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Nine Circles #4
Kidnapped by the Billionaire
He kissed her the way he'd run her down, conquering her, taking her...
A priceless plan. An illicit attraction.
Seven years ago, billionaire-turned-bodyguard Elijah Hunt lost everything he had-his family, his future-and now he wants revenge. But when he decides to kidnap the daughter of the man who ruined his life, Elijah gets a lot more than he bargained for. Violet Fitzgerald is nothing like her corrupt wealthy father. In fact, she's so disarmingly independent-and irresistible-that she just might be dangerous...
And a love that's too good to be true.
Violet never thought she'd feel a connection to her captor. But there's something beneath Elijah's steel-bodied exterior that makes her want to know him more deeply...and surrender to his every demand. But once Elijah's erotic fantasies become a reality-and he and Violet develop a real romantic connection-he finds himself in a quandary: Is he still the one in control? Or has Violet imprisoned him-body and soul?
A priceless plan. An illicit attraction.
Seven years ago, billionaire-turned-bodyguard Elijah Hunt lost everything he had-his family, his future-and now he wants revenge. But when he decides to kidnap the daughter of the man who ruined his life, Elijah gets a lot more than he bargained for. Violet Fitzgerald is nothing like her corrupt wealthy father. In fact, she's so disarmingly independent-and irresistible-that she just might be dangerous...
And a love that's too good to be true.
Violet never thought she'd feel a connection to her captor. But there's something beneath Elijah's steel-bodied exterior that makes her want to know him more deeply...and surrender to his every demand. But once Elijah's erotic fantasies become a reality-and he and Violet develop a real romantic connection-he finds himself in a quandary: Is he still the one in control? Or has Violet imprisoned him-body and soul?
384 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published March 1, 2016
54 people are currently reading
957 people want to read
About the author
Jackie Ashenden
488 books976 followersJackie has been writing fiction since she was eleven years old. Mild mannered fantasy/SF/pseudo-literary writer by day, obsessive romance writer by night, she used to balance her writing with the more serious job of librarianship until a chance meeting with another romance writer prompted her to throw off the shackles of her day job and devote herself to the true love of her heart – writing romance. She particularly likes to write dark, emotional stories with alpha heroes who've just got the world to their liking only to have it blown wide apart by their kick-ass heroines.
She lives in Auckland, New Zealand with her husband, the inimitable Dr Jax, two kids, two cats and some guppies (possibly dead guppies by the time you read this). When she's not torturing alpha males and their stroppy heroines, she can be found drinking chocolate martinis, reading anything she can lay her hands on, posting random crap on her blog, or being forced to go mountain biking with her husband.
She lives in Auckland, New Zealand with her husband, the inimitable Dr Jax, two kids, two cats and some guppies (possibly dead guppies by the time you read this). When she's not torturing alpha males and their stroppy heroines, she can be found drinking chocolate martinis, reading anything she can lay her hands on, posting random crap on her blog, or being forced to go mountain biking with her husband.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 112 reviews
February 8, 2016
Elijah is a complicated and suffered man. He has gone through difficult loss and is out for revenge. Violet has become the means to his end and he is not prepared for the chemistry she sets off in his body and eventually his heart. Violet's family haven't exactly been pillars of greatness. She finds out that none of them are what she thought. She and Elijah grow closer during his revenge scheme and the dynamic changes. She still wants to help him and wished to break through to him even at her own expense. The story was interesting and written well. The sexy scenes were hawt. I look forward to reading more. Flawed heroes have a special place in my heart :)
ARC received in exchange for an honest review.
ARC received in exchange for an honest review.
November 4, 2025
A story of love, betrayal and family, Kidapped by the Billionaire is a romantic suspense that shouldn’t be missed.
Elijah is a man set on revenge and Violet is the tool to get him what he wants. He never expected innocence and the daughter of such corruption.
Violet had no clue the secrets her family held until Elijah blows her world apart.
Sexy and suspense filled with an emotionally scarred anti-hero to boot, what else can you ask for…
I received this ARC copy of Kidnapped by the Billionaire from St. Martin's Press in exchange for a honest review. This book is set for publication Mar. 1, 2016. @SMPRomance
Elijah is a man set on revenge and Violet is the tool to get him what he wants. He never expected innocence and the daughter of such corruption.
Violet had no clue the secrets her family held until Elijah blows her world apart.
Sexy and suspense filled with an emotionally scarred anti-hero to boot, what else can you ask for…
I received this ARC copy of Kidnapped by the Billionaire from St. Martin's Press in exchange for a honest review. This book is set for publication Mar. 1, 2016. @SMPRomance
February 12, 2016
This is a bit of a crackilicious read - the fantasy is heightened, there’s a big ole dash of Stockholm Syndrome and I was saying this is so wrong, but so delicious, right alongside the characters.
Elijah Hunt has been planning his revenge on Evelyn Fitzgerald, the man who orchestrated the kidnapping, torture and murder of his wife for seven long years. He’s done horrible, terrible things in pursuit of that goal, only to have his revenge snatched away from him by Eva King, the heroine of the last book. His on-the-fly backup plan? Kidnap Fitzgerald’s hippy dippy daughter Violet and use her to get the real man in charge, Jericho.
The prose works for me: Ms. Ashenden has a way with similes and I love how she can immerse me in the character’s feelings. WHich is great, because this story’s plot is a bit over the top. And by over the top, I mean a little batshyte crazy.
It’s a bit WTF: There’s alot of passages where the characters are saying “what the hell? Why?” and honestly, I was too. It appeals to that forbidden part of you that loves the idea of a man doing anything to avenge his love. A man so dangerous, a killer to everyone except you. The story isolates Elijah and Violet and the crazy hot connection was mostly crazy, but as long as you go into it with the mentality that this is heightened drama, not reality-based, I think you’d be fine.
The series rolls along in a new direction: If you’ve followed the series (which I think is best for optimal enjoyment of this entry), then you know that the Nine Circles club has been trying to bring down the Seven Devils. The latest twist in the tale keeps things rolling along, and the mystery of Jericho did intrigue me because of the possibilities of keeping the series going beyond Violet and Elijah. I wasn’t exactly surprised at the outcome, but I do think the tension was good.
Super condensed: Suspension of disbelief is key (think popcorn movie type-suspension) and the timeline is super tight. Like a virgin, which hey - Violet is. Of course. Honestly, if they’d spent more than a couple of days together it might have felt a itty bit more realistic (ok, still fantastical), but it just feels a bit crazy. It’s self-aware of how crazy the feels are and how quickly they fall into it, but I swear I read this in one day and a bit of a sleepless night, so it definitely got me hooked.
I enjoyed it. If you’re a fan of the series, the story twists in a completely new and fascinating direction and I’d recommend it.
**ARC provided by publisher via netgalley for review**
For more reviews, visit
Elijah Hunt has been planning his revenge on Evelyn Fitzgerald, the man who orchestrated the kidnapping, torture and murder of his wife for seven long years. He’s done horrible, terrible things in pursuit of that goal, only to have his revenge snatched away from him by Eva King, the heroine of the last book. His on-the-fly backup plan? Kidnap Fitzgerald’s hippy dippy daughter Violet and use her to get the real man in charge, Jericho.
