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Ultimate #2

Ultimate Surrender

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CEO and mercenary Lucian Silver is desperate to keep his defense company afloat. Taking on meddling investors was his last resort. But the mere presence of Cassandra Porterson and her watchful eye makes his blood boil—and his temperature rise. As much as he wants to hate her, he can't deny their irresistible attraction. And when Lucian discovers that Cassandra is far from the enemy he thought, he finally begins to let down his guard.

Then tragedy strikes, and Cassandra is more in danger than he could have imaged. It's up to Lucian to save the woman he didn't want around—and now cannot live without. But can Lucian fight for love when terror is knocking down his door?

Published June 29, 2016

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About the author

Lydia Rowan

25 books46 followers
Author now goes by the name Kaye Blue

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5 stars
130 (35%)
4 stars
126 (34%)
3 stars
78 (21%)
2 stars
22 (6%)
1 star
6 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
Profile Image for SassafrasfromAmazon.
1,077 reviews72 followers
February 10, 2023
4.0⭐️Oh, so many books, so little time, so little tracking set up for older purchased books. (LMAO)

NB: This book I purchased in 2017 has a different cover, and it’s authored by Kaye Blue. I also note in later books, both their names are on the titles (maybe a pseudonym).

The read was the second of the Ultimate series, but I suspect they can be read as stand-alone offerings. The H/h from the first book are mentioned in this one. This was a fairly interesting romantic suspense with Alpha male, Lucian Silver, who wants to do everything his way and resents having to push papers and read reports generated by Cassandra, among other duties. Cassandra was hired by Lucian's brother to keep the do all in her power to keep the stockholders happy and keep the the mercenaries accountable. Cassandra, who hates the nickname Cassie (and you know Lucian calls her that at every opportunity) is my kind of woman. She is an "I will NOT show that I am rattled," and I emphatically will NOT back down from one, Lucian, not matter their mutual attraction. I just love a black heroine like that. She's intelligent and quick-thinking. You won't find a sniveling, milk- toast of a black woman who will fall into bed with a man at the drop of a hat. Love it!!!!

I only really have one major pet peeve--next to nothing is known about Cassandra, and I wanted to know what gave her such fortitude and in her background shaped to be the woman she has become.

There were several subtexts here that added an extra dimension to the suspense, and were given snippets of information germane to the other mercenaries at Silver Industries. I look forward to reading about them and the women they love. These are all BWWM books I believe.
2,975 reviews
November 2, 2017
First time reading this author and loved it

Cassandra is the liaison between the shareholders and Silvers Industries. Lucian is the boss at Silvers which is a defense company that employs mercenaries. He can’t stand to have someone constantly looking over his shoulder. Cassandra is only doing her job and they are constantly going head to head over things. They fight the attraction until they can no longer and they heat up the sheets. When Cassandra is targeted by crazies, Lucian will do anything to keep her safe.
Great story. A little bitty cliffhanger. Smoking hot sex. Practically enemies to lovers. Suspense. And mystery.
Profile Image for Lynnai .
626 reviews
March 6, 2018
Office romance

This was my first read by this author and I enjoyed it. I was just a little confused about the whole stalker situation. There was a lot of build up but when the stalker was revealed it was pretty anticlimactic. Then the whole thing with Cassandra as a hostage was unnecessary in my opinion. I liked Lucian and Cassandra. This book had the right amount of sex and dialogue. The only disappointing thing to me was the stalker and hostage situation. Is there a part two? What's going on with Damien?
Profile Image for Patricia M Lewis.
256 reviews
August 8, 2021
Enjoyed this book

I'm not quite sure why I only gave this book four stars but it just didn't hit five for me. Romantic suspense is my thing and even though there were two separate suspense issues they were both there and over with in a flash. Not a strong character development, no real detail development and definitely the intrigue was just weak. Sex was there but not why I was reading this book so I didn't care.
Profile Image for Shauntavia McIntyre-Arnold.
339 reviews5 followers
December 17, 2019
I loved this book

She's there to help his company being the person in the middle between him and the shareholders, he's there when she needs him most. With the time they spend with each other they become close and their feelings grow stronger when Lucian almost loses Cassandra twice.
1,068 reviews
May 9, 2020
Good story

****Ultimate Surrender by Kaye Blue: good story
This storyline was good, with a slow burn, then steamy passion. Danger and threats emerge as the story progresses, but this story wraps up with a nice HEA, except for a bit of a cliffhanger leading into the next book. Note: the pace felt a bit slow in the beginning, but soon picked up.
—PTators
Profile Image for Barbara R. Cady.
1,005 reviews3 followers
November 6, 2017
Good read

