Bind Me (Capture Me Book 2)

Well, Anna Zaires does it again. This book as with all the rest, is an incredible story full of complex, characters. Yes, they are evil at times but you cannot tear yourself away from the amazing writing. The relationships Ms. Zaires writes are complicated. If you have read any of her work, you know her stories have dark elements but they ultimately lead to love. You find yourself routing for the bad guy. Yulia and Lucas are amazing together. I believe they are even at times more complex than Julian and Nora. They fight against what they feel and don't know who or what tot trust. This one leaves us with a cliffhanger so now we wait. Please Anna, write fast.

This series is unfolding at a much slower pace than the Twist Me series. This one was mostly psychological, which was interesting, but I'm looking forward to all of the action that takes place in the next book. I am enjoying watching the intriguing, mysterious, unflappable Lucas slowly realize his feelings for Yulia.

BTW, what's up with Rosa? She's not the shy little thing I thought she was. She may turn out to be the most interesting person in this series.

I love everything Anna Zaires and Dima Zales writes! I absolutely loved the "Twist Me" series and this continuation starring the sexy Lucas Kent is just as good! I realized what I love so much about her writing style... the sex scenes are so descriptive and detailed that the passion between the characters literally pours off the pages. It's simply perfection. Can't wait for the next book!

I really enjoyed the book, just wished it could've had the entire story :( I mean there wasn't much of anything going on. Short read, fun in the begging because I was excited the book was finally out! The end however, I didn't like :(

I loved the Twist Me trilogy and was soooo excited when I saw another series was coming out by Anna Zaires. How disappointed I was by the first two books; you'd never know it was written by the same author. Like so many books in this genre it can be difficult to find a story that's not just all about the sex. That's why Twist Me stood out; it had excitement, great characters and an unpredictable plot. Capture Me has nothing "She's beautiful" "I must have her" "The sex is great" "You're mine" on repeat. I gave book 1 a break for rehashing and getting the reader up to speed on the characters, but when book 2 had even less going on, I called it quits. It doesn't take much to imagine how book 3 will conclude.

Ok, so I didn't think cliffhangers could get much worse than this books predecessor's but I was so freaking miserably wrong. No... just No!!!!!! So, Bind Me picks up where Capture Me left off...Yulia is still Lucas' captive but it becomes evident very early on that Lucas has abandoned his plans of torturing his information out of Yulia...whether or not he can admit it yet, he cares about her. He cares about what made up her past that made her who she is, and even more importantly, he is not willing to be another man to tragically damage her. With Lucas' choice made, we begin a whole different chapter in this five star, steaming hot drama. Trust is still a HUGE problem for both of them. Lucas knows his path with Yulia, but she has been built since the age of eleven to mistrust...and thus far Lucas has given her no reason to view him differently. So, though Lucas genuinely intends to protect her even after she talks, he uh, well he has his work cut out for him...she is after all a trained spy. She knows how he is trained to extract information and she is ready.

So here's the crux of the problem for Yulia...she is fully aware that he has every right to exact his revenge on her. She slept with him and then got his plane shot down. She has been taught all of the many ways that her captors will try to extract information from her...so every genuine move of compassion from Lucas she views as an attempt to breach her defenses. Meanwhile, because this is what she is trained to believe, Lucas is being stonewalled at every turn. She can't possibly believe he really cares and furthermore she has a huge secret that Lucas has only partially truly figured out. The difference between his perceptions and the truth are going to be a major issue going into what I have certainly determined will be a book three.

Lucas, this poor man is so misguided and is being led around by the lower half of his anatomy to what I fear could be his demise. He keeps telling Yulia that he wants her, that basically in turn for the information on her superiors he will keep her protected...in exchange for sex at his will. He's so very wrong though, even if he can't see it yet. He cares a lot, but his life has taught him that feelings are a weakness to be exploited...he maybe should have put his heart on the line here. All of this sets a series of events in motion that Lucas could not have seen coming.

The bottom line, my heart is broken from where this book ends. Lucas, at the end of the day has a job to do...and he certainly doesn't want to willingly be away from her. There are things that neither of them know yet...things that have a huge placement in where book two of this series leaves off. There are unexpressed feelings on both sides and it's a nasty mess in the making. I really, truly enjoyed book one but Bind Me took my breath away numerous times. I am so upset and yet thrilled that there is more to come. I will be waiting with baited breath for what I PRAY is the conclusion to this series, if only because the cliffhangers are quite literally killing me. Bind Me, by Anna Zaires, is not to be missed folks.

