%
These Esposito brothers are really going to kill me one day… this was 👩🏼🍳 💋 perfection. Obviously my heart still belongs to Lucien but Duran definitely is a close second in the Captured mafia world (very close). Loved getting to know Iris and Duran better, feisty Iris is my absolute favorite. And Duran can call me good girl any day.
LOTS OF SPICE… 🌶️🌶️but damn was it good. Definitely some tenderness in there too, but lots of kink.
I am so excited these two got a rewrite… I was not in love with their original story and wanted so much more. If you did read Captured Darkness you will see some similarities to the overall story line but this is much better (in my opinion) and more filled out… if that makes sense.
✨“If you want to do dirty things to me, princess, all you have to do is ask.”✨
Iris Scavo finds herself having an encounter with a mysterious stranger.
Now she's his prisoner and she's wondering why she was ever attracted to him in the first place...but she can't seem to keep away.
Taking Iris causes a bigger stir than Duran anticipates. And now he's so deep in, he's not sure how to get out.
Or if he even wants to anymore.
𝘾𝙝𝙚𝙘𝙠 𝙏𝙧𝙞𝙜𝙜𝙚𝙧𝙨: Religious Guilt, Drugged, Abduction, Violence, Attempted SA, Grief
January 20, 2024
so much religious trauma
September 15, 2023
Minor Spoilers
This book starts off with the MMC being sent to his brother's resort to close a deal. While hanging out on the balcony he sees into the room of another hotel guest. A woman who is he is immediately attracted to. He later sees her in the hotel bar and approaches her.
Iris the FMC is at the resort on a brand trip and also models on Instagram lingerie. This is her form of rebellion as she was raised by very strict, conservative, religious parents which is at odds with her father's job as he is an accountant for the mob.
She decides to go to the hotel bar for dinner and is approached by a very handsome older man and after chatting she decides to go to his room. However, she is very clear with him that she will not go all the way with him and only oral. The reason being which she doesn't tell him is that she has never been with a man. When in the hotel room he respects her boundaries, and they are intimate all night within her boundaries, and it is at this point his heart in my opinion starts to fall for her a little.
In the morning after this night of passion she wakes up alone and goes looking for him. She stumbles into his office looking for him and sees some papers and some work on the laptop that she shouldn't have seen. Thats because the man she just spent the night with is in the MOB and he catches her looking at his stuff. This makes him think that she might be a spy and he is not happy. So, he takes her off on a boat to an island to interrogate her.
I love this book and the characters. I loved how traditionally you would see men in this situation not respect her boundaries and constantly keep pushing but he never really did that. He was content to go at her pace and when he realized how much guilt/shame she feels from her religious trauma he does what he can to help her come to terms with it and heal from it or at least realize that nothing she does is shameful. I really like the two of them together and thought they were really cute, and their spicy scenes were really well done.
The only critique I had was this was listed as an enemies to lovers and personally I would say that they are not enemies at any point in the story. They aren't even rivals. I mean they take swipes at each other but that is mostly because of him fighting his feelings for her and for her lashing out bc she is dealing with her own issues when it comes to sex and her feelings about it and him. Still enjoyed the book but I just don't see it as a true enemies to lovers book.
This book starts off with the MMC being sent to his brother's resort to close a deal. While hanging out on the balcony he sees into the room of another hotel guest. A woman who is he is immediately attracted to. He later sees her in the hotel bar and approaches her.
Iris the FMC is at the resort on a brand trip and also models on Instagram lingerie. This is her form of rebellion as she was raised by very strict, conservative, religious parents which is at odds with her father's job as he is an accountant for the mob.
She decides to go to the hotel bar for dinner and is approached by a very handsome older man and after chatting she decides to go to his room. However, she is very clear with him that she will not go all the way with him and only oral. The reason being which she doesn't tell him is that she has never been with a man. When in the hotel room he respects her boundaries, and they are intimate all night within her boundaries, and it is at this point his heart in my opinion starts to fall for her a little.
In the morning after this night of passion she wakes up alone and goes looking for him. She stumbles into his office looking for him and sees some papers and some work on the laptop that she shouldn't have seen. Thats because the man she just spent the night with is in the MOB and he catches her looking at his stuff. This makes him think that she might be a spy and he is not happy. So, he takes her off on a boat to an island to interrogate her.
I love this book and the characters. I loved how traditionally you would see men in this situation not respect her boundaries and constantly keep pushing but he never really did that. He was content to go at her pace and when he realized how much guilt/shame she feels from her religious trauma he does what he can to help her come to terms with it and heal from it or at least realize that nothing she does is shameful. I really like the two of them together and thought they were really cute, and their spicy scenes were really well done.
The only critique I had was this was listed as an enemies to lovers and personally I would say that they are not enemies at any point in the story. They aren't even rivals. I mean they take swipes at each other but that is mostly because of him fighting his feelings for her and for her lashing out bc she is dealing with her own issues when it comes to sex and her feelings about it and him. Still enjoyed the book but I just don't see it as a true enemies to lovers book.
September 20, 2023
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶
I received Captured Desire as an ARC in exchange for an honest review. This is the 1st in the "Captured" series by Raya Morris Edwards and can totally be read as a stand alone. It was previously published as a novella entitled "Captured Darkness" but has been re-published as a full length novel. Given the choice, the new full length novel is an absolute must! If you read any of the other previous "Captured" works you will enjoy the characters from the others stories SO much as they are woven seamlessly into this story. Any chance to catch up with Daddy Lucien. IYKYK.
Captured Desire is an age gap, kidnapping, mafia romance that ends with a HEA. Definitely check out the trigger warnings ahead of time as there is a lot! Kinks, childhood trauma, violence and relgious related discussions are just a few of the hot button topics. Raya has outdone herself in the character development, plot and spicyness with this one!! Duran has quickly become a new book boyfriend favourite.
Captured Desire is the story of Duran and Iris. Duran is the younger brother and spare to the powerful Italian New York outfit that is run by older brother Lucien (yummy) who've met previously. Iris is a social media influencer who is on a brand trip in Miami, staying at a hotel that is owned by Lucien.
When Duran is sent to Miami to secure a gun deal he comes across Iris and doesn't understand the feelings that rush at him all at once. He quickly kidnaps Iris and takes her to a private Caribbean Island where they both realize that as much as they'd like to hate each other, the universe has much more in store. Duran doesn't want to return Iris to her life and finds himself buried deep in Iris, mafia business and family drama. Both Iris and Duran have to learn to what love means after a lifetime of abuse and hurt.
Captured Desire is the perfect $teamy, $mutty romance to read this fall. If you haven't read the rest of Raya's other "Captured" series this will definitely make you want to dive in deep. She is phenomenal at delivering a powerful, steamy and imaginative mafia romance. Not only is the book super sexy and full of erotic steam (be forewarned if that isn't your jam) but she also creates amazing characters that you just want to know more about. Raya is hands down a one click author for me now.
"I was thinking I might just keep you for myself, but I like good girls and you are a wildcat who bites and spits."
🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶
I received Captured Desire as an ARC in exchange for an honest review. This is the 1st in the "Captured" series by Raya Morris Edwards and can totally be read as a stand alone. It was previously published as a novella entitled "Captured Darkness" but has been re-published as a full length novel. Given the choice, the new full length novel is an absolute must! If you read any of the other previous "Captured" works you will enjoy the characters from the others stories SO much as they are woven seamlessly into this story. Any chance to catch up with Daddy Lucien. IYKYK.
Captured Desire is an age gap, kidnapping, mafia romance that ends with a HEA. Definitely check out the trigger warnings ahead of time as there is a lot! Kinks, childhood trauma, violence and relgious related discussions are just a few of the hot button topics. Raya has outdone herself in the character development, plot and spicyness with this one!! Duran has quickly become a new book boyfriend favourite.
Captured Desire is the story of Duran and Iris. Duran is the younger brother and spare to the powerful Italian New York outfit that is run by older brother Lucien (yummy) who've met previously. Iris is a social media influencer who is on a brand trip in Miami, staying at a hotel that is owned by Lucien.
When Duran is sent to Miami to secure a gun deal he comes across Iris and doesn't understand the feelings that rush at him all at once. He quickly kidnaps Iris and takes her to a private Caribbean Island where they both realize that as much as they'd like to hate each other, the universe has much more in store. Duran doesn't want to return Iris to her life and finds himself buried deep in Iris, mafia business and family drama. Both Iris and Duran have to learn to what love means after a lifetime of abuse and hurt.
Captured Desire is the perfect $teamy, $mutty romance to read this fall. If you haven't read the rest of Raya's other "Captured" series this will definitely make you want to dive in deep. She is phenomenal at delivering a powerful, steamy and imaginative mafia romance. Not only is the book super sexy and full of erotic steam (be forewarned if that isn't your jam) but she also creates amazing characters that you just want to know more about. Raya is hands down a one click author for me now.
"I was thinking I might just keep you for myself, but I like good girls and you are a wildcat who bites and spits."
January 24, 2024
This book felt rushed and awkward.
In the first chapters we have so many cringe scenes trying to establish a FMC as different and oh so pure, and a MMC complaining about plastic women
At no point does it feel like the connection between them is formed. They jump to sex in scenes where the humor for it is not established, for example in one scene she is very nervous and vulnerable because she is going to prostitute herself for her mother but he starts touching her to show her that she does not want to prostitute herself and they ended up having sex, like what?
They get married 3 days after seeing each other and suddenly he is saying you are mine and I am going to possess you but I only want your body, they have sex, she asks for love, he says he doesn't believe in that, they fight, he says you are mine and you body is mine...
And don't make me talk about how bad the dialogues are:
"Where the hell is your security team, Buttercup? Little fruit flies like her shouldn’t be able to get anywhere near you. Enough of this bullshit.”
In the first chapters we have so many cringe scenes trying to establish a FMC as different and oh so pure, and a MMC complaining about plastic women
At no point does it feel like the connection between them is formed. They jump to sex in scenes where the humor for it is not established, for example in one scene she is very nervous and vulnerable because she is going to prostitute herself for her mother but he starts touching her to show her that she does not want to prostitute herself and they ended up having sex, like what?
They get married 3 days after seeing each other and suddenly he is saying you are mine and I am going to possess you but I only want your body, they have sex, she asks for love, he says he doesn't believe in that, they fight, he says you are mine and you body is mine...
And don't make me talk about how bad the dialogues are:
"Where the hell is your security team, Buttercup? Little fruit flies like her shouldn’t be able to get anywhere near you. Enough of this bullshit.”
September 12, 2023
I'm going to be honest, this book was more smut than plot. Iris was raised by an overly religious family. Everything she was taught about sex was negative, so even the thought of wanting to cross the line brought her shame. She met Duran and wanted to try things without going all the way. When he thought that she was a spy, he took her to a private island and things escalated. Iris' constant back and forth about her sexuality became a bit frustrating at points but the filthy things that Duran said made up for it. This is not a book for someone who enjoys a deep, meaningful plot. If you like a dirty talking, morally grey MMC and a V-💳 toting FMC, this is for you. No OWD, cheating or 3rd act breakup
September 12, 2023
In this book we have Iris who grew up very religious and it taught sex is negative. Then we she meets Mafia man Duran. They spend one night together before he takes her because he thinks she is a spy. While Duran took Iris to a private island things started to escalate but they seemed to go at Iris’s pace. Since Iris was taught so negatively about things just the thought of anything made her feel guilty. Duran understood that and even when she wanted to close up he had her talk so they could process her feelings and not feel guilty. Even when it came to spending his money she felt very guilty.
November 7, 2023
Honestly I enjoyed it a lot. Some people might not but other wise it’s pretty good.
Basically he sees the girl in a hotel and then finds her at the bar. They go to his room and the next morning she’s trying to find him and ends up seeing his computer but he thinks she’s a spy and ends up kidnapping her and taking her to an island.
Some more time later he finds out she’s not a spy but dosent tell her this and ends up taking her shopping as he wants her to be his date in an event. She’s about to be raped there, when he kills them and takes her back to the island. By the end there married and in love.
It kind of became a typical dark romance for me but I still loved Duran and Iris.
Basically he sees the girl in a hotel and then finds her at the bar. They go to his room and the next morning she’s trying to find him and ends up seeing his computer but he thinks she’s a spy and ends up kidnapping her and taking her to an island.
Some more time later he finds out she’s not a spy but dosent tell her this and ends up taking her shopping as he wants her to be his date in an event. She’s about to be raped there, when he kills them and takes her back to the island. By the end there married and in love.
It kind of became a typical dark romance for me but I still loved Duran and Iris.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 19, 2023
If you like a good mafia romance with more focus on the romance, then this is a great book.
I really loved this story and was happy to have the MMC have depth. I like reading a book and knowing whats going on it both their heads and not just the females.
In my opinion, this is a 'he fell first', and I loved every moment.
I am happy that we will get more from this author because the side characters introduced had me really wanting more. I already can't wait for his bothers book!!
