Rating: 
Summary: Some problems with this book
Review: A man who would enable a woman to do what society says she mustn't is interesting. Having the same man then demand she behave according to his more conservative standards as his wife is WEIRD! I didn't like his determined fortune-hunting, either. Still, there were good moments. A near-miss book.
Rating: 
Summary: The book is fine, the hero is not!
Review: As always,I enjoy reading ANY Quick book, but I can not stand the hero! He lies and deceives the heroine and only wants her for her money! Sure, he comes around at the end and falls in love with her, but what way is that to start a relationship? Other than that, it's great!
Rating: 
Summary: The best laid plans often go awry . . .
Review: As Victoria Huntington and Lucas Colebrook, Earl of Stonevale, learn all too well in this delightful book by Amanda Quick. Searching for an heiress to salvage his money-deprived estates, Lucas stumbles upon Victoria Huntington -- a wild and reckless bluestocking with an outrageous sense of adventure to go along with her exorbitant fortune. He believes he can tame her unbridled ways and lay claim to her money. Steeped in self-induced spinsterhood, Victoria has other plans. Haunted by the memory of her mother's disastrous second marriage, Victoria has vowed never to be ruled by any man. Thrown together for all the wrong reasons, these two form a legendary bond that will bring life to their lands and love to their hearts. As usual, Amanda Quick delivers a well rounded story peopled with complex and intriguing characters. The plot is clever, interesting and kept me absorbed right from the start. Once again, though, it is the characters that make a story and Ms. Quick creates some of the best in Victoria and Lucas. Victoria is impulsive, brassy and bold and Lucas is arrogant, domineering and stubborn. They are not only well suited to one another, but exactly what the other needs in a romantic partner. You might start out disliking Lucas, but give him time. He grows as a person throughout the book and quickly sheds the misnomer of 'fortune-hunter.' If you'll look closely, you'll promptly see that Lucas realizes early on that there is quite a bit more to Victoria than her money. They lead each other on a merry chase, each unwilling to admit that they love one another. But, in the end it all comes down to strategy. Strategically they push one another toward surrender and wind up finding more than they ever dreamed. In the style that fans have grown to love, Ms. Quick weaves a puzzling mystery into the romance that adds depth to the plot. Things culminate in the final chapters of the book taking the reader on a frenzied journey to solve the conundrum. _Surrender_ is a wild ride of love, adventure, romance and danger that left me at once satisfied and yet yearning for more. Highly recommended reading for fans or would-be Amanda Quick readers.
Rating:
Summary: One of Quick's best works despite some major flaws
Review: I am one of those readers who prefers Amanda Quick's earlier works. When I first discovered historical romances (in my mid-twenties) Quick was one of the authors I devoured. I think SCANDAL (a somewhat untypical Quick) was my first book. Somehow I missed SURRENDER. Recently I came across a copy, and because of all the positive reviews, I decided to try it. I also have to admit that a fortune-hunting hero is quite unusual for Quick. Usually, her heroes are all very rich, mysterious, and rather intimidating. This hero, Lucas, can be intimidating - because of his status as a war hero. The mystery about him is not so much in in his past (he is a distant relative who has succeeded unexpectedly to the title), but in his financial position at least as far as the ton (society) is concerned. The story begins with Lucas pursuing a not-so-young (in her mid-twenties) heiress named Victoria, with the aid of his former love Jessica. Unlike previous old flames in other Quick novels, Jessica is not the villain(ess). In fact, she is decidedly a prude, and rather pleased with her status as a martyr to family duty. But I digress... Victoria is the usual Quick heroine in that she is bright, unconventional and she positively thirsts for adventure. She is unusual in that she is richer than the hero. As in most Quick plots, the heroine's desire for adventure leads her into some compromising situations and also considerable danger. Thanks to one such episode, Lucas and Victoria must get married - which suits Lucas just fine. Well, Lucas is a fortune-hunter, but he is a bit more than that. He is fortune-hunting because he owes the people on his estates and the land the best that he can manage. [A rather nice reason to chase an heiress, compared