Gray Nolan’s biggest problem in life was the torch he carried for his closeted coach. He was just another happy-go-lucky dude, a college student and hockey player, when his ordinary existence was interrupted, and he became a human trafficking statistic. He and seven other young men were taken aboard a luxurious yacht where they were to be auctioned off to the highest bidder. Gray was beaten, … beaten, shattered, and almost defeated by the time his buyer stepped out of the shadows in a swirl of his own cigarette smoke.
He was Gray’s new owner.
Darius Quinn had vowed never again to find himself in a situation like this. His days as a private military contractor were over. No more missions, no more risks, no more personal attachments. Yet, here he was, after weeks of searching, face-to-face with his broken prize.
It was time to get the knucklehead back to his family.
Quick and easy was Darius’s plan.
Then everything went sideways.
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Auctioned, #1 (Does not end with a cliffhanger.)
more
Stayed up late to finish this one!!
an enjoyable way to spend a chunk of time, or not enjoyable, but entertaining, I don’t know. I just have no strong feeling either way, am going to continue on
„We´re not here. We´re somewhere else. Just you and me.“
Wow, what a story. I really don´t know where to start with my thoughts and emotions.
I was hooked already reading the prologue, Gray´s story didn´t let me go.
But I truly was not sure, that I could read it until the end, my heart broke over and over again.
Again and again this story got me shocked and horrified, it felt so real, nearly like physical pain and my eyes started leaking all over again.
BUT I absolutely needed to know, if or when the horror for Gray and his fellow kidnapped guys would be over.
Okay, from the start.
We know Gray Nolan from Cara Dee´s „Power Play“ as Abel´s best friend. He´s a young, uncomplicated, carefree man who cares a great deal for those who he loves.
Then he gets kidnapped on his way home, held captive for weeks, shipped like cattle all over the country, beaten, humiliated and abused, to finally end up on a yacht together with seven other guys, the youngest just 16 years old, where they are to be auctioned off as sex slaves to the highest bidder.
What follows are the most brutal, most cruel and bloody days one can imagine. Hell on Earth.
But then there is Darius Quinn, ex private military contractor, desguised as buyer, he comes to rescue Gray.
And what was „just“ a job for him in the beginning, quick in and out, to get Gray back to his parents, gets him committed and attached to Gray and reluctantly to all the other boys.
Nothing goes according to Darius´ plan, but in the end they make it off the yacht.
The story does not end here with a cliffhanger, but continues direct with book 2 „Stranded“.
And that´s were I am now because I absolutely need to know, how the story goes on.
This book is about human trafficking and what becomes of the slave. A heavy topic but Cara writing is addictive. Main characters are Gray who’s life is forever changed after being kidnapped, and Darius , posing as a buyer for a human slave. Lots of triggers in this book but well worth the time spent reading it.
What I Think: The above said, I’m grateful this is more like a novella because I don’t know how much I can take before I get swallowed up. Let’s see how it goes, shall we? This is my first time reading this Authoress’ and the first thing I notice is she hits the floor running because the tale starts with a hit as something horrible happens to Gray, snatching him into a nightmare, the likes of which I wouldn’t wish on an enemy. The descriptions are real enough to let me feel the terror up-close and personal and it got my heart racing so bad. Only for a silver lining to suddenly appear out of nowhere, very literally, as Gray’s personal savior appears. But leaving is not going to be easy and for them to carry on a believable ruse, Gray still has to go through hell. I’m not panicky or trembly anymore because though hope is frail, its hard to kill- Prince of Egypt. Gray is too stubborn to break. He’s too mouthy to go down and I need to believe that his sanity will be in one piece when this shit show is over. I have to believe it for both Gray and I but no one ever said doubts couldn’t take down hope and as my 2nd reaction to most negative emotions is rage (used to be my first. Look who’s adulting) I’m beginning to simmer as doubts fill Gray’s mind. Only to turn it up into rage as humans once more show they’re lower than animals. Rage flooded my mind while horror made my eyes water and I needed to take a break. Gray will need all his willpower then some if he’s to not only survive this but escape with the others he refuses to leave behind. And this is where Darius steps in. An angel in demon skin, I’m falling for him with every page. Brutal when necessary, efficient as a well-tuned instrument, lined with scars that must cover even thicker inner scars, yet with a heart that feels. He’s a fucking puzzle and I want to undo him until he becomes a clear picture in my mind. But rage has moved aside for anticipation, as events move closer to a head, my heart pounding in my throat because things could go all types of wrong. Then, I made the mistake of checking how far I’ve gone with this tale and I’m barely halfway through. A tilt of the hat to you, Mme. Cara. You’ve got me well and truly engrossed. Somehow, this authoress knows when to put in the breaks and the little humane things that kept me sane as I followed this descent into hell. If Gray is still capable of thinking dirty thoughts, then, yeah, my boy is going to be okay. I knew passion would explode at some point but I didn’t know just how much I would need it, just a little headspace before the main event. Being a series, I’m once more controlling myself from reading the last page, just to be sure my heart can take it. The relief doesn’t last long as we come to the pièce de résistance which leads to a battle in which things can go in any direction, and I’m sleepless, restless and pacing as tension flows from my heart to my feet then back again, but even that does not stop me from being so proud of Gray. That he’s functional is amazing; that he’s willing to fight is blood pumping yet the tension continues, dragging us through equal parts relief and terror, only for it to finally be over. Or so I thought. But at least for now, I can take a much needed exhale before diving into the next tale.
Verdict? A thrilling, utterly terrifying yet addictive start to the series with a cliffhanger that will grant you only momentary respite.
Oh my God this was chilling! It’s one of the darkest books I’ve ever read and it’s written so well. I honestly couldn’t stop reading it. I stayed up late to finish it and I was crying from chapter two. Two! Absolutely heartbreaking and I’m just glad I can start the sequel right away because I don’t think I could have waited.
This book is dealing with a really dark subject and some scenes are too painful to read but it’s really worth your time. The characters are amazing, the writing style is fantastic and the pacing is great too. I highly recommend it.
OMG what a book!
I really enjoyed reading this story, there were so many emotions I felt whilst reading this. Auctioned is filled with lots of angst and tension, I had moments when I felt just as broken as the MMC and all of the other side characters with everything they were going through and had to endure.
There is not really any romance within this story (only a small amount) but I don’t believe the situation they were in would have been appropriate with lots of romance I am expecting book 2 to be where the romance starts to develop.
This is certainly a book that has lots of triggers associated with sex trafficking, physical and mental abuse.
This book features Gray who is a regular American student and hockey player. Except Gray is abducted by human traffickers and that changes everything. Literally everything. His life becomes about survival, and the bonds he forms with the other boys he comes into contact with affect him on a level he could never have expected. And then there’s Darius, who has been sent to save Gray, but has to do it by becoming Gray’s new owner.
This is a seriously powerful book. If you’re triggered by any kind of violence, sexual or otherwise, or by psychological cruelty, don’t read it. But wow, it’s good. It finishes on a sort of ‘happy for now’ ending, but there’s a sequel coming. I thought the author did an amazing job of showing how unstable Gray became, how easily his emotions were manipulated and how difficult he found it to trust even while he was desperate for hope. There’s no way that Gray was ready for a relationship at the end of this book, which is why I’m kind of glad that there’s a sequel and the author didn’t just brush off all the trauma Gray has had to deal with. No one comes through that kind of thing intact. And some of the scenes were seriously heartbreaking. It’s incredible well written though. Seriously, go read it.
This is my first book by Cara Dee. She is definitely gifted in bringing you close to the darkness. Her writing gives you a true glimpse into the sadistic and heartless world that is human trafficking. There were several times I wanted to jump in the book and beat the life from Gray’s captors. Knowing that the nightmare scenarios in this book are probably happening in real life at this very moment doesn’t sit well in my heart. But then I do believe we need to be reminded that life is absolutely no fairytale. I really enjoyed the spirit of Gray and some of the other characters. They fell into immediate roles of possible caretakers which caused several moments of tears. Darias and Gray go through so much in order to have a happy for now ending and I plan to jump straight into the sequel, Stranded, to find out what happens next. After all the battle isn’t close to being over.
Cara has done it again. I was apprehensive going into this read, knowing that it would be a
heart wrencher. However Cara is a fantastic writer and she has a way of writing hard to read
scenes that didn’t make me want to stop reading, although I will admit that I did have to stop a
couple of time to catch my breath and wipe my eyes.
If you have read Power Play you have met Gray, and at the end know that Gray finds himself in
some trouble. This is not a hearts and flowers romance, this is a hard to read sometime pull at
your heartstrings story. You will be on the edge of your seat wondering what is going to happen
on that yacht next. Darius will have you wondering what is going on in his head in regards to
Gray. and Gray will be struggling with his feeling for Darius. However it does end with on a good
note for this pair for now. We will have to wait to see what happens in the next book.
Brace yourself for a deeply felt read! You think you know what human trafficking is about? Try Auctioned. This is a twisted, sordid story to add to your must read list, but it’s not for the faint of heart. It’s tragic and heart hurting, and I was rooting for his recovery so hard! I need to read more, I need the light I seek for Gray!
I have been once again amazed by Cara Dee’s skill in absolutely forcing the reader to become irrevocably attached to her characters. This involvement makes the sometime unconventional relationships all the more precious to the reader.
Oh wow! I was so scared to even start reading this book because Gray is just so sweet and cheeky in Power Play. The teaser at the end of power play was enough to scare me without the news that this is book 1 of 5. But wow is it so worth the terror, the angst and the tears. Yes tears, because there will be many! Mainly at the end because you need books 2, 3, 4 & 5 right now! Hehe!
So this is the story of Gray being abducted and sold, his story through the process and then “a friend” showing up, but is he rescuing him or is he stringing him along so he has a more trusting sex slave?
Without giving too many spoilers, I hope, Darius helps Gray and the other men and boys stolen for the sex trade. Its a harrowing journey, one that will rip you to shreds and possibly put you back together to then rip you apart again. It is so worth the heartbreak though and will have you begging for more. I can not wait for the next book. Yet again Cara has you gripped and invested in her characters.
This book is defiantly an intense ride. I’m not even really sure how to put my love for this book into words. This book is a thrilling drama with such intense scenes that you will be turning the pages as fast as possible, you will be holding your breath waiting for it all to unfold. I devoured this book once I started I could not put it down. My heart constantly broke for Gray and the things he had to go through. Then there is Darius what a complex character he is. Or took me a while to settle into my feelings about him but sometimes you have to do what you have to do in order to survive and help others survive. Once I held onto that I really loved Darius as well he is truly an interesting character. This story ends with a happy for now ending instead of the usual hea but I know the other books in this series are going to be truly amazing!!
This book is an emotional storm that holds the reader captive. Cara Dee is a magician with the written word and it is the type of story that will linger long after it ends.
The character development is vivid. Whether it is Gray, Darius or any other person, even the vilest of the human traffickers, Cara Dee delivers with intense character development. The author has built what appears to be a sadly accurate representation of the human trafficking world. Every moment of this book feels sharply realistic.
The overall story is engrossing. Cara Dee elicited such strong feelings that I would cry, I would cringe and sometimes I just didn’t know if I could make it through another page. Yet the author’s words held me in place as I had to know what happened, I couldn’t set it aside and even now, all I can think is I need book 2 immediately!
5 stars for an emotionally draining, suspenseful and captivating read! Highly recommend!
This book is brilliant. If I could give it more than five stars, I would. It is thrilling, raw, gritty, gruesome, heartbreaking, soul-crushing so, so sad, and then uplifting and full of hope. This is not angst; it is Angst with a capital A. Brace yourself for an emotional roller coaster that will leave you drained. This book grabbed me from the very first page and didn’t let go. I had to keep turning the pages. I wanted to devour every word, but at the same time, I couldn’t. I had to stop reading. It was all too much. I couldn’t see a single word through the tears pouring from my eyes. All throughout the book, I was sitting on the edge of my seat with my blood boiling and my heart thudding in my throat.
My heart didn’t just break; it shattered into a million pieces.
Gray is my hero. I wanted to hug him and hold him close to my heart. He is the bravest, strongest, and most compassionate guy I have ever seen. He finds hidden strengths from deep within his soul and mind. He is a fighter. For himself, but also for others. Even in the direst of circumstances, he doesn’t think only of his own survival, but of that of other’s as well. What he and other young boys had to endure is beyond comprehension. Done by beings, who are not worthy of the word “human.” And Darius? I don’t know if I really liked him. Certainly not in the beginning, but he grew on me. He is a cold, complicated, and calculating man, but he did what he had to do. What began as just a mission for him, turned into more when he saw what was really at stake here. The mere presence and behavior of Gray let out his softer sides. Out of these horrific events grows a tentative friendship. I wouldn’t call their relationship a romantic one. At least, not at this point, but their story is not finished yet.
This book doesn’t end on a cliffhanger nor on an HEA. It is something in between with a promising HFN, and I am eagerly awaiting book #2 in which Darius and Gray’s story continues. There are several unanswered questions that are screaming for closure.
