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Pride and Surrender
I want no part of messy emotions, of lust and surrender. But none of that seems to matter to Christos Constantine. No matter how much I resist, no matter how much I fight, he keeps coming after me…and I am powerless.Juliet Russo’s pride and strength of will have always kept her safe. The armor she has built around herself is impenetrable and no one is allowed to see beneath. She has managed to keep Christos and the attraction that simmers between them at bay for two years, but he’s done taking no for an answer.
Kindle Edition
First published December 1, 2010
2 people are currently reading
53 people want to read
About the author
Julia Devlin
11 books62 followersBorn and raised in the suburbs of Chicago where she still calls home, Julia lives with her husband and two children. She never dreamed about being a writer, although she did go through a light FM, poem-writing phase when she was a teenager. Then one day, while experiencing a lull in her management consulting work and wanting to be good about her internet usage, she decided to open a Word document and play around. A full-blown obsession was born, and the rest, as the say, is history.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
November 29, 2018
This was a pretty good book. I kind of felt like I was missing part of the story line at the beginning but all in all pretty good.
May 4, 2011
Pride and Surrender is a novella that packs all the sensual heat and emotion of a much longer work. Juliet is a strong-minded, intelligent heroine with a weakness that makes her easy to empathize with. She struggles with a tragic fear of her own emotions and a distrust that a man strong and alpha enough to excite her will really want her over other women who display more stereotypical warm, outgoing feminine personality traits. She has been used to hiding this aspect of herself and focusing on her professional life. She keeps her softer, more sensual side hidden. She goes through the motions, dating men who are safe but do not excite her. It is easy to root for her, to hope that she will find the emotional courage to overcome her fears and make the leap to trust the hero. It would have been interesting to go into why Juliet is this way but we are told that she just has always been this way and does not really know why.
Christos is handsome and alpha and sexy. He also possesses the understanding to see the real Julia behind the “ice-queen” mask she shows the world. He is assertive in his approach, patiently weakening Julia’s resistance. In the past, he fought his attraction to her, but he’s worked through all that and now is determined to win this woman who is more than his match. I liked this aspect of the hero being ready and open for love. Devlin does a good job of giving him a backstory that makes it believable that he has all of these emotional resources in the story. He knows how to be strong and yet tender too. Yet he’s all alpha.
There’s a rich sensual, visual evocative aspect to this erotic romance that sets it apart. Devlin is often economical with scenery descriptions, preferring to keep the focus tight on the internal emotional aspect of the characters and the interpersonal conflict between the hero and heroine. But when she does focus on external images, they are always powerful ones that are directly vital to the story. I loved the descriptions of the heroine’s bedroom and her photography. I really believe this story would not have been as powerful written in any other POV but first and I think it was the best decision to write it that way.
There were no external antagonists in this story, except for the phantoms of doubt and distrust in the heroine’s mind. The conflict was limited to the Hero and Heroine and their internal struggles. I believe this made the story more powerful, more emotionally intense with the focus strongly on the heroine coming to terms with her lack of comfort with her own emotional nature and her innate doubts about men whom she truly finds desirable.
The pace of the romance was just fast enough to give it an edge. The couple had known each other for two years so they already have an emotionally rich history and deep, ongoing sexual tension. The heroine resisted the hero just enough without it becoming tedious or repetitive. And I really enjoyed the feeling underlying emotional danger and passionate warring between them as he rather forcefully courts her. And courts her he does. He is very sensitive to her needs, very nurturing of her emotions and her physical well being while never losing his alpha edge. This is not an easy thing to accomplish but Devlin does so beautifully here.
It is a very sensual, spicy story. Devlin really makes the most of the sexual scenes, keeping the threads of emotion and the moment-to-moment sensual experience of the characters at the forefront. Aspects of bondage and submission are brought in a way that emphasizes the trust and sharing. Very refreshing in a contemporary erotica. There’s no sense of humiliation or masochism or outrageous kink here. Just pure trust given as a gift in a way that is all the more sexy because it’s pure focus.
Yes, there could have been a little more view into what made Juliet so distrusting of men and uncomfortable with emotion but when a story sweeps you into such a evocative emotional landscape and allows you such immediate, intimate connection to the character and her experience, one cannot nitpick for long. One can only experience and enjoy. If you love strong, alpha heroes with a tender side and empathize with strong-minded heroines, do yourself a favor and indulge in the chocolate liquor-like richness of this not-to-be-missed erotic romance.
originally posted at http://whippedcream2.blogspot.com/201...
