SEXY SATURDAYS: SURRENDER TO TEMPTATION by LAUREN JAMESON

 

 

Sexy Saturdays with Andrea and Autumn is a weekly feature created to spread the word about spicy reads. 

Participating blogs:

The Autumn Review

The Bookish Babe

 

 

 

 

 

 

Genre: Erotic Romance

Publisher: NAL Trade

Publication Date: 4/1/14

Format: Paperback

Pages: 336

Source: Publisher

Rating: 4 stars

 

In this stunning romance, Lauren Jameson presents a story of unexpected desire in which two strangers play a dangerous game in the quest for incredible pleasure. But winning comes with a price....

After walking in on her boyfriend with another woman, Devon Reid decides to seek solace in the small California town she’s often visited on vacation. Instead, she finds herself consumed by a mysterious man who sets her ablaze with one simple look.

Devon has always been the good girl, but Zach’s touch turns her into something primal, especially when he persuades her to give up control to him. But while Zach can make her burn, he seduces Devon one moment and turns her away the next.

When Devon starts her new job at Phyrefly Aviation, she learns that Zach is actually founder and CEO of the massive corporation. And while Devon knows she should keep things between them strictly professional, his overwhelming magnetism makes it impossible to stay away....  

 

 

I originally read the Surrender to Temptation series in its serial novella form. I'm been a fan of Jameson/Hawkeye for a few years now, and try to make reading her books a priority. I was very curious to see the stories as a complete work, and I liked being able to re-read them back-to-back.

 

So. Surrender to Temptation centers on Devon Reid. Tempted to Submit (part one) gives her background and sets up the series moving forward. Devon is a woman who seems shy, reserved, and has self-esteem issues. That is certainly not helped when she discovers her boyfriend is cheating on her. When she learns this, Devon just leaves, escaping to a town she loved as a child. Almost immediately, Devon is approached by a gorgeous, mysterious, extremely forward man. After a strange, erotic encounter, she can't get him out of her mind. The mysterious man keeps turning up, turning her on, and giving cryptic mixed signals. When he becomes her boss, Devon and Zach take the employee/employer relationship to a whole new level.

I liked that Devon was an "Everywoman", a girl many of us can relate to. She's not a bombshell, she doesn't have sexy comebacks, she's just real. I wasn't sure how I feel about Zach yet. His hot-and-cold nature didn't exactly get me hot and bothered, but his sexual nature and the way he was able to rev Devon up certainly did.

Part one left me intrigued and curious, ready to head straight into Tempted to Rebel, where we learn more about what Zach wants from, and for, Devon.

In Tempted to Rebel, we begin to learn a tiny bit more about Zach, whom I find intriguing but definitely confusing. I wanted to like him, to see what has Devon so enamored. I'm seeing a little more of that, but the man is definitely a puzzle. I just don't feel that I truly know him yet, but then again, I don't think Devon does either.

Tempted to Rebel was very naughty. Zach seems to be putting Devon through the paces, initiating her into his lifestyle. There are some really hot scenes, one of which involves balls. Not those kind! Wait, yes it does, but that's not what I'm talking about here. Another involves sex on a car. Hot sex on a car. It was gooood.

Zach and Devon seem to have a semblance of a relationship going. Then, I reached the end of the installment and was like "What the f*ck just happened here?!?" Devon and Zach seem to go one step forward and two steps back. It was on to part three, Tempted to Obey,  to learn what happens next.

 

I was anxious and a little worried to start this installment of the Surrender to Temptation. After the ending of Tempted to Rebel, with Zach freaking out, I wanted to know what the heck was going on with this mysterious, controlling man. And let me go ahead and point out that men like Zach are not really my favorite book guys. I generally do enjoy D/s books, but I don't like when we have the man treating the woman like she's a piece of shit. This does rub me the wrong way with Zach, but it seems like he has way bigger issues than we even truly realize. I'm so curious about his mood shifts and what ever it is that has him so tortured. Plus, he made a very shocking request of Devon. I'm dying to know what is up with that!

At this point, Tempted to Obey is definitely one of my favorite installment of this series. It was seductive, surprising, twisty, and super sexy. This is the point that gets me really hooked to Surrender to Temptation.

 

I was really excited to dig into Tempted to Entice, despite realizing the installments have a pattern. Zach pisses Devon off, or vice versa, and someone storms away. After a few minutes, or a few days, Devon makes a half-hearted attempt to tell the Zach it's definitely over this time. At which point, Zach turns her so on that they have passionate, angry sex. Then Devon wants more, Zach doesn't want to open up, and she storms away again. Pattern. BUT, I love Jameson's writing. She's does good erotica, and I can't get enough.

Tempted to Entice installment has such a dirty-hot scene. At the time I originally read it, I declared it to be one of the  hottest scenes I'd ever read. So hot, that I nearly fell off the bleachers at soccer practice. (Yes, I read erotica at soccer practice. I get bored and I don't want to talk to the other moms.) I also stated that the particular moment was going into the dark recesses of my brain for further examination. Guess what. Over a year later, I still remember that scene in vivid detail and blushed furiously when I re-read it!

 

Tempted to Entice is truly my favorite installment, and I hoped that Zach and Devon can stay on a good path moving forward. Tempted to Reveal, part five, was another really interesting and yes, frustrating addition to the series.

Of course, Zach and Devon fight again. And of course, she storms off. And of course he comes back for her. But progress! Zach's walls are slowly coming down, and he's opening up to her bit by bit. At the end of this is another crucial moment between the pair and I'm wondering if they'll ever get it together.

This one was fun, with a cool surfing scene, and a hot bondage scene. Win.

 

With the last part, Tempted to Possess, it's time to see how it all goes down. Will Zach finally keep his shit together? Will Devon decide she's had enough of Zach and his moody ways? Will they continue to burn the sheets up with their hot sexing?

 

And so the tale of Zach and Devon's sexual journey comes to an end. I was pretty sure the two would end up together, but had no idea how it could come about. Once again, Zach hauls Devon out of the office and is determined she will listen to him. I was happy that he finally came clean with his issues, and confessed his feelings. I will say, though, that his deep dark secret was a bit anti-climatic. Not that it wasn't sad, but I was expecting far worse from someone so messed up. I guess I've gotten so used to "tragedy porn" (to quote Jane at Dear Author), and my sense of what's truly traumatic has been thrown off. I believe the characters did reach an understanding of each other, and could move forward as a good couple.

 

I like that the publisher put this series together in one complete work. I think it's great for those who enjoy serial novellas as much as I do, and those who prefer their angst, drama and sex in one larger dose. If you enjoy sexy stories with a strong D/s edge, along with serious drama, give this Surrender to Temptation a try.

 

 

 

Favorite Quotes

 

 "Open your mouth." Zach swiped the berry that he had nipped from my fingers through the mound of whipped cream before pressing it against my lips. I opened my mouth, my tongue flickering out to lick up the cream.

  He moaned softly. Emboldened by forces that mystified me, I took a small bit of the juicy berry, chewing slowly, licking my lips after I'd swallowed.    ~ Pt.1, Tempted to Submit

 

   I fisted my hands in his suit jacket, feeling the pressure within me finally, gloriously rising, bringing me close to the edge.
  It wasn't enough. I wanted more. I wanted him to brand me with his body, to let me know that I was woman enough to make Zachariah St. Brenton lose control.   ~ Pt.2, Tempted to Rebel

 

   "Your skin looks lovely against black lace." Zach's voice was rough, silk over gravel, as he whirled me around yet again. I leaned back against the wall, my arched back thrusting my breasts and their erect nipples forward, an offering for him.
  Black lace. Oh, lord.
  He had tied me up with my own panties.   ~ Pt.3, Tempted to Obey

 

 

  "Devon." With the hand not holding my chin, he tucked a wisp of my ponytail behind my ear. 

  When I dared to look up at him, I found no pretense in his expression or demeanor. 

  "There's nothing wrong with wanting what you want. What I want is to share something with you that will bring us both pleasure."    ~Pt.4, Tempted to Entice

 

   Though we had been together countless times now, I still couldn't quite believe I was here. It felt like the very best of dreams.
  "I want you now." Zach teased as he playfully pulled me closer. "Here where anyone can see us."   ~Pt.5, Tempted to Reveal

 

 

"With you--God, Devon, with you I don't have to control everything. It's the first time in years that I've been able to breathe."    ~ Pt.6, Tempted to Posses

 

 

 

Purchase Links

Amazon  |  Barnes & Noble  |  iBooks

 

 

 

About the author

Lauren Hawkeye/ Lauren Jameson is a writer, yoga newbie, knitting aficionado and animal lover who lives in the shadows of the great Rocky Mountains of Alberta, Canada. She's older than she looks--really--and younger than she feels--most of the time--and she loves to explore the journeys that take women through life in her stories. Hawkeye's stories include erotic historical, steamy paranormal, and hot contemporary. Make sure to check out her work as Lauren Jameson, where her erotic romances take a walk on the wild side.

 

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