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Caught and Caged
A dark mafia romance (judge and jury)
244 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 1, 2021
About the author
Vonna Harper
151 books143 followersUnder her "real" name, Vonna Harper has published more fiction than she can keep track of . These include category romances for the major players as well as the 'juicy' stuff. She also penned a series of well-received Native American historicals. One earned her finalist status in both the Women Writing the West Willa award and Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association. Before discovering romances, both erotic and otherwise, Vonna 'confessed' all kinds of nonsense for the confession magazines.
When asked about erotica research, she insists, "Of course I've time-traveled to the ancient Everglades, infiltrated bondage strongholds, done wilderness search and rescue, and spent a night trapped in a workout gym with Mr. Universe. How can I possibly write about something I haven't experienced?"
As for day jobs, "I've been a commercial pilot, brain surgeon, worked as a white-water river guide, bee keeper, snake charmer, and garbage collector."
When asked about erotica research, she insists, "Of course I've time-traveled to the ancient Everglades, infiltrated bondage strongholds, done wilderness search and rescue, and spent a night trapped in a workout gym with Mr. Universe. How can I possibly write about something I haven't experienced?"
As for day jobs, "I've been a commercial pilot, brain surgeon, worked as a white-water river guide, bee keeper, snake charmer, and garbage collector."
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
May 7, 2021
I almost did not finish this one because the kink the MCs explore isn't something I'm comfortable with.
Usually, if there are characters I like, an engaging plot and some romance/love, I can get behind almost anything.
And although I found Lainey interesting and I understood Joe's desperate need to get justice for his brother, I wasn't feeling any real chemistry or emotional connection between them.
After a horrible motorcycle accident that left Lainey almost at death's door, she combats her PTSD by collaring herself and fantasizes about being dominated when things get overwhelming for her. When she meets Daniel/Joe at one of her shady step-father's parties, she's instantly attracted and drawn to him.
She instinctively feels he is hiding something and they both play a disjointed game of cat and mouse where they speak in riddles and make a lot of assumptions about the other with no real proof.
Joe comes off as cold and heartless with his single minded need to take down Ethan, no matter the cost. I've read books where this trope has been used before but the men always have a core set of morals or hard limits they don't cross. Joe didn't have that and it boggled my mind that he didn't look into Lainey and find out she's not that close to her step father. It just seemed OTT that he decided his best course of action was to drug an innocent girl, kidnapped her and tortured her so harshly when she never had the information he was hoping to get. He ends up pretty much blackmailing her into helping him for no reason other than he could.
He never shows her any kindness of his own free will and when he subconsciously does, it's not acknowledged or repeated.
I've read dark and outside the box romances that share some of what the author wrote here but they went about it a bit differently, mainly showing both MCs are emotionally and physically compatible. They are able to show you the MCs are more than just their unique kink. There is character growth and complex layers to build on. That was missing between Lainey and Joe.
The fact that the kink these two are into is borderline rape/abuse and had little to no softness,
tenderness or aftercare of any kind made this one not for me. I couldn't see the attraction or reason why Lainey was so drawn to Joe and vice versa. They never share a clear or concise conversation or discuss anything that didn't revolve around Joe's need for revenge and Ethan's illegal dealings. There was nothing but the fact that the author told you they both were into it. There was no showing it by deed, action or word between the MCs. They kind of just read each other's minds and both come to the conclusion that they like the other and their "play" is something they both want and are good to keep doing together.
It has potential to be a really good dark and twisted read but the disjointed way it was laid out left too much unsaid and unresolved between the MCs to offer any real foundation for a proper ending.
* * * ARC provided for an honest review * * *
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
SAFETY INFO:
Usually, if there are characters I like, an engaging plot and some romance/love, I can get behind almost anything.
And although I found Lainey interesting and I understood Joe's desperate need to get justice for his brother, I wasn't feeling any real chemistry or emotional connection between them.