This read was extremely emotional for me. The prologue captured my interest immediately and I could not put this book down until I finished.
There is so much to say about this book that is so hard to put into words. It was emotional, brutal and left me completely raw. I felt so connected to Gray and I struggled with how dark this book got sometimes. Even so, it was incredible. Very well-written and the depth that this author went with the writing was captivating.
The plot was dark but fascinating. It kept me guessing and on the edge of my seat. I am eager to read more from Gray and Darius and many of the side characters as well. The way the author set up this story and how much detail we got, I am sure the next book will be just as good!
*** Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure, a review wasn’t a requirement. ***
Holy. Freaking. Intense. There’s no shortage of action here and the sweet, honorable young man we met in Power Play is forced to change as he goes through a harrowing situation none of us can truly fathom. When his savior and protector plays his part a little too well, it’s clear that Gray will have to fight through the fog of despair and lies to make sense of everything and hopefully make it home alive.
Gray is abducted. Stolen one night on his way home and subjected to degradation, torture, humiliation, and pain. For months he’s biding his time and fighting against his desire to just give up. Just when it looks like things can’t get any worse, he’s purchased by someone he’s sure will subject him to a life of misery and torture. But appearances aren’t what they seem. His new owner just might be able to rescue him physically and maybe, just maybe, give his mind and heart a safe place to heal when it’s all over.
But that future is nowhere in sight for most of the story. We follow them walking a fine line between truth and lies trying to maneuver around and through the minefields of their captors. I liked seeing Gray in both his weakness and his strength. It’s not something I could ever really relate to, what he went through, so seeing the ups and downs, the utter defeat he has to fight against, was quite powerful. Written superbly, of course, we are made to feel his anguish and frustration.
I do wish we had gotten Darius’ POV but since their story isn’t at an end yet, I’m sure we’ll get his side of things in subsequent books. What we do see of him through Gray’s eyes is a bit biased. There’s humanity right alongside hero-worship and both are well-earned. Darius is smart, calculating, brutal, and efficient. He’s also tortured in his own mind by past events we aren’t yet privy to. Add in his hauntingly beautiful body, riddled with scars, and Gray can’t help but slide into the confusing attraction for a man he’s not sure he’ll ever truly know.
The brutality was graphic but described in a way that isn’t over the top or gruesome. There was honesty in the telling that I appreciated because there are many, many moments that are incredibly tragic. Certain moments were also shocking in their horribleness. What the main villain of this story does near the end that sends Gray over the edge into an almost uncontrollable rage is a grisly and cruel surprise. If the hatred for the enemy wasn’t there before, it sure was after that.
Gray and Darius were a fantastic team and played well off of one another. By the end we can see all the conflicted thoughts and feelings Gray has and I was supremely grateful for that. Instead of pushing a romantic entanglement as a way to cover Gray’s ghastly experience, we see inside Gray’s head as he acknowledges that things are immensely confusing and conflicted. Realizing that there’s a new normal to be found, a way of reconciling the trauma, grief, and healing and that Darius may or may not play a role in that was much better than having Gray fall quickly for his savior without all the turmoil that surrounds the possible romance. It helps that there will be more parts to their story and I’m crazy excited to see how everything plays out.
A few things to note about this dark and extremely well written book: This is the start of a series, so just scratches the surface of the two main characters stories. It deals with human trafficking and as such, is very dark and hard to read at times. There is not much romance in this first book, but you can see the relationship between the main characters forming and I cannot wait to see how it develops.
We first met Gray in Power Play. He is a college aged hockey play and Abel’s best friend. He lives a pretty happy and easy going life until he and seven other men are kidnapped. Months of torture, moving around and the slow, but inevitable death of his hope ensue. When he and the other men find themselves on a luxury yacht, it becomes clear they are about to be auctioned to the highest bidder. Gray has no idea how much worse his life will be with his new owner and for the first time in months, he has a tangible glimmer of hope when Darius, the man who wins him, tells him he has been hired by his family to rescue him. Now they just need to get off a boat at sea and find their way away from a group of dangerous and inhuman human traffickers. What could possibly go wrong?
This is the kind of book that stays with you long after you have finished reading. Cara Dee is a favorite author of mine and she does dark and compelling so well. My heart broke for what Gray was enduring and though at times there were scenes that were extremely difficult to read, I found it impossible to put this story down. I am anxious for the next book in the series to see how their story continues.