This book had lots of action, some twists, and of course, lots of sex. Characters were good. Story was good and have you a lead into the next of the series. I was glad that it could kid of stand on it's own though.
Profile Image for Andrea Mccormick.
1,005 reviews1 follower
November 16, 2017
Wow

I loved this storyline!! What a great story, sometimes getting someone all riled up is just a way to say you like them. The ending was not was I was expecting. Can't wait to read more.
2 reviews
October 19, 2017
Very good storyline

Loved the way the story ran Lucian and Cassandra had awesome chemistry loved the way they tried to fight their attraction was unable too also loved the danger
Profile Image for Joanna.
61 reviews
November 4, 2017
Easy to get into

Enjoyed the introduction and it kept me reading until the end.
Great raunchy sex.
Will look for the next book.
Profile Image for Kim Mobsby.
191 reviews
November 11, 2017
Great book

I really enjoyed this book and I loved how they found each other and fell in love can t wait to read more by this author.
1,253 reviews4 followers
December 1, 2017
Hot

Action Packed. HOT and steamy! Overall story was really done well. Excellent proofreading, no cheating, no cliffhanger and great cover too!
Profile Image for HELEN CLAWSON.
41 reviews
December 7, 2017
Ultimate Surrender

Excellent, well written, not all about sex. A very good love story with danger written in. Lucien and Cassandra was exceptional from the beginning.
18 reviews
January 17, 2018
Thrills

This book provided not only an intense and suspenseful part but also a sexually riveting part also. A series that needs to be read
75 reviews1 follower
April 25, 2018
Action Packed

Lucien and Cassie were both strong personalities who had good banter. The story was overall suspenseful and the characters interesting.
131 reviews
June 25, 2018
Ultimate Surrender

A great story with lots of hot men with mucho testosterone. A hot woman who likes to keep her man on his toes.
39 reviews
November 21, 2017
Romance and some adventure with a splash of danger

I really enjoyed the writing. The easy flow of the book and great story kept me interested. And the unfinished intrigue segues into the next book. Complete story with a HEA ending.
Profile Image for Lisa Menor.
783 reviews15 followers
June 25, 2016
I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Lucian is a mercenary, a defense contractor and the CEO of Silver Industries. Typical ALPHA male, handsome and assertive.
Cassandra is contained and in control, mostly, and the checks and balances girl. The one tasked to keep Silver Industries accountable by being the liaison between Lucian and the shareholders. Lucian and Cassandra rarely see eye to eye.
He rubs her the wrong way and she pushes all his buttons; although he wouldn't mind rubbing against her and undoing all her buttons. Everyone around them sees the attraction, but they both think the other is not interested. How could they be? With the endless arguing and then constantly trying to avoid each other, it doesn't seem possible. Oh, and let's not forget the sexual tension. There's plenty of that.
After a unexpected incident, Lucian realizes how protective he has become towards Cassandra, not out of obligation, but out of irrepressible need. The need to take care of what is his. The two are thrown together and as one bad situation has just been avoided, another may not be too far off.
I loved the dynamic between Lucian and Cassandra ! When they were in working mode, it was all business, but playtime was playtime. HOT, STEAMY PLAYTIME ! GREAT STORYLINE THAT KEPT MY INTEREST ! These two were like moths to a flame !
GREAT CHARACTERS ! I can't wait to read more about Adam, Sloan, Seth and Damien....especially Damien...
THIS IS A DEFINITE ONE-CLICK ! ! !
Profile Image for Nikki Brooks.
3,320 reviews49 followers
June 28, 2016
This new series has began with a bang!!! Lucian may be the boss at Silver Industries but that doesn't mean he always gets his way. If so Cassandra would not be in his company. He feels he has lost control after having outside investors come in and now this interfering, intriguing woman is everywhere!! It wouldn't be so bad if he didn't find her as hot as heck.

Cassandra just wants to do her job. She understands that Lucian is uncharted waters with her but that's his problem! She was hired to do a job and everyone else at the company gets along with her just fine. But that lust-inducing, panty melting grin of his drives her nuts!

But when a stalker starts to threaten Cassandra, Lucian becomes her knight in armour.