to the usual spendthrift feckless gamble who goes fortune-hunting]. And Lucas also respects Victoria's intelligence, her unusual qualities, and even her appetite for rather unorthodox adventures. Although he is not displeased by his forced marriage, he would have preferred a more conventional courtship. Best of all, although it would have been easy for him to engineer the forced marriage, it is clear fairly soon that he was not the one who betrayed the couple. Victoria and Lucas have their usual tiffs, including a remarkable tiff about money and her spending, in which he manages to alienate Victoria for a while. But he is always good at retrieving the situation, partly by appealing to her sense of adventure. And into this mix is thrown an old family legend about an Amber Knight and his Lady, into which Victoria plays beautifully with her penchant for amber-colored and yellow-colored outfits. The people on the estate are as thrilled by Victoria's wardrobe as her actions, and everything seems to be going nicely. Or is it? From the outset, it is clear that Victoria is being stalked by someone regarding a Big Secret in her past. And here I have to say that Victoria exhibits remarkable stupidity (as does Lucas at one point). Does she take someone into her confidence early? No. Does she take certain precautions such as hiring a Bow Street Runner or finding out the mole among the staff? No. Do she and Lucas act rashly at a certain point? Yes. Unfortunately, this part of the story was a decided letdown as was the author's lack of knowledge about inheritance law. For the record, if Victoria's mother had control of her own fortune at her first husband's death and she then remarried without any safeguards, her fortune would go immediately to her new husband. If she and her friends had safeguards built (basically a trust being set up), then her new husband could not inherit her fortune. The point being that the reason for a certain death in the back history of the novel made little sense - almost as little sense as the villain's desire for revenge (this person is supposed to be smart). I cannot say more without giving away secrets, but at the beginning of the book, either Victoria inherits her mother's fortune outright after her mother's death (usually in the form of a trust) or that fortune has passed into another family in the absence of such a trust. [For further enlightenment, I recommend Emily Bronte's WUTHERING HEIGHTS]. If this problem (with the disposition of Victoria's mother's fortune) had not existed, and if the hero and heroine had not acted rashly (and even stupidly at several points), I would have given this book a 5 or something close to it. As it stands, it gets a 3.9 (rounded up to a 4). Why do I penalize it so much? Because Quick makes mystery and revenge key motives in her plots - and it is disappointing when that part comes undone, especially near the end.
Rating:
Summary: One of Quick's best works despite some major flaws
Review: I am one of those readers who prefers Amanda Quick's earlier works. When I first discovered historical romances (in my mid-twenties) Quick was one of the authors I devoured. I think SCANDAL (a somewhat untypical Quick) was my first book. Somehow I missed SURRENDER. Recently I came across a copy, and because of all the positive reviews, I decided to try it. I also have to admit that a fortune-hunting hero is quite unusual for Quick. Usually, her heroes are all very rich, mysterious, and rather intimidating. This hero, Lucas, can be intimidating - because of his status as a war hero. The mystery about him is not so much in in his past (he is a distant relative who has succeeded unexpectedly to the title), but in his financial position at least as far as the ton (society) is concerned. The story begins with Lucas pursuing a not-so-young (in her mid-twenties) heiress named Victoria, with the aid of his former love Jessica. Unlike previous old flames in other Quick novels, Jessica is not the villain(ess). In fact, she is decidedly a prude, and rather pleased with her status as a martyr to family duty. But I digress... Victoria is the usual Quick heroine in that she is bright, unconventional and she positively thirsts for adventure. She is unusual in that she is richer than the hero. As in most Quick plots, the heroine's desire for adventure leads her into some compromising situations and also considerable danger. Thanks to one such episode, Lucas and Victoria must get married - which suits Lucas just fine. Well, Lucas is a fortune-hunter, but he is a bit more than that. He is fortune-hunting because he owes the people on his estates and the land the best that he can manage. [A rather nice reason to chase an heiress, compared to