Captured in Her Gaze by Jolie Dvorak is an ice queen, age-gap romance that delves deep into the concept of beauty and its impact on society.
Mem Swan is Hollywood’s newest darling and despite being on the cusp of mega-stardom she struggles to come to terms with the rapacious nature of the industry. Beauty equals money – and Mem’s is worth billions- but she aches for someone to really see her.
Enter icy Thea Voronov, a world-renowned photographer whose keen eye captures the souls of stars and catapults them to fame. She’s mysterious, exacting, and meticulous and has had many pretty things capitalize on the power of her lens.
When Mem steps into Thea’s studio, sparks fly and Mem becomes Thea’s muse. This role connects them in a potent dance of domination and desire. Together they explore connection and creativity, longing and love, as each photograph pulls them deeper and deeper into one another.
As Mem’s star rises, past hurts and misconceptions threaten their fledgling relationship.
Can the love that flourished in the darkroom survive the glaring spotlight of fame?
Writing
Jolie Dvorak has created a deeply moving story that captivates from the first page. She immediately draws readers into Thea’s world where she’s in control, but the pull of fortune causes lines to be blurred. This story is deeply layered with many emotional undercurrents running through it. It’s dark but Dvorak allows enough light in to keep the darkness from overshadowing. Dvorak exquisitely balances control and vulnerability allowing readers to grasp the dynamics between Thea and Mem fully. Elements of humor and sarcasm are interspersed throughout accompanying the drama and angst. And boy is there angst!
Pros And My Favourite Parts
The cover of Captured in Her Gaze is gorgeous and perfectly pun-intended “captures” the whole vibe of the story!
Jolie Dvorak has an uncanny ability to create perfectly flawed characters that you can’t help but fall in love with and Thea Voronov is unapologetically flawed. Yet the bond she forms with her muse, Mem. Mem aches to be the person who can shelter Thea from the storm, it’s too bad that Thea’s past is keeping her from a brighter future. Despite Mem’s compassion and willingness to take on some of Thea’s burdens, Thea walks that fine line between wanting to let Mem in and remaining icy and aloof. The dichotomy between the two states of mind makes Thea an extremely compelling character. I love it when she tries to hide behind her icy facade each time Mem peels back a layer.
Mem Swan fell into acting by being at the right place at the right time. While she’s enjoyed making a couple of films, she wants out because tired of being just a pretty face and longs for something deeper. Her dormant desires surface when she meets Thea Voronov whose dominance calls to her. The two are drawn together and their dynamics are sensual, raw, and real both in and out of the studio. What I love most about Mem is that while she is submissive and obedient, she’s cheeky and challenges Thea at every turn. Thea’s not used to this but she’s so smitten with her new muse that she allows it.
Dvorak is a master at creating sexual tension and executing smoking sex scenes. The way Thea’s profession is intertwined with her (almost) obsession with Mem is exquisite. The eroticism of their relationship adds to their growth separately and together. I found myself vacillating between blushing and fanning myself at times. What a ride!
Heads Up
BDSM is a component of this story.
Captured in Her Gaze is the third book in the She Demands Perfection series and is read as a standalone. I highly recommend reading the first two books in the series because they’re also fantastic.
The Conclusion
Captured in Her Gaze is a beautiful story that takes place in a world filled with illusions and assumptions There’s angst, darkness, and light that combine to make a captivating cocktail. It’s a story about acceptance, vulnerability, surrender, and trust. The main characters are dynamic and are accompanied by colorful supporting characters. It’s sexy, romantic, and utterly divine. Well done Jolie Dvorak!
Excerpt from Captured in Her Gaze by Jolie Dvorak
Thea turned around and Mem gaped. The nerves she’d been desperately holding back all morning breached their feeble barriers and flooded through her body in a rush of dizzyingly hot blood. They spun her head, stole her breath and twisted her gut.
The woman was stunning.
The same flat-ironed hair hung low over her eyes in a long fringe. Her eyes were dark beneath it, rimmed with heavy eyeliner, the sharpest gleam of blue flashing from within. High cheekbones collapsed Mem’s mind. The smirk that suddenly twisted Thea’s lips only emphasised their severity. Around her neck, a confusion of gold chains tangled with a loose black tie, the knot low on her chest, the tails dragging Mem’s eyes down to her breasts. Her black lace bra was clearly visible, the curve of her breasts capturing Mem’s gaze like she was helpless. The shirt buttons began below her bra – two, Mem noticed. She couldn’t tear her eyes from them even as she knew where the trajectory was taking her. Lower. The shirt was tucked at the waist into those devastating pants, the whole thing accented with a large gold belt buckle eyes had narrowed, and were interrogating Mem’s entire existence.
Hips. Thighs.
Shit. Mem was staring. Static buzzed in her head. By the time she re-engaged her brain and forced her eyes upwards again, Thea’s own eyes had narrowed, and were interrogating Mem’s entire existence.
“You are beautiful.”
Mem had heard that a million times before, but in Thea’s mouth it sounded like an accusation.
Get It Online
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Series: She Demands Perfection
Enthralled in Her Design
Ensnared in Her Symphony
Captured in Her Gaze
Bits and Bobs
ISBN number: 979-8874169886
Publisher: Indie Author
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