Captivated

By: Bethany-Kris

Narrated by: Daniel James Lewis

Length: 8 hrs and 23 mins

Publisher's Summary

A shadow meets the light....

When someone needs to disappear, the Chicago mob calls on Joe Rossi. A man who can move without a sound and kill without a word, they don’t call him the Shadow for nothing. This time, it’s a New York crime family in need of his skills, but it takes one glimpse of her to make him agree to the job.

Liliana Marcello is every inch a principessa della mafia. Her life has taught her to be wary of strangers, yet her ballet career contradicts everything by putting her on display. It’s a man with a dark smile and a constantly changing demeanor that makes her feel safe again, but it’s the unknown that holds her back.

It takes one look.... One dance... One word... One smile to captivate a man. And one second to kill a woman because of it, too. 

Not all monsters hide in the shadows. How are you supposed to see them coming?

©2018 Kristen (Bethany-Kris) Fournier (P)2018 Kristen (Bethany-Kris) Fournier

Good Story and Narration

I think the first review is quite harsh.
For this level of book, it does the job and delivers, so kudos to the author. Don't think "formulaic" or not really matters. It is well written in my humble opinion.
I like the artistic choices of the narrator as well and found his voice and slight accent fitting with the story and an enjoyable listen that pulled me into the story.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Captivating, Exciting and Intense! Well Performed!

This exciting story is a great read on its own. However, when you hear it performed is even more exciting and captivating.
Daniel James Lewis did an amazing job with his performance, and I did really enjoyed listening and feeling as if I was part of the story. Nevertheless, I wish this would have been a dual narration (male & female narrators).

This story has everything you wish from a fantastic read or/and listening experience!!

The minus in the performance it also includes chapter 10 and 11 being duplicates!!

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Exciting, intriguing story, with a good narrator

I loved this book! I loved the introverted hit-man with a conscience & the graceful ballerina that had been through so much but still was determined to enjoy life - even as a principessa.

As a hit-man that is exceptionally good at his craft, Joe Rossi prefers to keep to himself & the shadows: get the job done, then get out before anyone ever realises he was even there. When he receives a mysterious summons from the New York outfit, he meets a woman, who, at a first glance, changes his life forever. He doesn't do distractions, but this beautiful, tiny dancer may be just what his heart needs.

After finding passion in ballet late in life for a dancer, Lilliana Marcello is surprised to find herself curious after sharing a glance with a man who undoubtedly is a part of her father's world. Wild horses can't pull them apart but when her past revisits, and she finds out how entrenched in "the life" Joe is, she realises that passion could be found in places and people you never expected.

A really huge part of why I liked the book was the way that Lucien allowed his children to LIVE! They made their own choices, and he supported and avenged them when necessary. I also liked the understanding/relationship that developed between him and Joe. He trusted Joe with Lilliana's safety, but made sure to let him know that he'd have to win her heart all on his own.

Daniel James Lewis does a great job! His accent adds to the allure of the mafia world he described.

Bethany-Kris brings two young adults to life in a way that made me constantly marvel at their maturity. The rich cast of secondary characters as well as the plot made it an intriguing, hard-to-turn-off listen. Most importantly, the book was satisfying, as justice was finally meted out for terrible wrongs committed that had gone unpunished.

I heartily recommend this exciting, steamy, action-filled audio-book.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Fantastic Must Listen To!

I love reading a book but I love listening to a book. I swear I can see and feel everything that is happening on each and every page. This book is so beautifully written that the moment it started with this is a book from audible I was hooked. The narrator Daniel James Lewis did an AMAZING job reading us this mafia love story.

The two main characters Joe and Liliana are both from Mob families and when Joe is asked to come to New York to do a job he meets Liliana and he knows right from the minute they meet that his life is about to change. There is something about that angelic ballerina that calls to Joe in a way he has never known. He is so sexy, smart, loving and everything in between and them some. He is ferocious in protecting Liliana and I loved that about him.

Liliana oh man she is a princessa but she is not stuck up and snotty. She is loving and caring and loves to dance on stage. She knows that is not going to be her career but she is enjoying it while she can. When she meets Joe she is done for. Her heart beats fast and she knows she has to have him. The love scenes between these two were steamy and I needed a glass a very tall glass of ice because they were off the charts. Plus I loved when Joe spoke italian to her.

This is a must read love story that does not come easily for them. They have to work at their relationship and they have their ups and downs but when they work together they make the perfect couple.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Delicious!

Amount of sex 3 / 5
How explicit is the sex scenes 3 / 5
Story 4.5 / 5
Overall: 4.5 / 5

Captivated is a steamy standalone romance written by author Bethany - Kris. I listened to this story on audio, which was narrated by Daniel James Lewis. I especially enjoyed the narrator’s accent, but I could not pin down the exact type of accent. It seemed similar to a Boston accent, which I thought went perfectly with this mafia romance. Mr. Lewis voiced the characters well, and I quickly became engrossed in the story.

Captivated tells the story of Joe Rossi, who is a member of the Chicago mob. Joe and his father travel to NY City to meet with the head of the New York Mob. They offer Joe a job which requires him to stay in NY for some time. While there, he gets to know Liliana Marcello, the daughter of the boss and a principal ballet dancer.

The story was fascinating, and I was on the edge of my seat throughout the book. The sex scenes were steamy, and I truly enjoyed Joe’s dominance. He was definitely a delicious anti-hero and I loved when he spoke Italian.

A definite add to your TBR list.

Voluntarily Reviewed a Gifted Copy

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Good Story

Captivated is a good a sweet love story . It started out slow but really picked up midway threw. I'm a big fan of the narrator but I kind of wish this story was dually narrated.

3 enjoyable stars

Not exactly what I was expecting based on the blurb. I thought the hero would be maybe a bit more ruthless since he was a killer for the mafia but he wasn't. I would consider it a more tame mafia book so if you like your stories a little lighter then this is for you.

Narration was pretty good although it did take me a little getting used to.

I received this in exchange for an honest review.

Good book!

This book was just okay for me! In the beginning it was having a hard time holding my attention. Honestly I’m not sure why. But the second half of the book started getting really exciting.
I am a fan of this narrator but for me this wasn’t my favorites of his. I would love to try this author again, and I already love Daniel James Lewis.

Audiobook Obsession

Captivated

Daniel James Lewis was a good choice as a narrator for this book.

His tone and manner always matched the various moods , situations the characters faced in the story.

Bethany-Kris writes mafia books that keeps you engaged and she does that by writing strong heroines . Her female characters have character, are rounded and aren't just a prop meant to showcase the male lead. They have dreams, ambitions, drive and are not sheltered but knowledgeable.

Lilliana Marcello might be a dancer but she is fragile. She knows her worth. She also knows what being in a mafia family means.

After meeting Joe, she was intrigued and ready to uncover the mystery that was the "Shadow".

I enjoy mafia books were both parties are on somewhat equal footing. This was the case in Captivated and that brought me the greatest enjoyment.

A dancer and a Hit man can make a good pair. It might sound like a cliche, but its believable when you have people who know the underworld and how to navigate life as a part of it.

The relationship between the two was compelling and the narrator brought it to life beautifully.

Great story

Great story line. Love reading mafia books. Story line was not predictable.

Issue with chapter 10 repeating itself.

Narrations was decent, wish that there was more of a difference between the characters specially the women. But overall Daniel James did a good job.

"I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review."

Fantastic mafia action

This is a no holds barred mafia book with so much action. I loved the dynamic of the different families coming together to help. Great storyline good chemistry and written very well. Daniel gives a fantastic performance.

Mafia Goodness 😍

Audiobook review. I’m hooked on Bethany-Kris Mafia books. She has this ability to create these worlds whose imagery, mechanics, and characters I can immerse myself in with very little effort.

The plot hooked me from the start. I felt the connection between Liliana Marcello and Joe Rossi like if I was there watching it happen. They had great chemistry. As individuals, they were more realistic because they had flaws and made mistakes.

There were a couple of grammatical/prose issues I noted. For example: “Her excuse was on the lip of her tongue.” I don’t know if it was the author or the narrator but it didn’t occur often enough for it to detract from the full experience.

The narrator, Daniel James Lewis, had a great voice overall. His portrayal of Joe’s dirty talk was particularly good. I had to speed up the pace a little but that may just be due to personal preference. The one area of opportunity to note were in the transitions between scenes. They jumped within the same chapter and there was no clear marker that the scene was changing. Perhaps a pause would’ve helped.

Complimentary copy received and voluntarily reviewed.

A Captivating Mafia Book

For some reason I had a hard time getting into this story at first but once it got going, it was interesting and engaging. Since it was a mafia book, there was murder and lots of danger and suspense. Then there was also a sweet and steamy love story between Joe and Liliana.

Daniel James Lewis did a good job bringing this story to life. The major problem with the narration was the fact that one section was repeated in the story.

🎧AudiobookObsession 

Captivated by this incredible romance

This story delivers on so many levels. The sweet slow seduction that unravels within the story is delicious. The action, mystery, danger and violence keep you riveted and on the edge of your seat. I would love to read more from this author, especially more set in this world.

The narrator did an absolutely amazing job. I was completely captivated by his voice and how he brought the story and the characters to life.

#audiobookobsessionreviewer

good narrators ...bad story

the book has no substance. Hero meets heroine and one look he is pledging everything. no getting deeper slowly. No love but. Deep stuff in a very shallow and fast pace. stupid and boring.