Captive

by Clarissa Cartharn

Nora Jennings quit her job as a photographer for a small community newspaper to fulfill her dreams of traveling. First stop- Kashmir, the land renowned as heaven on Earth.

But dreams have a terrible habit of turning into a nightmare. And suddenly she finds herself bound and gagged in Afghanistan, ready to be wedded to Pashtun brute, Adam Afridi.

Note: The story is a series and unfolds over a multiple of volumes

67 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 31, 2014

About the author

Clarissa Cartharn is the author of romance novels such as Captive,Perfect Vengeance and the action/romance Jar series.

Traveling, learning new languages and cultures are some of her interests which have inspired her books. She turned her love for writing into a full-pledged passion with her first romance, Winter's End and has since never looked back. After almost ten romance novels, each with eclectic themes ranging from angsty Cinderella inspirations to thrillers set in the barren war torn lands of Afghanistan, Clarissa is currently on a new adventure to find her next love story.

Her Writing Style:
1. A premise
2. Romance
3. Realism
4. Heat. Yep, yep and yep
5. Vulgarity- where needed be. Oh come on, if she's gonna be writing about warlords, arms dealers, drug traffickers and rough-necked soldiers, then please don't expect them to be minding their tenses and grammar.
6. Oh yes, and a plot! Especially, a plot! A darned good one!

If this is your kind of romance too, then please hop on board and check some of her books out!https://www.clarissacartharn.com

For her latest rants on the book world, check out her blog:
https://acupofromance.blogspot.com

If you wish to grab a free copy of any of her books to review, then please feel free to drop her a message at any time or simply follow the link to fill in your details:
https://www.clarissacartharn.com/your...

Reviews

[Ariel · Rating 4 out of 5]

~I recieved this book from the author in exchange for an honest review~

My Thoughts

This is the second book I have read by Clarissa. the first I read was Claimed which I reviewed here if you’d like to check it out.

Both of the books are really interesting and I loved that you can tell that they are written by the same author without feeling to similar. Out of the two I think I favor this one but I really liked the other one as well.

The feel of this book is so different though. This one is contemporary and I am a sucker for all things contemporary. A lot happens quickly in this book without feeling rushed. It reads like an episode of your favorite T.V show and I really liked that. Its short, extremely short. Which would bother me more if I had to wait for the next installment. It leaves at a huge cliffhanger and I desperately wanted to know what happened next in Nora’s life.

I really lied Nora and I am curious on how she is going to react and interact with the world she has been thrown into. As for Adam we just barely got to meet him and I think he was interesting and can’t wait to read more about him and the world he is involved in.

I am so stoked to start the next installment of the Captive series. I am also really hoping that photography will be a big part of the overall story since its the main reason Nora was trust into this world.

This book/ series is not intended for anyone under the legal age so please be aware of that. Besides that this was a really entertaining quick read that left me invested and desperate to read the next book in the series.

[Aly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book. It was a quick easy read and I felt for the characters. I would not want to be in Nora's situation at all. I think this was a good book and I want to read the next one to find out what happens next. *I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review*

[Indu · Rating 4 out of 5]

**I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review**

5 perfect stars..

Note- Contains sexual situations, coarse/explicit language, descriptive violence, ends in a cliffhanger...

Genre- Romance/Contemporary/Suspense

First of all, wow. I loved this book.... and I was left yearning for more at the end.
Let me begin with the story…. (contains spoilers)
You have Eleanor Jennings, mentioned throughout as Nora Jennings, a photographer, who has come to Kashmir, for a vacation. Well, her vacation plans go haywire when she is kidnapped, bound and packed off to Afghanistan. All for clicking photos of a handsome, mysterious man standing by the pier when she was boating on the Dal lake.
So, she is held captive by a man, who is later revealed to be Mateen, the beta-in-command in the Darul-Ilhaam, a local group which smuggles guns/drugs. Also, there is a woman named Freba, who is working with Mateen but has a soft spot for Nora. However, she is helpless as she watches Nora being abused and beaten by Mateen who demands that she hand over the photographs to him immediately. He refuses to believe her as she denies having them at all. And after a serious bout of violence that leaves Nora hurt and bleeding, Freba tends to her, promising to call for help.
Freba then calls up Adam Afridi who is-
i) The Leader of the Darul-Ilhaam
ii) The mysterious man by the pier
iii) Scorching Hot..!!
Adam then comes to the place where she is held captive and warns Mateen to never lay a finger on her. A command he clearly refuses to acknowledge because the following night, Mateen tries to rape Nora, only to be lifted off her and tackled to the floor by Adam. Adam then claims Nora to be ‘his’ woman, forbidding Mateen from touching her and promptly chops a small lock of her hair and waves it in Mateen’s face, daring him to challenge him. The book ends with Adam telling Nora that she is to be his wife and taking her away from the hellhole she was being housed in.
*swoon*
Plot - Amazing
Characters- Perfect, Bonus points for Adam...

Overall- Lovely, holds a lot of promise to develop into a wonderful 'marriage-of-convenience' kind of series. Can't wait for the next installment...

Recommended For - All romance/romantica lovers, Adults, readers looking for a change of scenery...

[Moon Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

*I received this book in exchange of an honest review*

Amazing, amazing, amazing!!!! Very well written, acutely researched, extremely creative, dangerously addictive, heart breaking and thrilling "Captive" is simply a masterpiece!!!! Impossible to put down, you will be catapulted in the entwined lives of a kidnapping victim Nora and Adam, a warlord extraordinaire!!!! Very well described, this book will allow you to visit wonderful countries where underlies the worst crimes and situations known to humanity! Human trafficking, rape, kidnapping and so much more atrocities that are everyday occurrences to the people living in war zones and poor countries! Thanks to the fabulous writing style of Clarissa Cartharn you will witness it all through the eyes of this book's amazing characters! Full of twists that keep the action flowing and a great plot that will make you tear up, i definitely can say this book will appeal to a wider range of readers and not only the romance type.
This is definitely not your typical romance, but even if some of those subjects are difficult, this story is worth reading!!!! This roller coaster of emotions will make your head spin, will give you a profound appreciation for your daily life and will remind you the strange power of love!!!!! Certainly movie worthy "Captive" is A MUST READ!!!!! Clarissa Cartharn Two Thumbs Up High In The Air With Blazing Lighters On.....

[4smalls · Rating 4 out of 5]

- Copy received in exchange for an honest review -

This is the first book I've read by Clarissa Cartharn and it won't be my last.

I wouldn't normally pickup this book based on the description. I tend to lean towards brighter reads and HEA type stuff. However, this is the exact reason I agreed to read this book. It was an opportunity to shake it up a bit and step away from the shiny happy stuff I usually read.

Now, I really wanted to give this book a 5 star rating however there were a few things that prevented me from doing so.

CLIFFHANGER - GRRRR! The story was just getting started and then the book was over. I closed it pissed off. It had all the good components to be an awesome book but at only 44 pages I felt like it was a great opening. Not a full story/book or novella.

The writing style and the idea of the story are fantastic but in my opinion (others may disagree) the story isn't complete. I will read the followup because the author successfully pulled me in with the 44 pages that I read but I'm hopeful that the story comes full circle in the next book.

[Elodie Parkes · Rating 5 out of 5]

An intense, intriguing beginning to an adventure

I love this story and can't wait to read the next part of what promises to be an intense adventure for the heroine Nora.
Right from the start the author creates the scene beautifully with excellent descriptions of Kashmir and the people there.
When Nora accepts a ride in an unregistered taxi my heart was in my boots and I was saying noooo don't do it. The story is intriguing and when Nora sees and photographs a distinctive man standing on the riverbank, the author's ability to create atmosphere will have the hairs standing up on the back of your neck.
Without giving spoilers it's hard to do credit to what happens when Nora discovers she hasn't arrived at the destination she had hoped to.
Exceptionally well written, this story is hard to put down and leaves you wanting more. Fortunately, it's clearly the start of more stories to come in this adventure. 5 stars

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Part 1 of Captive series

Nora makes a major change in her life leading her on a very unforseen drastic change that was not in her life goals.
Her week in Kashmir was beautiful and perfect until Nora decided not to wait for the bus but get into a car with strangers. That ride gets her drugged and kidnapped then she finds herself in Afghanistan. Here one of her lovely captors named Marteen proceed to question and beat her and later almost rape her.
Adam saves her from Marteen but doesn't solve the problem of what to do with the American woman.
This ends as a cliffhanger when Adam has an idea to save her.
So in this quick parts story(series) you get plenty packed that leaves you wanting to know what happens next. The author does a great job of setting the story leaving you wanting more.

