I had to push myself to keep going. The book was free and always had potential that wasn't quite met. I was bored too much with the slow movement of the story. ( )

First book of a series, well done. recommended.

FROM AMAZON: Rafe Palazzo takes what he wants with no regrets. Arianna (Ari) Lynn Harlow has led a charmed life until tragedy strikes her family. He’s looking for a no-emotions attached mistress, she’s looking for redemption.

They aren’t a pair that should ever work, but undeniable attraction and devastating tragedy brings them together in the city by the bay where he fights to keep their relationship nothing more than an enjoyable way to meet his needs, and she battles to not lose herself in him. Spending time with Ari starts cracking the hard shell that Rafe has built around his heart, but he denies the affect she has on him until it’s too late to stop the inevitable conclusion their relationship is headed for.

Rafe once believed in happily ever after, coming from a large Italian family. He’s got the Midas touch, since every endeavor he tries turns to gold. That all ends when his wife walks out the door and leaves him blindsided. His devastation quickly turns to steel when he decides no woman will fool him again. From that point on he treats relationships as nothing more than business transactions where both party’s come out mutually benefited.

Just when Ari has sunk to the lowest she’s ever been she finds an ad in the paper announcing a job that’s too good to be true. It turns out she’s right. She makes it through the intense rounds of interviews only to find out the job is for a mistress to the powerful Rafe Palazzo, owner of Palazzo Enterprises. Rafe gives her a day to think about whether she wants the position or not, and she’s sent on her way, only to find out her mother’s near-terminal illness has taken a turn for the worse. Her mom’s only in the hospital because Ari messed up, and her mother’s the one who paid the price. Is Rafe her savior, or will he take her with him straight to the depths of hell?

Ariana has a choice. Does she choose love or self-respect? Will she give up her freedom and become nothing but a shadow of herself? Ari faces an impossible ultimatum. She needs to decide whether to accept Rafe Palazzo’s indecent proposal and stay at his side as his bought mistress, under his complete control in his world and his bedroom. Rafe holds the keys to her mother’s happiness, and Ari must choose love for her mother or respect for herself and for the morals her mother instilled in her.

You’ll find out that decision in this book and discover the unexpected repercussions of what Ari does choose. We see Ari grow and come to love herself more. You see her make choices that some of us couldn't make. It might not be what you except.

We also watch the dynamic story of Shane Grayson and Lia Palazzo. See where their story leads as the Surrender Series begins. Watch as two strong, confident women make choices that will affect their lives forever. ( )

Finished Reading April 4, 2014

2 stars
Another one that is hard to remember. Took me awhile but it finally came back to me. Had to read the blurb a few times and all the way through. This was a LONG blurb!
It's also a LONG story that pretty much goes No Where.
And has at least Two More Books before you get the HEA.

Honestly, I should have DNF'd it.
Lucky for me, I didn't go any further into the series. And I don't plan to change that.

Prch Amz April 1, 2014 ( )

This story is unique in its own rights. I am still trying to figure out why I waited so long to read it. It has sat on my Kindle for quite some time now. I had no idea what I was missing out on...

Ari is drowning in debt. She struggles to stay on her feet and make it on her own. Finding a job that will keep a roof over her head isn't that easy, what with all of her mother's medical bills piling up and her mother still being in a coma.

Ari is consumed with guilt over her mother's accident and the loss of her mother's home since then, that she cannot seem to think straight. She needs money... fast. When it comes down to saving her mother, she thinks she will do just about anything to save her.

Enter Rafe. Rich. Powerful. Playboy in his own rights and by his own rules. He offers Ari a job she almost can't refuse, but does. She isn't willing to sacrifice herself to be anyone's mistress, no matter how much money he waves in front of her.

Both of them seem to fight an attraction they are unwilling to admit exists. Their stubbornness seems to cloud their better judgement. The power struggle between these two in intriguing and engaging. I didn't want the book to end, yet I wanted to see a resolution. I guess I will be reading the next book to get to the bottom of what transpires between these two. I need a final outcome! ( )

This story is unique in its own rights. I am still trying to figure out why I waited so long to read it. It has sat on my Kindle for quite some time now. I had no idea what I was missing out on...

Ari is drowning in debt. She struggles to stay on her feet and make it on her own. Finding a job that will keep a roof over her head isn't that easy, what with all of her mother's medical bills piling up and her mother still being in a coma.

Ari is consumed with guilt over her mother's accident and the loss of her mother's home since then, that she cannot seem to think straight. She needs money... fast. When it comes down to saving her mother, she thinks she will do just about anything to save her.

Enter Rafe. Rich. Powerful. Playboy in his own rights and by his own rules. He offers Ari a job she almost can't refuse, but does. She isn't willing to sacrifice herself to be anyone's mistress, no matter how much money he waves in front of her.

Both of them seem to fight an attraction they are unwilling to admit exists. Their stubbornness seems to cloud their better judgement. The power struggle between these two in intriguing and engaging. I didn't want the book to end, yet I wanted to see a resolution. I guess I will be reading the next book to get to the bottom of what transpires between these two. I need a final outcome! ( )