Her Russian Surrender: 50 Loving States, Indiana

50 Loving States #10

by Theodora Taylor

Escape with a ruthless player tonight…

When Sam McKinley meets Nikolai Rustanov, it’s fire at first sight. A fire she runs away from as quickly as her heels can carry her.

All Sam has ever wanted was a nice, normal family with a nice, normal man. The arrogant Russian hockey player who claims he doesn’t believe in love right before he offers to “eat her for breakfast,” is about as far from that as a girl can get.

But some flames just won’t go out.

Sam is dead set on running. But Nikolai is determined to catch her, and when he does, he’ll do just about anything to make her surrender.

The tenth smoking hot interracial romance in the 50 Loving States series, HER RUSSIAN SURRENDER is a deep read set in Indiana that will melt your heart and ignite your sense of passion.

Genres: Interracial Romance, Romance, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Erotica, Dark Romance, Sports

250 pages, ebook

First published August 21, 2014

About the author

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Theodora Taylor writes hot books with heart. When not reading, reviewing or writing, she enjoys spending time with her amazing family, going on dating nights with her wonderful husband, and attending parties thrown by others.

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Theodora Taylor schreibt feurige Bücher mit Herz. Wenn sie nicht gerade selbst liest, schreibt oder Deutsch lernt, verbringt sie am liebsten Zeit mit ihrer Familie oder geht mit ihrem wundervollen Mann aus.

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Reviews

[Theodora Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved writing this intense couple, and I hope you enjoy them, too!

[Mspraise50 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Theodora Taylor is one of my favourite authors and she is an automatic click for me. I have enjoyed all of her books in her in the 50 Loving States series. That said I really did not enjoy this book that much.

This is Sam and Nikolai’s story. Sam is a Social Worker and someone who counsels women who have been in abusive relationships. She is in a relationship with Nikolai who appears cold, uncommunicative and English is not his first language so there is a language barrier. When he tries to express himself to her she misunderstands him and does not (in my opinion) appear to really take the time to truly understand him. She uses words he does not understand and he has to take the time to look the words up to understand what it is she is saying to him. Just based on that alone I felt she should have taken a lot more time to truly understand who Nikolai was.

I found Sam totally frustrating and this spoiled my enjoyment of the story. I felt she should have showed him how to love because clearly he did not know how to love her and he was trying to. I felt that she missed the opportunity to demonstrate to Nikolai what true redeeming love looked like and how that love can make an impact in someone life who has never had the opportunity to experience that kind of love. I take on board that she was a damaged person also but she had the tools to address her issues by the nature of her education and the job that she did. I felt she knew better, she demonstrated this by how she took the time to love Pavel unconditionally. I wished she had spread some of that unconditional love to Nikolai.

I am sure many of Ms Taylor’s other fans will love this story but it’s my least favourite of them all.

I look forward to the next book in this series.

[DeeReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

February 2016 Reread

This was Sam and Nikolai's story. I had to reread it after reading Theodora Taylor's latest book, "His Pretend Baby" with Sam's intern Nyla and her Billionaire husband, Rodrigo aka Go.

You know how you can remember vague pieces of a story but after Nikolai talked to Nyla about if she loved Rodrigo, then and only then did I remember how much Nikolai, Sam husband had a profound impact on Nyla going back to Go.

Nikolai was a professional hockey player called Mount Nik who gave up playing to own the team. At a extravagant team affair, Nik was blown away by Sam, or the young lady in the green dress and ratty coat. He ask for her to come to the balcony setting area but Sam says no. Well Nik being all cocky and not able to take the word no as a no, comes down and try to get her to change her mind.... so not happening! The conversation give Sam bad vibes (me too for that matter). They continue to hit it off in a bad way even due to strange events from Sam meeting a skinny biracial young boy to then finding out said little boy is Nikolai's nephew... well the story takes off and fast. With the help of secondary characters from Josie and Beau (50 States #6), Suro Nakamura (50 States #5) Nyla, Marco, Alexei (50 States #2) Sam's Staffordshire Terrier, Backup or useless as Nikolai called him.

This was one of my favorite books in the 50 Loving States series! The best because no man can grovel better than the brooding alpha male, Nikolai Rustanov!

5 Mount Nik surrendering and groveling stars *****

[Savannah- Quad Motherin' Book Readin' Diva · Rating 2 out of 5]

Oye.

This book read like something from the 90's.

VERY classic (and overused) trope; both of them are into/in love with each other, neither admits it and a hundred misunderstandings ensue because of it. Basically- could have been cleared up with one honest conversation about 3 weeks in.