Ms. Zaires' writing is so lyrical and smooth, I would probably happily read a toaster manual if she wrote it. And that is what really drew me into the Capture Me series. Please note that you really do need to read this series in order, but you do not have to have read Twist Me to understand the characters or plot. There will be some Twist Me spoilers if you read this series first, though, so you've been warned. If I'm being totally honest, I enjoyed the Twist Me series a bit more...I am almost obsessed with Julian as he is with Nora. But Lucas is more stable than Julian, and that has a charm of its own, and you are trying to read my review of Bind Me, not of any of the Twist Me books, right?

I loved that we get to see into both Lucas' and Yulia's minds. It is so easy to relate to both of them, and to understand how they are acting, reacting, and why the big misunderstanding leading to the cliffhanger at the end of the book came about. Both of their actions and emotions rang very true for me. I would consider most of Lucas's actions in this second installment to be forming out of a romantic love for Yulia, even if he does not recognize it as such yet (or maybe ever). And while I hate to keep comparing it to Twist Me, Julian's care of Nora was very selfish throughout most of the series (she needs to be dependent on me) versus Lucas's actions here (I want her to be comfortable and happy in her new home).

I also love that I can fit this story into the timeline of the Twist Me books, and that I get to see Lucas's view of Julian's life. It was interesting to see an "outside" take on their relationship, as brief as that view may be. And as much as I hate a cliffhanger, I also understood that this was a 3 part story to begin with, and I can't complain about the price considering the length of these books - they are not 68 page novella, they are full novels with detailed descriptions, backstories, and world building.

Overall, beautiful editing, a lyrical voice throughout the entire book, the sex scenes are hot, containing an emotional element that was not present until the end of the Twist Me series. Once I get over my unbalanced obsession with Julian, I will probably consider this series to truly be the more romantic of the two (depending on the ending of course...haven't gotten to book 3 yet). Bravo Ms. Zaires, and please continue to write these stories. I know some people are offended by the taboo nature of "kidnap romances" but it is a thrilling fantasy to live out in books even if I would never want this to happen to anyone in the real world.

4 "Falling for Her Captor but Bound to Another" Stars for the story and 4.5 Stars for the narration!

Please note this is book 2 of a trilogy that must be read in sequential order. If you have not yet started this series, please see my review for book 1, Capture Me, as the below review contains spoilers for book 1.

The Capture Me Series is a series that lovers of capture romances that are more on the lighter side of the spectrum ("gray romance") are sure to enjoy. Interestingly, the spin-off series is even lighter than the dark romance, Twist Me Series from which it was spun-off. Instead this series is really more just a classic erotic romance where the heroine happens to have been captured by the hero, so while there are some capture elements to the story, like the heroine sleeps handcuffed to the hero, there is no lack of consent or dubious consent scenes.

Picking up right where Capture Me leaves off, Yulia is being held captive by Lucas, presumably for questioning in connection with the hijaking of the plane that both Lucas and his boss, Julian (the hero from the Twist Me Series) were on and the crash that they shouldn't have survived (this actual event takes place in the Twist Me Series but it is recapped in this series so this series could be listened to as a standalone). However, as the days goes by, Yulia becomes increasingly suspicious and paradoxically more comfortable in the confines of Lucas' unexpectedly easy imprisonment. She hasn't been tortured, or even hurt, he's feeding her, and seems genuinely interested in her. Is this part of his strategy to break her down so he can gain her trust to discover who was involved and called the orders on the hijacking? But what will become of her after? Will she then see the full wrath of what this cruel enforcer is known for?

Further complicating matters is that she really enjoys their heat filled nights together. But is she only deluding herself in believing there could ever be a future together? And what will happen when he realizes that she will never betray her former handlers? Even if she wanted to accept Julian's offer of protection, the safety of someone who means the world to her is tied with her handler's fates and she will do anything to make sure he remains safe.

Shirl Rae and Roberto Scarlato continue their skilled narration in Bind Me. Having become used to the voices that this narrating duo used in book 1, Capture Me, I was pleased to see that they were able to maintain consistency in the voices in this book. This consistency really helped me fall back into the story very easily (even after having listened to a number of other unrelated books in between).

In addition to using distinguishable, character appropriate voices for each one of the characters, the dual narration style that the narrators used works great in this series as it helps the listener easily discern whose point of view is being shared with Ms. Rae narrating the chapters from Yulia's perspective and Mr. Scarlato the ones from Julian's perspective. Both narrators also do a good job of imparting emotion into their scenes making the dialogues believable.

All in all, I enjoyed the personal developments both in and out of the bedroom between Yulia and Lucas in Capture Me. It was interesting to watch two inherently suspicious, distrustful people learn how to meld their spy-trained ways with their undeniable desires and wants for the future. But this story ends in one big cliffhanger, so listeners will need to wait and see what the future holds for Yulia and Lucas until they listen to Claim Me, the final book in the trilogy.

Source: Review copy provided for review purposes.

Could Lucas get any hotter than he already was? YES!! Yes he most certainly could...and he DID in this book! If you know Anna Zaires then you know the sex is crazy good, so just take that as a given. Let's get to what REALLY surprised me and got to me in this one- my changing views on Julia and even Rosa.

Before this series I swore to the author that I hated Julia so much I wasn't even sure if I could bring myself to read a series that revolved around her and Lucas. I mean, the b**ch DID try to have him killed!! I had a wonderful future all planned out for Lucas and Rosa and this series put a serious kink in my plans. But now? After learning more about Julia's past I don't hate her quite so much. I can even see how Lucas is starting to have real feelings for her. She's had a rough life, and was taken at the ripe old age of 15 to start being trained to do what she does. She hardly had a choice in the matter.

What Lucas DOESN'T know is her reason why...who she's protecting. He thinks it's a lover, but it's her little brother. This mistake in communication causes a huge rift in their already fragile relationship, and is the ultimate reason why she's so hellbent on escape. She thinks Lucas is ordering the destruction of the agency and her brother, but I really think if he knew she had a brother that needed saving he'd do it. For her. Instead we have Julia nurturing a deep hatred of Lucas for wanting to destroy her family and him being clueless as to why she's so upset.

Rosa- without revealing too much information, let's just say that I'm appalled and shocked by her actions. I was completely thrown by her and am so deeply disappointed. You'll have to read to understand why.

The way this book ended set us up for a quite exciting third installment that can't get here fast enough!

Lucas never expected to feel so much emotion towards his prisoner, she was supposed to be a hot lay but she became more. During his interrogation he became more fascinated than he already was and during sex he found it hard to keep it only physical. This girl gets under his skin and when she becomes too complying he knows what she wants from him. He is determined to have her completely which means he can't give her what she wants, or can he? This is a game of cat and mouse, and maybe the mouse isn't chasing the cheese the cat is thinking of.

Yulia can't give in to Lucas's interrogation but she finds it difficult to deny her captor. She is caught up in him and the emotion he makes her feel. He combines danger and safety and wraps it in his delicious hard to resist demeanor. Trapped in a powerful illusion she accidentally spills some information he may want. This is they kind of information that can ruin their relationship depending on the way it is used.

I loved it. I just adore the Twist Me Universe and I love seeing it in a different perspective. Its just as dangerous and passionate as the original series and it definitely has its similarities, yet they are so completely different. I adore that the book still has Julian and Nora (one of my favorite book couples) and we get to see their relationship grow, but kind of in a stranger looking into the window sort of way. Lucas I adore because he is tough, cruel, and even sadistic; yet he has this kindness in him, he is loyal, and in his own way he is a caretaker always ensuring the safety of those he is close to. This book was just an awesome addition to the series, But it ended in a cliff hanger, so the suspense will now kill me while I wait very impatiently, and fidget around. I can't wait for the next installment to see how everything ends. ❤

You need to read the previous book, Capture Me

This book continues the very moment where the previous book ends.
Yulia remains as Lucas Kent's prisoner. However, any thought of revolt and revenge that he had about her for nearly killing him starts to dissipate. He begins to treat her differently. But Yulia doesn't trust 100% on him. She knows that Lucas wants to take information about the organization that trained her as spy.
And even though Lucas change his mind and kept Yulia alive, she was sure that his boss, Julian Esguerra, would want her dead.
She doesn't see any possibility of escape. Julian's property in Colombia is very well guarded. But if Yulia can not save herself, she has hopes to be able to save someone she loves.
And that's exactly where it starts the big problem.

