Sophie Jordan, Surrender to Me

Surrender to Me

Sophie Jordan

Avon, Aug 2008, $6.99

ISBN: 9780061339271

The Ton blames Lady Astrid Derring for her spouse leaving her. With no income, she is forced to attend galas in order to eat the cucumber sandwiches served while men make illicit offers and women gossip. When she hears a rumor that the rat who left her is marrying an heiress in Scotland, Astrid decides to confront the man who destroyed her reputation in order for his betrothed to know the truth.

On the trek to the Highlands, Texan Griffin Shaw, in Scotland to meet his Scottish relatives, rescues Astrid from thugs, but he is hurt in the battle. They stop at a nearby inn to see to Griffin wounds only her spouse is there. Astrid is under the scoundrel's bed hiding when someone kills him. As one assault after another occurs as they travel to his grandfather's estate, the American and the widow fall in love, but survival comes first.

This is a fast-paced regency that showcases the tenuous position of many female members of the Ton; as everyone blames Astrid for the desertion. Astrid is a wonderful protagonist who holds her head up high while attending events she does want to go to; her motive for going is the food she cannot afford. Griffin is a more typical character as a Texan with aristocratic blood in his veins taking his Wild West personality amongst the Ton. Regency romance readers will appreciate Sophie Jordan's fine historical romance.

Harriet Klausner