Surrender (2006) (edit title/settings)

• Rated 5 stars

“Surrender by Pamela Clare
Surrender had everything I love, especially strong, independent characters, that make it easy to fall into their story and their world – that seem real enough to touch. Ian and Annie are wary and unsure of each other, and rightfully so considering the circumstances and their historical perspective, but their character similarities and some good old-fashioned chemistry make them AWARE of each other. That awareness and the deft, sparse pen of Miss Clare leads to some significantly hot scenes. Sometimes when I’m reading the build-up to a sex scene, the kisses get boring or routine or I just find myself thinking, “Do it, so we can move on with the story!” Not so with Surrender. Every kiss was read-worthy. Every bit of tension translated to a next step in their passion for each other.

But none of that over shadowed a great action and adventure story filled with heroes and villains. There were courageous acts and horrific scenes and some gallows humor I imagine would be true when your every day was spent in surviving against enemies and a beautiful, but deadly, terrain. I found William Wentworth to be the most interesting character of the story other than Annie and Ian. Ruthless, and perhaps born that way, but complicated and human enough to have great flaws and still possess some measure of right and wrong. I hated him and pitied him and wondered if he was redeemable. I’ll be thinking of him as much as I will Ian’s brothers while looking forward to Miss Clare’s next story.
”

• Rated 3 stars

“This was my first Pamela Clare novel and I was pleasantly surprised. There was a nice balance of action and romance. I had heard Ms. Clare's books recommended for fans of Diana Gabaldon. I think I would call it "Outlander Lite". The characters are likable, smart and fall in love with a fierceness that will keep you turning pages. ”

• Rated 5 stars

“NEW EDITION *** DECEMBER 2011

5 STARS

I believe this is the very first Historical Romance I’ve truly enjoyed. Ms. Clare has delivered a love story that will sweep you off your feet and make you fall in love with its characters, villains included. There is so much to say about this book and I found it difficult to write it. I actually wrote a two page review including a synopsis but then I thought there’s so many of those already. So, bear with me as I try my best to keep it short. *snickers*

Let me start with a quote:

Was it truly possible for the heart to withstand such a tempest of feelings–Equal parts grief and joy, fear and hope? She hadn’t known love could be so sorrowful, nor joy such a source of sadness. Yet if this tumult was what it meant to love Iain with her entire being-body, mind and soul-she would accept it.
~Anne Campbell/Surrender
~Pamela Clare


Ms. Clare created an epic love story amidst the British, French and Indian War, specifically around the 1700s. Our Hero and Heroine are coming from different worlds such as social status, political issues, religious beliefs, and upbringing. But when love decides to strike, well, we all know that nothing can stop it.

There are several aspects about this book that I love most and here they are:

Hero/Heroine:
Iain McKinnon was created to be the alpha hero I love to read about. It’s not just his characteristics, it is how Ms. Clare has put him in situations that make him who he is and makes us understand him. He is fierce, deadly, respected, honorable, protective, tough, rough but also sweet, caring, and romantic. And one that brought hot scenes to this book.

Annie is just as likable. She is not the kick ass heroine that can fight in battle but the heroine who is beat down to the ground and will get up to keep surviving. This girl had a string of bad luck, one after the next but she just kept on.

Romance:
Their coming together was in a timely manner. I felt the build up was just right, from the first attraction to lust and then love. Ms Clare can write pretty hot colonial scenes. ;)

The MacKinnon Brothers and Rangers:
I am amazed on how these men stuck together in this book. The camaraderie was amazing and the banter between the men was hilarious.

Colonial History:
Unfortunately, I am not a big fan of history but Ms. Clare did an excellent job integrating the story together. It truly brings us readers to feel the "day in a life" of someone during those times. ......I do have to mention how lucky we are to live in a time where Women equal rights is practiced and mandated by law.

I'm in awe of how much research is done with these types of books and there isn't slot of them out there. Well, at least good ones. Ms. Clare has gone further and provided information for her readers. She got some pretty cool pix to show us. Found here: http://www.pamelaclare.com/historicals.p...


If you didn't know, this book is a new edition and new scenes were added. I had not had the pleasure of reading the old version but Ms. Clare herself has told me that a good 20 pages were added.

Author:
If you know me, you know that when I like a book, I cannot stop talking about it during my read. Well, Ms. Clare was gracious enough to bare with me with answering questions and such. Not very many will do that. Hands down to the "down to earth" author who cares about her readers!!! Thank you Pamela Clare and thank you for the great read.

”

• Rated 5 stars

“An exciting mix of romance and adventure.
I have a soft spot for highland warriors and Iain is just magnificent. Annie is an engaging heroine - courageous, spirited and loving.
Looking forward to reading the next book in the series. ”

• Rated 4 stars

“I really enjoyed this story about Iain and Annie. A quick read for me but very similar too the last novel I read by Ms. Clare called Ride the Fire. Still a good read and I would like to hear more about the other two brothers Morgan and Connor.
”

• Rated 5 stars

“The MacKinnons are a group of brothers whose family fled Scotland after the bitter loss at Culloden. They begin anew in the American colonies, dreaming of a prosperous life tilling the earth and reaping its bounties. Partly raised by the native Muheconneok Indians, they become great hunters and learn the way of the land. But the brothers are framed for a murder they did not commit and are forced to fight for the British in the French and Indian War. They despise the British regime and hold fast to their Scottish roots and Highland beliefs even as Iain, the oldest of the three, enlists a band of Rangers, which include his native adopted brothers. Annie Burns Campbell, once a noble lady, has been betrayed by her ruthlessly vile uncle. He sells Annie into indentureship and sends her far from her beloved Scotland, over the ocean to the Americas. When Iain defies orders and saves her from a band of Abenaki Indians, her life begins anew and she becomes a brave frontier woman fighting for survival. Thus begins a historical romance that will be scorched upon your memory.

Our hero, Iain MacKinnon, is a powerful warrior who possesses a body filled with brute force, muscles flexing, protecting all that is his. Yet, he is also a beautiful man filled with a tenderness that makes you weep when he caresses his lover, every bit of emotion filled within his eyes and pouring forth upon her. What woman could possibly resist this combination of strength and tenderness, savagery and gentleness? I surely could not, and neither can our heroine, Anne Campbell.

"She loved his strength, his courage. She loved his fairness, the protective way in which he led his men - a true son of Highland lairds. She loved his gentleness, the way his big hands, so fierce with rifle and blade, moved tenderly over her skin. She loved the deep blue of his eyes, the velvet of his voice, the exotic markings on his sun-browned skin. She loved his manly smell, the hardness of his body, the way his kisses set her aflame."

I absolutely loved this book. Pamela Clare has managed to build a heart-gripping love story set upon the backdrop of the American frontier, in a time filled with the ravages of war. Who would think that a Highlander in upstate New York during the 1700's would be the basis for a tale filled with turmoil, adventure and unrelenting passion. One cannot help but see the resemblances between this book and the great movie "The Last of the Mohicans". I was also reminded of other historical tales, including Sara Donati's Into the Wilderness series and my all-time favourite, Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series, of which the later books involve the hero and heroine arriving in the colonies of America. The history in Surrender is intriguing and the battles are vividly described, making me feel the bitter loss of lives on the battle field. There were many times in the book when I felt so deeply touched and deeply aroused. The intimate scenes between Iain and Annie involved both tender lovemaking and hot, erotic sex. The surprise ending made my heart swell and my tears fall, for it was here that Iain learned just how revered he was by his men. Underlying this whole tale is that sense of hope....hope for a new life in a new land with a new family with new-found happiness. I love these words uttered by Iain to his new wife. They reveal, for me, what love and committment are all about....sadness and joy...the price we must pay for true love:

Annie turned to her husband, lifted her gaze to his. "Since I met you, Iain MacKinnon, I seem always to be feelin' both sadness and great joy at once." "Aye, lass, 'tis much the same for me." He kissed the top of her head, wiped the tears from her cheeks, his blue eyes filled with tenderness. "But my Muhheconneok grannies would say you cannae open your heart to one wi'out riskin' the other, and I would rather chance the deepest sorrows of hell, Annie, than surrender the joy you and little Iain bring me each day."”

• Rated 4 stars

“Suprisingly good. More of a story about the French and Indian war than just a romance novel.”

• Rated 5 stars

“highly recommended. Skim the torture”

• Rated 2 stars

“The story I started was mostly about people being beaten, shot, flogged etc. so I reread the reviews and wondered if I was reading the same book. Scotswoman Annie, branded by evil uncle and sold to colonies, crosses paths with Scotsman Ian who was forced to fight for British or hang for murder. I quit halfway.”

• Rated 5 stars

“loved the intrigue and iann's family and fellow soldiers.”