It also is chock full of conversational dialog that bugs the very hell out of me. You know the type, when a woman is just DETERMINED to read insult into something a guy is saying even though its obviously a compliment. Or when he's just straight up saying something that really should clue her in about his feelings, yet she's giving mental shrugs and saying she has no idea what it could possibly mean. Irritating beyond words. There are also a TON of times where the man shows his vulnerability and flat out asks her to tell him her feelings. Her words are always "caught in her throat". That or she ascribes some sinister meaning behind it.

I also found myself continually editing his broken English to make it sound more believeably...well, broken English. Takes more than some Da's and Nyet's along with two Russian endearments to sell a thick accent.

Whatever.

[Gisele Walko · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm giving this a 3 because I love the author's writing style and this book did hold my attention, but I got really frustrated with Sam because she was a terrible communicator despite her social work background. I really think Nicoli could have done better. She seemed so judgy and immature. Steamy.

[Nile Princess · Rating 4 out of 5]

Re-read 7/16/19 - Still absolutely love!!

-----------------

Loved! Not perfect, but Samantha wasn't a ditz, and Nikolai didn't go full Neanderthal (just 75%). The surprise bday party, and Nikolai asking Pavel for relationship advice made me shed real tears. Back Up (the dog) was hilarious and there were lots of funny moments with her. Combined with my absolute love of Greece (keep meaning to go back), I've always wanted someone to fly me to another continent for a dinner date so HELL YEAH Nikolai. You go, boy! Also, I really liked the Russian accent here. It was perfectly done (not sure if Russians will agree. Ha!)

4.5*

[Paganalexandria · Rating 4 out of 5]

review to come.

[Anino · Rating 5 out of 5]

12/21/15 Review - Decided to revisit one, and it was even better the 2nd time around...

******************
2014 Review
Simply put, this book was absolutely amazing. Not only was it captivating, but it was well-written as well. Being the persnickety reader that I am, this book was absolutely satisfying.

I've said it one, and I will say it again.... Ms.Taylor definitely has the goods & she is most definitely, Insta-buy worthy.

Giving this one: 4.5 stars.

[M.J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the story of Nikolai and Samantha, two people who on the surface looked like polar opposites but really had more in common than you would think. Sam runs a battered woman's shelter and crashes a party thrown by the owner of the local hockey team(the Indianapolis Polar) Nikolai Rustanov, trying to get donations for the shelter. When Nikolai sees her, he is in awe and Sam turns him down but this is man who is use to getting what he wants and does not take no for an answer. The two meet again under very tragic circumstances and spent 1 hot night together which changes the course of both of their lives and the lives of others.They in turn learn a lot about each other, such as they both come from abusive past and are both still trying to cope with things from their childhood.will they be able to over come the past and and find the love they seek in each other? This was a great book for me. I loved it! the story was written well and had a nice flow. The fact that you got to see a little bit from some of the other characters in the 50 Loving States series was just the icing on the cake. This book reminded me of what I love about this author.I will admit I was not really into The Alaska Princesses Trilogy,it just didn't hold my attention but the 50 Loving States books are some of my favorites! This just goes to show you that authors can have multiple different talents that appeal to different readers and genres. Now that's Talent! Great job and I will keep an eye out for the next book in the series.

[Tamara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love a book that keeps me in a constant state of giggling with a pinch of empathy sprinkled in for good measure. Her Russian Surrender is two for two on that front thus far.

Sam - ohhhhhh Sam! Who doesn't love a woman that'll say, 'you're beautiful, but you're too rich for my blood!' She's not willing to get anywhere near Nik and has informed him of such. And just the fact that she had the nerve to set him up with another woman had me sniggling!!

Mt. Nik - The name says it all. .... entitled---- or so he likes to think. Mr. I won't take no for an answer. Mr. I'd like to eat you for breakfast. Mr. I'm so confused by why this woman thinks I'm "beautiful" but she still won't buy what I'm selling. He upped the ante several times and threw a couple of curve balls Sam's way.

Pavel - I've always believed people don't give children enough credit and Pavel will probably be the poster child for this notion. He's young, but he's been through and has seen so much for someone his age. He was the link in bringing Sam & Nik together.

Marco - at first I thought his character would seem like a space filler, but his role is mostly important to show Sam two things. ... 1. Kids are very intuitive, pay attention. 2. What you think you want and what you need are two different things!

I was so invested in Sam and Nik's relationship and I enjoyed their journey. It wasn't easy but it sure was fun to witness the ins and outs of it. This was one of my favorites in the series.