*I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.*
I really loved this story and was happy to have the MMC have depth. I like reading a book and knowing whats going on it both their heads and not just the females.
In my opinion, this is a 'he fell first', and I loved every moment.
I am happy that we will get more from this author because the side characters introduced had me really wanting more. I already can't wait for his bothers book!!
*I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.*
September 19, 2023
I loved this re-write! Having read the first run of this book earlier this year, I appreciated that the storyline was not heavily changed but rather expanded on so the reader gets a better idea of Iris and Duran’s relationship and origin story. I love them as a couple, and find their dynamic so captivating. If you’re looking for a smutty read, this is for you! I’m so glad we got this version of Iris and Duran, they deserved it!
September 25, 2023
(Note: Please check TW, this book contains religious and childhood trauma)
The story focuses on Duran and Iris, both of whom are staying at a hotel owned by Duran’s older brother, who is secondhand to the mob boss. Duran kidnaps Iris thinking she is a spy and yet refuses to let her go when he finds out who she really is. Iris seems to hate Duran more in the beginning than he does her. Yet, she quickly finds him to be completely different than what he portrays to the public. She opens up with him about her religious trauma which Duran understands and respects her boundaries. I feel he fell first and was willing to go against his brother to be with her.
I received this book as eARC and this review is left voluntarily.
The story focuses on Duran and Iris, both of whom are staying at a hotel owned by Duran’s older brother, who is secondhand to the mob boss. Duran kidnaps Iris thinking she is a spy and yet refuses to let her go when he finds out who she really is. Iris seems to hate Duran more in the beginning than he does her. Yet, she quickly finds him to be completely different than what he portrays to the public. She opens up with him about her religious trauma which Duran understands and respects her boundaries. I feel he fell first and was willing to go against his brother to be with her.
I received this book as eARC and this review is left voluntarily.
September 12, 2023
Love me a good mafia romance book! Hes goodlooking, a billionaire and possessive but under all that tough exterior he turns out to be such a cute and trustworthy MMC. Shes young and inexperienced and sexy as hell. So many kinks are in this book and you definitely need to read the trigger warnings before diving into it.
I gave this a solid 4 star because it just hit all the right spots🖤
I gave this a solid 4 star because it just hit all the right spots🖤
September 14, 2023
This book was a smutty as they get! I loved Duran, he was so protective of Iris and thoughtful when it came to her. Iris was a sting lead but you could tell how she was raised to believe sex was bad. You get a good smutty story with enemies to lovers, kidnapping, “touch her and die” tropes in this book and if you like all of those it’s worth the read!
September 23, 2023
Duran and Iris have such a whirlwind romance. Their feelings fluctuate in the beginning. They start with desire, then hatred, and end with love. They both have a bad past, and they accept their broken parts. I loved them together.
If you love mafia romances with a big list of trigger warnings, this is the book for you! I had so much fun reading this book.
If you love mafia romances with a big list of trigger warnings, this is the book for you! I had so much fun reading this book.
September 16, 2023
Finished this book omg I loved this book so much I love there chemistry so much what a beautiful story !!’ And the spice is 😍🥵 so juicy !! I really recommend this book!
September 23, 2023
A class smut. Storyline was okay
October 7, 2023
Good smut 🤭
October 20, 2023
The summer tan, the bleached hair from the ocean, it was just giving. For some reason kept thinking the girl character was Mimi Keene. Just something so goddess about her overall great read
November 16, 2023
this was TERRIBLE
i didn’t like the mmc at all and how he talked about her. the fmc was stupid and childish and the smut wasn’t even that good 💀
i didn’t like the mmc at all and how he talked about her. the fmc was stupid and childish and the smut wasn’t even that good 💀
January 10, 2024
Didn't finish at 50% . I'm sorry it was annoying
February 26, 2024
3.75⭐️
i may be enjoying these a little to much.
i may be enjoying these a little to much.
March 8, 2024
spicy and quick
It was super spicy. But a quick read. It got the job done. Love the romance and how much love they built for one another. Loved the banter.
It was super spicy. But a quick read. It got the job done. Love the romance and how much love they built for one another. Loved the banter.
September 23, 2023
Raya has done it again! OMG this book was so good, I could not put it down!! I loved reading Iris and Duran's story and I definitely sympathized with Iris and some of the things she was feeling. Definitely recommend this book! You will not be disappointed!!
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews