Customer Reviews

Vintage of Surrender (An Original MacFadden Romance)

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Vintage of Surrender can best be described as a "diamond in the rough." The alpha male, Luke Clinton borders on being a somewhat sensitive caveman to a possessive one-dimensional pain in the neck. Ms. Krentz (writing as Jayne Castle) tries to redeem him through the actions and reactions of her heroine, Jennifer Ingram. But however independent Jennifer professes to be she still falls short of overcoming Luke's domineering ways. But we must remember time frame here, we're talking the late 70s into early 80s. Although it's now hard to believe we seemed to have been enthralled with that all-knowing masterful type of male.

This book's setting is eastern Washington in the state's vineyard area where a small winery that is owner operated provides the backdrop for the mounting tensions one expects and hopes for during a case of mistaken identity. Our hero Luke realizes that he has luckily stumbled on to the missing ingredient for success with his one-man vineyard. Of course that ingredient is Jennifer, who saves the day provides Luke with a well-received profit due to her outgoing nature and professional abilities. Luke being no dummy decides to latch on to the oh-so-independent Jennifer. She of course is not of a like mind.

The plot tries to thicken with an unrealistically manipulated wedding ceremony and an opposing force that almost puts asunder what Luke as engineered. Of course Luke's sensitive side shows a little when he does not demand immediate conjugal rights of the lovely Jennifer thus ceding some control. The stress and tension levels build to a minor degree resulting in consummation which is described briefly but none-the-less sweetly not unlike scenes in Ms. Krent's more current novels with those less sensual descriptions.

As with all romance novels the means justify the end, Luke and Jennifer will live happily ever after but only after Luke's confession of undying love and despite his overly controlling nature (the guy just can't help it).

Ms. Krentz's two major characters are strong but at times lack a much-needed balance. The minor characters are rather shallow. Dialogue among the characters is stilted and less than the witty repartee we have come to expect of a Krentz book. However, Vintage of Surrender is an interesting read from the perspective of an early work. It exhibits the foundations that those of us who enjoy Ms. Krentz's writing have come to anticipate. Ms. Krentz's description of a small winery business is satisfying and evidences her ability to impart information within the scope of this book.

It's difficult to give this book a rating but one should rather enjoy it for what it is an early effort of a great storyteller. The poor editing by MacFadden publishers provided for distracted reading (typos abound). Nevertheless, Vintage of Surrender should stand as it is, providing the nostalgia and entertainment we JAK fans continue to seek of her story telling efforts.