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Captive #3.5
Caged Princess
One night with the princess of the Ronaldo Cartel. One seduction to lure Carmen into spilling her brother’s secrets.
Secrets that I will use the shatter his organization. I will pick up the pieces for myself. I will be the new king.
Too bad she’ll hate me forever for my betrayal. That didn’t bother me before, but now that I’ve had the most intense night of my life with my sweet kitten, I find that I don’t like leaving her behind.
I’ve never experienced regret. The emotions that rule weaker men don’t affect me.
Until her.
Note: Caged Princess can be read as the prequel to Stefano and Carmen's second chance dark romance novel, Wicked King.
Secrets that I will use the shatter his organization. I will pick up the pieces for myself. I will be the new king.
Too bad she’ll hate me forever for my betrayal. That didn’t bother me before, but now that I’ve had the most intense night of my life with my sweet kitten, I find that I don’t like leaving her behind.
I’ve never experienced regret. The emotions that rule weaker men don’t affect me.
Until her.
Note: Caged Princess can be read as the prequel to Stefano and Carmen's second chance dark romance novel, Wicked King.
ebook
Published February 1, 2020
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About the author
Julia Sykes
138 books2,029 followersJulia Sykes is a USA Today bestselling author of edgy, emotional romance. When she's not writing, she's usually reading.
Other than reading, her obsessions include iced coffee, unicorns, charcuterie, aged Manchego cheese (or any cheese, really), and fancy dresses.
An American expat, Julia now lives in her adopted, beloved home of York, England. Most days, you can find her wandering the cobbled streets and daydreaming about her next novel.
Other than reading, her obsessions include iced coffee, unicorns, charcuterie, aged Manchego cheese (or any cheese, really), and fancy dresses.
An American expat, Julia now lives in her adopted, beloved home of York, England. Most days, you can find her wandering the cobbled streets and daydreaming about her next novel.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
May 3, 2020
A Bite-Sized Gem! The Cartel Princess And Rising Power Player Both Get More Than Anticipated During Their Night Of Dark Desire, But Only One Walks Away A Winner. Stefano and Carmen's Story Continues In Wicked King.
This book is #3.5 of The Captive Series and is the prequel to Wicked King, the fourth book in the series.
Carmen Ronaldo, twenty-one, is the aloof and fiercely beautiful princess of the Ronaldo Cartel. Being the child of Luis Ronaldo, head of the cartel, did have its advantages. It was easy to become complacent. But unlike her brother Pedro, whose sense of entitlement made him dumb and lazy, Carmen is sharp and calculating. She knows she operates in a man's world and has to be cautious in everything.
Stefano Duarte, twenty-two, is a rising power player in the Ronaldo Cartel. A gentleman criminal, his ruthless drive feeds his confidence. Despite his youth, he isn't satisfied. He wants his own cartel and he is just a few plays away from getting it.
A talented charmer, women always give in to Stefano's seduction, and Carmen Ronaldo should be no different. But she proves to be a challenge that has him all too entranced. He loses himself in pleasure, nearly forgetting his plan.
When the reputed Stefano appears in her bedroom following a party, Carmen isn't prepared for his domineering ways, nor how good it feels to let go. His insanity only adds to the alure. In the safety of her own home, with help just a shout away, she gives into the dangerous game and finds pleasure she hadn't known possible.
The cartel princess and rising power player both get more than anticipated during their night of dark desire, but only one walks away a winner. This short prequel is beautifully written. Danger, suspense, and steam combine in a page-turner that will have you reaching for Wicked King to see what happens to Stefano and Carmen. The plot is fairly simple, though the story is quite short. The characters are carefully crafted. It is written in first person. The POV alternates between Stefano and Carmen. I rate this book five stars.
This book is #3.5 of The Captive Series and is the prequel to Wicked King, the fourth book in the series.
Carmen Ronaldo, twenty-one, is the aloof and fiercely beautiful princess of the Ronaldo Cartel. Being the child of Luis Ronaldo, head of the cartel, did have its advantages. It was easy to become complacent. But unlike her brother Pedro, whose sense of entitlement made him dumb and lazy, Carmen is sharp and calculating. She knows she operates in a man's world and has to be cautious in everything.
Stefano Duarte, twenty-two, is a rising power player in the Ronaldo Cartel. A gentleman criminal, his ruthless drive feeds his confidence. Despite his youth, he isn't satisfied. He wants his own cartel and he is just a few plays away from getting it.
A talented charmer, women always give in to Stefano's seduction, and Carmen Ronaldo should be no different. But she proves to be a challenge that has him all too entranced. He loses himself in pleasure, nearly forgetting his plan.
When the reputed Stefano appears in her bedroom following a party, Carmen isn't prepared for his domineering ways, nor how good it feels to let go. His insanity only adds to the alure. In the safety of her own home, with help just a shout away, she gives into the dangerous game and finds pleasure she hadn't known possible.
The cartel princess and rising power player both get more than anticipated during their night of dark desire, but only one walks away a winner. This short prequel is beautifully written. Danger, suspense, and steam combine in a page-turner that will have you reaching for Wicked King to see what happens to Stefano and Carmen. The plot is fairly simple, though the story is quite short. The characters are carefully crafted. It is written in first person. The POV alternates between Stefano and Carmen. I rate this book five stars.
December 1, 2025
Stefano wants to take over the Ronaldo Cartel and plans to seduce Carmen Ronaldo, the cartel leader’s icy, always-in-control daughter, to do so. He’s possessive, demanding, and brutal. He just never expected he would enjoy seducing Carmen as much as he did.
Carmen always keeps her guard up, but Stefano’s masterful touch melts her little by little until she spills a secret that changes her life forever.
I couldn’t connect with Stefano, but I liked Carmen and how she struggled to keep her control even as she surrendered. The sex scenes were hot and explicit, just how I like it.
I really wanted to give this short story 5 stars, but it ends on a cliffhanger. A full length novel concludes Stefano and Carmen’s romance, but it starts ten years after this story takes place. I don’t understand how Stefano could just betray and abandon her to be raped and abused. Yes, this is a dark mafia romance where the heroes are often anti-heroes and the heroines typically suffer, but his decade-long abandonment of her seemed far too long.
Ms. Sykes’s writing flowed smoothly and kept my attention, and I definitely want to read more of her work.
4 Stars
Carmen always keeps her guard up, but Stefano’s masterful touch melts her little by little until she spills a secret that changes her life forever.
I couldn’t connect with Stefano, but I liked Carmen and how she struggled to keep her control even as she surrendered. The sex scenes were hot and explicit, just how I like it.
I really wanted to give this short story 5 stars, but it ends on a cliffhanger. A full length novel concludes Stefano and Carmen’s romance, but it starts ten years after this story takes place. I don’t understand how Stefano could just betray and abandon her to be raped and abused. Yes, this is a dark mafia romance where the heroes are often anti-heroes and the heroines typically suffer, but his decade-long abandonment of her seemed far too long.
Ms. Sykes’s writing flowed smoothly and kept my attention, and I definitely want to read more of her work.
4 Stars
February 8, 2021
The novella stats directly in the bedroom, or at its door. No introduction. No building up the tension and the attraction. No getting to know the characters. And it lacked reality. Him 22 years old craving to be his own boss and succeeding, behaving like a 40 years old man. Her 21 years old, an ice princess behaving like a 35 years old woman... Even though cartels are a ruthless world, still, I can't imaging so young people behaving this way and becoming as powerful...
April 29, 2024
Stefano wanted power, and for that he needed to know his then boss and enemies secrets to unravel them and what better way to get them than from the daughter of his boss, Carmen. Seducing her for one night, that was all it was meant to be, he didn't plan on the feelings of regret for letting her go the next day knowing what would face her. A great steamy, quick novella for Carmen and Stefanos story to come!.
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March 3, 2020Stefano and Carmen's origin story. He used her to gain information that he needed to come into power. Their one night together, changed their story forever. I am so pleased with being able to see where they started.
June 7, 2022
A bite size interlude prequel steamy and full of action
December 26, 2022
She was so sweet. She just would have totally been his from this moment on. I feel so bad for what she goes through after this. And I absolutely loved their book! My favourite in the series so far!!
June 15, 2023
HOT teaser for Carmen & Stephano.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews