Caged (Mastered #4) by Lorelei James-a review

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About the book: Release Date July 14, 2015

In order to survive a life of tragedy, Deacon McConnell embraced his roughest edges and learned to fight on the streets. Then a life-changing jujitsu seminar led by Sensei Ronin Black led Deacon to become a professional fighter. With his muscular physique and his body covered in tattoos and scars, the MMA fighter defines mean, both on and off the mat.

But everything changes when innocent Molly Calloway signs up for his kickboxing class. Molly is Deacon’s opposite in every way: She’s kind, sweet, thoughtful, and educated. After a heated argument between them turns into a passionate encounter, Deacon realizes Molly is eager to experience more, and she looks to him to take her to the darker edge of lust….

The last thing either of them expects is how deeply their lives will be thrown upside down by the passion they find together.

Review:
When Molly first met Deacon, she was intimidated. She had been attacked and wanted to take her life back. She enrolled in his kickboxing class to learn to defend herself and excelled. Even though Deacon piqued her interest, she knew she wasn’t in his league. The initial relation that developed between them was one of sarcastic quips and barbs and mutual admiration, even though neither knew of the other’s thoughts. We’ve seen the friendship build over the last few books and I knew this would be a good one. And, I was NOT disappointed.

Caged begins with Presley, Molly’s friend and co-worker, taking Molly out for a girls night out….to a strip club. And, who does Molly encounter in said club? Deacon McConnell. Molly turns on her heal and heads the other way, only to have Deacon intercept her. As they trade quips, Deacon does the darnedest thing. He kisses her and they both know their lives will never be the same. Even though Deacon had asked Molly out on a date over a year ago, and pulled a no-show, Molly is enchanted with the big, bad and sexy Deacon. As they discuss their “relationship”, they decide to see where all of this will lead them. They both know they have some obstacles to overcome and they both have their secrets, but what follows will draw them to each other like nothing they ever expected.

Molly receives a call about a death in the family and has to leave town quickly, only to be belittled once again by her a$$hat cousins who have done nothing but shame and bully her since they were kids. Molly just wants to get things taken care of and get back to Denver and as far away from them as she can. There is one other catch, though. She didn’t tell Deacon she was leaving and when he shows up in her hometown and tracks her down at the motel, he is not a happy camper. He tells her that if they are going to be together, then they are going to be together in every way. He does a wonderful job of supporting her while she deals with what’s left of her family and they finally head back to Denver. But, when things start happening in Deacon’s life that cause him to have to face his devastating childhood and his own family, he has a hard time reciprocating with Molly.

As they head to Texas to meet with his family, it doesn’t take Molly long to figure out that Deacon has demons that he will have to deal with. Unfortunately, he develops tunnel vision and while dealing with his family, he doesn’t even realize, until it’s too late, that Molly left and headed back to Denver. Will Deacon be able to overcome his past in order to forge a future with Molly? Or, will he forever be Caged by his past? You’ll just have to read to find out…………

Oh my sweet Jesus! I LOVED THIS BOOK! Molly is someone that everyone would want in their corner. She has taken her life back in a big way and does not take any crap off of anyone. Including Deacon. Her childhood was something horrible, but she created a life for herself and never looked back. She’s tough, spunky, smart and very independent. That brings me to Deacon. I do think that he is my favorite hero that I’ve read about in a loooooong time. Bless his bones. He’s so thick headed about how relationships work, but at the same time, he tells her that he doesn’t have a clue. You will laugh your butt off at the things he says. He truly does mean well, but has no idea how to say the things that he’s supposed to. And, his swagger will leave you drooling. Even though his early childhood was very different than Molly’s, the loss that he suffers as a teenager will break your heart. And, the big revelation at the end?? Did NOT see that coming. I only hope that Ms. James will let us in on what’s going on with them in future books.

Caged is a wonderfully written story that is ultimately about not being defined by one’s past and forging ahead and making a life, even though you’re not sure exactly how to do it. It’s about learning to trust and to share yourself with your partner, even though you’re scared spitless! I absolutely adore this series and the characters in it. It’s one of my absolute favorite series, and if you’ll give it a chance, it will be one of your favorites too. Well done, Lorelei James! Very, very, very well done!!

Copy supplied by the publisher

Reviewed by Vickie M

Bound
The Mastered Series #1
by Lorelei James
Release Date: February 4, 2014

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Click HERE for Vickie’s review of BOUND

About the book: Release Date February 4, 2014

Former small-town girl Amery Hardwick is living her dream as a graphic designer in Denver, Colorado. She’s focused on building her business, which leaves little time for dating—not that she needs a romantic entanglement to fulfill her. When her friend signs up for a self-defense class as part of her recovery after an attack, Amery joins her for support. That’s where she meets him.

Ronin Black, owner of the dojo, is so drawn to Amery that he takes over her training—in public and in private. The enigmatic Ronin pushes Amery’s boundaries from the start, and with each new tryst, Amery becomes addicted to the pleasure and to him. But when Amery senses Ronin is hiding something, she questions her total trust in him, despite the undeniable thrill of his possession.

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Unwound
Mastered #2
by Lorelei James
Release Date: March 25, 2014
Genre: adult, contemporary, erotic, romance

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Click HERE for Vickie’s review of UNWOUND

About the book: Release Date March 25, 2014

When sensei Ronin Black first encounters Amery Hardwick, the fire in her eyes ignites a sexual spark a thousand times better than the primal rush he used to get from mixed martial arts matches. She accepts his darker edges and admits to him that her desires aren’t as wholesome as he believed. And before long Ronin is grappling with emotions he’s never felt before….

Yet despite demanding Amery bare her body and soul to him, Ronin holds a part of himself back. When she learns Ronin’s secret and walks out, his life begins to unravel. To regain her trust he must let go of his pride and prove to her that it’s more than passion binding them together. But after their private pleasures are made public, Ronin is unsure if he’s the right man for Amery. Can they face the consequences together? Or will their differences rip them apart?

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Schooled
Mastered 2.5
by Lorelei James
Release Date: December 2, 2014
Genre: adult, contemporary, erotic romance

Click HERE for Vickie’s review of SCHOOLED

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About the book: Release Date December 2, 2014

When Amery Hardwick first met martial arts master Ronin Black, she wasn’t ready for the level of his sensual artistry or his need for extreme control. Nor was she prepared for the primal urges it released in her. Amery and Ronin were made for each other.

When they married they were certain their future would be a fulfilling journey of love and passion. But happily ever after is never so simple. Six months later, while in Japan, Ronin is training with his sensei, while Amery is consumed by her own burgeoning career and a culture shock with which she is struggling to adapt.

Now, from the heady pleasures of Tokyo bondage houses to the unyielding family traditions pulsing with every beat of Ronin’s heart, Amery and Ronin find the limits of their relationship tested once again, and shocked to discover what they’re willing to do in order to save it.

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Unraveled
Mastered #3
by Lorelei James
Release Date: March 3, 2015
Genre: adult, contemporary, erotic romance

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Click HERE for Vickie’s review of UNRAVELED

Description:
Shiori Hirano and Knox Lofgren are left to run the martial arts program at Black Arts while Ronin Black travels. On the surface, the two highest ranked belts appear to cooperate—but in private, they butt heads constantly, despite the undeniable attraction between them. Soon their power exchanges start to make for a sweltering dynamic in the bedroom…

At first Knox is shocked to be living out his submissive desires, but Shiori sets out to prove that embracing his true sexual nature doesn’t make him a weak man. But even while their sexual relationship grants him a power and fulfillment he finds surprising, there’s no training regimen for the fight that comes with loving a strong woman…