Series Spotlight : Secrets & Surrender by L.G. Castillo

Secrets & Surrender

Part One
by L.G. Castillo

Released:
April 2nd, 2015

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eARC received in exchange of honest review

Synopsis:

Keeping my family's secret meant living in the shadows and guarding my heart. Then Nic Marcelli came into my life with a force I couldn't resist. Devastatingly handsome and way too cocky, he was from a world different from mine – a world of designer clothes, brunches, and fancy cars, a world I didn't understand, a world that would never accept me. 

I fought him and my desire, but in a moment of weakness, I caved. I thought he'd be nothing more than a fling, someone to have fun with until graduation. Then we'd go our separate ways. I was wrong. If I had known then the sacrifices he'd make to stay by my side, I never would’ve surrendered to his love.

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Hoop Earrings!! There it is!! Shalaka Shaka Laka Shaka!

Oh my goodness this was such a fun read!! LOL! Mandi is absolutely to DIE for! Okay…Spoiler alert! Ha ha not really, BUT! Something awful happens in the first chapter and it literally had me thinking “well turds! Should I even keep reading?” Then I decided yes Ria this is L.G. Castillo keep on going let’s see where this goes. The second chapter starts 2 years prior and it took me a tiny bit to get adjusted to what was happening. You know with what happened in chapter one and all. Mandi stole the show her bubbly deeply loving and loyal personality had me from jump. 

This story is told in two POV’s Mandi(the girl I luv) & Nic(Dominic) Mandi’s love interest. From the moment these two met I could not put the book down! In the first installment we follow Mandi & Nic through high school and the effort that Nic put into grabbing Mandi’s attention. The charisma and chemistry was all there. Mandi loves her family deeply and resists Nic for as long as she can because they come from two different worlds. Nic see’s Mandi for the wonderful vibrant loving person she is and he vows to make her his. After some serious plotting and persuading Mandi give Nic her heart. Watching the way these two characters connected was spectacular. I will definitely be reading the next books in this series and I highly recommend this series. 

Though this book wasn’t very long it still had every important component of a great escape. Mandi’s family harbors a secret that haunts her but it is not revealed as of yet. I can’t imagine what it could be. Castillo does a wonderful job of immersing the reader into this wonderful story. I am rooting for Mandi and Nic to make things work against the odds. 

My Rating

4.5 Ranch, Pinto, Birthday, Football, Math Drive In, Brunch, Loving Family, Calus Parents, Prom, College, Together, Moonlit Serenade, Professions of unwavering and undying love filled stars!

Mikki's Review:

I first discovered L.G. Castillo when I read her amazing NA paranormal series. She hooked me from the first chapter! I was excited to find out that she wrote two new NA series.  It took me no time to fall in love with Manuela (Mandi) and Domenic (Nic). Mandi is the kind of heroine I love to cheer for! She has an amazing personality and she's a loyal and incredible friend. The author did a fantastic job with Nic as well. He was irresistibly addictive! He was the perfect person for Mandi. 

Let me start off by saying that I had to read not once, but twice the first chapter!!! I thought that by mistake I started another installment instead of the first one. I had to message my co-blogger to get some  much needed support. My heart was beating so fast!! She told me to keep on reading and that everything would make sense. I read until I could not keep my eyes open anymore!!! Mandi and Nic's story is beautiful, but heartbreaking as well. 

In this first book we follow Mandi and Nic in high school. Nic is the new boy in town and he is the centre of attention wherever he goes. When Mandi first sees him, her world his turned upside down! She can't explain the attraction she has towards him. Mandi plays hard to get at first, but soon enough Nic's irresistible charm sweeps her off her feet! Their relationship grows every single day, but the people that want them apart are starting to take matters into their own hands. You won't be surprised if I tell you that the first installment ends with a major cliffhanger! I was so happy that I had the other two books waiting for me on my reading device!! I could not wait to see what would happen next!!!

L.G. Castillo did a fantastic job at making Mandi and Nic's beautiful love story come alive. Her writing style is captivating and her characters are all fascinating! It was easy to relate to both Mandi and Nic. I'm scared to see what is next for this couple. So many people are against their relationship that it scares me to think about what they would do to separate them. I'm crossing my fingers that I will not have a broken heart in the next book!

Rating:

I give Secrets & Surrender, Part one, by L.G. Castillo, 4.5 romantic, first love, sweet stars!

Secrets & Surrender

Part Two
by L.G. Castillo

Released:
April 24th, 2015

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eARC received in exchange of honest review

Synopsis:

There are moments in your life that you’ll never forget. Meeting Nic Marcelli was one of those moments. With Nic by my side, we'd built a comfortable life filled with college classes, studying, and midnight pizza runs. My new life as a college student was perfect with everyone I loved exactly where I wanted them to be. Then I met Julian, and it all fell apart. 

In a whirlwind, he blew into my life with his solid, muscled arms and unforgettable Aztec tattoos, shattering everything I thought I already knew about myself. I was trapped in a deluge of emotions that should've been impossible for me to feel for anyone but Nic. Confused and terrified, I wondered if I could ever put the pieces of my life back together again, and if I did, would Nic still be a part of it.

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The Lambada is a Sexy Dance

What the WHAT?!! The second installment in this series just whipped by me! Talk about devouring a book and I can tell you about Secrets & Surrender 2. Mandi and Nic move to attend college. Mandi has let Nic into her heart but she is holding back. Her family’s secret looming over her has made her guard her heart. Nic’s past is now very much a part of his and Mandi’s present. Kristie who still has feeling for Nic has become close to Mandi and these two are polar opposites but still fun! Enter the super sexy, super perfect for Mandi Julian. Life throws these two together and something about him stirs feelings from Mandi she doesn’t want to feel. Trusting Nic is a huge leap but he has Mandi’s heart and if she doesn’t surrender she will lose him. 

Mandi is in college with Nic, doing things she’s only ever dreamed of doing. Promising to make things work Mandi throws herself into school and her new job. While a production to help the local high school seems innocent enough, Mandi is secretly loosing her mind. Being from two different worlds has always gotten in the way of Mandi and Nic but now it is leaking into their love. If your not into love triangles beware cause its a pretty heavy topic in this installment. Mandi is here in all her awesomeness kicking butt and taking numbers! She shines once again. 

Another super quick read but so spot on! Castillo captures the emotion and complexity of these characters thoroughly. Getting lost in this series has been an absolute delight. Halfway through this read I had my suspicions, know that by the end the family secret is revealed. The most unbelievable thing happens when Nic betrays Mandi and Julian is there to rescue her! Eeeep talk about a cliff hanger?! Yikes I can’t wait to pick up the next this series has been wonderful I highly recommend it. 

My Rating

4.5 Dorm, Job, Tutoring, Classes, Guitar, Lambada, Aztec Princess, Brother, Tamales, Performance, Frat Party, White Polo, Porsche, Tossing Cookies, Crow Bar, Picnic, Mother, Ultimatum, Flowers, Rain Storm, Wedding, Motorcycle, Betrayal that permeates and penetrates the soul, Heart broken love filled stars!

Mikki's Review:

Oh, mama!

I knew that this second book in the Secret & Surrender series was going to be intense, but it totally took me by surprise! These books are not very long so please keep in mind that this review might contain some spoilers. Trouble is on the way for our beloved couple ... Big trouble!!!!

Mandi and Nic are finally in college and loving it! Until a somebody from Nic's past comes knocking on the door and a new hero comes in to complicate things in Mandi and Nic's relationship. Mandi and Nic have had many ups and downs at the beginning of their relationship, but with Kristie and Julian in the picture things are about to get even more complicated! Their relationship will be tested in the most heartbreaking way. I have to admit that I was not sure how I was going to handle the whole love triangle part. I wanted Mandi and Nic to find their HEA. Kristie and Julian were a menace to that HEA. Kristie totally surprised me. I did not expect to like her so much! She's an interesting character to follow. As for Julian, I'm still trying to figure him out. I'm not #TeamJulian yet. I think it's going to take me some time to get used to his character and his role in this story.

