Surrender (MacKinnon's Rangers, Book 1) [Mass Market Paperback]

Pamela Clare (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 2008

An Army Ranger heads out to tame the wild frontier--not realizing that a stubborn beauty will be the one to tame his heart.

--This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Clare's lush historical romance takes readers to 1750s New York, where the three MacKinnon brothers, Jacobites sworn to free Scotland from British rule, have settled in exile. Iain MacKinnon and his two brothers, powerful Highland warriors trained in native American warfare, are falsely accused of murder and forced to take up the banner of their enemy King George in the French and Indian War. While on patrol, Iain rescues a Scots woman who calls herself Annie Burns from the French and Abenaki soldiers who raided her home. Annie, who hides a tragic past of family betrayal and indentured servitude, struggles with her newfound freedom and the mixed feelings she has for her saviors—so much like the Jacobite warriors who cut down her Loyalist father and brothers in battle. As Annie's ambivalence gives way to love, Clare (Ride the Fire) explores 18th-century religious and political conflict on both a personal and international scale. While her prose sports a hint of purple, believable characters, scorching chemistry and a convincing setting make this a worthy read. (Mar.)
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From the Author

Dear Readers,

I'm so happy Surrender is available once again, both as an ebook and in print. It's been an epic journey with this story, one that almost saw a premature end to the MacKinnon's Rangers series.

When I originally wrote it, I had to keep a specific maximum word count in mind. That meant cutting some scenes I loved and shortening others. The result was a book that was a RITA finalist (2007). Still, there were those missing scenes...

Eventually, I left the book's original publisher, and both Surrender and the sequel, Untamed, went out of print. I thought that was the end of the series. It was a huge disappointment for me because I love this period of history so very much. Pre-Revolutionary Colonial American history, specifically the period of the French and Indian War or Seven Years War, fascinates me. The mix of cultures, the vastness of the wilderness, the desperate struggle to survive -- these create a vivid backdrop for fiction. I wasn't ready to say goodbye to Iain, Morgan, Connor and the Rangers.

Fortunately, Berkley stepped in and bought the entire series, which meant I got a second chance at both Surrender and Untamed. Both have new (historically accurate!) covers. Both have fresh edits. And both have new scenes and extended scenes. So not only is the series back, but it's been restored.

I am so happy to share it with you!

For those of you who've written to me asking, "Is Connor ever going to get his book?" I can finally answer, "Yes!" Watch for Defiant in July 2012.

And thanks for your support! Your devotion to this series helped to keep it alive.

Yours,

Pamela Clare --This text refers to an alternate Mass Market Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: Dorchester Publishing Company (November 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0843954884
• ISBN-13: 978-0843954883
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.3 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (61 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #264,241 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Colorado author Pamela Clare began her writing career as a columnist and investigative reporter and eventually became the first woman editor-in-chief of two different newspapers. Along the way, she and her team won numerous state and national honors, including the National Journalism Award for Public Service and the Keeper of the Flame Lifetime Achievement Award. A single mother with two college-aged sons, she writes historical romance and contemporary romantic suspense within view of the beautiful Rocky Mountains.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sensual Adventure, March 2, 2006

By 

Beverly "Beverly" (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Surrender (MacKinnon's Rangers, Book 1) (Mass Market Paperback)

Pamela Clare does it again! A handsome Scottish hero, Ian MacKinnon is forced to serve the British crown in their fight against the French in the early American colonies. Ian, a Scottish warrior who has also learned fighting skills from the Abenaki Indians, forms The MacKinnon's Rangers - a skilled group of fighting men. During a scouting operation he comes across the bonnie Lady Anne Campbell who is attacked by Indians. Not only does Ian rescue Anne from Indians, but also from her circumstance as a bond slave. Months before, Anne discovers the evil, sick deeds and murder of inncents by her only living relative, her father's brother. So that his deeds are covered up, Anne's uncle has her falsely accused as a thief, arrested, and sent away to America. As Ian and Anne run from the French, the British, and their pasts, their attraction for each other grows. This passionate, sensual, intelligent romance, written in an interesting period in history, is difficult to put down. I read it in one night. A definite keeper! I sure hope Pamela Clare will make this a series, as there are two more handsome, sexy MacKinnon Brothers. Fans would love to know their stories as well.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 5+++ Stars - Beautiful Romance on the American Frontier, November 14, 2008

By 

MelissaB "MelissaB" - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Surrender (MacKinnon's Rangers, Book 1) (Mass Market Paperback)

Lady Anne Burness Campbell was betrayed into 14 years of indentured service after her uncle accused her of being a thief because she knew he killed her mother. She chose to be branded a thief rather than return to her Uncle Bain's house and possibly be murdered herself. Her uncle branded her on her inner thigh instead of her thumb so that she would never be able to sleep with a man without being found out as a thief. Anne was sent to the American colonies where she was sold into service to a frontier couple in colonial New York. Her owners are a harsh couple who beat her often because she does not know how to perform the tasks they expect of her.