the usual spendthrift feckless gamble who goes fortune-hunting]. And Lucas also respects Victoria's intelligence, her unusual qualities, and even her appetite for rather unorthodox adventures. Although he is not displeased by his forced marriage, he would have preferred a more conventional courtship. Best of all, although it would have been easy for him to engineer the forced marriage, it is clear fairly soon that he was not the one who betrayed the couple. Victoria and Lucas have their usual tiffs, including a remarkable tiff about money and her spending, in which he manages to alienate Victoria for a while. But he is always good at retrieving the situation, partly by appealing to her sense of adventure. And into this mix is thrown an old family legend about an Amber Knight and his Lady, into which Victoria plays beautifully with her penchant for amber-colored and yellow-colored outfits. The people on the estate are as thrilled by Victoria's wardrobe as her actions, and everything seems to be going nicely. Or is it? From the outset, it is clear that Victoria is being stalked by someone regarding a Big Secret in her past. And here I have to say that Victoria exhibits remarkable stupidity (as does Lucas at one point). Does she take someone into her confidence early? No. Does she take certain precautions such as hiring a Bow Street Runner or finding out the mole among the staff? No. Do she and Lucas act rashly at a certain point? Yes. Unfortunately, this part of the story was a decided letdown as was the author's lack of knowledge about inheritance law. For the record, if Victoria's mother had control of her own fortune at her first husband's death and she then remarried without any safeguards, her fortune would go immediately to her new husband. If she and her friends had safeguards built (basically a trust being set up), then her new husband could not inherit her fortune. The point being that the reason for a certain death in the back history of the novel made little sense - almost as little sense as the villain's desire for revenge (this person is supposed to be smart). I cannot say more without giving away secrets, but at the beginning of the book, either Victoria inherits her mother's fortune outright after her mother's death (usually in the form of a trust) or that fortune has passed into another family in the absence of such a trust. [For further enlightenment, I recommend Emily Bronte's WUTHERING HEIGHTS]. If this problem (with the disposition of Victoria's mother's fortune) had not existed, and if the hero and heroine had not acted rashly (and even stupidly at several points), I would have given this book a 5 or something close to it. As it stands, it gets a 3.9 (rounded up to a 4). Why do I penalize it so much? Because Quick makes mystery and revenge key motives in her plots - and it is disappointing when that part comes undone, especially near the end.
Rating:
Summary: A most amusing book.
Review: I have re-read this book several times over the last couple of years. The reader has a chance to go places they would never dream of going and do things that only the bravest of hearts would attempt. The main characters, though outlandish, are immensely likable. A very entertaining book.
Rating:
Summary: The best Quick has written
Review: I have read many of Quick's novel's but this one stands out. Not only is there a story of romance going on but there is also a real plot to it. The heroess is somewhat unrealistic but thats what makes her exiting. This is a wonderful novel that I encourage everyone to read.
Rating:
Summary: The best Quick has written
Review: I have read many of Quick's novel's but this one stands out. Not only is there a story of romance going on but there is also a real plot to it. The heroess is somewhat unrealistic but thats what makes her exiting. This is a wonderful novel that I encourage everyone to read.
Rating:
Summary: Vastly Intriguing And Steals Your Heart
Review: I knew from the first "scene" with Vicky and Lucas that they were in love with each other. Lucas DIDN'T marry her just for her money! I loved the midnight meetings, and the places they went and how Victoria veiwed them were hysterical. She is a gem, and Lucas is the perfect match for her. I agree with a previous reveiwer, they were in love from the second they met. This is a great work of Quick's, and you won't be disapointed if you read it.
Rating:
Summary: OUTRAGEOUSLY FUNNY
Review: I really like this book alot, Victoria is a women ahead of the times, and Lucas was a man not easily shocked but kept Victoria grounded. The book was a wonderful love story. I definitely would recommend reading this funny and loving story.
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