Christos is handsome and alpha and sexy. He also possesses the understanding to see the real Julia behind the “ice-queen” mask she shows the world. He is assertive in his approach, patiently weakening Julia’s resistance. In the past, he fought his attraction to her, but he’s worked through all that and now is determined to win this woman who is more than his match. I liked this aspect of the hero being ready and open for love. Devlin does a good job of giving him a backstory that makes it believable that he has all of these emotional resources in the story. He knows how to be strong and yet tender too. Yet he’s all alpha.
There’s a rich sensual, visual evocative aspect to this erotic romance that sets it apart. Devlin is often economical with scenery descriptions, preferring to keep the focus tight on the internal emotional aspect of the characters and the interpersonal conflict between the hero and heroine. But when she does focus on external images, they are always powerful ones that are directly vital to the story. I loved the descriptions of the heroine’s bedroom and her photography. I really believe this story would not have been as powerful written in any other POV but first and I think it was the best decision to write it that way.
There were no external antagonists in this story, except for the phantoms of doubt and distrust in the heroine’s mind. The conflict was limited to the Hero and Heroine and their internal struggles. I believe this made the story more powerful, more emotionally intense with the focus strongly on the heroine coming to terms with her lack of comfort with her own emotional nature and her innate doubts about men whom she truly finds desirable.
The pace of the romance was just fast enough to give it an edge. The couple had known each other for two years so they already have an emotionally rich history and deep, ongoing sexual tension. The heroine resisted the hero just enough without it becoming tedious or repetitive. And I really enjoyed the feeling underlying emotional danger and passionate warring between them as he rather forcefully courts her. And courts her he does. He is very sensitive to her needs, very nurturing of her emotions and her physical well being while never losing his alpha edge. This is not an easy thing to accomplish but Devlin does so beautifully here.
It is a very sensual, spicy story. Devlin really makes the most of the sexual scenes, keeping the threads of emotion and the moment-to-moment sensual experience of the characters at the forefront. Aspects of bondage and submission are brought in a way that emphasizes the trust and sharing. Very refreshing in a contemporary erotica. There’s no sense of humiliation or masochism or outrageous kink here. Just pure trust given as a gift in a way that is all the more sexy because it’s pure focus.
Yes, there could have been a little more view into what made Juliet so distrusting of men and uncomfortable with emotion but when a story sweeps you into such a evocative emotional landscape and allows you such immediate, intimate connection to the character and her experience, one cannot nitpick for long. One can only experience and enjoy. If you love strong, alpha heroes with a tender side and empathize with strong-minded heroines, do yourself a favor and indulge in the chocolate liquor-like richness of this not-to-be-missed erotic romance.
originally posted at http://whippedcream2.blogspot.com/201...
March 12, 2012
This review posted on Guilty Pleasures
RECOMMENDED READ
For a short story this was a very emotional ride, a ride that our heroine Juliet Russo doesn’t want to enjoy. She is prideful, beautiful, stubborn and head over heels in love with Christos Constantine. He is everything she wants but she won’t admit to needing and wanting. Christos is a tall, dark and handsome DOMINANT he has wanted Juliet for years this time he won’t stop at no and not having her.
This is a story about dominance and submission but not full out BDSM, this is more the emotional aspect of letting go. We see in our heroine a woman who has to always be in control but yearns to let go. Juliet has no idea how to let go to just feel and not be in control of everything she scared to even try. I found myself wanting to yell at Juliet because she just didn’t see nor wouldn’t see how wonderful her life would be if she just let it go. I wanted her to lean on Christos and he to lean on her to love and laugh and be happy, I found I was Christos’ biggest cheerleader and my goodness the man is sexy.
When Juliet finally begins to surrender it’s almost magical yet their coming together is primal and so high charged. I recommend getting a fan, a cool drink of water and your very own Christos to call your own. I loved this story I loved the emotions and the give and take, I loved meeting Christos’ family and seeing him so tender. My only wish was that this story was longer I would love to have seen them raising children or better yet Juliet in pregnancy. Julia Devlin did a wonderful job with this story and I can’t wait to read more this is definitely a recommended read.
