Publisher: Hatchette Book Group-ForeverGenre: Contemporary BDSM
Book Type: Novel
HE MEETS HIS MATCH.
SHE MEETS HER MASTER.
Art gallery curator Joy Montgomery has never liked her body’s generous curves. And she’s always been too shy to explore her wild side. But tonight, everything is going to change…Desperate to save her job, Joy approaches bad-boy artist Ash Hunter and asks him to exhibit his erotic work at her gallery.
Ash agrees on one condition: Joy must pose as his model. But business soon turns to pleasure, as Joy experiences a passion beyond her wildest imaginings and Ash finds more than just inspiration in his voluptuous new muse.
Dare to Surrender
Lilli Feisty is a new to me author and after reading Patti’s review of “Bound to Please” I looked forward to reading “Dare to Surrender”, her latest publication. I’m happy to say the story did not disappoint. As noted above this is an erotic BDSM themed novel but there is also an “opposites attract” theme which Ms. Feisty wove into the narrative using considerable humor.
My Thoughts:
Joy Montgomery is a well educated and traveled Art History major working as an art dealer for a struggling gallery in San Francisco. Joy is under the gun because her boss has issued an ultimatum that if she doesn’t bring in artist “Ash Hunter’s” work for a show she may well be out of work. I really enjoyed this heroine, she is referred to as a “mess” by her friends because of the numerous “predicaments” she gets into and her best friend “Erica” feels Joy requires someone to look after her. In reality Joy is eccentric, brilliant and quite pretty with an innate ability for recognizing exceptional art talent. She does have major body image issues and is a disorganized scatterbrain. Joy also has a history of poor choices when it comes to the men in her life.
Ash Hunter is a war veteran, with a background as a Navy SEAL. After his discharge from the forces, Ash worked doing private Intel so he could provide for his mother and sister. He lives with the burden of guilt and responsibility for his family who have required financial and emotional support in the aftermath of a violent act perpetrated against his sister while he was overseas. Ash is described as a “bad boy” in the synopsis, which I suppose is true in some respects, but I also found him to be a very honorable and decent human being. He is an artist, whose speciality is provocative “bondage photography”. Ash likes women bound not only for inspiration in his artistic pursuits but also during his dominant sexual encounters. He is organized, fastidious, and, darn hot.
Joy approaches Ash at a museum fundraiser regarding doing a show of his art photography but he refuses as he has recently put away his camera. He does show Joy some of his work that is stored away at the museum. There is an instant intense attraction and chemistry between these two, and while the strength of their desire unnerves them both, it also excites, Ash wastes no time in moving in for a little nookie, even though Joy isn’t his “usual type”. Joy becomes completely enamored with a piece of his sculpture and when Ash gets called back to the fundraiser, she impulsively, in a fit of kleptomania lifts the piece from his collection and leaves. This sets the stage for major conflict in the story, for a variety of reasons.
I was a little concerned because the initial relationship between Joy and Ash encompasses a series of very intense, erotic booty calls, and I began to wonder if the author was going weave the “romance” in the narrative. Ms. Feisty did slowly develop their relationship and penned a lovely heartwarming HEA for these two unlikely lovers giving more depth to the characters in the process.
The main plot of this novel certainly involves Joy and Ash, however Ms. Feisty also wrote a romantic subplot involving Joy’s prickly best friend Erica and Blaine Prescott that kept me turning the pages. In addition, there are a number of well developed supporting characters that each play an integral role in advancing the plot of the story.
Heat Level: This one is a volcanic scorcher, includes, bondage, submission, variable sexual positions, outdoor encounters, voyeurism, you name it, you got it… lol
My Rating: A really good read as in 4 out of 5 stars
Special Thank You to Grand Central Publishing – Forever (Hachette Book Group) for submitting “Dare to Surrender“, for review.
I do that first book by her
Nice review as always, Lea.
And I got Release today, yay, too bad my TBR pile before that one is huge. Better go read some now.
Hey B:
WOOT! Glad you got Release, I hope you enjoy it.
Tell me about the TBR – yikes…
Thanks so much for your comment.
L
Great review Lea! I have just added this book to my TBB list. Sounds like a good one – you know how much I love romance stories with soldiers in them.
MsM
I loved this book….it was hot! And Joy is a great heroine! One of my fav types.
Great review
I hear ya about the TBR, Blodeuedd and Lea. *eyes it worriedly*
Hi Lea
You had me at Navy Seal LOL.
Love the review.
I had some issues with BtP but I look forward to reading DtS, the heat level and story sounds like a pleasurable one at least *grin*
I loved BtP, am really looking forward to reading this one. Nice review!
I've heard about this author, and this book sounds great. If my wish list was a little shorter! And my TBR mountain only a pile…
Wonderful review!
I have the first book in my TBR and I won this book at her blog! I think I need to get busy reading!!
Great review Lea!
Sounds like a very good book!
Hey! I'm glad you liked this. I bought it recently after our little twitter conversation. LOL
Hi Ms.M.:
I thought of you when I was reading this one. You may like to give this author a try.
L
Hi Mandi!
Thank you, I liked Joy too, a real character and I loved her potty mouth! lol
Sorry, I should have checked your blog, I would have pimped.
Best
L
Hi Chris:
Yeah, I talked to you about the tsunami earlier this week, damn scary. However, vacation is on the horizon! Whoo, Hoo!!
L
Hi Mary!
Yes and this is one hot artist / SEAL. lol I think you would like Ash.
Chat later
L
Hey Leontine:
Thanks for your note! Yep, a scorcher, thats about the best way to explain this one, but the story was good for me too.
Best
L
Hi Patti:
I thought of you too when I was reading this, I hope you like as much as the first book.
Best
L
LOL Eva!
Thank you and tell me about it. I refer to it as tsunamis and avalanches here now. Yikes!!
L
((Hugs)) Blanche!
Thank you, and yes, you might like this one. Vera, vera hot.
L
Hi Estella:
It was a good read for me.. ;0) Thanks for your note!
L
*thinks wistful vacation thoughts, but is happy for Lea*
Hey Ames:
She created a couple of interesting characters here and Ms. Feisty can sure write the sex. lol I'll look forward to reading what you think Ames!
Thanks
L
Awww thanks Chris… Four more sleeps and I have my break. Can't wait.
((hugs))
L
I've been seeing this one everywhere and everybody seems to love it. It sound like an intriguing read. Very nice review!
*happy vacation dance for Lea*
I didn't realize it was so SOON! Lucky girl.
Thanks Donna;
As mentioned above, Joy, the heroine is quite a character and the whole "opposites attract" scenario made it fun.
Best
L
*Doing the happy dance right along with you Chris.*
WOOT
L
Hi Lea!
Sounds like an excellent read, very interesting that she wipes his sculpture, I guess that's one way to grab a guy's attention…searching maybe involved. lol
Great review Lea!!
Dottie
Thanks Dottie!
She actually become totally enamoured and entranced by the sculpture and impulsively slips it in her bag. It is quite a good plot twist/point in the story.
((hugs))
L
As always awesome review!
How have you been sweetie?
Hugs
Hawk