Criminally Bound

by Maureen Shigeno

Emika-
Rules are made to be followed not argued.
I’ve always followed them.
Until he came along...

Kade-
I had a job. A simple contract. Save the girls kidnapped by a Japanese organized crime syndicate and wipe the family from existence.
One night with the boss’ daughter makes it hard to think of anything else.
Can I stop this family and keep her, or will she turn against me when she finds out I’m a hitman out to bury everything she’s ever known?

This is a quick and dirty 10k standalone novelette.

56 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 1, 2020

Reviews

[Michellelovesreading · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good

This was such a good book. It was a short read but I enjoyed it alot and will definitely be reading another book from this author

[Kasie Harvey · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐️ 3🌶
I honestly don't know how Maureen can get an entire story out in 48 pages but I'm here for it! This is like taking the best, or most important parts plus the steamy parts and making that the story. There is no extra fluff or details but don't get me wrong the story is still great to read.

[Coco.V]

🎁 FREE on Amazon today (6/4/2023)! 🎁

[Erica · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a truly fantastic short story! The author somehow manages to jump right into the action, but still leaves room for scene setting and characterization. Emika is the perfect daughter by day, but like many of us, has secrets at night. She begins a whirlwind romance under the strangest of circumstances, and eventually it comes time for her to make the choice between love and duty. While short, this was a really great read, with an almost unexpected but enjoyable ending!

[Jeanne Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 5th book I've read written by Maureen Shigeno; she has done a great job at writing a good short story; I can’t wait to read more of her books.

The story line caught my attention at the very beginning and kept me interested throughout the entire book.

I loved the characters.

I received a free copy of this book via booksprout and I’m voluntarily leaving a review.

[Emily Pennington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emika is the only daughter of a yakuza boss. She loves to watch Kade Donovan, a Navy SEAL and contract killer hitman, who has been with her father for 6 months, hired when he saw him in an underground fight. He fascinates Emika as she watches him across the room; he is blond with green eyes, over 6’6” tall, and muscled. She has been sneaking into his dark room for 2 months now but won’t let him turn on the lights so he won’t know she is his nighttime “visitor”.

At the meal, Emika’s father stands up to give his announcement that is daughter will marry the cruel Kenji the following weekend. Kade is stunned at the news because, despite Emika’s thinking she is fooling him at night, he has known her by her cherry blossom scent from the first night they were together. And he wants her, has always wanted her. His contract is to rescue kidnapped girls and kill the yakuza family involved in the human trafficking. He has been taking his time so he can find out where the girls are. So he’s not sure how to save Emika without blowing his cover. But regardless, he won’t let Kenji touch his woman! How will he complete his assignment and get them all safely out of there?

This was an intriguing story that will hook the reader from the very first page. Mixed with Kade’s heroic task of saving kidnapped girls, he falls in love. How can he save them all and complete his mission of destroying the yakuza?

[Aurora · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maureen Shigeno's Criminally Bound is one of those stories about the seedy underbelly of the international criminal world that explores the idea that, to paraphrase a popular western movie, "even bad men love their girlfriends". It's short, sweet, violent and very steamy, but what would you expect of a story about an American hitman and the daughter of a Yakuza boss.
It's short, more an outline than a full novel and short on context. There's so much more I want to know - about Kade and Emika, both about what happens after and what brought them to this point in their lives, about what happens in Japan after this story ends, about the girls on the plane - but that's both the advantage and the limitation of a short story. Everything else is left hanging. You can either fill in the blanks yourself or hope the author has future plans to do it for you.
As for me, I'll do a little of both. If you're listening Maureen Shigeno, I'm hoping you're planning on helping me out.

[La'Jacinth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love always finds a way like a rose growing through concrete.

Emika, being raised by her father and his wife, made her feel less than and unworthy. They were making all the decisions for her and they decided to marry her to her half-brother.

Kade was a blue-eyed blonde American deep in Japanese culture there for whole different reason.

Emika and Kade were messing around...sneaking under the cover of darkness...each thingking the otherr didn't know or recognize the other in the light.

Kade confesses his truth and hope that will be enough for Emika.

In the end, Love always wins out.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[kristina_book_reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

the contract

This little novella here has many triggers so please read them prior to reading this.

How can u kill the family of someone you love? I kept asking myself until now I know and that was the best boommmm ever. No spoilers but you’ll learn one thing and that is courage that Emika finds herself all of a sudden needing. Given the choice between here or there..

Great story Maureen it was a delight to read as is every other thing you have created. This story has Coursge and Strength in it for Emika will she have it? I hope so.

This book hot,bhot, hot and you will be guarantee to not put it done until you have finished it.

[E.J. Frost · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short but satisfying, I was as fascinated as Emika was by Kade!
I know almost nothing about the Yazuka and this is an entrancing peek inside a world beautiful, criminal and cruel. Emika and Kade are, of course, made for each other, but keeping Emika from her intended match, while fulfilling his mission, seems an impossible task.
Offsetting the huge tension between Kade's mission and his heart are this author's lyrical descriptions. I loved the aesthetic of this story and was all too sad to reach the end!
Looking forward to much more from this author. Highly recommended.

[A. Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Emika,18, belongs to the yakuza crime family. This is the only life she has been forced to live. Emika is being betrothed to her dad's business associate, Kenji. Kenji is a bad man. The only good thing in Emika's life is her secret crush for Kade, a American. In this crime family women have no rights or voice. Emika's father is in to illegal things. Kade, 40, finally tells Emika why he is there and it's not to do business with her father. Kade and Emika both desire each other. Kade is undercover. Emika has decisions to make. Short but good story. It is not lacking in details for me.

