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My Reckless Surrender

by Anna Campbell (Goodreads Author)

3.76 of 5 stars 3.76 · rating details · 441 ratings · 70 reviews

Headlong Into Sin...

A well-practiced rake, weary of easy conquests and empty pleasures, Tarquin Vale, Earl of Ashcroft, knows women—and his every instinct warns him to beware of this one. Diana Carrick's brazen overtures have thrown the haunted, sinfully handsome lord completely off his guard. Why, the exquisite temptress stated outright that she wishes to be his lover. Bu...more

Mass Market Paperback, 358 pages

Published May 25th 2010 by Avon

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May 31, 2010 Christine Morehouse rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Romance Readers

Recommended to Christine by: AVON BOOKS

MY RECKLESS SURRENDER by Anna Campbell is a sexy intelligent compulsive read with her magnetic three dimensional characters, lush erotic love scenes and has every thing a romance reader wants. Ms. Campbell is a master at stripping her characters to the bone, breaking them down and rebuilding them back at just the right time. Her strong story line has you rooting from the moment you read the first sentence. Without question Ms. Campbell is one of today’s unequivocal Mistress of story telling who...more MY RECKLESS SURRENDER by Anna Campbell is a sexy intelligent compulsive read with her magnetic three dimensional characters, lush erotic love scenes and has every thing a romance reader wants. Ms. Campbell is a master at stripping her characters to the bone, breaking them down and rebuilding them back at just the right time. Her strong story line has you rooting from the moment you read the first sentence. Without question Ms. Campbell is one of today’s unequivocal Mistress of story telling who is known for her emotionally tortured heroes. Anna Campbell doesn’t disappoint her readers in her latest release by Avon Books.

Jaded and bored with the intrigues of the ton, practiced rake, Tarquin Vale, Earl of Ashcroft is stunned—not only by the beauty standing before him- but by her outrageous proposition.

“I want to be your lover.”

Known for his debauchery, Lord Vale is use to having strikingly beautiful woman throwing themselves at him begging for his erotic touch. Vale has always been at the ready and is never one to disappoint. But this striking goddess has him dumbfounded and quite seriously raised his hackles. Why if it was any other woman but this charismatic sublime creature he would quite simply jump at the chance to bed her. But there is something that he just can’t put his finger on. He’s sure there is more to this young widow’s proposition. Fascinated beyond what he should be and obsessed with the one woman that won’t give in to him completely, Vale sets out to uncover her secrets. In the end will Vale really want or care why Diana has deceived him? Will the seducer finally lose his heart to the one woman set and determined to destroy him?

Diana Carrick has never been reckless by any stretch of the imagination. So when she is offered the chance to become the Marchioness of Cranston Abbey she jumps at the chance. Little did she know that seducing the venturous philandering, Lord Vale would be so much trouble? At first glance Diana knows that this will be no simple seduction as moment after moment Vale shows the young widow that perceptions can be deceiving. As Vale and Diana’s temerarious love affair plays out an enemy hides in the shadows waiting for their moment to pounce. Falling in love was not in the cards for this adventurous duo but stranger things have happened. Secrets, deceits and an abiding love are rocked and truths as they say are stranger than fiction. In the end can Vale and Diana find their way through the heart ripping pain of deceit, plunge through the lies and find and hold onto a love of a life time?(less)

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Jul 21, 2010 June rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: anna-campbell

Anna Campbell writes very good romance novels. They are interesting with edgey plots. Dark stories and different from the norm. I enjoyed the story line My Reckless Surrender. I liked the good girl seducing the bad boy, but I did not like the last quarter of the book. I didn't understand the heroines greed. I felt Lord Ashcroft, Tarquin Vale deserved better. He risked his life for her, and she still fought her feelings for him. I liked the story line, but was disappointed in the heroines motive....more

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Jan 30, 2012 Rowena rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: for-review

This book started off with a bang...not literally but it started with the heroine asking the hero for some banging action and for a historical, that certainly had my eyebrows rising to the top of my head because when does that ever happen in historical romances? So with that bang of an introduction to the story, I thought I would enjoy it a lot more than I actually did.

I'm not saying that it was a bad read, it was enjoyable but I guess I was expecting more and while I got a good story, I didn't...more This book started off with a bang...not literally but it started with the heroine asking the hero for some banging action and for a historical, that certainly had my eyebrows rising to the top of my head because when does that ever happen in historical romances? So with that bang of an introduction to the story, I thought I would enjoy it a lot more than I actually did.

I'm not saying that it was a bad read, it was enjoyable but I guess I was expecting more and while I got a good story, I didn't get the great story I was hoping for. The heroine is being blackmailed by this giant dickhead who wants to marry her but can't get her pregnant so he wants her to go get pregnant elsewhere and then come back to him and if she doesn't then he's going to put the hurt on her loved ones.

Hmm.

So Diana marches her unhappy ass over to Tarquin's house and propositions him and he throws her out on her ass with a resounding no. She's confused because what man wouldn't want a quick affair with no strings attached? Tarquin, that's who. But he's mostly erring on the side of caution because it is a peculiar proposition. But Tarquin changes his tune when he sees Diana again and when they start their affair, Tarquin is determined to get to the bottom of the mystery surrounding the fair Diana.

Watching the two fall in love was tainted for me because I could not frickin' stand Diana's little secret. Instead of being sympathetic, I found the whole thing to be rather silly and when I thought things would turn for the better, I was a little disappointed. I was disappointed because the villain, Edgar Fanshawer was laughable. It was hard for me to take him seriously when all I wanted was for him to take a bath and go to sleep or something. Whenever Edgar got page time, Gargamel from The Smurfs came to mind and I couldn't help but laugh.

I didn't hate Diana and Tarquin together because their relationship was pretty hot dang hot. The love scenes in this book held a lot of steam and when I closed the book, I knew that Tarquin was totally bangable. I was curious to see how Campbell would make it possible for Tarquin and Diana to be together and the way she brought them together, surprised me because I wasn't expecting it but it worked. The book ended the way it was supposed to end and the happily ever after came about so though there were some disappointments, the entire book wasn't a total loss.

Overall, there were things that I enjoyed about the book and things that didn't work for me but on the whole, this was a pretty decent read. (less)

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Aug 27, 2011 Lisa Jo rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical, keepers, physical-collection

Anna Campbell’s latest novel, My Reckless Surrender, starts with a story of undeniable lust that burns throughout the first half of the book only to continue in the second half with a charming story that tears at your heartstrings. Readers will not be disappointed in this splendid tale of an infamous rake’s fall and the dazzling widow who caught him.

“I want to be your lover.” Diana Carrick utters this shocking line to the infamous rake Tarquin Vale, Earl of Ashcroft. Therein starts this seductiv...more Anna Campbell’s latest novel, My Reckless Surrender, starts with a story of undeniable lust that burns throughout the first half of the book only to continue in the second half with a charming story that tears at your heartstrings. Readers will not be disappointed in this splendid tale of an infamous rake’s fall and the dazzling widow who caught him.

“I want to be your lover.” Diana Carrick utters this shocking line to the infamous rake Tarquin Vale, Earl of Ashcroft. Therein starts this seductive and deceptive tale of a mischievous plan that began innocently but ended differently than anyone expected. The Earl’s initial response is confusion, unable to conceive what brought Diana to his library and what made her make this shocking claim. While every instinct tells him to cast her aside and forget her, he cannot deny their attraction and his ultimate fascination with this alluring widow.

Diana has made a deal with the devil, or rather her father’s employer the Marquess of Burnley, a terminally ill man with vengeance on his mind. His deal? Sleep with the Earl and become pregnant with his child. In return, Burley will marry her, claim the Earl's child as his heir so she can become the mistress of Cranston Abbey, a property that is worth everything to Diana. This seems simple enough...dangerous, yet a small road block to overcome in order to lead her to the ultimate prize. The only difficulty is hiding this deceit from the Earl and not losing her heart to him in the process. Unfortunately, limiting their association to be just another summer affair is easier said than done for both Diana and Tarquin. If or when Tarquin finds out the truth, will it be too late for their happily ever after?

The first half of this story is scorching. The real basis for the beginning of Diana and Tarquin’s affair is a physical attraction that neither one of them can control. It overwhelms both of them from the start which is terrifying to this couple. Diana becomes afraid their relationship will develop into something more, something that will break her heart forever. Tarquin becomes afraid of the new emotions he feels for her and how difficult it is becoming to remain distant.

The characters were amazing. Tarquin is established as a ruthless rake early on, and the growth of his character that takes place throughout the book is spectacular. You go through the emotions with him as he develops a heart, a conscience, and an ambition to be a better person. Diana on the other hand is initially so overwhelmed with shame and despair it can feel awkward and uncomfortable at times. She is a difficult heroine to stand behind, and rightly so. Her actions and reasoning are confusing and difficult to understand. She is as intriguing to the reader as she is to Tarquin.

The second half of the story lets go of the lust and cranks up the heartache. Each page brings another element to complicate their relationship and that brings with it more uncertainty as to the outcome of the story. The book wraps a spell around you to the point where you cannot quit turning the pages and cannot for any reason whatsoever, put the book down. It touches every possible emotion and sweeps you away into a beautifully written story that is impossible to not love. The characters, the plot, the emotional adventure all make for one irresistible story. To surrender your time to read this book and money to own it is anything but reckless.

Overall Rating: 5/5
Heat Level: 4/5

Lisa @ Once Upon A Chapter(less)

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May 18, 2010 Katie(babs) rated it 1 of 5 stars

I had to hold myself back from throwing this book against the wall.

Diana Carrick is being blackmailed by Edgar Fanshawe, Marquess of Burnley. If Diana doesn't seduce and ends up pregnant by Tarquin Vale, the Earl of Ashcroft, those she loves will suffer. Fanshawe wants to marry Diana but he is unable to get her pregnant. He chooses the well known rake for Diana and expects results or she will suffer the consequences.

Tarquin is insulted when a veiled woman comes to him, asking to be her lover whi...more I had to hold myself back from throwing this book against the wall.

Diana Carrick is being blackmailed by Edgar Fanshawe, Marquess of Burnley. If Diana doesn't seduce and ends up pregnant by Tarquin Vale, the Earl of Ashcroft, those she loves will suffer. Fanshawe wants to marry Diana but he is unable to get her pregnant. He chooses the well known rake for Diana and expects results or she will suffer the consequences.

Tarquin is insulted when a veiled woman comes to him, asking to be her lover while she is in London. She says she wants to experience passion in his arms since he is rumored to be very skilled in the bedroom. Tarquin finds the situation very strange, but when he gets a look at the widow, he is struck hard by lust. He decides to engage in a tryst with the woman, but will find out all her secrets in the meantime.

Diana never expected to be such a wanton in Tarquin's arms and can't bear to leave him, including the deceit she must go through. But Tarquin isn't a fool, and as their passions for one another change into love, he will stop at nothing until Diana is his forever even if his actions destroy her life forever.

Anna Campbell is so skilled at writing intense and hot love scenes, and there are many between Diana and Tarquin. But the major issue I had with My Reckless Surrender is the near ridiculous deceit Diana must go through to get pregnant. The majority of the time I felt like I was reading an over the top melodrama with a very cartoonish type villain in regards to Fanshawe. Diana comes across more of a scared and worrisome woman if anything, and there is nothing much to recommend about her. Truthfully, only Tarquin is the only redeemable character in this whole story, and even then I found him lacking because he was duped so easily.

My Reckless Surrender does have a few twists and turns readers won't see coming, which is really and ends to a means to help Tarquin and Diana find their happily ever after together. This latest by Anna Campbell is very disappointing mainly due to the lengths the heroine must go through to get pregnant. This one is a major pass.(less)

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Jun 28, 2010 Trang Nguyen rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-romance, read-in-2010, regency

It really is a sad day for me when I cannot finish a book. (I really jinxed myself when I was ranting and raving that I have been reading some 5 star books lately) I bought this book on a whim bc I saw it on iBooks that it was a heavily recommended book on their site. (then i saw some GR fans either loved it or hated it, so i decided to give it a try in the hopes that i would find a new author that i would love.) However, I could no longer bear the torture of reading this book past the 130 pages...more

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Apr 25, 2013 Louise Wilson rated it 2 of 5 stars

I know through Romance Writers of Australia that Anna Campbell has a big reputation in her field, so I was disappointed with this book, the first of Anna's that I've read. Perhaps I'm growing tired of Regency-style Romances, perhaps I'm growing tired of a certain predictability in current writing styles, or perhaps it's just the heroine who turned me off, completely, but I found myself growing impatient with this book.