After a horrible motorcycle accident that left Lainey almost at death's door, she combats her PTSD by collaring herself and fantasizes about being dominated when things get overwhelming for her. When she meets Daniel/Joe at one of her shady step-father's parties, she's instantly attracted and drawn to him.
She instinctively feels he is hiding something and they both play a disjointed game of cat and mouse where they speak in riddles and make a lot of assumptions about the other with no real proof.
Joe comes off as cold and heartless with his single minded need to take down Ethan, no matter the cost. I've read books where this trope has been used before but the men always have a core set of morals or hard limits they don't cross. Joe didn't have that and it boggled my mind that he didn't look into Lainey and find out she's not that close to her step father. It just seemed OTT that he decided his best course of action was to drug an innocent girl, kidnapped her and tortured her so harshly when she never had the information he was hoping to get. He ends up pretty much blackmailing her into helping him for no reason other than he could.
He never shows her any kindness of his own free will and when he subconsciously does, it's not acknowledged or repeated.
I've read dark and outside the box romances that share some of what the author wrote here but they went about it a bit differently, mainly showing both MCs are emotionally and physically compatible. They are able to show you the MCs are more than just their unique kink. There is character growth and complex layers to build on. That was missing between Lainey and Joe.
The fact that the kink these two are into is borderline rape/abuse and had little to no softness,
tenderness or aftercare of any kind made this one not for me. I couldn't see the attraction or reason why Lainey was so drawn to Joe and vice versa. They never share a clear or concise conversation or discuss anything that didn't revolve around Joe's need for revenge and Ethan's illegal dealings. There was nothing but the fact that the author told you they both were into it. There was no showing it by deed, action or word between the MCs. They kind of just read each other's minds and both come to the conclusion that they like the other and their "play" is something they both want and are good to keep doing together.
It has potential to be a really good dark and twisted read but the disjointed way it was laid out left too much unsaid and unresolved between the MCs to offer any real foundation for a proper ending.
* * * ARC provided for an honest review * * *
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
SAFETY INFO:
May 11, 2021
Just An FYI: Not A Romance
This one is dark, with a solid basis in non-consent / dubious consent, and a lack of communication and redemption. Joe kidnaps Lainey and keeps her in a cage in order to exact revenge on her stepfather. I’d have enjoyed this story more if we had gotten more insight into what was driving Joe, beside his need for revenge. In the end, I had only marginally engaged with Lainey, and completely disconnected from Joe. Not bad, but not great.
This one is dark, with a solid basis in non-consent / dubious consent, and a lack of communication and redemption. Joe kidnaps Lainey and keeps her in a cage in order to exact revenge on her stepfather. I’d have enjoyed this story more if we had gotten more insight into what was driving Joe, beside his need for revenge. In the end, I had only marginally engaged with Lainey, and completely disconnected from Joe. Not bad, but not great.
May 21, 2021
The grammar in this was awful. Point of views flip flopped within the same paragraph. Sorry but please hire an editor, gave up after 20 pages.
May 19, 2021
3.5 stars 🌟 🌟 🌟
Ok so I did like the theme of this book. Maybe this is me being biased but this book is an example of why I don't like third person pov books. Some 3rd person pov books i dont mind because the plot or the sexy scenes are fire but unfortunately this book wasn't that. Many times in this book you didn't know who was saying what. I loved what this author was trying to betray in the bdsm concept but there wasn't much detail in it. They sexy/spanking scenes were good don't get me wrong but i just wanted more on how the characters were feeling. The plot was really good as well. If this book had the exact plot and all that but was written in first person with Joe and Lainey's point of view I think it would easily be a 4 to 5 star book.
Ok so I did like the theme of this book. Maybe this is me being biased but this book is an example of why I don't like third person pov books. Some 3rd person pov books i dont mind because the plot or the sexy scenes are fire but unfortunately this book wasn't that. Many times in this book you didn't know who was saying what. I loved what this author was trying to betray in the bdsm concept but there wasn't much detail in it. They sexy/spanking scenes were good don't get me wrong but i just wanted more on how the characters were feeling. The plot was really good as well. If this book had the exact plot and all that but was written in first person with Joe and Lainey's point of view I think it would easily be a 4 to 5 star book.
June 1, 2021
When Lainey first met Joe (Daniel) there was something about him that made her have those dark desires of wanting and needing. Joe is a undercover policeman looking to find answers of his brothers death. Joe is sure it Ethan (Lainey step father) is the ordered the death. He kidnaps Lainey and keeps her locked in a cage, naked with a collar and a plug, no matter what he does to Lainey, she desires his dominance. the only town fall is all the time went into the getting information, training, then the event but the ending felt rushed.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 12, 2021
My screen caught fire with this.
This is definitely at the top of my 'Dreams Come True' book list.
I love Lainey and totally understand that the life inside her head is her focus. And the fact she needed it enough to collar herself. When Joe takes her it turns into more than she hopes for... it is everything. But now he has taken his revenge will he still want her?
Joe sounds like a dream, absolutely perfect for the right sub.
I've already read it twice!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is definitely at the top of my 'Dreams Come True' book list.
I love Lainey and totally understand that the life inside her head is her focus. And the fact she needed it enough to collar herself. When Joe takes her it turns into more than she hopes for... it is everything. But now he has taken his revenge will he still want her?
Joe sounds like a dream, absolutely perfect for the right sub.
I've already read it twice!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 12, 2021
When an undercover cop is out for revenge, he'll do just about anything. Even take a monster's innocent step-daughter and keep her in a cage, awhatever it takes to make sure he gets any info from her he can. Caring about her is an unfortunate side effect. Lainey has nothing to do with her unscrupulous step-daddy. Since a horrific accident she has been working to return to as close to normal as she can get...now this. This is a hot, sexy read that edges towards harsh. Good read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 12, 2021
This is a well-written story that has some really great characters. Joe wants to know how his brother ended up dead. He's going to get those answers one way or another from Lainey, who's the step-daughter to her stepfather's mafia empire. Joe is an undercover cop and after he kidnaps Lainey he strips her, spanks her and ends up putting her in a cage naked with a tail and a collar. He'll find that she can't help him with any answers. This has lots of drama, suspense, hot steamy chemistry. Great story. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 11, 2021
Joe is out to discover how his brother ended up dead and he plans to get those answers from Lainey. He kidnaps her and locks her in a cage, collared, plugged and naked. Her body is responding to the dominance he has over her but will she be able to give him the answers he is looking for? Fast-paced read with loads of drama, suspense and intense chemistry. I was hooked from beginning to end. I loved it.
May 12, 2021
Joe and Lainey- what a pair! I liked the premise of the story and it made me sympathetic to the characters. The writing was good and the steam was hot. I just didn't feel their connection. A lot went on in their minds that they didn't say to each other. As a consequence, the story didn't progress as well as it could have. If that had been the case, I would have given it another star. Still a worth while read and I will try more from this author!
May 16, 2021
Deliciously dark and dangerous. Great characters and a well written storyline. A little slow in places. However, I would recommend this book. Will read this author again
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 11, 2021
Joe & Laney had an intriguing, dark read. I received a copy of the book. And am voluntarily leaving my review.
May 12, 2021
VH
What a unique love 💘story. The way that it started and the way that it ended.Can't wait to read another book of hers
What a unique love 💘story. The way that it started and the way that it ended.Can't wait to read another book of hers
February 27, 2022
Incomprehensible
Even my bdsm storylines. require a plot I can somewhat believe. This story is so ridiculous it pulls away at the already tenuous seams holding it together.
Even my bdsm storylines. require a plot I can somewhat believe. This story is so ridiculous it pulls away at the already tenuous seams holding it together.
April 13, 2024
Definitely not a "meet cute" for these two strong emotional characters you want to succeed. Dark and sexy.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews