Caged (The Mastered Series)

Caged, #4 in Lorelei James’ “Mastered” series is a gritty, raw, tempestuous, super sexy, HOT addition to this series of BDSM and love in the world of mixed martial arts competition.

Deacon McConnell is a man with a troubled, dark past. From underground, illegal fighting to the dojo of Sensei Ronin Black, he takes his fury out in the ring. But he’s off his game. Because Molly Calloway’s on his mind. The attack victim’s attempts to reclaim her sense of safety and independence take her to the dojo where self-defense jujitsu classes are helping her heal. But the supremely demanding Deacon elicits a whole different kind of battle in her body.

When their passion is unleashed, it’s more than either can fight and they give in to the whirlwind of kinky lust.

But Molly’s reliance on trust is shaken to its core when Deacon’s secrets are revealed. She’s going to have a whole different fight if she wants to reclaim the man as hers. And Deacon’s love will have to face the test of honesty and vulnerability and he’s going to have to let the woman he’s come to want forever into his past. In all its naked tragedy and pain.

Gritty, tough, with returning characters from #1 - #3 in this series keeps the book moving along at a blistering pace, filled with loyalty, sex, sensuality, humor, and extreme fight scenes that rivet the reader. While the BDSM is on the light side in this particular romance, it is on display among other couples, as well as an overall alpha male hero who may have met his match in the lush, lovely and smart businesswoman, Molly. I loved the raw sensuality, the graphic language that is right at home in this tough, no-holds-barred love story.

And now I have to go back and re-read some of the others because they’re THAT GOOD.

Thoughts: Before I picked up Caged, I read a few books that were a bit lackluster – I was in a bit of a reading rut with each one I tried just not hitting the mark with me. With this title, I had read and loved all the prior books in this series, as well as the author. As soon as I started the book I almost wanted to laugh. Why? Because after only a handful of pages, I was thinking, “Now this marks the difference between a good author and a great author.” I haven’t even read any of the dramatic, more impactful parts of the story yet – but that doesn’t even matter, because sometimes it’s not even about what they are writing but how they write it. Only a few paragraphs in and Lorelei James already had my attention – because she is just that wonderful of a writer.

The sad part is that with a series as great as this one, you’re always comparing the newest book with all the past ones. For me, this wasn’t the strongest book in the series. If anything, it is probably the bottom of the scale for me when compared to those prior books. That is not to say that it isn’t good, however, because it is. Especially for those of us who have been waiting for the fireworks to happen between Deacon and Molly! But when you compare it to Bound, Unwound, Schooled, and even Unraveled, it just pales a little in comparison.

Rate: A-/B+
Review by: Sarah
http://www.thebookreadinggals.com

This story keeps you entertained. Hot, endearing, love story. Different. Author did her homework on cage fighting training. The main characters were believable. Some dysfunctional family shared histories. You find yourself rooting for them to get together. Anything worth wile is never easy. If all men were like this guy. Straight up, no games. He saw, he wanted, he went after full head of steam. They definitely had a connection that was more than physical. Moral of the story is never give up on a good thing. Some things in life are worth the effort to succeed.

I love Lorelei James' Mastered series. Every book so far has been a winner, including CAGED. Molly and Deacon have been dancing around each other since book 1, so I've been looking forward to this one for a long time.

So, let's face it - Deacon isn't the romantic sort of guy. He's a big, hard MMA fighter who lacks a brain-to-mouth filter and scares the pants off all the people in the classes he teaches at Black Arts. You'd figure his ideal woman to be some bad ass fighter. So, the fact that it was meek, mousy Molly who caught his eye is unexpected.

We could tell in previous books that Deacon and Molly had some sort of pull toward each other, but it's always seemed pretty volatile. Are you surprised? I mean, it's Deacon. Of course it's volatile. And, he's not the most tactful guy around. But, honestly, Deacon surprised me in Caged. More than once. After a disastrous first date that never really happened, Molly had all but written him off, even though she still thought about him all the time. Tried to forget her attraction by dating other guys. But, once Deacon decides something, he gives it singular focus. And, Deacon has decided that He. Wants. Molly.

A focused Deacon is a thing of beauty. He might not have the pretty words or the grand romantic gestures, but when this guy throws his heart into the ring, he is literally all in. He wines and dines Molly in his own way, and because she knows that and because she likes him just the way he is, it doesn't take long before Deacon wins her back over.