The prose works for me: Ms. Ashenden has a way with similes and I love how she can immerse me in the character’s feelings. WHich is great, because this story’s plot is a bit over the top. And by over the top, I mean a little batshyte crazy.
It’s a bit WTF: There’s alot of passages where the characters are saying “what the hell? Why?” and honestly, I was too. It appeals to that forbidden part of you that loves the idea of a man doing anything to avenge his love. A man so dangerous, a killer to everyone except you. The story isolates Elijah and Violet and the crazy hot connection was mostly crazy, but as long as you go into it with the mentality that this is heightened drama, not reality-based, I think you’d be fine.
The series rolls along in a new direction: If you’ve followed the series (which I think is best for optimal enjoyment of this entry), then you know that the Nine Circles club has been trying to bring down the Seven Devils. The latest twist in the tale keeps things rolling along, and the mystery of Jericho did intrigue me because of the possibilities of keeping the series going beyond Violet and Elijah. I wasn’t exactly surprised at the outcome, but I do think the tension was good.
Super condensed: Suspension of disbelief is key (think popcorn movie type-suspension) and the timeline is super tight. Like a virgin, which hey - Violet is. Of course. Honestly, if they’d spent more than a couple of days together it might have felt a itty bit more realistic (ok, still fantastical), but it just feels a bit crazy. It’s self-aware of how crazy the feels are and how quickly they fall into it, but I swear I read this in one day and a bit of a sleepless night, so it definitely got me hooked.
I enjoyed it. If you’re a fan of the series, the story twists in a completely new and fascinating direction and I’d recommend it.
**ARC provided by publisher via netgalley for review**
For more reviews, visit
December 17, 2024
Definitely not meant to be read as a standalone. Too many secondary characters and over-arcing continuing story threads happening here to keep track of, felt like walking right into a middle of a story. The title and blurb mentions the hero was a billionaire in his past life but no mention of that in the actual story. He certainly didn't live like one here. The hero and heroine had no chemistry, the 2 days insta-lust-love timeline was insanely unbelievable and for a stockholm syndrome story? No bueno. And having your white rich hellion heroine sporting dreadlocks as a form of "rebellion" to piss off her parents really irked me and left a bad taste in my mouth. I didn't get her at all. Also, why does every character in this series have a long lost sibling/parent they just discovered? Felt a bit much and very redundant and convoluted.
March 2, 2016
Slick's review posted at Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews
Jackie Ashenden's Nine Circles series has been a bit hit and miss with me; the writing is strong, the stories are intricate and suspenseful, the characters fully developed and complex and there is always a romance in each book but in this book the "romance" came a bit too quickly for the situation.
We've seen Elijah Hunt in the previous books and his sometimes his actions seemed out of place and in this book we get a good look at his motivation and the plan he's put into place. He's a hard man and while he believes in his cause his life gets complicated when he brings Violet Fitzgerald into it.
As the title implies Elijah kidnaps Violet and so begins a warp, twisted and messed up story. Elijah has some demons and issues and while we see him change during this story there is no doubt in my mind he will never be quite whole again. Violet's life despite growing up in the lap of luxury was far from perfect and she's spent most of her life forging her own path trying to prove she's not her mother's daughter. Finding out her father was mixed up with drugs, prostitution, human trafficking, and all other types of crime does a number on her but in all honest Violet was pretty strong. I'd like to say she was smart, but some of her actions led me to question her sanity.
I've been a big fan of Ms. Ashenden's work from the start, but in my opinion this book missed the mark; there were just too many aspects of it that I found hard to believe and to be honest the ongoing suspense plot in this book has become a bit tiresome and I'm ready for it to be over.
Review copy provided for an honest review.
Jackie Ashenden's Nine Circles series has been a bit hit and miss with me; the writing is strong, the stories are intricate and suspenseful, the characters fully developed and complex and there is always a romance in each book but in this book the "romance" came a bit too quickly for the situation.
We've seen Elijah Hunt in the previous books and his sometimes his actions seemed out of place and in this book we get a good look at his motivation and the plan he's put into place. He's a hard man and while he believes in his cause his life gets complicated when he brings Violet Fitzgerald into it.
As the title implies Elijah kidnaps Violet and so begins a warp, twisted and messed up story. Elijah has some demons and issues and while we see him change during this story there is no doubt in my mind he will never be quite whole again. Violet's life despite growing up in the lap of luxury was far from perfect and she's spent most of her life forging her own path trying to prove she's not her mother's daughter. Finding out her father was mixed up with drugs, prostitution, human trafficking, and all other types of crime does a number on her but in all honest Violet was pretty strong. I'd like to say she was smart, but some of her actions led me to question her sanity.
I've been a big fan of Ms. Ashenden's work from the start, but in my opinion this book missed the mark; there were just too many aspects of it that I found hard to believe and to be honest the ongoing suspense plot in this book has become a bit tiresome and I'm ready for it to be over.
Review copy provided for an honest review.
March 4, 2016
I was eager to read this because of Violet and Elijah who appears in the book 2.
The plot moves around Elijah's revenge and what he would do make that happen. We have a lot of information and the characters from the books make appearance and shake the things here. Nothing goes accord with his plan because he prefer to work alone but people keep getting in his way.
Nothing really happens until the end and the possibilities there are left open. Secrets are revelead,, finally!!! Gabe with his anger and Eva was less sassy in this one. And my favorite couple Alex and his personal ninja-love Katya <3.
Violet Fitzgerald is the target of Elijah's now.
I like Violet she suffer a lot and more about what her father did.
Their connection was ok for me I believe they were on the radar of each other but never "look" more than employer and daughter's boss.
It just what botter me was that she change more because of him than for herself.
Elijah Hunt I love his character. I have a great emphaty with him and what happens to him and how he rebourn from the ashes. And how "calm" he wait seven long years for his revenge..... and what he was to do to over that in his on way. For me this book was more Elijah's history.
Yeah, he hard, bossy, cold but in this book all his actions was explain.
And THAT ENDING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I knew something was off and the real identity of Jericho.
What will happen we will know in NOVEMBER!!!!!!!!!!!!! CAN'T WAIT.
(
The plot moves around Elijah's revenge and what he would do make that happen. We have a lot of information and the characters from the books make appearance and shake the things here. Nothing goes accord with his plan because he prefer to work alone but people keep getting in his way.
Nothing really happens until the end and the possibilities there are left open. Secrets are revelead,, finally!!! Gabe with his anger and Eva was less sassy in this one. And my favorite couple Alex and his personal ninja-love Katya <3.
Violet Fitzgerald is the target of Elijah's now.
I like Violet she suffer a lot and more about what her father did.
Their connection was ok for me I believe they were on the radar of each other but never "look" more than employer and daughter's boss.
It just what botter me was that she change more because of him than for herself.
Elijah Hunt I love his character. I have a great emphaty with him and what happens to him and how he rebourn from the ashes. And how "calm" he wait seven long years for his revenge..... and what he was to do to over that in his on way. For me this book was more Elijah's history.
Yeah, he hard, bossy, cold but in this book all his actions was explain.
And THAT ENDING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I knew something was off and the real identity of Jericho.
What will happen we will know in NOVEMBER!!!!!!!!!!!!! CAN'T WAIT.