I suppose Anna's explicit descriptions of the sexual act were fundamental to a...more

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Jun 10, 2012 Selin rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012-summer

Zaten okuduğum kötü eleştirilerden dolayı büyük bir beklentiyle başlamamıştım ama açıkçası bu kadarını da hiç beklemiyordum. Konusunun saçmalığını pek eleştirmeyeceğim çünkü klişe ve ya ordan burdan çalıntı değildi ancak bu seveceğim anlamına gelmiyor açıkçası bir ev için bu kadar şey yapmak çok büyük saçmalık. Eh tabii bu diana karakterine kendi açımdan hiç pozitif bir şey kazandırmadı o karakteri kitap boyunca bir türlü sevemedim, bunun yaninda aşık pollyanna tarquin de fazla özverili geldi o...more

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Jul 12, 2010 Sarah rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-regency

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. OK, I loved, I mean LOVED, this book until the last few chapters. Diana was such a strong woman, and Tarquin constantly admired her brazenness and honesty (ironic)yet in the end he still crawled for her. The first few times was ok because it really showed how far he'd come, and how much he felt for her so it was natural. But after her repeated rejections and his final departure, I really felt like she should have really embraced her justifiable guilt and remorse and gone to him. I didn't expect...more

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Jul 21, 2010 LuvGirl rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: library-reading, rake-playboy, dnf-100-page-try, 2-stars, pp-so-called-rake, pp-nauseating-besotted-hero

The back of this book sounded so good, but I should have known that I would end up not liking it, since I have never had any luck when it came to this author. Her so called rakes always seems so pathetic where the heroines are concerned. She tells you how bad the heroes are and yet you never get to see it because the second they meet the heroine they turn into untried school boys salivating at the mouth. She doesn't even give you a chance to root for the hero to fall in love with the heroine bec...more

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Sep 30, 2011 Gemma rated it 3 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Dec 29, 2012 Esra Çetin rated it 4 of 5 stars

Kitabın başından beri Diana denen kadının yapmadığı halt kalmadı... Sırf evi istediği için Lord Burnley ile ittifak yaparak Ashcroft'u ağına düşürmesi ve adamın nasıl biri olduğunu öğrendikten sonra ve ona karşı bir şeyler hissetmeye başlamasına rağmen ihanete devam etmesi hem de neredeyse kitabın sonuna kadar beni çıldırttı.. Bir de üstüne üstlük Ashcroft onun yüzünden ölümle burun buruna gelince iyice dellendim :/ Gel gör ki yazarımız hikaye ille de mutlu sonla bitecek Ashcroft, Diana'yı affet...more

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Apr 29, 2011 Joy rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: romance

I liked this book because it was the heroine who was the morally questionable character, not the hero. A villainous old Marquess has a plot--he is impotent, dying of cancer, and his heirs are all dead. So he arranges for his steward's beautiful daughter to seduce his rake of an illegitimate son--the payoff for her is that he (the Marquess) will marry her once she gets pregnant. Poor rakish illegitimate son, because he falls in love with this heroine and she is initially only after his sperm. I r...more

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Feb 06, 2012 Leah rated it 4 of 5 stars

"I want to be your lover."
Diana started this romance off with a bang! Tarquin was taken back by this beautiful woman who proposed an offer he found he couldn't resist. Diana tries desperately to hold onto a secret that she knows will ruin all she holds dear as she finds herself falling in love with this man of her dreams. Tarquin knows there is something deeper involved but keeps telling himself to ignore it as he finds himself having feelings for this woman who is quickly turning his world on e...more

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Dec 29, 2012 Sharyn rated it 3 of 5 stars