[AvidReader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Going through Theodora Taylor like some manho heroes goes through the women😉.
Will definitely start with hero, he was a big mountain softie! He was smitten with heroine from the beginning and pursued her. I loved how much they had in common though they were unaware of it. I loved how their relationship progressed and how each tiny factors helped growing it. I even loved the ruthless decision Nikolai took to keep Sam with him. I thought it was romantic even though if it happened to me in real wife I would be taking a gun. They was they navigated back their relationship on the verge of breakup was so good. He fought with tooth and nail.
So Yes, recommended.
Off I go to her next book.

[Fashionista · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deep Sigh... I got to read the entire Rustanov series in one bundle! Ms. Taylor surprised her readers with 2 bonuses in this book: Her Russian Billionaire (Book#1) & Her Russian Beast (Book #2)
This series is "everything"!!! Sexy tortured possessive Alpha Man with a Russian accent - check! Muscles on top of corded muscles - check! The well-hidden Rustanov charm and tenderness - PRICELESS! I can't wait to read Anitra's story; I have already pre-ordered "His Forbidden Bride"! YAY!!! ;-)

[Camy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reread August 2016.
2015 = 3 stars
2016 = 4 stars
:-)

[Nikki · Rating 5 out of 5]

this has to be hands down one of my favorite series ever. there are so many good things right about it that a longer review will come soon.....
where do i begin with this one without giving too much away? well i didn't give a review earlier because i knew i would gush and rehash the entire book and load it with spoilers. others on goodreads are brilliant at that but i am still learning. what i will say is theodora taylor's characters come to life in such a way for me that they become my friends where i get invested in their lives and families and want all possible details. so much so that i reread about half of her russian billionaire (mainly because i got sucked in) because i wanted to remember all that there was to the love between alexie and eva when they were mentioned in this story between sam and nikolai. there is something so pure and honest in the love that nikolai has and shows sam that just melts hearts (and panties). and it was nice to see sam be a strong female lead not backing down or cowering from a pompous arrogant male like nikolai. can ya'll tell i loved this one. if not i wrote something wrong.

[Lucretia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first 50 Loving States read and I have to say I enjoyed it so much. I will be reading the other books in this series...

[Mrs · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an excellent book. So much so, that I have begun to follow the author.

[Shelita · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think I liked the other one better but this one was good too. Both of them totally needed to work on their communication tho.

[Kyrie Ele · Rating 1 out of 5]

My face at 60% through this book.

via GIPHY

Sam might have advanced degrees in Psychology and Social Work but sis also got a double major degree in Petty and Petulant with a minor in Non-Communication Studies. Whew, chile, she sure is accomplished.

Because we see the majority of the story from her point of view we see her 'love interest' from her eyes it is not flattering. Mount Nik, as is his nickname is a Russian hockey star with only one interest outside of hockey and that is trying not be like his father. To her, he is cold, selfish, uncommunicative and hard to decipher. While his backstory and motivations are laid out in full in a scant few pages to the reader, Sam's character is not given the same treatment. Instead for the majority of the book hints, clues and insuations abound surrounding Sam's past are made and I was not here for it. You see instead of creating sympathy for her (Sam) this method puts us the reader and Nik in a position of being unware of the motivations for her actions and her actions are purely fucking selfish.

For instance throughout the book we see Sam using none of the techniques she should have in order to run a women's shelter or be a social worker to open and establish communication channels and build trust with Nik. Instead, she is quite comfortable lavishing that training, attention, love and interest to the benefit of Pavel, the young child that has brought Sam and Nik together, and flat out refusing to talk or even look at Nik unless she absolutely has too. Instead, Sam with her frankly stubborn ways allows her pride and pettiness to create situations that place her and Nik in increasingly awkward and uncomfortable situations, like her sleeping on a lounge chair and Nik sleeping on the bathroom floor or getting married so that she retains access to Pavel and he can have access to the child she's carrying.
Let me reiterate here - she is in her second trimester and refuses to sleep on the same bed (instead choosing to rest on a lounge chair) with Nik and Nik trying to get her to, I dunno, talk to him like a fucking adult instead of grandstanding mirrors her moves and chooses to sleep on the bathroom floor. And this woman, a trained counsellor who makes frequent nighttime bathroom stops has to STEP OVER HIM EVERY TIME and is too prideful to say anything that would alleviate their discomfort. Was Nik in the right for doing this? No, but as has been demonstrated repeatedly throughout the book Sam refuses to talk and open up to Nik and thereby forcing Nik to make these grand, over-reaching gestures, some good and bad to get Sam to open up and at least discuss their children, their future as co-parents, and any developing feelings they may have for one another. Her actions doesn't read like someone who is as kind as she thinks herself to be where Nik is concerned but rather holds a lot of contempt for the man.

