Caged Wolf

Wolves of Willow Bend #2

by Heather Long

Triplets, the Buckley brothers were inseparable until everything went wrong one violent, bloody night. A.J. Buckley, the eldest of the trio, faced a human trial for a brutal murder. Found guilty, he was sentenced to twenty-five to life. Without argument or regret, he accepted the sentence. After six years in prison, A.J.’s conviction is overturned on a technicality and he returns to Willow Bend to face a new Alpha and fresh charges. Vivian Knox was the only witness to the murder. She refused to testify in the human courtroom and spent a year in prison on contempt charges. Once released, she worked tirelessly to free A.J., finally locating a loophole in the case against him. Satisfied with his freedom, the last thing she expected was to be kidnapped to the back of beyond where another judge demands she testify to what she saw that night. This time, contempt is the least of her problems. Only four people know exactly what happened that night and none are talking. When pack law threatens Vivian, A.J. must stake his claim, but his wolf might be too damaged to help him…

Genres: Paranormal, Shapeshifters, Paranormal Romance, Romance, Werewolves, Wolves, Fantasy

167 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 29, 2014

About the author

I love books. Not just a little bit, but a lot. Books were my best friends when I was growing up. Books didn’t care if I was new to a town or to a class. They were always there, my trustiest of companions. Until they turned on me and said I had to write them.

I can tell you that my own personal happily ever after included writing books. I’ve always said that an HEA is a work in progress. It’s true in my marriage, my friendships, and in my career. I am constantly nurturing my muse as we dive into new tales, new tropes, new characters and more.

After seventeen years back in Texas, we relocated to the Pacific Northwest in search of seasons, new experiences, and new geography. I can’t wait to discover what life (and my muse) have in store for me.

Maybe writing was always my destiny and romance my fate. After all, my grandmother wasn’t a fan of picture books and used to read me her Harlequin Romance novels.

Friends to lovers, enemies to lovers, friends to enemies to lovers, you name it, I love them and love to write them. I started with Earth Witches Aren’t Easy, the first in the Chance Monroe trilogy, but my characters and I have traveled a long way since I created that urban fantasy world.

One of the series I hear my readers recommend the most is the Untouchable series followed in quick succession by the Vandals, and that just delights me. No lie, whenever one of my readers brings up my wolves, I do a little a fist pump.

I’m active on social media, and I love hearing from readers. Feel free to tag me with a question about any of my books, or just say hi!

Reviews

[Tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sent to prison for a crime he did not commit, A.J. faced a lot more trials being a shifter in a human prison. He has had to endure so much. I was pulled into this story because of his suffering. Reading about how Vivian fits into his past and his present pulled me in. Troubled characters discovering what their pasts meant and how choices made can lead to a brighter future.

[Dar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, I really liked these two! The story has this air of hurt and pain lingering over it, and slowly, bit by bit, that cloud lifts, and by the end, it is so happy and peaceful, a perfectly filled out circle of love <3

[Annie Slasher (Booked & Loaded) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an original review from http://bookedandloaded.com - I personally purchased this title. All opinions are my own and are not influenced in any way. **Original Rating 4.5/5

Caged Wolf by Heather Long is the second book in her Paranormal Romance series, Wolves of Willow Bend. Although I believe this book could probably be read as a stand alone. I am going to say that I think reading book 1 will likely add more depth to this second installment.

Caged Wolf did not disappoint. A great Paranormal Romance through and through with shifters, love, and fun reading! I truly enjoy this type of paranormal romance - a story that doesn't drag you down and leave you feeling like you are on overload. The high chemistry and intense multi-layered conflict had me flipping pages until late at night and sneaking paragraphs at any opportunity.

I was a little reluctant at first to read A.J.'s story. I felt it might be too intense emotionally since he was imprisoned for years, unable to shift, away from his pack, abandoned by the previous Alpha, and outcast (by force) by his family. I am thrilled to say that Long didn't bog us down with self-loathing and pain. Reading A.J.'s story was more about the freedom and happiness than it was the pain of the past. I LOVE THIS!

The relationship between A.J. and Vivian is a very different and unique story. I loved the dynamic his brothers added to the story and I fell in love with all of A.J.'s family and Vivian. The entire story put a smile on my face and l would certainly recommend this book to any paranormal romance fan!

[Wolffe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Long is quickly becoming one of my favorite "easy reading" authors. Her prose is good, her characters are well-formed and believable, the romance and plot are paced well and make sense and it just all works.

There was one aspect of the plot that was disappointing. I was very excited when I thought we might get a heroine with a mental illness. Long captured panic and anxiety perfectly and I looked forward to Andrew helping Vivian deal with PTSD or GAD stemming from her attack. I was disappointed when they said she might have a brain tumor, and REALLY disappointed when they made it a result of their incomplete mating. Having PTSD or GAD would have made Vivian a much more interesting character.

I won't hold the quick wrap up against Long though. I suspect most readers were thankful the whole thing was resolved so quickly and easily.

[April ♥"LOS" ♥ · Rating 4 out of 5]

What can I say, I'm a sucker for a well written shifter story, and this book did not disappoint.
After being imprisoned for six year A.J Buckley, the oldest of the Buckley triplets, is finally released and returned to his pack in Willow Bend to face pack judgement. A.J. returns to find a new alpha has taken over the pack, and the woman who fought to get A.J. his freedom has been kidnapped and dragged back into his life. Vivian Knox, the woman that A.J. rescued six years ago on that fateful night, may be the only one who can clear his name with his pack. This book is sexy and fast paced. I love the emotional connection between A.J. and Vivian, they are such a hot couple. I would recommend this series to PNR and shifter fans.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Though part of a series this book can be read stand alone. Caged Wolf is a well written, fast paced , page turner of a story. This story takes place in the incredibly vivid world of the Wolves of Willow Bend. AJ is a werewolf who has been forced to restrain his wolf while in a human jail. Now after six years he is freed with the help of the human woman Vivian. He can’t get her out of his head or heart. She has invaded his entire being but she has issues. Can he and his wolf save her? Can she save him? Read this terrific story and find out.
Complimentary copy provided by author/publisher for an honest review.

[Sabrina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Third installment of the series Wolves of Willow Bend and Im loving the frick out of it!
We are getting more pack issues and its striking all my paranormal boxes with every book I read.

Romance: check
alpha H (several alphas in fact): check
H in need: check
Good plot: check
Good pace: check
Awesome second characters: check

So why 4 and not 5 stars?
I wanted to read more about her change.
:D

[Puna · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

[Nikki · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rating: 3 Stars

The second book in this series shares the same okay-ness (which is definitely a real word) from book one. The previous book gave the impression of a pilot episode for a new TV series, testing the interest of prospective viewers before committing to an entire season, as Heather Long waited to introduce the majority of the world building until this book—which is more of an observation than a criticism/complaint.

Whilst I was happy to see additional world building, I was ultimately left feeling confused and unsatisfied by the underdeveloped plot. The mystery of Vivian’s “fugues” was one of the main points of interest for me, and I was disappointed by the eventual explanation. For me, I didn’t feel like the author did a good job of having A.J. explain the answer. In fact, I don’t understand the thought process of his that led him to that answer. The entire subject is just a big tangled ball of confusion.

Additionally, there were more than a few spelling and grammar errors, which I don’t usually fault the author on, but when you add in the poorly developed storylines… Anyways, in the end this was an okay read, but I personally feel that it could benefit greatly from more extensive editing.

Title: Caged Wolf
(Wolves of Willow Bend #2)
POV(s): Dual—Third Person
Interconnected Series: Yes
Standalone: Yes
Cliffhanger: No
HEA: Yes
Genre(s): Contemporary Paranormal Romance
Triggers: Attempted suicide by overdose
Tags/Tropes:
❖ Hero-Released-from-Prison
❖ Hero-Returns-Home
❖ Hero-Wrongly-Imprisoned
❖ Heroine-Rescues-Hero
❖ Human-Heroine
❖ Insta-Love
❖ Seperation (6 years)
❖ Tortured-Hero
❖ Wolf-Shifter

[Meiwilli · Rating 3 out of 5]

Caged and released...