The the sexual attraction between Cassandra and Lucian is palpable and totally HAWT! The rapport between the operatives and their boss is also fun and they can obviously see that Cass and Lucian can't! A book that reads like a movie is brilliant as you zip along at a good brisk pace. GIMME MORE!!!
Profile Image for Julie Jefferies.
371 reviews3 followers
June 25, 2016
Lucian can't help himself, no matter if Cassandra is annoying him, he can't help his attraction to her. Cassandra finds Lucian infuriating, but as fast as he makes her mad, he also turns her on. After two years of flirtatious animosity Cassandra is sure this is how it will always be. Cassandra is frightened one night after an incident in the carpark and runs into Lucian. When he sees the fear in her eyes he helps her out, this leads them to both realize they want the same thing. Cassandra discovers she has a stalker when she is held at gunpoint at her favorite coffee house. Despite Cassandra being safe, it has left Lucian with an edgy feeling that something is missing.
I really enjoyed this book, I loved the sexual tension between Cassandra and Lucian, I also enjoyed the camaraderie between the staff at Silver Industries. Lydia has done a fantastic job of making the characters so real. If you enjoy Anna Hackett and Adrienne Bell, then you will also enjoy Lydia's style of writing as well.
I received an ARC for an honest and fair review
Profile Image for Mignon Mykel.
Author 87 books677 followers
June 29, 2016
From the very first moment, I was drawn to Lucian and Cass (who, I have to say, I love when Lucian calls her Cassie just to rile her up). Sure, the first couple of paragraphs throw the reader right into the story, and without any sort of background on who our characters are and what exactly Silver Industries is or does, left me terribly confused, but the characters themselves with their bickering was so incredibly fun.

Eventually the bicker turns to banter. And to be honest, the bicker is simply because both of these people are fighting an immense attraction to one another but...

Watching these two fall into one another and accept the attraction was so much fun to read. Add to the mix a greatly woven suspense line...

This was a great read, and the set-up for the next book has me excited to read it!

*ARC received in exchange for an honest review
Profile Image for Shelly Celli.
2,244 reviews6 followers
July 1, 2016
Received copy from author for honest review.

Very good story, would have liked a few more details about the situations, but enjoyed it all the same. Can't wait to see what happens with Damien in the next book.


Lucian and Cassandra have been skirting around their feelings for more than two years. Cassandra was hired by Lucian's brother Damien to be the liaison between their company and the board members. Lucian resents her being there and even though all she's doing is her job, he does his best to refuse her. After quite a few scary instances, Lucian realizes just how much she means to him and how afraid he is of losing her. Problem is, there's a danger out there that wants nothing more than to see Lucian and Damien pay and Cassandra finds herself in the middle of it, psychos and all.
Profile Image for BreakingtheEpigraph.
1,179 reviews13 followers
July 10, 2016
Another good read from Ms. Lydia Rowan, the chemistry between Lucian Silver and Cassandra Porterson was hot from the beginning. Everyone in the company was aware and could see the attraction brewing between the two and would upon on occasion tease them respectfully.

Cassandra was unaware that she was being stalked, by a former classmate, Tammy who was obsessed with her. Cassandra leaves Lucian after spending several wonderful days with him at his penthouse to put some distance between them and to spend some time at her favorite place to have tea on the rooftop. Things downhill fast, Cassandra is almost kidnapped and the woman was going to kidnap her kills herself. Lucian drops everything for his lady-love and rushes to be by her side.

Lydia Rowan has given us a story with fully developed characters and plot.

This is an ARC review, and this is how I see it.
Profile Image for Gladys Mills.
1,963 reviews8 followers
July 8, 2016
Surrender. I received the book as an ARC member in return for an honest review. This book was not as good as the first one. Too many times the author goes into dreamland with Cassandra and Lucian. Too much of what they wanted or dreaming of in their heads. I enjoyed the story when it focused on who was following Cassandra. It took a while to find out who and why Cassandra gets kidnapped. The guys at Silver Industries are great and resourceful in getting information. I was shocked and surprised at the way they got Cassandra away from the kidnapper. I liked the story a lot.
Profile Image for Christina.
823 reviews8 followers
June 28, 2016
I received this book as an ARC and I LOVED it!! The chemistry between Cassandra and Lucian was explosive!! Cassie who works for Mr. Silver tries to stuff down her feelings for her handsome boss. And he tries the same as well. But they can't keep their hands off of each other. Meanwhile, Cassie is being stalked by a nut and Lucian is there to save the day Lots of steamy scenes and suspense as well.
Profile Image for Chris Teall.
1 review
June 29, 2016
Fantastic read from Ms. Lydia Rowan, the characters Lucian Silver and Cassandra Porterson are tantalizing as a couple. From the beginning Cassandra tried to resist the attraction and so does Lucian, which makes the read all the better.

The story line is fast moving, and Ms. Rowan leads us through a lot of twists and turns. Which leads to a satisfying ending.

Very enjoyable read, does not disappoint with lots of action and steamy romance.
Profile Image for Mspraise50.
1,597 reviews65 followers
July 31, 2016
I have enjoyed all the books I have read by this author and this book was no different.

I loved the chemistry and how the couple tried to fight their attraction to each other and lost that war. This was a very enjoyable read and I look forward to reading the rest of this series. I would recommend this a a good read.
1 review
June 25, 2016
This is a great book to read. I can't wait for the next one in the series. This book has suspense and keeps you guessing about what will happen next. Lydia Rowan has now become one of my favorite authors.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews

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