RECOMMENDED READ
For a short story this was a very emotional ride, a ride that our heroine Juliet Russo doesn’t want to enjoy. She is prideful, beautiful, stubborn and head over heels in love with Christos Constantine. He is everything she wants but she won’t admit to needing and wanting. Christos is a tall, dark and handsome DOMINANT he has wanted Juliet for years this time he won’t stop at no and not having her.
This is a story about dominance and submission but not full out BDSM, this is more the emotional aspect of letting go. We see in our heroine a woman who has to always be in control but yearns to let go. Juliet has no idea how to let go to just feel and not be in control of everything she scared to even try. I found myself wanting to yell at Juliet because she just didn’t see nor wouldn’t see how wonderful her life would be if she just let it go. I wanted her to lean on Christos and he to lean on her to love and laugh and be happy, I found I was Christos’ biggest cheerleader and my goodness the man is sexy.
When Juliet finally begins to surrender it’s almost magical yet their coming together is primal and so high charged. I recommend getting a fan, a cool drink of water and your very own Christos to call your own. I loved this story I loved the emotions and the give and take, I loved meeting Christos’ family and seeing him so tender. My only wish was that this story was longer I would love to have seen them raising children or better yet Juliet in pregnancy. Julia Devlin did a wonderful job with this story and I can’t wait to read more this is definitely a recommended read.
December 12, 2015
This was a beautiful story. I admit I didn't expect much after ''Burn List'' which was fun but not particularly meaningful. Pride and Surrender is something altogether different. I am so over the stereotype of the ballbusting woman who must be in charge of everything, but here there is a depth to the protagonist that I do not see in other works. While Juliet is a highly guarded person who values control, she is intensely vulnerable and that vulnerability permeates the work. You can really feel her conflict about learning to trust this man. You can really feel his suffering as he struggles to help her through it.
And the sex scenes were wonderful. They all seemed unique and each encounter added to the depth of the story. The build up of sexual tension is gradual but powerfully written. I think it is among some of the best erotic writing that I have read.
And the sex scenes were wonderful. They all seemed unique and each encounter added to the depth of the story. The build up of sexual tension is gradual but powerfully written. I think it is among some of the best erotic writing that I have read.
May 10, 2013
While the writing is both technically good as well as an easy style, I still feel like I was dropped in the middle of a story only to get a few parts of what should be a bigger picture. The cover doesn't seem to fit the plot at all; it's has a sweet sentiment with some hot and steamy scenes mixed in.
September 28, 2013
This is a book.
For a full review, please go to:
http://mlleelizabeth.booklikes.com/
GoodReads's policies no longer comply with my review policy. Therefore my reviews will be posted at BookLikes going forward. Thank you for following my reviews here. I hope to continue discussing books with you on BookLikes.
For a full review, please go to:
http://mlleelizabeth.booklikes.com/
GoodReads's policies no longer comply with my review policy. Therefore my reviews will be posted at BookLikes going forward. Thank you for following my reviews here. I hope to continue discussing books with you on BookLikes.
October 5, 2024
My forever-favourite trope: hero in pursuit.
I empathize with Juliet--guarding the heart to prevent any heartbreaks is self preservation. If only everyone is as lucky as her, to have someone like Christos to catch her while she leaps off.
The length is just right for this to be an intensely emotional read.
3.5⭐
N.B. I didn't reread this in September 2024--it's Goodreads' doing.
I empathize with Juliet--guarding the heart to prevent any heartbreaks is self preservation. If only everyone is as lucky as her, to have someone like Christos to catch her while she leaps off.
The length is just right for this to be an intensely emotional read.
3.5⭐
N.B. I didn't reread this in September 2024--it's Goodreads' doing.
June 7, 2011
Julia Devlin has written a scorching hot story with enough sexual tension to have you squirming in your chair. And when these two do finally come together ... well to say its explosive heat scorching the pages doesn't quite cover the intensity of their coupling. A definite must read.
May 8, 2016
Juliet is a control freak and Christo teaches her about trusting and letting go. He is a kind, caring man, who is in tune with Juliet's emotions and understands what makes her tick. Because of this, he can often predict her reactions and understand them.
July 9, 2012
3/5 stars.
Short hot read :-)
Short hot read :-)
August 5, 2012
Christos was one HOT hero, and I would have said yes to him a long time before his heroine did. I just wish the story had been longer. I was sad to see it end.
January 17, 2016
100 page novella that was incredibly romantic, sexy and very, very hot! Can't wait for this author to write more!
July 31, 2012
This was by far my favorite book of Julia Devlin!
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews