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Summary: Karyn Monk At Her Best!
Review: This has to be one of the most fascinating stories I have read. It had me engrossed from the first page. Surrender To A Stranger takes place during the French Revolution. The heroine, Jacqueline, is convicted as a traitor to the new Republic of France and sentenced to death at the guillotine. She is rescued the night before her execution by the hero, Armand ,and whisked away to England. I liked how Monk uses vivid description of France during this bloody reign of terror. The history was accurately portrayed, but be warned that it is somewhat disturbing. The bloodthirsty visciousness of the french population can be quite difficult to read at times. In other words, this is not a lighthearted read. Also, the heroine does not begin the story as a very likable person. She is sheltered, spoiled and very classist. However, she does change as the story moves forward. As they say, live and learn and I believe that Monk did a terrific job of developing the heroine's character. The romance is everything one could want in a story. Romantic conflict, sharing, passion and adventure. I also liked how they are not portrayed as these perfect people. They both have some issues they have to deal with which they help each other through. All in all, this is a beautifly written story that I am glad to have read.
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Summary: Wonderful characters, wonderful plot!!
Review: This is what a good novel is- good plot, great characterizations. I read alot and get tired of those trite books that proceed in a typical pattern. This is a great story and I love Karyn Monk! I also love Judith McNaught and Gaelen Foley, who also write with a depth missing in other romance novels
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Summary: Excellent
Review: This was my first Karyn Monk book, after reading all the others it is my favorite. Written well and such a great storyline.
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Summary: An amazing book that transcends the genre
Review: Truly a wonderful book, and one of the few romance novels I've ever read that could be called a classic. Worth tracking down even if it is out of print.
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Summary: This is a reprint and not a new Karyn Monk Book
Review: Unfortunately, I made the mistake of assuming this was a new work by Karyn Monk - only the cover is new. It took less than one chapter for me to realize I was once again reading a book which was about ten years old. A book I never bothered to finish because it was quite boring. Karyn Monk has the ability to become a superstar in the romance world but only if her publishers refrain from insulting her readers intelligence by reprinting her earlier work and labelling it as "new". Save your money & valuable reading time. If you are a new Karyn Monk reader try Once a Warrior or The Witch & The Warrior. If you liked either of those books pass on this one and wait for a truly new Karyn Monk book.
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Summary: excellent read for a rainy day
Review: Very well written novel. I enjoyed the book a great deal. The writer's use of language lets you visualize both the characters and the events around them. It was a little predictable, but a good read nevertheless. I have read far worse. This will be an author I follow. She can only get better!
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Summary: Totally engrossing historical novel!
Review: What a passionate and exciting historical novel this is! I was completely engrossed by the dangerous escapades of Armand and Jacqueline. In the backdrop of the bloody French Revolution, Armand St. James wittingly and willingly rescues and transports innocent aristocrats from the guillotine in Paris. He puts his own life in danger countless times while trying to give life to those who are about to be executed. And one of the victims he rescues is Jacqueline Doucette, a spoiled but resilient daughter of the former duc de Lambert. Armand is instantly captivated by the courageous and spirited beauty who was about to be sentenced to death. Her only crime being that she tried to protect her family from the revolution and having aristo blood. Although the magical attraction and passion draws them to each other, forces beyond their control keep separating the two. Jacqueline's undying vow to seek revenge and Armand's tragic past that haunts him each day. Ok, you'll have to read the book to find what happens and let me tell you all 485 pages are totally worth it. I wanted more. This fast paced book kept me up late at night and had me gripping the book throughout. Ms. Monk developed a wonderful heroine and a devastatingly sexy hero that merges from ashes of the revolution to be triumphant. With intricate plots that jump back and forth from France to England. And of course, I learned more about the French Revolution, from an aristocrat's perspective. I did have a few questions after reading the book, however. Like, what ever happened to Marquis de Biret? Did Seraphine ever speak again? Did Antoine really die? Overall, I enjoyed this book immensely and can't wait to read rest of her books.
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Summary: Truly a book worth reading.
Review: When a (romance) book comes on the market written about the French Revolution, it usually written from the perspective of England and their struggle against Napoleon, or some sort of spy thriller, again written from the perspective of England or the victors. Once in a while we will stumble upon a book set in New Orleans about a displaced French aristocrat, but very rarely are we introduced to the French view of their Revolution or to the period of time known as The Reign of Terror. Granted, this is not a very romantic setting, with all the death and what we think today of as nazi-like paranoia against your fellow "citizen". Thousands upon thousands of people were killed in the name of Liberty, Equality and Fraternity. Karyn Monk takes this time period and weaves a wonderful tale of two lost souls. It is not easy to balance the darkness of the time period and the classical happily-ever-after ending of a romance, but Ms. Monk succeeds. Jacqueline is a spoiled elitist, who nevertheless learns and grows throughout the story. I always find character development to be key in any good book, and Jacqueline definitely develops. One might not agree with her thoughts and views, but is given the opportunity to see why she thinks like she does and how she rises above her beliefs to truly be "noble". Armand, our "Scarlet Pimpernel" is motivated by his own demons (as most of our romantic heroes are), but this doesn't detract from his character. He is a master at disguise and uses his various "counterrevolutionary" contacts (which are convenient though never truly explained) to help him rescue the unfortunate victims. The secondary characters, Jacqueline's sisters, Philippe, Nicolas, and various others, add even more depth and interest to the book. I have but a few criticisms. First, the amount of times, and with seeming ease our hero and heroine escape prisons and France. If it were so "easy" more people would have done it. Ms. Monk gives a great description of a prison wardens thoughts and worries with overcrowding and rushed paperwork. This is terrific insight on how tired and over-worked the bearocrats were, but doesn't allow for such ease of escape for two such wanted people. I also didn't like how characters seemed to appear and then we hear nothing about them. What happens to Jacqueline's ex-fiancé, to Justin and others we meet along the way? This is a great book so don't miss reading it!
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