Rating: 
Summary: Very Disappointed
Review: Having read Ms. Monks other books I was very disappointed with this one. Try as I might I could not like the heroine. She was not only spoiled but stupid. Throughout the first half of the book she constantly refers to her being from a privilaged family as "god's will". She even goes beyond being naive and believes everything she is told which ultimately puts the hero in danger. If you want a good Karyn Monk book try reading "Once a Warrior". The characters flow together and you actually feel like your part of the story. My second choice would be "The Witch and the Warrior". Good supernatural storyline.
Rating: 
Summary: Outstanding!
Review: I absolutely LOVED this book, I found it thrilling and suspenseful. I couldn't put it down. I HIGHLY recommend it to everyone. Karyn Monk is a truly gifted author and I am really looking forward to seeing her become a superstar. I can't wait for her next book.
Rating:
Summary: Disagree with previous reviewers
Review: I count it fortunate that I read Karyn Monk's later books (Once A Warrior and The Witch & the Warrior)before I read Surrender to a Stranger. If I hadn't I would never have read any of her other books. This story was so lame. First I couldn't stand the "heroine". She was selfish and stupid. She is bent on revenge even if it means leaving her only two younger sisters alone. Then when she thinks she has her revenge she doesn't even make sure it is complete. The hero falls in love with her and I can't figure out why. He is like the Scarlet Pimpernel in saving people from the guillotine. His only shortcoming seems to be falling in love with selfish and absurdly stupid women. I read this with hope it would get better but it never does. I think I am being overly generous in giving it two stars. But if hadn't had some interest I wouldn't have been able to read it through. If only to see what really stupid thing she would do next.
Rating:
Summary: This story will leave a lasting impression
Review: I first read this book, at my friend's insistence, in 1995 while away on a vacation weekend. For the whole weekend I walked around with it under my nose- simply unwilling to put it down. It was the first paperback romance that I had read and I was, quite frankly, not expecting to find any substance to it - feeling superior as I did, to the kinds of people, who I imagined must read this frothy frivolous type of "literature".( I'm sure other romance readers are familiar with this condescension from those who would never be caught reading a book of this genre.) To my chagrin, I found the book completely fascinating, and for quite some time afterwards, my thoughts returned to the lead characters, and to the images formed from the many intricately detailed descriptions depicting that terrible time in European history. And so, five years later, on the reissue of Surrender to A Strange, I find myself highly recommending this book. In fact, I give it the highest recommendation. This recommendation does not, however, come without warnings:First of all, be prepared to be disturbed. The macabre evil images of shocking cruelty; of horrific degradation suffered by so many, at the hands of the confused masses gone mad - these images of the most base despicable actions of mankind .may not put you in a light-hearted mood. Are you ready for this darkness? Secondly, be prepared to not immediately like the young heroine. While she, Jacqueline, is admirably strong-willed, brave and dignified from page 1, she is also unattractively haughty and her self-assured belief that she is a superior creature endowed with noble virtues because of her aristocratic birth and upbringing is sure to irritate many readers. But for me, this allowed a most interesting development of character to take place and so added further richness to this moving story. By the latter half of the story, we find the heroine's thinking about "the filthy common peasant" and the vulgar profit-driven bourgeoisie profoundly altered. Jacqueline's testy and passionate relationship with the magnificent wiser and older hero, plus her encounters with a common street urchin bring her a new understanding of what makes people decent, worthy and honorable. And in learning this lesson Jacqueline's true and glorious colours are ultimately revealed. Brilliantly done. It is also possible, that some readers will not approve of Jacqueline's desperate need to avenge the wrongful deaths of her father and brother - because it means abandoning perhaps forever, her two young sisters. This obsessive need for revenge seems unconscionable to us, as most of us have not been raised to believe, as the noble classes of that time were, that vengeance and honor -killings were obligatory actions, duties of the highest order to family, country and king. These days most of us admire those who are strong and compassionate enough to "love thy enemy", and who fight for causes, not with bloodshed, but perhaps using the passive-resistance style of say, Mahatma Gandhi. Not so then. In my opinion, a good part of what makes this story so worthwhile is Karyn Monk's understanding and portrayal of the very different views of honorable behavior that existed in society at the close of feudalism in Europe. A final warning to the reader who may take this book to a public place to read, - beware the first love scene! Here are images so tantalizingly exquisitely erotic, that you would be well advised to read them in a setting where any sighs or heightened color in your cheeks are not noticed by passers-by! It is testimony to Karyn Monk's superb finesse as a descriptive writer that she can create such a moving vicarious experience for her readers' pleasure. I imagine that the obligatory love scenes required by this genre of story, could be easily turned farcical by the wrong choice of words (think of the stereotype of the sex scenes in such books- all heaving bosom and rising manhood - often ridiculous). Ms. Monk's portrayal, on the other hand, is pure poetry. Enough said, I recommend this book to anyone who wants a challenging worthwhile story to read. See for yourself. I predict it will leave a lasting impression.
