12 DAYS of Reviews & Giveaways: Surrender by C.J. Archer

Item: Surrender
Rating: 5
Author: Regina

Posted on December 13, 2013 by Regina | 6 Comments

Surrender by C.J. Archer
Published by Self Published on January 25, 2012
Format: eBook
Source: Purchased by Reviewer
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Gentleman spy, Alexander Redcliff, murdered his colleague. It's an event he can't remember, except in his nightmares. Suppressing them is the only way to keep his sanity, but forgetting is no longer an option.

Only one woman can save Alex from himself.

Georgiana Appleby is a most unconventional lady. Prejudice shadows the physician and scandal is never far away. Forced to take Alex as her patient, she must not give into the rogue's advances or she will risk losing her career and her heart.

Will Alex's fierce longing for Georgiana be enough or will he surrender to the darkness inside?

Ladies, you will Surrender your heart (as well as your skivvies) to Alexander Redcliff.

A tall, broad shouldered and strikingly handsome gentleman filled the doorway. Striking in that his good looks hit her in the chest and stole her breath. Dark hair curling at the ends framed a strong, lean face. A wide mouth was saved from being overly generous by the sculptured, defined lips. The square jaw could have been hewn from marble and wouldn’t look out of place on a classical statue. He was perfection…

Gah! I thoroughly enjoyed this stand alone novel by C.J. Archer. I wanted to reread it as soon as I finished. I find I feel that way often when it comes to C.J. Archer books. The author took what was a common predicament in the mid 1800’s, opium addiction, and built a steamy and satisfying romance around it.

Alexander Redcliff — Pretty sure the attire is off, but Ian is the perfect Alex in my mind.

Tall, dark, and handsome doesn’t even cover it. Alex is not your regular 19th century playboy. He’s a seasoned spy for the British Army, and his good looks could effectively render a battalion of women useless. He is currently relieved from active duty due to Post Traumatic Stress. Alex has been nursing his PTSD with opium. Just enough to get him through the night, and keep the nightmare’s (of what he believes is all too real) at bay. Alex’s superior in the ranks suspects his opium addiction is surpressing important information that will uncover the facts behind Alex’s friend, and fellow spy’s disappearance. Enter, lady physician Georgina Appleby.

I think Emily Blunt would make a lovely Gerogina Appleby.

Georgina learned her trade from her father who is now deceased. She’s a skilled female physician when it comes to matters of opium, and she’s a diamond in the rough when it comes to appearance. Georgina has carefully crafted her physical presentation to be one of a mousy nurse maid, but her tenacious disposition, and warm good-looks do not hide well. Her meeting with Alexander gets off to a rocky, if not stimulating start. Alexander is determined he doesn’t have an opium problem, but Georgina’s reputation depends on curing Alex of his ailment. Georgina may feign innocence, but she has a scandalous past she is trying to keep buried, and she fears Alexander Redcliff will be her undoing.

Might there be a female in Alexander's past that Georgina has to compete with? — Might there be a female in Alexander’s past that Georgina has to compete with?

The dynamic between Alexander and Georgina during Alex’s bouts of opium-imposed lunacy gave Surrender a very Beauty and the Beast-like vibe. This story is paced as brusquely as a waltz, and gets down to the good bits in record time. It’s a story fit to read on or near your fainting couch because the verbal games of cat and mouse, and steamy scenes will buckle your knees. Surrender appealed to the historian and romance lover in me. Alexander is an irresistible character, and so well written! All of C.J. Archer’s male MC’s have the pull of Damon Salvatore from The Vampire Diaries. There’s just something primal and magnetic about them that charms the ever-loving pants off of me. Georgina’s character is equally enjoyable. She’s no pushover, and her approach to Alexander, her past, and her work were a delight to read. Surrender was hands-down one of my favorite, quick and steamy reads of 2013. I will leave you with one more teaser for good measure. Enter below for a chance to win a digital copy of this seductive story.

He took a step closer to her. He pressed both palms against the oak panneling on either side of her head and dipped his face so their eyes were level. In that pose, she could neither move nor open the door.

“Scared you, have I?” he whispered in her ear.

“Yes” she said, seeing no reason to lie. “But I am used to the tantrums of opium users. You will not frighten me into abandoning my commision.”