Surrender (MacKinnon's Rangers Trilogy, #1)

by Pamela Clare (Goodreads Author)

book data

170 ratings, 4.29 average rating, 33 reviews (more data...)

rating	frequency	%
5		52%
4		29%
3		14%
2		2%
1		1%

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published

February 1st 2006 by Leisure Books

details

Kindle Edition, 355 pages

characters

Annie, Iain MacKinnon

setting

United States

asin

B0029LCJZC

description

A hand-picked cadre of warriors, they had the fierce courage of their Scots forefathers, combined with the stealth and cunning of the Indians who live…more

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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 295)

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Mar 18, 2009

Eastofoz rated it:

(review of other edition)

bookshelves: western-frontier

recommended to Eastofoz by: Auntee and Kathrynn
recommends it for: Readers who like the Highlands mixed in with the Colonial frontier

I had my doubts about this book even though readers raved about it. I read Clare’s Carnal Gift, thought it was really poor and wrote her off as a two-bit writer that I wouldn’t try again. Well talk about a 360 here! This book is so vivid and well-written with a beautiful hero that I am sooo happy I have the next one (Untamed) and another from her other series.

Who would ever think that putting a Highlander on the Colonial frontier would work. Well not only does it work it’s ...more I had my doubts about this book even though readers raved about it. I read Clare’s Carnal Gift, thought it was really poor and wrote her off as a two-bit writer that I wouldn’t try again. Well talk about a 360 here! This book is so vivid and well-written with a beautiful hero that I am sooo happy I have the next one (Untamed) and another from her other series.

Who would ever think that putting a Highlander on the Colonial frontier would work. Well not only does it work it’s the kind of book that you find yourself getting lost in until there’s some noise that takes you out of the story. You can see the Rangers working at the fort and you can see the mean British Lord William in charge making their lives hard. Then there’s the love story that just had me going **sigh sigh**. There is this one part that I was reading in a public area and I had to close the book because I started getting tears in my eyes –did a little coughing to cover that up and make it look like a cold was coming on (lol!) ;) So not only can you see the story unfold, you can feel it, and those two things together are what make it well-worth the read.

The Gaelic is done well too. A translation is provided for the most part right after each sentence and the accent is consistent throughout the book. Now you might say, ‘who cares about that’, well I think it adds to the believability of the story and the overall sexiness of the hero ;-)

There are some very gruesome parts in the story too as well as steamy, steamy sex! There is this one sex scene that is very far from historical romance and seems to skirt with erotica IMO. The relief you feel when the h/h get together is way up there! As for the other Rangers, they will charm the socks right off you. They’re all so protective of the heroine too. There are some very touching scenes between these men that you just wouldn’t expect with background characters.

So it’s an original story because of the characters and their setting and just an “oh-wow” heart skipping a beat here kind of hero (ah Iain) –good luck NOT loving this one :)(less)

Like this review? yes (10 people liked it)

13 comments

Sep 22, 2008

Kathrynn rated it:

(review of other edition)

bookshelves: 2008, favorites, hot, own, reviewed, romance-historical, theme-colonial_frontier, theme-hero_heartthrob

Read in November, 2008

"Wee German princeling" I had to laugh at this every time it was said. What a neat adventure book set in the colonial frontier, 1757. Lady Anne was betrayed by her sick and twisted uncle and sold as an indentured servant to the colonies. Iain MacKinnon (rival Scottish clan) rescued her and the sparks began to simmer.

At first, I didn't care for "Annie" and even Iain "almost" blew it, but these two bloomed with the story and it developed into a wonder...more

Like this review? yes (9 people liked it)

4 comments

Oct 03, 2009

Beanbag Love rated it:

(review of isbn 0843954884)

bookshelves: frequent-re-reads

This one lives up to the hype. A very good, romantic story in a unique setting.

I love historical romance, and I'm not bothered by the typical locations/time frames. I like Regencies just fine, for example. But this story is set in the colonial American frontier and has a real "Last of the Mohicans" vibe, which is really a refreshing change. And, no, the hero wasn't a secret duke, either.

Iain MacKinnon and Lady Anne Campbell are really nice leads. I liked th...more This one lives up to the hype. A very good, romantic story in a unique setting.

I love historical romance, and I'm not bothered by the typical locations/time frames. I like Regencies just fine, for example. But this story is set in the colonial American frontier and has a real "Last of the Mohicans" vibe, which is really a refreshing change. And, no, the hero wasn't a secret duke, either.

Iain MacKinnon and Lady Anne Campbell are really nice leads. I liked the way their romance progressed, although it certainly happened quickly. Their chemistry was very good and their moments of mistake and/or misunderstanding were not TSTL, but usually manipulated by an outside force, or by their own desire to save the other pain.

The featured and side characters were very good. The villain was awful and nasty and dealt with nicely. There's an anti-hero that I want to hate, but Clare keeps pulling the rug out from under that one, and I really don't know what to expect from him in the future. Which is a good thing, I think.

I did have a problem with a couple of parts. There was something in particular that Iain did that I thought was not a good plan, considering the laws and his desire to protect Annie. But it was a minor speed bump, really.

The battle scenes were difficult to read, mainly because they were well-told. A horrible loss due to an arrogant general -- I just wanted to reach through the pages and strangle the man myself.

My biggest problem with this book is not at all the fault of the author or the story. It's the Kindle version. There was a typo in every other paragraph, I swear. Misspelled words and missing or misplaced punctuation. How am I supposed to keep my mind on the story if I'm translating the whole time. What does "recatt" mean? Well, it means "recall" when spelled properly. So many things were like that. The most annoying one was the word "lain". Consistently it was replaced with the hero's name: "Iain". You look at them here and say -- why would that bother her? Well, the font doesn't make the "i" and the "L" look the same, so it's very clearly the man's name rather than a version of "lay". Okay -- that was a rant. But seriously, you could probably make a comedy album reading the typos in this thing. Shoddy, shoddy work.

However, the story surpasses that problem and I don't know if the PB is typo-riddled, so you might consider buying that if you think translating occasional nonsense words might bother you.

Now, I'm on to the next in the series, "Untamed", and looking forward to it.

ETA: The reason I didn't give this one five stars was because of the odd blip I mentioned above and also because I thought she padded the story with a few unnecessary sex scenes. They're well written, but a couple of them are unnecessary, and I actually skimmed over them. I can think of two that truly enhanced the story, but the others, IMO, were superfluous. (less)

Like this review? yes (7 people liked it)

15 comments

Apr 08, 2008

Auntee rated it:

(review of other edition)

bookshelves: historical-romance--american, husband-worthy_hero, keepers, made_me_cry

Read in November, 2008

recommended to Auntee by: Kathrynn, Mellisab
recommends it for: Fans of swoon-worthy historical heroes

This was the best historical romance I think I've ever read--all others pale in comparison. Scotsman Iain MacKinnon was a hero unlike any other--the bravest, kindest, most honorable man, and sooo sexy too. His relationship with the heroine, Annie...fantastic...tempestuous...erotic...loving, all that and more! There were many swoon-worthy moments in this one, as well as suspenseful ones, as Iain and his company of Rangers fought the French and Indians in many tense encounters. But this book w...more

Like this review? yes (8 people liked it)

11 comments

Feb 14, 2009

BJ Rose rated it:

(review of isbn 0843954884)

bookshelves: amer-west, historical-suspense, keepers

Read in April, 2009

recommended to BJ Rose by: MelissaB

There are so few well-told romance books set in the American frontier, and this one had so much more than just the setting. It's really about what happens to people when they are taken from all they know & love, and how they adapt, survive, learn & love under very harsh conditions.

Iain's family fled Scotland after Culloden, but Iain is now caught up in a North American war - the French & Indian War - because he and his brothers were framed for murder by Lord William Wentworth so he c...more

Like this review? yes (6 people liked it)

11 comments

Jul 11, 2008

MelissaB rated it:

(review of other edition)

bookshelves: best-heroes, colonial-american-romance, favorite-historical-romance, favorite-romances, historical-romance, mackinnons-rangers

Read in November, 2008

recommends it for: historical romance fans

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 fro...more 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. They often take a strap to her because she doesn't know how to do any of the hard tasks expected 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 to save 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 each time, it has become my favorite historical romance book - ever!
(less)

Like this review? yes (10 people liked it)

5 comments

Oct 28, 2008

Danielle "The Book Huntress" rated it:

(review of isbn 0843954884)

bookshelves: american-setting, favorites, hero-to-die-for, historical-romance, part-of-a-series, scarred-heroine, tormented-heroine, warrior

I had heard really good things about this author and this book. I must say that all praise was well-deserved. If you like Scottish heroes, you have to read this book. Iain has made an impression on me that will make it very hard for future Scottish heroes to live up to. He is fearless, honorable, capable, manly, beautiful and loving. He risks his life many times for his brothers and men, and for Annie, the woman he had no obligation to save, but did, even though it brought misfortune on him ...more

Like this review? yes (5 people liked it)

2 comments

Nov 14, 2008

Kim rated it:

(review of isbn 0843954884)

bookshelves: 2008, historical-romance, native-american

Read in December, 2008

recommended to Kim by: Auntee, Kathrynn, MelissaB
recommends it for: historical romance fans

Whew! I really liked this one.

It take place on the frontier of New York during the French and Indian Wars. I'll admit I didn't know much about this time period. I found it interesting.

Iain is a Highlander now living on the frontier. He and his brothers are accused of a murder they did not commit and in exchange for punishment, they are forced by the English to fight with them against the French and Indians.

Iain stumbles upon Annie in the woods about to b...more

Like this review? yes (3 people liked it)

3 comments

Jan 04, 2009

librarygirl rated it:

(review of other edition)

bookshelves: historical-romance

Read in January, 2009

Where do I find more books like Surrender and Ride the Fire?? Both were fantastic reads! The love scenes were *steamy*. Iain was dreamy... on the keeper shelf it goes!

Like this review? yes (3 people liked it)

9 comments

Jan 04, 2009

Ladiibbug rated it:

(review of isbn 0843954884)

Read in January, 2009

recommends it for: Historical Fiction Fans

#1 MacKinnon's Rangers Trilogy

Thanks to all the Good Reads reviewers who so highly recommended this trilogy in the past few months. The high praise and intriguing comments were irresistibly tempting!

Pamela Clare writes so very well ... I was hooked and drawn in from the very first couple of pages. As the Rangers' story and characters developed, it was so hard to put this book down.

The time period was new to me -- the New York colony, 1755-1759, as was the wa...more

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Jan 28, 2010

April rated it:

(review of isbn 0843954884)

bookshelves: did-not-finish

Read in January, 2010

I really enjoyed the setting for this romance novel. It reminded me a bit of Gabaldon's Outlander series. But the resemblence to those books ended at the setting.

I also thought the plot was rather interesting, up to a point. It eventually became tedious and too fraught with horrible and melodramatic circumstances.

The story is of a Scots woman, daughter of an Earl that is loyal to the British crown. Unfortunately her father and brothers died in battles with the disloya...more

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Sep 24, 2009

Penny Watson rated it:

(review of isbn 0843954884)

Read in October, 2009

I had very high expectations for this book, but unfortunately I was not very impressed. I found the beginning of the book ludicrous. Call me crazy, but if I were being chased by a posse of wild Indians intent on scalping my sorry ass, the last thing I would be concerned about is my hard c**k and how badly I wanted to do my damsel in distress, whose poor body is battered because she was just about gang-raped by a posse of wild Indians. Seriously, do you not think that the threat of maiming, tortu...more

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1 comment

Nov 24, 2008

Wendy rated it:

(review of other edition)

bookshelves: favorites, historical-romance, scottish-romance

Read in November, 2008

recommends it for: Romance Lovers

I really enjoyed this book. I fell in love with the hero Iain. Of course that scot accent didn't hurt. Don't all women want to be saved in their time of need by a strong hero? Check this one out, you will love it. Its even better the second time around.

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Aug 02, 2009

Stevie rated it:

(review of isbn 0843954884)

Owns a copy — Read in August, 2009

recommended to Stevie by: reader reviews
recommends it for: scottish romance readers

This really should get 3.5 stars. It was very well written and the characters were deep and well thought out. It had great twists and turns and tremendous heart. I loved the brogue that was written in, it made it play perfectly in my head. A book about Highlanders should always include that. It wasn't too fantastic and it wasn't ever boring. It was set in the frontier of American and maybe that's were it lost me. That is just my thing, because like I stated it was well written. The love scenes w...more

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Aug 30, 2009

Mimi rated it:

(review of other edition)

bookshelves: leisure-historical-romance

Owns a copy — Read in September, 2009

recommends it for: people who enjoy Romance or Erotica

I had never heard of Pamela Clare before picking this book up at the CVS book store while browsing around for a magazine to read! I saw the cover with the guy's tattooed arm and pecks and was actually drawn to that. LOL

I don't recall if I've ever read another Historical Romance book, but this was by far one of the best reads I've read in a long time. It has all of the things I wish other books had; a twist of sensuality, naivety, street-smarts (of yore), love, hate, sadness, fun t...more

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Nov 27, 2009

Kathy rated it:

(review of isbn 0843954884)

bookshelves: 2009, faves, highlanders, historical-romance, kindle

Read in November, 2009

Damn, this was good. Iain was just...*sigh* And at parts I even got a bit choked up. Some times I pick up a book and it just takes me on this long, wonderful ride. This was one of them.

Why, why, why, aren't there Iains that just happen to move next door when I'm having a good hair day? Or just happen to walk into Panera Bread when I'm getting ready to eat my salad alone again and he just happens to ask me if I'm alone and I say I am and then he asks if he can join me and I say ...more

Like this review? yes (3 people liked it)

3 comments

Mar 02, 2009

Kit rated it:

(review of isbn 0843954884)

bookshelves: adored

Read in January, 2009

Oh my goodness, I loved this book! You drift into another world, one of heartship, love, honor set in our early American history. I was captivated early on and simply couldn't put it down.

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Mar 06, 2010

Kiera rated it:

bookshelves: romance-romantica

Read in February, 2010

Although I truly enjoyed Pamela Clare's tale, the editing of the e-book edition of this novel is unforgivably atrocious.

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Dec 25, 2009

Jessi rated it:

(review of isbn 0843954884)

Read in June, 2009

I thought it was a very good historical romance. I thought it was very exciting, I couldn't seem to put the book done once I began reading it.

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Sep 13, 2009

debsterchen rated it:

(review of isbn 0843954884)

bookshelves: historical-romance

Read in September, 2009

More like 4.5 stars. This book reminded me of Jamie and Claire - ah, similarities to Outlander for sure. Very enjoyable, I am planning to read the next book in the series. Love Pamela Clare's writing.

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