I read book three in Rebecca Zanetti's Sin Brothers series - Blind Faith - last May and gave it a four star review. When the opportunity arose to review Total Surrender, I was happy to find out what was in store for Jory, the fourth Dean brother. Published by Forever and released on March 31st, this romantic suspense novel has a fast-paced, action-filled plot that had me completely entertained!
Check the book out with me. I've got an excerpt (with foul language) for you, and a giveaway from the publisher too!
The Book
A fight he must win . . .
Piper Oliver knows she can't trust him. They warned her that the tall, dark, and sexy black-ops soldier Jory Dean would try to win her over with his steel-gray eyes and deadly charm, but she won't be conned by this man they call a traitor. All she has to do is figure out the science necessary to save his life, and she's done. Something isn't adding up, though, and she won't rest until she uncovers the truth-even if it's buried in his deep, dangerous kiss.
A passion she can't resist . . .
Jory will do anything to reunite with and save his brothers-even kidnap the gorgeous woman who's working to deactivate the deadly chip in their spines. But the forces determined to destroy his family won't let them go so easily. Keeping Piper alive is more than he bargained for-and so is his burning desire for her. But with every second bringing him closer to certain death, can he afford to lose himself in her hot and willing embrace?
Piper Oliver knows she can't trust him. They warned her that the tall, dark, and sexy black-ops soldier Jory Dean would try to win her over with his steel-gray eyes and deadly charm, but she won't be conned by this man they call a traitor. All she has to do is figure out the science necessary to save his life, and she's done. Something isn't adding up, though, and she won't rest until she uncovers the truth-even if it's buried in his deep, dangerous kiss.
A passion she can't resist . . .
Jory will do anything to reunite with and save his brothers-even kidnap the gorgeous woman who's working to deactivate the deadly chip in their spines. But the forces determined to destroy his family won't let them go so easily. Keeping Piper alive is more than he bargained for-and so is his burning desire for her. But with every second bringing him closer to certain death, can he afford to lose himself in her hot and willing embrace?
Total Surrender is available now!
“Madison? I have one week to live. For once, have a heart and let me live out my last days.” It was the closest he’d come to asking the brilliant scientist for anything after she’d started hitting on him when he’d reached puberty. She had a record for playing with cadets, and he’d kept his distance, as had his brothers, he was sure.
“I didn’t raise you to be a quitter. Don’t worry. I have a plan,” she said.
As usual, he’d have to work against her. He shoved a hand through his hair, which had begun to curl at his nape.
“What’s the plan?” If he was going to figure out a way to save his brothers, he had to get out of there.
“For one thing, I’d like to schedule you for another MRI. Your brain is functioning . . . abnormally.” She stared at his forehead as if she could see into his gray matter, her lip curling. “I’m having a PET scan set up for later today, also.”
Fuck, shit, and damn it all to hell. He couldn’t let her discover his special abilities, nor those of his brothers. They’d succeeded for years in hiding the very skills that had kept them alive. But ever since the coma, something new percolated in his mind. Something he apparently couldn’t hide now.
“You’ve been doing scans for months. Nothing is different.”
“The scans from last week are different.” She tapped a red fingernail against her lips.
Yeah. His best guess was that new paths had been forged in his brain during the coma, and a weird tingling in his lobe had begun the previous week. Maybe it was his special abilities increasing in power, or maybe it was something new. Either way, he had to mask the truth.
Two heartbeats echoed from outside the room, so he tilted his head to hear better while trying to appear bored. Dr. Madison had no clue about his heightened senses or his extra abilities, and he needed to keep it that way.
A soldier entered first, followed by a woman in her mid-twenties, who slid out from behind him.
Jory’s breath caught in his throat. Exquisite Jory’s breath caught in his throat. Exquisite. For once, that word could be applied accurately. She stood to about five foot six in black boots wearing a matching leather jacket. Light mocha-colored skin, curly black hair, and eyes greener than the most private parts of Ireland.
She took one look at him and stepped back.
He moved forward and flashed a smile that made her eyes widen. If he had to scare her to make her leave, he’d do it.
Anybody seeing him in captivity would be killed by the commander after serving their purpose. So he forced sexual tension to filter through the room.
How he could do it, he wasn’t sure. Maybe pheromones and bodily heat waves, and the ability came easier now than it had before the coma. It was a hell of an advantage to use sometimes, and he ignored Madison’s quick intake of breath when he employed it.
“Is she for me?” he asked, forcing his gaze to run over the newcomer’s body and surprising himself when he hardened in response. God. He’d been on a mission and then in a coma for two years before spending time in captivity recuperating. When was the last time he’d gotten laid? Way too long ago.
He’d always liked women, although he’d never gotten close to one. Not really. They were either part of a mission or worked as doctors in the facility, and those certainly couldn’t be trusted.
This one was petite with delicate bone structure and clear, intelligent eyes. Whatever her purpose, she sure as hell didn’t belong in the dismal place. Hopefully she’d turn on her heel and get out since he’d leered at her.
Instead she lifted one eyebrow. Her face flushed. “So that’s him.”
Well, damn. Another angel with the heart of a demon. A pang landed squarely in Jory’s chest. Beauty should never be evil. “Yeah, that’s me,” he murmured, dropping the sensual attack. “Who are you?”
She opened her mouth and shut it as Dr. Madison shook her head. “It doesn’t matter who she is,” Madison muttered. Grasping the woman’s arm, Madison led her over to a computer console. “Get to work, and remember the rules.”
The woman jerked free and stepped away from Madison. She eyed Madison like an opponent in a boxing ring—with wariness and determination.