I got all the feels while reading this second part to Mandi and Nic's journey! OMG!!! My heart is in a million pieces right now!!! Mandi revealed her family secret to Nic. He was supportive and she finally let go of her fear of showing him how she really felt about him. I was still waiting for the revelation of what that secrets was when BAMMMMMM!!!! It hit me in the face and broke my heart! OMG!!! The third book is going to be EPIC!!! I can feel it!!!

Rating:

I give Secrets & Surrender, Part two, by L.G. Castillo 4.5 intense, passionate, heartbreaking, page-turning stars!

Secrets & Surrender

Part Three
by L.G. Castillo

Released:
May 15th, 2015

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Source:
Author

eARC received in exchange of honest review

Synopsis:

Nic's love meant everything to me, but his betrayal crushed my soul. In a brief moment of doubt, I left his side and stood alone, drowning in a sea of Juan's anger, Julian's jealousy, and the loneliness of a broken heart. 

Even though Nic regretted what had happened with my mother and vowed to do everything he could to make things right, I couldn't shake the fear that our love wouldn't survive. The entire world seemed to be against us, and I didn't know if I could continue to fight for him. 

A trembling hand, a single bullet, a final breath, and the decision to fight for Nic was made for me.

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Boom!

OH MY GOODNESS!!! Remember that awful thing I mentioned that happened in the first book? Well, it comes back in full technicolor glory and my heart fell to my toes. In the first installment we meet Nic Mandi and follow them through high school. In the second they are off to college and Mandi’s love is tested. In the third Nic makes the most selfless sacrifice and proves to everyone how pure and strong his love is. 

Trust me when I say these serials are wonderful reads! The characters are full of life and their emotions become the readers emotions. These books deal with prejudice and the power of love to overcome the negativity of this world. I cheered and cried for Nic and Mandi. These two wonderful characters touched my heart. I’m so happy with the way things ended there was no doubt! 

I zipped through this read in a blink of an eye and you will too. There are a lot of shocking moments. Revenge and restitution but through everything our main characters stayed true to themselves. I don’t want to touch on too much of the story because I want to keep my review spoiler free. Just know that I’m more than happy with the way things ended and I highly recommend this series. Bravo Castillo!

My Rating

4.5  Tormented, Love, Triumphant Union, Endless and Pure, Promises of Eternity, Understanding, Open Hearted Forgiveness, The Truest of Love Filled Stars!! 

Mikki's Review:

Gahhhhhhh!!

I honesty thought that my heart was not going to survive this last instalment in the Secrets & Surrender series!!!! I was still picking up the pieces of my broken heart (with my virtual dust pan) when I decided to start reading the last book of Mandi and Nic's intense and passionate love story. You will not be disappointed in this one! Secrets are revealed and relationship are tested, but love is strong and Nic will do whatever it takes to have Mandi by his side!

I have to admit that Nic stole the show in this last installment. I have been a big fan of Mandi, but Nic always came close second. Well, he totally has my heart in this book! He is incredible!!!! The way he loves Mandi is breathtaking! Pure and honest love. A love so strong and beautiful that will leave your heart beating fast and bursting with happiness! Nic Marcelli's love is the forever kind. No doubt about it!  I will say no more because I want the reader to feel every single  emotion that I felt while reading this book! It's pretty  freakin' awesome!! 

After the explosive and heartbreaking ending of part two, I did not think that my heart could handle any more complications for these two incredible characters. Part three was even more intense than part two!!! OMG!!! I had no more freakin' nails left!!! L.G. Castillo wrote a beautiful story that I will never forget! A beautiful story about true love.  *Swoon* The way the story ended totally makes my heart happy!!!

Rating:

I give Secrets & Surrender, Part three, by L.G. Castillo 4.5 emotional, captivating, powerful stars!

Teasers:

About the author:

Known for her high-intensity New Adult Romance novels, native Texan and psychologist, L.G. Castillo writes books that explore the tumultuous and psychological journey of self-discovery and falling in love. Her stories feature dramatic, life-changing events interspersed with a good dose of humor, feisty heroines, and the swoon-worthy men who love them. 

When she's not writing, L.G. is binging on Netflix or adding up frequent flyer miles for her next vacation. She's been married to her own swoon-worthy hero for over two decades.

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