Apparently picking up the story where Wolf Bite left off, Caged introduces Andrew "AJ" Buckley, the eldest of triplets, who was put on trial for murder, found guilty and jailed in a human prison--practically a death sentence for a wolf. His Alpha, Toman, has turned his back on AJ and allowed him to sit in prison for six years when his sentence is overturned on a technicality and AJ allowed to return to Willow Bend.
To AJ's surprise, there's a new alpha in town and the person behind his release is the same person who got him locked up in the first place. A new trial awaits AJ in Willow Bend.

Human Vivian Knox was witness to a murder six years ago and refused to testify or tell anyone what she saw or what really happened the night a man was killed. Vivian spends a year behind bars for contempt and once she is released, she works tirelessly to free the man who saved her life. Once she has freed AJ, Vivian thinks the trial is over only to be kidnapped and taken to Willow Bend for a brand new trial...a pack trial.

Things have changed for the better since AJ left Willow Bend. To his surprise, Mason Clayborne is the new Alpha and the pack appears to be healing and healthy. A lot for AJ to process as he returns to Willow Bend broken and a shell of his former self. Just as AJ settles in with his family, he is told Vivian has been brought to Willow Bend to stand trial with him and the outcome of this trial could kill them both.

A good plot and characters moved the story along although it was somewhat predictable. Again, horrible editing but a better execution of the plot.

On my Werre Scale of Hotness, 3 stars.

[iliana G · Rating 5 out of 5]

Triplets, the Buckley brothers were inseparable until everything went wrong one violent, bloody night. A.J. Buckley, the eldest of the trio, faced a human trial for a brutal murder. Found guilty, he was sentenced to twenty-five to life. Without argument or regret, he accepted the sentence. After six years in prison, A.J.’s conviction is overturned on a technicality and he returns to Willow Bend to face a new Alpha and fresh charges.

Vivian Knox was the only witness to the murder. She refused to testify in the human courtroom and spent a year in prison on contempt charges. Once released, she worked tirelessly to free A.J., finally locating a loophole in the case against him. Satisfied with his freedom, the last thing she expected was to be kidnapped to the back of beyond where another judge demands she testify to what she saw that night. This time, contempt is the least of her problems.

Only four people know exactly what happened that night and none are talking. When pack law threatens Vivian, A.J. must stake his claim, but his wolf might be too damaged to help him…



Ohhhh my god!!!
This book breaks your heart and builds it up back up again in no time!!!
Have i mentioned that i love these wolves???
Once again Heather Long has managed to give us ana amazing story!!!

[Jamoz23 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Though I enjoyed this book, it isn’t one of the better ones out there.
Not sure why Vivian locked up speech wise and didn’t just tell the truth, it was self-defence after all.
A.J. and his brothers were not even really there. They arrived just as Vivian hit her attacker.
Focuses more on A.J. trying to find his balance after 6 years in a human prison, holding his wolf side locked down until deep emotional damage is done. This is also put down to the mate bond being ignored as well.
He finally returns back to his pack after Vivian supplies the evidence needed to lawyer Ryan to free him.
But his pack has changed Alphas recently and the old Alpha, who left him to rot in prison is gone, and he needs to learn to trust Mason.
This is proved hard to do when Vivian is bought to the pack so the truth will be told.
Mason, who was absent from the pack himself at the time this happened, has to know he can trust A.J. in his pack.
I read and reviewed this series more years ago than I want to remember.
Seeing there are a lot more books added to this series, I am rereading them through Kindle Unlimited.
Read in the box set through Kindle Unlimited.

[CarolKat · Rating 5 out of 5]

AJ is finally free, 7 years is a long time for a wolf to be incarcerated without being able to shift. Now Mason is demanding answers, not only from AJ but he has Vivian brought to Willow Bend as well. That didn't go over well with AJ and he wasn't shy about letting Mason know it.

