Into The Night Book Reviews: Release Blitz: Blissful Surrender (Bliss #3) by B.J. Harvey

I've been waiting, waiting, waiting for the chance to read more about Sean Miller and I have to say, I have NOT been disappointed. Blissful Surrender by B.J. Harvey is a fabulous addition to the Bliss Series.

This is a story of Sean Miller, a dom that will have your panties diving for cover with an eyebrow quirk. That will have even the strongest woman dropping to their knees in submission with a piercing stare, and Samantha Richards, a female cop who’s tough, seemingly impenetrable shell is strong enough to resist everyone except the one man it was build up to protect her against.

**Disclaimer – If you thought the first two Bliss books were hot, you ain’t seen nothing yet. Creative use of handcuffs, batons, a club scene you have to read to believe, and a tough as nails dominant who is blindsided when the one woman strong enough to disarm him threatens his resolve not to let his past dictate his future.**

Like the other books in the Bliss series, this book can be read as a stand alone. There are common characters in the books but it is not necessary to read the first two books in the series to read this one.

I walk into his twin room and see his temporary roommate for the night—an old man who’s snoring his head off and drooling on his pillow. To be honest, this man looks like he’s in God’s waiting room awaiting his call-up. I walk toward the closed curtain beside him and pull it back to see a somewhat battered, younger version of myself lying in the hospital bed in front of me.

His eyes are closed and I can see an impressive bruise forming over his right eye as well as a cut on his cheek. He’s wearing what looks like the most unattractive hospital gown I’ve ever seen, and he’s hooked up to a blood pressure/heart monitor which is beeping quietly in the corner. There’s an oxygen mask covering his mouth and he’s got a wide white bandage wrapped around his head. I chuckle when I get an image of Humpty Dumpty in my head which is exactly who he looks like right now. Then I realize that it’s the first time I’ve laughed in a long time which fucking sucks.

Ryan’s eyes open and he stares at me, blinking a few times before a frown mars his face.

“Hey, little brother.” I step forward and take a seat in the chair by the bed.

“Hey, big brother,” he says, his voice muffled by the mask.

“What’s the damage?”

“Physically or financially?”

“Ry, what have—”

“It’s bad, Sean. Real bad.”

“How bad?”

“Worse than Detroit, bad. Worse than ever before bad.”

Kate Voegele – Playing With My Heart
Al Green – Let's Stay Together
Nico & Vinz – Am I Wrong
Aloe Blacc – The Man
Calvin Harris – Under Control
Christina Perri – be my forever (feat. ed sheeran)
Clare Bowditch – You Make Me Happy
Coldplay – I Ran Away
P!nk – Run
The Radio – Whatever Gets You Through Today
Daughtry – It's Not Over
Gavin DeGraw – Everything Will Change
Adele – Make You Feel My Love (album)
Colbie Caillat – We Both Know
Blue – Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word - Feat. Elton John
Matchbox Twenty – Bright Lights - Remastered Version
John Newman – Love Me Again
Shakira – Can't Remember to Forget You
Daniel Powter – Bad Day - Acoustic Version Recorded for NRJ
Ronan Keating – I Hope You Dance
Kodaline – Love Like This - Acoustic
Florence + The Machine – You've Got The Love
John Mayer – Who You Love
Rihanna – Jump
RENT Soundtrack – Take Me Or Leave Me
Grace Potter & The Nocturnals – Paris (Ooh La La)
Grace Potter & The Nocturnals – Loneliest Soul
The Weeknd – Wicked Games
Jason Mraz – A Beautiful Mess
Taylor Swift – The Last Time
The National – I Need My Girl
Justin Timberlake – Drink You Away
Avicii – Hey Brother
Little Mix – Move
Anna Nalick – Breathe (2 AM)
Jake Coco – Don't Go (feat. Caitlin Hart)
OneRepublic – Burning Bridges
Capital Cities – Safe And Sound
Ray LaMontagne – Trouble
David Dallas – Runnin'
Lee DeWyze – Me And My Jealousy
James Blunt – Goodbye My Lover
Rihanna – Hate That I Love You
Rihanna – S&M

B.J. Harvey certainly knows how to write a hot and dominant man ... and his name is Sean Miller! I fell in love with Daniel 'Superman' Winters in Temporary Bliss - Book #1 in this series (and he remains my favourite) and it was here that we first met Sean as one of Mac's three friends with benefits. He was rather aloof and mysterious, but there was just something about Sean that was hard not to love (or at the very least, lust after!).

Despite his dominant personality, there is a side to Sean that understands exactly the depth of his feelings for, and connection with, Samantha Richards which means he is not over bearing ... persistent, yes ... clear with his expectations, yes ... but he gets that controlling Sammy in all things is not an option.

Sam is a really interesting character. She is a strong personality in her own right managing a successful career as a police officer - affectionately referred to by her colleagues as "the Ice Queen". Ten years ago she made a decision to end her relationship with Sean on the basis of a rather bitter and twisted perspective of her mother. Sam never really got over the ending of that relationship, nor did Sean, and the two remain single (for all intents and purposes) pining for the unique and intimate connection they once shared.

Sean and Sam reconnect, through a chance meeting between Sam and Ryan, Sean's brother and from the outset Sean is intent on claiming Sam as his own. His approach is a balanced one, recognising the risks of imposing himself too forcefully, even though that goes against all of his dom qualities. He is also clear that life is too short not to take risks:

"Whatever happened in the past belongs in the past. Learn from it, grow, and move on. Don't let it determine your future.

If my parents' deaths taught me anything, it was that life can change on the turn of a dime so you have to live it like it could be your last day on earth."

I am in love with this series and the amazing men that B.J. has created. Blissful Surrender moves at a perfect pace. There were times when I wanted to just smack Sam over the head and tell her to go for it ... I mean seriously, Sean was very well known to her and their attraction was undeniable, what was there to question ;)

I loved the ending, but what I loved even more was the raw emotion we saw from Sean coupled with a willingness to put aside his basic nature in a way that allowed Sam to blossom and recognise what it was she truly wanted.

Cannot wait for book #4 in this series!!

4 out of 5 stars

BJ Harvey is the Amazon Bestselling Author of The Bliss Romantic Comedy Series and The Lost Romantic Suspense Series. An avid music fan, you will always find her with headphones when writing, and the speakers blaring the rest of the time. She’s a wife, a mom to two beautiful children, and a full-time university student. BJ resides with her family in what she considers the best country in the world—New Zealand.