Lucas is in love with her, possessive would be the most appropriate word, and he doesn't like to know that she wants to protect someone from the organization. He'll kill everyone and keep Yulia for himself.
But even being the best soldier, Lucas couldn't expect the power and determination of a woman....

This is a transition book. Explains their changing behavior, Yulia and Lucas.
The two are falling in love but need to fight for their ideas.
Lucas wants that woman anyway, and as much as Yulia want to stay with Lucas, she knows her time is scarce.
She needs to run. She needs to send an alert. She needs Lucas.

4,5 stars.

Anna Zaires did it again, Bind me is absolutely awesome. This is second book in Capture me series and it just got better and better!!! Loved the first book, but I just could not put this book down. Story continues where it left off in the first book. Lucas keeps Yulia captured in his house and he is making plans how to get the information out of her.
Lucas doesn't want to hurt Yulia, but he needs to find out who is behind her, what organization she works for. Yulia is afraid and she does not want to give this information to Lucas. Will he be able to pull it out of her without hurting her, or will he have to change the plan?
While all this is happening both of them have their internal struggles between what is right and what is wrong. Will they be able to do what is right, or will they bend under the pressure and obvious attraction and lust for each other?
You got to keep reading to find out.
We still get a little glimpse of Julian and Nora in this book, also we will see Rosa little more as well.
Of course to no surprise, we got a lots of hot, steamy, sexy scenes. Did I say hot? Very hot sex!!!!!!!!
Book does end as a cliffhanger, but it is at the good point.
You have to read this book, I promise you will not be disappointed. I loved everything in it and now the third book can not come out soon enough for me. I love this series and I want to see what will happen to Lucas and Yulia and how will their story ends.

ARC was provided by author for the exchange for the honest review.

Captor vs. Captive
This serial just keeps getting better Lucas and Yulia’s story is turning out to be more then I expected. It juts keep developing, keeps getting more intense, heady with anguish and the sexual chemistry is dark but oh so sexy. It's dominant, jealousy, protectiveness and possessive.
Where Lucas is dark and brooding while Yulia is the light. You see Lucas appears to have more secrets buried I only suspect they are dark. While Yulia has a good reason for why she has done everything that lead her up to where she is now.
In this second part of this serial their feelings start to grow between one another. Lucas tries his hardest to get the info he needs. A man can only take so much resistance. Yulia is struggling between her feelings for Lucas and doing what need to be done to keep that person safe. Lucas blinded by his feelings goes to assumptions thinking she is protecting a lover.
Even though I am Team Julian ride or die but, Lucas is starting to grow on me. Yulia had me so frustrated yeah she had feelings for him but still was trying to loyal to an organization that probably didn’t give a hoot about her. The author through a curve ball during the book I did not see Rosa doing that I didn’t expect that from her. Overall, I will be waiting patiently for the next installment. Anna Zaires keep writing of this twisted Esgurrea organization it’s one hell of a ride.

This book was awesome. After reading Capture me I had to know what happened next with Yulia and Kent. In this book we get to see Yulia and Kent getting to know each other, she's still his prisoner but he's starting to have feelings for her and so is she. But of course they won't admit that to each other or themselves. Lucas tries to show Yulia that he cares for her but he can't get over the fact that she won't be honest with him and why should she? She wants his affection to be real but she can't take any chance because her brother's life is at stake. The story was so frustrating to me because they were both confused about the person Yulia is trying to protect. He thinks she's still in love with a past lover and she thinks he's be cruel wanting to kill her brother. But they are both so wrong! I kept saying to myself Yulia tell him! Although she tried and he shut her down she could have just blurted it out and he would have listened. Instead she chooses to escape (after Rosa helps her, I felt like Rosa was kind of bitch in this book) and all based on miscommunication and jealousy. I sure as hell hope Lucas finds Yulia and figures out she's trying to protect her brother and not an ex-lover. Because as unlikely as the relationship between Nora and Julian was it's the same between Yulia and Kent I feel they should be together.

