Rating: 
Summary: Stick with the original "Scarlet Pimpernel"
Review: Jacqueline is a spoiled French aristocrat languishing in the Conciergerie prison when she is rescued by the "Black Prince" and taken to England against her will. Yes, I said "against her will" because, oddly enough, she wants revenge against the man who destroyed her family more than she wants to be reunited with the little sisters who need her in England.Imagine the "Black Prince," a half-English, half-French, Scarlet Pimpernel-type, who goes to a great deal of trouble disguising himself and thinking up elaborate rescue schemes that could easily land him a date with Madame la Guillotine, finding his efforts actually REJECTED by a young woman only hours away from execution! Frankly, in his shoes, I would have left her there and saved my efforts for a more grateful recipient. Even after her reunion with her sisters proves to her how much they have suffered and how much they need her in their lives, Jacqueline is scheming to return to France to kill Nicolas, the man who caused the deaths of her father and brother and the loss of her home and wealth. Armand, the "Black Prince" himself, refuses categorically to take her, and rightfully so. But then she comes up with the idea of getting him to take her to France on the pretext of rescuing her fiancé. It's not that she loves the guy or anything, although she doesn't like to think of him in prison; what she really wants is to have a go at killing her nemesis, Nicolas. This is a very long book and rather than go into all of the details, let me say that both Armand and Jacqueline, portrayed as being clever and brave enough to outwit the French revolutionaries over and over again, repeatedly fall into obvious traps and repeatedly have to find innovative and frankly incredible ways to escape the bloodthirsty mobs. They both seem to be inflicted with a death wish. Armand's motives can be explained by his guilt feelings following a terrible family tragedy. But Jacqueline's don't ring true. For one thing, why does she blame all of her problems on Nicolas? He's a villain, to be sure, but doesn't she realize that losing her family and her wealth was inevitable? Aristocrats were being imprisoned and executed and their estates and wealth confiscated without any plausible reason. Nicolas's betrayal may have expedited the process, but the outcome would have been the same even without his participation. Has Armand truly been cured of his self-destructive behavior? Will he be a faithful husband to Jacqueline when he wasn't with his first wife? I'm not convinced of that. It bothers me that the hero and heroine supposedly speak to each other in French when there isn't even a smattering of French anywhere, other than names of people and places. (But that's the natural prejudice of a French teacher.) It bothers me that the hero asks for the heroine's virginity as payment for his rescue services. . . and gets it. It bothers me that the hero is looked down on as a commoner by Jacqueline when his mother was the daughter of a French marquis. It bothers me that the character of the "Black Prince" is so similar to the Scarlet Pimpernel, from his elaborate disguises to the ship and valiant crew to the incident where the villain's guards are replaced by the hero's men dressed in their uniforms. But what bothers me most of all is it suddenly started me wondering if the Scarlet Pimpernel truly lived happily ever after with Jane Seymour or whether he continued his daring rescue operations in spite of their happy marriage. Oh rats!
Rating: 
Summary: Surrender to a Stranger
Review: Next to The Rebel and THe Redcoat Surrender to a Stranger is the best book ever written by Karyn Monk. I was practically pulling out my hair it was so suspenseful. I also appreciate how the author paints a clear picture of the Reign of Terror during the French Revolution. The characters Jacqueline,Armand,and Philippe truly touched my heart. I dare anyone to have a negative opinion about this book.
Rating:
Summary: Fantastic!
Review: SURRENDER TO A STRANGER is a enthralling story of passion, love, and intrigue. Karyn Monk weaves a rich, vivid tapestry of the Reign of Terror, seamlessly combining historical detail with intense drama, adventure, and breathtaking romance. Jacqueline and Armand are compelling characters, richly drawn and developed, who must grow and change and come to terms with the past in order to embrace their future. Jacqueline's transformation from a spoilt, arrogant aristocrat to a woman of compassion is extremely well done. Readers might not like her at first, but they will fully understand her actions and how she rises above the lessons and training of her childhood to become a truly noble woman. Armand's change from a reckless care-for-nobody to a man who hopes for a future is less drastic but equally complex. The secondary characters add depth and texture to the tale. Karyn Monk's SURRENDER TO A STRANGER is a fast-paced, fascinating, and riveting story of two lost souls and the healing power of love.
Rating:
Summary: Fantastic!