Learning about one another means learning about their pasts and their families, and that's a touchy subject for both Molly and Deacon. Neither of them had rosy, happy childhoods - especially Molly. And when a relative of hers dies, and Molly has to go home to deal with the funeral and her awful family. And Deacon really comes through for her. He's an unexpected hero, and I love that about him.

Except, Deacon's not quite as forthcoming about details from his side as Molly was. He carries this big secret with him through all his dates with Molly, through all his training sessions with Maddox, through his fights in the ring, and it starts to wear on him as his feelings for her grow. You know how secrets always have a way of coming out when you don't want them to?

One thing is for sure - the Molly in Caged is nothing like the Molly from Bound. In the time that has passed, she has found her inner strength, and that was due in large part to Deacon. At first it was because of his self-defense classes. And, then it was because of his love and support. But, I love the development in her character. And, Deacon has kind of met her in the middle. He was always on the opposite end of the spectrum. He was this unapproachable, mean, scary dude, and Molly brought out the softer side of him.

Not that Deacon ever went soft. Geez - he's a total caveman. His protectiveness knows no bounds when he's in love. And he can really tear it up between the sheets. But, being in love, opens him up in new ways. He starts being a real friend to his friends. He asks for help when he needs it. He admits when he's wrong. Again - the character development is stellar.

There's lots of time spent with the couples from the previous books - Ronin and Amery and Knox and Shiori. Knox and Deacon are besties and Ronin is sort of his mentor, so we see lots of them. We also see much more of Maddox, whom we were introduced to in the last book. I can't wait for his story - I just know it will be a good one.

Every book in this series has been a winner for me. The strong, alpha men of Black Arts blow me away every time, and Caged was no different. I can't wait for more.

Fans of the Mastered Series have been waiting for this book. Deacon and Molly have been engaging in the cat and mouse chase and verbal foreplay from the very beginning of this series. Their coming together is long over due. Their relationship is explosive and quite a surprise. Unlike the former books, their relationship does not revolve around the Dojo and the club. It stands on it’s own merits, two dynamic people coming together and blending their lives together to make a strong loving relationship.

When reader’s first met Molly she was a shy, easily intimidated kind of girl. She had enrolled in self defense classes after an attack that left her afraid of her own shadow. Rather than let the fear of her own shadow take over her life she was brave enough to do something about it. Deacon was her instructor and he was very hard on her. He wouldn’t allow her to withdraw or quit. As the series grew so did Molly. Throughout the books we watched her grow and become a strong confident woman.

Throughout the series Deacon has been a bit of a mystery. He has secrets that he holds close to his chest. Although he is a champion amateur MMA fighter about to go into the pro circuit, he is still a part of the Dojo. His fighting career is taking on a new path. Embarking on a new relationship could hinder his career. He has come to the realization that he wants Molly more than he wants the career title.

These two will muddle through their relationship. Both have family histories that are ugly. Neither one has been in a committed relationship so they are both clueless. Molly has romantic notions but at the same time wants her independence and individuality. Deacon is pure alpha male and assumes Molly knows where his head is at. He has problems, like most men, communicating and expressing his feelings. Then the conflicts with his family make their relationship all the more difficult. Add a hard driven trainer that sees their relationship as a road block, the Dojo politics, meddling friends, and a championship fight and it looks as if they are doomed. Deacon has the fight of his life on his hands .He is fighting for his heart. Molly has to be confident enough to take Deacon’s hand and fight for their relationship.

I loved watching these characters grow as individuals and as a couple. They didn’t need the kink that we have experienced in the prior books of this series. Their passion for one another is so hot it will burn the house down. Together they are unbeatable.

I am looking forward to more books in this series. There are so many dynamic secondary characters that are screaming for Lorelei James attention. They want their stories told.

I highly recommend reading the entire Mastered series. It is fantastic. Caged is another outstanding addition to this series.

Reviewed by Annie and posted at Under The Covers Book Blog

Take a little bit of the Rough Riders’ Southern sexiness and a little bit of kickboxing and you’ve got CAGED, the fourth book in the Mastered series by Lorelei James Deacon McConnell messes up big time when he stood up Molly Calloway on his one chance with her but he had a fight to prepare for and a woman like that would come with plenty of enticing distractions. Now he’s paying for it dearly when Molly has moved on and wants nothing to do with him. Deacon must try to win her affections again but that’s easier said than done with a firecracker like Molly.

Molly feels like the typical ‘Lorelei James’ heroine. She’s smart, confident and doesn’t let any man try to fool her over. So when Molly and Deacon have an argument at a strip club, you can bet that she isn’t going to go down without a fight. Problem is, Molly still holds of big burning flame for Deacon ever since she met him in a kickboxing class but the fact that he stood her up keeps her from pursuing this lust. When I mentioned the Rough Riders series earlier, I feel like Molly is the type of heroine one would find in that series. She’s got that same personality that a lot of the other heroines in that series have and when you pair her with a Southern charmer like Deacon, well now you just have a Rough Rider in kickboxing gear, don’t you? It’s a lethal combo if I do say so myself.

I found that this book moved at a quick pace. Molly and Deacon have this intense lust that gets turned up fully in just the first couple of chapters. The rest of the pages are saturated with dirty talk and incredibly hot sex scenes so you are guaranteed a scorcher with this one, that’s for sure. James also explores other areas of the protagonist’s life and I think those parts were more drawn out.

James likes to take her time to really flesh out her characters though and that’s why I constantly come back to her books. While they are still hot as hell, behind that there’s plenty to relate to and explore. It sets it apart – and often above- the other Erotic Romance novels you will find there. I certainly didn’t anticipate some of the twists that occur in this book, but I did enjoy reading about that.

So I’d say that if you like James’ Blacktop Cowboys and Rough Riders series, this series – but most definitely, this book – is one you must check out!

Molly had a crappy home life with some witchy cousins. She grew up in Nebraska and when her grandmother gets sick she returns to see her. All the stuff that Molly had to deal with growing up comes back and Deacon is there to help her with it.

As sucky as Molly’s home life was Deacon’s is so much worse. I wanted to hug Deacon so hard! Molly tries to be there for Deacon but he is so closed off. He was a total sweetheart and rock for her but he’s really hard for him to let Molly be the same for him.

The romance is both hot and sweet. Deacon and Molly’s relationship seems very fast but they’ve known each other for 2 years and have been dancing around each other the whole time. So it’s not an instant-a-love but an instant-a-lust that turns into love as Deacon and Molly finally open up to each other.

Deacon can be a total caveman one minute then melt-your-heart-sweet the next. He has this hard, enough looking exterior with the shaved head, tattoos and muscles everywhere but he has a sweet, gooey center if only for Molly.

Molly looks soft and sweet on the outside but thanks to her classes with Deacon her inner strength is starting to shine through on the outside. Both are damaged on the inside and they are a perfect fit for each other.

Compared to the other books in the Mastered series, Caged was a little vanilla in the sex area. Oh it’ was smoking but there wasn’t much kink to Deacon and Molly which was fine by me but I thought with some of the kink of the other two couples we would get more of it in Caged.

I felt a little rushed due to the fact that Deacon and Molly had some major communication issues throughout Caged but then when it came down to the last chapter it all gets swept under the rug even those the chapter before they were having the same issue.

I really enjoyed reading Caged. Molly and Deacon have been around since book 1, Bound. I really enjoyed seeing them get their HEA even if I had a little issue with how fast it wrapped up. I can’t wait to read more in Lorelei James’ Mastered series. I have a feeling the next couple may be Deacon’s trainer, Maddox and Molly’s friend/co-worker Presley. That should be an interesting and hot couple to read about.

CAGED is one of my favorite books in Lorelei James' Mastered series. In UNRAVELED, Deacon McConnell balked when his good friend, Knox Lofgren would talk about his relationship or his feelings, something not high on Deacon's list of favorite activities. It's only fitting, and pretty funny, that he end up with a woman who insists that he use his words. It was during one of Knox and Deacon's talks, that Deacon first captured my attention. His personal revelation to Knox intrigued me and I wanted to know more about him. Both Molly and Deacon have family horror stories that will break your heart, and make you mad at the same time. Deacon is extremely Alpha, and more than a little rough around the edges, but I loved how sweet he could be with Molly and that he was there for her when she needed him, even when she didn't think to ask for his support. I really enjoyed watching the two of them grow into their relationship, especially Deacon, who was emotionally stunted. Molly has really blossomed since we first met her in BOUND. Her self-confidence has grown so much, though she still has moments of insecurity (don't we all?).
CAGED is sexy, funny, sad, and romantic; a very entertaining read, with engaging, well-developed characters that I loved getting to know better.

Lorelei James gives us yet another MASTERPIECE in CAGED, book 4 in her Mastered Series! I devour these books over and over again. You can’t beat James’ writing. It’s full of passion, intensity, and emotion. The alpha male MMA fighter in this book will make your pulse pound and your heart melt. CAGED is a book you will want to savor. You will want to take your time, take it all in, because you will NOT want it to end.