Now it may sound like I am being unfairly harsh to Sam and not Nik because he too would have contributed to this scenario and you'd be right, however, what little we see of Nikoli's perspective lets us know that he just wants best and the best for his little family and is willing to do whatever it takes to get that. We know that Nikoli finds Sam to be attractive and likes of the idea of them being a perfect little family and is willing to work for that dream but Sam only thinks about securing her needs, her wants.

Which brings me to another point of contention I have with these two characters, that is, WHAT FUCKING ATTRACTION?!?!?! Yes, they find each other attractive but where is the attraction if you get what I'm saying. Like, there is no spark, no flame, no connection, nothing to say that they seek out each other's company. Yes, sex had to have happened in order for Sam to wind up pregnant but if they only fuck each other at times of heightened emotional distress that's not attraction, that's...a booty call.

For the majority of this book this author is content to paint Sam, at least in her mind, as this martyr, not because she is carrying this unplanned baby to term but because she is allowing the child's father, Nikoli access and input into the child's life even though Sam believes that he will not be as good a parent as she is. To me, again, Sam just comes off as selfish, self-centred, and self-serving. Let us examine the ways, shall we?

In no particular order:

1) The whole situation with their sleeping arrangements. It should have never gotten to that point. From the moment Sam found out she was pregnant she should have started working on communication and trust with Nikoli so that when she insisted on not sharing a bed with Nikoli he wouldn't have felt the need mirror her decision because he felt she wasn't giving any thought to his wants as well. (Sidenote: hooooow as a trained professional you don't see that behaviour as a trauma response? Like how do you not stop and analyse how your behaviour brought out that response?) Also, if at any point Sam felt unsafe in the house (and she didn't) she could have taken her own advice she dishes out and left. She runs a goddamn women's shelter, you mean to tell me she doesn't know how to pick up and hide? She doesn't have connections on the police force (she does), lawyers who owe her favours, judges who could sign some papers rel quick quick like? Instead she stays and accepts the access to the life her marriage to Nikoli gives her and the benefits that fall her way.
2) She should not have married him. Yes, Nikoli took a high handed route by hiring a shark of a lawyer to try to force her to sign over custody of their child when it's born but it was only at that point then that Sam even entertained a conversation with Nikoli about having Nikoli in their child's life. Up until that point she was happy to continue on with their current arrangement which was living in Nikoli's house and having her needs taking care of with no thought on what Nikoli might want for HIS FUCKING CHILD , instead only agreeing to it once she is able to negotiate a deal that benefits herself.
3) She crossed some serious professional boundaries with Pavel. Allowing an abused and orphaned child to stay in your home temporarily while the search for any living relatives continues or until Child Services gets involved I can understand but once she found out that the child had relatives and was willing to take them she SHOULD HAVE LET HIM GO! Instead she continued to abuse her power and blur the lines of caregiver and parent between herself and Pavel because she felt a connection, because she felt she would be a better guardian than Nikoli, because she felt she knew what was best for Pavel.
4) She cut a weekend getaway short becuase, as is an overused trope in this genre, she overheard a phone conversation with her as the subject. Have I mentioned that this woman has advanced degrees? A trained counsellor in women's affairs and domestic violence? A trained professional in getting people to open up to her? Have I? Oh, because you'd expect a woman with such expert communication and de-escalation skills would use some of that expensive ass education to have a rational and calm conversation about what she'd overheard, right? And then they could continue on with their weekend tryst, right? Well you'd be dead fucking wrong there, kiddo. It took 13! pages from that point to her telling Nikolai what she'd overheard and how that made her feel. And a further 7! pages for her to shut up enough to get some fucking context. And then she chooses to purposely misinterpret what she's hearing because it allows her to cast Nikoli in a bad light so that she can continue on in the farce notion that she considers herself superior to Nikolai. And it was at that point I decided to jump ship.

Throughout this book Sam sees herself as warm to Nik's coldness, open compared to his aloofness, welcoming as opposed to his brusqueness. The only thing she can admit to them having in common is how they each put themselves back together after their horrid childhood. But sis, you are a selfish piece of work hiding behind martyrdom. At least Nik is open about him being an asshole.

[Cici · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hmmm...

I like this author's work but I must say, it's redundant how a lot of her books we never see the couple be a couple and fall in love until 80% of the book done or the epilogue. This isn't a romance. Most of this book is preoccupied with Sam's never-ending angst. The nonstop hot & cold with her got old quickly. She's supposed to be this sweetheart but is absolutely insufferable with Nikolai. What would make an eligible successful man pursue someone who was so bitchie to him? And no childhood trauma isn't a good reason to make her personality this way. The push & pull due to sam got boring. Acting like grown women can't handle being physically attracted to a man without acting flaky & goofy is so lame. This woman didn't know her own mind from day to day but somehow has the wherewithal to start & successfully run a nonprofit, especially one with the dangers that come from DV situations seems ridiculous. I don't want heroines that are doormats but there has to be some charming quality there, her good deeds towards others can't be the only likable thing about her when she's nothing but a nagging killjoy with the man. Childhood trauma can't be the sum of all her parts in a ROMANCE book of all things.

[Charlene_Paula · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pleasant book

This was nice reading, but stuff when it involves physical or domestic abuse. Applaud Sam for wanting to make a difference, and does that thru her Ruth's House projects. My learning a few word words of Russian was nice. I was a little irritated that Sam kept wondering what zhena meant when all she had to do was look it up. Which is what I did.
But all in all, I enjoyed this book. Nikolai is a true Russian, but as we all know, love can change us for the better.
Look forward to more pleasant stories by Mrs Taylor. Maybe we can get the story of Alexei and Eva as well. Sounds like theirs would be just as interesting as Sam and Nikolai.🤔

[Laverne Brewster · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.75 stars. This is the 10th book by this author that I have either read to listened to in audio formate, to be fair, I have enjoyed most of her work; but the last few books have been disappointing. In this book, Samantha McKinley, the female protagonist, is an arrogant, pugnacious, condescending, whiny, self-absorbed, sexually frustrated, dislikable character. Nikolai Rustanov is the story's hero and Samantha's love interest and a famous hockey player. Samantha has an educational back ground in psychology and in sociological issues related to women, she is a social worker who aspires to run shelters designed to aide and council troubled women and their children. She is dating a law enforcement officer; but she is does not seek him out when is goes to a crime scene to retrieve Pavel, a mixed race child who is Nikolai's nephew -his deceased drug addict brother's son. When Samantha's boyfriend advises Nikolai that Samantha has his nephew, Samantha becomes accusatorial and dismissive of him as a continued boyfriend, her treatment of Nikolai is worse, she in disingenuous in refusing him access to blood relative based on a statement he made while flirting with her at a party.

[Mfred · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sam meets and dismisses famous ex-hockey player Nicholai. But he can’t get Sam out of his head. So, obviously, he forces her to move in with him to care for his surprise nephew who witnessed the murder of his parents and may be in grave danger from Russian mobsters. And then she gets preggos! Wow.

Here’s the thing– this is not the most well written, lyrical, or amazing romance novel I have ever read. But it still made me tear up at the end. Sam and Nicholai are both damaged people who don’t believe they are worthy of love and can’t easily trust others. But they both desperately want love, even if they can’t always admit it. Watching them battle each other, and their own selves, for happiness moved me.

[La Vida Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

Theodora Taylor delivers yet again with this love story betweeen Sam and Nikolai. She continues her theme of bringing together two damaged characters carrying more than their share of baggage and trauma and tells oh so eloquently how they overcome their issues to be together and find love. I really enjoyed this story like I do pretty much every book that is part of her 50 Loving States series. This is the first one I've read to feature one of her Russian alphas and Nikolai I enjoyed thoroughly. Sam is smart and fiesty as they come, but she has her reasons for being difficult and closed off to Nikolai and it makes sense so you won't be too annoyed by her rejection of him through most of the book. You won't be disappointed though on how everything unfolds.

[Brenda Holder · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Very Good Interracial Romance

Her Russian Surrender: (50 Loving States, Indiana) is a very good and exciting interracial romance that earned a rating of four stars. I enjoyed reading this book because I found it sensual and full suspense.

[Nene · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great Read , Loved Nikolai but Sam kind of work on my nerves,was she that damaged she couldn't see love staring her in the face. The storyline was good and was happy that Nikolai got what he wanted in the end.

[L. Boogie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was good. It was kind of wild how Sam and Nikolai got together. This book had some moments that made me bust out laughing. And there were times I got annoyed. Sam and Nikolai got what they both deserved. And so did Pavel

[Lorice DeBlanc-Brim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful!

A standing ovation, big kudos to you. Sam and Nikolai are more similar than they give each other credit. Just too much baggage. In the end love does prevail.

[Colouring in · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love an a hole alpha and Theodora delivered. Great story, all round. Minor issue is I found it weird that a random kid starts calling a stranger mom. But I loved Sam and back up her dog

[Ren Thompson · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sam and Mount Nik!!! I love anything Theodora Taylor and Nikolai of the Rustanov clan was all alpha, obsessive and possessive of Sam. Great read!!!