[Mikki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Potentially the next, "Bonnie and Clyde"!

I chose this rating because when I picked up this book, I didn't even notice that I had not put it down until I was FINISHED reading it!! Now that tells ME, that is one heck of a good book. I definitely recommend this book to readers only 18+!! It was another HEA, which I'm finding I really like. Now this book completes Maureen's collection. I have officially read every one of her books!! I do enjoy them. Get it there and pick one up.

[Isabel Nicholson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This action packed short story has it all, death, destruction, intrigue and more. Emrika is an interesting character she’s stuck in between wanting to belong and wanting to be free. Kade is much more than he seems and it all comes together to make a very readable and gripping story. I would have enjoyed this even more as part of a collection of short stories by the author because I’m already looking forward to reading more by her in the future.

[Penny Riley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short story about a retired Navy Seal hired to take down the Japanese crime boss. Mission get in save the girls kill the guilty and get out! The mission takes a turn when Kade/ Devon falls for the daughter of the man he has to kill. When the truth comes out will Emika understand or will she feel betrayed? Can they find a way to be together or will this mission cause him the best thing ever. Must read , explosive chemistry and well written characters!

[Kellie Waldron · Rating 4 out of 5]

Emika just wanted to leave her home. She was treated like an outcast since she was one of her fathers OOPS with a mistress. Her father had other plans for her. She was to marry an important person of her father organization, but he had a history of not treating people right. UGH

Kade was there to take down her fathers organization. Falling for Emika was not in the cards, but he couldn't help it. Can he get Emika out of there in time before he takes down her father.

Good read

[Simone Haeseler · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is only a Novelette, so pretty short nut but with a lot of story. She is the daughter of a Jakuza boss, he was hired to kill the boss. It was a story about being raised as a devoted daughter who has to obey and finally meeting a man who helps her coming out of it. All in all a good short story about love conquers all and finally having a life worth living, but a bit short and simple, and I don't believe, that everything would work so simple.

[Lauren Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was a touch hesitant going in but I’m so glad I stayed with it. The pace was well kept, didn’t feel rushed or dragging (which can happen even with short books like these) and I could actually see the characters as they were. I felt for Emika and what she was going through and the absolute SPICE between her and Kade was *chefs kiss*. While there were one or two things I might’ve changed personally, I’m not mad at how the story played out. 5/5 would read again (and have already).

[Danielle Marlowe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed Criminally Bound, it was a good story, the plot and characters were strong, the story was written well, it had many feelings. Emika and Kade's journey had it's ups and downs but they were good for each other, their connection, the chemistry they shared, it was strong. They were good together.

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short but compelling - A short story of the romance of Emika, the daughter of a Mafia boss and Kade, an undercover contractor to take out the syndicate and save the girls they kidnapped. Even with their age difference, the chemistry between them is hot. The author packs a action filled story into this short story. The only disappointment is that I wish it was longer.

[Mandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick read about love that shouldn’t be he was older and worked for her father.
She visited him at night when she thought he was sleeping but Kane knew who she was but didn’t let on.
She was intended for someone else.
Their love was too strong and he would for the first time go against his employer to have his one true love.

[Suzanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Emika has lived a very oppressed upbringing in Japan, living with her father and step-mother. Her father treats her not much better than a belongings. Emika however has a side to her he does not know about, and it involves one of his employees, Kade.

When Kade finds out about Emika's arranged marriage he has to accelerate his plans, carry out his real job. Can he do that anddd save Emika?

It won't take you long to find out! An action-packed short story.

[Vivien Richards · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful spicy little novella. Kade finds himself in a conundrum when he falls for a crime boss' daughter. She is part of the family he was sent to destroy. Will he be able to complete the task and get to keep the girl? This was an absolutely great story and felt complete considering how short it is.

[Rose Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good Story!
“Criminally Bound” takes place in Japan and is a fast-paced romance between an American hitman and the yakuza boss’s daughter. Definitely Recommended.
I received a free copy of this book. This review was posted voluntarily

[Lili D · Rating 4 out of 5]

kade is on a mission in Japan to retrieve kidnapped girls and kill the family behind it , he falls in love unexpectedly with Emika the daughter.
Short story , happy ending

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderfully written short story. It’s centered around one night with bits of the characters history filled in as the story unfolds. It’s got some great surprises and I loved reading this book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Elvira · Rating 5 out of 5]

Overall a great read. I had a great time reading this book and getting to know the well developed characters with plenty. I would definitely recommend. Looking forward to Reading more by this author.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Linda Puritis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a new author for me and I'm glad I was lead her direction. This short story is incredibly satisfying for a read that only takes an hour or so. Mafia mayhem and just the right amount of steamy fun. Would love more about Emika and Kade.

[Mona williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was a really great book! he was hired to a job and take out the bad people. only he didnt think it would be hard after seeing her. now he must make a tough choice. read to find out what happens.

[Happyscribe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super short but intense storyline and pacing. Yakuza stories are fascinating and this glimpse is filled with tension and raunch ~ steamy, dark, but good to the last word.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kelsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blown Away

Criminally Bound has me blown away. It was incredibly short. But the magnitude of the words used to describe such a story was incredible experience. The story truly was a masterpiece to hold such content, plot, emotions in such a short story. I truly enjoyed the story!