Jory frowned, and his instincts started to hum. Was the woman a prisoner, like him? Maybe he could gain them both freedom, with her help. She was outside of the cage, now wasn’t she? He smiled.
Dr. Madison glanced back toward Jory, her gaze narrowing. “Leave her alone to work, and I won’t have you tranquilized again.” With that, she allowed the soldier to escort her from the room, and the door nicked shut behind her.
The woman sat at the console and turned toward him. “Piper. My name is Piper.” She eyed the partition. Her voice was smooth and sexy . . . feminine. She guarded her expression well. “They didn’t give me your name.”
Yeah. They wouldn’t have thought to give his name. “Jory.” He really liked the way her tight jeans hugged her curves, and he appreciated the intelligence sizzling in those spectacular eyes. She’d have to be smart to help him escape.
“Why are you here, Piper?”
She exhaled slowly and stretched out her fingers. “I’m here to save you, Jory.”
My Review
Total Surrender picks up right where Blind Faith left off - youngest Dean brother Jory is being held by the evil Commander, and has recently awoken from a two year coma. There's a couple of big issues in the air right now - who shot Jory and put him in the coma in the first place, and can the Dean brothers shut down the chips implanted by their spines that are counting down to a kill date?
Jory's a genius and the lives of his brothers rest on his capable shoulders. If only he could get free of his cage.... Enter Piper, the Commander's daughter. She's recently started working for him and she is *also* a computer whiz (or hacker, as the book reminds us repeatedly).
Total Surrender absolutely exceeds expectations on the action and suspense fronts. There's enough action, gunfights, explosions and the like to fill a blockbuster movie. I was riveted by the story, eager to find out what resolution the Dean brothers story would reach. Now, I've only read two of the books in this series, and because of how connected the overall arc of the brothers is, I wouldn't go back to re-read the two I've missed. Something to keep in mind if you want to jump into the Sin Brothers series!
Unfortunately, the romance fell a little flat for me. The biggest part of my issue with it was that Jory constantly rubbed me the wrong way. He was a bit too caveman-y and slightly on the condescending side for my tastes. His attitude towards Piper seemed to acknowledge that she was smart, but then be "Of course, I'm smarter. And the fact that she tries so hard at things that she sucks so much at? Adorable!" I wanted Piper to suddenly pull out ninja skills and kick his ass. There was one point where I tried to get on board with something he'd said about her preferring someone controlling in bed and overprotective out of it. I was like... okay, I can get on board with a bit dominant between the sheets, and then really wants to keep her safe. But then it seemed being overprotective actually meant that if he decided she had to be sent somewhere else, packaged in bubble wrap - regardless of her opinion, that would happen. Ick. Ick ick ick.
Piper was placed in a position where I felt she had no options, no choices, and I did not like that. I also didn't like that Jory wasn't more respectful of Piper's modesty. I could accept once in the name of the mission, but there were at least two occasions where he put the mission ahead of considering her potential embarrassment and that was not cool.
So... on enjoyment factor, I was maybe a 2 on the romance and a 5 on the action and meta-plot.
Jory's a genius and the lives of his brothers rest on his capable shoulders. If only he could get free of his cage.... Enter Piper, the Commander's daughter. She's recently started working for him and she is *also* a computer whiz (or hacker, as the book reminds us repeatedly).
Total Surrender absolutely exceeds expectations on the action and suspense fronts. There's enough action, gunfights, explosions and the like to fill a blockbuster movie. I was riveted by the story, eager to find out what resolution the Dean brothers story would reach. Now, I've only read two of the books in this series, and because of how connected the overall arc of the brothers is, I wouldn't go back to re-read the two I've missed. Something to keep in mind if you want to jump into the Sin Brothers series!
Unfortunately, the romance fell a little flat for me. The biggest part of my issue with it was that Jory constantly rubbed me the wrong way. He was a bit too caveman-y and slightly on the condescending side for my tastes. His attitude towards Piper seemed to acknowledge that she was smart, but then be "Of course, I'm smarter. And the fact that she tries so hard at things that she sucks so much at? Adorable!" I wanted Piper to suddenly pull out ninja skills and kick his ass. There was one point where I tried to get on board with something he'd said about her preferring someone controlling in bed and overprotective out of it. I was like... okay, I can get on board with a bit dominant between the sheets, and then really wants to keep her safe. But then it seemed being overprotective actually meant that if he decided she had to be sent somewhere else, packaged in bubble wrap - regardless of her opinion, that would happen. Ick. Ick ick ick.
Piper was placed in a position where I felt she had no options, no choices, and I did not like that. I also didn't like that Jory wasn't more respectful of Piper's modesty. I could accept once in the name of the mission, but there were at least two occasions where he put the mission ahead of considering her potential embarrassment and that was not cool.
So... on enjoyment factor, I was maybe a 2 on the romance and a 5 on the action and meta-plot.
The Bottom Line:
Total Surrender is a satisfying fourth episode in the Sin Brothers series. I enjoyed learning more about what happened to Jory, landing him in a coma and back in the Commander's clutches. I'm intrigued by the possibilities left open for additional books in the series (or a related series), but I was left a little disappointed in the romance element. Still, I realize a lot of that disappointment was personal preference, and because I was still very entertained - 4 stars!
4 stars
For fans of alpha males, action, romantic suspense
4 stars
For fans of alpha males, action, romantic suspense
About the Author
Growing up amid the glorious backdrops and winter wonderlands of the Pacific Northwest has given Rebecca fantastic scenery and adventures to weave into her stories. She resides in the wild north with her husband, children, and extended family who inspire her every day-or at the very least give her plenty of characters to write about.
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