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Hostile Takeover
Multicultural Erotic ContemporaryThe advertising business can be brutal...But Lydia was the perfect woman to tackle any challenge thrown her way. Having overcome a painful past, she's determined to make a life for herself on her own terms. Her plan to stay focused on her career and lead a life without the taint of love hits a snag in the form of her equally determined and very sexy boss, Ryder.Success takes perseverance...And Ryder has the drive to make his goals a reality. Having built his advertising firm with nothing but his hard work and fortitude, he's used to getting what he wants. And he wants Lydia. Using the same principles in his business strategy to win her, he fails miserably. Frustrated by Lydia's steadfast refusal to acknowledge the scorching attraction between them, he devises a plan to get her a weeklong business trip on a tropical island resort where the days are hot and the nights are downright steamy.Ryder knows it will take more than flowers and candy to win Lydia--heart, body, and soul. She'll need a little push, a dose of persuasion, with a pinch of heady seduction. In matters of love and business, sometimes a hostile takeover isn't as bad as it sounds.Publisher's This book contains explicit sexual content, graphic language, and situations that some readers may find Dubious consent.
274 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2010
16 people are currently reading
410 people want to read
About the author
Shara Azod
188 books328 followersShara is- well let's just say touched. Born a Marine brat, Shara is a Navy Veteran with a pathological love for men in uniform, chocolate, and heroes that are maybe a touch psychotic. With over seventy-five books in her backlog, Shara has no intention of slowing down any time soon. She's definitely not safe for work, or the kids, or- you know what? She's just not safe.
Also writes as Allie Blocker.
You can drop Shara a line at shara.azod@gmail.com
Also writes as Allie Blocker.
You can drop Shara a line at shara.azod@gmail.com
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
April 21, 2011
So you have your Alpha hereoes -- you know the smirky Dukes, the muscly Navy Seals, the Fangy werewolves. And then you have the Ultra-Alpha heroes, those Lisa Marie Rice heroes, those guys who are in a stalkerific, kill-you-so-much-as-blink category all their own. Ryder, in this book falls somewhere between the two but definitely higher on the stalkerific scale.
He owns his own advertising company and is deeply in lust with one of his employees, Lydia. So much so that he arranges it so that he and she have to spend a week together working on one of their accounts.
An account that just so happens to involve a remote tropical island.
An account that just so happens to involve an adults only XXX "resort" on said tropical island.
Lydia has had very bad luck in the man dept. She doesn't trust men, they've treated her badly, her mother had been married like seven times. She is blithely unaware that her boss has been sporting a ginormous boner around the office every time he so much as gets a glimpse of her.
But, on the airplane to the island, Ryder decides he's going to make Lydia keenly aware of his, ah, interest in her.
As romantica books go, this one isn't bad at all. It has a fairly decent, if overly familiar plot. Lydia is surprised and appalled by the idea of her boss being so enamored of her and, well, she's off men. But even though she has some vague general objectives she can't manage to say no and they get to heating the sheets lickety split.
In true stalkerific hero fashion, Ryder is overbearing and commanding. Calling her "his woman" within nanoseconds of their relationship and overcoming her, admittedly, vague objections. You know, he's just doing the normal over-Alpha hero thing.
I actually didn't mind Ryder. Shamefully, I kinda liked his full steam ahead, I'm going for mine attitude. And the authors really telegraphed that he was really serious about Lydia because a lot of book was from his POV and we got a lot of his inner dialogue. It was Lydia who aggravated me. She was a champion hand-wringer over the relationship one minute and then the next she'd be riding him like bronco.
The main conflict/break in the relationship that comes late in the book was so incredibly contrived that I rolled my eyes until I think I ripped a cornea. Both characters acted pretty immaturely with the grand prize going to Lydia. But their Deus Ex managed to Machina in and help them fix things.
Truthfully, this book isn't very distinctive either by it's plot or characterization. But the writing was pretty darned solid. And the sex scenes were explicit, smokin' (and plentiful). I think it is a fine effort for the writers. I'd read something of theirs again.
He owns his own advertising company and is deeply in lust with one of his employees, Lydia. So much so that he arranges it so that he and she have to spend a week together working on one of their accounts.
An account that just so happens to involve a remote tropical island.
An account that just so happens to involve an adults only XXX "resort" on said tropical island.
Lydia has had very bad luck in the man dept. She doesn't trust men, they've treated her badly, her mother had been married like seven times. She is blithely unaware that her boss has been sporting a ginormous boner around the office every time he so much as gets a glimpse of her.
But, on the airplane to the island, Ryder decides he's going to make Lydia keenly aware of his, ah, interest in her.
As romantica books go, this one isn't bad at all. It has a fairly decent, if overly familiar plot. Lydia is surprised and appalled by the idea of her boss being so enamored of her and, well, she's off men. But even though she has some vague general objectives she can't manage to say no and they get to heating the sheets lickety split.
In true stalkerific hero fashion, Ryder is overbearing and commanding. Calling her "his woman" within nanoseconds of their relationship and overcoming her, admittedly, vague objections. You know, he's just doing the normal over-Alpha hero thing.
I actually didn't mind Ryder. Shamefully, I kinda liked his full steam ahead, I'm going for mine attitude. And the authors really telegraphed that he was really serious about Lydia because a lot of book was from his POV and we got a lot of his inner dialogue. It was Lydia who aggravated me. She was a champion hand-wringer over the relationship one minute and then the next she'd be riding him like bronco.
The main conflict/break in the relationship that comes late in the book was so incredibly contrived that I rolled my eyes until I think I ripped a cornea. Both characters acted pretty immaturely with the grand prize going to Lydia. But their Deus Ex managed to Machina in and help them fix things.
Truthfully, this book isn't very distinctive either by it's plot or characterization. But the writing was pretty darned solid. And the sex scenes were explicit, smokin' (and plentiful). I think it is a fine effort for the writers. I'd read something of theirs again.
August 15, 2011
Multicultural Erotic Contemporary
Lydia has started working for a new advertising company and pretty much keeps to herself by keeping everyone at a distance, especially her boss, Ryder. Lydia feels an attraction for Ryder that she down plays as well as ignores him any chance she gets. Ryder feels fed up and frustrated. Since Lydia's arrival to his company, Ryder looks forward to seeing her each morning and tries everything for her to notice him. Nothing is working, so for Ryder desperate times calls for desperate measures. He has an advertising account that he will need to travel for and he will get Lydia to go with him and be his right hand on the job. He has not told Lydia that it is at an exclusive erotic resort. This trip sets events in motion for both Ryder and Lydia on the resort and home at figuring out their relationship at work and in their private life.
This book was a big WOW for me. The moment I read the first page and Ryder's thoughts, I knew I was going to enjoy this book. I thought this story was so so so so good. Ryder was a super Alpha male; he was so possessive, obsessive, and paranoid when it came to Lydia and I loved it. All this was new to Ryder, he is so use to the females throwing themselves at him, that he was out of his element when it came to Lydia. He was working so hard at trying to impress Lydia that it drove him crazy, literally. Lydia has her reasons for keeping Ryder at a distance when it came to office romance. Her past with family and the last guy she dated left her not feeling emotionally good. Throughout the book, as much as she wanted Ryder, she was busy trying to evade Ryder's advances that it drove her crazy as well. This was a good read for me and when you throw in a crazy mother and father, a horny client and his wife and an ex boyfriend it makes for a good read.
Sexually this book was raunchy and good. Ryder’s name suited him perfectly and sexually. The book delivered on its genre; it is an erotica contemporary, so no complaints from me. Ryder uses many unethical things to get Lydia, but he was a man on a mission and in the end, it paid off for him, so I really enjoyed this book. I already purchase more of the author's books and cannot wait to read more. The author definitely has a writing style that falls into my reading style.
Storyline: GOOD
Intimacy: AMAZINGLY GOOD
Enjoyment: AMAZING
Ebook length: 5245
******************
www.romancenoveljunkies.com <----- visit here authors & readers. While you’re there check out link to Facebook group with 800 members consisting of authors and readers. Hope to see you there.
Lydia has started working for a new advertising company and pretty much keeps to herself by keeping everyone at a distance, especially her boss, Ryder. Lydia feels an attraction for Ryder that she down plays as well as ignores him any chance she gets. Ryder feels fed up and frustrated. Since Lydia's arrival to his company, Ryder looks forward to seeing her each morning and tries everything for her to notice him. Nothing is working, so for Ryder desperate times calls for desperate measures. He has an advertising account that he will need to travel for and he will get Lydia to go with him and be his right hand on the job. He has not told Lydia that it is at an exclusive erotic resort. This trip sets events in motion for both Ryder and Lydia on the resort and home at figuring out their relationship at work and in their private life.
This book was a big WOW for me. The moment I read the first page and Ryder's thoughts, I knew I was going to enjoy this book. I thought this story was so so so so good. Ryder was a super Alpha male; he was so possessive, obsessive, and paranoid when it came to Lydia and I loved it. All this was new to Ryder, he is so use to the females throwing themselves at him, that he was out of his element when it came to Lydia. He was working so hard at trying to impress Lydia that it drove him crazy, literally. Lydia has her reasons for keeping Ryder at a distance when it came to office romance. Her past with family and the last guy she dated left her not feeling emotionally good. Throughout the book, as much as she wanted Ryder, she was busy trying to evade Ryder's advances that it drove her crazy as well. This was a good read for me and when you throw in a crazy mother and father, a horny client and his wife and an ex boyfriend it makes for a good read.
Sexually this book was raunchy and good. Ryder’s name suited him perfectly and sexually. The book delivered on its genre; it is an erotica contemporary, so no complaints from me. Ryder uses many unethical things to get Lydia, but he was a man on a mission and in the end, it paid off for him, so I really enjoyed this book. I already purchase more of the author's books and cannot wait to read more. The author definitely has a writing style that falls into my reading style.
Storyline: GOOD
Intimacy: AMAZINGLY GOOD
Enjoyment: AMAZING
Ebook length: 5245
******************
www.romancenoveljunkies.com <----- visit here authors & readers. While you’re there check out link to Facebook group with 800 members consisting of authors and readers. Hope to see you there.
May 30, 2014
I know everyone has read this story already. I just read it recently.
This is Lydia and Ryder’s story.
This is a great story and excellent, engrossing read. However, I routed for Ryder in this story, he does everything under the sun to win this woman and just when they are both on the same page, she lets her insecurity, doubt, lack of trust stifle the relationship. She over hears and a conversation with Ryder and his parents and instead of eavesdropping on the whole conversation she only hears a part of it and judges Ryder after all the love he shown her without giving him a chance to explain. I wanted to give Lydia a good slapping for that!!
A great read!
This is Lydia and Ryder’s story.
This is a great story and excellent, engrossing read. However, I routed for Ryder in this story, he does everything under the sun to win this woman and just when they are both on the same page, she lets her insecurity, doubt, lack of trust stifle the relationship. She over hears and a conversation with Ryder and his parents and instead of eavesdropping on the whole conversation she only hears a part of it and judges Ryder after all the love he shown her without giving him a chance to explain. I wanted to give Lydia a good slapping for that!!
A great read!
May 3, 2012
3.5 Stars
Don't get me wrong, i enjoyed this book a lot.
From the hero saying "MINE MINE MINE" all the time and the oh-la-la scenes... that got me all hot and bothered. LOL
But the story is nothing new.
It felt that I have read something like this just months ago.
Don't get me wrong, i enjoyed this book a lot.
From the hero saying "MINE MINE MINE" all the time and the oh-la-la scenes... that got me all hot and bothered. LOL
But the story is nothing new.
It felt that I have read something like this just months ago.
June 2, 2025
2.5 stars
This is my first Shara Azod read, but I have read Eve Vaughn before with mixed results. This one started out ok, got interesting and fun in toward the middle and then fell off of the book cliff with a quarter of the book left. Ryder and Lydia made a pretty balanced couple and they had chemistry. Their love never felt that deep (a lot of the "falling in love" moments were referred to instead of being written), but it wasn't instant. I have to go pro/con for the rest.
Pros: Ryder was the kind of character you can't really be indifferent about. I liked him, but aggressive/possessive/bossy works for me. Vaughn's heros are best compared to Lynda Chance's if that helps
This was a full length novel, not short/no tbc
Lydia actually seemed good at her job (not a lot of that in romance, lol)
No triangles, VS angels showing up from Ryder's past
The couple was fun to read about
Cons: Lydia was called strong, but since when does strong = self deceptive person who turns into a stammering waterpot when confronted with truth?
The BIG misunderstanding was so trite and drawn out... it didn't even call for a long conversation and it just made Lydia seem flakey
Personal, but "see you next Tuesday" will never be sexy to me.
This was a 3.5 star read until the last chapters. It lost a star for the out of left field igno
This is my first Shara Azod read, but I have read Eve Vaughn before with mixed results. This one started out ok, got interesting and fun in toward the middle and then fell off of the book cliff with a quarter of the book left. Ryder and Lydia made a pretty balanced couple and they had chemistry. Their love never felt that deep (a lot of the "falling in love" moments were referred to instead of being written), but it wasn't instant. I have to go pro/con for the rest.
Pros: Ryder was the kind of character you can't really be indifferent about. I liked him, but aggressive/possessive/bossy works for me. Vaughn's heros are best compared to Lynda Chance's if that helps
This was a full length novel, not short/no tbc
Lydia actually seemed good at her job (not a lot of that in romance, lol)
No triangles, VS angels showing up from Ryder's past
The couple was fun to read about
Cons: Lydia was called strong, but since when does strong = self deceptive person who turns into a stammering waterpot when confronted with truth?
The BIG misunderstanding was so trite and drawn out... it didn't even call for a long conversation and it just made Lydia seem flakey
Personal, but "see you next Tuesday" will never be sexy to me.
This was a 3.5 star read until the last chapters. It lost a star for the out of left field igno
July 6, 2012
You know I really tried with this book. For me they had sex way to soon before they really even knew each other and then Lydia kept pushing him away I started to get real impatient with her. She just kept over thinking everything thing most of the book was about Ryder trying to convince her to be with him. It just wasn't romantic enough. I can see some ups and downs but this chic was really getting on my nerves. I did finish the book and it had a great ending.
May 13, 2019
Shara Azod and Eve Vaughn are two great authoress on my list. I did enjoy Ryder and Lydia’s but I felt like Lydia’s insecurities were too much. Ryder showed her over and over again his love for her but she acted so standoffish too many times to count. His parents were the worst. All in all, I stil enjoyed the story and would recommend checking it out.
March 4, 2024
Hostile Takeover reads like a bad porn script that is trying desperately to be a romance novel. The main characters interactions are ridiculous to the point of distraction.
Plot development is lacking, the characters are unrealistic, and the writing is just okay.
It also should be noted that the novel was a collaboration between Eve Vaughn and Shara Izod. The chapter text that each author wrote was obvious and didn't convincingly gel as one voice.
Plot development is lacking, the characters are unrealistic, and the writing is just okay.
It also should be noted that the novel was a collaboration between Eve Vaughn and Shara Izod. The chapter text that each author wrote was obvious and didn't convincingly gel as one voice.
July 25, 2020
This started out ok but then got more ridiculous towards the end. Lydia started getting annoying and the main conflict was so stupid I just couldn't finish it 😩
April 15, 2011
This is an awesome story from the erotica genre. In my experience erotica fall significantly short in the actual character and and story development which hampers the impact of the story for me. Well. take heart because this is a rare find because it has both! The main character Ryder is an alpha male with a capital A. He wants his Lydia and will do just about anything to get her. In the real world he would make a woman train on the shooting range and hire a security detail but in the romance game it is certainly a fun read. So you will have to suspend a bit of disbelief and put away your can of mace before you can read this but it is worth it. Lydia wants Ryder but she has had her fair share of loser men and a rocky childhood to help keep her guards up. Now this is an adult read but the overall story really makes this one worth reading. This collaboration really worked and I hope to see more from these two authors.