I recieved a copy from the author for my honest review.
Word to the wise...don't get into cars with strangers. Like Nora things can turn out bad.

[Keep Calm Novel On · Rating 3 out of 5]

*A copy of the ebook was received from the author in exchange for an honest review.*

Nora Jennings is inspired to change her life. She comes across a list of life goals that she completed at eighteen. She quits her job as a photographer and leaves for Kashmiri. She is determined to live her life. She photographs her journey.

This novella should be a reminder never to get into a vehicle with strangers. She does so reluctantly and ends up in Afghanistan.

This volume moves quickly. Are there sparks between Adam Afridi and Nora? He is the handsome leader of Dural-Ilhaam an underground gun supplier for the Middle East.

I will read Book 2. I must find out what happens to Nora. Will she escape? Will she have to marry Adam? Will her photos help her in some way?

This book is not suitable for young readers.

[Medavis66 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting, but very short read. I will look forward to more of the 'books', as I want to know what happens between Nora and Adam. He doesn't seem as bad as Madeen, but knowing Adam is the leader makes me uncertain of what he will be like. He does have respect for Freda and he has saved Nora, so maybe he will be a decent guy. Scary he choose to become Afghan and I wonder if it was for the power and money. I breezed right through this, but it was very good. I prefer longer reads, so I would probably want to see these combined into a volume that contains several of the books if they are to be this length.

ARC provided in exchange for honest review.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was given a copy of this book for my honest review.

First let me say, I am not a fan of serials, but that has no bearing on my review of the book.

I am also not a fan of stories that take place in countries that have no respect for women. I had to look beyond that while reading this book.

Nora is a photographer who quits her job and heads for Kashmir, India. There is really no way to say anything else without giving away the story.

The book is well written and I found myself engrossed in the story. While I would not normally read this kind of book, I am intrigued enough to continue with the series.

[V · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

A quicky that ended abruptly and on a cliffhanger (of course). There was still 35% left on my kindle so i wasnt expecting the ending. I also expected it to be abit darker. Sure, the underlying themes are very dark.....American woman kidnapped whilst on a trip in India - then taken to Afghanistan and remains as a prisoner, all the while she doesnt know exactly why. Yet it was written in a why that made it less so, in my opinion.

That's not to say i didnt enjoy it and want to read about what happens next.

[Tracy O’Sing · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book in exchange for an honest review.

A short story, that doesn't lack in detail. The beginning to a fantastic series. Intense and intriguing to say the least... Nora Jennings an American photographer travelling to Kashmir, abducted and held captive in Afghanistan. Enter Adam Afridi leader of a Drug cartel and weapons dealer. A complex and descriptive story that was well written and quite simply a thrilling read. I don't like to give spoilers but I will say that after the cliff-hanger ending I can't wait to read the next part in Ms Cartharn's Captive series.

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

** I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.**

Wow. 'Captive' pulled me in from the beginning and did not let go. I was on the edge of my seat in anticipation for Nora's safety. For this story to be a quick read, it was packed with action and left Nora living a nightmare she had only heard or read about. I loved it. Thrilling plot, great characters and a storyline that intrigued me and left me having to read book 2. I can't wait to read more of Nora's story. A must add to your tbr list.

[Barb · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book in exchange for an honest review.
I really loved the beginning to this story and I want to know more. Nora and Adam have an instant connection, but I fear in order to save her he must marry her. Looking forward to finding out more about his past. Sadly, the story is too short and now, Ms. Cartharn, you have me waiting for the next installment. What have you done to me? Strangely enough, this book has the same cover as Secrets by H.M. Ward. Or am I imaging it?

[Sivutha · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Nora Jennings,” he said. “It’s true I was once an American. But I am now an Afghan. My name is Adam Afridi. And you’re going to be my wife.”

Omg!! Total cliffhanger!! I need the second book ASAP. Adam and Nora :).

[Tami · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just want to say ahhhhhh. I read the story out of order. Tells you how good the author is and how strong the storyline if it still flows like a dream. Luckily, I have more from this author saved on my tablet......I personally cannot wait to read more of hers!

[Miley Styles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good story with some truly original elements. Definitely want to find out what happens next!