Surrender to a Stranger [Mass Market Paperback]

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.

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!

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.