January 18, 2013
The only reason this got 3 stars from is because the love scenes were DAMN FINE! The alpha was way to alpha and then way to sensitive all at once it was confusing and annoying. The heroine was another female that i just wanted to slap across the face and scream if only i had a man pursuing me like that I would not be such a bitch, and at the same time I would put up a wall too if some guy pronounces his love and devotion before asking the woman if she feels the same let alone take her out on a date before he drags her to meet the family. The sex and the epilogue, saved it for me, other than that it was too much, way too soon.
March 19, 2013
Hostile Takeover displayed a complex alpha male trying desperately to woo the woman of his dreams, who happens to be an employee. Ryder's alpha and take charge personality was believable (adult sex resort withstanding) as he used manipulation and domination to maneuver Lydia to his bed. The sex scenes are hot, the story line was believable, characters were fleshed out sufficiently - though as usual I'd like some more backbone in the female lead as not ALL women take kindly to an overbearing boss/boyfriend. Great read, why $6 though? Ah well, it was worth it!
July 24, 2014
A suspension of reality
This just didn't work for me.
The hero was not sexy but borderline psycho and narcissistic (heavy on the sexual harassment). His description of the heroine (onyx complexion, big booty that begs to be fondled, lips so large, huge ta tas) just made me feel some kind of way (and not positive). I think this was the first IR book in which I was squeamish throughout the book.
By the way, the racist parents, um okay, sure.
This just didn't work for me.
The hero was not sexy but borderline psycho and narcissistic (heavy on the sexual harassment). His description of the heroine (onyx complexion, big booty that begs to be fondled, lips so large, huge ta tas) just made me feel some kind of way (and not positive). I think this was the first IR book in which I was squeamish throughout the book.
By the way, the racist parents, um okay, sure.
September 28, 2017
Nice job 3.25 stars
The beginning was very interesting, the middle was hot and the sex was crazy good, although a bit mushy at times. At around 60% it kinda started to put me to sleep and didn't really pick back up again until about 80%. So other than that really slow, not much of anything, but inner dialogue hoopla it was a good story and touched base on such a taboo subject very well.
The beginning was very interesting, the middle was hot and the sex was crazy good, although a bit mushy at times. At around 60% it kinda started to put me to sleep and didn't really pick back up again until about 80%. So other than that really slow, not much of anything, but inner dialogue hoopla it was a good story and touched base on such a taboo subject very well.
September 16, 2011
An enjoyable read with likable characters. The hero, Ryder came off a bit strong but because Ms. Vaughn gave us his inner dialogue as a reader I was better able to understand his actions. Our heroine Lydia was a mess but I liked her all the same, especially her ability to admit when she was wrong. Worth a read.
October 4, 2012
yes i really wanted to love this book... but all i could see was another IR selling a black woman to cheap...i am about to give up on the whole genera... but i did like the writing... so i was going to give it three star.. and even that i could not do. Lydia had no sense of respect nor pride...goodness another TSTL heroine.
October 4, 2014
4.25 stars. Great Story. Ryder Garrison was a man who knew who he wanted and went for her; Lydia, the object of his affection was wounded and had trust issues. I enjoyed the story, there was plenty of back ground given on the main characters and the storyline was not too bogged down with Lydia's melt downs.
February 16, 2011
Let's just say I loved reading it.
April 22, 2012
Oh I just couldn't get enough. I was drawn in by the time I finished the excerpt in the first page. I would mind meeting him if only for one night.
May 15, 2012
Enjoyed it so much!!! Alpha male getting the woman he wants! Fabulous!!
September 28, 2013
I love IR books but this was just another very tiring book about a black woman jumping to conclusions and being TSTL.
January 2, 2016
went back and forth between 3 and 4, the story stayed with me so I went with 4
June 6, 2015
Loved this book. Down to the very last word. It was entertaining as well educational. Vaughn penned words that I've never even seen before.
December 4, 2015
hi how are you today ? I am filling fine and you?Goodeveryting is gioo
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews