Beg Tease Submit – Sequence One (Songs of Submission)
This series has come frequently recommended by my reading bud, Sandra over the last year or so. She and I have VERY similar taste in books, and often end up reading together, so I knew… I KNEW, if she loved it? This one would be right up my alley.
<— P.S. this is book #1 combining the first three “serial installments” (adding up to over 350 pages). I link to book #2 (featuring the next 3 installments) at the end of this review. That’s what I’m moving onto next.
Alas… it is of the “Fifty/Bared to You” feel, and at the time of her recommendation, I was taking a small break from the genre, and therefore didn’t jump in. But I added it to my main TBR list (the “want to read now” one) and just kept shifting it around until I got the “Fifty” bug again. I posted the reading order, and kept it in my line of site, ’cause I knew I’d absolutely be reading this.
And then… our reading crew got a hold of it:
Kaylee: Ooooo!!!!! The Songs of Submission Series by C.d Reiss is my all time favorite series!!!! 5 Jonathan Drazen loving stars!!!! ☆☆☆☆☆ Jonathan Drazen is my top boyfriend and I haven’t been able to find anyone to take his place. This series has seriously stuck with me and I love love love it! Tease was one of my favorite novellas bu the whole series as a whole is absolutely amazing! The writing is absolutely phenomenal, you fall in love with the characters and I swear to you buy the time you read Sing you will be crying your eyes out, screaming and wanting to throw your kindle. The last novella Monica is the hottest of the hott in this series! But all of the novellas are hott hott hott! Jonathan Drazen is a bok boyfriend you will love and Monica is a heroine that will stick with you too! I can’t wait to see your review!!!!!! This series is hott hott hott!!!!!
Benham: The Songs of Submission series is by far one of the most erotic, best written series I have ever read. If you want something that’s incredibly well produced, you have to give them a chance!! I would describe them as a grittier, more realistic take on the FSOG trope, with a strong heroine, a delicious Dom and sex scenes so hot, I swear they LITERALLY took my breath away!
Kandace: I’m FINALLY getting around to reading the Songs of Submission series by CD Reiss and I’m kicking my self for not reading the series sooner. I was in the mood for a bossy controlling alpha man. The best part of this series is not only are the books packed full of heat but I’m enjoying the storyline too. I’m really interested to see how everything progresses.
Lori: I read Spin and was hooked!! Now I’ve started SOS (Songs of Submission) and am loving her characters…no whiny h’s here!! It’s sooo good Kandace!! but now I’m totally into SOS and Jonathan, I’m even slow reading…I LOVE IT!!
Carol Ann: Lori…I LOVED Spin…totally ended my book funk! Should I read SOS…is it even better than Spin???
Lori: That’s where I was Carol!! Has BT open and everything but I couldn’t give up the capo! It’s don’t know about better, but I’m hooked on her writing and it’s complete. Loving it!
Maryse’s Book Blog: YAY!!!!!! This too is on my main list of “I wanna read its”
Lori: I haven’t been this hooked in a while Maryse! I love it, its intelligent, hot and grown up!
Convincing enough for ya? It certainly was for me! Once upon a time, a serial installment series, but now complete, and the “serial installments” have been merged into complete books. No waiting for gratification. It’s instant!
Yep. This one was way good! Not my favorite book/series in the world (yet)… but I’ve only just begun, and I know there is plenty waiting for me in the wings. Plus, this one “had me” well enough that I am continuing my “SOS” reading marathon. In fact, I’ll be moving onto “Sequence TWO” as soon as I publish this review. YAY ME!!!
So what’s it about?
Monica is a California waitress working in a trendy bar/high-roller-celebrity hotel thingie, with aspiring to be a famous a singer. Sultry, beautiful and backed by a hugely talented band (comprised of her very best friends), she croons, she moans, and she seduces with her voice. But her real life? Far from glamorous. She’s juggling her “night job” with her singing career, dealing with the music industry and it’s sharks, and struggling to make ends meet living in her very modest, run-down home. Her best friend/band pianist is a prodigy but struggling with severe depression, keeping Monica on her toes at all times.
I looked at Gabby and her big blue eyes, pleading for consideration. She was mid-anxiety attack. If it continued over the coming weeks, the anxiety attacks would become less frequent and the dead stares into corners more frequent if she didn’t take her meds regularly. Then it would be trouble: another suicide attempt, or worse, a success. I loved Gabby. She was like a sister to me, but sometimes I wished for a less burdensome friend.
That, along with her two ex boyfriends (that are still a big part of her world), and let’s just say, Monica is avoiding any kind of social-life (especially one that involves men).
That is, until she meets her billionaire boss (sort of boss?) Jonathan.
“Bazillionaire. He’s a real catch if you can tear him away from the four hundred other women he’s getting photographed with.”
He’s gorgeous, coveted and revered, and well… you know the type. 
Of course, she’s warned away from him (or at least anything serious with him) as he has his own romance/emotional *issues*.
… nothing froze my creative juices like heartache. No, I decided as I went back out to the kitchen, anyone but Jonathan.
He’s bossy, persistent, and struggles with his own version of heartache. Oh yesssss my friends, therein lies a lot of the angst. And all I can say is *oooomph!!!*
And boy did those issues do a number on me! I mean… Monica.
“He’s nice to you?”
“He wants to sleep with me, so it’s hard to say of he’s being nice or being manipulative.,” I said.
Jonathan is relentless about wanting her, and yet seemingly completely aloof and detached when it comes to “love”.
I got it. We could like each other forever, but he wouldn’t cross that line into love even if I did. I considered myself fairly warned.
But of course! Those emotionally withdrawn book-guys are some of the most fun. You’ll see. You’ll feel.
And what I love the most? Along with Monica’s journey with Jonathan, we experience her journey with her own personal entourage (her band/best friends/co-workers/ex’s). It’s not all about Jonathan, although, he factors in GREATLY!
Oh, and did I mention the super-steam? You want erotic? You’ve got it, here. And while there is a TON of steam (and I mean a TON – I even skimmed some of it to get back to the love/heartachy stuff), the story and the feelings progress nicely . Or… not so nicely, depending on the moment. 
So well written, mature, and right up our alley! A fantastic start to what I have a feeling will be a tumultuous, exciting, angsty-sexy series, and I can’t wait to continue! On to —> Control Burn Resist – Sequence Two (Songs of Submission) I go!
4 stars!
I am happily addicted to reading but I need to expend my book energy (especially when one puts me in an emotional frenzy - SO fun!). So, I release my feelings about the stories, by writing them down here. It's my book therapy. 
{ 17 comments… read them below or add one }
I just ffinished Submit last night. I think next time I have to buy the one book. It loses something when you read three or four books between each story. :-\
Yes… I liked reading all three installments in the “compiled” book (that’s why I reviewed it as one). They flowed together seamlessly, as if they were meant to be just that book. I can’t wait to see where the next one takes me (I’m hearing emotional roller coaster!).
I loved it too Maryse and couldn’t put it down! My eyes actually ache from all the reading this weekend because I jumped right into the next three…..I have to know what will happen with these two and I LOVE that they include Jonathan’s pov now!! I am seriously starting to fall for this guy….sigh…
*snicker* You said gratification. ANYways…I’m on Sequence Two and so far, so good! Did you read the Jessica/Sharon novella (#3.5)? Nothing special in it, but it’s always fun to get in the guy’s head.
Not sure what it’s about, but there is a novella (#7 – Monica) in the Pink Shades of Words anthology. Breast cancer can suck it. Now back to Jonathan…
Morning all! Finished Submit late (or should I say) early morning. I agree with your rating, Maryse….these books are good…really good…loving Jonathan and Monica….but it’s not a 5 star hitting out of the park for me just YET. Starting sequence TWO in about five minutes. The story line DOES have me hooked!
Reminder….Jessica and Sharon is the novella between Submit and Control. Not sure if this is a must read before Control, but saw it on your series reading order, Maryse.
Hey guys, I didn’t read the Jessica/Sharon novellas and looking at them now, I feel like I should have. I am already into the middle of Sequence 2, almost done Burn. Saw something saying there is a rare glimpse of Jonathan’s past and shocking revelations, some surprising conclusions and hints into trouble brewing ahead…..ugh! So tired today….Has anyone else read these novellas and do I need to read them before continuing?
I didn’t read the 3.5 and 5.5 until I was done with 6. I didn’t feel as though I was missing parts of the story..but when I finish them I realized what great additions they were to it-enhancing it. Had I known I would have done all in a row and have during my multiple rereads (severe addiction). Just a wonderful series! Burn is still my fav and Monica 7.5 gave me the perfect fix to my emotional Jonathan withdrawal.
Okay good to know, ’cause I started sequence two last night, but not that far into it yet. I do have the Jessica/Sharon one already, so I’ll do that first.
Thanks for that info Lisa! I am just finishing 5, so I don’t know whether to go back to the Jessica/Sharon novellas or move onto #6 first. Ah, decisions, decisions. I don’t know why I didn’t look at Maryse’s Book Reading Order like I always do before I start a series! Haha!
I agree with Lisa, #3.5 Jessica/Sharon isn’t necessary but is a nice “supplement.” Then again, I’m a sucker for novellas. It is Jonathan’s POV from the night of the art show after he dropped her off and an extra scene involving Sharon. Slow work day (yay me!) so I’m diving into Rachel and then Resist.
Thanks for the peer…er, book pressure, ladies.
I would have missed out!
Haha Amy! I love that we are all reading these together and don’t you just love “book pressure”!! And, I’m loving anything in Jonathan’s POV! Wish I had a slow work day….waaaahhh!!
Jean, Jonathan may not be James (my lord but that man was naughty!!), but being in his head is still fun. On a slow work day I really should be getting caught up on housework, but let’s see…pulling out the refrigerator and oven to clean under there, or giving myself a mani and reading while it sets. Not a hard decision.
Amy, I love James! One of my favs of all time! I wish I had your hard decisions to make…haha! I was actually able to read Jessica/Sharon novella at lunch…it was short, but I’m really glad I read it! Moving onto Rachel tonight and then onto Resist, Sing and Monica! Yay, loving it!
I loved all these books! I pulled them down from my tbr list mid Jan. Once I started I couldn’t stop till done. Now CD Reiss has Spin- Songs of Corruption. Mafia, steamy n Alpha Male! Oh My!!
Just after I finish Number Thirteen. I sure couldn’t pass that one up!! 24% n lovin it so far. I’m a sucker for the disfigured broken hotties
Happy reading ladies!
I have been itching for another BDSM series. Can’t wait to get my hands on this. I just wish there were more hours in the day to read!
I started with the Omni edition, too. Bought it on a Friday and finished all of the first 6 installments by Saturday night. I couldn’t stop myself. I still can’t stop myself. My favorite re-read. And, every time I read it, I am amazed by the quality of the writing and the details of the story. This is the gold standard for the genre–well actually, platinum– Jonathan buys platinum.
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