Vivian worked hard to find the data needed to free AJ, now with him free she is set to move far away and heal far away. Fate however had a different plan. Margo and Owen had been sent to fetch her to Willow Bend. AJ has yet another trial, one that might not work out very well for him. She woke with bruises on her face and a split lip, and no idea where she was. Not good when you have had fugues before.

A trip to Emma and much becomes clear, at least to the reader. A prescription to rest, eat and play alone together. All with Mason's approval.

I truly wonder at times how Mason knows so much before everyone else does. This is a story of commitment and love that nothing and no one can stop.

A page turning, tearful, with some giggles as well. Off to read the next one. I love this series.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Second installment of the Willow Bend wolves.

AJ went to a human prison allegedly for killing a man. Vivan, who was there on the tragic night, works tirelessly to free AJ from prison. AJ suppressed his wolf nature during prison in order to not betray the secret that the wolves exist. After being set free from prison, Vivian is "encouraged" to come to Willow Bend. It's not enough that AJ has gone through the human legal system, he has to endure the pack laws as well.

Overall a decent story about two very damaged characters. I would have liked a bit more exploration into AJ's character. He seems to bounce back from his 6 years of confinement in prison a bit too easily. Once they figured out that they were mates it was, bam, all our past baggage is just baggage. A little too convenient but Long's writing is good enough for me to not be too overly irritated.

[Tammy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A.J. and his brothers leave their territory and go into the city to have a little fun when they come across a lady getting beaten in an alley, they step in to help and the next thing he knows he is in a human prison for six years. He swears the woman and his brothers to secrecy of what reall y happened that night.
His new Alpha, MAson has their pack lawyer work on getting A.J. out and back home where he has to face the pack laws and consequences for killing a human.
A.J. is in a depressed state when he comes home, he is trying to adjust to all the changes that happened in the six years he was gone. He also has to try and get his body to change into wolf so he can heal his wolfs spirit as well but he hasnt changed in six years, so its being difficult.
I enjoyed this second book in this series and look forward to the next.

[Kyan · Rating 4 out of 5]

AJ and Vivian had my heart from the very beginning.
This is a series of standalones but I'm all about reading in order so I can have the backstory of each couple and of course follow along the larger plot line.

The twist and turns of this book kept me on the edge of my seat.
AJ has just served a prison sentence that wasn't his to serve in the first place, and we finally find out why. It seriously made me squeal we they realized they were meant to be together. With everything this couple has been through it was nice to finally see them figure it all out.
Especially AJ. We love a good hard headed man who doesn't see what's right in front of him.
I don't know if the two other triplets get a book BUT I'm hoping at some point they do!
Really excited to keep reading the series. Cause Wolf Shifters have my heart!

[The Queen Katz · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book better than the previous one but there were still some issues that stopped me from loving it.


* The story moved so slow that I wanted to skip ahead and get to the resolution
* I'm not sure why A.J and his brothers lied for Vivian - she defended herself against an attacker and was badly injured - the story that she would not be believed and would suffer rang false - not to mention she suffered anyway
* That no one in the family was trying to get A.J free - because it was decreed by the alpha???
* The way the heroine's mental illness was written and ultimately resolved.

[Tammy Sargeant · Rating 3 out of 5]

Awww, this is my favorite to far. This was such a cute read. I liked Vivian and AJ. AJ is a wolf who was sentenced to prison for a crime he didn't commit. He did it all to protect his mate. Vivian is a computer software developer human, who tried her hardest to get AJ out of jail after six years. You didn't get much background on these guys, but the story kept flowing and it was interesting. I like this world that Mrs. Long has written for us. She keeps the story short and sweet, but still tries to pack as much info in it.

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not real long but well done. I've only read two of these but I like the whole set up, the world she's put together.

[Delia · Rating 2 out of 5]

The first book was ok, and I was interested in reading this one, but wow, I can not get past Vivian, she is getting on my last nerve.

[John Piper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome series! I love it!

[Tanielle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed the read, short but enough to want to follow along with the story.