Although this book has a very unique plot, I didn't like it as much as her other books. The mystery of the heroine is given away almost too soon, the Hero is supposed to be a profligate rake, but you don't see it. There is sizzling sex, but with a lot of guilt. Once again , the hero had a terrible childhood, but when he finally finds out the reason, he is redeemed, and able to love. If you like Campbell, you will probably like this book, but don't make it the 1st you read. I enjoyed "Claimimg th...more

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Mar 30, 2011 Summer rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-romance, hot-and-steamy, romance

This book definitely had it's problems. The whole reason behind the heroine's schemes, was flimsy at best. It just seemed a little ridiculous considering how she was supposed to have a good head on her shoulders. The ending was a little slap dash to me too.
However, for whatever reason, this book totally sucked me in. For people looking for a romance with a lot of tension look elsewhere. This is one of those where the couple are in the bedroom from almost the beginning. But the writing completel...more

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Oct 10, 2012 Michelle rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: own

Anna Campbell really redeemed herself by the end of this book! I was completely disappointed with it halfway through and considered making it a DNF. I'm soooooooooooooooo glad I didn't. Tarquin was such an incredible hero that he absolutely made the book. Diana was a terrible heroine, honestly. She was selfish and shallow and deceitful and even though she KNEW she was being all of that, she still went ahead with her scheme. She lied to and betrayed Tarquin at every turn, even while she was falli...more

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Oct 07, 2012 Hanife rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2011, er-romance, historical-romance, 1700s-1800s-h-romance, reading-turkish, pregnant-or-children

Bu yorum aynı zamanda Romancekolikte yayınlanmıştır.

Evet ratingden görüldüğü gibi kitap pek beklediğim gibi değildi. Aslında Anna Campbell sevdiğim bir yazardır. Nedense bu okuduğum son iki kitabı beni tatmin etmedi. Kastettiğim diğer kitabı Günahın Esiri değil okuduğum diğer bir ingilizce romanıydı. Yazarın ilk romanı Claiming A Courtesan. Sonuçla bu kitabın hikayesi süperdi hele sürprizler çok şaşırtıcıydı hikaye güzeldi ama gelgelelim uzatmalar beni deyim yerindeyse baydı.

Anna Campbell'ın...more

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Mar 30, 2011 Billie Jo rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-very-disappointed

I was so disappointed!! Either Campbell was rushed to write this book or someone didn't do their job. There were several errors made and at times unreasonable to the point I wondered if I had purchased an unedited copy.

Chapter 12 was by far the most confusing. While some may think the conversation between Diana and her father amusing - I found it quite confusing and at a loss as to why Campbell waited to the very end to state the father was blind. It's not like it was some climatic mystery reve...more

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Jan 12, 2013 TerriC. rated it 4 of 5 stars

The heroine is 28 year old Diana Carrick, blond hair, blue eyes. She’s widowed and childless. The hero is Tarquin Vale, 32 years old, dark hair, green eyes. The story begins in England in 1827.

I’d read on a few romance forums when this book came out that more than a few people didn’t like this at all. They didn’t like how greedy Diana was. She was willing to have sex with someone she didn’t know at all just to gain a fortune. I didn’t have a problem with that. What did bother me is that despite...more

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May 27, 2011 Quinn rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: library-book, regency-victorian-romance

Based on some of my friends reviews, I was half expecting this to be the book that broke my winning streak by this author. After all, every author is bound to disappoint at some stage, especially given how much I loved my previous reads by Anna Campbell.

Well, this is NOT that book. While it was not without its problems, I still found myself completely under its spell, swept along on the tide of emotions. My Reckless Surrender is a more subtle read than her previous books, and in many ways more...more Based on some of my friends reviews, I was half expecting this to be the book that broke my winning streak by this author. After all, every author is bound to disappoint at some stage, especially given how much I loved my previous reads by Anna Campbell.

Well, this is NOT that book. While it was not without its problems, I still found myself completely under its spell, swept along on the tide of emotions. My Reckless Surrender is a more subtle read than her previous books, and in many ways more intimate. Rather than being plot-driven, this is definitely a character piece, and that for me was its strength.

Other reviewers have commented about the abundance of love scenes that begin early in the book and continue throughout. These were not at all gratuitous. They were necessary to the storyline, but more importantly, it was a surprisingly unique way of providing insight into the characters and allowing the reader to really come to know and understand them by slowly revealing information and providing understanding.

