Customer Reviews

Surrender (MacKinnon's Rangers, Book 1)

5 star:		(50)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

I cannot say enough good things about this book!I'd give it 10 stars if I could.Pamela Clare is such a skilled writer that you will be right there alongside Annie and Iain on their journey.You will see the characters and be able to connect with them from the very beginning of the story.Iain MacKinnon is a true hero,everything a man should be AND MORE.He is strong,sexy,courageous and alpha-male to the core,without putting Annie down or treating her poorly in any way.Annie is DEFINITELY worthy of such a great hero and she's got a steely determination to survive-even when she knows the odds are stacked against her she doesn't give in to feeling helpless and turn into a spineless blubbering mess.This girl's got guts,I absolutely loved her courage and her strength of will.

To have great characters can take you far,but a truly great book must have a good story as well,something more than just the tried-and-true conflicts that are enjoyable yet overused.
Pamela gives us great conflict,and because it's not limited to one character only,you will get a good feel for what it might have been like,to be in their shoes,forced to choose between the lesser of two evils.And the love scenes are sizzling hot and refreshingly creative,without becoming sleazy,repetitive or uncomfortable.Iain is HOT HOT HOT!!!

Pamela Clare is an INCREDIBLE storyteller,and I feel this is her best work yet-she has given us a wonderful,memorable story that flows effortlessly,with characters you will come to love.
Her other books are wonderful as well,and keepers every time.

PAMELA CLARE,YOU ROCK!!!!!!

When you pick up this book, be prepared to Surrender your time, because you will not be able to put it down! From the first paragraph all the way to the end, it's an exciting ride! Pamela Clare makes the frontier come alive, along with enough celtic ambiance for those of us who love stories set in the Highlands of Scotland. The story is fast paced and full of action, with humor and lots of sexual tension. Iain is the perfect hero (one of my all time favorites) and Annie is more than his match. The secondary characters are very well developed and I can't wait for Connor and Morgan's stories.

Surrender held my attention like few other books have done. Iain and Annie were both characters I immediately felt emotionally attached to, the book is non-stop action and I was so caught up in their suffering and their celebrations that I couldn't stop reading until it was done. Ms. Clare's descriptions pull you right into the scene and into the characters. I highly recommend this book.

I wasn't sure about reading this book at first because I'm not big on frontier stories but this one had a Scottish hero and heroine, so I gave it a try. I loved it! The love story builds well, the emotions were believable. I especially liked the way the author made real people of the supporting characters. And the Gaelic phrases with the translations worked well. I thought it was beautiful!

Set in a time period not usually used, The French and Indian War in 1757 New England, Ms. Clare takes her readers through a history period many don't know about in the exciting and passionate Surrender.

Betrayed by the man she thought of as a father, Lady Anne Campbell is arrested for a theft she didn't commit, branded a thief and sold into indentured servitude in the Colonies.

Iain is also falsely accused of a crime as well and forced to serve the British army as a scout and Major of the Rangers. While on a mission, he comes across a war party of Abenaki burning out the cabin of Anne's employers. She is able to escape the carnage, but only to be tracked down by the blood-hungry warriors. Iain rescues her from certain rape and worst, putting his men and mission at risk.

Though facing punishment for disobeying his orders, he doesn't regret saving the lovely lass for a moment.

As always, the road to love is rocky and Ms. Clare does well to weave history and romance. Iain and Anne must overcome more than just their social and religious differences; they have to be wary of Lord William Wentworth, the man who falsely accused Iain and who, if he discovers Anne's true identity, will send her back to her abusive uncle.

How will Iain react when he learns Anne's identity and will Wentworth manage to seduce her before Iain? Or will her sadistic uncle demand custody of Anne and return with her to England, taking her from the man she loves.

Surrender will have on the edge of your seat with its adventure and fanning your flushed face with its hot, sensual love scenes. True love, as always, conquers all. Excellent read!

Dorchester Publishing, March, 2006. ISBN: 0-8439-5488-44 - available now.

I was one of the super lucky people to get an ARC of this book, and it was an excellent read from cover to cover! Pamela's characters stay with you long after you finish her books, and her writing style is some of the best I've ever read. I own all of her books and they all belong on my keeper shelf. If you even just like historical romance, you will LOVE Pamela Clare's books. I think one of the things that makes her books so great is the amazing historical detail that goes into them. She makes you feel like you're there! The love story between Ian and Annie is wonderful and the love scenes are HOT!!! You won't regret purchasing this book!!

Couldn't stop reading SURRENDER! The characters jump off the page and into your heart. Pamela Clare is a brilliant writer! I highly recommend this book!!!!