Rating:
Summary: What a great story and book cover!!!!
Review: I have read all of Karyn Monk's books except the latest and I love her writing. This book is no exception. I loved Armand with his many talents and intelligence. Was thrilled when she let Jacqueline grow and mature away from her snobbish upbringing. I bought this book not only because I enjoy her writing but I had to have it, as a keeper, for the cover as well. I wish more publishers would acknowledge the models or at least acknowledge the illustrator. Frank Accornero is one of the best along with Jon Paul and I love their work as much as the books. Now I hope a sequel is in the future as I would love to know what happens to Phillipe, Seraphine especially and Suzanne too.
Rating:
Summary: On a scale of 1-5 this book is a 10 !
Review: I have read all of the other review and they have really captured this book well. I had to add my 2 cents only because this is perhaps the best book I have ever read. (Well, tied for best anyway). The writing is superb. The story line is compelling and twists and turns. The characters are tormented, selfish and then courageous and self sacrificing. The emotions run the gamut. I do find some of the French Rev. graphics disturbing but those were in fact true. It is unbelievable that such atrocities occurred in our wonderful world at any time of our history. The characters were fully developed and I loved the addition of Phillipe to the story. If you read one book this month, let it be this one. It's remarkable. Great job KM.
( "The rebel and the redcoat" is an amer rev story by this author which was also excellent. "The Prisoner" was also enjoyable.)
Rating:
Summary: Awesome Surrender!
Review: I love this book. I do not have time to read a lot of romance novels, but I love history mixed wit romance and that is what this is. I could not put the book down from the moment that I read the opening paragraph. The character, Jaqueline, is such a strong character and I love the developement of her relationship with Armand. They both realize in the end that they have to stop chasing the ghosts of their pasts and in the end they help each other do that. It's truly a riveting tale to say the least, packed with detail of the French Revolution that I love. I'm a great lover of history,and the blend of it with the romance was great.
Rating:
Summary: Awesome Surrender!
Review: I love this book. I do not have time to read a lot of romance novels, but I love history mixed wit romance and that is what this is. I could not put the book down from the moment that I read the opening paragraph. The character, Jaqueline, is such a strong character and I love the developement of her relationship with Armand. They both realize in the end that they have to stop chasing the ghosts of their pasts and in the end they help each other do that. It's truly a riveting tale to say the least, packed with detail of the French Revolution that I love. I'm a great lover of history,and the blend of it with the romance was great.
Rating: 
Summary: pass this one by...
Review: I read alot of romances.. and at 5.99 and up.. Im starting to have to get more picky.. I had put Karyn Monk on my list of authors to follow.. but like the previous reviewers found this book to be very disappointing. In fact, not worth the money. The heroine has very little to recommend her, the plot just plain boring..and you do question why the hero is interested! Lets hope this work was just the result of a couple of bad months, and her other works are more typical..
Rating:
Summary: an enjoyable escape!
Review: I thoroughly enjoyed Surrender to a Stranger.Karyn Monk weaves a richly patterned, vividly hued tapestry.Scene after scene, historical detail is combined effortlessly with the intense drama of adventure and breathtaking romance.I particularly liked the character development of the heroine who changes from a spoilt, lofty individual to one who feels compassion and admiration for others regardless of their station in life.For one who seeks out historical epics, I found Karyn Monk's story a quick and easy alternative. I look forword to the next escape!
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