Anna Zaires never disappoints!
In Bind Me, Book 2 of the Capture Me series, we find that Yulia and Lucas are progressing in their journey of incredible, hot, sham-wow panty marathon sex, in which the scenes are written very well!!
I hope that as this series progresses, Yulia and Lucas will stop being prisoner and captor...
But as the book ended...We are left with a strong need to have Book 3 as soon as possible!!!
I really enjoy the speed that this series is progressing, the story is developing at a steady pace. The only thing is, I want to have all of the books now!!!
I am so happy to read little snippets of Nora and Julian from the Twist Me Series. If you have read the Twist Me Series, these books will give you an additional look into what was happening behind the scenes.

An intriguing and spellbinding, heartbreaking erotic romance sequel to the Capture Me series story written by the extraordinarily talented Anna Zaires.
Yulia Tzakova is still a prisoner of the sexy, hot, Lucas Kent. Even Lucas can't stop wanting Yulia and is starting to care for her, he still has to find out the truth by any means possible. Yulia needs to protect her brother, Misha, not reveal any secrets to Lucas, and escape before her brother suffers.
Read the thrilling and exciting second story in the series and captivating love story of Yulia and Lucas.
Can't wait to read Claim Me (Capture Me #3)!

4.00 - 4.50 Stars
Title: Bind Me (Capture Me, Book 2)
Author: Anna Zaires
Release Date: February 2, 2016

Lucas and Yulia's story continues in the second installment of the Capture Me series. Lucas is a man on a mission with his own agenda for Yulia. Yulia might be tied up to Lucas’ bed, but it's both of their heart strings that start to feel the pull. Yulia does not want her feelings to get in the way of her goals. She plans to escape her sexy captor and save her brother. Will Lucas break Yulia and get information about her spy organization or break his own heart? What a cliffhanger ending! I need the next book in this sexy series like yesterday! One-click this one!

Anna Zaires has done it again! The reader continues to learn about these characters that were brought to life in the Twist Me trilogy. Lucas has found his match in Yulia he has used many tactics to learn her most guarded secret. But one tactic may have gone to far..without telling too much, you will continue to be captivated by Anna's way of keeping her readers on the edge of her seat. She continues to earn my admiration for the way she places you (the reader) in the very setting. Feeling every emotion of her character becoming one with them. If you haven't read any of her novels before..I highly recommend every one of them. One of her biggest fans!!

I absolutely adored this book. The chemistry between Yulia and Lucas is mind shattering. Their connection kept growing and ended up evolving into something unique. Lucas's obsession with the beautiful blond spy has reached another level in this book and by getting to know Yulia and her story, he decided to stop struggling against his fascination with her and finally embraced the bone deep connection he feels towards this intriguing young woman.
The defining features of a great dark romance are present but they could be classified as mild; They add to the intense physical and emotional chemistry that exist between these two great characters.
I can honestly say that the author has outdone herself with Bind Me. Any romance book addicts would love this spin of ; it has the requisite strong and loving female character and the alpha male wiling to do everything within his power to keep and protect what he considers to be his.
I can't wait to get my hands on the next book.

BIND ME was a sexy and intense continuation of CAPTURE ME! The relationship between Lucas and Yulia intensifies and develops further as secrets are revealed. I love Anna Zaires's writing as it grabbed hold and kept me invested from start to finish. My only qualm was that I felt Lucas as a captor was too lenient and soft - truth be told, I think Lucas needs some lessons in captivity from Julian!!! That said, I still enjoyed Lucas's protective and caring side, and loved the chemistry he shared with Yulia!!

Lucas isn't a bashful man, “I wanted you.” Lucas leans forward, resting his forearms on the table. “We had that one night, and it wasn’t enough. It’s true that I wanted to punish you for what happened, but even more than that, I wanted you.” His voice roughens. “I wanted you in my bed, on the floor, up against a wall, any effing way I could get you.” I knew a cliffhanger was coming but it still doesn't make it easy when you're dying to find out what happens

LOVED this so much!!!! Lucas is falling for his prisoner and she still wont give him answers. Protect your heart Yulia, I'm on your side!!!
This book fell in line with the story happening behind the scenes in the Twist me series. There is so much to think about and I am just loving Lucas and Yulia. I love the angst. When you know that this person is for you but you know you can't trust to take the leap. I need more of these characters.