Review: SURRENDER TO A STRANGER is a enthralling story of passion, love, and intrigue. Karyn Monk weaves a rich, vivid tapestry of the Reign of Terror, seamlessly combining historical detail with intense drama, adventure, and breathtaking romance. Jacqueline and Armand are compelling characters, richly drawn and developed, who must grow and change and come to terms with the past in order to embrace their future. Jacqueline's transformation from a spoilt, arrogant aristocrat to a woman of compassion is extremely well done. Readers might not like her at first, but they will fully understand her actions and how she rises above the lessons and training of her childhood to become a truly noble woman. Armand's change from a reckless care-for-nobody to a man who hopes for a future is less drastic but equally complex. The secondary characters add depth and texture to the tale. Karyn Monk's SURRENDER TO A STRANGER is a fast-paced, fascinating, and riveting story of two lost souls and the healing power of love.
Rating: 
Summary: Still A Fan
Review: Surrender to a Stranger is a good romance novel that captures the era of the French Revolution. Although the beginning is strong and the characters interesting, the plot development wears thin once Jacqueline discovers what has happened to the "Black Prince"(those who have read this novel know what I mean...hint: it's towards the end.) As a fan of her work, it's sad to see this labeled as one of her "new" works because she has truly developed as a writer since its original publication---it's evident in comparing this to her more recent published novels. There is no doubt in my mind that Karyn Monk is a good writer, however Surrender to a Stranger lacks the excitement and drama of her other novels: The Witch and Warrior, Once a Warrior. If this is your introduction to Ms. Monk's work, try her other novels to see if you'll like her style and characters.
Rating:
Summary: FX of the 18th Century
Review: SURRENDER TO A STRANGER is one of the very best historical romances around. It reads like an FX (remember that wonderful movie of a master of disguise?) taking place during the French Revolution. Jacqueline has been taken captive by the French rebels who are summarily sentencing to death anyone who was an aristocrat. She fully expects to be guillotined at daybreak. Instead, an old man shuffles into her cell at night, and helps her escape. Jacqueline learns she has been rescued by the Black Prince, who helps spirit French aristocrats away to England. Their trip to England is fast-paced, full of adventure, and superb plotting as Ms. Monk dresses her characters in disguise after disguise to avoid being caught. The romantic tension bet. Jacqueline and her Black Prince is wonderful. It's the terrific, timeless plot of how two people thrust together in a highly tense situation fall in love. This book first appeared in 1995--hats off to Bantam Books for releasing it again now so it can find new fans! I heartily recommend it!
Rating:
Summary: "A FABULOUS, PASSIONATE STORY"
Review: This book is a wonderful read, filled with fascinating historical detail, action-packed adventure, and a very moving love story. Karyn Monk has created an unforgettable hero and heroine who are both strong and determined, yet flawed by their backgrounds and the opposing beliefs of their times. I really liked how they both had to grow and change before they came together at the end of the book. "Surrender To A Stranger" should not be compared to Ms. Monk's "Warrior" books, which are lighter and more comic. This is a beautifully written, richly detailed historical novel, and I strongly recommend it to anyone who enjoys a more serious, passionate love story.
Rating:
Summary: A real page turner!
Review: This book is by far the best book I've read by this author (I've read all but one which is out of print). Set in the chaos of the French revolution, the hero continuously risks his life to save members of the french aristocracy who are imprisoned and awaiting death. Eventually he rescues Jacqueline whose love allows him to deal with his past tragedy. The author does a great job of painting a literary picture of France's era of strife.
Rating:
Summary: A real page turner!
Review: This book is by far the best book I've read by this author (I've read all but one which is out of print). Set in the chaos of the French revolution, the hero continuously risks his life to save members of the french aristocracy who are imprisoned and awaiting death. Eventually he rescues Jacqueline whose love allows him to deal with his past tragedy. The author does a great job of painting a literary picture of France's era of strife.
Rating:
Summary: I loved this book
Review: This book was great. While it certainly was different from the other Karyn Monk novels I have read, I thoroughly enjoyed the historic detail and suspense that the book offered. I have read this book twice already, and, while I generally like books that are more light hearted than this, I enjoyed the strength, passion and commitment of the characters, as well as the rich detail of the french revolutionary setting. I have suggested this book to several of my friends who tell me they are enjoying it.
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