Dare to Surrender [Mass Market Paperback]

This book included a few of my favorite things; it's based in San Francisco, Joy's best friend Erica goes to the culinary academy (the same one I went to in 2005) and Ash is a former military man.

I'm a fan of erotica (surprise to the people who know me in real life!), in fact I've been reading the same erotica website since 1999. But I've never read a novel like this before.

Joy works in an art gallery selling art, she's a mess. She's always late, her house looks like a tornado hit, she misplaces everything, she's a bit irresponsible and she picks the wrong men. All the time. She's also insecure about body and her looks, she was raised by her grandmother who thinks Joy is always doing something wrong (especially since she majored in art and didn't end up being a doctor or a lawyer like her brothers, who don't seem to have time for her or her family). Her boss assigns her to get Ash Hunter to agree to a showing at their gallery and if she comes back with the wrong answer... she'll lose her job.

Ash Hunter is a former Navy SEAL, he was discharged and turned to art. His specialty? Bondage photos. And bondage marble sculptures. However, he's decided to give that up and focus on his obsession with security and taking care of his mother and sister. Ash has a hard time letting people in, trusting people and being seriously attracted to people.

The chemistry between Ash and Joy is exciting, electrifying and has you craving to see them again. Their relationship begins with sex, Joy is surprised at how much she can let go around Ash, how he doesn't make her feel as self conscious when she's stuck in the moment. As they continue to see each other more and more, you can see their relationship build which, in my opinion is rare in the books I've read. Like really build. You witness the change in both Joy and Ash. I loved how bit by bit Joy was starting to realize she was pretty, and that she did have a nice body despite what her grandmother always told her. And I loved how much Ash cared about Joy. How he had this bad boy vibe about him but he really cared about Joy and was protective over her. I loved how he never stopped trying to get her to see herself how he saw her. It was sweet. Oh and of course, the steamy sex scenes. Though there were plenty of them, they fit into the story perfect. However, joy is hiding a secret from Ash, a secret she's tried to tell him about and every time has been... distracted. When the secret is revealed in possibly the most horrible day of her life, how will Ash react? Will he forgive her? Or will he move on and leave everything behind like he knew he had to?

I enjoyed reading this book. I read through it a little faster than I thought I would. I enjoyed it because it made you feel like you were right there with them, like you were the silent friend in the corner witnessing the relationship between Ash and Joy and you wanted to urge them to just fess up and tell each other how they really feel about each other because its just so obvious! You feel for Joy and her insecurities, her life. You feel for Ash and his desire to always escape. You feel for Erica and her tough shell. Couldn't really say I felt for Blaine since he didn't have much of a back story. This was a wonderful and unexpected read!

After Bound To Please I NEEDED to read this book. Joy and Ash are hot! The book is as sexy as I have come to expect with Lilli. The sex scenes are hot, the dialogue titillating and the storyline moves nicely. Yes, this is a book about bondage but with trust, beauty and love. The message: with the right lover, there is nothing we might not try. Joy and Ash both needed something from the other. Joy needed to feel beautiful and Ash did that for her. Ash needed someone to trust and found that in Joy. Dare to Surrender is a must read for lovers of the erotica romance.

Not for readers under 20!!!

Joy Montgomery is on thin ice with her job as an art gallery curator. She must find a cutting edge artist to feature in her gallery soon or she may be looking for new employment. Determined to save her job she seeks out erotic photography artist Ash Hunter to convince him to do a show, but finds that he is no longer interested in displaying his art. Convinced that Ash and his cutting edge style will be just the thing that will save her job she sets out to convince him. While Joy's main focus is on saving her job, she can't deny that she is intrigued and attracted to Ash. When she gets a look at a collection of Ash's erotic sculptures, she finds herself both captivated and aroused. Disappointed that Ash is not interested in displaying his art, she has a moment of impulsiveness and steals one of the small marble sculptures. She immediately realizes she is out of her mind and tries to figure out how to return the sculpture without getting caught.

Ash and Joy are polar opposites. Joy's life is happily chaotic. She's messy, disorganized, and maybe just a little irresponsible. She's also a insecure with her curvy physique and unlucky the love department. Ash on the hand is a neat freak, and totally organized. He is and ex-Navy Seal and quite orderly in his lifestyle. He likes to combine his two favorites hobbies, BDSM and photography with stunning results. However his physical appearance is more what you'd expect from an artist. He's a jeans and t-shirt kind of guy, disheveled hair and he might forget to shave now and then when he's engrossed in a project.

Ash and Joy meet at his apartment to discuss business the next night, but Ash has other things on his mind. Although he's already attracted to her, Joy's response to his art inspires fantasies erotic bondage and he wastes no time in seducing her. Business takes a backseat as Joy finds herself bound and she surrenders her control to Ash leading to an erotic night of love making. For Joy, this is an impulsive act, true to her character, and for Ash, it's deliberate and controlled, true to his dominate nature. The two find an immediate connection as opposites attract and begin an interesting relationship that becomes complicated by Joy's uncharacteristic moment of thievery.

The sexual chemistry between Ash and Joy burns up the pages. These two find themselves participating in a sexual relationship that involves binding from the first time they are together. Ash's dominate nature appeals to Joy, making her feel safe and she allows herself to submit to Ash's very sexy will. Ash finds Joy's willingness to surrender herself irresistible and sexy.

"The beauty of being restrained was giving up control, giving up self-consciousness, giving up everything.

Giving Ash everything."

I found Joy's quirky personality charming and Ash's gentle dominance both sexy and alluring. Lilli Feisty tells a romantic story a of slightly insecure woman who finds the courage to release her inhibitions and accept herself by learning to trust through powerful submission.

Dare To Surrender is an erotic love story that will keep you turning the pages. If you love a sexy read, with very light erotic BDSM, laced with love and romance you will enjoy Dare To Surrender.