[M Robinson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Struggled to finish this, it had a great plot but just lost the pace. I ended up bored.

Not sure gonna continue with the series and 1st time reading this is where I stopped too

[Stephanne88 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This books was intense. Please give this series a try, it’s so well written and love when I can feel the characters emotions. This is book 2 in the series so start with 1 because the characters flow from book to book and the story goes from book to book.

[Ti · Rating 1 out of 5]

Did I mention assholes? DNF

[BJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of angst as h is sick and H has been in prison for years. He was charged wiht murder, after he saved her. She belives she is dying, so he's very protectove of her. Another good (short) story.

[Claire23 · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5*
Look it did the job between hockey periods but I don’t think I’ll continue this series. It was fun though.

[Becca · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

So I am not going to do my more style of review for this book but here it goes

I actually really liked this book and I knew going in that it was the second book in the series, I thought *foolishly* that it could be easily read as a standalone - I did do my research and looked that the first book but I was very intrigued by this story line so I really wanted to read this one first. I probably shouldn't have to be honest, I mean i can be done, I don't have any doubts about that but I also feel that book one *hopefully* would have gave me a better understanding of he characters and a little less confusing.

Okay back to this book as a whole. I LOVED that this wasn't the expected. The male lead didn't come out of jail like the last seven years didn't mean anything to him. They affected him, and they effected Vivian. I honestly truly appreciated that. It took them a bit to recover and that was great, truly. Buuuuttt here is also the other thing, we had this huge event from their past hanging over our heads and we were talking for most of the book to find out what had happened. Truthfully i kinda already figured it out earlier in the book, but that didn't bother me, what bothered me was the moment it was revealed it seemed kinda like so this happened and lets now quickly move on.

I was sort of disappointed by the anti-climatic-ness of it. That sounds so weird and I realize that but I was expecting this huge like flashback scene were we would be reliving it with the characters, we did for a few points but not the whole thing and I am not sure I mean they go into semi-detail about what happened but I guess i just wanted more.

This was heavier on the romance and the repairing of two damaged souls then it was about any action adventure-y-ness. which usually I am looking for in a paranormal read but that didn't bother me here i enjoyed this book and i enjoyed seeing the two of them healing each other. So I think that it was a really good read, now i just need to go back and reed the first one but the third one is really calling my name at the moment because I actually ....nevermind you don't care finish the review.

It was an excellent read. Slightly disappointing in the reveal but otherwise amazing.

[✨✨ Claire✨✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Carrying on from book 1, this time we follow AJ.

Left by his Alpha to be wrongly imprisoned for killing a human in human jail for 6 years, AJ had repressed his wolf side and had completely gone into himself.
When Ryan, the packs lawyer, comes to him for a day in court, he barely registers it, wondering what trick his cruel Alpha was playing with him. The last thing he expected was to be walking free that same day....

Confused he heads home with Ryan. To Willow Bend.

Unknown to him, the woman he had taken the rap for, Vivian, had been the one who worked to get his conviction overturned. She had been at the courtroom when he got his freedom. He had scented her and then got a glimpse of her as he was leaving.

Worse...as Vivian was trying to leave the state to try to start a new life, she is cornered by the packs Enforcers who need her to go to the Pack to help AJ's case that he needs to state to the Alpha. The Enforcers do not handle it well, and Vivian is terrified, and bruised....

When AJ sees this.....hes far from happy.

Surprised, he sees that the Alpha is no longer the one he was used to. It was now Mason, who had challenged Toman and won....and AJ was wary of the new Alphas agenda.....but the more he saw, felt and heard....he knew he was turning the pack around.

AJ and Vivian are given a few days to "reconnect" before AJ has to state his case about killing another human. These few days find AJ rediscovering not only himself, his family, the pack......but Vivian. He had only met her that night when he had followed her terrified scent and found her. But even then he'd known something was different about her...

These few days.......he can sense something happening......
But Vivian has been getting blackouts. Shes been told she has a brain tumour......but they cant find it. She doesnt know how long she has......

If only AJ can convince her to be bitten.......that would cure her.......