(
February 27, 2016
I received an eARC, from NetGalley and the publisher, in exchange for an honest review. This is book four in the "Nine Circles" series. I have not read the other books so for me this was a standalone book. Although I would like to have known if Elijah Hunt was in the other books...maybe I would have understood him more because I couldn't get any emotional attachment to him/Elijah.
Elijah Hunt is out for revenge against men that have taken everything away from him including his wife who has now died. In his mission to get revenge its a snag when the man he wanted to kill was killed by someone else. So Elijah changes plans and kidnaps that mans daughter / Violet Fitzgerald . Elijah knows her somewhat because he used to work for the man killed..he worked there so that he could find a way to get his revenge. Now though he plans on using Violet as bate to get the second person that has wronged him. Violet is taken by supposed at what Elijah is saying about her father. Violet never had a close relationship with her father or her mother...only her brother who is presumed dead but Violet thinks is still alive.
I did enjoy this book but I just couldn't get emotionally attached with this book as I have other books I have read....but I do hope that you will enjoy it.
Elijah Hunt is out for revenge against men that have taken everything away from him including his wife who has now died. In his mission to get revenge its a snag when the man he wanted to kill was killed by someone else. So Elijah changes plans and kidnaps that mans daughter / Violet Fitzgerald . Elijah knows her somewhat because he used to work for the man killed..he worked there so that he could find a way to get his revenge. Now though he plans on using Violet as bate to get the second person that has wronged him. Violet is taken by supposed at what Elijah is saying about her father. Violet never had a close relationship with her father or her mother...only her brother who is presumed dead but Violet thinks is still alive.
I did enjoy this book but I just couldn't get emotionally attached with this book as I have other books I have read....but I do hope that you will enjoy it.
July 18, 2025
This was pretty decent. A crime lord is murdered and her daughter is kidnapped by his previous body guard. He wants to trade her to gain access to the man he's wanted to kill for years. Only the sparks between them are impossible to ignore...
I quite enjoyed the dynamic between Elijah and Violet.
I think i would have enjoyed this much more if I'd read previous novels in the series, as I was quite lost on a lot of what was happening- It didn't make a difference in the relationship aspects of the book, but all the rest made very little sense.
I quite enjoyed the dynamic between Elijah and Violet.
I think i would have enjoyed this much more if I'd read previous novels in the series, as I was quite lost on a lot of what was happening- It didn't make a difference in the relationship aspects of the book, but all the rest made very little sense.
March 14, 2016
This is the 4th book in the series and needs to be read in order for it to make the most sense. Full disclosure, I read only this book in the series which is probably why the story didn't mean as much for me. Based on blurb, this comes across as a dark erotica with some possible hot smutty dub-con sex. Whilst there is a bit of dub-con sex and it is very light emphasis on the dubious, most of this book is a frustrating soap opera drama.
Elijah somehow flies under the radar and is able to become a trusted man for a violent criminal. Previously, he was a billionaire. This is the first in the stretching of one's imagination. Secondly, Violet's vigilant watch on his presumed dead brother's storage locker is bizarre. Bizarre that after years, she still isn't able to get into it, but within minutes, Elijah is able to get into it and get her what she wants. The story's plot feels as though there are several holes. It could be that one must read the first three books. Or it could be Ms. Ashenden does it on purpose so that one will read the next book in the series, to possibly learn more about Violet's mysterious brother, Theo.
The kinky parts of this story didn't work for me because this story is supposed to be a romantic suspense. This means there should be a happily ever after in addition to love. Whilst this does name, it runs counter to the BDSM presented in the book. The BDSM kink in this particular book did not take a sexy edgy position. Instead, it is a dangerous element which lead Elijah's wife to her death. In addition, it seems there is a group of elite wealthy men who have a glitterkink club unfortunately used as a human trafficking merchandise shopping. Yes, it does make the BDSM a bit illicit and exciting, yet at the same time, dirty in a bad way. Not my kind of kink.
From a writing perspective, Ms. Ashenden does a good job of keeping the story moving at a good pace. None of it dragged. The characters are interesting if a bit unrealistic. The plot seems a bit messy but it still held the story together with enough interest for me to read to the end. The conclusion ends with a bit of a hook to pull the reader into the next book. Recommended for glitterkink romance readers who enjoy a hero with a tortured soul loving a sweet sheltered virgin.
*provided by NetGalley
Elijah somehow flies under the radar and is able to become a trusted man for a violent criminal. Previously, he was a billionaire. This is the first in the stretching of one's imagination. Secondly, Violet's vigilant watch on his presumed dead brother's storage locker is bizarre. Bizarre that after years, she still isn't able to get into it, but within minutes, Elijah is able to get into it and get her what she wants. The story's plot feels as though there are several holes. It could be that one must read the first three books. Or it could be Ms. Ashenden does it on purpose so that one will read the next book in the series, to possibly learn more about Violet's mysterious brother, Theo.
The kinky parts of this story didn't work for me because this story is supposed to be a romantic suspense. This means there should be a happily ever after in addition to love. Whilst this does name, it runs counter to the BDSM presented in the book. The BDSM kink in this particular book did not take a sexy edgy position. Instead, it is a dangerous element which lead Elijah's wife to her death. In addition, it seems there is a group of elite wealthy men who have a glitterkink club unfortunately used as a human trafficking merchandise shopping. Yes, it does make the BDSM a bit illicit and exciting, yet at the same time, dirty in a bad way. Not my kind of kink.
From a writing perspective, Ms. Ashenden does a good job of keeping the story moving at a good pace. None of it dragged. The characters are interesting if a bit unrealistic. The plot seems a bit messy but it still held the story together with enough interest for me to read to the end. The conclusion ends with a bit of a hook to pull the reader into the next book. Recommended for glitterkink romance readers who enjoy a hero with a tortured soul loving a sweet sheltered virgin.
*provided by NetGalley
March 1, 2017
Wow. This has now become my favorite of the series. Everything in this story happens in a very short time span and stays central to a few locations (mostly Elijah's home). It's simple and it's heavy on character development so you are right there as Elijah and Violet are struggling with their emotions - rage, anger, pain, confusion, trust, honesty and a developing love.
Elijah has been behind the scenes since book 2 and we now know his full revenge story. It's only over a few days (don't think about it too hard - just enjoy!), but how his character grows and finds something to care about was really moving. Violet was introduced in book 1 as Honor's best friend and the daughter of one of the baddies.
The whole gang appears in this book and it's so great to see how much they've changed and watch them work together. The point of view is from Elijah, Violet, Honor and Gabriel. I thought this might be the last book, but there's definitely at least one more left and I am SUPER excited to get my hands on his book!
I received a copy of this book through NetGalley from St. Martin's Paperbacks for an honest review.
Elijah has been behind the scenes since book 2 and we now know his full revenge story. It's only over a few days (don't think about it too hard - just enjoy!), but how his character grows and finds something to care about was really moving. Violet was introduced in book 1 as Honor's best friend and the daughter of one of the baddies.
The whole gang appears in this book and it's so great to see how much they've changed and watch them work together. The point of view is from Elijah, Violet, Honor and Gabriel. I thought this might be the last book, but there's definitely at least one more left and I am SUPER excited to get my hands on his book!
I received a copy of this book through NetGalley from St. Martin's Paperbacks for an honest review.
January 17, 2016
Copy from author through netgalley
I have to be honest here, when I got sent this book I looked at the cover and title and thought I knew what I was getting. I haven't read any of the other books in the Nine Circles series and that might have helped, but I didn't feel lost in this story. I felt a lot of things....anxious, scared, hot, bothered and totally hooked...but nope, never lost! I thought the story was great, it totally hooked me right from the beginning and I didn't want to read the last line. As I say I didnt know the background to these characters but this book is making me want to go back and find out about them. So if you need me, I'll be reading the rest of the series!
I have to be honest here, when I got sent this book I looked at the cover and title and thought I knew what I was getting. I haven't read any of the other books in the Nine Circles series and that might have helped, but I didn't feel lost in this story. I felt a lot of things....anxious, scared, hot, bothered and totally hooked...but nope, never lost! I thought the story was great, it totally hooked me right from the beginning and I didn't want to read the last line. As I say I didnt know the background to these characters but this book is making me want to go back and find out about them. So if you need me, I'll be reading the rest of the series!
July 23, 2020
Well I keep reaching for JA books. Clearly I like her writing and some of her stand alones were good, this book by itself was utter gibberish of thoughts and action. It felt like watching one of those Mario games for kids.
Also, this writer needs to take it easy. She keeps writing and writing and there is much dialogue and saturation of side characters, takes away centre stage from the mc’s.
Elijah is the captor and Violet is his captive. H used to be a body guard/ side kick for h’s dad. Now dear daddy has been coldly murdered and the H stands erectly to spew revenge. What surprises me the most/ makes me roll my eyes out of my face: the fact that the h is oblivious to her father’s life as mafia crime lord.
Most of the side characters in the book were the victims of the h’s dad who is deceased. Everyone is planning bloody murder on behalf of the deceased man including the H, who lost his wife.
The H was hateful and I couldn’t feel anything about him. So many words wasted in the book and yet he doesn’t make any impact. The h was annoying and supercilious. She has dreadlocks and dresses like a goth. I couldn’t get any sparks in their missing chemistry.
I’m feeling a pattern in JA’s books. The h’s are wayyy off from the standard h that I like. Violet is just as bad. She’s like a petulant teen, loud and seeking attention. There’s a point where the h does some juvenile self harm to make the H take her to the hospital. The h also loses her v-card in an alley against the wall; another reoccurring event in JA’s books.
If you’ve never read her books, don’t start off with this one at least. You won’t be a returning reader fo sho.
Also, this writer needs to take it easy. She keeps writing and writing and there is much dialogue and saturation of side characters, takes away centre stage from the mc’s.
Elijah is the captor and Violet is his captive. H used to be a body guard/ side kick for h’s dad. Now dear daddy has been coldly murdered and the H stands erectly to spew revenge. What surprises me the most/ makes me roll my eyes out of my face: the fact that the h is oblivious to her father’s life as mafia crime lord.
Most of the side characters in the book were the victims of the h’s dad who is deceased. Everyone is planning bloody murder on behalf of the deceased man including the H, who lost his wife.
The H was hateful and I couldn’t feel anything about him. So many words wasted in the book and yet he doesn’t make any impact. The h was annoying and supercilious. She has dreadlocks and dresses like a goth. I couldn’t get any sparks in their missing chemistry.
I’m feeling a pattern in JA’s books. The h’s are wayyy off from the standard h that I like. Violet is just as bad. She’s like a petulant teen, loud and seeking attention. There’s a point where the h does some juvenile self harm to make the H take her to the hospital. The h also loses her v-card in an alley against the wall; another reoccurring event in JA’s books.
If you’ve never read her books, don’t start off with this one at least. You won’t be a returning reader fo sho.
April 2, 2016
If your first thought upon seeing the title of this book is ‘Oh, no, not another Billionaire hero (with dominant tendencies) /virginal heroine story!’ you can rest assured that while the semantics are there (yes, he’s a billionaire, yes, he kidnaps the heroine, yes, she is a virgin), as part of the Nine Circles series by Jackie Ashenden it’s actually a taut erotic suspenseful thriller and not just a run of the mill story. As the fourth book in the series, there is an overall story arc that continues from book to book which makes the series best read in order (though each story has its own standalone couple romance). The background to the series is that there is a group of men and women who form the Nine Circles club and all the current members (Gabriel and Honor (book 1) Alex and Katya (book 2), and Zac and Eva (book 3)) are pursuing one goal – to find out the truth behind a shadowy group of men involved in the seedy underworld of human and drug trafficking who use international casinos to do their dirty work. The members of the club have a personal connection to the group they are hunting, whether by blood or otherwise, and they are getting closer to their goal of finding all the people involved and shutting down their operations. But they’ve hit a snag – in the form of cold-blooded mercenary Elijah Hunt. For seven long years, Elijah has worked for a man he despises. He has witnessed atrocities and stayed silent, all part of his long-term revenge plan to make someone pay for the death of his wife.
When one of the Nine Circles members kills his employer before he gets the chance to, he is enraged, and determines that the only way his plan will move forward is by trading in another pawn (in this case his dead employer’s daughter Violet) to one of the other men running the show, a shadowy figure named Jericho. Violet is totally innocent and uninvolved in the horrific dealings of her father though she always suspected something wasn’t quite right in her high society life. Desperate to escape the cold hardened killer who has kidnapped her, Violet shows an inner strength that Elijah doesn’t expect, and one he reluctantly admires even as he plans to trade her in as a bargaining chip on his path to bloody revenge. But Violet sees a different side of Elijah then he shows to the rest of the world, a vulnerability in some of his actions that show her the man he used to be underneath his icy facade. When the attraction between them can no longer be ignored, they enter into a sexual relationship, one Violet knows is a manifestation of Stockholm Syndrome but one she is helpless to resist. Will Elijah go through with his plans or will Violet break through those barriers and stop him in time?
I can always count on Ms. Ashenden to bring her A game into everything she writes, and that’s the case here. She is somehow able to make the cold and ruthless character of Elijah (a secondary character in previous books clearly following his own agenda) into an empathetic hero. Of course, that’s because until now, we didn’t know Elijah’s motivation for working for a man we knew to be a monster. But now that the truth has been revealed, that his wife was murdered and he has been on this path of revenge for years, it makes his actions much more palatable. I really liked seeing underneath his icy surface, to the heart of him, the one that only Violet has been able to expose. So while Elijah initially comes across as cold and unfeeling, it’s not long before we see the truth – that those are the aspects of his personality that are visible to the naked eye. He’s a tough, physically scarred man, with an equally scarred heart, and it was very emotionally satisfying to see Violet repairing some of that damage.
Violet herself knows what it’s like to wear a mask of indifference. She’s played up the role of spoiled society girl as a way of masking the hurt of never feeling accepted or loved by her parents. The death of her father and her subsequent kidnapping barely ripple the surface of her mother’s concern, and Violet’s fear of no-one even realizing she’s gone missing causes her to look inward for strength. Her attempts at escape don’t work, but they do succeed in making Elijah take a closer look at her – a look that reveals his desire to subdue this woman in any way he can, even if it means using their attraction against her. What results are some steamy erotic scenes between them as they connect physically, leading to an emotional connection that angers Elijah as it threatens to wreck all his plans. But Violet won’t be subdued, and as the story plays out, she becomes no longer a captive but an accomplice.