What started as a cold arrangement soon became much more, and we bore witness to each character's battle against allowing the undeniable and powerful emotions threatening to overwhelm them and divert them from their chosen path. The authors use of pace in revealing emotion and the peeling away of the character's self-deception, along with allowing the reader to learn about the characters' past, made for some powerfully immersive reading.

The motivation of Diana's character in her deliberate seduction of Tarquin, Earl of Ashcroft, was the one weakness in the book I agree with. While it wasn't exactly flimsy, I couldn't at all agree that the end justified the means. That said, while it didn't spoil the book, this might have been a 5 star read had I been able to see her decision as in any way necessary or justifiable. Unfortunately I didn't.

Tarquin, however, was a delicious hero, whose willingness to bare himself and show weakness endeared him to me enormously. The author's portrayal of this powerful man coming undone was magnificent. I completely felt and believed the strength of this couple's desire for each other, and that is one of this author's gifts.

Anna Campbell has written an admittedly different but still wonderful book that doesn't at all undermine her place as one of my favourite authors.(less)

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Jun 04, 2010 Linds rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 1800-s, england, historical-romance, read-in-2010, regency, romance

This book is just as intense as Anna Campbell's previous books, but less dark. It's not especially plot driven, but the intensity kept me up past one am to finish it.

In Campbell's book, Claiming the Courtesan, the author took a risk in making the hero's actions despicable. In this book, it's the heroine that behaves inexcusably.

Diana is given the opportunity to marry an old, decrepit, marquis not long for this world and inherit an entailed house that she has always loved. The catch is that she h...more

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Dec 10, 2011 Kat rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical, review, kindle-wishlist, read-2010, romance

Recommended Read

Originally posted on Joyfully Reviewed: http://www.joyfullyreviewed.com/revie...

Tarquin Vale, Earl of Ashcroft, reformist champion, and renowned libertine is used to women desiring him. What he isn’t used to is one outright propositioning him. When Diana Carrick boldly enters his home and announces she wants to have an affair with him, Tarquin can’t decide if he’s intrigued or affronted. Offense might have won out, except that there’s something incongruous about the air of innoce...more Recommended Read

Originally posted on Joyfully Reviewed: http://www.joyfullyreviewed.com/revie...

Tarquin Vale, Earl of Ashcroft, reformist champion, and renowned libertine is used to women desiring him. What he isn’t used to is one outright propositioning him. When Diana Carrick boldly enters his home and announces she wants to have an affair with him, Tarquin can’t decide if he’s intrigued or affronted. Offense might have won out, except that there’s something incongruous about the air of innocence around Diana and her brazen offer. Though he sends her away at first, Tarquin can’t get his lovely would-be mistress out of his mind. But as he inevitably heads down the path of temptation towards Diana’s arms, Tarquin knows something is amiss. Will their passionate liaison lead to love? Or when Diana’s dark secrets are revealed, will Tarquin’s surrender become his downfall?

Prepare yourself for Anna Campbell’s most sultry, tempting tale yet! My Reckless Surrender wraps itself around readers like the most sensual of silks, Ms. Campbell’s gorgeous writing a true thing of beauty. I was captivated from the start by Tarquin. His rakish pursuits were overshadowed by the intelligence, honesty, and innate goodness of him. He’s a hero worth dreaming of, and one I all-too-happily fell for. Diana, in turn, is a woman with a grave secret. I wouldn’t dream of spoiling what that secret is, but I will say I appreciated the plausibility of it and understood her motives that lead her to Tarquin. In the hands of a lesser author, Diana’s deception might have threatened to overshadow the romance. But in Ms. Campbell’s care, I sympathized with Diana. She has a good heart and a lot of love to give and I yearned to see everything work out between her and Tarquin, for they fit one another perfectly.

Ms. Campbell’s books always take a prized space on my keeper shelf, and My Reckless Surrender is no exception. It’s an exquisite, romantic read that I look forward to enjoying again and again for years to come. Joyfully Recommended!(less)

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Apr 11, 2011 Eastofoz rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-regency, 2011

Tried as I might this book was exceptionally hard to get through. The first 200 pages are nothing but sex and that's rare for a straight up historical especially from Avon. It's like reading toned down erotica. There's no relationship building or character development. After you labor through that there's lots of repetition and then finally you get to the end and it's totally unbelievable and dissatisfying.

Diana, the heroine, is completely unforgivable and for Tarquin Lord Ashcroft, the hero, t...more

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Jul 28, 2010 Cheryl rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-romance

I really enjoyed the first half of this book. Anna Campbell writes in a way that makes the story come alive. You can feel the heat, smell the smells that are described and just picture all of the surroundings. Two scenes in particular stand out to me. One being when the hero and heroine are in the alley just outside a masquerade they were attending. I felt as if I were right there with them, it was a very heated scene! The other was when they met in a carriage.. again, I felt as if I were part o...more

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May 26, 2010 Claudine rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: anna-campbell

One word....HOT!!!!!
There is major sizzle (or I should say fire) between Tarquin and Diana. Diana a woman who would do anything to get what she wanted and will use the oldest trick, she makes herself available to Tarquin under false pretenses, he puts up little resistance to her advances being the Rake that he is suppose to be. A country widow coming to town to find experience in the arms of a well known lover. Tarquin was chosen for a specific reason but through their affair they develope feeli...more

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May 28, 2010 seton rated it 3 of 5 stars Recommends it for: lovers of besotted hewoes & melodwamah

Shelves: h-needs-to-die

Widow Diana, the daughter of a bailiff, arrives in London with express directions to get pregnant by Tarquin Vale, the Earl of Ashcroft. Why Diana is determined to do this is contrived/convoluted and I believe that a reader's enjoyment of this book correlates to whether they sympathize with her reasons or not. Personally, I wasn't too sympathetic.

Anna Campbell seems to be in the forefront of the "Regency Noir" subgenre but what does it really mean? Well, after reading AC's first five books so fa...more

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May 30, 2010 Verity rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: campbell-anna, king-dong

It's v. hard to root for the star-crossed HEA when the heroine is a ninny & hero is a luv-sick sap. If he were a virgin, he woulda won more sympathy vote from me, but he's a jaded rake, who's been around the blocks (unfortunately, not my block). The succulent meat of the story is only embedded in the last 10 chapters. It took me days to finish it 'cuz I put it down, picked it up, put it down again & then switched to Jo Bev for a change 'cuz the reedy plot was moving @ a 1-legged turtle's...more It's v. hard to root for the star-crossed HEA when the heroine is a ninny & hero is a luv-sick sap. If he were a virgin, he woulda won more sympathy vote from me, but he's a jaded rake, who's been around the blocks (unfortunately, not my block). The succulent meat of the story is only embedded in the last 10 chapters. It took me days to finish it 'cuz I put it down, picked it up, put it down again & then switched to Jo Bev for a change 'cuz the reedy plot was moving @ a 1-legged turtle's pace. I kept reading @ stops & starts even tho’ I was hoping it’ll get more riveting. The 1st 2/3 of the book is merely mind-numbing marathon sex that @ times I thought I was reading Stephanie Laurens, who’s infamous for over-stretching the sex quota & luv scenes ad nauseum. I give her credit for the 1st wince-inducing boinking in the carriage, it's realistic that heroine initially feels pain being over-stretched on hero's King Dong. Interwoven w/ the lengthy nookie, is lotsa going back & 4th thought process between the H/H. Tarquin's (both spoken & unspoken) grilling in regards to Diana's actions & motivations is like doing laundry, lather, rinse, repeat, to no avail. I'd hire her as an FBI instructor for "10 ways on how to evade crunchy questions" class, 'cuz she does have admirable skills in spinning the 3rd degree inquisition around & making Tarquin reveal his sad lonely self instead.

I like hero's name, BTW, v. unique & not used too often, the only other book I can think of featuring same name is Jane Feather - Vice. If U've read AC's previous ab fab works, U're no stranger to her uber obsessive heroes. I luv obsessive, jealous, possessive heroes, but methinks Tarquin is inexplicably too hypnotized by Diana's spell, to the point that his pride-lowering aggressiveness in his pursue of her, came across as just a tad too pathetic for my taste. I dunno, mayhap I'm PMS-ing, but I really couldn't believe that the hero pops the question upon knowing that heroine's preggers & she turns him down. Whyyyy oh whyyy ? His prospects aren't too shabby, Tarquin's status is in equal footing w/ the baddie. Bad move. Oh and to have Tarquin show up in the nick of time for the wedding, after a severe beating ? Jeez louiz... he'd be better off letting the heroine reap what she sows. Also, we're told that Tarquin's a champion for the underprivileged / the poor / something like that, but we don't get shown what / how exactly he does to fight for his cause, 'cuz he's too busy trying to subdue his infatuated boner. The juicy luv scenes do have some palpable threads of tenderness & mutual feelings, but not enuff to overcum the repetitive mental flogging & dubious premise (coming from me, who’d sell all my books to buy a decent roof over my head, that’s saying something LOL).

On a side note, I dunno if the release of LV's book a month ago has made it a standard to crank it up a notch in terms of overcooked luv scenes & the minimum quota, ‘cuz from the moment Tarquin sets eyes on Diana again, they just keep bangin’ like a barroom door on a windy day, as in, the more, the merrier. It gets tiresome that whenever he tries to make her fess up 'bout her diabolical plan, she clams up. Then to spray acid on his sore open wounds, she goes nilly willy w/ the creepy villain like a shadow, when beckoned, after Tarquin finds a golden chance to corner her (his 3-day bushy stake-out was endearing yet pitiful). Also, for some unfathomable reason the unintended sly digs @ Patience made me smirk (sorry, can’t help it, I must’ve been bored outta my skull & LV’s atrocious book was still fresh in my scarred mind) :

<< “Patience” entered his lexicon as a synonym for “torture”. >> (hahaa… so true, that book was pure “torture” for me)

<< Patience is over-rated. >> (nods head in agreement)

PS : If U’ve watched Star Wars, U’ll know the plot twist (an homage to Darth Vader VS Luke Skywalker showdown).

PPS : The reason I switched to Jo Bev's latest in-between finishing this 1 was 'cuz the premise reminded me a bit of "Secrets of the nite" - which I luved to pieces.(less)

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Jul 12, 2012 Leah James rated it 4 of 5 stars

Have you ever read a romance novel and thought there was just too much sex? Neither had I. But about halfway through this book (which I really enjoyed), I started to feel like I was reading the same scenes over and over.

That's my only complaint, though, if one could call it a complaint. :-)

Ms. Campbell is a gifted writer whose descriptions carried me back to Regency England, into the arms of a handsome earl. (The young woman I used to be gives a big sigh there.) :-)

Nice job.

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Mar 29, 2011 Joey rated it 5 of 5 stars

I love everything Anna Campbell writes and that definitely includes this book. Anna takes risks in her writing and I'm so glad she does. She doesn't write about typical heroines and heroes. I was totally invested in Tarquin and Diana's story and I adored Tarquin. Diana was in a horrible position and did deceive Tarquin, butI think she proved her love at the end of the book. Loved it!

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About Anna Campbell

I've always been a voracious reader! I write Regency historical romance for Grand Central Publishing and Avon. My multi award-winning books include CLAIMING THE COURTESAN, UNTOUCHED, TEMPT THE DEVIL, CAPTIVE OF SIN, MY RECKLESS SURRENDER and MIDNIGHT'S WILD PASSION.

My latest release is SEVEN NIGHTS IN A ROGUE'S BED from Grand Central. It's a gothic take on Beauty and the Beast and the beginning o...more

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“Tarquin Vale. The Earl of Ashcroft.
Plotocrat. Collector. Devotee of reformist politics.
Rake. Debauchee. Hellspawn.
Unwitting key to a future greater than she'd dreamed was possible.” — 1 person liked it

“Her jaw ached with tension. "Surely you don't respond to all women who...invite you this way?"
"Only strangers who remain anonymous and shrouded from my sight." The snap was still there, astonishing her. Anger was the last reaction she'd expected. "Do you intend to wear your veils when you fuck me, madam?” — 1 person liked it

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