One day while she is in the barn milking the cow, she hears gun shots and screaming. Realizing that Indians and French are attacking the farm, she goes out the back of the barn and runs through the snow toward the woods. The attack party sees her and pursues her through the forest, intent on raping and killing her. She slips down a rocky slope where the men finally catch up to her but she doesn't give up and keeps on fighting. Just as she is about to be hurt, a big man comes out of the woods and kills all of the men attacking her.

Iain MacKinnon is an exhiled Scot whose family immigrated to colonial New York after losing everything at Culloden. His grandfather was The MacKinnon, laird over his lands until the Argyll Campbells and English defeated his clan at Culloden, killing women and children as well as wounded men. Iain and his brothers Morgan and Conner grew up on the frontier, learning how to hunt and track along with their Indian friends, the Muheconneok. Iain was pressed into service for the British crown after a British Colonel accuses him of a murder he didn't commit then offers him a choice of starting a Ranger company for the Crown or hanging. Since Iain was a Catholic Jacobite, he knew the courts would not listen to him over a British Colonel so he was forced to lead a company of Rangers who fought for the British along with his two brothers who joined with him.

Major Iain MacKinnon is on a scouting mission to Fort Ticonderoga under orders to move swiftly to keep from being seen. He is not supposed to help any colonials under attack because it would give away the location of his company of Rangers. He sees Annie running through the forest and has to make a terrible decision, to save her from being raped and killed which will bring danger to his men because the shooting will bring the French and Abenaki to their position, or let her be killed and follow his orders. Iain is an honorable man who cannot stand to see such a courageous woman harmed in front of him, so he makes the fateful decision to send the rest of the scouting party away and save her on his own.

Iain saves Annie's life but she is hurt from running through the woods barefoot. He carries her on his back through the woods trying to ahead of the large force of Abenaki on their tail who want vengeance for the men he killed saving her. Iain vows to keep her safe and carries her for the next few days on his back, always just ahead of the Abenaki. Annie realizes that no one knows who she is and she could be free from her indentured service if no one finds out. She tells Iain that her name is Annie Burns because she is afraid he will hate her if he finds out that she is an Argyll Campbell.

They reach the fort where Iain is sentenced to 100 lashes for saving her life. Annie tries to get the British officer to relent but he refuses. After being whipped, Annie nurses Iain back to health. They both have feelings for each other but fight the attraction for different reasons. Iain is stuck in the Rangers until the end of the war and does not have anything to offer a wife until he can take over his farm again. Annie cannot sleep with Iain because he will find her brand and know she lied to him. But the passion between them refuses to go away and eventually ignites, leaving Iain and Annie to come to terms with the consequences.

Surrender is a beautiful love story full of action, adventure and passion. Iain MacKinnon is one of the best heroes I have ever read - honorable, protective and caring toward Annie and revered by his men. He does so much for Annie, from carrying her on his back for days after saving her life to doing everything he can to keep her safe from those who would do her harm. Annie was a sweet girl who deserved the protection she gets from Iain after being betrayed by those closest to her and shipped from a life of privilege to a very different life on the frontier. The passion between Iain and Annie is intense and wonderful. The romance in the book just makes you feel good because it's so beautiful. If you like the movie and setting of Last of the Mohicans, you will enjoy this book. The characters and setting of this book come to life and take you on a great romantic adventure. I have read this book three times and enjoyed it more every time. Surrender has earned it's place as my favorite historical romance book.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars REALLY makes you believe in the power of love, March 1, 2006

By 

thewordlover - See all my reviews

This review is from: Surrender (MacKinnon's Rangers, Book 1) (Mass Market Paperback)

Several previous reviewers have mentioned the wonderful characters-- you become so attached to Annie and Iain you don't want this book to end and then feel so thankful there is more to come in this series about Scots on the American frontier. The plot tests them and their love in profound ways and makes for a riveting read. But the best thing is the way Pamela Clare can bring us into her world, touch our hearts and open them up, make us care, make us cry, make us long for more love in the world like this--a love that includes honor, commitment, devotion and passion. This is a story that somehow gets at the deeper meaning of life by its sheer authenticity and power. Bravo! Don't wait to buy this keeper. You will be entranced like everyone else.