The love story of Deacon and Molly was fun, intense, and crazy passionate. A misunderstanding leads Deacon to try to win back Molly and boy does he win her back. But Molly is definitely no push-over. No way, James makes her heroines with some extra sass and I freaking LOVE it! CAGED is a love story about a man proving his worth and winning back the woman he wants as HIS. He will get down and dirty if he has to. To hell with the fact that he might come with some baggage. Molly IS his, and he will do what it takes to have her in his bed and his heart.

I ADORED these characters so much! I loved the fact that Deacon, this big badass fighter finds Molly intimidating. It makes for some interesting and hella sexy interactions between the two. A title fight…psssh! That ain’t nothing. Winning Molly back…no that is scary! They give each other the feeling of worth which adds to the sweetness factor in this yummy erotic tale. CAGED is an all around intense, beautiful, and erotic love story that will have you swooning from beginning to end. I LOVE the MASTERED series. Each one keeps getting better and better!

*Giftec copy provided by the author in exchange for an honest review*

Caged (Mastered #4) by Lorelei James

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.

My Review:
A little cutsey, a tiny silly, a little catty and a pinch steamy, Caged is a fun book with two fabulous characters Molly and Deacon. I didn't favor all the family drama because I thought their interaction was perfect without it but it showed the various dynamic both together and alone and of how they both handle life outside of sex. Although a little immature obviously more teen geared than adult by the drama but I liked that the characters had to face their pasts and deal with their traumas because that's a part of growing up. I respected that and I could get behind their need to deal. Their naivete was endearing and sweet, I didn't favor the immaturity although I could feel for them and their need to seclude themselves away from any possible emotional closeness or danger and vulnerability. The rest was surprising, I was impressed with Lorelei's creativity. All in all Caged was a good book that I enjoyed reading.

My Rating:
3 Stars

Reviewed By: Krissy's Bookshelf Reviews
http://kkmalott.booklikes.com/

I love Lorelei James' books. My favorite was the story of Ronin and Amery. After reading Caged, I think Deacon and Molly may have overtaken the top spot. Both have a lot of insecurities to overcome, some similar in nature. The dynamics between them, instructor-student, increase the chemistry in the preceding books. Together, they are combustible! Their emotions are tangled and confused but together, they work. I want my own Deacon!!! Prepare for a "panty-melting" read.

Had been waiting for this book since book one! Finally we get to read about Molly and Deacon... Loved it! Best one in the series at least for me! Loved how they just melted together and although didnt like how Deacon kept his secrets he should have been upfront from the begining since Molly was.... all in all a great book..I hope that Katie and Blue get their own book as well as Maddox and Presley those would great books for the series!

As always Lorelei never fails to write a book without heart and soul. I have always loved Molly and Deacon and for them to have their own story was phenomenal. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and its twists and turns. Grief has such an impact on a person and Lorelei dealt with it amazingly in this book. A definite must read in this series and anxious for more as so many more stories to tell.

Loved this one!!!

I adored both Molly and Deacon, as well as both of their stories.

It was hot & it was sweet. Deacon is alpha male caveman to a tee. Boy did he have a heart of gold under all those tats and muscles!!!

Have to say "WOW"!!! Lorelei definitely created this to be a "I can't put it down" book! So many twists and turns. I could relate to so much in each of the characters, and always humor that just rounds out the characters. A definite read!!!!! And re-read. I absolutely LOVED this book! Thanks to the very talented Lorelei!!!!

Deacon and Molly's story was as wonderful as expected from Lorelei James. She knocked it out of the park once again with the 5th book in the series. I can't wait for her next great novel. I highly recommend the whole series and you will fall in love with these characters like the rest of us in the James Gang.

Have to say "WOW"!!! Lorelei definitely created this to be a "I can't put it down" book! So many twists and turns. I could relate to so much in each of the characters, and always humor that just rounds out the characters. A definite read!!!!! And re-read. I absolutely LOVED this book! Thanks to the very talented Lorelei!!!!

Deacon and Molly's story was as wonderful as expected from Lorelei James. She knocked it out of the park once again with the 5th book in the series. I can't wait for her next great novel. I highly recommend the whole series and you will fall in love with these characters like the rest of us in the James Gang.

After reading the complete series I came away ery satisfied and wanting more. Each book had wonderful characters. There where believable plots. I felt myself drawn in, like i've met people I would call friends.