Surrender (MacKinnon’s Rangers, #1) in Alpha Heroes & Spitfire Heroines

May 14, 2009 Shawna rated it it was amazing

Shelves: dirty-talk-turns-me-on, favorite-romance-series, hh-servant-serving-working-class, heartbreaking-gutwrenching-romance, hero-big-built-tall-muscular-strong, 2022-reads, tattoos-piercings-body-art, favorite-hottest-love-scenes-nookie, favorite-romance-couple-hh-pairings, hero-addict-excon-lawtrouble-thief

Re-read/listened to audiobook April'2022

Still a big 5 star read!

Original rating/review Sept'2010:

5+ stars – Colonial American/Frontier Historical Romance

I’m a huge fan of Pamela Clare’s I-Team romantic suspense series, I love hot highlander heroes, I’m fascinated by pre-Revolutionary American history, and I’ve heard nothing but wonderful things about Surrender from several GR friends. So why did I wait so long to read this?!?! I had no doubt that I’d love it, but I had a feeling it would be emot ...more

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Dec 28, 2010 MelissaB rated it it was amazing

Shelves: historical-romance, kindle, 2015-reads, colonial-american-romance, best-heroes, favorite-romances, favorite-historical-romance, mackinnons-rangers, 2013-reads, audio-book-i-own

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 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. ...more

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Apr 19, 2011 Lisa Kay rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: m-pb-paperback, genre-romance-historical, genre-action-adventure, all-time-favorites, theme-masquerade, reviewed-by-me, series-m, zzcover-green, authors-p, character-scottish-hero

★★★★★ Five full stars and a WOW!

I loved this book, but then, as a historical romance reader, it is definitely my cuppa tea. I was a bit worried, as every one of my GR friends loves her contemporary love stories; could she make the transition? With a resounding yes, I must say she did! And then some.

I also selected Iain MacKinnon, the hero, to fill the coveted “Protector Hero” slot in my Nothing But Reading Challenges - My Hero Challenge. And man-oh-man, does he fulfill the role - for a mort ...more

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Jul 02, 2009 KatLynne rated it it was amazing

Shelves: keeper, hero-alpha-warrior, made-me-laugh, g-historical-romance, favorite-treasures, hero-favorite-smokin-hot-sexay, one-of-my-favorite-series, heroine-i-loved, 2009-reads, one-of-my-fav-authors

5++++ Stars
While this is my first book by this author, I knew it would not be my last. Like most everyone, I have my favorite authors and my favorite books. And then there’s an even higher rating than “favorite” and it is saved for those specially gifted, wonderfully talented authors that fit into my “absolutely must have” category. Pamela Clare is one of those authors. Once I read Surrender, I knew I was hooked. I immediately ordered all books from her backlist. Now I simply, anxiously watch a 5++++ Stars
While this is my first book by this author, I knew it would not be my last. Like most everyone, I have my favorite authors and my favorite books. And then there’s an even higher rating than “favorite” and it is saved for those specially gifted, wonderfully talented authors that fit into my “absolutely must have” category. Pamela Clare is one of those authors. Once I read Surrender, I knew I was hooked. I immediately ordered all books from her backlist. Now I simply, anxiously watch and wait for her next book release, grab it the day it becomes available, and then devour it like a much needed drug. Pamela Clare has an amazing talent that when added to her intelligence and with her intense research skills, the ending product is nothing but magnificent!

Surrender is the first book in the MacKinnon’s Ranger Trilogy and is set during the French and Indian War in America. Each book in the Series tells the story of one of the brothers, Iain, Morgan & Conner. They are displaced Scottish Highlanders, raised amongst the Mahican Indians. With this background we get a special breed of men, those with fierce Scots courage and the stealth and cunning fighting abilities of their Indian brothers. They, along with many other talented Scots, form a unique team of warriors. These special men are known as MacKinnon’s Rangers.

Surrender is the story of Iain MacKinnon and the woman who calls herself Annie Burns. When Iain is falsely accused of murder, he along with the Rangers, are forced to serve the hated British Crown. Now let me tell you my lassies that Iain MacKinnon is one hot, sexy Highland Warrior. I loved him from the get go and think I will love him forever! Who could not love a man of his caliber? For he is filled to the brim and spilling over with all the alpha male attributes that I love!

During a scouting operation, Iain comes across lovely Annie, who is facing certain death at the hands of the Abenaki Indians and French soldiers who had raided her home. As she fights for her life, Iain’s honor and compassion win the battle over his orders. Risking the lives of his brothers and fellow Rangers, he saves her from certain torture and death. Facing punishment for his choices he brings an injured Annie back to the British camp. And there she recognizes the British leader, Lord William. Will he recognize her?

Annie is one of those heroines with true grit, full of courage and the will to survive. Having survived the harrowing indignities of her uncle and witnessing the brutal murder of those she worked for, she now finds herself faced with new challenges. For Annie is hiding secrets from her past and weaves a web of lies to protect herself. Lord William and Iain both recognize that she is lying. Both are becoming more enamored of her as they try to unravel those secrets. Yet, there is this hot, sizzling, dripping sexual heat and chemistry that exist between Iain and Annie. The sexual charge is hot enough to blow up the entire British camp and the love scenes are sweltering!

And so we find in the midst of the brutalities of war and survival in pre-Revolutionary America, a beautifully written, poignant, and sensual love story filled with vivid historical events, action and danger. This is such a compelling story and one that I loved from beginning to end. Pamela Clare has that special talent that puts you right in the midst of it all. It's as if you are there, completely and totally immersed; with heart palpitating and breath held. It's more than reading a book, you are living this story and enthralled!

Not only is this one a definite keeper but it goes into my “desert-island must” category and one that will be read again and again. I am so excited to read a Historical Romance series with an American Colonial setting. Being a History lover, I must confess that when finished, my interest was piqued and I found myself devouring all the information I could find on this war and this location.

Thank you Ms. Clare for an amazing story!
...more

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May 19, 2009 Keri rated it it was amazing

Shelves: romance-historical, 2000s-reads, 2020s-read

Ms. Clare can truly write a HAWT historical. I loved the time frame that the Rangers take place in. This was the first book and one of the best! I have read them all and can't wait for Connor's story. Although I know it is a long shot I would love to see what she could do to turn Lord William into a hero with his on HEA. He is a meanie right now, but I know it is because he doesn't have the love of a good woman to whip him into shape. :-) ...more

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Aug 02, 2009 Stevie rated it liked it

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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Dec 20, 2010 Emmi rated it it was amazing

Shelves: on-kindle, favorite-author

Let me start by saying I'm not a fan of historical romance and usually avoid it. BUT I FLIPPIN' LOVED LOVED LOVED this book. Pamela Clare is true to form. An amazing plot so perfectly woven with a love story that it's hard to believe it's fiction. Every time I pick up one of her books I become immersed in the world she creates and forget myself. This book, like her others made me shed tears of joy (so embarrassing on the 4 train during rush hour)& made me laugh. I fell in love with both primary ...more

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