reviewed by
ANNA C. BOWLING
With the release of Surrender, Pamela Clare proves herself the mistress of the colonial historical romance with another atmospheric, emotional tale, the start of a new series featuring Scottish brothers during the French and Indian War.
Lady Anne Burness Campbell must make a new life for herself after her evil uncle, Bain, murders her mother and sells Anne into indentured servitude on the New York frontier. Thrust into a life far different from her privileged past, Anne struggles to adapt to her surroundings while looking for respite. Relief comes in the unlikely form of an Indian uprising, where Anne finds an entirely new struggle ahead of her.
Here she meets fellow Scot, Iain MacKinnion, serving with the British Rangers under duress. In his camp, Anne finds respite and healing, though she faces new challenges. Her attraction to Iain is palpable, yet she knows he must not discover her true identity, as the Campbells and MacKinnions are enemies. She reinvents herself as Annie Burns, and finds peace and acceptance with Iain and his brothers.
It’s a good thing that Annie is a strong heroine who can stand on her own. When Iain, a fighting man to the core, is called to duty elsewhere, Annie must chart her own course through a lecherous nobleman who has the power to send her back to Uncle Bain. Iain, too, finds himself torn between love and duty, and in a particularly touching scene before a battle, arranges for Annie’s welfare should he not return. Annie’s true identity comes to light, presenting another layer of conflict. Through it all, Iain and Annie form a deep and lasting bond, each willing to sacrifice for the other, and become a couple who truly earns their happily ever after.
Ms. Clare does not shy away from the realities of the era, be they the dangers of frontier life, the threat of attack or the religious differences between Iain and Annie (he is Protestant, she is Catholic) that may threaten their chance for a future together. Readers who enjoy seeing an alpha hero pushed to the brink will enjoy Iain, and admire Annie’s strength and resourcefulness as they look forward to Iain’s brothers’s stories. Readers who prefer gentler love scenes may consider one particular (consensual) encounter better suited to the realm of erotic romances.
Surrender is a fast paced adventure with a believable romance sure to delight Scottish and colonial fans, and whet the appetite for future installments.