The characters from the first three books are integral here as well, as Honor is one of Violet’s few friends (and contrary to Violet’s concerns, realizes that she is missing and is looking for her), and there are more surprising connections between the Nine Circles members and Violet herself. Violet must make some tough decisions when faced with the choice of whose side to choose, and in turn, Elijah must do the same. It’s an exciting and suspenseful read, full of action and sex, and a fabulous addition to the series. We do get a happy ending for Violet and Elijah, but we are left with some unanswered questions that will lead into the next story. 5 stars!
Note: a copy of this story was provided by the publisher via NetGalley for review.
This review appears as a blog post at: http://straightshootinbookreviews.com...
When one of the Nine Circles members kills his employer before he gets the chance to, he is enraged, and determines that the only way his plan will move forward is by trading in another pawn (in this case his dead employer’s daughter Violet) to one of the other men running the show, a shadowy figure named Jericho. Violet is totally innocent and uninvolved in the horrific dealings of her father though she always suspected something wasn’t quite right in her high society life. Desperate to escape the cold hardened killer who has kidnapped her, Violet shows an inner strength that Elijah doesn’t expect, and one he reluctantly admires even as he plans to trade her in as a bargaining chip on his path to bloody revenge. But Violet sees a different side of Elijah then he shows to the rest of the world, a vulnerability in some of his actions that show her the man he used to be underneath his icy facade. When the attraction between them can no longer be ignored, they enter into a sexual relationship, one Violet knows is a manifestation of Stockholm Syndrome but one she is helpless to resist. Will Elijah go through with his plans or will Violet break through those barriers and stop him in time?
I can always count on Ms. Ashenden to bring her A game into everything she writes, and that’s the case here. She is somehow able to make the cold and ruthless character of Elijah (a secondary character in previous books clearly following his own agenda) into an empathetic hero. Of course, that’s because until now, we didn’t know Elijah’s motivation for working for a man we knew to be a monster. But now that the truth has been revealed, that his wife was murdered and he has been on this path of revenge for years, it makes his actions much more palatable. I really liked seeing underneath his icy surface, to the heart of him, the one that only Violet has been able to expose. So while Elijah initially comes across as cold and unfeeling, it’s not long before we see the truth – that those are the aspects of his personality that are visible to the naked eye. He’s a tough, physically scarred man, with an equally scarred heart, and it was very emotionally satisfying to see Violet repairing some of that damage.
Violet herself knows what it’s like to wear a mask of indifference. She’s played up the role of spoiled society girl as a way of masking the hurt of never feeling accepted or loved by her parents. The death of her father and her subsequent kidnapping barely ripple the surface of her mother’s concern, and Violet’s fear of no-one even realizing she’s gone missing causes her to look inward for strength. Her attempts at escape don’t work, but they do succeed in making Elijah take a closer look at her – a look that reveals his desire to subdue this woman in any way he can, even if it means using their attraction against her. What results are some steamy erotic scenes between them as they connect physically, leading to an emotional connection that angers Elijah as it threatens to wreck all his plans. But Violet won’t be subdued, and as the story plays out, she becomes no longer a captive but an accomplice.
The characters from the first three books are integral here as well, as Honor is one of Violet’s few friends (and contrary to Violet’s concerns, realizes that she is missing and is looking for her), and there are more surprising connections between the Nine Circles members and Violet herself. Violet must make some tough decisions when faced with the choice of whose side to choose, and in turn, Elijah must do the same. It’s an exciting and suspenseful read, full of action and sex, and a fabulous addition to the series. We do get a happy ending for Violet and Elijah, but we are left with some unanswered questions that will lead into the next story. 5 stars!
Elijah walked to the kitchen doorway, looking out into the cavernous apartment space. Violet was standing by the windows, talking on the phone, her back to him. The fading evening light touched the tips of her hair in red gold and turned the exposed skin on the back of her neck the same color. She looked small against the high windows. A brave woman and strong, yet vulnerable too.
A certainty he couldn’t remember feeling before settled down through him, and ignoring it seemed wrong.
No. He couldn’t let anything happen to her. He wouldn’t. He would find a way to make sure she stayed safe, and fuck whether that mattered or not. Because the fact was that it did.
She mattered. To him.
The thought sat in his head, and by rights he should have shoved it away since feeling anything at all for anyone wasn’t allowed. But he didn’t. He let it sit there, the dark hunger inside him rousing in response. Wanting. Wanting her.
Note: a copy of this story was provided by the publisher via NetGalley for review.
This review appears as a blog post at: http://straightshootinbookreviews.com...
April 5, 2017
Titles like these always make books seem quite shallow, but it can be very misleading. I really enjoyed the story. There was a good mix of romance, suspense and a little bit of action. This is the first book that I've read by this author. Although it is part of a series it can be read as a stand-alone. For the most part I didn't have any trouble keeping up with all the characters, but there seems to be an over-arching story so I'm going to go and read the books in the correct order.
February 25, 2016
ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date March 1, 2016
He kissed her the way he'd run her down, conquering her, taking her...
A priceless plan. An illicit attraction.
Seven years ago, billionaire-turned-bodyguard Elijah Hunt lost everything he had-his family, his future-and now he wants revenge. But when he decides to kidnap the daughter of the man who ruined his life, Elijah gets a lot more than he bargained for. Violet Fitzgerald is nothing like her corrupt wealthy father. In fact, she's so disarmingly independent-and irresistible-that she just might be dangerous...
And a love that's too good to be true.
Violet never thought she'd feel a connection to her captor. But there's something beneath Elijah's steel-bodied exterior that makes her want to know him more deeply...and surrender to his every demand. But once Elijah's erotic fantasies become a reality-and he and Violet develop a real romantic connection-he finds himself in a quandary: Is he still the one in control? Or has Violet imprisoned him-body and soul?
••••
REVIEW: KIDNAPPED BY THE BILLIONAIRE is the fourth installment in Jackie Ashenden’s contemporary, adult NINE CIRCLES romantic, suspense series. This is billionaire/bodyguard Elijah Hunt, and heiress Violet Fitzgerald’s story line. KIDNAPPED BY THE BILLIONAIRE can be read as a stand alone but for cohesion and backstory I recommend reading the series in order as the NINE CIRLES series focuses on taking down the Nine Circles, and an elite corruption ring of sex traffickers, dealers and underground crime.
Told from several third person perspectives KIDNAPPED BY THE BILLIONAIRE finds our heroine in a precarious position as the victim of a kidnapping as part of a revenge plot against her father, and the corruption underground he controls. Violet in an innocent in that she never knew about her father’s ties to crime, and the horrendous cost of life he has inflicted on the people with whom he does business. Violet is a woman who has been searching for her brother-a man, who for the last sixteen years, she believes died by his own hands, but for one reason or another she believes is still alive. Enter Elijah Hunt, her father’s bodyguard, and a man who seeks revenge against Violet’s father for the loss of everything and everyone he loved.
Violet Fitzgerald is a strong woman capable of holding her own against anyone including the family that continues to keeps our heroine at a distance. And now…Violet is Elijah’s captive; a woman Elijah needs to take down the people that destroyed his life….but Violet is also the woman who calls to his soul, and that places both of them in a dangerous situation. As the story line builds, so too does the attraction of want and need between a predator and his prey. Elijah thought his heart had died seven years before, but something about Violet stirs the dying embers of a fire long thought vanished. The $ex scenes are aggressive, provocative and intense.
All of the previous story line couples play secondary and supporting roles, as their overlapping and continuing story lines blend with each successive installment. Although Jackie Ashenden reveals important information, from previous story lines, where necessary, and reflects on some of the history between the characters, I recommend reading the series in order. There is so much information in each installment that may be necessary for continuity for each successive story.
KIDNAPPED BY THE BILLIONAIRE is a fast paced, suspense-filled mystery of betrayal, revenge, and falling in love. The premise is cleverly written and remarkably intense; the characters are impassioned, dynamic and strong; the romance is acceptance of what was, and what can be. Now, I have to go back to the beginning for my own sanity to read what happened to get up to this point.
Copy supplied by the publisher by Netgalley
www.thereadingcafe.com
He kissed her the way he'd run her down, conquering her, taking her...
A priceless plan. An illicit attraction.
Seven years ago, billionaire-turned-bodyguard Elijah Hunt lost everything he had-his family, his future-and now he wants revenge. But when he decides to kidnap the daughter of the man who ruined his life, Elijah gets a lot more than he bargained for. Violet Fitzgerald is nothing like her corrupt wealthy father. In fact, she's so disarmingly independent-and irresistible-that she just might be dangerous...
And a love that's too good to be true.
Violet never thought she'd feel a connection to her captor. But there's something beneath Elijah's steel-bodied exterior that makes her want to know him more deeply...and surrender to his every demand. But once Elijah's erotic fantasies become a reality-and he and Violet develop a real romantic connection-he finds himself in a quandary: Is he still the one in control? Or has Violet imprisoned him-body and soul?
••••
REVIEW: KIDNAPPED BY THE BILLIONAIRE is the fourth installment in Jackie Ashenden’s contemporary, adult NINE CIRCLES romantic, suspense series. This is billionaire/bodyguard Elijah Hunt, and heiress Violet Fitzgerald’s story line. KIDNAPPED BY THE BILLIONAIRE can be read as a stand alone but for cohesion and backstory I recommend reading the series in order as the NINE CIRLES series focuses on taking down the Nine Circles, and an elite corruption ring of sex traffickers, dealers and underground crime.
Told from several third person perspectives KIDNAPPED BY THE BILLIONAIRE finds our heroine in a precarious position as the victim of a kidnapping as part of a revenge plot against her father, and the corruption underground he controls. Violet in an innocent in that she never knew about her father’s ties to crime, and the horrendous cost of life he has inflicted on the people with whom he does business. Violet is a woman who has been searching for her brother-a man, who for the last sixteen years, she believes died by his own hands, but for one reason or another she believes is still alive. Enter Elijah Hunt, her father’s bodyguard, and a man who seeks revenge against Violet’s father for the loss of everything and everyone he loved.
Violet Fitzgerald is a strong woman capable of holding her own against anyone including the family that continues to keeps our heroine at a distance. And now…Violet is Elijah’s captive; a woman Elijah needs to take down the people that destroyed his life….but Violet is also the woman who calls to his soul, and that places both of them in a dangerous situation. As the story line builds, so too does the attraction of want and need between a predator and his prey. Elijah thought his heart had died seven years before, but something about Violet stirs the dying embers of a fire long thought vanished. The $ex scenes are aggressive, provocative and intense.
All of the previous story line couples play secondary and supporting roles, as their overlapping and continuing story lines blend with each successive installment. Although Jackie Ashenden reveals important information, from previous story lines, where necessary, and reflects on some of the history between the characters, I recommend reading the series in order. There is so much information in each installment that may be necessary for continuity for each successive story.
KIDNAPPED BY THE BILLIONAIRE is a fast paced, suspense-filled mystery of betrayal, revenge, and falling in love. The premise is cleverly written and remarkably intense; the characters are impassioned, dynamic and strong; the romance is acceptance of what was, and what can be. Now, I have to go back to the beginning for my own sanity to read what happened to get up to this point.
Copy supplied by the publisher by Netgalley
www.thereadingcafe.com
January 23, 2016
This story is book four in the author's Nine Circles series. I read book three without having read the first two and got hooked in. This story was even better. Violet is the daughter of a very bad man only she doesn't know it. She realizes he very different, but doesn't suspect his full capabilities. Elijah, on the other hand, is intimately acquainted with all her father's dealings. When Violet's father is killed and Elijah's revenge thwarted, Elijah decides to take Violet as bait to lure an even bigger spider into his web of vengeance. He has no concern for her welfare. She is simply a means to an end. Violet, however, has no intention of being some meek compliant lure. She challenges her captor at every turn. If Elijah had feelings, he might have even been impressed by her.
As she slowly worms her way under his defenses, Elijah finds himself weighing the importance of obtaining his revenge against Violet's safety. Violet discovers Elijah's secrets and though conflicted by her building feelings for him, she begins to understand the importance of his quest. Their feeling for each other may just end up having each of them doing just the opposite of what they originally planned.
This story was deep and intensely emotional. Elijah was no good guy, but he came through when it counted. I enjoy the characters in this series and the dark undertones.
I received an ARC from Net Galley for review.
As she slowly worms her way under his defenses, Elijah finds himself weighing the importance of obtaining his revenge against Violet's safety. Violet discovers Elijah's secrets and though conflicted by her building feelings for him, she begins to understand the importance of his quest. Their feeling for each other may just end up having each of them doing just the opposite of what they originally planned.
This story was deep and intensely emotional. Elijah was no good guy, but he came through when it counted. I enjoy the characters in this series and the dark undertones.
I received an ARC from Net Galley for review.
March 4, 2016
This is the fifth story in the Series . Hero is Elijah Hunt . Heroine is Violet Fitzgerald .
This story picks off where the end of the other book ends. We will be calling Eijah Mr Hunt . Hunt is leaving the Crime Sean . He was after Fitzgerald for his wife being murdered . Hunt was playing his bodyguard also to get close to him . Once Fitzgerald gets killed Hunt has another plan . Hunt is on a subway keeping track of Violet who is Fitzgerald daughter. Hunt is right behind Violet and Kidnapped her . Hunt takes her to his place .
Violet is confused why she was kidnapped by Hunt . All she knows is Hunt is her fathers bodyguard. Once Hunt tells her her father is dead and the crimes her father did ... Violet doesn't believe it .
Violet is trying to find a way out of the apartment. Violet was on her way to a locker to see about her dead brother who is not dead . She has a plan how to get out but it backfires on Violet.
The end of the story has you twisting and turning. There are suprises all round . One expecially for Violet.
This story picks off where the end of the other book ends. We will be calling Eijah Mr Hunt . Hunt is leaving the Crime Sean . He was after Fitzgerald for his wife being murdered . Hunt was playing his bodyguard also to get close to him . Once Fitzgerald gets killed Hunt has another plan . Hunt is on a subway keeping track of Violet who is Fitzgerald daughter. Hunt is right behind Violet and Kidnapped her . Hunt takes her to his place .
Violet is confused why she was kidnapped by Hunt . All she knows is Hunt is her fathers bodyguard. Once Hunt tells her her father is dead and the crimes her father did ... Violet doesn't believe it .
Violet is trying to find a way out of the apartment. Violet was on her way to a locker to see about her dead brother who is not dead . She has a plan how to get out but it backfires on Violet.
The end of the story has you twisting and turning. There are suprises all round . One expecially for Violet.
March 2, 2016
The only thing I have an issue with in this book is the title. It is misleading because Elijah is no Billionaire. Otherwise, this book hit me like a ton of bricks. The writing is phenomenal and the character development is well thought and very methodical. Everything happens very quickly yet it feels like days have gone by. Violet & Elijah's chemistry was hot enough to burn the pages. For some weird reason I loved his character from the beginning. He was driven by his hatred and anger, no matter what he didn't deter from his course... well until Violet. Violet's journey was different. She was very aggressive in the beginning and then she became more passive. However, the girl had grit and her responses were very appropriate for each situation. I loved how she would constantly analyze herself. I am looking forward to reading the next Jackie Ashenden book!!
February 28, 2016
Oh gosh, I think I'm a little bit in love with Elijah. And Violet is so perfect, getting into the gooey goodness hidden beneath that hard heartless exterior. I loved Zac and Eva's book but this one is too good. The broken man, single-mindedly set on revenge actually does something so unexpected it makes you pause. Elijah sure knows the meaning of the word "sacrifice". As for Violet, I just wanted to hug her and hide her under my mother hen wings. And poor Gabe, his life was a living nightmare for a while but then I guess he did the brotherly thing in the end. Can't wait for the next one.
ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
January 14, 2016
Violet knew her family was disfunctional, but when she finds herself kidnapped, she´s about to learn just how bad it is..
Elijah planned his revenge for years but when he finally had it within reach he was robbed, and now he has to go to Plan B. He never expected Violet or how she´d affect him, though..
Can he ignore his feelings and get his revenge, or will Violet influence him to find another way?
Contemporary Romance, action, suspense and smutty fluff in a great combo.
Disclaimer; I was given a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
Elijah planned his revenge for years but when he finally had it within reach he was robbed, and now he has to go to Plan B. He never expected Violet or how she´d affect him, though..
Can he ignore his feelings and get his revenge, or will Violet influence him to find another way?
Contemporary Romance, action, suspense and smutty fluff in a great combo.
Disclaimer; I was given a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
January 13, 2016
Elijah has to know he has a good woman when he starts questioning himself, "that slight curl to her mouth was mesmerizing . He’d done so many hard, violent things to her and yet here she was, standing naked in front of him, tending his wounds and nearly smiling just after having let him eff her senseless. He didn’t understand it." I enjoyed this book, Elijah was a complicated man but I loved digging underneath his exterior.
June 5, 2016
I knew I would love Elijah's story!!! Man give me more of him! I loved Violet she was stonge and adorable at the same time. I was not shocked at all about Jericho I saw that in the middle of the book so not shocked at all. This book was so good simply devoured it. I'm not sure who's story is next, but I can not wait! This is a must read series, every book has been amazing! But Elijah stole my heart!
April 6, 2016
Not my favourite of this series, but still a good read. I recommend Make You Mine.
May 28, 2017
Well, we knew that things were getting very very complicated and while Fitz has now been murdered, we know that there's still the quest for revenge by the elusive Elijah, and that's exactly what we get in this next installment.
We didn't know much about violet before this story - just that she's best friends with Honor and a free spirit of sorts since she's trying to find where she fits in the world. The twist that we learn though is that there's really a method to what she's been doing - and that she's determined that her brother hadn't commit suicide years before and that perhaps he's truly alive. So that's her goal in life.
Then there's Elijah - we know that he's beyond angry because Eva killed Fitzgerald, and now he's out to kill Jericho, the other man who's at the helm of the Euro empire that Fitzgerald was trying to get in on, as well as the fact that Elijah thinks that Jericho is the man behind the death of his wife. So lots of tension there.
When the plan becomes kidnapping Violet to use as bait to get to Jericho, we see things get dicey. True to how Ms Ashenden has written all of the female leads so far, we see that they aren't going to take things sitting down and they all put up a fight. Violet does exactly that and it's impressive to see how resourceful she becomes in the hopes of trying to get free.
The other expected bit since we tend to see it in quite a few of these stories is that the captor ends up being so much more than what they seem on the surface and we quickly see a spark of chemistry building between these 2 and that makes things all that more complicated.
It's not until the Nine Circles figure out where Violet is being held and go after her that things start to get some sense of resolution. They are all now after the same thing - trying to save Violet all while trying to get to Jericho, and just when we think that it's all be taken care of, another twist comes up. (one that i figured out but i usually do - quite early).
In any event, it leaves us in a place in the story where we are surprised and yet frustrated since there are limits to what can be done. Thankfully there's one more installment that will hopefully give us the closure that we need since i feel like there are still a few twists to come up that we're not ready for.
Like i've said before though, i'm really impressed with how well these installments are woven together, even though they are about different couples essentially. The plot is so complete throughout and the way that all of them are connected means that we're going to see the same themes and lines pulled through.
The other piece that's great is how we get to see each couple scene together and Violet and Elijah are so hot as well. We have yet another inexperienced girl in the lead but there's something about how she allows Elijah to control her and dominate her that's incredibly hot. I can't wait to see how things get resolved
We didn't know much about violet before this story - just that she's best friends with Honor and a free spirit of sorts since she's trying to find where she fits in the world. The twist that we learn though is that there's really a method to what she's been doing - and that she's determined that her brother hadn't commit suicide years before and that perhaps he's truly alive. So that's her goal in life.
Then there's Elijah - we know that he's beyond angry because Eva killed Fitzgerald, and now he's out to kill Jericho, the other man who's at the helm of the Euro empire that Fitzgerald was trying to get in on, as well as the fact that Elijah thinks that Jericho is the man behind the death of his wife. So lots of tension there.
When the plan becomes kidnapping Violet to use as bait to get to Jericho, we see things get dicey. True to how Ms Ashenden has written all of the female leads so far, we see that they aren't going to take things sitting down and they all put up a fight. Violet does exactly that and it's impressive to see how resourceful she becomes in the hopes of trying to get free.
The other expected bit since we tend to see it in quite a few of these stories is that the captor ends up being so much more than what they seem on the surface and we quickly see a spark of chemistry building between these 2 and that makes things all that more complicated.
It's not until the Nine Circles figure out where Violet is being held and go after her that things start to get some sense of resolution. They are all now after the same thing - trying to save Violet all while trying to get to Jericho, and just when we think that it's all be taken care of, another twist comes up. (one that i figured out but i usually do - quite early).
In any event, it leaves us in a place in the story where we are surprised and yet frustrated since there are limits to what can be done. Thankfully there's one more installment that will hopefully give us the closure that we need since i feel like there are still a few twists to come up that we're not ready for.
Like i've said before though, i'm really impressed with how well these installments are woven together, even though they are about different couples essentially. The plot is so complete throughout and the way that all of them are connected means that we're going to see the same themes and lines pulled through.
The other piece that's great is how we get to see each couple scene together and Violet and Elijah are so hot as well. We have yet another inexperienced girl in the lead but there's something about how she allows Elijah to control her and dominate her that's incredibly hot. I can't wait to see how things get resolved
October 10, 2017
2.5* My least favourite of the series so far because the plot gets too farfetched. Though out of all the books so far the action and plot was fast paced which I enjoyed the most. Not recommended as a standalone.
First thing to note: books 4 and 5 had "Billionaire" in it and when borrowing the book from my library I accidentally read the blurb of book 5 first . THAT WAS A MAJOR SPOILER! It took the surprise out of what should be a huge plot twist. So half the suspense and fun was taken out of reading this book.
So the major issue I have with this book is the premise. What did Fitzgerald and Jericho do to Elijah's wife Marie? We knew she died...at one point I even wonder did she really die? Cos it seemed like Elijah only heard about it from Fitzgerald and we know he had no qualms lying.
And this is where it got hazy for me.
SPOILERS!
Elijah was a billionaire venture capitalist. His equally high flyer wife was lured into business or something by Fitzgerald? And then she was supposedly abducted one night and sold into a Russian brothel where she was killed two years later?
And somehow Kane faked his death, became Elijah and worked for Fitzgerald to seek revenge?!
This is stretching it too far for me...why bother to abduct a high profile woman? For Eva she was a homeless young girl, nobody would look for her if she's taken. Such a victim I can believe. But Marie?
Anyway the first time Elijah touched Violet sexually she was semi-conscious...she was aware and even enjoyed it but hell if she did not she had no way to fight back because she was knocked out by pain meds. Throw in the almost instant Stockholm Syndrome, this love story made be roll my eyes quite a fair bit.
The way Elijah went on and on about avenging his poor dead wife, and we only sort of knew what exactly happened to her only after 80% of the book, well by then I didn't care! The suspense was unnecessary in my opinion.
Elijah redeemed himself when he chose not hurting Violet over his need for revenge. It was his raison d'etre for the past seven years, yet in that moment, he could not bear to hurt her more than he did. In a way Violet saved him because to pursue his revenge, when would it end indeed?
PS. I think in terms of quality this book is the worst. I think in previous books I noticed maybe one or two typos or grammatical errors...but this book I spotted a handful at least.
The love declaration from Violet? " Because I in love you, that's why."
Is there an extra " in"? Or missing "am" and "with"?
Using affect when it should be effect...
I hope book 5 will be better!
First thing to note: books 4 and 5 had "Billionaire" in it and when borrowing the book from my library I accidentally read the blurb of book 5 first . THAT WAS A MAJOR SPOILER! It took the surprise out of what should be a huge plot twist. So half the suspense and fun was taken out of reading this book.
So the major issue I have with this book is the premise. What did Fitzgerald and Jericho do to Elijah's wife Marie? We knew she died...at one point I even wonder did she really die? Cos it seemed like Elijah only heard about it from Fitzgerald and we know he had no qualms lying.
And this is where it got hazy for me.
SPOILERS!
Elijah was a billionaire venture capitalist. His equally high flyer wife was lured into business or something by Fitzgerald? And then she was supposedly abducted one night and sold into a Russian brothel where she was killed two years later?
And somehow Kane faked his death, became Elijah and worked for Fitzgerald to seek revenge?!
This is stretching it too far for me...why bother to abduct a high profile woman? For Eva she was a homeless young girl, nobody would look for her if she's taken. Such a victim I can believe. But Marie?
Anyway the first time Elijah touched Violet sexually she was semi-conscious...she was aware and even enjoyed it but hell if she did not she had no way to fight back because she was knocked out by pain meds. Throw in the almost instant Stockholm Syndrome, this love story made be roll my eyes quite a fair bit.
The way Elijah went on and on about avenging his poor dead wife, and we only sort of knew what exactly happened to her only after 80% of the book, well by then I didn't care! The suspense was unnecessary in my opinion.
Elijah redeemed himself when he chose not hurting Violet over his need for revenge. It was his raison d'etre for the past seven years, yet in that moment, he could not bear to hurt her more than he did. In a way Violet saved him because to pursue his revenge, when would it end indeed?
PS. I think in terms of quality this book is the worst. I think in previous books I noticed maybe one or two typos or grammatical errors...but this book I spotted a handful at least.
The love declaration from Violet? " Because I in love you, that's why."
Is there an extra " in"? Or missing "am" and "with"?
Using affect when it should be effect...
I hope book 5 will be better!
May 4, 2018
Received an ARC from NetGalley for an honest review.
Wow. So that was a lot darker than I expected. This wasn't my first Jackie Ashenden book, but it was my first Nine Circles book. It took me a bit to catch up with the story, so it's not a stand alone. Once I figured out who was who and what the purpose was, though, I was able to enjoy Elijah and Violet and their weird twisty darkness.
When Elijah kidnaps Violet, the story is already well in motion, and much like Violet, I was just going with the flow, hoping that someone would fill me in...and they did. I understand the connection between Violet and Eli, but something about the way they got together made me uncomfortable. At least she acknowledges that it might have a little to do with Stockholm Syndrome...but still it was very dark and violent at times.
All in all, it was enjoyable, but I would definitely recommend reading the others in the series first and now I need to read the next one to see what comes next in this little saga.
Wow. So that was a lot darker than I expected. This wasn't my first Jackie Ashenden book, but it was my first Nine Circles book. It took me a bit to catch up with the story, so it's not a stand alone. Once I figured out who was who and what the purpose was, though, I was able to enjoy Elijah and Violet and their weird twisty darkness.
When Elijah kidnaps Violet, the story is already well in motion, and much like Violet, I was just going with the flow, hoping that someone would fill me in...and they did. I understand the connection between Violet and Eli, but something about the way they got together made me uncomfortable. At least she acknowledges that it might have a little to do with Stockholm Syndrome...but still it was very dark and violent at times.
All in all, it was enjoyable, but I would definitely recommend reading the others in the series first and now I need to read the next one to see what comes next in this little saga.
September 25, 2021
Elijah kidnapped his former boss daughter Violet to get revenge. Elijah is a alpha hero,stoic former bodyguard who lost everything, his family and his future. But when he kidnapped Violet he got a lit bit of a surprise because Violet was not quiet, she challenge him verbally and mentally and she sometimes resisted his so well thought out plans.
Violet also has good tech savy and crime fighting friends. She is nothing like her father. Elijah and Violet developed a romantic connection and have a sexual relationship but who is in control now, when you have become involve with the hostage.
It was a nice, steamy and suspensful, colorful, with supportive host of friends.
Violet also has good tech savy and crime fighting friends. She is nothing like her father. Elijah and Violet developed a romantic connection and have a sexual relationship but who is in control now, when you have become involve with the hostage.
It was a nice, steamy and suspensful, colorful, with supportive host of friends.
May 10, 2017
Broody anti-hero and waif-like girl with hidden strength. The cliches abound in this book, and Ms. Ashenden handles them so well that I loved every minute. So looking forward to reading the final book in this series, featuring Jericho.
Bought from kindle
Bought from kindle
July 31, 2019
Kidnapped by the Billionaire is the fourth book in this series by Jackie Ashenden. I haven't read any of the previous books but I had no problem following along and after finishing this book I would definitely read the other books in this series.
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